Chapter 13 S2

"The colonisation of the planet Firl is going according to plan. We're not encountering any resistance and the population remains calm as long as our guards provide security and don't interfere with daily activities and business. We've already opened four wells and the fifth is currently being dug. In just a few months, we'll have extracted enough stone and precious metal to meet our financing needs for weapons and military equipment. The first decision to colonise was adopted unanimously, but I think it's important to put the continuation of operations to the vote as long as the Prince doesn't mind? said an elderly man dressed in military garb in front of a group of important-looking people seated around a large varnished wooden table. 

Seiran nodded half-heartedly but agreed all the same. He had no choice. In any case, Tomil had told him not to oppose the process, which meant that the organisation had the situation in mind. As for the rest, he knew nothing of what was planned. He was navigating by sight in a situation where he had no control over any of the parameters and was only aware of the bare minimum. His only contact with the outside world was Tomil. 

The constant tension caused by his groping around in a critical danger zone was wearing. But there was nothing he could do about it, so he bowed his head. And he signed. 

-In that case, who's going to vote in favour of further colonisation? 

All hands went up. 

-In that case, I propose that we ratify the decision," he said, placing a document in front of Seiran and bowing. 

Seiran didn't say a word. In a heavy silence, he signed the paper before handing it back to the man who had given it to him. The man cleared his throat, uneasy all the same at the prince's visible and blatant disagreement with the document that had just been signed. 

This charade was beginning to get on Seiran's nerves. For over a month, he had been signing document after document for things he was deeply opposed to. He saw Ornikarn's government hardening and taking an authoritarian turn that repelled him more than anything. And the worst thing about all this was that there was absolutely nothing he could do. If he risked even discussing the arrangements with Zorkile, the latter might simply attack him physically or threaten to attack his mother. 

And anyway, he had to follow what Tomil told him, as he was passing on direct directives from the organisation's crisis unit. Even if he had been sent by Emperor Aroslan, the latter had no choice but to pass on his directives, or Seiran's integrity would be called into question when he escaped from Ornikarn. Because those who judge him on his credibility will be the judges of the organisation, and following the directives of the crisis unit will be used as evidence to exonerate him from any responsibility for signing these highly reprehensible documents. The slightest deviation would cost him his freedom...

The idea disgusted him, and he had the impression that these technocrats who were sending him directives had nothing to do with the fate of his people and the other victims of Zorkiel. He clenched his fist but did nothing, leaving the floor to the commander who had initiated the vote. 

-I've finished my report," he said. 

He sat back down and an old man raised his hand. Seiran gave him the floor, relieved. This old councillor was one of the last supporters of his father, who had remained calm in order to maintain his position on the council, but was still trying to rectify the authoritarian approach of the new government, as best he could. 

-I'd like to discuss the sudden withdrawal of Lady Meohle, Empress Regent, who disappeared without a trace and whose only information was conveyed to us by Zorkiel," said the old councillor. 

Voices of discontent rose in the assembly. The others turned their gaze from right to left, clearly uncomfortable with the subject. 

-Our good regent certainly had her faults, but she respected our traditions of government with rigour and had a desire to democratise the way we operate. Above all, I know that her priority was the well-being of our fellow citizens. I find it hard to understand her sudden withdrawal from business and her physical disappearance. Nobody has seen her since the incident at the palace a few months ago and that worries me. As Zorkiel is elsewhere, I'd like to take this opportunity to hear your honest opinion on the matter. 

His statement sent a chill down the spine. He had been so frank and straightforward that everyone was blown away. No one could hide any more, and everyone looked at each other to gauge what the other thought of the suggestion. For his part, Seiran was full of hope. He hadn't expected such a gust of wind from the old councillor. It may not have been much, but if it could be the start of a storm from his advisers, he absolutely had to seize the opportunity. 

-I'd also like to know your opinion on the matter," he said calmly, his face placid. I have to confess that I'm not in direct contact with my mother myself and I don't even know if she's well, which surprises me greatly on her part. She's not the type to leave without giving me any news, and that worries me. 

Their gazes grew more hesitant. Seiran had been very careful not to let any emotion show. Among demons, a good leader was measured more by his ability to control his emotions than anything else. 

-You really haven't got any news? asked the commander, to the prince's surprise. 

He was the last person he thought would intervene. 

-Absolutely none," he confirmed. I don't even know if she is in her manor house in the provinces, resting as Zorkiel told us. 

He saw the old commander frown. While he knew that the Commander approved of decisions that he knew came from Zorkiel and not from him directly, he had underestimated Zorkiel's loyalty to the royal family, and especially to his mother, a former commander of the demon army. Perhaps this had struck a chord with him even more than he had imagined. It was a very pleasant surprise. 

-It's worrying indeed... he said, smoothing his beard. Perhaps we could ask the First Councillor for proof of his condition and whereabouts? 

His suggestion drew a wave of approval from the councillors. 

-The disappearance of Her Majesty the Regent Meohle is indeed most mysterious," added one of them. But as the first councillor told us that she was in good health and that she was retiring from political life to preserve herself in old age, I hadn't paid much attention to it. 

The councillors began to talk amongst themselves. It was as if all the doubts they had been hiding for the last few months were suddenly coming to the surface, now that they had a place to express themselves. 

-I agree, I don't quite understand it either! added an adviser who rarely spoke and whom Seiran didn't know well. I agree with what Commander Imior is proposing, we need proof! Her Majesty the Empress Regent would never have abandoned her people like that! 

The low masses had turned into a din. Seiran was quivering with an excitement that was hard to contain. Perhaps he was going to pull off his first coup against Zorkiel? Maybe it wouldn't be enough to make him flinch, but at least it would destabilise him. And that was something! Any destabilisation would make his work more difficult. 

