The Empror's Trap-Chapter 60: Ch - Sudden Events:

Sorry for the delay, here is the update.

Yunis wanted to do something good, as Kenji well knew. Regardless of his true motives - whether for power or profit - daring to educate the common people was a positive thing in this society.

However, education couldn’t be implemented carelessly.

Education fundamentally served the current economic and political situation - it had clear purposes. But the present era wasn’t particularly suited for education initiatives.

First, the common people had no inherent desire for learning. Although Camelot used systems similar to imperial examinations to select talent, the vast majority of commoners lacked both the ability and inclination to educate their children. In their eyes, education was something only wealthy families could afford - an activity for rich lords.

Moreover, Camelot treated its citizens reasonably well. Most regions could sustain basic living standards with hard work. Many families viewed children as laborers.

The farms needed helping hands. If crops failed, even basic sustenance wasn’t guaranteed. Camelot’s people wouldn’t place all their hopes on the court. Given this reality, why waste money educating children?

Wasn’t it better to have children serve as family labor?

So Yunis’s plans would face significant challenges in implementation.

"Duke, what do you think of me as a person?" Yunis asked, leaning back in his chair.

"Your Highness is generous and pure of character."

"Is that so? Then, wouldn’t you like to share more fish with me in the future? Fine cuisine is always worth savoring." His eyes narrowed as he studied Kenji.

Still on about the fish?

"Your Highness’s gracious invitation delights me, but with pressing matters of state before us...fish can wait."

Yunis burst into laughter at Kenji’s words:

"Hahaha, excellent! I admire your total dedication to the empire and its people! Come, let’s drink - tea instead of wine!"

The two clinked teacups - quite an amusing scene.

"So, in your temporary role as Head of the Imperial Family, have you encountered any difficulties since taking office? If you have problems, just tell me. Though I’ve never managed family affairs, I’ve seen enough to understand them!"

Warning bells rang in Kenji’s mind.

Here it comes - the true intentions revealed.

A welcome banquet? Laughable. The two barely had any connection. In fact, Kenji may have even been this Fifth Prince’s enemy before - after all, Kenji had supported Pluvia’s bid for the throne.

Simply put, while part of him wanted to win Kenji over, his main purpose - the crucial part - was probing for information.

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Yunis wasn’t stupid. After orchestrating such major events, rumors must have spread. By inviting Kenji here, he wanted to gauge Pluvia’s current reaction.

"Ah, Your Highness is so kind to help - that’s truly beneficial," Kenji said. "However, Camelot is stable now. To be frank, though I’ve been busy since taking office, it’s all trivial matters. They can be handled easily, no need for Your Highness to worry."

"That’s for the best, yes indeed," Yunis nodded theatrically, then continued, "Duke Anos, if you encounter anything difficult or troublesome, you can always ask me for advice. Oh right-"

At this point, Yunis took an exquisite box from his guard.

Opening it revealed an intricate jade carving half a meter long, clearly visible to all present.

The jade piece was obviously extremely valuable - carved into a bird poised for flight, with remarkably detailed feathers rendered with extraordinary precision. The entire sculpture was translucent, carrying an almost ethereal quality.

"This is..."

"I’ve heard you collect precious gems and jade, and even invited foreign jewel merchants to your residence. But how can foreign jewels compare to our Camelot jade’s crafter? Today I present you this carving - ’Roc’s Million Mile Flight’ - to add some color to your collection."

As Yunis spoke, two guards brought the bird before Kenji.

Kenji drew in a sharp breath.

Well now, they’re playing this game already.

Though Kenji didn’t know exactly how much Yunis had paid for this jade carving, by his estimation it far exceeded the value of the Tears of the Holy Mother.

"This gift is far too precious - I cannot accept it. It’s too extravagant."

Kenji hastily refused.

First, he had no interest in it. Second, accepting carried too high a price.

So he was unwilling to accept it.

"Come now, don’t be so formal! My palace has plenty of these - it’s no expense at all." Yunis ordered his guards, "Pack it carefully and deliver it to Duke’s residence when he leaves."

