The Empror's Trap

"Alright it's done. This way, Your Majesty will recover very quickly," Kenji said confidently. After his massage, Pluvia was sprawled on the bed, looking utterly defeated. The intense soreness made her wish she were dead. Unfortunately, Kenji was surprisingly strong and held her arm firmly, preventing her from moving even an inch.

"I... I'll kill you..."

"If Your Majesty wants to kill me, I can't agree to that." Seeing the her miserable state actually pleased Kenji.

While Kenji did this, Sonya simply watched from the side, making no move to stop him. This meant Pluvia had no choice but to endure the terrible pain. However, it was clear Kenji wasn't insisting on finishing the massage just to 'torture' her. Quite the opposite, he was genuinely treating her.

The treatment method was just a bit painful, that's all. That was perfectly normal. After muscles are overworked, this type of massage can significantly alleviate soreness.

Pluvia moved her arm.

She had to admit, although the process was agonizingly painful, it turned out to be very effective. Initially, her arm had felt almost useless, like it was crippled, but now, she could actually move it to some extent.

This was truly a relief; otherwise, being unable to hold a pen or paper for the past few days would have been miserable.

"See, Your Majesty? It really worked, didn't it?" Seeing that Pluvia could move her arm, Kenji immediately seized the chance to claim credit.

He didn't really have any merit to claim anymore, so his claiming credit was really just a joke.

"Alright, you win." Pluvia fell silent for two seconds. Realizing that Kenji's actions were logically sound, she could only concede.

But she was sure that his massage had definitely involved some personal score-settling.

She turned sideways and took the Western Campaign Plan from Kenji. Thanks to the meticulous massage, her arm could move slightly, but only slightly. In reality, she still couldn't straighten it completely and had to shift her whole body just to pick up the document.

She read the information and nodded. "Yes, I think this plan is fine. Proceed as you've outlined. Also, regarding the military reforms, have you looked into them?"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"What did you think?"

"Camelot is starting to emphasize coordinated operations between different branches of the military, which is good. And based on my observations, this reform seems to involve appointing quite a few young officers, correct?"

"Exactly. According to General Balinos, the older generals will retire sooner or later. We can't rely solely on the old guard to fight our wars," Pluvia said. "So, I've also selected a large number of talented military personnel and placed them within Camelot's various armies to gradually reform the military's structure and spirit."

Kenji nodded in agreement.

The older generation of officers were indeed skilled fighters, and most had campaigned with the late Emperor. In terms of battlefield experience, they definitely surpassed the current younger generation. But Camelot couldn't rely solely on these old generals forever. It was necessary to promote new commanders as well.

However, as for the military talents Pluvia selected herself...

One could only hope they weren't completely incompetent. If General Balinos helped advise her, the chosen individuals probably wouldn't be bad. But if Pluvia chose them on her own initiative, they'd likely only be barely adequate.

It wasn't that Kenji looked down on Pluvia; it was mainly that the military doctrines Pluvia had studied were mostly theoretical and rigid, whereas battlefield command required flexibility. Her talents didn't lie in commanding troops in battle. So, whether the people she chose could actually fight remained to be seen.

"If Your Majesty requires young military talent, I have quite a few candidates available for your consideration," Kenji offered, "and I guarantee they are all capable of independent command. If Your Majesty is interested, I can provide you with some names."

"Like those officers who returned from the Vishi Empire?" Pluvia asked.

"Your Majesty, their promotion is a given," Kenji said. "Those officers were the promising young elite Camelot selected back then. To us, they are the future blades of Camelot. What I mean is, we should select officers who are still working their way up through the junior and mid-ranks. Based on my long-term observations, many officers possess considerable talent and knowledge, merely awaiting an opportunity for significant appointment by Your Majesty."

Recommending these officers was, on the one hand, genuinely for the future of Camelot, but on the other hand, it was also to consolidate his own power.

Camelot's reforms were proceeding relatively smoothly. Led by General Balinos, two of Camelot's twelve regular armies had already begun working to eliminate the influence of hereditary nobility as much as possible. The system of promotion based on military merit, implemented during the late Emperor's campaigns, had significantly boosted morale and combat effectiveness. However, it had also created a potential problem.

Specifically, the long period of warfare under the late Emperor had led to the formation of numerous, rather powerful hereditary military noble families. These families had, at one point, controlled portions of Camelot's regular army.

Fortunately, the late Emperor recognized this issue in his later years. Consequently, he took decisive action to weaken these military nobles. He transferred or promoted their most capable subordinates and elite units under various pretexts, thereby weakening the power of some noble families in a relatively subtle manner.

Even so, some units still remained loyal primarily to these military noble families.

Kenji wasn't surprised. After all, these families were military nobility, just like his own – though his father had achieved considerably more. These military nobles often held significant prestige in the eyes of the soldiers. Many soldiers even felt loyalty only towards them.

After Pluvia ascended the throne, possessing the double-edged sword that was Kenji, she carefully leveraged his power and resumed the campaign against these deep-rooted noble families.

Clearly, Pluvia's actions this time were highly effective. The proportion of military nobles within the Camelot army decreased sharply. This was also why Kenji could now insert so many individuals he trusted into the ranks.

After the successive dismantling efforts by the late Emperor and Pluvia, a power vacuum had emerged within the Camelot military. And Kenji was now filling that vacuum.

