NOVEL NEXT Chapter 26: 26
Rivo slowly stood up, leaving only his back to Budo.
And the meaning of this action was obvious.
He was warning General Budo. He was telling him:
Know this—your loyalty must be to me, not just to the Empire.
But Rivo didn't need passive obedience.
In Rivo's opinion, if Budo was only loyal to the Empire, then he was no different from Honest.
The two might have different appearances, but the essence was the same.
What Rivo needed was someone who would devote themselves to him.
Otherwise, he would rather destroy Budo.
"Your Majesty means…"
"Is it…"
Budo looked at Rivo's departing back, and the expression on his face showed subtle surprise.
Of course, he understood what His Majesty meant.
As a general, does his loyalty lie with the Emperor… or with the Empire?
The same question applied to the Revolutionary Army—were they loyal to the Empire, or in rebellion against it?
That question began to echo in Budo's mind.
"Whew…"
"Look at me… I don't really have a choice."
The corners of Budo's mouth lifted slightly. In just a few minutes, he had already sorted everything out.
He should be someone loyal to His Majesty first—and to the Empire second.
The Revolutionary Army was also loyal to the Empire.
They didn't want to see it continue to rot, so they rebelled.
But they were not loyal to the Emperor. That was why they became rebels.
And Budo, long ago, had not been loyal to the Emperor either.
He and the Revolutionary Army shared the same belief—loyalty to the Empire itself.
Because of that, he now understood why Rivo had summoned him twice.
In his heart, he also sighed. Rivo had grown tremendously.
All along, Budo had thought Rivo was just a puppet emperor—an existence he couldn't interfere with.
That's why he did his best to preserve what remained of honest officials within the Empire.
Because he believed his loyalty would never be noticed by the throne.
But now it was different.
Rivo was already preparing to make a move against Honest.
It was time for Budo to show where his loyalty truly stood.
...…
Honest, who had already returned to his quarters, finally sensed something was wrong.
When he reached his dormitory, he immediately began writing a letter to Esdeath, who had not yet returned.
After laying out all the stakes, he began preparing his countermeasures.
"Go summon Sheele immediately."
"Tell that brat to bring her subordinates back as well."
Honest covered his forehead with one hand, his expression dark and grim.
He had always acted confidently, but now he truly felt the weight of the crisis.
If this matter was not handled properly, then he would inevitably be overthrown.
What awaited him wouldn't just be death—it would be the disgrace of falling from a position second only to the Emperor.
That was the most fatal, and most unacceptable outcome for Honest.
"The Assassins' Chamber must also be notified."
He took a deep breath, and his expression became even more serious.
Just as he was about to get up to send a message to the Imperial Boxing Temple, a familiar figure appeared.
"What is it, Mez?"
"Weren't you told to keep an eye on His Majesty?"
Honest frowned slightly. A bad feeling stirred within him.
"Lord Honest… His Majesty asked me to come and deliver a message."
"He wants you to come see him—immediately."
Mez lowered her head. At this moment, she didn't dare to look Honest in the eye.
Although she was loyal to Honest, she didn't want to ruin her current standing with Rivo.
During this time, she and the young emperor had grown familiar.
Rivo was even the first person other than her father to call her by her real name.
Coming here to report this already made Honest extremely displeased.
Honest didn't believe that someone could find the traces of the Four Rakshasa Demons so easily.
"I see. Go back to your duties."
Honest narrowed his eyes slightly at Mez but said nothing more.
Now was a time when he needed people the most.
Even the Four Rakshasa Demons of the Assassins' Chamber might be wavering in their loyalty.
Because once an emperor truly gained the power to overthrow his rule…
Everything Honest had done, and everyone who followed him, would turn against him.
So, he didn't blame Mez.
Instead, he set off for Rivo's residence.
When Honest arrived, he felt a strange presence in the air.
But this was the castle he had built for Rivo.
Even if there was danger, he believed that if he wished it, he could still kill Rivo easily.
"Let me see what kind of game you're playing now."
A chill flashed in Honest's eyes.
To think he feared this brat—the same child he had raised to power.
The thought alone was laughable.
Without hesitation, he stepped inside.
Soon, he saw Rivo sitting calmly at a desk.
"Your Majesty, what made you think of summoning this old man today?"
"Is there something bothering you?"
Honest was indeed a seasoned political fox.
Even though Rivo had clearly broken away from his control, he still didn't show any discontent.
"Minister, you seem quite calm."
"Judging by today's performance, it looks like you're quite satisfied."
Rivo gently put down the book he was reading.
The smile on his face carried a hint of mischief.
He hadn't summoned Honest for no reason.
But how things would proceed… would depend on Honest's performance.
"Your Majesty jests. Naturally, Your Majesty is the most perfect existence in the Empire."
"It's just that earlier, I received a message."
"There's a child, lost in the Southern Islands, who was recently found by one of my men."
"I was just preparing to deal with that matter… when Your Majesty summoned me."
Honest smiled slightly, putting on a face that could make others feel uncomfortable.
But this wasn't a random excuse. He said it on purpose—to provoke Rivo.
Everyone knew the previous emperor died young, leaving behind only one heir—Rivo.
So where did this so-called "lost southern child" suddenly come from?
It was clearly a veiled threat.
He was telling Rivo, plainly:
If you keep disobeying me, I'll find someone else to support.
And it was also a warning:
You sit on that throne because I put you there.