-I propose that we vote on a motion to oblige the First Councillor to provide us with proof of Her Majesty's good physical health and to provide us with explanations for her sudden withdrawal from the political scene, and if that still doesn't suit us, to obtain an audience so that we can address her directly," proposed the old councillor who had initiated the subject. 

Everyone agreed unanimously. The scribe took out a new sheet of paper and quickly wrote out the text dictated to him. The document was approved and signed by Seiran. 

-I'll present the document to the First Councillor as soon as possible and come back to you with the answers he has to give us," Seiran said solemnly. 

He was jubilant. For the first time, he had managed to get the councillors to oppose Zorkiel. It wasn't much, and they probably wouldn't win their case with this document, but it would fuel doubt and fear among the councillors. For these fowl hungry for power and wealth feared one thing: losing the two assets they coveted. And there was no greater danger than someone capable of bringing down a ruler to achieve his ends. If they were far more concerned about their own fate than his mother's, showing them Zorkiel's deception regarding his mother would make them suspicious of him and they would no longer trust him. Zorkiel would thus find himself with a thorn in his side with the advisors he himself appointed to be able to manipulate them. 

But those who feed off your hand are also the first to bite you when your hand is empty. By trying to place greedy and covetous people, you end up being the target of their greed, at the risk of losing everything. 

Seiran was about to adjourn the meeting when an announcement activated all their electronic chips. Intrigued, they looked at what the message announced. Emperor Aroslan was going to speak on the intergalactic channel in a few seconds to make a fundamental announcement. 

It was decided that the video would be shown in the boardroom as they were all together anyway, and a dematerialised screen was switched on in the middle of the room so that everyone could see the video no matter which side of the table they were sitting on. The video began. 

"I address all the peoples and communities of the intergalaxy as Aroslan of Egea, Emperor of the Angel Empire. As you know, we have taken legal action against those responsible for the trade in angels. The judges have already convicted many of them, and we have now dismantled almost all the trafficking. This has been possible thanks to your cooperation, and for that I thank you. You have taken part in a just and necessary action that common sense would dictate should not be taken. In so doing, you have proved your worth as democratic governments that listen to their citizens. 

However, I note that our beautiful intergalactic order, guided by cooperation, exchange and openness, is in the process of collapsing. One person seems to me to be responsible for this: Zorkiel. After his coup in Yerpena, he undertook a vast operation on planets rich in mineral resources to develop a highly lucrative trade. His sole objective, according to our sources, is large-scale military rearmament. 

I fear that such actions will lead to the end of peace and our intergalactic order. As Emperor of Egea, the most powerful member of the intergalaxy and guardian of intergalactic peace by decree of the intergalactic parliament, I will not let this happen. I will not let anyone break this hard-won peace. I will not let any unscrupulous ruler endanger the safety of millions of innocent people. I therefore declare Zorkiel de Mannèvre an outlaw and Seiran Mesh'Azme Raalar his prisoner. I do not recognise the new government of Ornikarn as it stands today, and in this I speak for all my people. 

As of today, the angels will resume all their seats within the intergalactic bodies and will participate in all the operations carried out by the organisation, whatever they may be. I declare the end of Egea's non-intervention, and the end of my withdrawal from the intergalactic scene. I will defend the interests of Egea as decreed by my people, that is to say intergalactic peace. To this end, I will take up arms when the threat justifies it. 

To justify my words and actions, I wanted to tell you about our latest discovery. Her Majesty Empress Regent Meohle Ralaar has been detected for the first time in Komalt. According to the traces of aura found, she is in a critical condition, no doubt caused by a fierce battle before her escape. These discoveries totally contradict the claims of the new Ornikarn government that the Empress had retired to her provincial manor for the rest of her life and was leaving the political scene of her own free will.

I denounce a coup d'état and a military takeover orchestrated by Zorkiel. I therefore call on all intergalactic powers to join forces under the aegis of the organisation. The aim is to prevent a rogue government from causing disorder in the intergalactic order. I'm counting on you, and I'm counting on every citizen of the intergalaxy to support the organisation's action." 

The announcement came as a shock to the assembly of councillors. Seiran himself found it hard to take in the shock. He knew that the Emperor was on the trail of his mother in Komalt, but he had not yet received confirmation of her presence there. He had to hold back the tears in his eyes when he saw the photos of his mother's footprints collected by the investigation team sent by the organisation. 

-Sit down at last, you look like pupils who've been disturbed by the announcement that the holidays have been cancelled," he joked with undisguised cynicism. 

The councillors looked at each other, then fell silent, but did not sit down immediately. 

-First Councillor, what do you have to say about these accusations?" said one of the councillors, who was rather bold by nature. 

-Accusations? What accusations?" he pretended not to understand. Ah, you mean Emperor Aroslan's statement? Come on, it's just nonsense, I've never lied to you. As far as I know, her majesty the empress regent was resting in her provincial manor, but I know nothing more! Surely she wanted to go to Komalt to amuse herself? If I'm not mistaken, one of her attendants came from there. 

Once again, glances were exchanged. The councillors were not fooled. They had understood perfectly well. Now it was a question of whether they should act as if nothing had happened or oppose Zorkiel head-on. Knowing that they knew very little about him, it was very difficult for them to assess their chances of success. 

Seiran, on the other hand, was still frozen in place. "No! No! It's not possible!" he shouted inwardly. 

Everyone was stunned by the appearance of the newcomer. They were all processing the announcement made by the First Councillor. They were certain that the princess had died years ago, shortly after her birth, and yet they could not deny the family resemblance, so striking was the resemblance. 

Seiran suddenly felt drained of energy and had to hold back to keep from passing out. As his knees wobbled, he stepped forward as if to make sure that what he was seeing was real, but it was undeniable. He was looking at his sister in the flesh. They were finished.