The Empror's Trap

As part of Pluvia's long-planned strategy, once the purge was complete, church officials who learned of the Luminara City crackdown would inevitably report back to their superiors.

In such an environment, the Church's internal decisions would inevitably grow more aggressive.

They wouldn't escalate their sabotage or infiltration within Camelot itself—after all, the Church still couldn't operate openly in Camelot. Instead, they would stir trouble along Camelot's borders. Specifically, against the Western Country.

All of this had been foreseen by Pluvia.

Camelot couldn't afford to be the one to start a war. Even within Camelot's own government, many officials opposed waging war for domestic interests. For most people, peace was a blessing.

But war was inevitable.

So, once the general direction of the western front was set, Pluvia didn't openly tell the Western Country's envoy that Camelot would declare war on Samanjiang. Instead, she simply said Camelot would guarantee the Western Country's internal stability.

The Western Country's king wasn't a fool. Upon hearing this, he naturally understood what to do.

Faced with Camelot's deliberate ambiguity, the Western Country decided to bet everything. They believed Camelot wouldn't stand idly by while the border descended into chaos. If they took aggressive action and found themselves in danger, Camelot would almost certainly intervene.

The Western Country's strategy was simple: they mimicked Camelot's purge, targeting extremist believers for screening. The difference was that instead of outright arrests, they launched investigations into many Church members. The approach was relatively mild.

Pluvia had once said: You can't reason with religious forces unless you go to extremes.

The Western Country's approach wasn't extreme enough. With Samanjiang's religious influence already deeply entrenched in their territory (the Holy Church had been semi-publicly preaching its doctrine within the Western Country), a mere investigation would only provoke a stronger backlash.

Sure enough, as their large-scale investigations began, the Holy Church's Holy Tribunal and Judicial Tribunal both condemned the Western Country, calling on all Holy Church followers within and around the Western Country to fight for the glory of the Lord.

At this point, the Western Country's peril was clear.

This was just a mobilization of believers. If the Church actually called for a coalition to invade the Western Country, they would be utterly defenseless.

Realizing the danger, the Western Country acted decisively, turning to Camelot for aid.

Of course, this aid was still being sought in secret. The Western Country explained the current situation, repeatedly emphasizing the border crisis.

In subsequent letters, they made it clear: the Western Country was now mobilizing its military, doing everything possible to prepare for war against Samanjiang, ready to face the Holy Church's assault at any moment.

Meanwhile, Camelot had already begun moving military resources and troops toward the border. The purpose was simple: to apply pressure.

For Samanjiang, the moment they detected Camelot's forces approaching the Western Country, their anxiety would skyrocket, making rash actions almost inevitable.

Under normal circumstances, any rational nation would have already sent envoys to Camelot, seeking dialogue to resolve tensions.

But at this point, it was unclear whether Samanjiang was still truly Samanjiang. The Church had likely already exerted significant influence over its internal affairs. The Church would never allow Samanjiang to seek peace with Camelot.

Instead, they might do many things that disregarded the well-being of the Samanjiang people.

And now, the Western Country's envoy had come in person. It was clear the Western Country was finally ready.

As he entered his study, Kenji saw the envoy already seated as a guest. The man was an old acquaintance.

Since Pluvia's ascension to the throne, he had served as the Western Country's envoy in Luminara City. Even before Pluvia became emperor—when she was merely acting regent—he had already been well-acquainted with Kenji.

"Mr. Viputra, it's been a while," Kenji extended his hand, shaking the envoy's briefly. "Why didn't you let me know you were coming? I didn't prepare anything. If I'd known, I'd have made sure to have fine wine and food ready for you."

"No need to trouble yourself, Grand Marshal," the envoy replied.

At this moment, the Western Country's envoy looked utterly exhausted. He had been running himself ragged for his nation's cause.

He had to negotiate with Camelot's officials, securing their support. He had to petition the Emperor for an audience, explaining the benefits of Camelot aiding the Western Country…

In short, for the sake of his country, Mr. Viputra had been working himself to the bone.

"I won't beat around the bush. I've come to deliver a letter from our King."

Viputra reached into his robe and pulled out a sealed letter.

Kenji opened it, scanning the contents.

Beyond the usual pleasantries, the letter's main points were: the Church was deeply dissatisfied with the Western Country's persecution of Holy Church followers. They demanded the release of imprisoned believers and called for the Western Country to provide them sanctuary and a space to live freely.

At the same time, the Church urged the Western Country to build churches and officially recognize missionaries as government officials…

Meanwhile, according to intelligence gathered by Camelot and the Western Country, Samanjiang had already begun mobilizing troops toward the Western Country's border. Faced with this crisis, the Western Country's King had no choice but to send an envoy to Camelot for urgent assistance.

After reading the letter, Kenji smiled.

Perfect. The conditions are all in place. Now we have the justification to launch this border-stabilizing war.

"This matter is urgent. I'll draft a reply immediately. Mr. Viputra, please have this letter delivered to your King as soon as possible."

Kenji picked up his brush and began writing swiftly.

"Ah… may I ask, won't you first report this to the Emperor?" Viputra asked cautiously, watching Kenji write.

Kenji looked up, smiling faintly. "No need. Her Majesty has already entrusted me with handling the western front. Besides, this plan was already agreed upon with the Emperor. I just need to follow through."

Kenji's reply mainly informed the Western Country's King that Camelot would guarantee their stability. But at the same time, he laid out several conditions:

First, the Western Country's defenses must leave a deliberate weakness—clearing supplies and evacuating civilians in advance. When Samanjiang attacked, their forces must be allowed to enter Western territory in the early stages.

Second, diplomatically, the Western Country should stall negotiations with Samanjiang and the Church. Before Camelot's forces officially entered the Western Country, talks could remain deadlocked—but must not collapse, nor reach a resolution.

Third, before Camelot's army entered the Western Country, the Western Country's forces must avoid direct confrontation with Samanjiang's main army, and especially must not engage Church forces.

These three conditions: the first ensured Camelot had a legitimate reason to intervene; the second slowed the enemy's advance while portraying the Western Country as diplomatically cornered, desperate for peace but unable to achieve it.

As for the third…

It was simply to prevent the Western Country from throwing away its forces prematurely. After all, Samanjiang's main forces might already be dominated by Church knights. If Camelot's army hadn't yet arrived, and the Western Country rashly threw its own forces into battle, Camelot's campaign would become far more difficult.