Chapter 138
Chapter 138
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 138
Chapter Title: Schemes in the Shadows
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Coming out of the audience chamber, he spotted Aleng waiting. Senatia approached with a welcoming smile.
“Calling in all the councilors like this—it seems His Majesty is getting impatient too.”
Aleng said.
“I can’t tell if he has solid proof, if he’s just testing the waters, or if he’s simply bored out of his mind. They came when summoned, but it was all empty calories.”
“His Majesty must be feeling much the same.”
“Maybe. More surprising, though? We’re one thing, but summoning you as well? Do you have some intel?”
“I wouldn’t know.”
Senatia clicked his tongue briefly.
“You’re as frustrating as His Majesty.”
“That’s just how I am. It tires me out too.”
Aleng gave an awkward smile.
“Have you given thought to our proposal from last time? I’d like an answer soon.”
“If it’s about a council seat, I told you back then: no interest.”
“Do people’s minds change as easily as that? The council needs fresh blood. Talented people to check a young emperor.”
“Given my age, I’m hardly fresh blood myself.”
“You know it’s just a figure of speech, yet you always have to point it out.”
Aleng had a rebellious streak. His gaze toward superiors always carried wariness, so those in power generally shunned him.
Senatia was no different.
When talk arose in the council about Aleng as a potential next member, the majority opposed it. Senatia had stood against it too, calling it nonsense.
—That unyielding personality will be his own undoing. No one’s easier to handle than someone who self-censors. We just need to seat Aleng at the back of the council, borrow the support of the citizens and the rising nobles, and that’s it.
It was a rare opinion from a tight-lipped comrade-in-arms. In short, use him as a figurehead.
It made sense upon reflection. Aleng was uncompromising. For the rule of law, the citizens, and fair distribution, he’d even sacrifice himself.
He was unsettling as an enemy, but easy to exploit as an ally.
With his strong convictions, he wouldn’t later threaten the council for personal gain.
If they backed laws for citizen convenience and in return lent Aleng’s prestige to the council?
It was no losing deal. Even the indomitable Blue Lion handled Aleng with care.
“Is there any place that serves the citizens like the council? Our ideals and yours are very alike. Redistribution of power—for that, don’t you need some influence yourself?”
“Redistribution hinges on proportions. Does the council plan to hoard all authority and toss crumbs to the citizens?”
“Look here. Class structures are rigid. If the system changes overnight, what happens to society? Nothing’s more terrifying than chaos. Radical shifts risk shattering the foundation itself. How about steady, safe steps forward?”
“Well said. I used to think the same.”
As Aleng smiled, the chief chamberlain spoke from a few paces away. Director Aleng, please enter.
“His Majesty is summoning you.”
“Think it over deeply. Our offer has no deadline.”
“I’ll keep thinking. Though my decision won’t change.”
Senatia watched Aleng enter the audience chamber, then turned away. He walked the long carpeted corridor to the firmly shut door.
The guard opened it for him. As soon as he emerged, an attendant waiting nearby fell in step. Armed knights followed behind.
Senatia led his entourage onward, pausing briefly in the hall. He gazed up at the chandelier casting soft light from the ceiling.
It had taken fully fifty years—from warehouse keeper in the palace basement to striding the halls with armed knights in tow.
He held power rivaling the imperial family, yet the owner of that lofty roof remained the emperor.
In imperial history, the throne had dissolved the council, but the council had never toppled the throne.
The proud palace had always chosen the lion’s bloodline. Senatia tapped the floor with his cane.
“How outdated. Bloodlines enduring forever.”
To change the imperial family, they’d tried to enthrone Huss. Huss would have made the perfect card, even able to replace the emperor.
But he’d vanished absurdly. Despite the grand state funeral, no one in the council believed Huss was dead.
The emperor bowed his head and sent Huss away.
Everyone thought so. Huss had been a loyal retainer who obeyed any imperial command.
The young emperor moved swiftly. The top First-Class Noble of Azantus, allied with the council, suffered near annihilation.
The Tulip War showed it: give him an opening, and the council would end up the same.
The capable, astute emperor absorbed everything left by his predecessor and built a flawless central regime.
The cost of showing even one gap had been too great. Talk even arose of submitting to the emperor as is.
It was a time for countermeasures. A moment desperate for a sharp solution.
Then the terrorism struck.
The emperor’s soaring authority, ignorant of heaven’s limits, didn’t just falter—it plummeted.
The citizens didn’t wonder who was behind the terror or its purpose.
Why didn’t you protect us?
That was their shared concern.
