Wiping his hands, Linen left the secret room with quiet satisfaction. Guided by inherited memories, he headed toward the imperial garden, where Empress Consort Guineer was secretly meeting the head of House Callenica.
Unsurprisingly, he encountered another group waiting for him along the way.
"Your Majesty. We've been awaiting you."
A lavishly dressed, obnoxiously flashy nobleman blocked Linen's path. Linen didn't recognize him, but judging by that extravagantly wasteful outfit, he guessed the man was the ancestor of House Sauss—the richest and most extravagant foundation among the Eight Great Houses during their early days.
Indeed, before the First Emperor had strongly supported and compensated House Morris, House Sauss had truly been foremost among the Eight.
Several knights closed in as well. Linen vaguely saw familiar shadows of the future house heads in their faces—these were the first ancestors of the remaining seven Houses, key members of this "catch-them-in-the-act" squad.
Linen glanced toward the corner at the utterly unremarkable Morris ancestor, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.
Who would've thought that this humble, ant-like man would, through his death, influence the Empire's trajectory for centuries?
"Your Majesty, we can't delay any longer. Let's set out now!"
Another house head urged.
"Set out? My lords, what exactly are we doing?" Linen asked, puzzled.
"Of course, we're going to the imperial garden to catch—"
He only got halfway through before someone next to him sharply elbowed him. Realizing his slip, the speaker snapped his mouth shut.
An emperor being cuckolded was, frankly, juicy gossip.
And Zijinghua's First Emperor was an even more special case.
But whoever got cuckolded, it was still humiliating.
Especially so for the emperor.
Private gossip was one thing, but openly declaring it was another.
With a single sentence, Linen silenced the eager house heads. Some immediately grew flustered, unable to comprehend why the First Emperor—so righteous and furious moments earlier—now seemed like a completely different person.
Others simply turned toward the Morris head—
The plan to "catch them" and then divide House Callenica's wealth and lands had been your idea. Now the plan's stalled, shouldn't you step up?
Though equally baffled by the emperor's sudden change, under the pressure of those stares, the Morris head steeled himself and stepped forward.
"Has Your Majesty forgotten? You invited us this morning to admire flowers and drink in the imperial garden."
"Ah, that's it. Since I invited you for flowers and drinks, then visiting the imperial garden is indeed necessary."
Linen made an expression of sudden realization.
The other heads secretly exhaled in relief, thinking His Majesty simply needed a way to save face. Publicly saying you were about to catch your wife cheating was indeed embarrassing.
Just as they began anticipating again, Linen's next words doused them with cold water.
"But I've changed my mind. My lords, return to your homes."
"Your Majesty!"
The Morris head believed Linen was refusing to face reality and gritted his teeth.
"This matter cannot be undone now. Your Majesty—please make a quick decision!"
Linen, who'd been walking ahead, stiffened abruptly and stopped.
The Morris head thought his firm remonstration had worked and was about to press the issue when a massive pressure crushed down upon everyone's shoulders. The Morris head, bearing the brunt, paled and trembled violently.
"Morris."
Linen slowly turned around.
"Are you teaching me how to rule?"
"I-I… do not dare…"
The Morris head squeezed the words out through clenched teeth, swaying as if he might collapse.
Only then did he remember: this seemingly amiable emperor hadn't unified the country through kindness or generosity.
He'd done it through absolute violence.
Blessed by the golden Holy Light Dragon, one of the strongest knights of his era—if the First Emperor desired, he could effortlessly slaughter these so-called noble heads.
"Good."
Linen eased the pressure, nodding in satisfaction, and slowly reached toward the storage jade at his waist.
"I know you all have your petty schemes. I don't blame you. But just because I stay silent doesn't mean you can treat me like a fool and act however you please!"
Linen pulled something from the jade and tossed it to the ground.
It was the head of the Morris retainer who had earlier been sent to summon him.
The face—three parts resembling the Morris head—still bore an expression of confusion and terror. Even these nobles, accustomed to slaughter, felt chills run down their spines.
"Whoever steps past this head will be considered a traitor to the Empire!"
Linen bared his teeth in a grin, his eyes sweeping across them with anticipation.
"If you're eager to challenge my authority, by all means, give it a try."
Without looking back, he strode into the imperial garden, leaving the house heads frozen in shock and confusion.
"Damn it, Morris—this isn't what you promised!"
"Exactly! Now we've offended His Majesty and gained nothing!"
"Quiet!"
The Morris head barked, cutting them off. Staring down at the severed head, he was filled with irritation.
Not mourning a mere retainer, but because failing to "die" here according to plan would complicate the rebirth ritual and everything afterward.
The emperor's abrupt personality shift unsettled him.
Yet recalling the two in the garden, Morris chuckled coldly, easing the tension in his chest.
"Don't panic. His Majesty is just temporarily shaken by this betrayal—a common mood swing."
"He might be angry at us now, but remember who's in the garden."
After reflection, the others gradually calmed as well.
