Chapter 287

Where someone is arrested for espionage, Kyle and Nick's bromance is real and the Emperor is confronted with some unsavory truths.

This chapter is dedicated to RB! Thank you for your continuous support!

Disclaimer:

DO NOT publish our edit anywhere else. Especially on social media. Otherwise we may have to stop doing this. Thank you!

Episode 287. About 5 Months (10)

Bering was thrilled at the chance of finally getting promoted. The last spy would be caught during his shift. His spirits soared and he smiled broadly.

He was planning to leave as soon as the woman picked up the journal, however, she didn’t seem to notice the journal written by the masseuse and closed the lid of the file box without taking it.

She quickly walked over to a desk, unfolded the map and began copying it onto a piece of paper she pulled out of her satchel.

‘Was I mistaken that she was going to take it? Well, it doesn't matter, she's copying a map whose existence could only be known by a spy.'

When she was finished, she returned the original map back to the box and neatly folded the copy before putting it into her bag.

Then, as she turned towards the door to leave.

"It appears you forgot something."

“What?”

Only then did Bering reveal himself.

“......!”

The woman's body flinched in surprise, then her eyes widened as if she’d seen a ghost.

Slowly, she covered her mouth with both hands.

"What? A rat like you didn't think this would happen? Who are you? Identify yourself!"

“...What the...? What...?”

Bering lunged forward and grabbed the woman's arm, but she jerked it away. He was surprised by her strength. Wary, the woman took a couple of steps back.

"Who are you?"

“Who are you, and why are you doing this to me?”

"You're all the same. Don't you realize what you're doing?"

She took another step back, clutching her bag tightly in her arms. Then she grabbed the hem of her skirt around her thigh.

It suddenly occurred to him that her alert posture resembled that of a sharp-clawed wildcat. The woman swallowed hard and asked, "Me... What I am doing?"

“Oh, come on, my lady. You’re committing espionage. Espionage meant to overthrow the Empire!"

.

Her eyes growing with astonishment, the woman shook her head vigorously.

“What kind of.... I'm not that kind of spy! You're misunderstanding me!”

"I already said that's everyone's excuse, even when they get caught red-handed! Come on. Let's go to Internal Affairs!"

"This is ridiculous!"

***

Phoenix Knights Training Grounds in the Capital / Afternoon.

Kyle summoned Nick and the two vice-captains who were being deployed to the operation in the Principality of Ga’an to discuss the rest of the plans.

This operation was going to take a long time since it had many uncertain variables that had to be anticipated and planned for.

This was already the fifth time that they had discussed this plan. Since it relied on a lot of cooperation there was no room for error.

"The knights have been selected according to your orders however, I am a bit worried, Your Highness."

After going over the entire operation twice more, The vice-captains walked out, but Nick moved to speak, somewhat displeased.

“Don’t say it.”

Nick's words were cut short by Kyle, who was mentally going through the operation changes that had been made during the meeting.

"No. I won't stop. Do you already know what I'm going to say?"

"Are you implying that what you are about to say will be different from what you said yesterday?"

“......”

Unable to answer that question, Nick slapped his chest in frustration.

Kyle looked at him incredulously.

"Your worries are unfounded," Kyle said

Nick, not wanting to miss this opportunity, continued to voice his concerns.

"Your Highness, I'm worried because there are so many variables and so few people. I can't sleep, having nightmares about you getting injured. Please understand my concerns."

"You suffer from nightmares..."

"Yes. I really do. I have nightmares every night, Your Highness."

“How can you have nightmares if you can't sleep?”

“Ah....”

Nick stared blankly for a moment, unsure, then belatedly realized his mistake and corrected himself.

"No. What I meant is that I can't sleep properly because my sleep is fraught with nightmares... Hahaha. That’s how worried I am, Your Highness. Please, why don't we increase our numbers and take two more knights with us? Or better yet, take an entire regiment to be safe."

“....”

"Why are you looking at me so quizzically?"

"Because I'm surprised you've lasted this long in my service and that I haven't kicked you out yet. Even though we've had countless strategy meetings where we determined that a larger number of people would be detrimental, you persist in ignoring those facts and saying these things."

"You are the most important person to me, Your Highness. Perhaps that’s why I can’t stop thinking about you, Hehe.".

"Don't laugh like that, it's disgusting. Stop it. It's truly bizarre that I choose to keep you by my side when you chatter so much and make declarations like this daily. Perhaps there’s something wrong with me."

"It’s because you value me and I'm also pretty... No, it's because my skills are the best among the Knight Captains... Also..."

"One more word and your tongue will disappear."

