"Found."

"Found."

Within the Imperial Palace, the emperor's residence was one of the most luxurious buildings aside from the Hall of Audience.

It embodied nearly every compliment that could be bestowed upon architecture—a palace that combined luxury, spaciousness, grandeur, extravagance, and splendor.

At that moment, countless knights clad in heavy armor stood solemnly at every post inside and outside the palace, carrying out their guard duties and sealing off the emperor's residence tightly.

Several noble officials entered and left the place, but every time, they had to undergo strict inspections by numerous knights. By the time they could enter the residence and meet the emperor, two or three hours had already passed.

This caused many officials to let out long sighs of relief upon leaving the emperor's residence. They looked at one another and began whispering.

"His Majesty actually mobilized a ten-thousand-man division of the Empire Knights to protect his own residence without authorization. Isn't he being a little too cowardly?"

"Can't be helped. Recently, not only did the Phantom Thief infiltrate the Imperial Palace, possibly intending to assassinate someone, but a mysterious powerhouse capable of summoning a meteor shower also appeared and wiped out House Laifirut. It's no surprise that His Majesty is frightened."

"After all, the Phantom Thief has always targeted nobles. There's a good chance he has his sights on the royal family too. As for that mysterious powerhouse, there's no need to say anything—they directly destroyed House Laifirut."

"His Majesty also came from House Laifirut. When he heard that House Laifirut had been wiped out by that mysterious powerhouse, he nearly fell off his throne in fright."

"So, for the sake of his own life, His Majesty probably can't afford to care about anything else."

"If his residence had room for more than these ten thousand knight