The Empror's Trap

"I'll remember that, Your Majesty."

Seeing his reaction and Sonya's confused expression, Pluvia softened her tone: "Very well. I understand why you acted this way—extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures. What do you plan to do next?"

"I've assigned others to interrogate these two individuals to see if we can extract any intelligence from them."

"I think that will be difficult," Pluvia tilted her head toward a cross symbolizing the Holy Lord. "Kenji, I walked from the palace all the way here. Do you know what I saw?"

"I don't, Your Majesty. Please enlighten me."

"I saw faith—extremely devout faith."

She smiled coldly.

"I noticed almost every household displays decorations symbolizing the Holy Church, and people on the streets greet each other using church rituals," Pluvia reflected. "Emperor Feit boasted to me that the Vishi Empire has freed itself from church influence more than any other Western religious state. Yet even in such a country, devotion to the Holy Church remains this strong."

"Kenji, do you think people who risk their lives for their faith will easily reveal the information we want?"

"I don't need them to reveal intelligence," Kenji added. "As long as two of their people are in our custody, the church will think twice before taking action."

This was simple logic.

Kenji had captured two church Executioners. Although church propaganda portrayed Executioners as their most devout members, the church itself probably wouldn't easily believe that two Executioners could completely maintain their faith and keep silent.

This made sense because no matter how ruthless or devout Executioners might be, they were still human, and all humans have weaknesses.

If their upcoming actions were revealed, the church's operations couldn't continue. Moreover, Executioners were the church's absolute elite—killing machines trained to fight heretics and internal enemies. Training an Executioner wasn't cheap, so the church would prefer to recover them if possible.

More importantly, they didn't know if these Executioners might reveal some of the church's internal scandals. If they took action and their secrets were exposed, damaging their reputation, what then?

While devout believers would still firmly trust the church's explanations, others might not. This could even provide an opportunity for other powers to create trouble.

Therefore, they wouldn't dare continue their planned actions.

Kenji valued these captives for precisely these reasons. As for intelligence, while relevant, it wasn't the most important factor—he wasn't planning to directly confront the church. Their current mission was simply to visit the Vishi Empire. As long as they could ensure the safety of the delegation and Pluvia, intelligence was secondary.

"Since you put it that way, I suppose I should feel reassured," Pluvia agreed with Kenji's reasoning.

Her current priority was also "returning safely," since they weren't on Camelot territory and the delegation was small, making it impossible to confront the church directly.

If this were Camelot territory, anyone who dared plot to assassinate the Camelot Emperor would immediately find a military unit surrounding their church. Then we'd see who's tougher.

"I'm glad Your Majesty understands," Kenji said while pulling out a map. "North of Vitnan, there's a lake. If Your Majesty is interested, I could accompany you there to enjoy the scenery."

"Hm, That sounds good. Let's go."

…

Pluvia quietly observed Kenji sitting at the bow of the boat.

He was rowing while gazing ahead at the scenery before them.

The afternoon sunlight spilled across the lake's surface, warm enough to make one feel slightly drowsy.

Pluvia and Sonya sat in the boat. This time, the three of them didn't exchange any words, simply drifting across the lake. Kenji seemed to have completely forgotten the political maneuvering on shore. After rowing for a while, he sat down to appreciate the beautiful surroundings, letting the boat float freely on the water.

A rare moment of tranquility.

Finally, Kenji broke the silence:

"Your Majesty, do you like it here?"

"Yes, I do," Pluvia answered honestly.

In truth, there were lakes throughout Camelot, including an artificial one behind the imperial palace.

However, whenever Pluvia boated on those lakes, the distant view of the palace's glazed tile roofs and elaborate pavilions made her feel somewhat uncomfortable.

She rarely had opportunities like this to simply sit on a boat and daydream without thinking about anything.

"Grand Marshal, I believe your ancestors weren't originally from Camelot, were they?" Sonya asked casually while leaning over the boat's edge, watching fish swim beneath the surface.

"That's right, my ancestors weren't Camelot people—or strictly speaking, they weren't originally from Camelot," Kenji didn't avoid the question. "Going back seven generations, my family were commoners from the Qikuo, located southeast of the Sal Kingdom. Due to war, they fled to Camelot territory and gradually put down roots. By my great-grandfather's generation, we were essentially complete Camelot citizens."

"In those days, we would have been considered 'barbarians'—though as Your Majesty knows, Qikuo eventually came under Camelot rule."

Conquering Qikuo hadn't been particularly difficult. Camelot's influence on neighboring countries was so significant that nations like Qikuo developed strong dependencies on Camelot.

