Vivian had quietly judged her as someone whose future growth potential was far more limited than it should have been, and because of that, she had even looked at the Empress with a trace of pity.

Had Valoria known that, only the heavens would know how she might have reacted...

Anyway, the remainder of the journey remained mostly silent.

Before long, they finally reached their destination. The frigate smoothly touched down within the spaceport without encountering any problems, and under Vivian’s guidance, everyone disembarked from the vessel.

What greeted them afterward was yet another sight to behold.

The architecture of the spaceport was dazzling. Ancient design philosophies had been seamlessly integrated with futuristic styles, creating a perfect blend of elegance and innovation. Towering structures adorned with intricate patterns stood alongside sleek modern constructions of metal and crystal, making the entire place feel both timeless and advanced at the same time.

Rather than clashing with one another, the two styles complemented each other perfectly, making the spaceport even more pleasing and captivating to look at.

Seeing all of this, Valoria could not help but click her tongue in jealousy, thinking to herself, Why is everything here so seamless and better than even the finest places within my own Empire?

The quote, "We are captivated by what we do not have, and jealous of those who have it," was perfectly fitting for Empress Valoria at this moment. That was exactly what she was experiencing right now...

All the while, the Duke and Vivian, completely unaware of Valoria’s thoughts, moved toward the group waiting ahead of them.

A grand reception had been prepared. Armed guards stood in orderly rows on both sides while a red-and-gold carpet stretched through the center. Standing at its end was Lady Yan Shi herself.

The moment she saw them approach, Yan Shi gracefully stepped forward. Her melodic yet resonant voice echoed across the reception area as she extended her hand in greeting.

"Welcome to Celestial Prime, Empress Valoria and Arch Duke Elder Grove."

"The Celestial Void Empire honors your presence at the dawn of our Empire’s establishment and the beginning of a new era for our people."

Hearing the voice of Lady Yan Shi, one of the highest-ranking figures within the Celestial Void Empire and someone she had heard much about already, Valoria stepped forward and accepted the offered handshake.

There was even a trace of awe hidden within her eyes as she looked at the woman before her and the power she represented.

"The honor is ours, Lady Yan Shi," Valoria replied politely. "To have received an invitation to participate in such a monumental moment in your Empire’s history is a privilege indeed." She paused briefly before continuing. "After all, the Celestial Void Empire is a power that has already attracted great interest from countless civilizations across the galaxy..."

Yan Shi simply smiled politely upon hearing that and did not add anything further or reply to the statement, leaving Valoria slightly disappointed, though she had expected as much...

After exchanging a few words with the Arch Duke, and then with Admiral Vivian, Yan Shi led them toward the convoy waiting not far away. Once everyone had settled into their highly secure levitation vehicles, the procession began moving.

The convoy traveled along the grand roads, heading toward the floating castle that could be seen even from this distance.

After some time, they arrived at a checkpoint located beneath the Imperial Castle, one of the main access points leading directly into the floating fortress above. Passing through the checkpoint, the levitation vehicles ascended into the sky before reaching the floating island upon which the castle rested.

Even there, they passed through multiple layers of security checkpoints guarded by Imperial Guards before finally entering the inner castle grounds.

Soon afterward, the convoy arrived at the main entrance of the guest wing. Everyone disembarked from their vehicles and proceeded inward through the grand castle.

The castle itself possessed the atmosphere of an ancient stronghold while seamlessly incorporating modern architectural designs. Additional artistic touches only enhanced its magnificence and grandeur, elevating the entire structure to another level altogether...

Moving through gigantic hallways and vast corridors, they eventually arrived at a brilliantly decorated open hall.

Once everyone had gathered there, Yan Shi finally spoke. "This will be your residence until the ceremony begins and until your departure back to your respective Empires, Empress."

With that simple explanation, she turned around and left, leaving the three of them standing there.

Valoria merely hmphed before walking toward the staircase and ascending to the upper levels. "I will be staying on the upper level of the castle. As for you, Arch Duke, you may find your own accommodations."

She paused briefly before adding, "I shall see you tomorrow evening directly. I hope that, for the duration of this ceremony, we can attend together while setting aside our internal matters and disagreements."

With a casual wave of her hand, she departed soon afterward, disappearing from sight.

Both Vivian and the Arch Duke looked at each other before simply shrugging their shoulders. Soon afterward, the two walked toward a nearby room under Vivian’s lead, chatting and laughing along the way.

Before long, the castle once again returned to its usual silence...

Meanwhile, deep within the core area of the Imperial Castle, Kallus was handling a few documents in his office when Red Empress entered the room.

"Empress Valoria of Elphenim has arrived together with the Arch Duke of her Empire under Vivian’s escort," Red Empress reported.

Based on the information she had received directly from Vivian, Red Empress then proceeded to explain how Vivian had deliberately baited Valoria into losing her temper and how easily the Elven Empress had fallen for it. She detailed the various statements Valoria had made afterward in her anger and frustration, finishing her report with a slight shrug of her shoulders.

Hearing all of this, Kallus placed the documents in his hands aside before calmly setting the fountain pen back into its holder. "That’s a bit strange for someone who has ruled for hundreds of thousands of years, isn’t it?" he said thoughtfully.

"Much more importantly, the way she responded was completely illogical and full of holes. Anyone standing in front of her could tell without much difficulty that she was protecting people who were clearly in the wrong, right?" 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

His eyes narrowed slightly as he considered the matter a bit further... "Someone with her experience should have immediately recognized the flaws in her own arguments. Yet from what you’re describing, she either failed to notice them entirely... or simply didn’t care."

Kallus leaned back slightly in his chair. "And honestly, I find neither possibility particularly convincing."

"Oh? You think there is something wrong with her?" Red Empress asked with interest as she sat down in front of Kallus’s desk.

"Exactly. Something is most definitely wrong," Kallus replied without hesitation. Rather than denying the possibility, he openly accepted it. "For things to reach this point, despite all her experience and everything we have gathered about her, Empress Valoria is supposed to be someone with great grit and a strong sense of righteousness. Yet what you just described is completely contradictory to the person she used to be."

"Oh?" Red Empress narrowed her eyes slightly before speaking in a more serious tone. "You think she isn’t herself?" She paused for a brief moment. "Or perhaps she is an entirely different person?"

"No. That is not what I’m saying." Kallus shook his head immediately. "Based on all the intelligence we have gathered from Elphenim, I am certain she is still herself. There are no obvious contradictions in the way she governs, manages state affairs, or handles the Empire’s day-to-day operations."

"However..." His gaze grew thoughtful. "All of that changes whenever matters become too large or involve those people operating behind the scenes."

"At those moments, she seems to make a complete one-hundred-and-eighty-degree turn. She wholeheartedly believes whatever conclusions the state investigation agencies provide, despite the fact that, according to our information, those very agencies have already fallen under the control of a third party from the inside out." Kallus leaned back slightly in his chair as he spoke. "It is almost as if there is an invisible line she cannot cross."

His eyes drifted toward the guest castle visible in the distance through the office windows, as though contemplating something deeper.

"Or perhaps..."He tapped a finger lightly against the armrest. "Someone is making sure she has lapses in her judgment by clouding her thoughts... or something along those lines."

The room fell silent after that as Kallus continued staring toward the guest quarters, lost in thought..

"Then?" Just as Red Empress was about to continue the discussion, Kallus raised a hand, causing her to pause.

"What is the use of debating it here? Let me confirm it myself." Saying that, he released his primordial senses.

Without causing the slightest disturbance or commotion, his perception expanded outward, sweeping across the entirety of the Imperial Floating Island before focusing directly on Empress Valoria.