In the Name of Empress-Chapter 400 - 283: Traitors Everywhere

Who gets a seat at the table, who gets served on the plate, has long been decided. The next step is to serve the dishes and start eating.

But it’s not that easy.

The Minister of the Navy and the Minister of the Army were on opposite sides, which meant Sif could only mobilize the Navy Fourth Fleet and the accompanying Personal Guard.

Chief of Military Intelligence Ricie wasn’t exactly an outstanding intelligence officer, but keeping a watch on several key locations like the Imperial Palace and the Earl’s Mansion wasn’t difficult, and he was fully capable of the task.

Sif and Roland met at the Earl’s Mansion to discuss countermeasures.

Those restless Cabinet Ministers sensed the changing winds; they never gathered during these days, not giving Sif the chance for a complete sweep.

The troops Sif could trust only numbered a few thousand. Even if they could act simultaneously without being noticed, it would be hard to capture all the Cabinet Ministers. 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

Of course, if they gathered together, a few thousand men would be enough to complete the arrest.

Except for Steven who might be troublesome, the others shouldn’t be difficult.

Catching people is simple; the key is not letting anyone slip through the net.

If a few of them escape abroad, with their understanding of the Sussex Empire, they would surely cause serious repercussions.

To catch them, they needed to be caught all at once, and without making too big a fuss. If violent gunfire erupted in the Imperial Capital, it would be an international joke.

"We must wait for an opportunity, a chance where all the Cabinet members must be present."

Roland looked at Sif, softly summarizing.

"According to tradition, in a week, the new emperor will go to the West Cathedral to pay respects to the heroic spirits of past emperors and heroes; everyone must go."

"You plan to make a move in the cathedral?" Roland recalled Sif had once mentioned how to deal with treacherous officials.

Summon them all, and then kill them.

After years, she hadn’t changed, still so direct.

Though it sounded absurd, it wasn’t without merit.

However, causing bloodshed in front of the Heroic Spirit Hall somewhat disrespects the ancestors, and it wouldn’t look good.

Sif knew what Roland was worried about and felt some helplessness, "Do you have a better idea?"

"Indeed, I don’t. Let’s proceed as you said."

Shedding blood at the suburban cathedral is better than causing a river of blood in the city.

The soldiers they brought back this time were few, but all brave and loyal.

Sim and his people rebelled, but the soldiers under them might not be willing.

As long as Sif rallies, except for a few hardliners, most would switch sides. This rebellion might be unsightly but technically not difficult.

While Roland and Sif were conspiring details, faint footsteps sounded at the door.

"Master, a child claiming to be a newsboy from The Sun brought a newspaper requesting an audience. He said the newspaper is important."

"Don’t bother me with such trivial matters!" Sif responded angrily in a low voice.

"Wait, you mentioned a newsboy from The Sun?" Roland called back the maid who was about to leave, quickly went over, and opened the door.

The maid didn’t dare to look up, afraid of seeing something she shouldn’t.

Roland suddenly remembered something. Back when he was a postal worker, he had been intercepted more than once by newsboys trying to sell newspapers.

At the time, he didn’t pay attention, but now recalling it, it seemed odd.

The newsboys who stopped him at different times looked practically like the same person.

Was it a coincidence?

Rupert was from the Iron Blood Imperialist Faction; he must have had a reason to send a newsboy.

"At least meet him."

Roland’s reminder gradually calmed Sif down.

These days her mood was irritable, affecting her decision-making to some extent.

The day before yesterday, she went to the Upper House to announce her father’s decision to the parliamentarians and submitted the decree of abdication.

The parliamentarians didn’t say much, but the Cabinet members who attended the meeting expressed objections.

Alben stood up without hesitation, pointing out the old Emperor’s abdication procedures were not legal, even questioning whether the old Emperor was still alive.

From a legal perspective, his statement had no problem, but he spoke so bluntly, he nearly outright stated that Sif forced the old Emperor to abdicate.

Although not explicitly stated, it was close.

Several other Cabinet members also echoed the sentiment, questioning why, if the old Emperor was healthy, he was unwilling to return to the Imperial Capital to complete the transition?

Roland still remembered how awful Sif looked at that moment.

The calm expression she struggled to maintain couldn’t hide her anger.

Monarch’s Fury, a river of blood.

Two years ago, Wald could still persuade Sif to restrain her anger, forgiving Roland, who inadvertently satirized the Empress in his writings.

Now that she was the Emperor, only Roland could persuade her.

Sif was truly angry.

The power of a hundred lies isn’t as lethal as the sharp blade of truth.

The old Emperor actually wanted to return, but considering the possibility of a display of familial piety, he reluctantly gave up.

He wrote the decree of abdication but was unwilling to personally return, holding a slight grudge in his heart.

No one likes to be outshone, not even by their own daughter.

He didn’t abdicate willingly but was rather "forced". If the old Emperor returned, seeing the familiar palace and subjects, his subdued heart might once again be tempted.

Edward couldn’t return; it was an unspoken understanding between father and daughter, an unspeakable silence.

Alben’s challenge pointed directly at the legitimacy of Sif’s succession, more serious than the previous ceremonial dispute over where the new Emperor should be crowned.

Sif’s anger emboldened the other Cabinet members.

They also raised questions from different angles.

As the atmosphere grew suffocating, Alben threw out an even more critical issue than the old Emperor not returning.

"Is Prince Feino truly dead?"

If alive, one must see the person; if dead, the body must be seen—this is common sense.

Emperor Edward was unwilling to return, but he at least wrote a letter and had his personal seal as proof. The only challenge could be whether he was under duress, not his life or death.