The Empror's Trap-Chapter 55: Ch The Welcome

At Luminara’s gates, soldiers and their general were welcomed with celebration amid crowds and cheers of victory.

Of course, not all fifty thousand had returned. To maintain defense operations across the nation, Kenji had assembled this temporary force by drawing portions from twelve armies stationed throughout the country. Only General Balinos and a few thousand troops originally stationed in Luminara had actually returned.

General Balinos sat astride his distinctive black horse, his battle armor appearing even more imposing in the sunlight.

People cheered along both sides of the road. For Camelot’s citizens, their nation’s strength was something worth celebrating, especially when embodied by General Balinos.

Honestly, the General’s face was truly frightening, but that didn’t affect his popularity. If anything, in many people’s eyes, it had become the hero’s trademark - children would often smear mud on their faces trying to imitate the General’s scar.

Though most kids still ended up crying when they saw him in person...

General Balinos rode forward before dismounting, bowing to Pluvia who remained on horseback:

"Your Majesty, this humble servant has concluded the northern campaign and returns to report."

"Your wholehearted dedication to Camelot is truly our nation’s fortune," Pluvia smiled at the general before her. "See how the citizens of Luminara have all come out today - this is Camelot’s recognition of your service."

"Your Majesty is too kind."

After speaking, General Balinos looked toward Kenji.

"General Balinos has achieved great merit this time," Kenji said as he dismounted. "See, Her Majesty didn’t even use a carriage today, but came directly on horseback. In Her Majesty’s words, this is... ah right, showing ’military camp courtesy.’"

This "military camp courtesy" was simply the etiquette observed within armies. Camelot had literally fought its way to its current territory, absolutely overflowing with martial virtue. Many ancestors rode horses to command battles rather than sitting in carriages.

For a general, having Camelot’s Emperor come to welcome them on horseback was an extremely high honor - provided the one being welcomed was a military officer.

"This humble servant merely executed Your Majesty’s decisions and carried out the Grand Marshal’s orders. My achievements are not mine alone, but shared with Your Majesty, the Grand Marshal, and all the commanders who planned together."

General Balinos said respectfully.

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"Your Majesty, see how modest the General is being again."

Kenji said to Pluvia with a smile.

"Sometimes, excessive modesty isn’t necessary," Pluvia gazed at the soldiers behind him. "You have all labored hard fighting for Camelot. I had intended to bestow great rewards, but rewards can wait. For now, I invite you all to feast well in the palace and wash away the dust of travel."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

And so the troops and royal procession moved together toward the palace. However, as Kenji rode along, General Balinos suddenly spurred his horse closer:

"Duke Anos."

"What is it?" Kenji asked curiously, seeing the General’s mysterious expression.

"After taking Hanyin City, there was some damage. The Sal forces burned much of the grain and fodder, and there were civilian casualties. The people need relief funds, supplies need replenishing, city facilities need restoration... We urgently need funds now, but the annual tribute and reparations from Sal won’t arrive immediately. Can the treasury still provide the money?"

"What would you do if we can’t provide it?"

Kenji asked with a smile.

"Well..." General Balinos fell silent for a moment before saying, "If funds aren’t available, perhaps I should take the lead in persuading officials to donate some money, at least to handle the emergency..."

"Please don’t, General," Kenji quickly waved his hand. "It wouldn’t look good if Camelot needed donations just to restore one city. Don’t worry, I have preparations in place."

"What preparations?"

"I can squeeze some money out of certain officials," Kenji said quietly. "Remember the canal being built?"

"Yes, that massive expense..."

"The canal officials have been eating too much. Originally, I suggested to Her Majesty to let them privately take about ten percent. It’s a huge project - ten percent would be plenty for them to gorge themselves on."

"But now the officials in charge have taken nearly thirty percent and won’t stop. I let them eat a bit so they’d focus on the canal, but their appetites got a bit too big."

"Since that’s the case, might as well have nobody eat any of it, and make them cough up what they’ve taken before too. Yesterday I ordered an investigation into the greediest ones and prepared impeachment memorials. If all goes well, the money in their households should be enough for emergency use. After being scared like this, the others should know when to stop."

Here Kenji sighed meaningfully: "Ah, you see how people can be so insatiable."

General Balinos was a bit speechless listening to this.

Well then, would this count as entrapment?

But since his direct superior said so and money wouldn’t be a problem, he felt reassured. After all, he didn’t want Hanyin City to be easily captured again.

….

The victory feast was quite lively. This was another old Camelot tradition, though the food depended on the era - during the previous Emperor’s time, victory feasts usually featured roasted meat and stews.

Now Camelot’s offerings were more diverse - chicken, duck, fish and meat of all kinds, though still mostly meat since the soldiers were robust young men who loved meat dishes best.

These soldiers could really eat and drink - they downed jar after jar of wine with great gusto. Fortunately Pluvia hadn’t impulsively offered them imperial wine, or they would’ve drunk the entire imperial stock dry.

Kenji hadn’t drunk much before starting to feel the effects. Camelot’s wine was far lower in alcohol content compared to his former era, and they didn’t pursue high alcohol content but rather fragrance.

The aroma was most important, with the alcohol taste more like a seasoning, so even someone like Kenji who rarely drank could easily down several large bowls.

But he couldn’t resist the soldiers’ toasts and ended up drinking more than intended. Finally, General Balinos had to step in to rescue him.

Afterward, faced with the drunk Kenji, General Balinos could only have someone notify Lina, who rushed over to take him away, bringing the evening to a close.

When Kenji woke up in his bedroom the next morning, he found Lina guarding his side.

And Pluvia sitting beside them.

"!??"

Kenji’s foggy mind instantly cleared at this scene. He sat up abruptly and looked at Pluvia:

"Your Majesty, why are you...?"

"You’ve been passed out drunk for a day and missed the reward ceremony. I asked around and learned you still hadn’t woken, so I came to check on you after finishing the ceremony."

Pluvia examined the man before her.

Finally found one of his weak points - terrible alcohol tolerance, passes out after drinking just a bit too much.

But honestly, even this weakness wasn’t particularly useful. Usually people spilled truths when drunk, but him? He either stayed sober or passed out completely without even sleep-talking. What good would getting him drunk do in the future?

His drinking comportment was almost too good - how was she supposed to get anything out of him?