The Imperial Capital, the most prosperous city in the entire empire. Even in the darkness, some areas are still incredibly bustling, such as the pleasure quarter, where it's truly open for business late at night. However, most places are pitch black, not to mention that because of the emperor's matter, the entire Imperial Capital has become a state of panic. As soon as it gets dark, most people have already retreated into their homes.
Honest, sitting in his carriage, didn't know what he was thinking as he looked at the pitch-black Imperial Capital. Suddenly, a blinding light came from the northeast corner of the Imperial Capital.
Seeing this, Honest couldn't help but squint his eyes slightly.
Lightning, one of the most terrifying forces of nature, is also the ability of the empire's strongest man's Imperial Arms. It is also one of the 'enemies' that Honest needs to pay the most attention to. Furthermore, the weather didn't look like it was going to thunder, so he almost instinctively thought of that man.
But why would he be outside the palace? Shouldn't he be inside the palace protecting the emperor?
In fact, Honest had gone to great lengths for his 'ambition', but he still underestimated the emperor and Budo.
Indeed, after just being assassinated, Budo should have stayed by the emperor's side. However, the truth is that this time, the target was one of the most terrifying people in the empire's darkness. Although Lancer was favored by the emperor and Budo, they believed that Lancer might not be able to stop the target, so Budo had to personally make a move. As for the emperor's safety...
If the emperor's safety depended entirely on him alone, then this empire would have long ceased to exist. If, with complete preparations, the emperor was still attacked in the palace, then this empire would probably have reached a dead end.
Honest had never underestimated his target. He mostly used the situation where the enemy was in the open and he was in the dark to create an advantage for himself step by step. But this time, he had a feeling that everything was getting out of his control.
All the schemes had begun more than ten years ago. What... what went wrong? What did he miscalculate?
The carriage continued to travel slowly on the streets of the Imperial Capital, and when it stopped in front of the palace...
"Mr. Honest, The Emperor has been waiting for a long time."
"I apologize for making The Emperor wait!"
Looking at the young man in front of him, Honest's face showed a hint of 'fear', of course, this was for others to see. But following behind the other person, his face returned to its calm state, until Lancer pushed open the study door and he took a deep breath.
"Your Majesty."
"Hmm~"
The emperor's arrogant attitude, which was different from his usual courteousness, made Honest have a bad feeling, but he still tried his best to control his expression.
"Your Majesty, I was summoned to the palace tonight. May I ask the reason?"
"The reason... I think the 'strange' things I've recently ordered Lancer to investigate in the security team have led to the Royal Fist Temple..."
Normally, when two bosses communicate, it should be a gradual process. Even if it's not, they would never draw their swords at the negotiating table. But unfortunately, the two of them were not negotiating this time, and they were not people of the same rank.
No matter how Honest played his cards, as long as he didn't flip them over, it meant he didn't have the guts or the capital to fight the emperor. So...
"!!!"
"Honest! Do you have anything else to say?!"
The sudden rise in voice instantly made the atmosphere in the entire study tense. At the same time, Lancer, who was guarding the side, also unconsciously tensed his muscles and moved his right hand behind his back to grip the hilt of his cavalry spear. If Honest dared to make any sudden moves, he would act immediately! He had been waiting for this moment for a long time!!
He had wanted to kill Honest directly countless times, but he always gave up in the end!
Because although this old fox was brutal, he was indeed a formidable person. Lancer had no idea how many trump cards the other party had, or when the other party would play them. One misstep would lead to a lifetime of regret, and the other party might even pin the blame on him. In two years, not to mention stopping the other party, he might even have to live a life of a fugitive...
But now! As long as the other party dared to make any sudden moves, he could kill him instantly!
Honest's strength was not weak, but Lancer was confident that he was stronger! Even without using his Imperial Arms, he would not be weaker than any Imperial Arms user!
"Your Majesty, I have nothing to..."
"Bang!!"
Before Honest could finish his sentence, a powerful gust of wind attacked the emperor, but before the fist could get close to the emperor, a bone-like cavalry spear blocked his fist.
Looking at Honest, who had actively attacked the emperor, Lancer excitement was indescribable. He knew that even just now, the emperor was only suspicious of Honest, as there was no decisive evidence, but the other party's actions now were an admission of guilt. Now, the other party was finally reaching the end of the road!
But when the fist hit the side of the cavalry spear, Lancer was stunned for a moment, because... it was too light.
In this moment of surprise, Honest turned around and ran without hesitation. But just as he was about to rush out of the study door————————
"Crack~!!"
A dazzling flash of lightning turned the ground at his feet into a charred mess, and Budo, wearing his Imperial Arms, also walked in from outside the door with a grim expression.
"Honest! You really betrayed The Emperor! Tell me! Who instructed you?"
There was no doubt that even at this time, Budo still didn't believe that Honest was the mastermind. After all, the other party was just a normal minor noble before the emperor's promotion.
A person's ambition needs time to grow, and it is also influenced by their worldview. He didn't think that in just over ten years, Honest's ambition could swell to the point of assassinating the emperor. He was more willing to believe that some ancient family or the Royal Fist Temple was behind all of this!
But Honest shook his head.
"Who instructed me? Why, myself, of course!!"
Looking at Honest, who was rushing toward him, Budo couldn't help but show a hint of disdain.
He was very clear that Honest himself was quite strong, but the lightning jumping between his hands was the source of his confidence.
But at this moment————————
The hat that Honest had been wearing suddenly lit up with a strange light. In the incredible eyes of everyone, 'Lightning God's Fury [Adramelech]' actually began to crack. This scene was something no one had expected. Even Lancer was greatly shocked. He didn't expect Honest to have obtained this 'Imperial Arms' so early!
"Bang!!"
In the incredible eyes of everyone, Honest's right fist was fiercely imprinted on Budo right arm. This punch made Budo entire body tilt to the side, but after his initial shock, his left fist also fiercely hammered Honest's lower abdomen...
"Bang!!"
With another muffled sound, the two separated on the spot.
And at this moment, Lancer had also recovered his cavalry spear and rushed over. But Honest just turned his face to the emperor and revealed a somewhat sinister smile.
Then a 'rift' appeared next to Honest...
"Rip!!"
The bone-like cavalry spear was fiercely thrust into the ground, and the spot where Honest had just been standing was empty...