"My heart is cluttered and weary; nothing could be better than this palace's serenity."
It was said that this was a remark left behind by Mindis III, the Wise King, when he visited Southbank Territory and stayed in Emerald City at the beginning of the sixth century of the End Era. Years later, after the Wise King passed away, the current "Parrot Duke," Federico Cavendish, renamed his family's ancestral Emerald Palace the Empty Palace, whether out of respect or flattery, to commemorate the Former King forever.
Tales had been staying in the room where the Wise King had supposedly lodged. From the balcony, he could take in the entire southern part of Emerald City and even glimpse Archsea City, faint in the far distance. At night, the whole palace was tranquil and ethereal, accompanied by the vague sound of distant waves. It truly left one feeling refreshed and at peace.
Tales had been staying at the Empty Palace for two days.
As he had expected, the past two days had been calm and uneventful, with nothing else going wrong. He had lived comfortably, while his subordinates had enjoyed a leisurely, carefree time.
Jann had kept a low profile these past few days. Aside from occasionally appearing out of courtesy, dining with the local nobles who came to pay their respects, and having no choice but to invite Tales along, he had barely crossed paths with the Prince. He showed no intention of sitting down and bonding with the latter, either. Whenever asked, the answer was always, "His Grace is busy with official duties." Tales could understand that. Probably anyone would become very busy upon learning that their immediate superior was planning to act against them.
From their accommodations to their meals, the Empty Palace—or, more precisely, its steward Ashford—had treated