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...
When General Budo heard that the Emperor had been taken out of the palace at night, he was instantly filled with extreme anger.
This anger was directed both at the person who took the Emperor away and at the attendants around the Emperor.
As the close attendants of the Emperor, they didn't even realize the Emperor had been abducted.
How could General Budo not be furious?
But the Emperor's subsequent words made him immediately excited.
Because the Emperor wanted to deal with the Prime Minister.
Even though General Budo could sense from the Emperor's words that it was akin to a child's reasoning like "This person is bad; I don't want to play with bad people."
But this was indeed the best opportunity.
General Budo utterly despised Minister Honest, who had brought chaos to the Empire.
If it weren't for his need to abide by the ancestral precept of "military officials must not interfere in politics," he would have eliminated him long ago.
After all, whether in terms of power or strength, he was among the top figures in the Empire.
In fact, if the current timeline continued, in the future, General Budo would be pushed to his limits and consider abandoning the ancestral precepts to eliminate Minister Honest.
But by then, it would be too late.
The Empire would eventually meet its demise, and he wouldn't be able to turn the tide.
"Your Majesty, this is all... Mmph!"
Minister Honest, who also sensed the essence of the Emperor's words, immediately wanted to defend himself.
In his view, with the relationship he had built with the Emperor over the years, he should easily be able to persuade him to accept him again.
But General Budo was faster than him.
Seeing Honest trying to argue, General Budo instantly appeared before him, covered his mouth with his hand, and pressed him to the ground.
Moreover, he took the opportunity to tear off the Teigu "Absolute Limitation: Erastone" that the Prime Minister wore on his head.
Unlike other Teigu, the "Absolute Limitation: Erastone" functions to destroy other Teigu.
In other words, it's a Teigu designed to counter Teigu.
This Teigu is generally worn by the Emperor himself.
As one of the Imperial family's secret Teigu, few people know of its existence and appearance.
But General Budo knew.
Unlike other generals, General Budo came from a hereditary family.
When the Empire's first Emperor established the nation, General Budo's ancestor was the foremost military commander who followed the Emperor in expanding the territory.
After the Empire was established, he was appointed as Grand General, deeply trusted by the Emperor.
And when the forty-eight Teigu were created, the Emperor bestowed upon him one of the strongest Teigu, "Thunder God's Rage: Adramelech."
Subsequently, it was passed down through his family for generations.
Because of the ancestral precept "military officials must not interfere in politics," his family was able to pass down peacefully through generations.
Coupled with "Adramelech" and their martial arts passed down through generations, the Budo family had almost always held the position of Grand General in each generation.
Precisely because of this, General Budo was so steadfast in upholding the ancestral precepts.
Because this was the secret to his family's longevity.
Also, because of the family's long heritage, General Budo knew much more.
Therefore, he was aware of the existence of the "Absolute Limitation: Erastone."
When he first saw this Teigu on the Prime Minister, he specifically went to question him about why he possessed it.
After all, this was the Emperor's belonging.
In response, the Prime Minister said that to prevent assassination attempts by Teigu users and fearing that the young Emperor might not be able to use the Teigu effectively, he was temporarily safeguarding it.
And this was with the Emperor's consent.
After personally confirming with the Emperor and finding it to be true, General Budo did not pursue the matter further but warned the Prime Minister to return it to the Emperor when he came of age.
At that time, Minister Honest agreed.
"Don't even think about destroying my Teigu, Honest!
"After all, I subdued you without using a Teigu. Even if you use it, it will be useless. It will only make me angry, and then I'll tear you to pieces."
Pressing Honest firmly to the ground, Budo warned him seriously.
Because Teigu recognize their masters, even though he took away the "Absolute Limitation: Erastone," Budo wasn't sure if within its range, his own "Adramelech" might be destroyed.
After all, he only had a general understanding of the function of this Teigu.
That's why he issued a verbal warning.
Hearing Budo's warning, Honest indeed did not struggle any further.
