In Cahoots [Fifth Update]

It was another sunny morning.

Early in the morning, the citizens of Memphis gathered around the square outside the royal palace gates.

According to a proclamation from the palace a few days earlier, several high-ranking Egyptian officials had died by divine punishment—yes, Nitocris had decisively settled the matter that way. The Pharaoh believed this was because the gods were dissatisfied with Egypt as it stood, and to remedy that dissatisfaction, she had decided to appoint and dismiss officials and priests outside the palace gates, before the people.

Anyone who failed to gain the people's approval would not be allowed to fill those vacant positions.

The people of Memphis were immensely excited by this.

After all, nothing like this had ever happened before.

Appointments and dismissals of officials and temple priests had originally been a lavish feast reserved for the upper class.

How could the common rabble possibly be allowed to take part in dividing up power and benefits?

But today was different. At last, the people had a chance to participate. Though they could only offer their opinions and could not truly decide the final candidates, it still proved the Pharaoh's respect for them.

Pharaoh Nitocris truly was a good Pharaoh.

If people they approved of rose to high positions, they would surely be able to work with the Pharaoh in complete sincerity and change Egypt's current chaotic state.

With such thoughts in mind, the people gathered here early, eagerly awaiting what would happen next.

And what did the officials think of Nitocris's decision?

There was fear, opposition, disdain, mockery—every reaction imaginable.

Those who were frightened and opposed the decision were often ministers who became arrogant once successful, who acted without restraint after gaining power, and who had poor reputations.

Once these people held even a little power, they often