The Empror's Trap

Chapter 74: Ch 74 - Lightning-Fast Blame Shifting

After the Grand Censor took his stance, the officials who had always followed Kenji stepped forward one after another, expressing their willingness to accompany him. Among them, Vice Minister Li also chose to stand with Kenji. Though he didn’t normally interact much with Kenji, Kenji knew this Vice Minister was part of his network.

Though they weren’t particularly close, it didn’t prevent their interests from aligning. Vice Minister Li’s child had become a military officer on Kenji’s recommendation. In fact, Kenji would often engage in the same kind of relationship-building activities as other officials, though he was selective about it, not pushing just anyone into the military. His recommendation of Vice Minister Li’s son was partly because he needed such people working for him, and partly because the son genuinely had military talent.

Why could Kenji control Camelot’s military? There were many reasons, but a major one was that many new officers in the Camelot military had been recommended and trained by him. And Kenji didn’t just recommend them - he would periodically check on how these officers were performing, encouraging the good ones and instructing the poor performers on how to improve.

Thus, his influence in the military was considerable. Though there were still various factions in the military, those were mostly older officers who would eventually retire or be marginalized with time. By then, Kenji’s people would likely be everywhere in Camelot’s military.

This was what made Kenji most formidable.

"In that case, I’ll take a few people with me," Kenji said, selecting several who could at least protect themselves on the battlefield. Though he wanted people to accompany him for show of force, he didn’t want to have to protect helpless burdens if fighting broke out.

The group left the hall and headed directly to the palace gates. After the palace guards opened the gates, Kenji stood in the doorway.

Just outside, the rebel soldiers were positioned as if ready to charge into the palace at any moment. Kenji drew the sword at his waist and stood watching these rebels.

He stood there staring at them, but they didn’t move.

"I am Duke Kenji Anos. Where is your commander? I wish to speak with him."

Kenji said. He wasn’t worried about these people charging - even if they did, with his combat ability, protecting himself was no issue.

"I am here."

As Kenji was still searching for his target in the crowd, accompanied by a sharp shout, a person wearing heavy armor stepped forward.

"I pay my respects to Prince Liam."

Seeing the person before him, Kenji bowed respectfully.

Not just anyone could ride horses in the palace. Kenji rode inside earlier because the situation was urgent - to put it bluntly, at that critical moment, if the emergency required it, even sawing through the hall’s pillars would have been acceptable.

But this wasn’t an emergency situation, so even if you’re a prince, you still have to dismount when told.

Liam turned to look at the soldiers following him, was silent for a moment, then nodded:

"Fine, I’ll go in with you."

Kenji led Liam into the palace, heading straight to the great hall with the officials.

When Liam saw Pluvia in the great hall, he very quickly put on a relieved expression.

"Your Majesty, I heard the situation here was urgent, so I immediately led troops to provide support. I apologize for arriving late to save you - please forgive me!"

"You came to save me?"

"Indeed."

"If you came to save me, why did you attack my palace guards? Why did you charge straight for my palace?"

Pluvia coldly stared at him and demanded.

"Your Majesty, forgive me! I thought those treacherous officials had controlled Your Majesty’s palace guards, so I was anxious to rescue Your Majesty..."

"Absurd! You rushed straight to the palace without any verification, clashed with the palace guards, and threw everything into chaos!" Pluvia pointed at his nose and rebuked. "You withdraw first - after this is over, I’ll deal with your crimes!"

"Understood..."

Liam appeared extremely remorseful on the surface, but inside he was relieved.

At least he had made it through for now. He didn’t know how displeased Pluvia truly was with him, but at least he wouldn’t die immediately.