Fine then - don’t blame me for being impolite.

Kenji certainly didn’t intend to actually keep this massive jade roc. Such an expensive item, if discovered and reported to Pluvia letting her know he was consorting with the Fifth Prince and accepting his gifts - wouldn’t that half worry her to death?

He decided to make a bold move.

Seeing Kenji accept his gift, Yunis relaxed visibly. He raised his cup to share tea with Kenji.

However, at that moment...

Kenji suddenly lifted his arm, then released his grip on the cup.

The delicate white porcelain cup fell straight to the ground and shattered with a clear, ringing crash that echoed through the room.

Instantly, Lina beside him tensed, her hand sliding toward her waist - but Kenji firmly gripped her hand.

Lina looked at Kenji in confusion. She had received his orders - a dropped cup was the signal. Since Kenji had now dropped the cup, she naturally prepared to act. But now her movement was being stopped.

As she hesitated, urgent footsteps sounded from outside. With a tremendous crash, the private room’s door was kicked open and burly soldiers poured in, their weapons glinting coldly!

Seeing this, Lina pulled Kenji behind her and drew her blade:

"Nobody move!"

The intruders had the numerical advantage.

But upon seeing Lina, they momentarily lost confidence.

In their eyes, this seemingly delicate woman’s spiritual energy had almost materialized into physical form. In a real fight...they likely couldn’t reach their target without casualties.

"Prince, what is the meaning of this?"

Kenji’s face darkened as he looked at the mass of armored, weapon-wielding men before him.

Everything happened too suddenly.

Yunis never expected this move from his opponent.

"Your Highness, what is the meaning of this? We’re having a private meal, yet you’ve invited so many guests. Will there be enough food?"

Kenji asked coldly, kicking away the broken cup pieces at his feet.

As expected, this man had ill intentions. If Kenji had truly been uncooperative today, the Fifth Prince might have actually planned to use force.

It was obvious when you thought about it - this location was chosen by Yunis in advance, with the area cleared beforehand. Setting up an ambush here would have been simple for him. Or arranging people to surround the room after Kenji entered - that would have been easy too.

Kenji wasn’t certain whether there was an actual ambush or how they received their orders. He was just testing. Clearly, this test had exposed the noble Prince’s true colors.

Now, faced with Kenji’s questioning, Yunis looked extremely uncomfortable.

He turned to look at the soldiers.

"Y-Your Highness?"

The one who appeared to be the captain called out hesitantly. He didn’t understand - the prince had given the signal and they had stormed in as ordered, so why did His Highness look...angry?

But this call only made Yunis’s blood pressure rise further.

You have the nerve to call out like that!? Can’t you read the room? Even shouting "robbery" would be better than directly calling me "Your Highness" and confirming who you work for!

Now I am completely exposed.

"Calm down, calm down." He quickly forced an awkward smile and gestured for the soldiers to lower their weapons.

The intruders finally realized this seemed to be a misunderstanding. After hesitating, they slowly put away their weapons.

"Lord Duke, your guard..."

"Lina, stand down. I don’t think His Highness would move against us at this time."

Kenji deliberately emphasized at this time.

The tense atmosphere eased slightly. Yunis turned to his men: "Who told you to come in?"

Seeing his master’s irritation, the captain responded quickly, thinking on his feet: "This lowly one deserves death. The lady of the household has fallen gravely ill. In our urgency to inform Your Highness, we rushed in rudely, not even changing out of our training gear..."

"Have you lost your minds!? Even for the gravest matter, does that give you the right to kick down doors!?" Yunis ground out through clenched teeth, then took a deep breath. "Get out!"

"As you command," the captain bowed, then hesitated. "But, about the lady’s illness..."

"Summon my physician to examine her! I’ll return shortly!"

"Understood!"

Realizing they had ruined their prince’s plans, the soldiers dared not linger. They hurriedly left the private room.

Kenji could barely suppress his amusement.