An eerie silence settled over the study. The Emperor, Budo, and Lancer stood without uttering another word, yet the air grew thick with an unsettling tension.
As the ruler of the Empire, the Emperor was certainly not weak. But compared to Lancer or Budo, he was clearly no warrior. Yet at this moment, his presence alone was enough to raise beads of cold sweat on Lancer's brow. This was the commanding aura of a man who could decide countless lives with a single word.
Whatever he decided next would determine whether the Empire's Intelligence Division would erupt into a storm of bloodshed.
On one side stood an organization entrenched within the Empire for a thousand years; on the other, a newly trusted subordinate. The choice seemed obvious, yet—
"Father!!"
A sudden shout shattered the silence, breaking the tense spell that had gripped the room. Surprised, Lancer turned to see a boy standing in the doorway, clutching the hand of an even younger child.
He recognized the older boy as one of the Emperor's sons, though which one exactly was unclear.
Perhaps foreseeing the destructive power struggles between princes, the first Emperor had forbidden royal heirs from leaving the palace before coming of age. While not foolproof, this restriction minimized their influence on political affairs.
But even so—should a prince really appear unannounced in the Emperor's study?
"Your Majesty, shall Lancer and I wait outside?" Budo spoke first, breaking the awkward pause.
"Yes, please."
Under the curious stares of the two young princes, Lancer quickly retreated from the study, though only he left. Budo, unquestionably, was an exception—someone the princes had long since grown accustomed to.
Standing outside the study, an awkward silence lingered between the two men.
"Lancer."
"Yes, sir!"
"Keep quiet about what you saw here today."
Just "keep quiet"? The unexpected presence of a prince at the Emperor's private study wasn't trivial—it could mean anything from childish misbehavior to dangerous implications for the Empire's future.
"Yes, sir."
Budo nodded at Lancer's compliance, satisfied with the response. Today's incident was unplanned, yet after brief hesitation, Budo chose to trust Lancer.
The Emperor's policy of promoting capable commoners had Budo's firm backing.
Though Budo himself belonged to the highest echelon of imperial nobility, his family's sole reason for existence was to safeguard the imperial bloodline. They would willingly sacrifice themselves for the royal family—an unwavering duty that isolated the General's lineage from other nobles. Thus, Budo's support for the Emperor stemmed not from the plan itself, but simply because it was the Emperor's wish.
And Lancer was undoubtedly one of the finest candidates for this vision.
A warrior with no roots yet exceptional strength, he had saved the Emperor twice already. Of course, surveillance and background checks on him had never ceased, but all evidence thus far proved him trustworthy. In fact, Budo was already considering whether Lancer should step openly onto the stage for the coming purge.
The Bloodstained Executioner of the Empire.
That's how most citizens viewed Lancer. They saw his prowess but knew little else. If Lancer were to step forward, the Empire's Border Army might soon see new leadership—though exactly which unit remained unclear.
Lost in confusion over Budo's remark, Lancer had no idea how highly he was regarded. Such was the difference in their perspectives. He couldn't even begin to fathom his current standing in the eyes of the Emperor and General Budo.
Thus, both men stood quietly outside, guarding the study. After about ten minutes, the doors opened again. The older prince politely bowed, still holding his younger brother's hand, and then quietly left.
"Budo, Sir Lancer, come in!"
The Emperor sat behind his desk, smiling faintly. His recent talk with his children had evidently brightened his mood. Yet beneath that gentle expression was a chilling resolve.
Earlier, he had wondered endlessly about who wanted him dead, but the list was impossibly long. It wasn't until he saw his sons today that a chilling realization struck him:
Who stood to gain most if he died?
If the Emperor were killed, his heir could still smoothly ascend to the throne with Budo's backing. His death alone would change nothing—the Empire would endure.
But what if the assassins' true target wasn't himself, but his heirs?
The Emperor was barely forty. His eldest son had just reached adulthood. If the older princes were systematically eliminated, Budo would be forced to support a younger prince's coronation, deliberately distancing himself from direct governance. And if someone seized that opportunity…
A shudder ran down his spine.
Even worse, according to his son, a maid had already attempted to pass suspicious messages to his youngest child.
It might just be paranoia—but his mind was set.
He had to purge the court—immediately. For the Empire, for himself, and for his descendants. No one would be exempt.
A cleansing of this scale would unquestionably weaken the Empire's strength. Yet the Western Kingdom had not recovered from their defeat, and the western foreign tribes were held in check by Lancer. The southern kingdoms were locked in their own squabbles, leaving only the northern tribes as a true concern.
The Emperor's immediate instinct was to deploy Lancer, given his impressive battlefield record, but he quickly reconsidered.
The Empire had limited Teigu users. With Budo stationed at the palace, Lancer was best suited to maintain order in the Capital. So why not send Najenda north instead?
As a female officer, Najenda's appointment was originally intended as a publicity move. However, her capabilities were undeniable. Even if she couldn't defeat the northern tribes outright, she could surely hold the line.
"Budo, transfer a battalion from the Imperial Guard's intelligence division and dig up everything you can about the Imperial Fist Temple. Leave nothing untouched!"
"Lancer, from today, assume command of the Imperial Police. I expect you to maintain absolute order in the Capital during this time. If you find evidence related to this conspiracy, you have my full authority to act first and report later."
The Emperor had made his decision. He was resolute. Sacrificing certain peripheral factions was inevitable. Now, the Imperial Guard would seize full control of the Capital.
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T/N: WOOOOOOO THATS A TRUE WISE KING
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