In his New Year’s address, the emperor spoke of an empire with the citizens. He repeated promises to serve them many times.
Yet zero nobles died in the attack.
Noble districts were so pristine, it was as if nothing had happened.
Amid scarce information, a few stark facts circulated. Rumors spawned wildly, grew, and twisted.
In the direction he desired.
Toward what the council wanted.
Senatia, of course, had spread the information. The council had worked hard too.
He didn’t want citizens rioting to storm the towers of power.
The citizens needed to rage moderately, coalesce moderately, and disperse at the right time.
United citizens would become a hammer smashing vested interests.
That’s why Aleng was needed. Aleng could steer the citizens’ rage in the desired direction.
Pressuring the imperial family would naturally widen the council’s room to maneuver and reverse the power balance.
If things went well after that, they could even take the emperor’s head. In this process, the citizens had to remain spectators.
A power-holder’s head should fall to another power-holder, not the mob’s hands.
It required delicate tightrope walking. That was Senatia’s specialty.
From palace basement warehouse keeper to council member, his weapon had always been his tongue.
“Has everyone gathered?”
“They’re waiting at the residence.”
“Can’t keep busy people waiting longer.”
He gripped his cane tighter.
From today, the Holy City would grow more tangled than ever.
* * *
“Do you know Gilliud?”
Arthen asked, lifting his teacup. It was a blunt question before even asking after recent events.
“I do.”
“Through your man planted in Kea?”
“I met him directly and spoke with him.”
The moment Aleng finished, Taine drew his sword. Should he praise drawing without orders, or calm him down?
Arthen signaled Taine to sheathe it.
“I hope not. Dealing with you would be tough even for me.”
“I’m just a humble bureaucrat with no special abilities.”
“Those who say that are the scariest.”
He met Aleng’s eyes and asked.
“Why cooperate?”
“Your question is so obvious it’s embarrassing to answer. Simple: it was better that way.”
“Do you know how many died?”
“Yes. 487. If you want names, I can list them all.”
Sorrow settled on Aleng’s steadfast face. Arthen exhaled slowly.
“Was it worth that sacrifice?”
“I thought it necessary. Though it didn’t go exactly as planned.”
“Charlotte. Was she the target?”
“Gilliud said the God of Disaster would rise in District 8. That the Holy City would be half-destroyed and the palace crumble. But only citizens died, and it ended there. The prophecy failed.”
“Disappointed in Gilliud? Is that why you’re telling me everything?”
Aleng interlocked his fingers as he replied.
“Not sure yet. I respect Your Majesty. That hasn’t changed. But Gilliud... he’s different. His charisma embraces and dominates people.”
“Did you follow him because his dominance outshines mine?”
“Strictly speaking, I didn’t follow. Gilliud promised me: the empire’s fracture, an era’s change. The resolve of the masses sprouting in that chaos. A world with a new master.”
“Consistent as ever.”
“I’ve always said the same: serve the citizens.”
“You have.”
“Enlightenment was needed. A violent reality. Gilliud proposed the method; I accepted.”
“You treat 500 lives lightly, it seems. No—if the prophecy had come true, it would’ve been tens of thousands.”
“That would’ve sparked the revolution.”
“You truly are a frightening man.”
“It’s been decades. Here among the intellectuals, I’ve thrashed about seeking some equality. Holy City citizens would understand, join for freedom and equality. But no. The moment they joined the Holy City citizens, they acted as vested interests.”
Aleng’s eyes drooped. The old administrator looked utterly worn.
“I thought extreme measures unnecessary. Enlightenment would come naturally; citizens would seize freedom themselves. But ideals are just ideals.”
Aleng crossed his legs, staring at the ceiling. In his utterly defeated posture, Arthen gave a bitter smile.
“You thought if vested interests vanished, citizens would redistribute wealth and strive for equality on their own? Never considered survivors would become the new vested interests?”
“With the emperor’s symbol and council gone simultaneously, the empire would fracture. New city-states led by families. New thought systems would emerge. Cities for the masses too.”
“Idealism.”
“Your Majesty, I’ve always been an idealist.”
Arthen leaned back in his chair. It was true. Aleng had always said the same.
The chief chamberlain entered with documents. Inventory receipts, he said. While Taine checked them, he addressed Aleng.
“Why answer the summons?”
“Did you think I’d flee?”
“No. I figured you’d come openly.”
Taine approached.
“From the Administrative Bureau’s records. No anomalies.”
Arthen rubbed his forehead, looking at Aleng. His face was calm, as if awaiting judgment.
Upright men are all the more irritating.
It grated on him like sending Huss away.