Even without a Teigu, as one of the strongest in the Empire, General Budo's strength surpassed his.
Even though he had once been a martial arts expert, years of indulgence had reduced his strength to less than a tenth of what it was; escaping from General Budo, who still trained diligently every day, was impossible.
As for someone coming to rescue him?
That was even less likely; his subordinates were completely unreliable.
Besides, this was the Imperial Palace; outside the main hall were palace guards under General Budo's command. Trying to overturn the situation within the palace was impossible.
Therefore, in Honest's view, his only hope lay outside the palace.
Now, many officials in important positions in the court were his cronies; without Honest's protection, none of them could keep their positions.
So they had to protect themselves.
Even if they couldn't save him, they could buy time for his loyal subordinates to get the message to his son, so that he could come to rescue him.
Honest knew that under his son were a group of elite warriors, all users of Shingu.
As long as his son took action, he could definitely escape.
So at this time, he must not anger Budo; otherwise, if he were killed here directly, he would have no chance.
Having thought everything through in an instant, faced with Budo's threat, Honest chose to comply.
At this, General Budo nodded in satisfaction.
He then called in soldiers to securely bind Honest.
Of course, his mouth was also firmly gagged.
To prevent him from saying anything alarming and regaining Mika's trust.
Budo believed the Prime Minister had this capability.
Although Honest was thoroughly corrupt in Budo's eyes, he still acknowledged his abilities.
After all, without competence, he couldn't have reached his current position.
Watching as his subordinates took Honest away, Budo handed over the "Absolute Limitation: Erastone" that he had taken from Honest to Mika.
Taking this Teigu that counters other Teigu from Budo's hand, Mika curiously examined it.
At the same time, his mental energy extended toward the Teigu.
Sensing Mika's vast spiritual power, the Teigu, which normally selects its own master, immediately submitted to Mika.
"Interesting!"
Feeling the Teigu's submission, Mika smiled with curiosity.
However, he did not spend much time on the Teigu.
Because he had other matters to attend to.
---
Imperial court sessions were not held every day.
And a grand court session like this, where almost all officials above a certain rank in the Imperial Capital participated, occurred only once a month.
This was why Mika chose to act on this day.
Looking at General Budo, who had returned to the ranks of the military officials, Mika suddenly chuckled, "Now that the Prime Minister has been taken down, does that mean the position of Prime Minister is vacant?"
Hearing Mika's inquiry, the hall, which had been somewhat noisy due to the Prime Minister's arrest, immediately erupted.
Everyone quickly grasped the Emperor's intention.
He wanted to appoint a new Prime Minister.
Thinking of this, the civil officials couldn't help but become excited.
If they could gain the Emperor's favor and become Prime Minister, earning his trust, they might replicate Minister Honest's achievements.
After all, the reason Minister Honest wielded immense power was entirely due to the Emperor's trust.
In a sense, a Minister who had the Emperor's complete trust was exercising the Emperor's authority.
"Just as Your Majesty said, the position of Prime Minister, head of the civil officials, is now vacant. As the Deputy Minister, Please appoint a new Prime Minister, Your Majesty."
The first to step forward was an older gentleman.
Obviously, from his self-introduction, he was the second-in-command among the civil officials and the most qualified to become Prime Minister.
And he thought so himself.
In his view, the Emperor, who had never been concerned with state affairs, probably didn't know anyone among the ministers except for Minister Honest and General Budo.
At this time, as long as he showed his identity and qualifications.
As long as the Emperor had no other ideas.
Then the position of Prime Minister would inevitably fall to him.
After all, the Emperor was still a child. Compared to the busy and tedious state affairs, he probably preferred to play.
Now wanting to appoint a Prime Minister might just be a whim.
Seeing the Deputy Minister who had "recommended himself," Mika immediately grasped his thoughts.
if the one on the throne were truly the young Emperor, things might indeed go as he wished!
But unfortunately, the one sitting on the throne was Mika.
And in his mind, he already had someone in mind for the Prime Minister's position.
