"Citizens of the Empire, from today onward, the Empire will officially be named the Dawn Empire, symbolizing that the morning sunlight will illuminate the decaying Empire anew, allowing everyone to live happy and fulfilling lives!" Takeru loudly proclaimed to the citizens below, holding his scepter high.
The people below were stunned. They hadn't expected Takeru, upon ascending, to even change the Empire's name. And hearing Takeru's words, it seemed he intended to properly handle governance? Improve the living conditions of the impoverished masses?
Though uncertain if it was true, with Takeru's promise, the crowd excitedly cheered and hailed Takeru.
Night Raid's members familiar with Takeru also watched him in shock. But seeing Great General Budo and Esdeath, known as the Empire's Twin Guardians, take no action, they could only suppress their confusion.
After all, even the immensely powerful Honest hadn't stepped forward to refute or act.
Some corrupt officials behind Takeru frowned upon hearing his words. But seeing the composed Honest, they could only suppress their unease.
Looking at the cheering crowd, Takeru simply waved his hand, and the crowd quieted.
"Additionally, these days I've learned that the Empire's taxes on the people are excessively high. Starting today, all taxes will be reduced by 50%, effective immediately!" Takeru announced again.
Upon hearing this, the crowd below paused momentarily, then erupted into even greater cheers.
However, some people's expressions turned grim. The tax reduction already touched the interests of a portion of them, and they looked at Takeru with fierce eyes.
On the spectator stands, Mine and Leone watched Takeru with concern. After all, Takeru's actions easily put him in danger.
But Takeru ignored this. With absolute strength and special abilities, Takeru had no fear of the anger of these weaklings.
"Aside from this, regarding the numerous parasites that previously existed in the Empire, I have decided today to begin removing harm for the people. First is Minister Honest. During his tenure, he committed countless heinous acts. Today is also the judgment day for these people." Takeru's words fell again.
Instantly, the venue fell silent once more. The officials below showed shocked expressions. Most corrupt officials were first stunned, then turned scornful. They hadn't expected Takeru to humiliate himself so.
Yet, unexpectedly, Honest was quickly brought to the performance stage below by two soldiers.
"Minister Honest, I command you to confess all your crimes!" Looking at Honest kneeling obediently on the stage, everyone was astounded.
Mine and Leone were even more breathless. They truly hadn't expected Takeru to actually bring down Honest.
"Yes, Your Majesty. During my tenure, I plotted against numerous officials who opposed me, including Councilor Sawyer, Jody, Blair, etc. I plotted against the old Emperor, installed the young Emperor, manipulated him to serve me. I also collaborated with nobles Chaplin, Osmond..."
As Honest confessed, the nobles and corrupt officials collapsed on the ground. The citizens below looked at Honest with immense hatred.
Through his confession, everyone learned that during his tenure, numerous major incidents occurred in the country, each more or less bearing his shadow. Instantly, everyone wished they could tear him apart.
Mine, Leone, and the others also stood dumbfounded, never expecting Honest to honestly publicize his crimes, even mentioning Night Raid.
Of course, in Honest's account, Night Raid was the force that removed harm for the people and constantly opposed him.
After a full hour, Honest was somewhat hoarse but still recounting his crimes. Under Takeru's control, even if he had forgotten many things, some memories resurfaced.
The crowd below went from initial anger to a sense of weariness, though their resentment towards Honest didn't fade.
"Stop!" Seeing Honest about to continue for several more hours or even a day, Takeru quickly halted him.
Hearing Takeru's words, Honest closed his mouth.
"I declare that the crimes committed by Honest have incurred the wrath of god and people. He is to be executed immediately, carried out by General Esdeath." Takeru directly announced.
"Yeah! Long live Emperor Takeru! Long live the Dawn Empire!" Hearing Takeru's words, the crowd below cheered loudly.
Hearing Takeru's words, Esdeath coldly stepped onto the stage and looked at Honest's obese body.
She swung her sword, and Honest's head flew off instantly.
Seeing this bloody scene, the crowd applauded enthusiastically. Only those corrupt officials and nobles who had colluded with Honest felt as if sitting on pins and needles.
"Next, summon Syura, son of Minister Honest, to the stage for judgment." Takeru said calmly again. Soon, Syura was brought up. Syura was no longer as foolish as before, as an hour ago, Takeru had briefly taken control of him.
Then, Syura began describing his crimes. It could only be said the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Over the years, using resources provided by his father, Syura had harmed numerous citizens and young women.
Through his confession, Ran finally learned that the culprit behind the devastation of his village years ago was Syura's subordinate.
Thinking of this, Ran looked at Syura with intense fury. Although Syura didn't act directly, he was the highest person in charge.
Noticing Ran's expression, Takeru faintly smiled, then declared Syura's death sentence, with Ran as the executioner.
Hearing Takeru's words, Ran was stunned. Then, seeing Takeru's gaze, he knelt on one knee to accept the order, stepped onto the stage, and beheaded Syura with a single slash.
After the Prime Minister and his son's deaths, the judgment didn't end.
Subsequently, Takeru summoned corrupt officials and nobles who had colluded with Honest for judgment. Without being controlled, they naturally denied their crimes upon taking the stage.
The citizens below were furious, clamoring for their execution, as many had suffered greatly because of them.
Seeing their stubbornness, Takeru didn't say much, just showed a faint smile.
Making a silencing gesture, the audience quickly quieted.
"Citizens of the Empire, you need not worry. The Empire will not let go evildoers. This scepter has the ability to make people tell the truth, so don't worry about anyone lying on the judgment stage." Scanning the crowd, Takeru calmly explained.
Then, Takeru raised his Priest's Staff, walked up to one corrupt official, and as healing light fell on him, Takeru casually shot several Nen Needles at him.
Under control, the corrupt official no longer denied but quickly confessed his crimes, even revealing several new ones.
After one round, the nine people on the stage were sentenced to beheading. One even attempted to attack Takeru but was easily subdued.
With these people's downfall, many in the audience, while cheering, also shed tears of joy, feeling the excitement of vengeance served.
"Emperor Takeru, I wish to accuse Ansell. He caused my family to be torn apart, my home destroyed!" After the nine were executed, a commoner knelt excitedly not far from the stage, pleading for Takeru to uphold justice. Because he was overly emotional, guards intercepted him.
"Let him in." Hearing his words, Takeru calmly said.
Hearing Takeru, the man rushed in, then prostrated himself before Takeru.
Takeru directly cast a healing spell on him, also seizing the chance to control him with Nen Needles: "State your name and grievance."
"Yes, this humble one is named Barker, an ordinary vendor in the capital's slums. I had a beautiful wife. But a month ago, Noble Ansell led some guards, destroyed my stall, and abducted my wife. Three days ago, I learned my wife, unable to bear the humiliation, had already died in Ansell's mansion..."
Watching the man shed tears of sorrow, Takeru retrieved the Nen Needles. The man regained clarity, his eyes showing confusion, then looked at Takeru, preparing to plead for justice.
"Alright, I understand your situation. Someone, bring Ansell up." Then, Takeru directly ordered the guards in the distance.
"Yes!" Hearing Takeru, the guards quickly acted, bringing the struggling Ansell to the judgment stage.
Seeing the blood-stained stage, he broke down, screaming. But under Takeru's control, he honestly confessed his crimes, then met his death.