The Empror's Trap

Ch 34 - The Painting

Camelot Empire required stability, and Kenji was well aware of this. To fully handle the nation's internal affairs, relying solely on the Emperor and himself would never suffice.

What they needed was an elite force—completely loyal to himself and Pluvia. This group had to possess unparalleled skills, ensuring absolute dominance when dealing with internal matters. Only then could they prevent chaos from destabilizing the Empire.

Kenji wasn't some sinister villain keen on purging dissent. He also found such methods beneath him. Many people, despite harboring differing opinions about him, ultimately had the Empire's best interests at heart. Kenji wanted to train more individuals like that.

However, those who colluded with foreign enemies or conspired to disrupt Camelot's order were a different story.

Kenji had ambitious plans for Camelot—plans that any person from another world would attempt in a foreign land. But for those ambitions to come to fruition, Camelot needed to remain stable.

The responsibility of training this elite force was entrusted to Lina, as Kenji had instructed. Lina didn't need to turn them into battle-hardened soldiers; Kenji's requirement was more specific—they needed to specialize in infiltration, counter-espionage, and covert reconnaissance missions.

Lina, being an expert in such matters, naturally agreed without hesitation. Training these operatives was well within her expertise.

Nightfall: An Informant's Revelation@@@@

That evening, Kenji was lounging in his chambers, wearing a robe while savoring a succulent roast lamb. Lina, standing nearby, suddenly broke the silence.

"By the way, Young master, I've managed to pry some information from that assassin we captured earlier," Lina said.

At that moment, Lina was skillfully slicing pieces of lamb leg with a sharp knife, arranging them neatly on flatbread before handing them to Kenji. He gladly accepted her attentive care—not out of laziness but because his own attempts at carving the meat often resulted in chunks that were either too fatty or too lean. Lina's slices were far superior.

The lamb's rich aroma wafted into his nostrils, forcing Kenji to take a deep breath, savoring the scent. Then, he bit into the flatbread topped with lamb and chewed with satisfaction.

"And what did he reveal?" Kenji asked casually.

"Based on what he shared, I can confirm that this incident—and the previous ambush at the palace meant to intimidate Emperor—were orchestrated by the same person," Lina replied. "The one pulling the strings is a noble—possibly a prince—with a significant amount of resources. According to the assassin, there are plenty more operatives like him, all fiercely loyal to their master."

"I see," Kenji nodded. The connection between the two attempts now made sense. "Is there anything else?"

"There is... one more thing," Lina hesitated briefly before continuing. "The assassin admitted that their primary target wasn't actually the Emperor—it was you, Young master."

Kenji raised an eyebrow.

"The wolf is watching its prey. So long as the deer remains oblivious, the wolf won't make a single careless move," Siyue said with a sly smile. "But the deer isn't entirely unaware—it's always alert to its surroundings. The moment the wolf moves, it'll sense danger and flee."

"And then what?" Kenji asked, intrigued.

"Then comes the chase. But not every wolf is perfect at hiding—" She pointed to one corner of the painting, where the wolf's tail peeked out from the grass. "See? Sometimes, when they're too focused on their prey, they let their guard down elsewhere."

"I see what you mean."

"I'm just explaining my thought process while painting," Siyue quipped with a playful grin. "Don't you have work to do, big bro?"

"Plenty," Kenji admitted with a sigh.

He stretched his neck, sat down at his desk, and began drafting a letter.

The letter was addressed to his allies. Connections, after all, were invaluable assets.

-----

Some info:

Camelot Central Empire: A Snapshot

Politics

The Empire was a centralized monarchy where the Emperor held absolute authority. Currently, the newly ascended Emperor Pluvia Camelot ruled with the assistance of Duke Anos( Kenji). However, as a female ruler, Camelot faced significant resistance, and the political climate was volatile.

Economy

Centuries of development had made the Empire a powerhouse in agriculture, textiles, mining, and trade. Boasting extensive trade routes, the Empire's prosperity was unmatched.

Military

With a history of fending off external threats, the Empire maintained a formidable military force. At its peak, it had over two million troops. Today, roughly 300,000 elite soldiers served under Grand Marshal Kenji, ensuring the Empire's security.