The Empror's Trap

What happened in Luminara City quickly spread like wildfire. No one expected that the actions organized by Her Majesty and the Grand Marshal would be so swift. In just one day, the prison in Luminara City was already filled with people awaiting interrogation. Beyond that, a large number of people had to be temporarily placed in the old ice cellars due to lack of space.

As it turned out, Lina's efficiency far exceeded Kenji's expectations. Originally, Kenji had thought that if Lina couldn't complete the arrests of all suspects within two days, he would find a way to involve the troops in the action. But surprisingly, the Gray Scales Division took only two days and one night to completely resolve the battle.

Now, Lina had completed her task and was preparing to return to Spring Peace Palace for a brief rest—after being busy for two days and one night, she too needed a short break. Today she had just finished interrogating several big fish, and tomorrow she would question the others. Right now, it was approaching midnight.

Dragging her exhausted body, she returned to the palace. The palace guards and Royal Guards, upon seeing Lina, allowed her to pass silently despite the unexplained hostility on their faces.

In many people's eyes, Lina was still that remnant of evil cultivation. Even though she was now the leader of the Gray Scales Division, this label wouldn't change—it had merely transformed from openly spoken words to silent thoughts.

Lina glanced at the few palace guards, who shuddered, but she didn't bother with them further and walked straight to Spring Peace Palace.

Before knocking on the main door, her body weakened, and she leaned against the wall beside the door, breathing lightly, trying to recover some of her spirit that was barely holding up.

Then, she put on her usual expression and knocked on the door.

The door opened, but instead of the expected cultivator from Duke Anos's side, it was that familiar face.

"You're back?"

In the cool autumn night, Kenji wore a coat and looked at her with a smile.

Lina was surprised to see Kenji personally welcoming her. It seemed he hadn't slept either; the dark circles under his eyes and his haggard face told everyone just how tired he was.

Since morning, Kenji had been repeatedly reviewing documents and even helping Pluvia handle some memorials from ministers. This action by the Gray Scales Division had provoked strong opposition from many people who believed that allowing the Gray Scales Division to arrest people everywhere would lead to the country's downfall if it continued.

However, Kenji and Pluvia had only one attitude toward these people: the Gray Scales Division would only arrest those involved with the Holy Church and foreign spies. If officials had not colluded with them, the Gray Scales Division would not come knocking.

But there were too many memorials and documents, and even with Kenji helping, they had only just returned home at this hour.

"I'm back." Lina was exhausted, but she felt Kenji was probably even more tired than herself. "Young Master, you..."

"Oh, it's nothing. I was just helping Her Majesty review some documents and memorials. You know, when you're out there taking action, someone needs to help shoulder the pressure."

Lina was important, but her actions also needed support. Pluvia was that support. As the Emperor, if Pluvia hadn't repeatedly rejected the protests from ministers and foreign envoys during the Gray Scales Division's arrests, the operation might have been halted after capturing just a few people.

That's why Pluvia had told Kenji to impose martial law for three days—because if it lasted too long, the situation below might become unstable.

"So now you..."

"Sleep tonight, get up early tomorrow. We need to prepare for the next step."

Kenji said this.

"The next step?"

"The Church's counterattack, the sabotage and attacks by foreign spies within Camelot... all need to be considered. Of course, these are secondary. The main thing now is that we've blinded the enemy, so we should consider the war effort."

Since things had already been done, they needed to be done quickly and decisively. The reason for initiating this mass arrest was that Kenji didn't want Camelot's internal affairs to be watched by a bunch of church spies, nor did he want church agents hiding here to deliver a heavy blow to Camelot in the future.

Now that the arrests were complete and this chain had been broken, he needed to truly fulfill his duties as Grand Marshal of Camelot.

Prepare for war.

There are many reasons for countries to go to war, but ultimately one point must be noted: creating a justification.

In this respect, Pluvia was actually more experienced. She quickly drafted a plan, and after discussion, both agreed it was feasible.

Only after finalizing the plan did Kenji return to Spring Peace Palace to rest. Considering that Lina might return soon, he specifically waited for her to knock on the door.

"Young Master, are you preparing for Camelot to officially go to war?" Lina asked.

"It's not me making Camelot go to war, but the situation doesn't allow for further delay," Kenji waved his hand and continued, "Anyway, don't think too much about it. You're tired too, right? Rest first."

Lina looked at Kenji for a while, then suddenly laughed.

"What's so funny?" Kenji asked curiously.

"Nothing, just thinking that both Young Master and I look quite disheveled now."

"Haha, can't be helped. After all, we both have jobs now. Actually, Her Majesty is even more..."

"Young Master."

"Hmm?"

"Although my status determines my position, if possible, I still hope you can remember that I'm a bit concerned when you mention other women... other people in front of me."

Lina said with a cunning smile.

"Ah, sorry, I was just complaining."

After saying this, the two returned to the familiar room in Spring Peace Palace. When Lina entered the room, she immediately noticed Siyue sleeping on Kenji's bed.

"She's asleep, let's not disturb her," Kenji sat on the bed and said softly, "She was up very late. She's also very concerned about this potential future war and gave me many suggestions... she's very tired too."

"Mm, I understand. I need to sleep too. Good night, Young Master."

"Good night. Thank you for your hard work."

Back in familiar surroundings, Lina's tense nerves finally relaxed. She went to the inner room and lay down on her own bed—her room and Kenji's room were separated by just one door.

She had no energy to wash up, and didn't even want to take off her clothes. She simply lay on the bed, listening to Kenji's footsteps in the outer master bedroom, and soon fell into a deep sleep.