The Empire begins with the Fourth Scourge.

Chapter 2732 The Rebellion in the Capital (Part 1)

2732. The Rebellion in the Capital (Part 1)

The capital of the Galactic Empire, the center of the empire, the imperial palace.

The original site of the Imperial Palace was located next to the Imperial Parliament Building. It was originally the residence and office of the Speaker of the Galactic Republic. At that time, it was just an annex to the Parliament Building and was not very large.

During Shiv Palpatine's tenure as Speaker of the Republic Parliament, as power gradually concentrated in his hands, the annex began to be expanded, incorporating offices and council chambers for many high-ranking officials, and gradually evolved into the de facto center of power.

From this period onward, the Speaker's residence grew increasingly larger. However, overall, Schiff Palpatine was quite diligent in his duties, and to strengthen ties with Parliament, he spent most of his time conducting state affairs in the Parliament building rather than residing in his residence.

After the Kingdom of Dawn withdrew from the war and Palpatine announced the reorganization of the Galactic Republic into the Galactic Empire, he took the opportunity to rename the Speaker's Residence as the Imperial Palace and moved in directly.

From that time on, he spent most of his time in the palace, rarely appearing in public, remotely controlling the entire empire through layers of bureaucracy and military command. Most of the time, he meditated on the palace rooftop, strengthening his connection with the dark side of the Force.

Meanwhile, the Imperial Palace underwent a massive expansion, almost completely rebuilding what was originally just an annex to the Parliament Building. The solemn government building was gradually transformed into a magnificent palace, its scale constantly expanding, eventually reaching a height of 10,000 meters, making it the tallest building on Coruscant.

Now, the Imperial Palace has become a giant architectural complex with a pyramid structure as its main body. It is constructed entirely of obsidian-like materials, and its enormous scale makes people feel the oppressive majesty and darkness even when they are just standing in front of it.

After the establishment of the Empire, Palpatine rarely took personal control of the government or even appeared in public. He lived a secluded life, immersing himself in the dark side of the Force, and was essentially isolated from the world. Apart from close confidants such as Krull Van der Lon, Satter Pestach, and Darth Vader, it was almost impossible for anyone else to see the Emperor.

Despite this, the Imperial Palace still continued to function as the administrative center as it had during the late Republic. Its enormous size ensured that the headquarters of most of the empire's administrative departments could be located here, and tens of thousands of bureaucrats, attendants, and guards worked day and night to maintain the empire's strict rule.

This time, after Emperor Palpatine's direct confrontation with Tang Xiao, the King of Dawn, during the Northern War, and then another fierce battle at the outer space station of Palancy, he returned to the Imperial Palace and never came out again. Even his closest confidants and advisors were turned away, and apart from the surging dark side of the Force, ordinary people didn't even know if he was still alive.

But today, the area in front of the Imperial Palace is bustling with activity.

A large number of maids and service staff gathered here, paving a magnificent road with countless flowers. The emperor's guards, dressed in red armor, lined up on both sides, while the advisors and strategists stood respectfully below the steps, waiting.

All the high-ranking officials who were in the palace came out and stood in front of the palace gate, arranged neatly according to their rank.

In the sky, two Imperial Class II Star Destroyers slowly descended and hovered on either side of the Imperial Palace Square, the roar of their engines deafening.

Finally, the magnificent yet dark palace doors slowly opened, and Emperor Palpatine, dressed in a long black robe, emerged, supported by two beautiful maids. His face was gaunt, his pale skin lined with deep wrinkles, and he walked with faltering steps. Having been absent for many days, his appearance grew increasingly terrifying. Beneath his black hood, his eyes, gleaming with golden light, radiated a chilling aura.

Everyone present knelt down, offering the most humble tribute to this supreme ruler. But Palpatine paid no heed, simply stepping onto the flower-lined path and walking step by step toward the Lambda-class shuttle, a modified version specially designed for the emperor, parked at the end.

Stepping onto the shuttle's hatch, Palpatine turned back to look at the officials kneeling on the floor. He grinned, revealing a mouthful of yellowed teeth, and a twisted, ferocious, and terrifying smile. Then, the hatch slowly closed, and Palpatine's figure disappeared into the dark cabin.

The Lambda-class shuttle slowly took off and smoothly ascended to high altitude. Then, the two Imperial Class II Star Destroyers moved closer, escorting the shuttle in the middle and keeping in sync as it flew towards outer space.

As the shuttle gradually disappeared from view, a considerable number of officials on the ground wore enigmatic smiles.

Within the heart of the empire, undercurrents were surging, and countless entanglements of interests and internal conflicts could no longer be suppressed. Now was the time for a full-blown explosion…

All that's missing is a tiny spark.

Palpatine's shuttle flew out of Coruscant's orbit, heading towards the vast expanse of space beyond the planet's edge. At a distance of 1.2 million kilometers, a no-fly zone constructed of countless magnetic field generators came into view. Ten Imperial Class II Star Destroyers and hundreds of light cruisers tightly protected this no-fly zone, while TIE fighter squadrons patrolled the area; any ship daring to cross would be mercilessly shot down.

This is the secret weapons testing ground constructed by Imperial Marshal Demetrius Zarin. To be precise, it is the site where the latest research results are displayed to His Majesty the Emperor.

Inside the no-fly zone, you can see many different types of unfamiliar fighter jets and spacecraft waiting there.

The two Imperial Class II Star Destroyers guarding the Emperor remained stationed outside the no-fly zone. Only the shuttle flew over and entered Marshal Demetrius Zarin's flagship—the Majestic, an Imperial Class II Star Destroyer.

The hatch opened, and Palpatine stepped out, surrounded by a large group of imperial guards in red armor, onto the metal deck of the Majesty. Demetrius Zarin and his technical team were already waiting to greet him.

"Your Majesty, the Empire is facing a difficult time, but it is precisely in this difficult time that our efforts are needed all the more." Marshal Zhalin bowed respectfully. "I hope that the research results of my team will be of assistance to Your Majesty in the near future."

Palpatine's sinister gaze swept over the crowd before him. Then, he fixed his gaze on one of the tall women and asked coldly, "Judge, Arden-Lin, you're here too."

Standing beside Demeteris-Zarin was none other than the eldest sister of the Imperial Tribunal—Arden-Lin. After the death of the Grand Judge, she was now the Chief Judge of the Imperial Tribunal.