Chapter 49: Forbidden Room Files

The magic lights on both sides of the corridor leading to the sealed chamber lit up automatically, illuminating the path beneath Victoria’s feet.

Her footsteps echoed through the narrow passage, each step steady and deliberate, though her fingers tightened slightly around the Emperor’s decree.

The entrance was a plain iron door, its surface covered with layers of sealing magic.

It could only be opened at specific times by those with specific permissions.

She pressed the decree into the recess at the center of the door.

As the seals unraveled one by one, a modest stone room was revealed inside.

From floor to ceiling, every wall was lined with iron cabinets.

They stored a series of secrets unknown to the Empire.

Victoria did not hesitate.

She walked straight to the row of cabinets at the far end.

According to the index, the files for special operations should be in Section F, Row Nine.

She pulled open the drawer.

Inside was a single manila folder.

And a line of red text:

> Sealed under Article 47 of the Imperial Military Code

> No viewing permitted without the Emperor’s personal authorization

She untied the twine and pulled out the documents inside.

The first page was an operation summary, no different from countless military documents she had seen.

“Assassination target: Ignatz, the ‘Rune Forger’ of the enemy nation.

Destruction target: Core design blueprints of the ‘Rune Colossus.’

Operation codename: Bedrock.

Execution team: 12 personnel.

Commander: Major Valerius Drake.”

She turned to the second page.

This was a handwritten operations log, the scrawl messy, clearly recovered from the scene after the battle.

Victoria’s eyes skimmed over the words.

It mostly recorded the mission process, but then…

> “Day 9. Arrived at the pre-designated extraction point. But —”

The log stopped there.

The next page had been torn out, leaving only a single binding thread.

Victoria frowned and continued flipping.

The third page was a formal command document.

The paper was the Imperial Military’s official letterhead.

But the moment she saw the first line, her fingers froze.

> “Pursuant to Resolution No. 47 of the Imperial Supreme Military Council, the following order is issued:

> Operation Bedrock is hereby canceled.

> All personnel involved are deemed traitors for unilaterally instigating a conflict between the two nations.

> This order takes effect immediately. No appeal is permitted.”

Below it were two signatures.

She recognized the first one.

The handwriting of the previous Emperor, Karl III.

She couldn’t be mistaken.

But the second name…

Was her father.

“Albert von Asteria.”

The previous Prime Minister of the Empire.

She stared at the signed name on the document, unmoving for a long time…

She couldn’t believe it.

She leaned closer to the light and looked again carefully.

There was no additional explanation or justification.

Only an unquestionable command.

“All personnel involved are deemed traitors…”

Twelve people.

Seven had already died in the operation.

The remaining five, including Valerius, were sentenced to death by this order.

No…

It was something crueler than death.

They were branded with the label of “traitor”…

Victoria remembered the days before her father’s death.

Old Chancellor Albert lay on his sickbed.

Cancer had reduced him to nothing but a skeleton, but his eyes were still bright.

He held Victoria’s hand with all his remaining strength, his voice hoarse but clear:

> “My child… the glory of the Empire… is watered with blood… You must protect it.”

At the time, she thought he was referring to those glorious battles, the brave soldiers, the pride of the aristocracy passed down through generations.

Now she knew her father was also speaking of these…

Mistakes.

Those that could not be written into history books, could not be discussed publicly, locked away in the iron cabinets of the state’s sealed chamber, sacrifices that would never be seen by ordinary people.

The glory of the Empire is watered with blood.

Some blood was willingly shed by heroes.

But some blood…

Was pushed.

“Why did Father sign this order? What happened to those five abandoned men?”

And this Valerius…

How did he survive?

These questions would not be fully answered by the documents in the sealed chamber.

—

At the same time, in the southern district of the Imperial Capital, in the military family community.

Wilhelm and Alisiya had walked to this quiet neighborhood.

“The environment here is nice,” Alisiya said quietly.

“Yes. This area was developed under former Chancellor Albert’s initiative.”

The two stopped in front of a small building.

Wilhelm raised his hand and knocked.

A woman answered the door.

She stared at Wilhelm for a moment, then recognized him.

“W-Wilhelm… Duke Wilhelm?”

Wilhelm gave a slight bow.

“Good evening, ma’am. Sorry for the intrusion.”

“No intrusion at all. Please, come in.”

The woman quickly moved aside to let them in.

The three entered the living room.

It was small but neatly kept.

A photograph hung on the wall, and next to it was an Imperial Eagle medal, polished brightly.

The woman’s name was Elsa.

Her husband had been a member of Operation Bedrock.

The youngest soldier on the team, he was only twenty-four when he fell.

Wilhelm sat down and did not beat around the bush.

“Ma’am, we’ve come to ask… about your husband. Before the operation, did he leave any words? Or did he send anything back?”

Elsa shook her head.

“No. Before he left, he only said he had to carry out an important mission, and it might be a long time before he could return. He told me not to worry. Then… there was no news after that. Later, the military notified me that he had… died in the line of duty. A hero.”

She spoke these words, her tone barely maintaining composure.

“The Empire gave us many benefits. A pension. Annual allowances. My son was guaranteed admission to the military academy. Every year on the anniversary of the fallen soldiers, someone sends flowers.”

Alisiya couldn’t help but ask, “Ma’am… you can speak freely to us. Do you… hate the Empire?”

“No. He was a soldier, and I’m a soldier’s daughter. I know what this means. It’s just…”

She lowered her head, her fingers clenching slightly on her knees.

“Sometimes I think, if only he could have left me a word, even just one word, that would have been enough.”

“Did you receive… any personal effects? Or a last letter?”

Elsa shook her head again.

“No. Nothing at all. The military said the mission was special, and many things couldn’t be brought back.”

She looked up at the photograph on the wall.

“Sometimes I wonder what mission he went on. But I know there are things I can’t ask.”

“Thank you, ma’am,” Wilhelm said, standing up.

“I’m sorry for bringing up such heavy topics. We’ll take our leave.”

“It’s all right. Duke Wilhelm… if one day you find out something… could you tell me?”

Wilhelm met her hopeful gaze and nodded after a moment.

“If I find out, and if I’m allowed to say, I will.”

—

The two walked on the way back.

The streetlights stretched their shadows long.

“Uncle.”

“Hmm.”

“That lady said she just wanted to receive a letter. Even if it was just one word.”

Alisiya stopped walking.

“The Empire gave her everything, except one thing: an explanation.”

Wilhelm turned to look at her.

“Sometimes, not telling them is a form of protection.”

“Protection? From what?”

He shook his head.

“Protecting them from knowing that their husband’s sacrifice might not have been at the hands of the enemy.”

Alisiya was stunned.

“Uncle… what are you saying?”

“Nothing. You’re still young. You won’t understand what that means. Just take it as an idle remark.”

Alisiya stood frozen in place, watching his retreating figure.

—

Victoria returned to her office in the administrative hall.

She had just sat down when there was a knock at the door.

“Come in.”

Alisiya entered.

“Madam Prime Minister.”

“It’s late. What is it?”

“I just came back from that neighborhood. Uncle Wilhelm took me there.”

“Did you find anything?”

“Nothing substantial. That lady didn’t know anything. But she just wanted to know where her husband went.”

“…I see. Go rest for now.”

“Madam Prime Minister… did you find anything?”

“I’ll tell you when I have.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Victoria pulled out the file she had secretly copied in the sealed chamber.

“Father… what exactly did you hide?”