Aside from his initial brutal conquest, the First Emperor rarely showed his ruthless side to the nobles he relied on. They simply weren't accustomed to his dominance.
But any cuckolded man would act irrationally. That was understandable.
And the one "cuckolding" him was, of all people, his most loyal minister.
Besides, Callenica—aside from being stronger and somewhat attractive—was essentially a stubborn mule.
Given his personality, once confronted by the emperor's fury, Callenica would surely clash with His Majesty.
Then His Majesty would recall clearly who stood by his side—and who stabbed him in the back.
And once House Callenica fell and suffered collective punishment, wouldn't the remaining seven Houses naturally reap the benefits?
In the end, nothing had changed.
With that in mind, the nobles smiled contentedly again, openly flattering Morris. Someone even invited Morris to his home tonight to "pop champagne," shamelessness at its peak.
"Exactly. Calm down, my lords. His Majesty will soon understand who truly stands by him—and who is truly loyal!"
The Morris head smiled as well.
To remain calm in such circumstances—unless His Majesty felt absolutely nothing for the Empress Consort, treating her as a stranger—then logically, he must be putting on a brave face.
Yet that was absurd. Rather than believing the First Emperor—who'd refused concubines for the Empress Consort—felt nothing for her, Morris would sooner accept rumors that the First Emperor was actually a woman.
...
Meanwhile, in the imperial garden, Linen shook his head repeatedly.
This was utterly absurd. Even if the old fox from House Morris deliberately manipulated things, how had the First Emperor managed to consistently make the worst possible decisions? It was almost impressive.
Ordinary people could act recklessly, sure, but an emperor publicly catching his wife cheating—how could you handle it so loudly?
You might as well start a livestream and let the Flame Rose Emperor and some barbarian chieftain send you donations—no, never mind.
At moments like these, damage control was essential. Deny everything at all costs!
Even if the evidence was blatant, you still couldn't admit it.
If I don't acknowledge embarrassment, the ones embarrassed are them.
Nevertheless, since he'd recklessly promised to help the foolish ancestor vent a bit, Linen had no intention of letting this go. But his immediate priority was dealing with the biggest problem before him.
Entering the imperial garden, Linen headed straight toward the pavilion where the two were reportedly meeting, making no effort to hide his presence.
Soon, a sword emerged from the bushes, pressing against his throat. An inch forward and it would pierce Linen's artery.
"Don't move another step, you—… Your Majesty?!"
The attacker's voice shifted abruptly from anger to panic and helplessness.
Linen stared at the man calmly, unflinching.
"Lanlost, are you attempting to assassinate me?"
"Your Majesty, I… I certainly didn't mean that! It's just… some bad people might come here. I was only… defending myself…"
A handsome man without a mask, clad in heavy knight armor, stepped out from the bushes. Behind him stood a stunning blonde woman.
There was no need to ask—these two were Lanlost, the head of House Callenica known as the "Perfect Knight," and Guineer, the First Emperor's Empress Consort.
Linen understood that the First Emperor's feelings toward them had been complicated.
One was his first knight and ally.
The other was his nominal wife—the sole confidant who knew his deepest secret.
Yet their final fates indicated that, ultimately, they remained loyal to the First Emperor to the end.
Judging from Lanlost's attire, the rumor that their relationship was purely platonic—physically chaste—was likely true.
Who would cheat wearing full plate armor? It required three people and at least half an hour just to remove…
But these two were undoubtedly the ones who opened the chapter known as the "Twilight of the Sacred Dragon."
Linen gazed at them. While they weren't as repulsive as the other house heads, he still had no intention of treating them as allies.
He simply gave them a disappointed look tinged with sorrow, then asked in a low, pained voice:
"It seems… Lanlost, Guineer truly is that important to you. Important enough for you to become enemies with the other houses?"
Lanlost, who'd been tense since Linen's sudden appearance, hardened at those words, resolve returning to his eyes.
A moment later, he tightened his grip on his sword—then extended the hilt toward Linen.
"I apologize, Your Majesty. I cannot become your enemy. But for Guineer, I'm willing to offer my life. I only ask… that Your Majesty doesn't make things difficult for Her Majesty the Empress Consort in the future."
"Is that so?"
Linen calmly took the sword, examining it from tip to hilt.
"For Guineer, you're prepared to sacrifice your life?"
"I am."
"In your heart, Guineer stands above everything else?"
"Yes!"
With each answer, Lanlost's gaze grew more determined—until Linen's next question struck him like lightning, jolting his whole body.
"Even… above our dream?"
Linen stared directly into Lanlost's eyes. For the first time since Linen appeared, this iron-willed knight instinctively averted his gaze, unable to meet Linen's stare.
From Lanlost's reaction, Linen knew his gamble had paid off again.
Lanlost Callenica, head of House Callenica—one of the Eight Pillar Houses—was unlike the other seven heads.
Or rather… he was the same kind of person as that ancestor.
A dreamer.