"Alright. When you have time, give me a list. I'll consider them appropriately."

"Understood, Your Majesty."

Having said this, Kenji looked up and asked, "Um, Your Majesty... may I take my leave now?"

He really needed to leave. He still had a pile of state affairs waiting for him at home. He had only come today to report on the strategy, and now the plan still needed refinement.

"You've worked hard. You may leave."

....

Returning to Luminara again, Uheya's mood was complicated.

Last time she came here, it was as an envoy, negotiating with the leaders of Camelot Empire for her country's interests.

But now, after such a short time, she was sent back—not by her own choice, but because her brother had pushed her here.

"Going to Camelot for exchange" was the official excuse. But anyone with eyes could see this wasn't an exchange at all—it was simply a hostage situation.

Camelot didn't really need a hostage to ensure that Sal Kingdom kept its promises, but it did need one to demonstrate its dominance.

So Uheya, already a political sacrifice on her brother's path to kingship set by their father, was naturally sent to Camelot as a hostage.

Living the life, taking the insults—that was all she was worth now.

Yet, surprisingly, Uheya didn't feel as bad as she had expected. On the contrary, when she saw the city walls of Luminara, a wave of relief washed over her.

She wasn't sure why. Maybe it was because her old friends lived in this capital of Camelot. Or maybe she was just glad to finally escape the miserable low-level game of the Sal Kingdom…

"Princess, once we enter Luminara City, who shall we see first?"

"Of course, the Emperor of Camelot," Uheya said with a bitter smile.

She didn't actually want to meet Pluvia, but Pluvia was the emperor. Not meeting her first would only cause unnecessary trouble.

"Princess, the King hopes you can uphold the iron will of Sal's sons and daughters before the Emperor of Camelot..." whispered one of her attendants.

"You're my attendant. Here, you listen to me," Uheya said expressionlessly.

Was father really trying to ruin me? Uphold iron will before the Emperor of Camelot? Crazy bastard.

At best, my standing in Camelot would plummet. At worst, if Camelot was really set on destroying the Sal Kingdom, offending the emperor alone would be enough to start a war.

Had father forgotten the country's interests to trap me? Or was he simply senile?

Anyway, first I'd see the emperor. After that, Kenji. The formalities had to be followed.

But as soon as she entered Luminara City, she froze.

Inside the city came a squad of imposing cavalry. They wore heavy armor and carried sharp swords, as if ready for battle. Yet unlike battlefield riders, they showed no murderous intent. Their formation looked like a formal welcome.

Sure enough, the cavalry parted quickly to reveal a man before her.

He wore exquisite, ornate armor with a red cloak. Under him was a sleek black steed. This image could give soldiers from Camelot's old enemies nightmares.

This was typical marshal's attire in Camelot. A red cloak with golden embroidery usually meant a highly decorated war hero.

In recent years, the Sal Kingdom associated this armor most with the old Duke Anos of Camelot. The old duke, clad in black armor on a black horse, led thousands of elite riders on relentless raids that shattered the famed Sal Iron Cavalry…

Over a hundred years ago, an unknown general of Camelot wore the same armor and led tens of thousands of troops to the Sal royal court, beheading the Sal king and displaying his head in public...

This armor was basically a nightmare for many neighboring countries.

And now, the man wore it to greet her. This was obviously a show of force.

Damn it, Kenji. I get keeping it professional, but why wear that armor? Trying to kill me with fear?

"Greetings, Grand Marshal. Returning to your empire today and disturbing you personally is truly an honor," Uheya said with a simple bow.

Though by rank she was royal blood, technically higher than Kenji, since Sal Kingdom was a vassal, she naturally lowered herself a half-step, placing herself on equal footing with Kenji.

"Not at all, Princess. Your arrival to Camelot naturally deserves the proper respect," Kenji said, sitting astride his horse.

Seeing Uheya's unhappy expression, Kenji wondered: This ceremony is quite grand, so why does she look so displeased?

Honestly, he hadn't considered the meaning of this armor. For him, it was just the standard uniform of a person at his rank. Not being Sal, he didn't realize what it symbolized to them.

He dismounted and bowed. "Please follow me. Her Majesty awaits in the palace. There will be a banquet tonight to honor you all. Your accommodations have also been arranged. After meeting her majesty, someone will assist you."

"Thank you, Grand Marshal," she replied.

After some polite exchanges, they headed toward the palace.

As Kenji and Uheya walked, the commoners along the way whispered among themselves.

The people of Camelot were openly pleased to see these foreign hostages. After all, Sal Kingdom's recent actions were well known in Luminara.

Though the city's residents hadn't suffered directly, they remembered the hardships endured by the border civilians.

"How is Her Majesty today?" Uheya asked.

Kenji immediately understood her meaning. "Her Majesty is well and in good spirits today. You need not worry. She treats you as a guest and would never mistreat one."

His words were both reassurance and truth.

To be honest, Pluvia was calculating but broad-minded. She knew Uheya was just a political pawn.

Mistreating her would bring no benefit. Pluvia only needed a hostage in Luminara. How the hostage was treated didn't really matter.

Besides, Camelot had no trouble supporting another hostage. In fact… she still held a shred of hope for Uheya.