“Hmph!”

"Stand by. The signal to depart could be given at any moment."

"Yes, Your Highness!" Nick replied in high spirits.

Leaving the training grounds, Kyle headed straight to the Palace.

Next on his agenda was a briefing at the Emperor's Palace where the Black Crown case would be put to rest.

And he would finally be able to meet the woman he'd pretended not to know this whole time.

***

Imperial Palace banquet hall / Same night.

Tonight’s banquet was for the newly appointed Special Weapons Corp's new Intermediate Officers who had successfully passed the final selection.

This banquet of unusual magnificence was attended by neighboring royalty, prestigious nobles from the Capital, and the aristocrats who boasted strong influence in the provinces.

[You will see the power shifting.]

"... It's exactly as you said."

As he sat at the highest table in the banquet hall, The Emperor's gaze initially seemed indifferent as they surveyed the room.

But if you looked closer, a hint of anger was visible in his half-lidded eyes.

"Excuse me? I didn't hear you correctly. Could you please repeat your command? I will listen carefully this time."

Under the guise of dispatching Central Officials, Allen had left with Chief Justice Horatio in the morning. Allen, who always stood by the Emperor's side, had been replaced by the Second Aide of the Consul's Office who looked tense.

"Enough. Don't react to every word I say."

“Yes, sir. Your Majesty.”

At noon today he had received a message stating that the Second Prince had successfully suppressed all Black Crown villages in the Empire.

[Starting from today's banquet, watch until Allen returns to the capital]

[Watch?]

[People will divide themselves into those who aren’t swayed by their power, those who side with their power, those who fall to their power, and those who will stand united by today’s events.].

[So?]

[Those who have strongly united around our enemy’s power? are no longer needed by the Empire. Those who have joined the enemy and were discarded can be given a chance, and those who were never swayed by them in the first place can be of use to us in the future.]

The Emperor hadn’t yet been told who the main culprit was.

It didn't matter much to him, but he secretly hoped it wasn't one of the immediate Imperial Family members. However, the Emperor's instincts were already telling him that Third Prince Joseph was the mastermind.

From the moment the Third Prince had entered the hall he had noticed how throngs of people surrounded him, buzzing around him like flies.

It was just as Kyle had told him, it was obvious to the Emperor where the power was concentrated.

This event was supposed to be a celebration of the successful implementation of the Talent Training Program and the new Intermediate Officers of the Special Weapons Corps, but the people in the ballroom had no interest in that.

Perhaps his guess was wrong? Perhaps Joseph had fallen into the Duke of Toulouse's clutches or simply decided to side with him? The Third Prince might not be the ringleader. With the First Prince gone, people would naturally gravitate towards Joseph.

It was tempting to believe that, but by the time the banquet was in full swing, Kyle's predictions had proven enough to shatter any hope.

***

Banquet Hall Lounge / Same time.

No one spoke. The Emperor forced himself to suppress his anger while his servants and maids diligently cleaned the lounge floor, which was in disarray.

An ancient oriental vase that had been standing next to a pillar had been shattered and scattered all over the floor. Perhaps because of this, or because of the Emperor’s angry silence, the servants cleaning the floor were extremely cautious with their movements.

That wasn't all. A chair with a broken leg lying haphazardly on the floor and black ink marks on the walls were all that remained of what had happened just moments before.

Kyle stood by the window, away from the door, waiting for the Emperor to calm down.

Click.

The door to the lounge opened cautiously and the butler hurried in, his pace hesitant.

“The captain of the guard has returned after carrying out your orders, Your Majesty.”

"Have him... Come in," The Emperor commanded, his anger coating every word..

The Emperor took a deep breath to calm his expression, which was flushed with rage. No sooner had he sat down on the couch in the lounge that the door opened, giving way to the guard and Third Prince Joseph as they entered the room.

The Captain of the Guard who had brought Joseph with him positioned himself by the door.

Joseph stood quietly with his eyes down and bowed politely.

"Third Prince Joseph Amure. I heard you called for me, Your Majesty."

The Emperor took several deep breaths before asking Joseph.

“Why do you think I called you?”

His tone was so calm that the maids, who had been sweeping the floor earlier, glanced at him in surprise.

“I think you have some kind of misunderstanding, Your Majesty.”

Editor's Note -

Nick is back and better than ever! I love the bromance that He and Kyle share, though Kyle questions his sanity on the matter.... I really missed those little light and fun moments, even if the situation is actually getting quite dire...

Enjoyed the chapter? Buy us a ko-fi!

Previous Chapter l Table of Contents l Next Chapter