Once again summoned by Makoto , Honest was forced to visit the Emperor's bedchamber for the second time that day.
Wiping the sweat from his forehead, Honest stood nervously outside the palace, occasionally glancing inside.
He had already learned about today's events through the report of the Rakshasa Four Demons.
Naturally, Suzuka had relayed the conversation between the two word for word to him.
Knowing the reason for Makoto summons, Honest sighed inwardly.
"Minister Honest, His Majesty says you may enter."
A maidservant of Makoto walked out of the bedchamber and nodded to Honest.
Without delay, Honest stepped inside and walked up to Makoto , who had once again donned the imperial crown and was clad in royal robes.
"Your Majesty, was your trip with the General's younger sister smooth and pleasant?"
Upon entering, Honest immediately put on a smiling, amiable face as he addressed Makoto .
"Mm, it went smoothly. I spent some very meaningful time with Yoshino," Makoto nodded slightly, giving a brief response, but he didn't seem inclined to linger on the topic. "However, during our conversation, I learned something that's hard to believe."
"Oh?"
Though he already knew what Makoto was about to say, Honest feigned ignorance and put on a curious expression.
Makoto got straight to the point:
"Yoshino told me that her village is extremely impoverished due to the Empire's heavy taxes. People even freeze or starve to death every winter. Minister, can you explain why such a prosperous empire would allow this to happen?"
Upon hearing this question, Honest expression changed abruptly, as if equally shocked.
But in his heart, he wasn't thinking about how to respond—he was gauging Makoto intentions.
"He didn't ask if this really happened. He directly asked why it happened. Looks like this little brat really trusts Esdeath sister," Honest thought to himself.
"Sigh… I must admit, I miscalculated. I didn't expect Yoshino to bring up such a topic."
Due to Esdeath protection over Yoshino, Honest had wanted to investigate but found no opportunity.
He knew almost nothing about her experiences.
He had suspected that during her eight years of disappearance, Yoshino might have lived in some remote village impoverished by the Empire's oppression. But he had assumed that if this were true, Esdeath would've warned her to keep her mouth shut.
After all, he and Esdeath were closely tied in political collaboration—if he suffered, so would she.
However, reality proved otherwise. It seemed Esdeath hadn't warned Yoshino about anything. That little girl had just ripped a gaping hole through the illusion of prosperity Honest had spent so long constructing.
The only fortunate thing was that Yoshino didn't delve deeper into the topic, nor did she imply that Honest was responsible. In fact, she had spoken with sympathy from the Empire's perspective, showing concern for both the Emperor and his ministers. That allowed Honest to breathe a sigh of relief.
If Yoshino had told Makoto that the Empire's corruption was his fault—or even hinted or speculated—Honest would never allow Makoto to associate with her again.
Though he had really wanted to bind Esdeath to his side through a political marriage, if that plan had even the slightest chance of threatening his own position, he would abandon it without hesitation.
"Your Majesty, the Empire is the greatest nation in history—vast and rich in resources. Even though I've done my utmost to maintain its flourishing state, I cannot ensure that Your Majesty's light shines upon every corner of the land," Honest said, feigning weariness and noble self-blame, retreating to advance, taking responsibility proactively.
"Where there is light, there must also be shadow. I can only guarantee the prosperity of the greater whole. It's hard to avoid corruption in the finer details."
"Minister, you are my father's most trusted right-hand man and now my own pillar of support. No one would question your contributions," Makoto replied comfortingly, once again deceived by Honest display.
"I didn't summon you to place blame, only to express my concerns."
"Your Majesty is merciful and cannot bear the suffering of your people. Such is the hallmark of a benevolent ruler."
Having distanced himself from the matter, Honest added a flattering remark, then bowed respectfully:
"Though the state apparatus cannot micromanage every affair, now that this problem has surfaced, I shall begin an immediate investigation and provide Your Majesty with a satisfactory answer."
"Mm," Makoto nodded slowly.
"That is precisely what I intended. Yoshino has lived these past eight years in a northern border village called Tam Village. Summon all officials from there to the capital tomorrow. I will personally oversee the interrogations."
"Understood…"
Realizing he could not avoid this ordeal, Honest nodded in agreement, but inwardly he was filled with helplessness.
The northern officials were almost entirely under his control.
In order to shield Esdeath during her northern campaigns against the barbarians, Honest had not only dispatched several of his trusted aides to the north, but had also nurtured a new batch of officials into his faction.
He wasn't sure where exactly Tam Village was, but given the poverty caused by heavy taxes, it was certainly his doing.
Though he had once advised Makoto to reduce the national tax by ten percent, the taxes imposed on the Empire's people weren't limited to that.
The portion that was no longer collected as national tax had already been pocketed by Honest through other levies.
If northern officials were really summoned to the capital for investigation, and Makoto personally oversaw the proceedings, then wouldn't the truth—that he was the one responsible for the village's impoverishment—come to light?
Honest would never allow that to happen.
"I'll just have to stall for a while… and find a group of scapegoats to take the fall."
In an instant, Honest had made up his mind to sacrifice a portion of the northern officials to wash away his own sins.
It wasn't the first time he'd done such a thing.
Though they were his people, there was no shortage of officials eager for promotion and wealth. Kill a batch, and raise a new one.
All he needed was a bit of time to collect evidence, then coerce or lure these officials into serving as scapegoats on the court floor.
"Your Majesty, actually, this old minister has good news to offer as well," he said, his bean-sized eyes flashing with a strange light as a smile returned to his face.
"My son, Syura, will soon return to the capital, and he brings with him several Imperial Arms that had been lost abroad."
"Is that so?"
Sure enough, Makoto slightly furrowed brows relaxed as his attention shifted to the new topic. A look of delight appeared on his face:
"Ha ha! The minister's son is also the backbone of the Empire. I must reward him generously."
"Many thanks, Your Majesty. Once my son returns to the capital, I will ensure he first comes to the palace to pay respects," Honest added.
"Therefore, may I request Your Majesty's permission to first handle my son's return?"
"Mm, of course," Makoto nodded.
"Imperial Arms are the foundation of the nation. They must be treated with the utmost care."