It was General Bude, the foremost of all military officers and nominally the "strongest" person in the Empire!
"Excellent. With General Bude here, along with Minister Rita, Esdeath, and General Durandal, there shouldn't be any problems."
With Bude's declaration, the Young Emperor was basically relieved. Though he had never seen Bude fight, Bude was the Empire's Number One Expert.
"Of course. How could the Empire's thousand years of prosperity be so easily destroyed by these rebels? Your Majesty need not worry." Minister Honest replied to the Emperor with a cheerful smile, as if he had already forgotten his earlier clash with Rita.
"Silence! I have always followed the ancestral teachings: military officers do not interfere in politics. No matter how corrupt you became, I never intervened. I merely used the power in my hands to protect the officials of the righteous faction as best I could. But Ernest, you have overreached yourself and gone too far! Once the rebels have been purged, I will put you on trial!"
Suddenly, General Bude shouted sternly. Even the minister was startled, dropping the meat from his hand. He had never imagined that Bude, who had always ignored everything, would suddenly turn against him.
Every word Bude spoke struck the minister's chest like an iron hammer, leaving him somewhat embarrassed. Hadn't Bude always been indifferent before?
Before the minister could say anything, the Young Emperor became anxious. "Th-that, don't argue! How could the minister possibly damage my nation? It was all with the minister's help... that I... I..."
"Enough! Your Majesty, General Bude must simply be overly concerned. Please do not mind it. I am a very tolerant person."
After regaining his composure, Minister Honest instead began comforting the Little Emperor. As for what he truly thought inside, only he himself knew.
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