"Cerydra? Empress? Godslayer? Hahaha!"
In the Royal Palace of The Empire, Honest, having finished listening to the Briefing from his subordinate, muttered that name while laughing loudly.
However, aside from Honest himself, no one dared to make a sound; a few were even drenched in cold sweat.
Most did not understand what was happening and only felt that the atmosphere was ominous. This was because they were newcomers, as Minister Honest had long ago purged more than half of the people in the Palace.
Those few who happened to be survivors felt incredibly nervous because they all understood...
This was the prelude to the coming storm!
"To think that fellow actually chose to engage in deposing the Emperor and establishing oneself—it's hilarious, hahaha!"
Honest had, of course, already read Numa Seika's Abdication Edict. It was written quite grandly, but when the opponent made her move, she showed no intention of being soft-hearted.
"Minister, would you do that too?"
The voice of the Little Emperor came from behind Honest, immediately causing the atmosphere to loosen slightly and giving the tense crowd a moment to breathe.
Although the Little Emperor of The Empire was likewise a puppet, Honest would not easily give him up. As for the fundamental reason, presumably only Honest himself knew.
"How could that be, Your Majesty?"
Ever since the Little Emperor's voice rang out, Honest's angry expression froze. He then picked up a chicken leg and began to gnaw on it, just like usual.
"Unlike those Foreign Tribes in the North, we are a very civilized people. My Loyalty to Your Majesty is as clear as the sun and moon. How could I possibly usurp the throne like those petty scoundrels?"
"Mm, Minister has always been my most loyal partner; it is absolutely impossible for him to betray me!"
Having received a definitive answer, a bright smile immediately appeared on the Little Emperor's face. He felt that Honest truly was as loyal as he claimed. However, the truth was...
Shikoutazer!
As the Minister of The Empire, Honest knew very well what his greatest trump card was: The Empire's Shikoutazer!
It was the ultimate weapon that stood above all Teigu. Once activated, it could erupt with power capable of destroying heaven and earth.
None could rival it; none could block it!
But such a powerful Teigu was not something just anyone could use. Only a descendant possessing the First Emperor's Bloodline could move this Shikoutazer.
By now, Honest had basically dealt with the First Emperor's bloodline, leaving only a single Key capable of opening Shikoutazer: the current Little Emperor!
As long as he held this trump card in hand, Honest feared no enemy!
"Your Majesty, although our Empire has always been prosperous and strong, we now face a powerful external threat."
Having seemingly organized his words, the Minister immediately turned around and gazed seriously at the Little Emperor on the throne.
"The Revolutionary Army is conducting guerrilla warfare everywhere, constantly harassing our effective forces. The Northern Tribe took this exact opportunity to complete their unification. Add to that the threats from the West and the South, and we are besieged on all sides!"
"Facing so many enemies at once would be taxing even for us. Therefore, I suggest sending envoys to the two countries in the West and the South to drive a wedge between them."
"Within the borders of The Empire, my son will continue to search for the main force of the Rebel Army. As for the final Northern Empire... I want to leave them to Grand General Budo."
As the words fell, Honest immediately turned his head to look at Great General Budo, who had been standing in the Imperial Palace this whole time without uttering a single word.
Logically speaking, it was absolutely impossible for the Minister to ask Budo for help with a task. Although the man never interfered in politics, his formidable strength had always been a thorn in the Minister's side.
However, since The Empire had never produced a figure comparable to Budo in strength, Honest temporarily had no plans to move against him.
But now, the situation of The Empire was truly somewhat dangerous. Although Honest had many subordinates with decent strength, targeting the entire Northern Empire was still a bit too far out of reach.
"According to the tradition of military officers, this old official has never interfered in politics, and likewise, it is impossible to easily leave The Empire."
Budo was somewhat stubborn, but his assessment of the current situation was not inferior to Honest's in the slightest.
The reason The Empire had remained safe despite suffering multiple attacks was precisely because it possessed a Stabilizing Pillar named Great General Budo.
As long as Budo remained in the Royal Capital, those rats would not dare to directly attack the capital. But if Budo left... no one knew if those in the Rebel Army would bypass the Minister's son, Syura, and head straight for the capital of The Empire!
"Please do not worry about this matter. His Majesty is a descendant of the First Emperor and possesses the ability to manipulate that Imperial Arms; he certainly won't be dealt with by those rats."
"On the other hand, the North has achieved unification. Next, they will surely be recruiting and training troops in preparation for a Southern Campaign... The North is our greatest threat!"
"Aside from you, General, no one else can take over this task of the Northern Expedition!"
Honest continued to advise with painstaking effort, knowing the man would not agree easily.
"Your Majesty, please help persuade him as well!"
However, with the addition of a certain variable, Budo finally agreed to the matter—and that was the Emperor himself speaking.
"Great General, if the situation is truly as the Minister says, then we are in danger. I also wish to entrust this matter to you..."
Under the pressure brought jointly by the Emperor and the Minister, Budo sighed helplessly: "Since this is what Your Majesty desires, then this old official shall serve as the General of the Northern Expedition for once!"
"I shall surely make those Foreign Tribes remember the terror of my Empire once again!"
The matters of The Empire were settled; they were about to dispatch their current sole Great General for the Northern Expedition.
Naturally, this news was scouted by an inside agent of the Revolutionary Army and sent directly back to their headquarters.
"So that's how it is. Is that why we need to go to the Northern Country once more?"
As the leader of the Assassins within the Rebel Army, Barbara was naturally called to the Rebel Army base to discuss the upcoming cooperation.
"Of course!"
"According to what you said previously, Cerydra has the intent to cooperate with us, which is why we moved out in large numbers to draw The Empire's attention."
"And now, since the North has completed its unification, the time has come for Cerydra to pay the reward!"
Several of Barbara's disciples had originally been left at Cerydra's side as Hostages.
To tell the truth, Barbara hadn't expected her disciples to return safely. After all, the opponent didn't look like a merciful person at all, especially considering the requirement for her to assassinate the King of the North.
But what happened later?
The three disciples not only returned to the Rebel Army alive but even brought back heaps of gold, directly covering the Rebel Army's expenditures in recent years and allowing them to organize for large-scale harassment operations.
All of this was almost like it had been arranged!
Therefore, the high-level officials of the Rebel Army sought out Barbara, asking her to take her three disciples to the North once more...
No, this time it was the Northern Empire!
Although the initial meeting wasn't pleasant, everyone was an old acquaintance now. Surely they wouldn't make things too difficult?
"I understand... I will take Merraid and the others there."
"I believe this time, we will surely secure an unprecedentedly powerful ally for the Revolutionary Army!"