The Emperor and the Knightess

Story 18. A short break from the hunt

Chapter 240

Some of the guards from the First, Second, and Third Divisions were selected to be sent to Acreia. Their mission was to collect evidence against the Acreian noblemen. Sir Mahogal and Sir Jainno accompanied them to lead the team. Both men were from a powerful Acreian noble family, which meant that they must be familiar with a nobleman’s library.

Some thought that perhaps the emperor should send even more soldiers in case of a rebellion within Acreia, but Lucius the First decided that it was not necessary. This was because all the noblemen who may start a rebellion against him were all arrested and imprisoned in the Yapa jail.

Of course, the elders and some of the high-ranking nobles were illegally holding private armies of their own. The question was, would these soldiers be loyal to their masters, or will they disperse on their own. Lucius the First betted that these soldiers wouldn’t go against him. After all, their masters, who were supposed to lead them and pay them, were all imprisoned.

In fact, the emperor gathered the heads of these armies and asked them, “Will you really go against me?” The soldiers didn’t seem too interested in starting a war. The power of Lady Rebecca’s accusations was greater than she expected. Most elders ended up confessing their crimes voluntarily. Sir Bentier continued to pretend he was still on the elders’ side. In fact, it was Sir Bentier who scared the elders and the noblemen into confessing. Sir Bentier told them about what happened to those who were captured during the conquest. The royal families and the noblemen who fought against Lucius the First were severely punished.

Sir Bentier claimed, “At this rate, it is very likely that our entire families will be executed. Our lands will be confiscated. We might not even die a decent death; we might end up being ripped into pieces in public to show everyone what happens to traitors.”

Sir Bentier explained that although the emperor looked like an easy-going man, Lucius the First was a cold and decisive. He claimed that he witnessed a very scary side of the emperor during the war. Sir Bentier continued, “If we confess right now, he might at least let the women in our families live.”

This wasn’t something Sir Bentier planned with the emperor, but he was certain that the emperor would not be cruel to the women just because they belonged to traitors’ families. Sir Bentier suspected that only the actual traitors would be punished.

In addition, although Lucius the First had been an emperor for over 10 years, he was still at an early stage of power. The emperor knew better than anyone that it would be unwise to be seen as a cruel ruler.

Most elders, when they heard their grandsons and granddaughters may survive this situation, gave up without a fight. They admitted their defeat and they were ready to accept whatever punishment willingly. They all acted submissively and Sir Bentier shook his head in disappointment, ‘If only these old men acted this way from the beginning…’

If these noblemen were loyal to the emperor, they would’ve been treated with respect for the rest of their lives. The elders could’ve led peaceful lives and end up dying with tranquility in the arms of their family.

The last person Sir Bentier visited was Marquis Seeze. Most noblemen were imprisoned with their families together in large jail cells, but Marquis Seeze was put in a private room by himself. There was only one reason for this and it was because he was deemed the most dangerous of them all. As soon as Sir Bentier walked in, Marquis Seeze glared at his grandson. It seemed that Marquis Seeze now knew how his grandson betrayed him.

Of course, it was actually his granddaughter, Lady Tory, who ended up betraying him in the biggest way possible.

Marquis Seeze said to Sir Bentier coldly, “I assume it was you who convinced and trained Tory to betray me.”

“I am just as shocked as you are, grandfather. I didn’t expect this.”

“That can’t be! How could a mere girl come up with something like this! She couldn’t have done it on her own!”

At first, this was Sir Bentier’s exact thought. Although he had witnessed Poliana’s incredible accomplishments, he always thought she was an exception, but now that he had the time to think, Sir Bentier realized that he had been wrong.

Men would always think that women can’t do anything. Yet ironically, men use women all the time. The women bear children and take care of their homes for their men. Women were often used as obedient spies to get information, and they could successfully carry out their missions.

Sir Bentier did not voice his realization to Marquis Seeze. He knew his effort would be wasted. Marquis Seeze, who was set in his own way, would never believe his grandson.

Marquis Seeze asked angrily, “What did Lucius the First promise you for this? What is it that he gave you that you are willing to betray your own family!”

“His highness promised me the gift of overwork for the rest of my life.”

Sir Bentier was already promised a great land and rank as the heir to Marquis Seeze. He didn’t have to side with the emperor for wealth. The only thing he gained from being on Lucius the First’s side was an overabundance of work.

Marquis Seeze screamed, “This isn’t the time for your stupid jokes! Just what is it that he promised you?”

Wealth and power. Everyone dreamt of these two things. Logically speaking, Sir Bentier didn’t get to gain too much by siding with the emperor. In fact, if he stayed on the marquis’s side, he could’ve ruled the Nanaba, the old capital, like a king himself. Some men would’ve preferred this over working as a chancellor for the rest of their lives.

Only

But Sir Bentier had seen too much. He witnessed what deadly heat could be. He saw different types of lizards and he watched how corrupt the nobles in the mid-continent and south regions could be. Sir Bentier realized that what he saw and experienced in Acreia was too limited. What he thought was the world was only a very small part of something much bigger.

His realization began at Koemong River. From there, he continued on with the emperor, and Sir Bentier was able to see the end of the continent. Lucius the First kept his promise. Sir Bentier was there at the edge of the cliff as the knights and the soldiers cried out the emperor’s name in admiration and joy.

The emperor did not have to keep his promise of freeing the people of this continent. He did not have to make their lives better. He was the emperor of the entire continent, so he could’ve done whatever he wanted, but Lucius the First kept his promise. He was a good honest ruler, which was a rarity. The emperor was also lucky to have so many amazing and loyal people who followed him, and this was why Sir Bentier decided that he had no choice but to help the emperor achieve his dream.

Sir Bentier replied to Marquis Seeze, “You would not understand even if I explain it to you, Grandfather.”

Sir Bentier could not understand Marquis Seeze and the elders. Sir Bentier did not ask Marquis Seeze to confess, because as the leader of all the traitors, there was no way Marquis Seeze would not be executed.

This was going to be the last private conversation they will ever have.

Marquis Seeze refused to stop condemning his grandson. Sir Bentier remained quiet and respectful like a dutiful grandson.