The Empror's Trap-Chapter 116: Ch - Fury

"Your Majesty, the soldiers stationed outside Luminara City were deployed to prevent anyone from disturbing the current order during your absence. You know well that since your ascension, countless people have opposed your leadership and our efforts to achieve greatness for Camelot. Thus, we made these arrangements as a precaution," Jinzhe, the Military Supply Minister, explained.

"Oh? Then why didn’t General Balinos bring the troops into the city? Why are they stationed outside instead?" Pluvia asked with a cheerful smile.

"General Balinos disagreed with our plans. He believed it was disrespectful to Your Majesty and the royal family," Jinzhe replied smoothly. "However, I must emphasize that I’ve managed Luminara City’s affairs for years. The city has always been rife with hidden dangers. With Your Majesty absent, it was inevitable that some would attempt rebellion. We had no choice but to take this drastic measure."

"Oh, I see."

She didn’t immediately refute his polished explanation but seemed to mull it over before responding vaguely.

"General Balinos is indeed loyal to the empire and its people. We all respect him for that. However, when we tried to prepare for potential unrest in advance, he strongly opposed us. He even went so far as to take the Grand Marshal’s seal from Duke Anos’s residence and used it to mobilize troops against us. Your Majesty, let’s set aside General Balinos for now. The real issue is this: how could the Grand Marshal entrust Camelot’s imperial seal to his unstable sister and remnants of the demonic cult? This is no trivial matter."

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"Today, we’ve drafted a joint petition regarding this issue and present it to Your Majesty," Jinzhe continued as he handed over a document. "Duke Anos’s actions have clearly overstepped boundaries. If left unchecked, they could lead to disastrous consequences in the future."

Pluvia gestured for Sonya to retrieve the petition on her behalf. She skimmed through its contents—its main demand was to strip the Grand Marshal of some of his powers and divide his military authority into several parts.

Pluvia looked up at Jinzhe.

"Everyone has their reasoning," she said calmly. "As for establishing an heir, I will make a decision soon. However, regarding the Grand Marshal’s authority, I’ll need more time to deliberate. After all, Grand Marshal has made significant contributions to Camelot’s court and military stability relies heavily on him. If we’re going to make changes, I’ll need to discuss them with him first."

"Your Majesty, you are the emperor," Jinzhe pressed on boldly. "Whatever you decide, we will follow without question. Just give us the order, and these soldiers outside will act under your command to protect you. While the Grand Marshal holds great power, we cannot allow him to interfere with your throne here in Luminara. Establishing an heir would also serve as a check against his ambitions. Therefore, we urge Your Majesty to make a decision today!"

His words were clear now—no more veiled suggestions.

"Are you threatening me?" Pluvia asked softly as she stepped closer to Jinzhe.

Though her tone was quiet, every official in the hall could hear her question clearly.

"I wouldn’t dare!" Jinzhe replied hastily. "I only wish to ensure that Camelot has a clear path forward. If we fail in our duties today, we would be unworthy of the late emperor’s trust!"

"The late emperor... The late emperor..." Pluvia repeated coldly. "You keep invoking my father’s name and accusing others of wielding too much power. Yet here you are—stationing troops around my city—not under orders from the Grand Marshal but under your own authority."

Her icy gaze locked onto Jinzhe as her expression suddenly shifted.

Without warning, she grabbed his collar and tore open his official robes.

The sudden move caught even Jinzhe off guard; he froze in shock as Pluvia revealed a suit of light armor beneath his outer garments.

"...I don’t recall granting anyone besides the Grand Marshal permission to wear armor in court," Pluvia said softly as she ran her fingers over the finely crafted material that allowed ease of movement without restricting mobility.

"Your Majesty," Jinzhe stammered nervously, "this armor is a necessity. I’ve faced multiple assassination attempts due to conflicts with certain officials at court. I had no choice but to take precautions for my safety."

"Oh? And whose interests have you offended?" Pluvia asked with barely restrained anger.

Before Jinzhe could respond, Nizam interrupted loudly:

"Your Majesty! Do you really not know whose interests he’s offended? Must we spell it out and risk our lives before you’re satisfied?"

"Nizam! Stand down immediately!" Liam grabbed his brother’s arm in an attempt to pull him back.

But Nizam was undeterred:

"Look around you! Some officials can mobilize entire armies with nothing more than their seal while we tirelessly work for Camelot’s future! Yet Your Majesty turns a blind eye! With such indulgence—and no heir established—how can Camelot ever find peace?"

"If no decision is made soon," he continued passionately, "how can Your Majesty or any of us face our late emperor in heaven?"

"Nizam! Shut your fucking mouth!" Prince Liam shouted just as Pluvia slapped Nizam hard across the face.

She couldn’t hold back her frustration—or rather—her deep disappointment.

Every person present—every one of those who dared advise her—had once been an obstacle during her struggle for the throne. Nizam had falsely accused her; Liam had secretly urged their father to marry her off to a neighboring country just to eliminate her claim.

After ascending the throne, she had chosen not to dwell on their past schemes against her out of familial love. Instead of punishing them for their treachery, she granted them titles and lands so they could enjoy wealth and honor for life—as long as they helped her govern Camelot responsibly.

Her father had told her that after a lifetime of war, she should rule with kindness and treat others with compassion.

She had done so—she had shown kindness; she had honored familial ties.

But now? Her brothers and sisters only made her heart grow cold.

She had treated them as family while they still coveted what might have been theirs—the throne she now sat upon.

If they wanted power? Fine. If they wanted to challenge her authority? She would face them head-on because such struggles were inevitable in politics.

But resorting to underhanded tactics filled her with rage.

To claim this throne they would conspire with foreign enemies; surround Luminara City; even negotiate deals with those who threatened Camelot...

"Nizam," she said icily, glaring at him as though she might flay him alive on the spot. "You want this throne—or perhaps you want someone else on it?"

"You want power? Fine—I’ll play along," she continued fiercely. "Years ago I rose above all of you; today I won’t hesitate to play this game again if I must."

"But remember this—you are a son of Camelot; you carry Father’s blood in your veins."

With that final remark, she raised her foot and kicked Nizam hard in the chest.

The sound of his body hitting the floor echoed through the grand hall as he collapsed completely stunned—still reeling from both her slap and now this blow.

"So don’t you dare turn against your own people!" Pluvia roared.

No one dared help Nizam up—not because they didn’t want to—but because they were too stunned by what they had just witnessed: an emperor who had finally revealed her fury after enduring far too much betrayal from those closest to her.