On a gray morning inside the Athena Palace, Perdus entered his office to find his papers scattered and his official seal upside down on the floor.
"This isn't in vain… This is a warning," he said in a low voice as he picked it up.
His assistant, Crito, entered quickly: "Sir, there's a rumor spreading in the palace… They say you're falsifying evidence."
Perdus froze, then said sharply: "Who's saying that?"
Crito replied: "It started in the Mados wing, then spread among the guards, and now it's reached the Cabinet."
Perdus entered the judgment hall to meet Melos, his face taut, his voice firm: "Sir, someone is slandering me. They say I'm falsifying the investigation, that I'm working for a foreign party."
Melos responded coldly: "I've heard of it. But there's no proof yet."
Perdus said, "The evidence is that I'm getting closer to the truth... and that's what scares them."
Silverus, the military commander, entered and said, removing his glove:
"Perdus, the investigations you're leading have become a burden. Every day a new figure is accused, and every night a new case is opened. Is this an investigation... or chaos?"
Perdus replied sharply:
"Chaos is letting the assassins run amok in the palace, and we just keep quiet."
Maddus, the advisor, intervened and said in a calm voice:
"Perdus, no one denies your intelligence. But you're starting to see conspiracy around every corner. This is a threat to the balance."
Perdus, staring at him, replied:
"Balance is not built on lies. And you know that, Madus."
"Enough," Melos said, rising from his chair. "Let's have a formal hearing. We'll summon you before the Council tomorrow to present your findings. If your evidence is strong, you'll continue. If it's weak, your powers of investigation will be revoked."
Perdus said coldly, "I'll be there. But when I speak, no one will be silent."
That night, Perdus met with Crito in his office.
"Will you present everything?" Crito asked. "Even what concerns De Maurier?"
Perdus replied, "Everything. If we keep quiet now, there's nothing left to protect."
"And what about Alexios? Silius' son?" Crito replied. "I'll hint… but I won't expose. Not now."
The next morning, the Council of Athens met in the Great Hall. Ministers, leaders, advisors, and even some of the major merchants were present.
Perdus stood before them and began his presentation.
He said:
"King Silius was not killed by a sword, nor by ordinary poison. Rather, he was killed by a rare substance that only entered via special sea routes. These routes are controlled by France."
One of the ministers intervened:
"Are you accusing De Mauret?"
Perdus replied:
"I don't accuse… I point out. And there is a difference."
"Do you have proof?" Madus said, placing his hand on the table.
Perdus replied:
"We found similar vials in French crates secretly emptied into the port of the Eastern Agora. Is this a coincidence?"
Silverus said:
"But that doesn't prove anything. Perhaps they were medical supplies."
Perdus replied:
"Then why were they emptied at night? And why aren't they recorded?"
One of the merchants said:
"And was there an internal party that helped with this?"
Perdus, staring at Madaus, replied, "Perhaps. Someone is planting a new heir, paving the way for him. The closer we get to the truth, the more rumors spread."
Madaus said coldly, "Alexios, son of Silius. This is no secret. But you're using him as leverage."
Perdus replied, "I'm not using anyone. I'm warning that the throne is being reshaped in the shadows, while we argue in public."
Melus said, rising, "Perdus, what you're saying is dangerous. But you haven't provided conclusive evidence. Do you have a name? A signature? A witness?"
Perdus replied, "I have a network of eyes... but they don't speak out. Because they know that whoever speaks... is silenced."
One of the ministers said, "Then we're stripping you of your investigative powers?"
But Melus said, "No. We're giving him a week. If he doesn't provide conclusive evidence, the investigation will be halted."
After the meeting, Perdus left the hall, with Crito at his side.
Crito said, "They've put pressure on you."
Perdus replied, "That means I'm getting closer."
Crito said, "And what will you do?"
Perdus replied, "I'll go where they least expect it... and I'll return with something they can't deny."