The Empror's Trap-Chapter 45: Ch - The Mastermind Behind the Scenes:

When Shenya saw Lina enter, he visibly grew flustered.

For a scholar like him, facing a remnant of the Evil Cult hardly seemed like good news.

"Mr. Luin, I simply want to hear the specifics of your situation directly from your mouth. Look, I’m not a fool - I know who’s behind you. That former prince from the Southern Frontiers must still be plotting my demise, correct?"

Kenji smiled as he voiced his speculation - or rather, what was essentially confirmed fact, just lacking the final evidence needed for conviction.

"Do you really think you can escape this, boy?" Though his body trembled, Shenya still managed to spit out the words, knowing he likely couldn’t walk away unscathed.

"Escape?" Kenji reacted as if hearing a joke. "Impossible. I can guess what banner you’re rallying under - something about ’cleansing the court of evil influences,’ right? Makes perfect sense, really. After all, I’ve consolidated too much power, so it’s only natural for you to pose as righteous patriots and denounce me."

Kenji sat calmly in his seat as Lina swiftly brought over a plate of fruit.

"However, I have no intention of escaping. Quite the contrary - the bigger fuss you make, the safer I become."

As he spoke, he casually picked up a sharp knife from the fruit plate and sliced open an orange. The fragrant juice splattered everywhere as Kenji took a satisfied bite and continued: "You see, you want to eliminate me. While I’m capable of protecting myself, sometimes Her Majesty prefers that I put on a little show of suffering for her benefit."

"Sometimes, when a minister only displays loyalty and reliability, Her Majesty becomes skeptical. But what if I play the victim? Your schemes against me might actually make Her Majesty trust me more."

Kenji’s words weren’t mere intimidation.

These people’s target was almost certainly himself now. While the previous assassination attempt on Her Majesty had provoked her fury, overall it was just an opportunistic experiment by certain parties.

That failure would make them realize: to move against the Emperor in this country, they’d need to deal with him, the Grand Marshal, first.

Kenji was now confident their true target was himself, which actually made things easier.

He could take this opportunity to feign being attacked and injured, then appeal to Her Majesty for sympathy. The Emperor still needed him, and faced with his pleading and wounds, might gradually lower her guard against him - after all, if he could barely protect himself, he’d hardly have the energy for usurping power (not that he’d ever considered it).

"That’s for Her Majesty to judge later. Traitors like you will meet a bad end sooner or later."

"Hmm, whether I meet a bad end isn’t something you can control. Now then, tell me who’s really behind your group."

Kenji continued his questioning.

Meanwhile, Lina had silently moved to Shenya’s side. She made no movements, simply bowing politely to Shenya before taking out a small knife.

The blade was extremely sharp, seemingly crafted for delicate work rather than killing. And now, it rested beside him.

Shenya considered carefully.

Though they claimed to protect Camelot’s empire and legacy, in truth, his own goal was simply to align himself with a more reliable faction. He had no private army or ability to control the court, so he desperately sought a power that could shelter him.

In his youth, he believed the court shouldn’t be a place for partisan interests - he would gladly sacrifice everything for the common people.

But once he actually reached this position...

Shenya heaved a long sigh: "If I tell you, will you let me go?"

"I’d like to be friends with you, Mr. Luin, if you’re willing to consider me as such," Kenji gave Lina a look, signaling her to step back slightly. "You’re right - I do wield great power and pose a threat to Her Majesty. But heaven knows I harbor no disloyalty. Without me, Mr. Luin, how many Duke Anos do you think would emerge in court?"

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Shenya remained silent, head bowed.

"Right now, the real traitors are wreaking havoc on court affairs, colluding with foreign powers to try to overthrow our current foundations. Mr. Luin, you’re well-versed in the classics - how could you aid foreign enemies and internal traitors?"

Seeing the other party wavering slightly, Kenji knew it was time to appeal to righteousness.

Shenya looked at him, then said:

"Don’t tell Her Majesty."

"I’ll keep it confidential."

Kenji nodded.

Of course, he would tell Pluvia depending on circumstances, but some things he couldn’t let her know, or his plans might be compromised.

"The Fifth Prince Yunis Camelot has long been plotting to eliminate you."

Kenji showed no surprise at hearing this name.

He’d already investigated thoroughly. This Prince Yunis, being the most diplomatically skilled of all the princes, had long been on his list. Prince Yunis had previously negotiated with multiple barbarian tribes in the Southern regions during the previous emperor’s reign. With his help, relevant diplomatic missions successfully brought most tribes in the Southern regions under Camelot’s control at minimal cost. Quite an achievement.

However, in the succession struggle, Yunis clearly lacked too much. He excelled at socializing and pleasure-seeking but wasn’t cut out for governing. Being rather undisciplined, he didn’t even make it to the real finals.

The Fifth Prince opposing Pluvia was perfectly normal - he’d never liked his sister since childhood. And because he lived so extravagantly, after Pluvia took the throne she simply gave him the prince’s title, built him a mansion in the secondary capital not far from Luminara capital, provided some monthly stipends and left him to his own devices - though beyond allowances sufficient for comfortable living, Pluvia wouldn’t give him any more money.

The Fifth Prince always harbored such ambitions. His success in persuading the Southern Barbarians led him to believe he had the ability to rule the country, so his ambitions grew increasingly over these years, even secretly manufacturing armor and cultivating practitioners.

Of course, this behavior didn’t succeed - Pluvia understood her brother’s little schemes all too well, directly bribing the mansion’s steward to secretly set fire to it, burning all the hidden weapons and armor to ashes...

Even so, relying on his Southern Frontier connections and excellent eloquence, this Fifth Prince still managed to build up his own power base.