The Empror's Trap-Chapter 50: Ch - Accidentally Scoring an Official Position

"What are your views on this, ministers?"

Though Pluvia was extremely annoyed inside, she maintained her usual demeanor, smiling as she questioned the officials below.

"Well..."

For a moment, everyone below was stunned into silence.

Some present had guessed Kenji’s true intentions, but they were the minority. After all, who in court wasn’t aware of Duke Anos’s ambitions? And even those few who had guessed were mostly just waiting to see discord between Her Majesty and the Grand Marshal. That said, they also feared retaliation from Duke Anos, so they simply kept quiet.

At this point, several officials who sided with Kenji spoke up loudly:

"Your Majesty, we believe this proposal is feasible."

"I concur."

"I concur."

"..."

Pluvia’s expression grew increasingly dangerous as she looked at Kenji.

Well well, after acting so loyal these past few times, I actually thought you had a change of heart, or at least were willing to stand together. But now I see...

Fine, you can have it all! Just watch if I don’t kill you later!

Thinking this, Pluvia put on her standard diplomatic smile:

"In that case... let it be so."

Originally she had planned to have Chancellor Long take this position, since many tasks were best handled by someone familiar and trustworthy. Now, not only did the candidate have to change, but... many things would need to be explained to the other party in advance.

How annoying.

"From today onwards, Duke Kenji Anos, will temporarily serve as Minister of the Imperial Family until Siguo returns to resume his duties," Pluvia sighed deeply before announcing.

"We obey."

All the officials, including Kenji, acknowledged the command, but a few seconds after agreeing, Kenji suddenly realized something.

Wait a minute! Who’s becoming Minister!?

Did I hear that wrong!?

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"Your Majesty!?"

Kenji noticed something was off and finally realized he had made a serious mistake.

When he had been subtly hinting at General Balinos as a candidate, he had forgotten to exclude himself from the pool of candidates.

People tend to unconsciously ignore their own existence, and Kenji was no different. He was very familiar with everyone at court but easily overlooked his own existence.

Just like moments ago—while all his conditions were meant to point to General Balinos, he forgot that he also met those same criteria.

"Ah, Your Majesty, please forgive my rashness, what I meant was..." Kenji was about to continue when Chancellor Long beside him shot him a glance:

"What’s wrong? Does Grand Marshal Kenji find the position of Minister not to his taste?"

"Not at all; I simply never intended to take this position..."

Halfway through speaking, he suddenly fell silent.

Because he saw the angry yet slightly fearful expressions of the court officials.

There was no explaining it clearly—once they had labeled him in their minds, it would be almost impossible to truly salvage his image, no matter what he did.

His actions would never have good intentions in their eyes. Kenji understood this clearly. He looked around at everyone below, then laughed helplessly:

"Very well then, I shall temporarily handle these duties in Chancellor Long’s stead."

"Good, by doing so you’re helping me greatly," Pluvia said with a smile, then sat upright with a serious expression. "Now that this matter is settled, let me address the next important issue."

Hearing that Pluvia had more to say, Kenji stepped aside and waited for her to speak.

"Luminara is in chaos, with assassins everywhere. I am deeply troubled. I previously tasked the Grand Marshal with investigating. Now we have information, and the assassins’ backgrounds have been mostly uncovered. Today, I will begin thoroughly purging those with ill intentions from court. Especially those colluding with foreign powers—bring them in!"

As soon as Pluvia finished speaking, footsteps could be heard from outside the hall.

Several people in prisoner’s garb were pushed into the great hall, each trembling and keeping their heads down, not daring to look at Pluvia seated above.

Seeing these people, Kenji drew in a sharp breath.

That was fast.

"I ask all present to look—who are these people?"

Everyone examined the criminals pushed into the hall. The officials recognized these prisoners—they were officials from several northern counties, one even a governor.

"The Camelot Empire has lasted a thousand years, during which we have known both supreme glory and decay. Yet why has Camelot endured for a millennium? It is because in our court, those willing to die for their country far outnumber the cowards who only care for profit." She pointed at the prisoners before her, "Everyone here knows them—they are officials from various northern border counties. One could say they held the lifeline of Camelot’s borders in their hands."

"Yet during this conflict, these people betrayed us and colluded with foreign powers. For their own benefit, they stood by and watched as Hanyin City fell without providing aid, and even secretly shared intelligence with Sal. Though Camelot blood flows in their veins, they serve barbarians as masters. Now, with evidence and confessions in hand, these people have admitted to their crimes."

"Most despicable of all, it was they who provided resources and support in the previous assassination attempts on the Grand Marshal and even myself—to be such faithful dogs to barbarians is truly rare throughout history."

"Well? Let’s discuss—what do you all think would be appropriate punishment?"

At this point, Pluvia swept her gaze across everyone in the great hall.

Surprise, anger, fear, schadenfreude... everyone’s expressions differed, and several central ministers showed a hint of guilt.

Pluvia didn’t pay much attention to their expressions, or rather, she didn’t need to, because she knew the accounts would be settled one by one.

At this moment, the Governor of Luminara capital city stepped forward.

He bowed, then said:

"Your Majesty, I believe such traitors should face the most severe punishment. Not only should they face execution, but it should be public. Only this will appease public anger."

Hearing the governor say this, the prisoners beside him widened their eyes, glaring at him with gritted teeth.

But the Governor of Luminara seemed not to notice as he continued:

"Your Majesty, since the founding of Camelot, many martyrs have served the country loyally, and the people take pride in Camelot. Now that traitors have emerged, they should be executed publicly. But execution alone is not enough."

"Oh? Tell me, besides execution, what else should be done?" Pluvia looked curiously at the Governor of Luminara.

"Besides execution, we should also publicly reward those who achieved merit in this conflict. Clear rewards and punishments, with negative examples balanced by positive ones—this will make the people more willing to contribute to Camelot."