Chapter 126
Yuria immediately accepted the audience request from the next great mage and Sword Flower.
As they were the foremost contributors to the restoration of the imperial household, as Emperor, she had to greet them personally.
Above all, their sudden entrance into the imperial palace surely meant they had a suitable reason for it.
"... Did you submit your counsel based only on conjecture?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. Although I am most humbled, I believe preparations should still be made in advance."
"I do not think Lord Alter is wrong. There could indeed be traitors within the palace. But are we to suspect them with no evidence at all?"
"......"
Alter could not bring himself to refute her words.
Only now was the imperial household regaining stability, and if they suddenly started rooting out traitors, the loyalty of their vassals would waver.
Moreover, if a large-scale investigation was launched, the traitors would try to erase any trace of their betrayal, which might even disrupt the timing of the rebels' attack.
"However... If there is a force stirring up the commoners, it cannot be overlooked. If members of the imperial family are involved, the situation could get even worse."
Yuria had already suspected a plot behind the scenes since the commoners began their uprising.
The current Emperor had risen to power through rebellion, and coincidentally, dragons and monsters continued their invasions.
At a time like this, one could incite the ignorant commoners to create internal chaos within the empire.
"As long as the imperial knight order can be trusted, it shouldn't be a significant problem. But if they become entangled with the palace guards, it will become hard to handle."
"Lord Alter, are you suspecting the knight order?"
"With your permission, I would present my opinion. The captain of the imperial knight order was killed right before our eyes. Since he was someone they trusted and followed, wouldn't some of them harbor resentment?"
"The previous captain of the knight order was a knight who possessed both strength and loyalty. The previous Emperor also trusted him and said he was at a realm comparable to the Sword Saint. The knight order members could not help but respect him."
"If the current captain of the knight order is loyal to Your Majesty, they could resolve any resulting disruption internally. But if it is the opposite... it would threaten Your Majesty's safety."
Alter was suspicious of all the bureaucrats and forces of the imperial household.
Only those who were either relatives of the current Emperor or whose loyalty had been proven could be trusted to a degree.
Everyone else had to be regarded as a potentially dangerous element who could join a rebellion at any time.
"Then, why don't we take this opportunity to check for ourselves?"
"... Are you saying you won't take any measures?"
"Of course not. Rooting out traitors is not easy. If they reveal themselves first, wouldn't it be easier to distinguish them?"
"If even the imperial knight order is left unattended, who will protect Your Majesty's person?"
"I've been wondering how to handle this. I've always thought I would need to cut them out eventually, but couldn't think of a proper method."
Yuria drew a quiet smile and propped her chin up with her left arm.
The throne had been seized through rebellion, so there were bound to be bureaucrats who did not accept it.
For now, they would hide their feelings, but given the right excuse, wouldn't they try to pressure her?
"Have you already prepared contingency plans for this situation, Your Majesty?"
"I wouldn't call them contingency plans... but I have been aware of the possibility. For whatever reason, there will be those who covet the throne."
Yuria, having led the rebellion herself, could read their minds well. Only those with imperial blood could be enthroned. Of course, direct relatives had priority, but collateral relatives were not disqualified. Especially with the current regime established by force, anyone would be eyeing the opportunity.
"I want to end it here, but the people around me won't leave me alone. What can I do? They don't know their place."
"......"
"Now that it's come to this, you two will have to help me."
"... How would you like us to help?"
"It's not very difficult. All you need to do is stand by my side."
Yuria was considering making use of the fame of the next great mage and Sword Flower, even if only for a while.
She had been indirectly controlling the palace guards through her maternal uncle.
The knight order had been reinstated with the previous members, which meant they could potentially join the treason.
So for now, she needed to turn a blind eye and proceed with a purge.
"Shouldn't we at least mobilize our family's forces?"
"I appreciate the thought, but if outside forces enter the palace, it will draw attention. Wouldn't it be easier if the two of you move discreetly?"
"If Your Majesty would be so gracious, could you share your plan with us?"
"It's simple. The palace guards will block enemies from the outside. I just need to keep the knight order in check."
"What do you plan to do with the bureaucrats?"
"Hmph... I'll let you two in on a secret. I've already made a list. All I need to do is take care of the names written there."
"You have already detected the bureaucrats?"
"Anyone conducting business in the palace is bound to leave traces. The knight order was actually the harder part. That's why I've left them alone until now."
"You intend to use us to pressure the knight order, don't you?"
"That's right. You two already fought the previous captain of the knight order, didn't you? And some members even defected thanks to you, so they must be quite afraid."
After comprehending the entire plan, Alter looked at Yuria.
Even before he had spoken up, she had already seen through the existence of traitors.
Perhaps, even if left unattended, she would have eventually expelled the rebels one way or another.
