The Empror's Trap-Chapter 48: Ch - Galloping Steeds.

Ch 48 - Galloping Steeds.

Kenji initially hated horseback riding.

For someone who had lived in modern society, transitioning from smooth vehicles to horses was predictably challenging. Though his body retained muscle memory for riding, physical capability didn’t eliminate fear. He fell off several times at first.

Thankfully, being a cultivator meant his body was sturdier than normal people’s. Otherwise, those falls might have left him half-dead.

As time passed though, Kenji gradually grew accustomed to and fell in love with riding.

It was different from driving - feeling the powerful muscles of the warhorse beneath him, his body rising and falling in rhythm, the wind howling past his ears. The sensation was addictive.

The two rode out from Luminara City’s north gate, galloping wildly across the countryside.

Compared to host Kenji, Uheya showed far more skill. Having grown up in the saddle, she rode with abandon, as if venting the frustrations of recent days.

They galloped on until Luminara City was barely visible on the horizon before finally stopping.

Kenji wasn’t worried about ambush here. Setting aside his and Uheya’s combat abilities, he still had Lina with him.

Though Lina remained completely silent throughout, quietly following on horseback. In her view, when Kenji didn’t need her to make noise, she became like a shadow - saying nothing but staying close.

No choice really - Kenji had too many enemies. Those who wanted him dead could circle Luminara captial three times. Even if Kenji himself wasn’t afraid, as his guard, Lina couldn’t just let him run around alone.

Moreover, he had Uheya with him. While she might be a friend to Kenji, to Lina she was a foreigner and foreign princess. She couldn’t guarantee Kenji’s safety.

The three horses stopped on a hillside.

As the horses caught their breath, Kenji dismounted and stood on the slope, quietly gazing at Camelot’s landscape before him.

"Camelot is a good place."

Uheya walked up beside him, her face still flushed from riding, her excited state making her speak faster than usual.

"Yes, a good place," Kenji smiled, stroking his horse. "You like it here, don’t you?"

"Rather than like, I’d say I long for it." Uheya sat on a rock, watching the distant flow of vehicles and people. "My homeland... doesn’t have such prosperous scenes."

"It’s been a while since I visited Sal. How is it now?"

"Not good," Uheya smiled bitterly. "My brothers are fighting over father’s future throne. Until father dies and a new king is crowned, the country likely won’t know peace. Some brothers have already started connecting with western Holy Church nations for support. This year’s grain probably won’t be enough either. The royal court can barely provide food, while each prince raises private armies. They completely ignore the common people’s survival."

"Your brother doesn’t care either?"

"Him? His favorite method is killing - though he’s quite skilled at dealing with family members specifically. That’s why he sent me here, isn’t it?"

Kenji smiled noncommittally. Actually, Ban wasn’t that skilled at internal struggles either. The only reason he successfully manipulated Uheya was because she had already planned to come. In the end, this girl had chosen her country over herself.

"What will you do when you return?"

He asked.

Nearby, Lina stood gripping her sword, never relaxing for a moment.

"You dealt us a harsh defeat this time, though I expected as much." Uheya looked somewhat resentful as she studied his face. "I probably won’t serve as envoy anymore - someone else will likely handle that in future. I plan to focus on reforming our internal administration. The current royal court official system is complete chaos."

The woman before him looked troubled.

Kenji understood her concerns. The Sal Kingdom remained internally chaotic, stemming from their endless expansionist desires and this useless war they just fought. The vast plains provided cattle and sheep, but this destined the Sal Kingdom to constant outward expansion as population grew.

This mindset produced extremely strong cavalry but left domestic affairs in shambles. To Camelot’s eyes, their every action could be summed up as reckless.

This thinking limited the Sal Kingdom’s further development, but these were minor issues, not truly difficult to handle.

Provided the internal ideology and political climate could support change.

"Reforming administration isn’t bad. But as a friend, let me advise you," Kenji sighed deeply, stroking his horse’s neck. "Your country can’t escape its current state in the short term. The Sal Kingdom’s problems lie in administration, economics, and strategic direction, but these all fundamentally stem from your inherited ideology and that ’Elder Council.’ Reform requires changing both."

"How to change them?"

"I don’t know."

Kenji said frankly.

The girl’s expression grew frustrated. She had expected Kenji to offer a good solution, but his claimed ignorance felt almost like mockery.

"It’s not that I won’t tell you, but I’m not Sal people after all. I naturally can’t know your country’s true state and suitable changes - any reform must be based on reality. Without deep understanding, I can’t make definitive judgments."

Uheya gazed into the distance as a breeze brushed her face, loosening a few strands from her bound hair to dance in the wind.

"Kenji, come to my side."

She suddenly said.

"You’ll support me?" Kenji teased.

"If you came, I’m confident we could rebuild the royal court together."

"Ah ha," Kenji pretended to be moved by her words. "Then, my esteemed Queen, if we rebuild the court - between you and me, who’s in charge?"

"..."

"See, so you should abandon such thoughts. I think our current relationship is just fine," Kenji said with a smile. "Besides, I’m not someone without feeling for my country. I’m quite looking forward to Camelot’s future."

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Of course, Kenji didn’t mention another reason -

You think rebuilding a royal court is that simple? Maybe you trust me, but would your father? The risk factor in the Sal royal court is simply too high. Better to stay in Camelot where I had military authority and a workable understanding with the Emperor. Going there would be suicide.