The Empror's Trap-Chapter 83: Ch - The Audience Vol-2

Rinas stood beneath the gates of Luminara, filled with nostalgia. It had been three years since he’d last returned, and seeing these familiar gates brought joy. Behind him were several strong young men who had gone with him to study in the Western Empire as exchange talents. Now they had arrived together in Luminara, preparing to report to the Grand Marshal and Her Majesty.

"Bro, who should we see first when we arrive?" everyone asked excitedly after entering the city. They had learned many things and brought back much knowledge, eager to demonstrate their accomplishments.

"Of course we must first see the Emperor. We weren’t in the country when the new Emperor ascended the throne, and haven’t yet showed our respect, so naturally we must have an audience."

"Eh? To be honest, I feel we should just go see the Grand Marshal. The new Emperor probably doesn’t understand much about military matters. I think I could even best her in combat," said one young officer.

His words made sense - when they left the country, the previous Emperor was still on the throne. Though in his later years the former Emperor no longer had the valor of his prime on the battlefield, he could understand all their military discussions.

After the new Emperor’s ascension, they were said to handle domestic affairs well, but military matters were largely left to Kenji and the other generals.

Truthfully, for an Emperor, if they had even barely passing ability to lead troops, they wouldn’t simply hand everything over to the Grand Marshal. Willingly entrusting the army to the Grand Marshal either meant they had an unusually high level of trust, or they knew their own military capabilities were lacking...

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The young officers knew it wouldn’t work to discuss military matters with an Emperor who wasn’t skilled in warfare. They tended to be rather proud, and knew this flaw in themselves. They worried they might end up arguing with Her Majesty during their discussions...

Therefore, they preferred to first meet the familiar Grand Marshal. At least the Grand Marshal was knowledgeable in their discussions and they wouldn’t argue. Even if they did argue... it wasn’t certain who would win.

"Don’t joke about this," Rinas quickly stopped his colleague when faced with such thoughts. "We should still see Her Majesty first. Returning to the country and running to see the Grand Marshal instead of Her Majesty isn’t good - it could negatively impact the Grand Marshal."

"Alright, but let me be clear, bro- you handle the conversation with Her Majesty. I’m not good at conversation. I don’t want to anger Her Majesty into executing my entire family."

"With that uncontrollable mouth of yours, you’ll die by it sooner or later," Rinas said with a laugh. "Alright, just don’t speak carelessly. Though Her Majesty gained the throne from among many princes and grandsons through their own ability. We’ll just report to Her Majesty, and can discuss what we’ve actually learned directly with the Grand Marshal."

In Camelot, foreign exchange was common business. Though during the previous Emperor’s reign, foreign conquests had created tense relationships with neighboring countries affecting economic and cultural exchange, these exchanges were only impacted, never completely severed.

When Pluvia began governing, she gradually lifted restrictions on foreign exchange. Now almost all citizens of Camelot knew of the several nations that maintained close relations with them.

But exchange was exchange - most of it happened through merchant caravans. High-level exchange was rare, and common people mostly learned of these countries through various goods, imperial edicts, and the occasional foreign officials who visited Camelot.

Therefore, when the previous Emperor initiated that talent exchange, the people of Camelot eagerly anticipated what novel things these civil and military officials who went to study would bring back from other countries.

Indeed, they did bring back novel things. However, many of these couldn’t immediately be shown to the common people.

Now, in the Hall of Friends within the Camelot palace, Rinas was presenting himself to Pluvia.

"Your servant Rinas, having completed three years of study, thanks to the former Emperor’s grace and Your Majesty’s concern, has returned home and specially requests an audience with Your Majesty."

Looking at Rinas’s respectful bow, Pluvia waved her hand: "Mm, you may all rise. Having spent many years in foreign lands, you must have been homesick. Today I have specially prepared a feast to welcome your return."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

"What did you learn there? Do tell me about it."

"Your Majesty, your servant learned many techniques regarding the use of spiritual energy in the Western Empire. I also took the opportunity to learn their language and brought back some of their books. Overall, though our military has some understanding of the Western Empire these years, the facts prove this understanding is still insufficient."

"Additionally, we also learned some of their military thoughts and techniques, which may be of help to Camelot."

So spoke Rinas. He didn’t elaborate on exactly what he had learned or what skills he had mastered, but directly expressed his views on the Western Empire to Pluvia.

"Mm, you have all done very well," Pluvia nodded. "Though the Western Empire’s strength matches ours, and we seem to be in opposing camps, in reality, we could completely become allies. After you return, I wish to see your reports, especially regarding the Western Empire’s politics and economy. Perhaps there is much worth learning from the Western Empire for our Camelot."

"Your Majesty is wise."

Rinas said. This was his first time meeting this young Emperor, yet he dared not underestimate her.

From when he first entered until now, this young Emperor seemed to understand everything about him thoroughly. Though she was quite friendly in their gestures toward the group, one could still sense a hint of distance - that distance between ruler and subject.

Most interestingly, this Emperor seemed quite self-aware, barely touching on military matters before moving on to ask about other countries’ political and economic systems instead.

This was unexpected.

"May I ask Your Majesty, where is Lord Anos now..."

"He is waiting for you all at his mansion. Today I had hoped to welcome you together with him, but both he and I have our own matters to attend to."

So said Pluvia.

"I see."

"Since you’ve already met with me, you might as well quickly go see him I’ve already informed him of your return. After all, it was he who personally recommended you all to study in the West before the former Emperor."