Ch 427: To The Future!

The aged Duke Kosidomus, leaning on his cane, stood before the kneeling nobles. Though his body was stooped, the sharpness in his eyes was not inferior to that of a young man.

“This old servant believes these bandits were not necessarily raised by the Ministers. On the contrary, the Grand Archmage by Your Majesty’s side is more suspicious.”

Duke Kosidomus suddenly turned to face all the Ministers. He spoke in a low but powerful voice.

“Gentlemen Ministers, do you believe your long-time colleagues or an Archmage of unknown background who is unwilling to reveal their true identity?”

The nobles supported Duke Kosidomus’ words. Even the officials of commoner origin promoted by Williams fell silent. This was Duke Kosidomus’s test. If Williams could not gain everyone’s trust in Phia, all his subsequent plans would be obstructed by Duke Kosidomus.

“Duke Kosidomus, are you saying that the people I found are problematic?”

Williams narrowed his eyes. He knew that he could not remain deadlocked on this issue, otherwise he would fall into an endless trap of self-justification, which was the most deadly. Once dragged into a self-justification trap by Duke Kosidomus, all his subsequent rebuttals would be jokes. Williams decided to exercise the Emperor’s authority. Even if this Three-Dynasty Veteran looked down on him, he had to respect the Emperor’s identity.

“I dare not, I dare not. This old servant has never doubted His Majesty. This old servant is merely curious, what kind of extraordinary woman could obtain His Majesty the Emperor’s favor and stand in the position of Princess Consort overlooking all the officials?”

Knowing that the Emperor was about to exercise his authority, Duke Kosidomus chose not to clash head-on, otherwise the Emperor would have reason to say that he despised the Emperor. Duke Kosidomus was not stupid. He immediately shifted everyone’s attention to Phia. In an instant, Phia became the focus of the entire Great Hall. If Williams could not respond directly, he had to have Phia withdraw. At that time, his plan would be disrupted, so Phia became the key to this confrontation. However, considering Bal’s protective attitude towards his daughter, if he didn’t handle it well, Bal might at best be unwilling to help Williams, at worst directly take action. As Emperor, Williams could not allow his authority to be challenged by an old man. He took his next step.

“This lady is a Grand Archmage I particularly trust. I wonder, now that I am Emperor, why should I report my friendships to the Ministers? Duke Kosidomus, you wouldn’t say that I am disrupting the court with beauty, would you? Or do you want to restrain my social interactions on behalf of my deceased Father King? What about the position of Princess Consort? With my command, she can be my Princess Consort. Duke Kosidomus, what do you have to say?”

Answering a question with a question is not a good move in a verbal confrontation. However, Williams’s use of the monarch-subject relationship to set a trap for Duke Kosidomus was extremely skillful. Williams’s hidden meaning was: You, a subject, dare to criticize my, the monarch’s, social interactions, to criticize my, the monarch’s authority. What is your intention? This was Williams’s advantage of identity. He needed to quickly change the subject.

Not only Williams, but also Duke Kosidomus needed to change the subject. Even though Duke Kosidomus was a Three-Dynasty Veteran with the title of Duke, he was still a subject. Criticizing the monarch is extremely risky for a subject. Williams did not reveal any other flaws, and his accusations would only bring about his own disadvantage.

“This old servant certainly did not think so. This old servant only worries about Your Majesty’s safety. However, seeing Your Majesty so spirited and not bewitched, this old servant is relieved. Let’s talk about the corruption case led by Marquis Xiliyamus and Baron Grimes. This old servant thinks Your Majesty’s punishment is too harsh. Currently, these officials are only suspected and there is no concrete evidence to prove their involvement in corruption. According to imperial law, these officials can only be detained for investigation and should not be subjected to any punishment. Your Majesty, this old servant doesn’t want you to bear the reputation of disrupting the law due to a moment of anger.”

He took the bait. Duke Kosidomus finally took the bait. Williams wanted to hear Duke Kosidomus say this, because he had a hidden trump card.

“Oh? No evidence? Then what about these witnesses and confessions?”

“Not yet verified. Perhaps it was a frame-up.”

Williams laughed. His joy was evident. After seeing Williams’s wide smile, Duke Kosidomus felt a sense of foreboding. The Emperor’s counterattack had arrived. The Emperor clapped his hands, and Bal, disguised as an Imperial Guard, came forward.

“Reporting to Your Majesty, your servant has completed the routine search of several officials’ homes as per Your Majesty’s instructions and indeed found many unprocessed military supplies.”

“Impossible! I got those things and immediately…”

At this time, Grimes, who was kneeling on the ground, suddenly shouted, but he dared not continue before finishing his sentence. His foolishness secured victory for Williams in advance.

Duke Kosidomus was furious at Grimes’s thoughtless remark, but he still managed to refrain from losing his temper. After a moment of silence, in front of Williams’ smiling face, Duke Kosidomus chose to yield.

“Since the Emperor has sent the Imperial Guard to conduct a routine search and found evidence, then this old servant has nothing more to say. This old servant is feeling unwell. I hope Your Majesty will forgive me.”

“Granted. Someone, escort Duke Kosidomus back to his residence.”

Having sent away his biggest enemy, Williams was full of confidence. All the officials in the Great Hall were awaiting Williams’s judgment.

“Someone, throw these officials into prison and execute them. Order the Finance Minister to prepare to confiscate their homes, and all their assets will be confiscated. Their family members and descendants will be stripped of their noble titles and exiled to the border towns.”

Thus, this bloodless war ended with Williams’ temporary victory. After the court session, Williams summoned Bal, Phia, and Nirvana.

“We have achieved a phased victory. After this incident, the noble faction should not take any major actions for a while. However, we should not be careless. As long as Duke Kosidomus is not removed, we have not truly won.”

Williams took out a bottle of red wine and presented it to the three. Nirvana took the wine and opened it in front of the Emperor. Williams was very happy. He took out four simple wine cups, and Nirvana poured the red wine into the cups.

“Believe me, I will make that dream come true. At that time, you will all be heroes, heroes belonging to the people of Heiteria!”

Nirvana waved his hand. A person who hides himself using the dark side of society does not need the title of hero.

“I’ll pass. Let’s just call those two heroes.”

Bal and Phia also waved their hands like Nirvana.

“No need, Williams, you are the one the people of Heiteria truly need to respect.”

Williams raised his wine cup. He looked at the sunlight shining into his private chambers and raised his cup.

“I can guarantee that I have always placed the people of Heiteria in a higher position than myself. To the future!”

Bal, Phia, and Nirvana also raised their wine cups and echoed Williams’s last words.

“To the future!”