The Empror's Trap-Chapter 74: Ch - Lightning-Fast Blame Shifting

After the Grand Censor took his stance, the officials who had always followed Kenji stepped forward one after another, expressing their willingness to accompany him. Among them, Vice Minister Li also chose to stand with Kenji. Though he didn’t normally interact much with Kenji, Kenji knew this Vice Minister was part of his network.

Though they weren’t particularly close, it didn’t prevent their interests from aligning. Vice Minister Li’s child had become a military officer on Kenji’s recommendation. In fact, Kenji would often engage in the same kind of relationship-building activities as other officials, though he was selective about it, not pushing just anyone into the military. His recommendation of Vice Minister Li’s son was partly because he needed such people working for him, and partly because the son genuinely had military talent.

Why could Kenji control Camelot’s military? There were many reasons, but a major one was that many new officers in the Camelot military had been recommended and trained by him. And Kenji didn’t just recommend them - he would periodically check on how these officers were performing, encouraging the good ones and instructing the poor performers on how to improve.

Thus, his influence in the military was considerable. Though there were still various factions in the military, those were mostly older officers who would eventually retire or be marginalized with time. By then, Kenji’s people would likely be everywhere in Camelot’s military.

This was what made Kenji most formidable.

"In that case, I’ll take a few people with me," Kenji said, selecting several who could at least protect themselves on the battlefield. Though he wanted people to accompany him for show of force, he didn’t want to have to protect helpless burdens if fighting broke out.

The group left the hall and headed directly to the palace gates. After the palace guards opened the gates, Kenji stood in the doorway.

Just outside, the rebel soldiers were positioned as if ready to charge into the palace at any moment. Kenji drew the sword at his waist and stood watching these rebels.

He stood there staring at them, but they didn’t move.

"I am Duke Kenji Anos. Where is your commander? I wish to speak with him."

Kenji said. He wasn’t worried about these people charging - even if they did, with his combat ability, protecting himself was no issue.

"I am here."

As Kenji was still searching for his target in the crowd, accompanied by a sharp shout, a person wearing heavy armor stepped forward.

"I pay my respects to Prince Liam."

Seeing the person before him, Kenji bowed respectfully.

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Liam was Pluvia’s royal brother and former crown prince. The throne had once been within his reach, but in the end, his imperial father hadn’t chosen him.

Initially, Liam had great difficulty accepting this outcome. He had even personally argued with the previous emperor, but to no avail. The previous emperor seemed determined to pass the position to Pluvia rather than this once-favored son.

After Pluvia ascended the throne, he hadn’t mistreated this former crown prince, giving him high treatment and satisfying many of his requests. From this former crown prince, Pluvia only required one promise: from now on, do not participate in state affairs.

Liam had been obedient. After Pluvia took the throne, he truly hadn’t caused any trouble, to the point where some crown prince supporters had completely lost faith in him. However, this rebellion completely exposed Liam’s ambitions.

"Kenji," Liam looked down at Kenji from atop his horse, "where have you taken my sister?"

"Your Highness, what are you saying?" Kenji frowned and asked.

"Do I need to spell it out for you?" Liam sneered, raising his sword to point at the palace. "Today I received news that you led troops into Luminara causing rebellion everywhere, trapping Her Majesty in the palace. That’s why I specially gathered these troops from various generals to rescue Her Majesty. Now my forces are strong - release Her Majesty soon, and I may spare your life."

Hearing Liam’s words, Kenji almost laughed out loud.

Setting aside everything else, this prince’s skill at shifting blame was truly first-class. If Kenji hadn’t known clearly that he and Prince Yunis had coordinated to launch the rebellion together, one might really think Liam was the hero rescuing the emperor in her hour of need.

Actually, Liam knew this lie wouldn’t fool Kenji, but it was just about providing a way out - giving a reason to avoid being immediately executed by Her Majesty, and giving Her Majesty a reason to spare him. The superficial work still had to be done.

"Your Highness, you cannot make such baseless accusations," Kenji said calmly. "It was Prince Yunis who started the rebellion, which is why I led troops to suppress it. Her Majesty is fine in the great hall - I haven’t touched her at all. Yet now, Your Highness treats me as someone who would hold Her Majesty hostage? I won’t accept this blame."

"If that’s so, do you dare let me see Her Majesty?"

"Please proceed."

Kenji said with a cold smile.

Liam waved his hand, and the troops behind him immediately followed.

"Wait," Kenji suddenly called out, then blocked Liam. "Your Highness, your soldiers behind you need not enter. Also, please dismount within the palace."

Not just anyone could ride horses in the palace. Kenji rode inside earlier because the situation was urgent - to put it bluntly, at that critical moment, if the emergency required it, even sawing through the hall’s pillars would have been acceptable.

But this wasn’t an emergency situation, so even if you’re a prince, you still have to dismount when told.

Liam turned to look at the soldiers following him, was silent for a moment, then nodded:

"Fine, I’ll go in with you."

Kenji led Liam into the palace, heading straight to the great hall with the officials.

When Liam saw Pluvia in the great hall, he very quickly put on a relieved expression.

"Your Majesty, I heard the situation here was urgent, so I immediately led troops to provide support. I apologize for arriving late to save you - please forgive me!"

"You came to save me?"

"Indeed."

"If you came to save me, why did you attack my palace guards? Why did you charge straight for my palace?"

Pluvia coldly stared at him and demanded.

"Your Majesty, forgive me! I thought those treacherous officials had controlled Your Majesty’s palace guards, so I was anxious to rescue Your Majesty..."

"Absurd! You rushed straight to the palace without any verification, clashed with the palace guards, and threw everything into chaos!" Pluvia pointed at his nose and rebuked. "You withdraw first - after this is over, I’ll deal with your crimes!"

"Understood..."

Liam appeared extremely remorseful on the surface, but inside he was relieved.

At least he had made it through for now. He didn’t know how displeased Pluvia truly was with him, but at least he wouldn’t die immediately.