After finishing the treatment and regaining some strength, Elashia and Candice took Cecilia back to the imperial bedchamber, leaving Sophia with a reluctant gaze.
"Do you know why I staged the coup?"
In the bedchamber, Elashia immediately got straight to the point.
"Tell me honestly, don't try to please me."
Cecilia pondered.
When she had just returned to Radiant Emperor City, she certainly thought Elashia did it for power and desire.
But thinking about it now, what power or desire could a sixteen-year-old girl have?
Especially after Elashia had been in power for several months, the Elasia Empire had visibly become clean and righteous.
Actually, Cecilia didn't dislike Elashia now; she simply feared her power.
After all, she could see the changes in the Elasia Empire since Elashia took power.
After thinking for a long time, Cecilia answered:
"I believe Your Majesty's purpose for the coup was to save the people who were suffering in deep water and scorching fire."
This was also the generally accepted answer among the Elasians now.
"Not entirely."
Elashia shook her head.
"I had another, more important purpose."
A seriousness that Cecilia had never seen before shone in Elashia's eyes.
"But we require you to keep it confidential."
"This is an order—you must know the reason for my coup, and you must keep it secret."
Both Elashia and Candice looked at Cecilia with extremely serious expressions.
She immediately realized this was an extremely important secret, and she had to know it.
Otherwise, the two people before her wouldn't be so serious.
Cecilia nodded.
"Understood."
"Candice, is it convenient to communicate with Alexandra now?"
Candice nodded.
"I'll contact her immediately."
Who?
Cecilia's face was filled with shock.
"Your Majesty, are you referring to Iron Empress Alexandra?"
Elashia nodded.
"Correct."
"What?"
The shock in Cecilia's eyes intensified.
Although there had been no war between the two countries for over a decade, twenty years ago, the Iron Empire would frequently wage war to plunder the lands west of the western mountains of Elasia!
Originally the largest human nation, the Elasia Empire had gradually retreated under the protection of the mountains.
At that time, Cecilia was at the peak of her prowess and encountered that intimidating woman in battle.
The woman faced her and with a casual strike, shattered the spear in Cecilia's hand, then knocked her off her horse with the back of her blade.
Cecilia immediately understood then—this was not an enemy she could defeat.
Resistance would only lead to more deaths.
To preserve her army, she surrendered immediately.
This was the only defeat in Cecilia's life.
At that time, Cecilia thought it was the end for her.
But after disarming them, the woman said:
"Go back, take your army with you."
Then she released Cecilia and her disarmed troops.
Later, when war with the Iron Empire occurred and the then-relatively wise old emperor ordered her to battle, she would ask:
"Me, fight the Iron Empress? Are you serious?"
Then she would persuade the old emperor to avoid war.
Eventually, the Elasia Empire retreated under the protection of the mountains.
That woman... gave her the same dangerous feeling as Elashia.
Unpredictable in action, with strength so overwhelming it led to despair.
"The communication has been sent."
Candice said.
"You two... have already established contact with that woman?"
Communicating with that woman, these two seemed completely familiar with it.
This definitely wasn't their first communication.
Cecilia's heart sank.
What could possibly make Elashia and the Iron Empress set aside the conflicts between their two countries?
Although Elasia had now retreated behind the mountains and conflicts with the Iron Empire had greatly decreased, the current situation absolutely couldn't reach a point where the leaders of the two countries could talk calmly.
Combined with Elashia's earlier question—"Why did I stage a coup?"
Cecilia arrived at an answer that terrified even herself—a crisis that threatened all of humanity, even the entire Abyss Marsh continent, was about to arrive...