Later, after a "humiliation of envoys" incident, Camelot was thoroughly angered by the Qikuo king's arrogance. They threatened military action at the border, demanding an explanation from the Qikuo king.

Surprisingly, the Qikuo king—whom everyone expected to resist Camelot to the end—suddenly performed an astonishing act of submission, directly announcing that Qikuo would recognize Camelot as its sovereign.

This move bewildered both the neighboring Sal Kingdom (then called the Saye Kingdome) and the Camelot Emperor. Combined with the fact that many citizens already depended on Camelot's economy and culture, Qikuo ultimately became Camelot territory, now known as "Anos County."

This surreal turn of events led many historians to speculate that the Qikuo king deliberately provoked Camelot to create a legitimate reason for being "threatened," allowing for a justifiable incorporation into Camelot.

After all, Qikuo had suffered from prolonged internal strife, with various factions fiercely competing for power. Camelot had shown no intention of intervening—they couldn't easily meddle in another country's internal affairs.

However, the Qikuo king's maneuver effectively ended the civil war. Under Camelot's threat, none of the warring factions dared to act rashly, fearing who might inherit this mess. After Camelot incorporated Qikuo into its territory, nobody dared to instigate internal rebellion.

After all, no one believed they could stand against Camelot's 600,000-strong army.

The Qikuo king ultimately lived in luxury as the King of Qikuo until he died naturally at over ninety years old.

So while those familiar with the Kenji family knew they were once barbarians, no one raised objections because they had long since become Camelot citizens.

"But, Grand Marshal, if I may say so, I believe you have more right to call yourself a Camelot citizen than most natives."

"I am a Camelot citizen. The Qikuo kingdom is ancient history," Kenji quickly responded. "But tell me, why do you think I have more right to call myself a Camelot citizen?"

"Grand Marshal, you've excelled in both civil and military affairs since childhood. After the late Emperor's passing, you devoted yourself to assisting with state affairs, standing firm against the court officials while fully supporting Her Majesty. You've expanded our territories and established great military merit. Grand Marshal, these achievements are beyond what most Camelot citizens could accomplish."

"Miss Sonya, you flatter me. I've merely fulfilled my duty as a minister," Kenji replied modestly with a smile.

"You're being humble again. Don't you remember? During your military campaigns, you once proclaimed before those barbarians, 'With this general here, it's as if the Emperor is present'—such bold words..."

As Sonya said this, Kenji's mind went blank.

Damn it!

So that's why she was suddenly praising me—she was setting me up!

Clearly, Pluvia had also noticed something off about these words and immediately fixed her gaze on him.

"Sonya, surely not? How could Duke Anos, a man of such loyalty, utter such rebellious words?"

Pluvia spoke with an expression that suggested she was enjoying the spectacle.

Kenji didn't quite understand.

This isn't right, Sonya. This isn't fair.

Why are you suddenly undermining me like this?

Besides, those were words spoken by my past self—my past self isn't my present self!

"Your Majesty, I..."

Kenji maintained outward composure while his mind raced through countless possibilities.

Why would Sonya suddenly put him in such a difficult position? Setting aside whether such words should be mentioned now, how did this benefit Sonya or Pluvia when it clearly harmed him?

What he didn't know was that Pluvia's mind was also racing frantically:

Damn it! What is this idiot woman doing?!

Has she lost her mind? Is this the time to create open conflict?! What is she trying to accomplish?!

These words harm Kenji, but how do they benefit her or me?!

For a moment, the atmosphere between them grew tense.

Pluvia was about to question Sonya when she recalled her grandfather's advice:

"Pluvia, remember, when someone's actions are difficult to understand, don't lose your composure. Try to think as they think, imagine what they imagine."

Pluvia pondered for a moment.

From an interest perspective, Sonya had no reason to compete with Kenji for benefits. Their areas of authority didn't overlap, and the Royal Guards were an independent imperial guard unit with few overlapping interests.

From a standpoint perspective, the Royal Guards were obligated to be loyal to her, Pluvia—loyalty to the Emperor alone was their position. As for Kenji... he was quite complex. Wait.

Kenji was complex; his position couldn't be fully determined yet. The Royal Guards were loyal to the me, and due to previous prejudice, court rumors suggested Sonya didn't have a good attitude toward Kenji.

Could it be that she didn't know how to face Kenji, so she was simply trying to test my attitude toward him? If I truly hated Kenji, I wouldn't miss this opportunity to strike at him, and Sonya would then focus on guarding against him. If I chose to forgive this offense, Sonya would see it as intentional protection of Kenji and adjust her attitude accordingly...

Thinking this way, Pluvia made a decision.

We absolutely can't have an open conflict. If we did, the court wouldn't be far behind.