As Budo silently exited the emperor’s bedchamber, his face remained as dark and somber as before... If only that healing Teigu had still been around, perhaps the emperor might have been saved.
However, due to the massive upheaval in the empire five hundred years ago, many Imperial Arms were lost, ending up in civilian hands or even abroad. The Imperial Treasury now housed only a fragnted collection of these powerful relics, despite the empire’s relentless search over the centuries.
"The Ninth Corps is yours," Budo said, tossing a command token to Selene before turning and walking away without looking back, his mood unusually low. For once, he didn’t offer Selene any sort of lecture.
"The Ninth Corps?" Selene examined the token in her hand for a mont before losing interest, casually tossing it in the air. It seems the emperor is on his last legs. Is this their way of trying to win over? I suppose it’s ti to accelerate my plans... Perhaps I should pay my dear ally Honest a visit.
...
Imperial Capital, Upper City District, Minister Honest’s Residence
In the reception hall, Minister Honest was, as usual, tearing into a pri cut of danger beast steak. Despite Selene’s disdainful gaze from across the table, Honest remained utterly unbothered.
Of course, this attitude was reserved only for powerful figures like Selene and General Budo. Anyone else who dared to behave this way would quickly learn the true aning of cruelty from Honest.
"Minister Honest, ever since I first t you, you’ve always eaten like this. Aren’t you worried about getting sick from obesity at this rate? Oh... no, wait, you’re already quite fat!" Selene remarked, lifting her teacup with a slight frown.
"Hahaha... General Selene, I’m just indulging in the pleasures of the mont. Unlike powerful generals like you, I have no idea how much longer I’ll hold onto power. If you have power, you must enjoy it, or else what’s the point if it suddenly disappears one day? Hahaha," Honest laughed heartily as he continued to chew on his steak.
"Besides, General Budo doesn’t like military officers ddling in politics. Aren’t you worried he’ll be displeased with you for visiting so openly?" Having finished his plate of steak, Honest clapped his hands in satisfaction before asking.
"I’m not afraid of him. Besides, I ca to discuss serious matters with you—what could he possibly say?" Selene replied, tossing a stack of docunts onto the table with a single finger. "The news of His Majesty’s critical condition can no longer be kept under wraps. The southern rebels have already caught wind of it and are preparing to launch a larger-scale rebellion during this crucial power transition in the empire."
"I discovered this while clearing out rebel hideouts near the capital... But most importantly! I found out that soone has been leaking information about and my subordinates!"
At this, Selene’s expression turned furious, and she slamd the table with a loud bang. The luxurious banquet table in Honest’s mansion imdiately shattered under the force. "If it’s not a security breach in the palace system, then there must be a traitor in the empire’s intelligence departnt!"
As the sound of the crash echoed through the room, two towering bodyguards instantly appeared behind Minister Honest, their presence radiating a powerful aura. They imdiately locked onto Selene, adopting defensive stances as they warily watched her.
Selene recognized these two n, dressed in the attire of the Royal Fist Monastery. One was a burly, bearded man nad Sten, and the other was a lanky, eerie figure known as Ibara. If Selene guessed correctly, these two were likely the minister’s personal executioners, the Four Rakshasa Demons. The reason there weren’t four of them was probably because Honest hadn’t gathered all of them yet.
"When your master is talking, you dogs should stay quietly in the shadows!"
Boom!
The mont Selene’s words fell, a wave of crushing force slamd the two n into the ground. "I’m sparing your lives only because of Minister Honest."
"Apologize to General Selene imdiately!" Despite a brief flash of fear in Honest’s eyes at how easily Selene had neutralized his chosen elite guards, he quickly composed himself. With Selene having held back, Ibara and Sten easily freed themselves from the ground and imdiately knelt before Selene without hesitation.
"Stand down."
"Yes, ma’am!" they responded in unison.
Watching their respectful deanor, Selene leaned back in her chair, propping her face with one hand while gazing down at her teacup in the other. "Their skills are passable. Congratulations, Minister Honest."
"Oh, they’re nothing to brag about," Honest replied humbly, waving his hand dismissively.
"Enough with the pleasantries. It’s ti to discuss serious matters. The rebels likely already know about the emperor’s failing health, so a larger rebellion isn’t far off. Instead of sitting around and waiting for it, we should strike first!"
"I want to lead the army to war. The chaotic court affairs are getting on my nerves. I trust that by the ti I return triumphant, you, Minister Honest, will have put things in order."
"I’ve already submitted the relevant reports. As for dealing with the traitor, I’m sure you, Minister, can handle that." With that, Selene put down her teacup and looked aningfully at Honest.
"Well, this is certainly good news," Honest replied, his eyes lighting up as a aningful smile spread across his face.
"Hmm? It seems soone is coming."
No sooner had Selene spoken than a mber of the empire’s assassination squad, clad in black robes, appeared and imdiately knelt before Honest. Although he found the state of the trashed reception hall a bit odd, he didn’t question it, instead respectfully handing over a letter.
"A ssage at this hour? Has the southern province really revolted?" Honest muttered as he opened the letter.
"...General Selene, it seems the southern rebels are indeed planning sothing big!" Honest couldn’t help but burst into laughter after quickly scanning the letter’s contents.
"Have the southern provinces rebelled due to the rebels’ incitent?" Selene asked.
"No, it’s an invasion by the southern barbarians! However, according to the assassination squad’s intelligence, there are quite a few rebels docunted among the invading southwestern tribal forces."
"That’s not surprising. These so-called revolutionary rebel forces have been collaborating with outsiders for a long ti."
"Then I’ll await your good news," Selene said, declining Honest’s offer to see her out as she left the mansion.
Back at the residence granted to her by the emperor in the Upper City District, Selene slowly sat down on the sofa.
This rare opportunity had already been handed to Honest. Using the pretext of rooting out rebel spies, he could easily eliminate his rivals and spark a massive purge. Selene couldn’t imagine Honest not being tempted by such a chance.
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