Things were relatively quiet as the days passed, and soon a week had gone by.
“Some bureaucrats wish to see you,” Gilbert told me. “They’re distant relatives of the Radfords.”
“I’ll see them. Direct them to the audience chamber.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
With a royal guard accompanying us and Gilbert leading the way, I proceeded to the audience chamber. The officials were already seated inside, waiting.
“Her Majesty arrives!”
Everyone kneeled in an instant. I walked to the throne and took my seat, facing the assembled officials.
“Raise your heads.” I scanned the room, my eyes landing on the oldest among them. “Ben Radford, if there is any matter you wish to address on behalf of everyone, please speak.”
“As bureaucrats hailing from House Radford, we take issue with your handling of the region. Why have you been mistreating the Radfords, Your Majesty?”
“Mistreating…? I have no recollection of mistreating any of you.”
“You’ve executed the head of House Radford—with no explanation, at that. Is it all that unreasonable for other members of the house to see your royal governance as suspect?”
“How can you say there was no explanation? I executed him and his son for treason. And I’ve not punished anyone beyond them.”
“Be that as it may…”
I understood why they were upset; no doubt they’d suffered in the aftermath of the execution.
“Hm. I see your point,” I said. “Perhaps I was careless in some respects. Allow me to make things clear: I will not punish you for treason. If people are cruel to you because of your association with the marquess, they are going against my decision.”
A member of the audience spoke up. “We cannot ignore the possibility that the palace was involved.”
“Do you have evidence to support your claim?”
“I…”
“If you accuse someone of a crime, you must present solid evidence. Even a child would understand that. An investigation has already confirmed that they had no involvement in the rebellion of House Radford. If you have evidence that contradicts this, show it to me.”
I had already used Heart Realm on the officials, and none of them had conspired with the marquess. Moreover, Tommy had investigated this matter very thoroughly; I took action precisely because I believed in his findings.
“There are no criminals among them, so I will not allow them to be punished. Understood?”
Without voicing their agreement, everyone bowed their heads once more.
“Now that I have heard your statements and opinions, shall we proceed to discuss the pressing matter?”
“Pardon?” said Ben.
“I said I wouldn’t punish you for treason, but you will still be held accountable for this incident. Your actions have harmed every citizen in the Radford region. Do I make myself clear?”
“No, I… What do you mean?”
“You still don’t understand? The impact on regional governance was kept to a minimum thanks to everyone’s cooperation and your prompt arrival to the palace. That is the only reason I felt like listening to you. If the government had been significantly compromised, severe punishments would have been necessary. What would everyone think in that situation? It would have reinforced the perception that everyone in House Radford was dangerous.”
One by one, they grew agitated, realizing the underlying intentions behind my words.
“Listen. You acted because you couldn’t bear the suspicions and ridicule directed at you because you belong to House Radford. So why do something that tarnished the Radford name with your own hands?! Because of your actions, hundreds of people from the Radford region nearly had to face the same ridicule as you.”
“Pardon me, Your Majesty… Are you suggesting we should’ve just endured it all?”
“No! I’m saying you should choose another way! Why did you choose a way that would harm the innocent? Why did you not stand proudly and speak up? Is this all that remains of your pride?!”
“Well, we…”
“You are bureaucrats. The gears of this country. An action from one of you moves another—we are all connected, and that is how we keep the country running. The livelihoods of the people of this country rest on your shoulders. Never forget that. Hear this: there will be no second chances. From now on, no matter who it is, anyone who deliberately obstructs official duties will face severe punishment. Is that clear?”
All of the bureaucrats kneeled and bowed their heads in unison, offering a chorus of apologies.
“I shall address you later. For now, apologize to those you have inconvenienced and immediately return to your duties.”
Leaving those words hanging in the air, I exited the audience chamber.
“Seems like there was no need to stop you, Your Majesty,” Gilbert said as we walked.
“Was I too lenient?”
“No, no. That’s not what I’m saying. It was just the right amount.”
“To be honest, I’m still burning up inside. But I’m keeping it in, since I can’t put all the blame on them. Well, demoting some of them and reducing their pay should be enough. Now, are you planning to follow me all the way?”
“Sorry?”
“Oh, I don’t mean anything by it. I’m heading off to see Nate. I may wind up unleashing my magic, so it would be best for you to stay behind.”
“No, please allow me to accompany you.”
“Whatever pleases you.”
And so, accompanied by Gilbert and the royal guards, I made my way to the jail where the ministers were. This tower was specifically meant to confine nobles. Some of those captured were not of noble status, but I chose to keep them in this tower because I hadn’t publicly announced the charges of inciting the bureaucrats. They couldn’t go in the commoners’ prison in the palace’s basement.
As you’d expect of a confinement facility for high-ranking individuals, it was clean and well maintained—far superior to a normal prison cell.
“Nate, do you know why you’re confined in here?” I asked him.
“It’s because of that meeting, isn’t it? I swear, everything I said then was true.”
“I am not referring to the meeting. Maybe you do know, but you’re playing dumb.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Really? Even though you’re trapped here with all the rest?”
His expression did not change. I wasn’t sure whether he was slow-witted or just thick-skinned. Not that it mattered, since this was the last time we’d ever speak to each other.
“You seemed to have enjoyed your scheme quite a bit. I already know you all were orchestrating the rebellion of the Radfords’ bureaucratic kin. And for that, you shall receive the worst punishment there is.”
Nate snorted. “What evidence do you have?”
“Ah, you at least understand the importance of evidence.”
Really, what were these bureaucrats thinking when they blamed everyone connected to the Radfords? They all held positions of responsibility. They should have given more thought to the influence of their words.
“What?”
“No, it’s nothing. Of course I have evidence—you were a little too careless. I possess the letters you sent to the Radfords’ kin, as well as the communications exchanged between all of you here. Ah, I also have a witness. I’ve acquired all this evidence and submitted it to the judiciary. The specifics of your case will be addressed in due time, but the most likely outcome is that your title will be revoked and your assets confiscated.”
As Nate scrounged up a response, one of his nearby allies muttered, “Don’t mess with us.”
“Don’t mess with you?” I echoed.
Another man shot to his feet. “How dare you act all high and mighty! You’re a fraud! You’re not royalty!”
“Ha ha… Ha ha ha! Ah ha ha ha!”
My stomach cramped from laughing so much. They all looked at me, baffled, until my laughter finally ceased. Beside me, Gilbert grimaced.
“Don’t mess with you, you say? You are the ones doing the meddling, no?”
Poor Nate was still trying to deceive me, but his allies had basically just acknowledged their crimes. As long as I had the evidence, there was no way for Nate to weasel out of the allegations.
“Does authority mean power? No, it does not. Authority comes with responsibilities, bestowed upon those who prove themselves worthy. All of you have foolishly misunderstood the true nature of authority. As a consequence, the very citizens we are meant to protect have suffered. Scoundrels like you cannot be forgiven.”
I channeled magic throughout my body. In an instant, a Sacred Sword materialized in the air.