The First Emperor subdued the other seven houses by force—with iron cavalry, convincing them they couldn't survive without him on Zijinghua's lands.
But the conquest of Lanlost and House Callenica had been the most peaceful.
No battle, no negotiation, no bargaining.
Just one night of conversation, and two proud madmen reached a consensus: to create a strong nation on Zijinghua's land where all could live freely.
Lanlost had followed the First Emperor unwaveringly because of this dream, sacrificing everything for it until today.
And now, Linen was asking him to deny that dream personally?
To admit that the vow he'd sworn to uphold all his life was inferior to so-called love?
Lanlost couldn't utter those words.
He fell into confusion and turmoil.
At precisely the right moment, Linen gave him the final push.
"I see. I understand."
Linen sighed, his voice tinged with just the right amount of disappointment—and relief.
"After this, you two should leave the palace."
"Your Majesty?!"
Lanlost blurted out, shocked.
"Don't cause a fuss."
Linen's tone carried mild rebuke, but also a hint of resignation.
This was his decision.
"Since you've already abandoned our dream, what's the point in killing you here?"
"Rest assured, I didn't let the other seven in. They won't know what happened."
"I only have one request: treat Guineer well."
"Your Majesty!"
Unable to endure his internal torment any longer, Lanlost finally made his choice. He dropped heavily to his knees, prostrating himself before Linen, voice trembling.
"I'm sorry. Please forgive me—I haven't abandoned our dream!"
"Your Majesty, I… still want to fight for Zijinghua!"
"Lanlost, is that truly your decision?"
Linen shook his head, almost puzzled.
"You've already sacrificed enough for Zijinghua. I thought I was making a choice you'd want—a choice good for you."
"No, Your Majesty! I was momentarily confused! I beg for Your Majesty's forgiveness!"
Lanlost urgently raised his head to explain.
"Is that so…"
Linen fell silent for a moment.
"Then I hope you don't regret the choice you made today. As for the seven outside—I'll handle them."
"Your Majesty!"
Gratitude flashed in Lanlost's eyes.
If the scandal about him "sleeping" with the Empress Consort were deliberately leaked by the other houses, even if nothing happened, the repercussions for him and House Callenica would be severe.
Yet Linen was willing to bear it all himself.
Calling such kindness mountain-like was no exaggeration.
But by the same logic, Lanlost couldn't just accept this without sacrifice.
He couldn't allow… such a benevolent emperor to face difficulties alone!
Resolve hardened in Lanlost's eyes. He already knew what he must do next.
With his back to them, Linen walked away, a satisfied glint briefly appearing in his eyes.
As expected, Lanlost was the easiest to handle—even simpler than Miss Teresia.
Once you freed him from his lovesick delusions, he became the most loyal subordinate imaginable.
Linen wasn't about to let his most faithful minister "exit" the stage like this. He had plenty more uses for him later.
Even a Paradox player needed three accomplices, didn't he?
As for Guineer… dealing with her was more complicated.
No question: the First Emperor's only Empress Consort was an unrivaled beauty.
Initially, Linen had entertained some wicked thoughts—it was only an illusory trial, after all; "seducing her into submission" wasn't impossible.
Especially after learning that his ancestor would watch the entire trial, Linen had felt even more amused.
But once his ancestor mentioned that he himself carried a trace of Guineer's bloodline, Linen immediately abandoned the idea.
He might be ruthless occasionally, but he was still human. Once he viewed her as an ancestor, his body… refused to cooperate.
Thus, he deliberately ignored her just now.
Guineer was essentially irrelevant here. If anyone was cuckolded, it was the ancestor. Better to let her and Lanlost develop naturally.
Now, it was time to teach the bastards inside and outside this Holy Trial instance a small lesson.
With that thought, Linen left the imperial garden.
...
Back in the garden, Lanlost—kneeling silently for a long time—finally spoke.
"Your Highness Guineer… we shouldn't meet again."
"I'm afraid His Majesty might misunderstand."
His Majesty might not say it, but surely, deep down, he cared?
Thus, the best solution was to personally sever this inappropriate bond.
Lanlost felt conflicted—not wavering, but worried that if the Empress Consort refused and persisted, he'd struggle to reject her.
Yet, surprisingly, Guineer simply nodded.
"Alright."
Lanlost froze momentarily, but didn't question her further, only thanked her for understanding before leaving.
Once they were both gone, Guineer, barely maintaining composure, finally collapsed weakly onto the ground.
She didn't understand why, but from the moment she'd seen His Majesty, her memories had flickered. Once stabilized, countless memories of her past with Linen rushed into her mind.
Confused, the Empress Consort touched her burning cheek.
"Strange… how could I still feel dissatisfied with such a Majesty? How is that possible?"
"Could it be… that I'm truly such a shameless woman…?"
"Fortunately, I realized it early enough. A Majesty like him… is truly charming. So… likable…"
---
T/N: heuheuheuheuheuheuheuheuhuehue im cliffhanging here
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