I, the slave boy, awaken with the most potent seed!!

As Steele's revelations echoed through the chamber, the nobles' faces contorted in outrage and fear, their internal thoughts were a complete contrast to their outward composure.

Lord Colsom's mind raced, 'By the gods, this uncouth brute! To think I entrusted him with such delicate matters. He's nothing more than a common thug with a badge, yet here he stands, airing our dirty laundry as if discussing the weather. I should have him flogged for this impertinence!'

Duke Ravenswood, his complexion ashen, thought furiously: 'Insufferable cur! I paid him a king's ransom for his discretion, and this is how he repays my generosity? To think, a man of my standing, at the mercy of this... this walking scandal sheet. If only I could challenge him to a duel without risking further exposure...'

Lady Emsworth's perfectly manicured nails dug into her palms as she seethed internally: 'How dare he! This vulgar, classless oaf, parading about as if he were one of us. If he thinks he can tarnish my reputation with his baseless insinuations, he'll soon learn the folly of crossing a true lady of breeding. I'll see him ruined for this, mark my words.'

Professor Whitmore's scholarly mind whirred with indignation: 'Preposterous! To reduce years of painstaking research to mere scandal-mongering. This man is a menace to intellectual pursuit and social order alike. If only the emperor could see him for the loose cannon he truly is...'

Yet even as they simmered with rage and indignation, a common thread of grudging respect - and fear - ran through their thoughts. For all his crassness, for all his disregard for propriety, Steele was undeniably the best at what he did. He was a force of nature, unpredictable and unstoppable, a man who could unravel the most intricate of secrets with a single, piercing gaze.

And perhaps most terrifying of all, he simply didn't care. The usual levers of influence - money, power, social standing - seemed to hold no sway over him. He moved through their world like a shark through water, unbothered by the frantic paddling of lesser beings.

As Steele made his way to the emperor, leaving a wake of sputtering nobles behind him, the room was united in a single, chilling realization: they had made a deal with the devil, and now the bill had come due.

As chaos descended upon the room, Steele calmly made his way to the emperor, who watched the unfolding scene with a mixture of amusement and exasperation. Steele placed a hand on the emperor's shoulder, leaning in close.

"Your Majesty," he said, his voice carrying just far enough for others to hear. "How is... the empress? Still... taking those... late-night walks...

in the rose garden... with the young gardener?"

The emperor stiffened, then quickly cleared his throat. "That will be all for today, my lords and ladies. This meeting is adjourned."

As the room quickly emptied, Steele took a seat across from the emperor, lounging back with an air of casual indifference.

"Steele," the emperor began, his tone carefully neutral. "I trust your journey from Drakoria was... uneventful?"

"As uneventful as... chasing a rogue alchemist... through a sandstorm... can be," Steele replied dryly.

The emperor nodded, a slight smile playing at his lips. "And how are you finding life in the capital? Have you had a chance to... enjoy the local hospitality? Perhaps met a charming young lady?"

Steele's eyebrow raised a fraction. "Your Majesty... if you're asking... if I've found a maiden... the answer is no. I find...

my work... keeps me... quite busy."

"Ah, yes. Your work," the emperor mused. "Always the dedicated enforcer, aren't you, Steele?"

"Someone has to be... Your Majesty," Steele replied, his tone betraying nothing.

As their conversation continued, the air in the room grew thick with unspoken tensions and barely concealed agendas. It was clear that this was no mere social call.

Steele leaned forward, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Your Majesty... I'm curious. Why summon me... when you could have... easily sanctioned the gatekeepers...

for Area 52? Seems like... a waste of time... doesn't it?"

The emperor's smile tightened. "Ah, Steele. Always direct, aren't you? Tell me, why is this target so important that you'd risk entering the wasteland?"

"With all due respect... Your Majesty," Steele drawled, "I don't recall... asking for a lecture... on the dangers of the wasteland."

The emperor's eyes hardened. "The wasteland is where we keep society's undesirables, Steele. It's not a place to be trifled with. Even for someone of your... unique talents."

"I'm touched... Your Majesty," Steele replied, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "I didn't realize... you cared so much... about my safety."

"You're one of the empire's most treasured assets, Steele," the emperor said, his tone softening slightly. "Of course we care about your wellbeing."

Steele's lips curled into a knowing smile. "Or perhaps... there are secrets in the wasteland... that you'd rather keep hidden. Especially from... these eyes." He pointed to his glowing green orbs.

The emperor's face remained impassive, but a flicker of... something passed behind his eyes.

"I'm chasing a target," Steele continued, his voice low and intense. "And I never... miss a target. Not even one... that thinks they can escape me."

He leaned back, his gaze never leaving the emperor's face. "Sanction the move... Your Majesty. Don't waste... any more of my time."

The emperor sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Steele, the gatekeepers can't be called upon at a moment's notice. These things take time."

"Time... is a luxury... my target doesn't have," Steele growled.

"While we wait for the gatekeepers to be informed," the emperor said, spreading his hands in a placating gesture, "the empire is yours to enjoy. Whatever you need, simply ask."

Steele's eyebrow quirked up. "Whatever I need... Your Majesty?"

The emperor nodded, perhaps a touch too eagerly. "Of course. We want you to feel... at home."

"In that case..." Steele began, a predatory grin spreading across his face. "I'll need... accommodations. Suitable for a man of my... standing. And company...

preferably female... to keep me... entertained."

The emperor's eyes widened slightly, but he quickly regained his composure. "Consider it done. Anything else?"

"Access... to your personal library," Steele said, his tone casual but his eyes sharp. "I hear you have... quite the collection of... rare texts."

The emperor's jaw tightened almost imperceptibly. "I'm sure we can arrange something."

Steele stood, adjusting his hat. "Well then... Your Majesty. If that's all... I'll take my leave. I have...

a city to explore... and secrets to uncover."

As he turned to leave, the emperor called out, "Steele. Please be careful, there's only so much I can do to protect you from behind. This is lumina, remember... the empire watches,"

Steele paused at the door, looking back over his shoulder. "Oh, I know... Your Majesty. But the real question is... who's watching... the empire?"

With that, he strode out, leaving the emperor alone with his thoughts and the lingering sense that he might have just unleashed something he couldn't control..