The Candel Empire's daily morning court had never been as quiet as it was that day.
Ever since His Majesty the Emperor's chief personal attendant, who presided over the session, announced that its main topic was how to deal with the situation in Mero City, an eerie silence had settled over the court hall. No one spoke, and everyone even tried to breathe as quietly as possible.
Had a pin fallen to the floor at that moment, its sound would surely have been clearly audible.
The Candel Emperor's face was dark as his gaze swept over the rows of imperial ministers below his throne, only to find every head lowered. Not one of them showed any intention of looking up and speaking.
He waited patiently for a while, but nothing changed.
This only stoked his anger further. He gave a heavy snort and said coldly, "Very well. None of you wants to speak voluntarily, is that it? Then I'll call on you by name. Marshal Sudiman, your Military Department bears the main responsibility for the situation in Mero City. Tell me, have you come up with a plan?"
Standing in the foremost row of ministers, Marshal Sudiman hesitated before raising his head and stepping forward. He bowed respectfully to the Candel Emperor and replied, "Your Majesty, the Military Department is still assessing the current situation in Mero City. We have no detailed plan as yet."
"Still assessing it?" The Candel Emperor sneered. "Why not simply say you have no solution?"
Marshal Sudiman's lips twitched in a barely perceptible, bitter smile.
He did want to say they had no solution, but how could he say such a thing to His Majesty's face?
An important city within the empire had been invaded and fallen into enemy hands. Naturally, the Military Department bore