The Empror's Trap

No one spoke. Or rather, no one dared interrupt right now.

Pluvia narrowed her eyes at the man standing before her.

"Is there a difference, Marshal?" Pluvia's voice had a sharp edge that made the air around them feel colder. "All the armies of Camelot obey me. If I expand the troops, that's my army growing. Do you have a problem with that?"

"I wouldn't dare oppose you." Kenji glanced at the other military officers before speaking again. "But there are some words I must say: if Your Majesty has personal concerns about me, I accept that. Still, I hope that Your Majesty will keep the empire in mind. Please consider carefully what's truly important."

"Lord Anos!" An elderly minister among the civil officials finally couldn't hold his tongue. His white beard quivered as he stepped forward. "Matters of state are for Her Majesty to decide. Look at you… no respect, no regard for authority. What are you planning?"

"Chancellor Long, with all due respect, that's a bit much." Kenji turned to the elderly man. "I'm only laying out the pros and cons for Her Majesty. Our empire has always carried a powerful martial legacy since our founding, but we must consider the root of our strength. Why keep expanding our forces without end? Chancellor, you hold the highest position over government affairs. You should have been the one to propose these policies to Her Majesty, yet you remain silent. You left it to me, a grand marshal in charge of the army, to address these issues. Aren't you neglecting your duties?"

"Marshal," Pluvia said with a small icy smile, "let's not be upset. The Chancellor is getting on in years, so why argue with him? And Chancellor, don't worry yourself. Marshal Kenji's words make sense, even if they're uncomfortable to hear."

She smiled beautifully, a smile that could've melted ice if she were any ordinary woman. Many men would have been entranced.

But she was an emperor.

Though she was trying hard to appear friendly, everyone there-Kenji included-could tell that her smile was only for show.

How did Kenji know?

The delicate hand gripping the throne's armrest so tightly he thought she'd shatter it.

"I was too blunt," Kenji said quickly, taking the opportunity to back down. "Chancellor, pardon me. I was anxious and forgot my manners, offending Her Majesty. You're right, I'm a subject of the court, and I should behave as such. Please guide me in the future."

Seeing Kenji stepping back, the old chancellor mostly let it go, besides, even Her Majesty was being pinned down by him, so what good would more arguing do? May as well give him some room.

"Lord Anos, don't take my harsh words to heart. You speak boldly for the empire's sake. I admire that."

The two of them instantly wrapped things up on a peaceful note.

But the matter of troop expansion wasn't finished.

"Why not look for a middle ground between what Her Majesty wants and what the Marshal wants?" a hoarse voice suddenly said from the sidelines.

It came from a middle-aged man in general's armor. A long scar slashed across his face, making him look intimidating, and he breathed heavily through his nose with a rasping sound.

"What's your suggestion, General?" Pluvia asked.

"Marshal worries that constant expansion will weaken the nation, while Her Majesty believes building up an army can secure the borders and deter foreign invaders. So why not compromise, under both Your Majesty's and the Marshal's guidance, we could reform the twenty thousand soldiers of the Fierce Tiger Army and the Red Kite Army first. We'll use those twenty thousand as a test run. We have plenty of strategists eager to implement new tactics in Camelot, and this would be a good chance to try them. If it goes well, we can spread the reforms to the whole army. If it fails, we only lose some resources. Meanwhile, we avoid the massive manpower and financial strain of recruiting, training, and equipping brand-new troops."

Kenji couldn't help smiling inside. This grizzled General Balinos was a veteran with a stellar reputation, and also distantly related to Pluvia. His idea was solid and let them strengthen the army's combat power without draining the empire. It would also avoid damaging the court's foundation just for the sake of internal power struggles. A nice, neat compromise.

Now there was no way Pluvia would insist on a pointless, expensive expansion, right?

Well done, General.

"General Balinos's suggestion makes sense. What do you think, Your Majesty?" Kenji asked.

Pluvia thought carefully. Even though it wasn't perfect, she'd still be limited to these troops, both the Fierce Tiger Army and Red Kite Army were firmly under her control. From a certain angle, this plan would still let her strengthen her future hand against Kenji.

Besides, she knew Kenji wasn't wrong. Camelot was rich, but adding another two hundred thousand soldiers would be no small burden. The people who produced the empire's goods would carry that weight. If she weren't pressed into a corner, she wouldn't want to siphon too much from the treasury. Even with a bigger army, if there wasn't enough money or workforce to support it, Camelot wouldn't last. The empire had never had a truly incompetent ruler in all its thousand years, and she didn't want to be the first.

Plus, this was partly a test of Kenji's intentions. That he noticed the hidden meaning didn't surprise her. Still… somehow, she got the feeling Kenji genuinely cared about preserving Camelot's resources.

She glanced at him again.

He'd been glaring at her a moment ago, and she had no idea why. But it felt like he was annoyed at her foolishness…

Strange. He's not my father, so what's that look about?

Never mind.

Pluvia nodded. "That should work. I see no issues with this plan. Then this matter shall be handled by… "

"General Balinos can take charge." Kenji turned to Balinos with a polite gesture. "He has enough standing in the army and understands military affairs. He's the best fit for carrying out this reform."

"Very well, but allow me… "

"…Huh?"

Pluvia froze for a second.

Wait, he's not trying to claim that job for himself?

She'd been prepared to argue with Kenji over this, sure he wouldn't let go of such an opportunity, especially with her earlier probing. He would surely fight for it.

But instead, he pushed the job onto someone else?

The late emperor must be watching from above, because this made no sense. What was happening?

Kenji just smiled and backed up two paces.