When the emperor turned to the second page of Lancer report and saw the four characters 'Honest', he was stunned for several seconds.
"Your Majesty?"
After seeing the emperor's reaction, Budo also looked at Lancer with a confused expression, as if wanting an answer, but Lancer expression was blank.
To be honest, the report itself wasn't much, but it was full of misleading information.
Everything written on these few pages was true. Whether it was him recruiting subordinates or him trying to get close to nobles and now making moves in Honest's direction, but these things that should have been very normal, when put together, especially in this special period, instantly sparked countless imaginations.
And Lancer, looking at the emperor's serious expression, knew that his goal had been achieved.
He had actually considered pouring dirty water on Honest using the power the emperor had given him at first, but after thinking it over, he gave up. One reason was that he didn't think simply pouring dirty water would be effective. That old fox had not been caught with any flaws until now. Pouring dirty water carelessly might backfire.
So, he took a roundabout route, and it seemed to be working well?
"Budo, take a look."
The emperor, who was in a bad mood, didn't say much and handed the report directly to Budo.
Honest, he could be said to be one of the few subordinates he was most optimistic about! He could even be said to be one of the successors he was considering after the current minister retired!
The other party was not only good at finance but also had a gentle personality and a good reputation. He might not have been strong, but because of that, he wouldn't have made enemies with other nobles. Originally, the other party was just a noble from the border. It was his promotion that allowed the other party to get to where he is today, but the other party...
Seeing that the emperor's expression wasn't good, Budo also took the report and read it with a frown. He finished reading the two pages in a short time, and his expression wasn't good either.
"Lancer, you once told me that you suspected Honest, but now I just want to know one thing: is everything in this report true?"
"Yes! It's precisely because I once suspected the other party that to avoid suspicion, I gathered all the materials and testimonies. I wrote this report from a completely third-person perspective. I can provide the materials and testimonies at any time, and that 'witness' is now in the imperial prison, personally guarded by the Imperial Guards!"
Lancer words were not only an answer to Budo question but also to the emperor's doubts.
Although it might not be suitable for Lancer to say it, even though he had strength far exceeding that of a year ago, he was still like a dandelion in the face of the great power of the entire empire. He had no choice but to go with the flow, and even a small mistake could lead to his ruin. All his plans now had to have the emperor's support!
And the other party also nodded after hearing Lancer report.
"For now... continue the investigation, but before that, the empire's intelligence agencies do need to be dealt with!"
The emperor didn't want his guess to be true, but if it was, he had no other choice. But the matters of the 'security team' and the 'Royal Fist Temple' needed to be dealt with first.
The security team was the law enforcement force of the imperial capital. Its role was even more important to the imperial capital than the Imperial Guards. After all, the main job of the Imperial Guards was to protect the emperor and the royal family. It was the security team that managed the entire imperial capital.
And the Royal Fist Temple, needless to say, was one of the empire's largest training bases for mid-level military talent, but the successive emperors' monitoring of it had never been relaxed even while relying on it.
If only one place had a problem, it could be understood as an 'accident' or a 'mistake'. The main problem with the manager of the intelligence department was 'dereliction of duty'. But the problem was that two crucial departments now had problems. No one would have expected that the first wave of this storm would strike the empire's intelligence department.
Oga, who was being held in the imperial prison, was in a state of constant anxiety, and Bill on the other side was not much better.
Although he had publicly severed all ties with Honest, once the other party's schemes were exposed, who knew if that cunning fat man would drag him down with him?
On the other hand, he had considered running away in advance, but he finally gave up. At least he should be safe until Honest was caught. If he ran away now, it would be a confession without a fight. And no one knew the empire's strength better than him. He might be able to easily avoid ordinary assassins, but once Imperial Arms users were dispatched, he wasn't confident that he could survive. After all, he was no longer the top expert in the intelligence department he once was. Years of living in luxury had caused all his qualities to decline to a somewhat dangerous level. The only reason he had maintained it was for emergencies.
He never thought that it would actually be used today!
In the eyes of ordinary people, the night is often very mysterious and terrifying.
Some say it comes from the experience of our human ancestors being hunted by large beasts in the dark, while others say it comes from humanity's fear of the unknown. But Bill knew that the most suitable time for an assassination was just before dawn, as most people would experience a brief moment of relaxation due to the approaching dawn.
So at this time, although he was very nervous, that was all. But at this moment, he suddenly heard footsteps.
It was clearly not his subordinates. He frowned and just took his first step when he suddenly had a bad premonition!
Although he had been retired from the front lines for several years, he had once been brilliant. As one of the top agents of the empire's intelligence department, he instinctively rushed towards the secret passage in the room...
But...
"Crack~!"
In a flash of thunder, a dazzling bolt of lightning instantly swallowed the entire room...
It wasn't until the lightning disappeared that Budo, wearing his Imperial Arms, walked in through the front door.
Looking at the secret passage in the room and the scorched marks on the ground, his face showed no emotion. With a wave of his hand, a squad of Imperial Guard soldiers rushed into the secret passage.
On the other side, Honest also received the emperor's 'imperial decree'.
"He wants me to go to the palace? At this time?"
Generally, at this time of day, ordinary people are absolutely not allowed to enter the palace. After all, there are women of the emperor's family in the palace, so what would it look like for other men to enter? But generally, at this time, the ministers who were summoned would also be very happy, because it proved the emperor's trust in them. But Honest felt a strong sense of unease.
"Goess, have the men below prepare..."
"Yes!"
A hoarse male voice came from the room where he was the only one before. Honest then took a deep breath before walking out of the room. Looking at the dazzling starry sky, his heart gradually calmed down, because he had no way out. It wasn't just him; countless people were pushing him from behind... He had no choice!