The Empror's Trap

Chapter 72: Ch 72 - The Imperial Rescue II

Pluvia remained silent for a moment.

She seemed unwilling to make such a decision, but the current situation forced her to do so.

The news had already spread - no matter how the court announced it externally, this uprising could not be concealed. What the Fifth Prince had done brought their conflict out into the open.

The common people had now witnessed this uprising firsthand, which meant the internal chaos within the royal family could no longer be hidden.

It should be noted that Yunis had many acquaintances in Luminara. His leading troops to attack Luminara was essentially open rebellion in the eyes of the people. If he wasn’t publicly executed, it would indeed be difficult to explain to the world.

But he was still her brother, and a full brother at that - born from the same mother. To say there was no affection would be nonsense.

"Let me think about it carefully," she said.

Seeing Pluvia in this state, Kenji shook his head helplessly:

"Your Majesty, Prince Yunis must now die before the people of Camelot. Not only must he die before the people, but his death must satisfy them. Otherwise, Your Majesty, the subjects of Camelot may not accept your decision."

When he said this, he was truly considering Camelot’s future. Currently, Camelot needed Pluvia to establish sufficient authority, and while this rebellion was certainly a blow to her, if handled properly, it could also be a good strategy to take the opportunity to enhance her prestige.

In many commoners’ eyes, rebels deserved only death, because these traitors were attempting to overturn Camelot’s existing order. For most civilians, Camelot provided them with a relatively stable living environment, so those who tried to disrupt this environment were thorns in their sides - they could hardly expect a good end.

Since that was the case, it would be better to let Pluvia capture Yunis and execute him before the people of Camelot. In Kenji’s view, this was the most appropriate propaganda.

However, Pluvia was still human.

Dealing a death blow to her own brother was already difficult enough, let alone publicly executing him. This was undoubtedly torturing her psyche.

"Kenji, I understand," Pluvia took a deep breath, looking at the assembled ministers. "This matter has already exceeded my control."

It’s precisely because I was worried it would exceed your control that I notified the troops outside the city in advance, Kenji thought to himself.

When Pluvia had summoned the other party for questioning, he had already arranged for people to go to the nearest military garrisons outside the city, having them quickly mobilize troops. However, before most could formally mobilize, Prince Yunis had already rebelled.

He had originally advised Pluvia to guard against her brother in advance, since Yunis certainly wouldn’t be content to just accept defeat like this. But clearly, facing her own brother, Pluvia had underestimated the threat - or rather, shown leniency.

"How many men?"

"Your subject doesn’t know. I only summoned nearby forces - as for how many can come..."

"Your Majesty!"

In the court, an Imperial Guard rushed into the great hall.

"What is it?" Seeing his panic, Pluvia asked with confusion.

"Your Majesty, large numbers of armed rioters have suddenly appeared in the city! They seem to be connected to the rebels in the city and are now trying to break through our defensive lines!"

"What!?"

General Tie beside Pluvia immediately became angry. The defensive lines protecting the palace were arranged by his most trusted subordinates, and now they were suddenly being attacked by a group of rioters!?

Although rioters were just rioters, without sufficient individual quality it would be very difficult to break through the Imperial Guard’s defense, but who could guarantee they were just coming to charge the lines?

"Immediately contract the defensive lines inward, concentrate forces to resist! Have the Ninth Squad retreat to the rear, withdraw to the side and rear, provide alternating cover, delay the enemy’s advance in echelons..."

"No, the Ninth Squad stays put. The palace’s defensive lines will not make any adjustments," Kenji suddenly spoke up.

"Grand Marshal, what are you doing!?"

General Tie was anxious and agitated.

If something went wrong with the defensive lines and those rioters brought the rebels into the imperial city, then he would never be able to face Her Majesty again!

"What am I doing?" Kenji looked at him and asked in return, "General Tie, are you the Grand Marshal, or am I?"

"..." General Tie said nothing.

Indeed, what the other party said was correct - he was the Grand Marshal, military matters were his responsibility...

Instead, he had almost forgotten during this time that Kenji was originally the military’s highest commander...