Baron Eisenheim's true intention had been to muddy the waters. Whether the Emperor kept him as a blade or handed him over, he would win either way.
In the former case, Baron Eisenheim could go on living. In his creed, as long as one lived, there was hope; in the latter, Franz would have violated his so-called principles as well. That would make him no different from Baron Eisenheim—only their positions differed.
As for Franz investigating the matter to the very end, Baron Eisenheim had never considered that possibility. He believed that he and His Majesty the Emperor were the same kind of person, merely born into different circumstances.
The other secret Baron Eisenheim spoke of was the case of abducted noblewomen. Everyone involved in that case was human scum, perfectly embodying the definition of being both wicked and stupid, while loving thrills besides.
Franz would not hesitate in the slightest to wipe them all out in one fell swoop.
When Baron Eisenheim was sent to the noble Senate, he felt as though none of it were real. He believed Franz must have pushed him out to appease the public's fury.
Baron Eisenheim forced out a smile.
"How are you all?"
"Fine? Do you know how many people have suffered because of a coward like you, so afraid of death?"
Baron Eisenheim was greatly alarmed.
"What do you mean?"
"You know perfectly well!"
The next day, Baron Eisenheim was hung in the square. His crimes were so numerous that even a single scroll could not contain them all.
The dozens of officials implicated by Baron Eisenheim in turn dragged out a great many more. In the end, more than a hundred officials were involved in the case alone; counting all the small fry, the total exceeded fifteen hundred.
However, many