As the army of 3000 strong returned to Toko, except for a few injuries the countless soldiers who were enlisted were fine. Instead of any losses, the group had actually gained a great amount. Although the large and boundless farmland was still fouled by the dirty hands of Suzaku, now atleast it would be much harder to receive supplies or orders making them weak and ripe for the picking.
Furthermore a good amount of supplies and resources were gained from Suzaku's stronghold. This was another reason for Won attacking the Stronghold. Suzaku was an Empire known to always be planning, even though they only controlled 10% of the total farmland of Ito, they had brought in enough supplies and resources to strengthen their grip until one day they could bite at Ito. This fact can be seen from the subjects of Anarchy! Not only was it harmful and villainous to use damaging humans, the farmland would be permanently scarred had Won not purged the farms. Yet Suzaku ruined a portion of their potential food to hurry the meal. If Ito who supplied to many countries food was found to be sending food contaminated by Subjects of Anarchy, at best Ito would lose every connection and trade route and gain a hostile relationship with the Empires, at worst sects would interfere and Ito would be devoured right then and there. So one could only guess what they had planned for potential war and battle.
From spirit stones, fresh and strong armor and weapons, gold, food. A great amount of gain was received from this battle. A great amount of danger was turned into opportunity.
In fact Won could have and can still easily destroy all of Suzaku, but he knew the only way to start phase 2 of his plan to control Ito could only be done steadily and slowly. He needed to ingrain his presence in those of Ito, he needed conflict and turmoil to boil. He needed to be the brightest beacon to Ito.
Yet Won knew that this plan was dangerous, not because civilian lives were in danger. Everything to the smallest detail was guessed by him and even Ozaris could never have known his true intent.
The reason this was dangerous was the aftermath of this battle. It was as if walking on a thin thread, across a valley of knives each sharp and oozing with the desire to slay him.
And just like he had expected a letter had arrived only a few days later.
An Imperial decree calling Won to the capital to meet with the Emperor had arrived.
Won's eyes glazed over, "Those old foxes, I can practically see their wide open drooling mouths. They must think I am easy pickings. They must think that stunting my growth and fetching the resources I have gathered are as easy as anything. These old fellows... I can't wait to eat them."
So Won departed to the capital.
...
Yuna was in front of Emperor Sora and said, "Honorable Father is this necessary! This is obviously those greedy Ministers trying to devour Won!"
Emperor Sora said, "He has indeed done wrong and needs to be punished!"
Yuna said, "You should know how competent he is! He would never risk our Empire so foolishly! Allow him a chance!"
The Emperor replied, "That is what tommorow is! A trial!"
Yuna laughed, "Honorable father, I may not become Empress but must there be a need to insult me? A trial? It's simply a feast for those old fellows!"
The Emperor laughed, "Hmph! You may be smart, but you lack the cunning to be Empress! Do you really think I am angry about his actions? I do not care! But he is a danger to this throne! He is intelligent and full of cunning, he is admirable and proud! Fair and talented! He can be the brightest shining star that can bring this Empire to the skies in one move!"
Yuna exclaimed, "He is! So why are you doing this!"
The Emperor snorted, "If he is that great then what is the Emperor worth for! He is a thorn at our side! The people will wonder if this man is so capable, why is he not the Emperor who is supposed to lead the Empire! So yes even if I must cut down a Dragon, and pull down the Empire for this Throne to stand firm and resolute I will cut down Won! If you have any loyalty towards this Royal court then you shall wait silently!"
Yuna clenched her teeth and barked, "So even if our Empire suffers! If our people die and pain as long as we have power everything is fine!"
The Emperor stayed silent for some time and said, "Yes. Nothing matters more."
Yuna laughed despondently, "I am disappointed honorable father! The station of an Emperor I had always looked up to in admiration and awe, I truly now see it's wonders and colors! You are nothing but a dishonorable and miserable fellow, clinging upon a bloodied throne! Raised and praised by the sufferings of our people! I wish you eternal strength and prosperity your majesty!"
She then made her way out, a clear agitation in each step!
...
Won arrived at the palace.
His eyes turned left and right, a slight smile appearing on his face.
