Chapter : 5 HIGH RANKING OFFICIALS ASSEMBLY

EMPIRE (Capital)

[HIGH-RANKING OFFICIALS ASSEMBLY]

In a grand chamber adorned with opulent tapestries and polished marble floors, a sombre assembly of high-ranking officials and nobles are gathered to discuss the future of the Empire in the wake of the Emperor and Empress's tragic demise.

Seated around a large, ornately carved table, the atmosphere is tense with anticipation as the weight of their responsibilities hangs heavy in the air.

The death of the Emperor and Empress weighed heavily in their minds.

The discussion begins with a sober assessment of the current state of affairs.

High-ranking officials exchange grim looks and whispered murmurs as they reflect on the sudden and untimely deaths of the Emperor and Empress, acknowledging the magnitude of the loss and the challenges it poses for the Empire.

Everyone knew the huge implications of this assassination and what would be its impact on the entire Empire.

Murmurs of intrigue and suspicion were rippling through the assembly as officials exchanged wary glances and speculative whispers.

Some speculate about the true intentions of 'Honest' questioning his sudden bid for power and the lengths to which he is willing to go to achieve his ambitions.

With the revelation that the only next heir to the throne is just two years old, the officials grapple with the implications of a succession crisis.

They debate the feasibility of a regency council to govern the Empire until the young heir comes of age, weighing the need for stability against the risks of prolonged uncertainty and political instability.

To address this dire situation, we need to establish an 'Order' to govern sectors and cease wars and tribal extermination for expansion." Former Prime minister Chouri said, wisdom and experience seeped from his words.

In his late middle age, Chouri was a bald man with a prominent mustache and a small beard. He was wearing a crown of sorts and a winter coat on top of a military-like uniform.

"Calm down Chouri, we have everything stabilised and doing just fine" Honest said while eating a cake, his usual grin still plastered on his face.

He was wearing a pair of brown boots, a dark green shirt, a belt below his belly and short pants which were also dark green, and a grey coat with some hair of a dog-like creature around his neck, resembling a bourgeois.

"What the hell is under your control HONEST!!" Chouri said through gritted teeth, barely keeping his rage under control.

"Everything" said Honest while continuing to eat his meal.

'Bullshit' screamed Chouri in his mind, the nerves of his neck started to become visible and the thought of shoving the Cake which Honest was eating inside Honest's own A*s became more and more appealing.

The assassination has disrupted economic stability and confidence, as investors and businessmen had started to react to the uncertainty surrounding the Empire's future.

Protests and demonstrations have erupted in major cities, as people demanded a statement regarding the fallen Emperor and Empress from the government.

He also wanted to ask why the hell is Honest keeping the New Emperor away from this meeting, while the New Emperor was still a child, it was an Emperor's obligation to attend meetings that decide the future of the Empire.

While it is true that a child does not have capabilities to understand the country's affairs.

It is the Prime Minister's duty to bring the Emperor to meetings in order to teach him the workings of the Empire which is even more important in this precarious situation.

'But this Damn bastard instead has started to sink his fangs into that child, who is now definitely unstable because of his parents' untimely death.' thought Chouri frustrated, being unable to pressure Honest to bring the heir in council due to his current power in assembly.

Chouri, the previous Prime Minister of the Empire, was known for his dedication to the welfare of its citizens until Honest has assumed the title.

He had helped the Empire maintain relationships with other countries as little as they mattered.

The Empire was currently in a great turmoil and nothing was in control, completely opposite of what Honest was saying in front of him, and the worst fact is everyone in this council knew this fact clear as daylight but all remained silent.

The side of the Empire that had the support of a small group of truly concerned Nobles and officials lacked significant power, as the new Prime Minister Honest gained prominence.

People of the current Empire were questioning that if even the great Emperor and Empress could be easily assassinated, how can they sleep safely in their homes?

They had launched a thorough investigation into the assassination, mobilising law enforcement and Empire's intelligence agencies to track down the perpetrators and uncover the motives behind the attack.

'A nationwide manhunt has been ensued, as suspects are being identified and pursued with urgency.

But all this is just a facade and the real culprit is still currently seated among us,' thought chouri as he narrowed his eyes towards the fat man in front of him.

Chouri suspects that the new Prime Minister is definitely behind this assanination because the person who will get the most out of this Assasination is solely Honest.

Honest has already taken hold of half of the members currently present in this meeting.

Whether through favours or through coercion by digging dirt on the Nobles which is easy for him by deploying his personal squad known as the four Rakshasas.

As a result, he had already ousted Chouri from his role as Prime Minister in the previous year.

Honest has discovered a clear pathway by sweet-talking a child, a tactic he had already started employing the previous year.

Chouri has already investigated Honest throughout the years of Honest's ascension as the Prime Minister and the conclusion he came to is too dreadful.

'On the surface, Honest is quiet and appears to be gentle and soft-spoken in almost all his interactions with the young child (Heir).

However, behind the mask of the man who appears to be responsible, is hiding a demon who shows no sympathy for any human in the world, not even his own son.

Honest does not regret anything cruel in what he does, he see the Empire citizen's as nothing more than livestock and the now the new child Emperor as a means of getting more power over the country' Chouri thinks while his face is getting worse every second thinking what kind of atrocious and vile demon would now become the Empire's New de facto ruler.

While Chouri does not have evidence regarding Honest. He certainly knew what kind of man Honest is.

"Your methods are too violent to deal with the current predicament" said chouri

"My method is not flawed; it is simple and establishes order by subjugating and executing troublemakers

Their heads have been hanged in streets as a show. Those who disobey the Empire will be punished whether the person is young or old"

Honest said while he starts to eat meat with both of his hands.

"Those actions are the last things you should do!" Said Chouri loudly. His words echoed within the confines of the meeting hall.

"You should stop these actions as soon as possible, otherwise the people will start to rebel against the Empire's government! People need assurance instead of violence otherwise the Empire will cease to exist" said Chouri in a last-ditch attempt in order to stop the madness which Honest was doing by ordering the imperial army to mass exterminate its own citizens.

"No need for that Chouri. As the current prime minister, I will solve these matters by my own method which are much more quick and effective.

We have to instil fear in the hearts of these insects to dare to bare their fangs against the Empire and this meeting is concluded, do not bring this matter in the assembly again Burpppp…" said Honest by burping and giving Chouri a nasty grin while he simply starts to walk out of assembly in a calm matter.

Chouri clenches his fist below the table, and blood starts seeping through his fingers.

'Who will save the fate of this current Empire?' Thinks Chouri, lamenting his lack of power during this current precarious situation.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx