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Over a hundred people had already gathered in the main conference room. It was natural, given that there were thirty resident council members in the Imperial Council, and add to that the administrative personnel nearby who would’ve rushed in instantly.

However, despite it being a gathering of people who quickly avoided responsibility and prepared scapegoats when something happened as well as those full of ambition to show off their abilities for promotion, the conference room was surprisingly quiet.

Of course, this was also natural. A single misstep and a poorly chosen word could swiftly turn someone into a scapegoat. Taking the lead on public opinion over such a perilous issue could destroy one’s career if the Emperor later overturned their actions.

That was why every person in the room, despite their titles and influence, maintained their silence. Despite each being worthy of being called a big shot, they were waiting for the Emperor’s appearance, unable to lead and take responsibility for this situation confidently.

“We’ll have to part ways now, so be careful.”

The conference room was so quiet that there was no reaction even when the Executive Manager and the Mage Duchess entered simultaneously. The Mage Duchess quickly surveyed the conference room and whispered carefully in my ear, hoping that I wouldn’t get hurt in this minefield.

“Don’t worry. I’ll keep my mouth shut.”

I turned away immediately after giving a joking reply. I needed to go where the Ministry of Finance people were gathered, and the Mage Duchess needed to go where the Invincible Duke was.

“I’m sorry for being late.”

“It’s fine. There are more people who haven’t arrived yet.”

The Minister shook his head when I apologized to him and the other directors. He wasn’t wrong. I had only made it on time because I’d been in the capital. Those coming from the provinces would be scrambling to arrive, with teleportation mages working overtime to bring them here.

“Udesur Dorgon has declared himself Khan. It’s the last piece of information the Special Service Agency found out as they were retreating.”

“So it was that bastard after all.”

The Minister informed me in a low voice after I exchanged nods with the other directors and sat next to the Minister.

As soon as I heard those words, I felt sorry for the unit that first received this information. How maddening must it have been to secure information about a Khan appearing while hurriedly withdrawing due to the general retreat order? It was too heavy a burden for a single unit to bear.

Well, at least they had returned safely and managed to file their reports.

“For now, keep your thoughts to yourself and just listen. Neither you nor I are in a position to get involved in the war unless His Majesty orders it.”

“I know. Don’t worry.”

I nodded. The Minister was right; despite our roles in the Great Northern War, we were now part of the Ministry of Finance. It wasn’t our place to speak on matters of war when the Ministry of War and Special Service Agency were present. Until explicitly instructed by the Emperor, our input was unwelcome.

As we settled into silence, more attendees began to trickle in—provincial dukes, commanders of regional forces, nobles who ruled over huge estates, and judges in charge of courts.

It was a rare sight to see so many high-ranking individuals gathered in one place, except at the New Year’s Ball. Moreover, unlike the New Year’s Ball where all titled nobles gathered, this assembly strictly gathered only high-ranking officials. It was no exaggeration to say that this conference room was now the heart and brain of the empire.

“Nobles who follow the Mandate of Heaven, kneel!”

When it seemed like no more people were entering, the Minister of the Imperial Household on the platform spoke.

The nobles immediately knelt. This was the signal that the Emperor would soon arrive. Moments later, the sound of footsteps echoed through the conference room.

“Raise your heads.”

Everyone raised their heads at the Emperor’s command, but their expressions weren’t very good. The long display of titles and positions was a key element in the Emperor’s processions. If an Emperor who valued imperial authority skipped this process, then it meant that the situation was urgent.

As we raised our heads, we saw the Emperor seated on the throne prepared on the platform, with the Crown Prince and Ainter standing behind him.

He was called in, too.

I couldn’t help but feel sorry for Ainter, who stood stiffly frozen. To be dragged into this after spending an ordinary day at the academy just hours ago… it seemed like he was performing his duties a little too intensely.

Still, it must be better than his discarded days as an imperial. Hang in there.

“Hear ye, my lords. Your loyalty to the imperial family and the empire in protecting the Mandate of Heaven is indeed flawless, but the recent disturbances have threatened the Mandate despite your efforts.”

At those words, the already quiet conference room grew even colder. Everyone knew the Emperor was referring to the Great Northern War and the following succession dispute, both of which had shaken the Empire to its core. However, it was a different matter for the Emperor to personally acknowledge, ‘We almost lost everything.’

“With the blessing of Enen and the legacy of our ancestors, the Empire has vanquished those who dared challenge its mandate. But once again, disturbances have arisen in the North.”

The Emperor’s words made it clear: this crisis would not be dismissed lightly.

At the same time, he also showed his will to never overlook those responsible for causing such a crisis.

How far will this go?

I bit my lip slightly. The crisis the Emperor was speaking about wasn’t a natural disaster. It was a man-made disaster where Kagan’s blood kin, who survived the Great Northern War, had once again united the nomadic forces. It was a calamity where someone must be held responsible.