He stepped in, his cyan robe swept back and his hair dancing in the wind.
Very soon Won appeared in front of the Royal hall. The cacophonous explosive of sound easily passing the walls and drilling into Won's ears.
A wide smile appeared on his face.
He pushed open the doors and a silence reigned, yet an intense pressure from the eyes of everyone present assaulted Won.
Yet Won dismissed it with a low laugh.
He walked past everyone and sat at the seat in the middle prepared for him.
Won tilted his head, "May I know why I was summoned?"
"Why?! Do you not remember you're unwarranted and unreported attack of Suzaku, even killing a disciple of the Seventy sword sect! Do you think you can delegate the responsibility by shrugging it off and forgetting about it! Do you know the trouble you have brought Ito!"
Many voices echoed the same thing in different words. Audacious, irresponsible, foolish and naive were perhaps the words most said.
Won calmly allowed these words to assault him. Then with a grin he asked, "Is that all?"
Everyone's faces showed shock.
Won slapped his hand down, "If not for your incompetence would there be a need for me to make such a heavy handed move! If not for you all allowing another Empire to trance upon our land and do as they wish! If you all had showed even a slight bit of respect and consciousness towards the people, even doing a bit of your duty I would not need to make such drastic actions! You all are complaining about my actions when Suzaku is our enemy, it has stolen our lands and the food our children need! Maybe not now or tommorow, but someday this foolish inaction of yours would produce a shattered and torn Ito! You are people in charge of improving the lifestyle of our people, yet instead you focus on your own greed and status! Ministers poison our Empire with their troublesome attitude and behavior, the scholars tirelessly fund a segregation between the classes that is weakening our society! You all produce a result that is lacking and thus force our Empire into a stunted growth, ruining the Empire! Yet the one most at fault is the Emperor for his lack of a spine!"
Silence pervaded the room as everyone was left wide eyed and slack jawed.
Won continued, "Had the Emperor made any rational and firm decisions and reigned in these officials, had the Emperor confronted Suzaku head on, had the Emperor realized the lacking authority and strength of the Seventy sword sect, would there be any need for me to be here! To listen to these old foxes and their filthy mouths, would there be any other reason other than the Emperor's incompetence, and inaction even in the face of his people's suffering! They say an Empires people is the Emperor's second parents and children, yet the Emperor would rather stay silently as our lands are being stolen and our people cut down!"
Everyone gazed at the straight and tall back of Won, their gazes accidentally leaking reverence and awe.
They recollected that image that they had seen only a few days ago.
Won covered in golden light, as if a God and they all unconsciously gulped.
The Prime Minister stood up and his voice bellowed, "Audacious! To insult the Emperor and the various Ministers! Know your place before speaking Lord Won!"
Won laughed and loudly asked, "So simply if one's station is below another, one must silently wait while other's suffer? Aren't you fitting into my conjecture? You all are simply power seeking white eyed wolves, who don't give a damn if our land is robbed and our people are killed!"
The Emperor's face had long twisted into a frown.
He slapped his hand down.
"Royal Guards enter! For the crime of insulting the Emperor and recklessly endangering the populace you are to be executed! Your status and land taken away!"
Won exclaimed, "Take it your majesty! All I care about is the people! If my death helps open your eyes and forces you to bring your hands up then all is well!"
Yet no matter how long these two men stared down one another, no guard entered.
The Emperor loudly scolded, "Royal Guards enter!"
Instead of a big and burly man entering, a snivelling and shaking Eunuch entered.
He said, "Your majesty... The guards are busy... they are busy..."
The Prime Minister hummed, "Hurry and tell us will you!"
The Eunuch said, "The Royal Guards are currently blocking the people who are rushing into the palace in anger, demanding justice for the Great Hero Won."
A scholar asked, "How many people could have arrived to cause all the Royal Guards to leave their posts including the Emperor's personal guards."
The Eunuch said, "The Entire capital and several other territories have arrived outside... Many of our Guards have also left their posts and joined..."
The Emperor froze. He turned towards Won who was smiling slightly.
The Emperor only had one thought at that moment.
"Those eyes aren't of a man, but a predator..."