"Now that I think about it... Your loyalty is truly impressive. I never expected you two to come see me before I even summoned you."
"When it is a matter of great state importance, how could we not rush over?"
"Thank you for your concern. With you two here, I feel a little more at ease as well."
Yuria was coming to firmly trust the next great mage and Sword Flower.
From her perspective, she had no choice but to doubt even her closest aides or anyone at all.
But these two had defeated the dragons twice, and had even directly notified her of the existence of traitors. This was also related to the actions of the Northern Grand Duke and Duke Illenat, so she ought to treat them as loyal subjects.
'It should be fine to regard them as fully on my side. I should gather people like this to purge malicious elements.'
* * *
Hilise, late at night, was heading toward the imperial palace with forces in tow. According to plan, the captain of the knight order would lead some members in an assault on the royal bedchamber. However, if the palace guards got involved, their forces would be split, so Hilise would have to stall for time with his own troops.
'The entire knight order isn't moving. At best, only about half, if I recall?'
Hilise was somewhat skeptical about this surprise attack.
They would not be able to withstand the palace guards for long.
Even if half the knight order was mobilized, the remaining half would not just stay put.
It was almost a reckless act, and if they failed, even the supporters within the palace would be lost.
'The commoners have already been persuaded. The hiding place will be found soon.'
He only needed to act according to orders, but there was no way to judge right or wrong.
Even now, he had to risk his life to tie down the palace guards.
Even if he escaped alive, if he failed to assassinate the Emperor, he would become a fugitive.
'Even if it's a surprise attack, aren't we moving a bit too hastily......?'
Facing the thick palace walls, Hilise steeled himself, albeit reluctantly.
His future, the revival of his family, would be decided by this battle.
Rather than be buried as a fallen noble, wouldn't it be better to achieve honor as an ambitious one?
'There is nothing left to lose, so I won't have regrets, even if I die now.'
* * *
Yuria entered her bedchamber, but did not actually head for the bed.
Instead, she simply sipped her tea, waiting for the critical moment to come.
She had already made her preparations, so as a bystander, she could afford to enjoy her composure.
'... The knight order had to be sacrificed anyway.'
From the moment Yuria resolved to stage a coup, she had set thorough objectives for herself: minimize casualties from the rebellion, secure support from numerous nobles and bureaucrats, reorganize the knight order and palace guards, and gain complete control of the empire's military power.
Only with these conditions met could she suppress future rebellions after becoming Emperor.
'The palace guards can be entrusted to my uncle, but I have to deal with the knight order myself.'
Of course, the palace guards were one of the means of protecting the Emperor, but as they handled overall palace security, they were treated as a unit directly under the commander of capital defense.
Rather, the knight order, being the Emperor's personal force, could have their command delegated to no one else.
'It was inevitable ever since I killed the previous captain of the knight order.'
The loyalty of the knight order was rooted in the Emperor's authority and pride in their captain.
Thus, Yuria had made every effort to recruit the previous captain.
But he had resisted, and on the verge of death, he unleashed the loyalty of the knight order.
'They would become confused about whom to serve... and eventually, they'd try to eliminate me for the sake of the previous captain.'
Sensing a faint vibration, Yuria slowly set down her teacup.
It seemed they were approaching her chambers under arms. Just how many members were determined to oppose her?
"Your Majesty. Have you not yet retired for the night?"
"I thought I'd take care of you before I went to sleep."
Yuria answered calmly and looked at them.
The knight order captain and his members stormed into the chambers without permission.
Yet, seeing that no ringleader had revealed themselves, perhaps they were just watching how things would play out.
"No one here will help you, Your Majesty. It is time for you to leave."
"If they wanted my life, they should've come themselves. Sending only the knight order captain? If they're so cowardly, how could you hope to become Emperor?"
With fierce eyes, Yuria glared at them.
Some members unintentionally tensed, but the captain of the knight order slowly drew his sword.
Even with bold words, it would be hard to escape from this crisis.
"You gained your throne by treason, so I shall make you answer for your crimes."
"How dare you! You, of all people, would hold me accountable? Are you trying to insult the Emperor's authority!"
As Yuria rose from her seat, someone revealed themselves.
There were only two, but the captain of the knight order couldn't help but be shocked.
Why were such powerful people, called the strongest in the empire, present in the bedchamber?
"The next great mage?"
"Even Sword Flower is here?"
"We cannot win against this..."
"Kuh... Don't be afraid! There are only two of them. We have more numbers!"
"But still, this is..."
"Ah..."
The members were seized by fear on instinct.
They were the nobles who had enthroned the current Emperor and heroes who had defeated a dragon.
Even the previous captain of the knight order had lost to them—how could they possibly resist?
"Is this all it takes to make you tremble? And I haven't even used my other preparations yet."