The Beginning of the Purge

The Imperial Palace's Main Hall.

It was already past noon and the Main Hall of the Imperial Palace which was usually empty was now filled with people.

Many people had converged within the extremely vast hall. On the left side were row after row of silver and black armored knights, whereas on the right side was row after row of maids in their maids' outfits, gardeners, and butlers, etc. All of them stood there solemnly.

Aside from the Imperial Princes and the other members of the Hyperion Imperial Family, almost all the personals and workers of the Imperial Palace were currently gathered in the main hall.

At this moment, the gazes of every one were fixated upon the young man sitting on the throne-like chair on the stage, gazing at them with a cold and emotionless expression on his face.

Actually, up until now, everyone was still completely bewildered and didn't understand why the 13th Imperial Prince who didn't care about political things and rarely made public appearances would command all the knights and servants of the Imperial palace to gather here.

Normally, such command could only be issued by the emperor of the Helios Empire himself. However, as the 13th Imperial Prince had the Emperor's Seal in his possession, his words and commands were akin to the Emperor's Will.

Unless one didn't want to be accused of treason, one had to follow his command without fail. Even the other Imperial Princes were no exception. That's how powerful and scary the Emperor's Seal was.

Also, throughout the history of the Helios Empire, there was no instance where the Emperor summoned and mobilized the entire staff of the Imperial Palace in one place. This was the first time something like that happened.

Furthermore, not only the 13th Imperial Princes summoned all of them in one place, he even ordered the lockdown of the entire Imperial Palace. As such, no one could leave and enter the Imperial Palace at this moment.

Could it be that some sort of major and unexpected change has occurred within the Imperial Palace?

The expressions of everyone in the hall went grim when they thought of this.

Has a major event occurred? It wouldn't be that an enemy's force has invaded the Imperial Palace and disguised as knights and maids, right?

At this moment, everyone was on the edge as they didn't know what was going. Their expressions turned solemn as they held their breaths in concentration, and the atmosphere seemed to be perfectly silent.

That was even more true for those who were guilty of something or committed a crime. They were all sweating profusely, wondering if it's because of them.

Though speculations ran wild in the minds of everyone, none of them dared to make a sound or act presumptuously as they stood there quietly, waiting for the 13th Imperial Prince.

"It's a pleasure to meet all of you. I assume I can skip the introduction of who I am?" Amidst the silence, a commanding voice that was filled with nobility rang across the main hall.

At the same time, Mikhail got up from his chair. His face was serious as he clasped his hands behind his back and pacing back and forth on the stage.

He looked extremely authoritative and aloof as he was looking down upon the people below with his cold and emotionless eyes.

"I am sure that many of us are confused, wondering why are you here." Said Mikhail as he continued to pace back and forth on the stage with his hands still behind his back.

"As many of you already knew, I, Vandal Alexi Hyperion, the 13th Imperial Prince of the Helios Empire had relinquished my right to the throne."

"I have no desire to fight for the throne or become the Emperor of the Helios Empire. I don't want to be bound by anything. My wish is to be free like the wind and live for my own sake."

"However, as the 13th Imperial Prince of the Helios Empire, there are many I can't decisions without getting the permission of the Emperor."

"As such, my request for relinquishing my right to the throne was never approved. However, knowing about my determination, the benevolent emperor has given me a chance."Explained Mikhail.

Meanwhile, everyone stood there quietly and solemnly as they were listening to Mikhail. No matter who they might be, no one dared to act presumptuously in the presence of the 13th Imperial Prince.

Nonetheless, Mikhail didn't stop there as he continued to speak." The Emperor has agreed to grant my wish on the conditions that I eliminate and drive away every single Ether Church follower within the Helios Empire which is why I'm here."

"Since I have undertaken this task the emperor has given me, I chose the Imperial Palace as the first place to purge before moving onto the other places," Mikhail said as he smiled coldly.

What!

Mikhail's last sentence was a like thunderclap as a certain group of people from the crowd were shaken to the core and needed to take a deep breath after hearing it. It was as if they've been hit by a lightning bolt.

In fact, everyone within the main hall was dumbstruck at the moment. Both the knights and the servants couldn't believe what they just heard.

'Don't tell me those lunatics from the Ether Church have even infiltrated the Imperial Palace.'

"Holy shit! Those damn bastards are among us.'

At this moment, fear and nervousness permeated the heart of the people within the main hall as they still were processing the 13th Imperial Prince's words.

The Ether Church was the most fearful influence throughout the whole Antheia World as all its members were a bunch of crazy lunatics. They were even more feared than the Ether Beasts.

No one knew exactly how powerful was the Ether Church or how many followers it had, but none could deny its great and fearful influence throughout the Antheia World.

"Anyway, I already know that there are dozens of Ether Church followers who have infiltrated the Imperial Palace and are currently in the main hall."

"I hope you will cooperate and willingly give yourself up. Do not make it difficult for me." Mikhail smiled coldly, "If you make it difficult for me, I'll make you regret you ever born! This, I promise you!"