The grand audience chamber buzzed with the hushed murmurs of courtiers, sunlight filtered through the windows, casting patterns on the polished floor. The Emperor sat on his dragon-adorned throne, his luxurious crimson robe with golden embroidery hung loosely on his lean pale frame, exposing a tattoo of black stylized sun on his chest. The earring in his ear and rings on his hand shimmered faintly in the light.

Ogata lounged casually, one leg draped over the armrest, as though the weight of the empire barely fazed him. Yet those sharp, feline eyes missed nothing. Every flicker of movement, every subtle shift in body language from his subjects told him far more than their words ever could.

A court noble, who was known for being loyal to Ogata since the ascension, stepped forward and bowed deeply, his hands clutched a small, ornate box. “Your Majesty, we have found something during one of our expeditions in the mountains. An artifact... our scholars believe it to be of great importance.”

Ogata’s eyes flicked to the box. His expression remained unreadable, though a slight shift in his posture indicated interest. The chamber fell silent as the noble placed the box on a table beside the throne and stepped back, bowing again.

“Open it,” Ogata commanded flatly. His voice lacked any hint of excitement or curiosity, yet the command carried weight enough to make the nobleʼs hand twitch nervously as he reached for the clasp.

The box opened, revealing a small obsidian orb, carved with strange runes. Ogataʼs sharp gaze locked onto it instantly.

The room held its collective breath.

The noble swallowed. “The scholars believe it may hold a curse or... a great boon, depending on who wields it.”

Ogata stood abruptly from the throne. The movement was fluid and graceful, belying the power coiled within his frame. The court fell even more silent.

“Dismissed,” he said without turning to face them. The courtiers immediately began to shuffle out of the room.

When they were gone, Ogata picked up the orb from its silk-lined box.