1490, 66 (Execute Order 66) (7)
The moment Palpatine said that, Anakin Skywalker's expression changed sharply. He would never have connected those two matters before, but with Palpatine's seemingly casual prompt, he immediately thought of another possibility—
This was a means of avoiding responsibility!
If that was true, then the Jedi Order had planned this long ago!
Palpatine struck again at just the right moment. "Then, several days after the document establishing the Clone Army was signed, Master Dias went to Felucia on a mission. His fighter was shot down, and he died on the spot—who was it that shot down the fighter of such a powerful Jedi Master?"
"A silencing?" Anakin Skywalker's face turned pale.
"How exactly the Jedi Order planned this, even I do not understand now. That is why I demanded that the Jedi Order open their archives." Palpatine sighed. "So, I am very sorry. Because this matter involves far too much, I did not dare reveal it until now... Do you know, Anakin? I was afraid..."
"Afraid? You are the Chancellor of the Galactic Republic," Anakin Skywalker said.
"Do you know? If I had presented this evidence and questioned the Jedi Order when the war had just begun, I might not have survived three days. The Jedi Order would have killed me without hesitation, using the excuse that I was a Sith Lord... Then they would have taken over this war. What would have happened then? I was truly afraid to find out..." As Palpatine spoke, his voice gradually lowered and began to tremble faintly.
He paused for a moment, then swallowed hard. Gathering his courage, he raised his voice considerably. "But now, I have received the help of those with insight in the Galactic Republic! I have received your help! Only then could I survive