蝴蝶影院

As the Elf Scout had explained, the Emperor’s way had been blocked as he led his troops in pursuit. But the issue wasn’t that… it was the fact that part of his soldiers had rebelled after his way was blocked! Not only did they rebel, but they also joined forces with the Norther Barbarians to launch an attack on him, intent on taking him down!

Only then did the Emperor discover that the people around him had turned against him?!

The Rebel Army was vast in number, as were the Northern Barbarians. However, the Emperor and his personal guards weren’t pushovers. In the end, the Emperor managed to survive, albeit at the cost of every single one of his guards.

At this point, the Emperor realized that he was deep in crisis!

He hadn’t thought that the Evil God Cultists had infiltrated so deep. Clearly, it was possible that the entire Northern Expedition was a trap! After all, the Emperor led the battle initially because he heard of the Northern Barbarians preparing to invade the Imperial Territory. If the whole thing was a scheme, then…the trouble was great!

Therefore, the Emperor decided to apply a strategy of escaping by a hair’s breadth. He gagged the gauntlet onto another amputated hand and took off. He wasn’t sure who among his troops were loyal and who were Evil God Cultists. If he rashly returned to the camp under such circumstances, he might get silently assassinated. The Emperor knew that if he were discovered to be alive, they would think their plan had been exposed. At that point, they’d be capable of anything. If they struck again, he might genuinely “drop dead” during the expedition.

So, the Emperor kept his whereabouts secret while observing the movements of the other princes.

What he didn’t expect was that after the news of his “death” reached Aldorf, none of the other princes came to inquire about the situation; all of them fucking ran for the throne!

Thankfully the Emperor was a former mercenary in his youth, he had a strong physique. Otherwise, he might have been infuriated to death by the manoeuvers of these unfilial sons.

Nevertheless, the Emperor had his own sources and methods. After a thorough investigation, he found that everything was connected to an Evil God Cult called “The Hand of Uzi,” whose god was the God of Trickery. Well, this made sense considering how those idiots who couldn’t feel at ease executing someone without an alibi and various crime techniques would use such a style.

It’s clear now, Uzi’s Hand initiated this rebellion, and it’s highly probable they used other forces in their attempt to dismember the empire. Currently, it seemed all too evident that Manfred, trying to resurrect Nagash, the Plague God of Plague’s devotees, and Ratman attacking Imperial lands, all appeared to be cutting into the meat of the empire.

With the three princes now gathered in Aldorf, it seemed they intended to deal with all of them in one swoop. After all, once the three princes are all dead, the empire’s collapse would be imminent without a leader. If they could sacrifice them to the Chaos Evil God, the rewards would be immeasurable.

That’s why the Emperor decided to pretend to be Kevin and get rid of these hassles once and for all. That’s why he hired the warband to foil Manfred’s plot to bring back Nagash – an evil and powerful necromancer reviving on Imperial soil was definitely not a good thing.

Now that the crisis was over, the only thing left was to decide how to punish those unworthy descendants.

The problem was……

“Do you have anyone?”

Looking at Kevin sitting in the chair, Duanmu Huai asked this heart-piercing question.

The only ones on the Emperor’s side now were Duanmu Huai’s warband and the bald Archbishop of Sigma. Given this Archbishop’s influence within the empire, finding manpower shouldn’t have been a problem. However, the elite of the Sigma church had already been sent away by him, so how much of his prestige remained in the Sigma church…was hard to say.

It could easily turn out that they claim the Archbishop has turned into a vampire and burn him alive, which would be the end of him.

“……”

In the face of Duanmu Huai’s question, the Emperor was speechless. It was indeed a fatal question. In fact, he too wasn’t sure who was sincerely loyal and who was the real traitor now.

Of course, as the Imperial Emperor, there were naturally his supporters within the empire, like the old, bald Archbishop. But as his ordeal had shown, these loyal supporters of the Emperor were likely caught in some conspiracy and plots, or even dead.

Under such circumstances, the Emperor returning to Aldorf was practically a death sentence.

But to say he wouldn’t return to Aldorf? He surely wasn’t just going to sit back and watch the empire fall apart, was he?

“The Imperial Guards strictly follow the Emperor’s orders. I believe they should be fine.”

“That’s good.”

Upon hearing the Emperor’s reply, Duanmu Huai nodded.

“Fortunately, I also have a recommended candidate.”

“Oh?”

Hearing Duanmu Huai’s words, the Emperor looked at him curiously.

“Do you have a recommendation?”

“Yes, the commander of the Thirteenth Security Force, General Pastte.”

“Pastte…?”

Hearing this name, the Emperor was somewhat taken aback; he even pondered for a while before finally recollecting this individual.

“Him? But he isn’t an outstanding talent.”

“Although he is not outstanding, he is very loyal.”

Duanmu Huai relayed the events in Modheim to the Emperor, of course omitting the part about Pastte trying to make himself Emperor. Emperors of any era would not be happy to hear about their ministers having rebellious thoughts. Beyond this, it must also be said that General Pastte, as an Imperial soldier, has indeed given his full effort.

“Who would’ve thought…”

After listening to Duanmu Huai’s account, the Emperor was also full of feelings. Indeed, as a General, Pastte’s abilities were not exceptional and moreover he had ascended to this position relying on his family. The Emperor, therefore, did not value him much. This was apparent from the fact that he was in charge of a security force – an organization whose primary duty was to maintain law and order in the city, akin to a police force. Had it not been for the severe shortfall of troops, the Great Crown Prince would never have sent General Pastte and his force to retake Modheim.

Though General Pastte’s capabilities were indeed limited, he still had basic common sense and conscience. At least the fact that he did not allow the Great Crown Prince to take the Dimension Stone demonstrates that he is a patriotic minister.

That was enough.

Of course, perhaps due to Pastte’s limited capabilities and his invisibility day-to-day, others did not pay much attention to someone like him, affording him the opportunity to survive.

After all, tall trees catch much wind, and weren’t those with strong appeal in the Sigma Church, like the bald Archbishop, wiped out in one swoop?

Contrarily, somebody like Pastte who was indifferent to his grandparents managed to survive.

It had to be said, after listening to Duanmu Huai’s account, the Emperor was indeed impressed.

Although Pastte’s abilities were lacking, and prestige not high, one important point was that he was in control of the security force!

While a regular police force may not be put on a battlefield, mostly dealing with matters of security within streets and alleyways, at the moment it was the lack of means and soldiers to control the city of Aldorf that had the Emperor worried. While he did trust the loyalty of the Imperial Guards, they were required to defend the Palace and couldn’t possibly be dispatched to maintain security in the streets and alleyways.

If there was someone on his side to help maintain the security of Aldorf, then… the Emperor could clear himself of all worries and deal with his three unfilial sons!

There is no everlasting monarchy, I will not rest until you three down-the-line traitors that kill the father to take his throne, are hanged on the gates of Aldorf!!”

After much discussion, the three eventually settled on a plan.

Duanmu Huai, acting as the Emperor’s envoy, would be responsible for contacting General Pastte, while the Emperor would return to the palace with the Archbishop to liaise with the Imperial Guards and then, on the night of the banquet, round up all the traitors in one fell swoop!!

There’s essentially no problem with the plan. The only issue is…

“Princess, what are your plans?”

Looking at the High Elf Princess, the Emperor was also in a quandary. This was a matter of Imperial administration, and he couldn’t get a foreign princess involved.

However, Elissara just silently glanced at Duanmu Huai when the Emperor asked her.

“I’ll stay with him.”

Then, the Elf Princess spoke.