The Empror's Trap

In the following period, officials in Luminara City lived in fear.

The terrifying discipline and oppressive presence displayed by the Gray Scales Division this time astonished almost everyone who had previously considered it merely an enhanced version of officials.

Both in terms of operational efficiency and overwhelming aggression, this special force demonstrated qualities distinctly different from the ordinary palace guards and even the elite Royal Guards.

It truly gave people the feeling that their blades could be at one's throat at any moment.

Under this influence, some officials who had connections with foreign powers didn't even wait for the Gray Scales Division to extract confessions through interrogation—they confessed everything on their own, which saved Lina considerable effort.

While the interrogations were still ongoing, Kenji had already begun considering the matter of foreign war from a military perspective.

Regarding supplies, the transport phase had begun even before this purge in Luminara City. To support the upcoming war, Kenji had Guillaume direct grain collection efforts in various regions to prepare military provisions.

These military supplies weren't urgently needed, as the first wave of grain being mobilized within Camelot was enough to sustain operations for several months.

Kenji feared a prolonged war. If the situation in Samanjiang truly prompted multiple countries to intervene, it would inevitably lead to a stalemate—although Kenji believed that he and Camelot's soldiers had the ability to achieve a swift victory, he still needed to prepare for the worst.

The fact that Pluvia had entrusted the Red Kite Army to him this time was sufficient proof that her trust in him had grown. After all, the Red Kite Army was one of Pluvia's more excellent troops, and her willingness to hand over this force showed she was no longer as wary and scheming against him as before.

However, Kenji wouldn't hastily take control of the Red Kite Army.

The Red Kite Army was loyal to the Emperor, with many senior officers and young officers who hadn't been promoted by him and had little connection to him.

These old officers had campaigned everywhere with the late Emperor. They didn't care much about titles like Grand Marshal; at their age, they were willing to go to the battlefield purely to repay the late Emperor's kindness.

This was similar to those Shuhan soldiers in the Three Kingdoms period who were loyal to Liushan. Although the late Emperor had left behind many problems in his later years, he had won the loyalty of many ministers during his campaigns.

Facing such a Red Kite Army, Kenji couldn't rush. Attempting to absorb the Red Kite Army now would be too dangerous for him. Even if he did, there was the question of whether they would follow his orders, and Pluvia would likely find out immediately.

Yes, technically the Gray Scales Division was under his direct command, and he had some of his own people among the Royal Guards, but the imperial authority in Camelot wasn't like the imperial power in his world. The orthodox imperial authority of Camelot was almost like a thought imprint in the minds of Camelot's subjects—something very difficult to shake.

That's why Kenji cultivated and promoted young officers, as young people were relatively easier to change. If he rushed to completely control the Red Kite Army now, they might end up in open conflict.

The result would likely be his death, and Camelot would be severely weakened.

He wasn't stupid. Who would do something that benefited no one?

So, regarding the Red Kite Army, he needed to take a long-term approach. Besides, Pluvia wasn't a fool either. When he saved her before, she had already anticipated his interest in the Red Kite Army and had surely left many contingency plans. Since his own troops wouldn't be used in this expedition anyway, Kenji wasn't in a hurry.

Military affairs needed to be handled, but now the most important thing was to first read the imperial edict sent by Her Majesty.

"As Duke Anos, you have rendered great service to the country and shown kindness to me, for which I maintain deep gratitude and desire to employ you. Now I command you to lead troops, in which I have great confidence. All officers and soldiers of the Red Kite Army at the front should follow your orders, and if any disobey, you may command them with this edict."

"Regarding the marriage you mentioned earlier, I do not intend to evade it, but with border unrest unresolved, you must focus all your efforts on this campaign. The sage says that those who serve the country in war should set aside family concerns. Therefore, we shall not discuss marriage matters for now. If you achieve victory, it will be a double celebration; if not, given your talents and the might of the Camelot Iron Army, defeat would be heaven's will. I sincerely hope you preserve your life and avoid acting rashly."

This edict contained a lot of information.

Simply put, Pluvia had essentially given him full command authority over the Red Kite Army at the front. This was normal—after all, at the front, if he as Grand Marshal couldn't command the troops, then the war couldn't be fought.

However, Kenji couldn't understand the second part.

When did I bring up marriage?

Kenji was bewildered. Although he was currently in a trial period with Pluvia, he didn't feel any urgency, since for him, this political marriage ultimately depended on both parties' willingness. Pluvia hadn't forced him to make a quick decision either.

But why did she suddenly mention this matter in the edict?

From the tone, it seemed like he was planning to get married after returning victorious? And even if he didn't win, Pluvia hoped he would preserve his life and return, without holding him accountable?

Heavens, when did he get such a good superior? She gave him full command authority at the front, wouldn't blame him if he lost but wanted him to return safely, and if he won she would marry him?

Kenji was completely confused and didn't know what Pluvia's intentions were. Suddenly bringing up marriage—was this expressing trust in him? But expressing trust didn't mean offering herself...

Kenji couldn't figure it out and wanted to find someone to ask, but looking around, he realized that among those near him, Lina was definitely not an option. She probably wouldn't understand the meaning in the edict either. And it seemed that sometimes she was resistant when he mentioned Pluvia.

Siyue? Ridiculous—how could you expect a socially anxious person who wouldn't even meet people after losing her brother to analyze the emperor's edict? If she had that ability, she wouldn't be socially anxious anymore.

Finally, he made a decision that went against his principles.

For this edict, he needed someone under his supervision who was unlikely to leak information, had a good relationship with him, could be trusted, and definitely needed to be clever.

Also, this person needed to have some leverage that he held.

So, he took this edict and secretly went to see the person who perfectly matched these requirements.

"So, you chose to come to me?" Uheya looked at the edict with a mix of amusement and exasperation.

"No choice, emergencies need urgent solutions. You're also a woman—help me analyze what exactly my Emperor means. This has completely confused me."

Kenji requested very solemnly.

"...Fine, but let me be clear—I'm only giving you advice. If anything happens, don't come looking for me."

"Don't worry."