The Empror's Trap

Most importantly, several major garrisons near Luminara City were actually under Pluvia Camelot's command. Before her return, those court officials and princes had summoned troops, but with Pluvia absent, they had no authority to mobilize these forces.

Kenji couldn't mobilize them either. If not for fear these armies had already mutinied, he would have simply brought Pluvia to command the troops directly. But considering safety concerns, he chose to go himself.

Fortunately, the seal he left at home was only the Grand Marshal's seal. As for the "replica imperial seal," he always carried it with him. Faced with this "imperial authorization," the commanders ultimately chose to follow Kenji to Luminara City to rescue the empress.

Additionally, Kenji sought out Rinas, ordering him to dispatch most of the large garrison under his command to protect the empress.

Breaking into Luminara was simple. Kenji didn't even encounter much resistance. The so-called rebel troops on the outskirts had merely received orders from General Dueno, believing it was a stability maintenance mission from above. They never intended to fight from the start.

Bluntly put, these outer rebel troops had been deceived. Since they weren't ordered to fight, just to make a show of force, the relevant officers hadn't carefully investigated whether the order came from central command.

When Kenji arrived personally and issued new orders, the outer forces undoubtedly defected to follow his command, faced with the Grand Marshal holding the imperial seal. Without the outer troops, the true rebels surrounding Luminara City became sitting ducks.

Thousands of imperial cavalry scattered the rebel camps almost instantly. Seeing Anos's banners flying, General Balinos knew the moment had come. He unhesitatingly opened the city gates, letting the long-restrained troops inside charge out. Caught in a pincer attack, the rebels were thoroughly surrounded.

So the entire process wasn't very perilous. Moreover, since they were all their own people, the rebels hadn't intended to fight to the death.

Of course, Kenji had only broken through Luminara City's main gate. The blockades at other gates hadn't been lifted yet. When Kenji entered the great hall, fighting was still ongoing outside, though nearing its end.

Upon entering the hall, he first reported to Pluvia, then looked around at those present.

Indeed, there were almost no true allies in the entire hall.

But everyone could see the difficult expressions on the faces of those present.

"You've arrived just in time," Pluvia said. "I was discussing the matter of establishing an heir with everyone. Oh, and your affairs as well."

"My affairs?" Kenji paused in surprise, then turned to face the officials behind him with feigned astonishment. "I wasn't aware you had any issues with me. Please speak up now, I'll certainly mend my ways."

No one spoke.

Or rather, no one dared to speak.

Mainly because Kenji was now covered in blood (he had just killed several imperial guards blocking his entry at the palace gates), carrying a long spear and wearing armor. With this imposing stance, who would dare speak?

"Greetings, Your Highnesses," Kenji said, addressing the princes and princesses without bowing. "What urgent business brings you all here today? Discussing heir establishment shouldn't require such a grand assembly."

"Duke Anos overthinks," General Dueno hastily explained, reacting first. "We merely made precautionary arrangements, fearing issues in Luminara City during Her Majesty's absence. It's unrelated to establishing an heir."

"General Dueno, I wasn't speaking to you," Kenji said coldly, glancing at him. "I'll address your matters later."

"No, Duke Anos..."

"Dueno, I am the Grand Marshal, head of the empire's military affairs and your superior," Kenji turned, his tone extremely severe. "You and the commanders who cooperated with you and these officials and princes are all my subordinates. Without orders from myself or Her Majesty, what were your intentions in mobilizing troops on your own?"

In truth, Kenji knew their intentions and why they dared mobilize troops without him. It was because of the covert support from these princes and officials.

But covert support remains covert. Once brought into the open, with his forces far outmatching theirs, he had countless ways to have them lawfully executed.

General Dueno froze.

Kenji's words were already very harsh.

According to Camelot military law, unauthorized troop mobilization could be directly treated as treason. For a thousand years, Camelot had maintained an extremely strict military system. It was precisely because of these military regulations that Camelot's military power remained at such a formidable level for so long.

But now, General Dueno had clearly crossed Camelot's bottom line.

"I don't wish to speak with you now," Kenji said, waving his hand. Several fully armed soldiers rushed in from outside the hall and seized the general. "Whatever the outcome of this discussion, I hope to never see you in the military again."

"Grand Marshal! This is a misunderstanding! You can't wrongly accuse someone like this!" General Dueno cried out as the soldiers forcibly dragged him away.

He knew well where Kenji intended to take him. The Camelot military had its own legal system, separate from the Court of Judicial Review. The military's handling of someone like him would likely be no better than Camelot's current laws. Once in the military's disciplinary camp, he might never come out.

At this critical moment, he threw caution to the wind and called out directly to Prince Liam:

"Your Highness, please say something!"

Prince Liam's forehead throbbed with popping veins.

He felt like everyone at court today was determined to finish him off. He had tried to keep a low profile, basically just going through the motions the whole time. Were they really going to keep targeting him like this?

Seeing Kenji's murderous gaze, he forced a smile:

"Grand Marshal, I had no idea these troops were mobilized without authorization..."

"That's all I needed to hear," Kenji smiled back.

Liam was just trying to reap benefits. Even if he needed to be dealt with, now wasn't the time. Rather, this Dueno causing trouble in the military provided the perfect excuse to eliminate an officer representing many old-guard commanders.

Therefore, as long as Liam didn't support Dueno, Kenji wouldn't pick on him first—of course, once his hands were free later, that was another matter.

After dealing with General Dueno, Kenji looked at Prince Nizam , then checked on Chancellor Long's condition. As Chancellor, Kenji didn't want such a capable elder statesman to come to harm. Finding another equally dedicated Chancellor would be difficult.

"Kenji, the officials were just saying they hope I'll establish an heir. What are your thoughts?" Pluvia asked, feeling more confident with Kenji present. After all, he now commanded a large army, and likely few in the hall could match him in combat.

"I believe Your Majesty should establish an heir now,"