"It's possible to appoint someone? That's good!"
Mika said with a smile, "I promised someone that she could replace Minister Honest and showcase her abilities."
"If it's possible, then I will appoint her as the new Prime Minister."
Hearing Mika's words, everyone present was stunned.
Obviously, the Emperor wanted to appoint someone not present.
General Budo thought even further; he instantly thought of the Teigu user who had taken the Emperor out of the palace.
Thinking of her outrageous actions, General Budo wanted to stop Mika.
But recalling the ancestral precept of "military officials must not interfere in politics," he restrained himself.
On the other side, Mika looked at the silent crowd below and said with a smile, "Come out, Mellie. From now on, you will be the Prime Minister."
"Well, that's wonderful."
With a clear and pleasant voice, Mellie's figure appeared before everyone.
"A woman!"
"Is she the one who took the Emperor out of the palace? The invisible Teigu user?"
"But she's so beautiful!"
Looking at the fairy-like Mellie, the crowd couldn't help but whisper among themselves, various voices echoing in the hall.
"Your Majesty, this is inappropriate! She's a woman!"
The Deputy Minister who had just spoken up shouted loudly.
"But General Esdeath is also a woman! Do you look down on her?"
Mika said innocently.
"Ah?"
Hearing this, those who had opposed were stunned.
No one here underestimated Esdeath.
Unlike the Prime Minister, who wielded immense power due to the Emperor's trust, Esdeath was absolutely a powerhouse.
Although both were among the strongest, everyone knew that in terms of personal strength, General Budo, who guarded the palace, was definitely not Esdeath's match.
Moreover, Esdeath was currently leading the Empire's army in campaigns against foreign tribes.
Who would speak ill of her?
Because Esdeath's hobby was torturing others, and she didn't care about rewards like money.
So the rewards bestowed upon her by the Emperor were usually given to her subordinates.
Therefore, within the military, Esdeath's influence was no less than General Budo's, perhaps even surpassing it.
"But General Esdeath became a general through her personal strength. This lady isn't even an official!"
The Deputy Minister continued.
"Sigh, but I've already promised her. As the Emperor, don't I even have this authority?"
"But..."
"No buts. It's settled, Mellie will be the new the Prime Minister!"
Mika clapped his hands.
Faced with the Emperor's firm statement, the Deputy Minister was momentarily speechless.
After all, the Emperor even used words that could accuse him of disloyalty. What else could he do?
Oppose the Emperor?
At this point, preserving his life was most important.
Seeing this, the Deputy Minister could only say helplessly, "As you command."
Looking at the officials kneeling below, Mika couldn't help but reveal a slight smile.
He had anticipated such a situation.
In a normal dynasty, suddenly promoting a woman who had never been an official to the highest civil position would be impossible.
But at this moment, it became possible.
Firstly, because there was already the example of Esdeath, a female general, no one could object to Mellie's gender.
Secondly, under General Budo's leadership, the military officials always refrained from interfering in politics.
Think about how Minister Honest had ravaged the Empire before.
General Budo hadn't intervened then; why would he care about Mellie becoming Prime Minister now?
Lastly, and most importantly, the current civil officials were all spineless.
The civil officials in the hall were either cronies of Prime Minister Honest or opportunistic fence-sitters.
The principled officials had either been dismissed by Honest or killed by him.
Those remaining were obedient.
As for these people, the cronies of Prime Minister Honest were currently worried about their future, fearing being implicated by Honest. How could they oppose the Emperor now?
Even Honest, who used to flatter the Emperor, was taken down by him for a minor disagreement.
At this moment, the young Emperor's authority was at its peak.
As for the remaining fence-sitters, they were even less likely to oppose the Emperor.
They were waiting for the fall of Honest's cronies to vacate positions for them to take over.
And this undoubtedly required the Emperor's approval.
At this time, they didn't seek the Emperor's favor; they just didn't want to leave a bad impression on him.
Which could ruin their future.
After all, children can hold grudges.
...
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