Who would shoulder it? The Invincible Duke, who failed to eliminate Dorgon in the Great Northern War? The Special Service Agency that couldn’t find Dorgon for the past three years? Or Margrave Sorden, who failed to control the disturbances in the North?

There’s no stopping this.

The Emperor already wielded immense authority, and now he had an irrefutable justification for using it.

He had summoned the Empire’s high-ranking officials in a political show of strength, and publicly declared the northern unrest a threat to the nation. In this situation, even someone as powerful as the Invincible Duke could face a fall if the Emperor demanded accountability, and the Special Service Agency’s leadership might see a complete overhaul.

Faced with this reality, no one dared to speak. Normally, this room would have been filled with declarations of loyalty and bold promises to eradicate the Emperor’s foes. But in the shadow of uncertain punishment, speaking up felt like volunteering to be the next sacrificial lamb.

“Margrave Sorden.”

And then the scope was set.

“…Yes, Your Majesty.”

A middle-aged man, Margrave Sorden, carefully bowed his head and answered the Emperor’s call.

At that call, both pity and relief flashed across the nobles’ faces. Him being called first meant that the Emperor considered his responsibility to be the greatest. If Margrave Sorden was the highest responsible person, then there was very little chance for others to be involved.

“You had the duty to assist the imperial family above and ensure the peace of the people below you. Because you had a great responsibility to guard the border and strive for the stability of the empire, the imperial family bestowed upon your ancestors authority befitting that responsibility.”

Margraves were fewer in number than dukes if you simply looked at the numbers. They were the king of the borderlands, of which there were only three in the empire. Margraves received exceptional authority and freedom because they had to respond quickly to border disturbances, and they were also given the consideration of not having to attend the New Year’s Ball.

But with great authority came immense responsibility, and the Margrave must unconditionally take responsibility for anything that happened in his jurisdiction.

“However, you failed to live up to the imperial family’s trust.”

At this firm sentence, the Margrave bowed his head even lower. Margrave Sorden was the Margrave responsible for the North. His role was to control the nomads and keep the empire’s northern border peaceful.

But as the Emperor said, Margrave Sorden failed in that role. The nomads have regrouped, and the border had to worry about a second Kagan. He was given authority but failed to fulfill his responsibility…

“Just as your predecessor failed to prevent the rise of the Rebel, your failure is deeply disappointing.”

Just like the previous Margrave Sorden.

“Do you have anything to say?”

“I am a sinner who failed to repay Your Majesty’s excessive trust and failed to fulfill a noble’s duty to protect the stability of the empire and its subjects. How could I have anything to say? I will humbly follow Your Majesty’s judgment.”

As if he had been prepared for this situation from the moment the assembly order was issued, Margrave Sorden spoke in a calm voice.

It was sad. The previous Margrave Sorden was executed for failing to prevent the unification of the nomads, and now his son was about to fall for the same crime.

“I strip Barnio Ennirua of Sorden of his title of Margrave and also revoke the authority of Margrave bestowed upon the Ennirua family. From now on, the Margrave territory of Sorden will be called the County of Sorden.”

The Ennirua family’s elevated position was no longer sustainable, and the Emperor’s decree made it clear: the Imperial Family could no longer place its trust in them.

“However, considering that the Ennirua family’s merits outweigh their faults and that Barnio Ennirua’s contributions in participating in the last Great Northern War were by no means small, there will be no further punishment. You are allowed to pass your title on to your child.”

Barnio visibly flinched at these following words. He had been prepared for execution, but it ended with just the revocation of his title.

Although the privilege of being a Margrave was taken away, his family’s title was still that of a count, which was still considered part of high nobility. If he was allowed to pass this on to his child, his family may stagger a bit, but it wouldn’t collapse.

The situation skyrocketed from hell to heaven in an instant. Perhaps because of this, Barnio spoke with a slightly trembling voice.

“I am overwhelmed and ashamed by the great mercy shown to a sinner who has no right to complain. Although I have disappointed Your Majesty, my family will forever live up to Your Majesty’s mercy and trust.”

“I look forward to the loyalty of the Ennirua County.”

“Long live His Majesty, and long live the Empire!”

With those words, Barnio bowed and left the conference room. Having been stripped of his title, he was no longer a part of the assembly.

“Minister of Intelligence, speak about the disturbances in the North.”

The Emperor spoke quietly as he watched Barnio’s exit.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The Minister of the Intelligence looked flustered at the sudden call, but he soon answered naturally.

All responsibility had been shouldered by Barnio, so there was no more sword to be swung. The accountability had been settled.

“Udesur Dorgon, son of Ga’ar Udesur Batar who was the chief of the Ga’ar tribe, has declared himself Khan.”

Now, the true battle began.

***

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