"Your Majesty, your subject Valery requests the death penalty."
Valery's forehead was pressed firmly against the floorboards, his voice trembling with extreme shame.
As an old fox who had operated for many years, his current wretched state was not a pretense.
"It was this subject who was too arrogant when deploying the Palace guards, believing that the remnant forces of the rogue bandits would never dare to penetrate deep into the Palace.
This subject's negligence nearly caused the future of the Kingdom of Mason to be cut short under a few rusty machetes.
This kind of oversight... even if this subject's entire family were sent to the guillotine, it would hardly atone for even one ten-thousandth of the crime."
To the side, Victor was also prostrated deeply on the ground. This butler, who had always accompanied Sophia, had a trace of choking sobs in his voice:
"This old slave is also guilty of a grave sin.
As the butler, I failed to accompany Your Majesty at all times, and even more so, failed to detect the loopholes in the West Tower's defenses.
During these three days, every time this old slave saw Your Majesty lying in a coma, I wished I could commit suicide to apologize for my offense."
Sophia looked expressionlessly at these two old men, whose heads were already streaked with gray.
Speaking of responsibility, both of them indeed bore significant responsibility.
Reasonably speaking, as a key experimental site, the West Tower should have had more patrolling soldiers. Yet, despite the commotion lasting so long, no one noticed or rushed over.
If Delilah hadn't arrived, she and Irene would have been in even greater danger.
However, to say it was entirely their fault was not quite accurate either.
The Kingdom of Mason was a barren and remote small country.
Almost no one coveted this land, nor did anyone want to hijack the King here. Aside from the villages on the border being harassed by rogue bandits, this place had always been an easygoing environment.
In such an easygoing place, maintaining high-intensity patrols for the soldiers would be considered a form of oppression.
However, while it was fine in the past, it would be necessary to take it seriously from now on.
Yet, Valery's next words caused Sophia's originally 'blank' mind to stall slightly.
"Your Majesty."
Valery raised his head, his eyes flickering with an unprecedented fanaticism and determination.
"During the three days you were in a coma, this subject made a trip to Kree Village.
This subject saw the wheat seedlings growing on the scorched earth, and heard those lowborns—who should have died—chanting your name."
"When the Old King was on the throne, we taught them obedience.
But while you are on the throne, you taught them how to live like human beings.
This subject has lived for most of his life, but it was not until I saw you take a blade for a humble inventor that I understood: You are the true master of this land.
The Kingdom of Mason can survive without Valery, but it absolutely cannot survive without you."
Victor also raised his eyes, his gaze burning.
"This old slave's life, from this day forth, no longer belongs to the Royal House, but belongs only to Your Majesty.
Whether you want to wash the nobles in blood or overturn the continent, this old slave will pave the way for you, even if my body is crushed to powder and my bones shattered."
Sophia remained silent.
Her pale golden pupils scanned back and forth over their faces.
In the eyes of Valery and Victor, that extreme silence was the Tyrant weighing whether their heads were still worth keeping on their necks.
So that's it.
They were moved by Irene's farming technology and my 'work injury'.
Sophia lamented in her heart. This logic of 'as long as you provide food, you are a wise ruler' seemed to work in any world.
The emotions of the two did not appear to be faked.
Sophia slowly raised her left hand, which was wrapped in bandages. The movement appeared somewhat eerily solemn under the play of light and shadow.
"Valery, Victor."
She spoke coldly.
"This is the first time, and also the last time.
I do not listen to oaths; I only look at results."
"We thank Your Majesty for sparing our lives!" Valery and Victor knocked their heads heavily against the floor.
"Punishment is naturally required."
Sophia stared at them, her tone devoid of any emotion.
"Starting today, one year's salary will be deducted from both you and Victor."
Sophia paused, a trace of indifference flashing through her eyes that even she didn't detect:
"If this kind of mistake happens again, then you can go personally to be neighbors with those heads hanging on the City wall."
"Yes!" the two said in unison.
Subsequently, they began to report to Sophia on the situation regarding various aspects over the past few days.
Just as Delilah had said, the content of their reports was mostly about the stability of these days: the news blockade was successful, the soldiers were filled with righteous indignation, and the crops in Kree Village were growing gratifyingly.
However, after reporting on routine affairs, Valery took out a secret letter sealed with wax from his bosom, his expression becoming grave.
"Your Majesty, this is a secret letter we intercepted that was being sent to the territories of the old nobles on the border.
Although there are only a few words, the other party is obviously questioning.
'Has something happened to That Lord's rule? Some say she hasn't been seen for days. Find a way to confirm life or death.'
They are probing, attempting to confirm your condition."
Victor furrowed his brows. "These old fellows are indeed restless.
They probably feel that as long as Your Majesty falls, the Kingdom of Mason can return to that previous chaotic state where they could squeeze the fat and marrow from the people at will."
Sophia stared at the letter. Her complexion, somewhat pale from blood loss due to the injury, appeared increasingly pale and gloomy under the lamplight.
What is this?
I just woke up, and someone already wants to attend my funeral banquet?
Sophia stared at the wax seal on the envelope, her brain working furiously.
If I go out directly now and announce I'm fine, those old fellows will definitely shrink back into their shells again.
In the future, I would still have to guard against their various disgusting underhanded tactics every day.
Since I need to recover from my injury anyway, I can't show my face for the time being.
A thought suddenly flashed through Sophia's mind.
Since they want to watch a show, let's put on a big one for them.
Sophia's cold voice rang out inside the side hall, carrying a silence that made one shudder.
She slightly raised her bandaged left arm, her gaze falling upon Valery.
"Release news to the outside world saying that the Queen's wounds are fatal and ineffective to treatment, and she has fallen into a deep coma.
That she may 'return to the embrace of the spirits' at any moment."
Valery and Victor were both stunned simultaneously, then abruptly raised their heads, their eyes full of shock.
"Your Majesty's meaning is...?"
Valery was indeed worthy of being an old fox; he instantly understood Sophia's intention, but his heart trembled because of this plan.
"Fishing," Sophia said, swallowing the porridge in her mouth.
She was actually using her real injury as bait!
Valery was shocked by the thinking of this Girl Tyrant.
His Majesty not only wanted to purge the rogue bandits but also wanted to use this injury to lure out all those old domestic nobles harboring malicious intent at once, and then pull them out by the roots!
She could even use her own 'dying' reputation for calculations.
The Old King was very taboo about these things; anyone who dared to say a few unlucky words in front of him would be tied up and burned by him.
Sophia watched Valery's expression, which contained terror mixed with a bit of worship, maintaining her facial paralysis face deathly tight.
"Go do it."
Sophia waved her right hand indifferently.
"I want to see, in this country, exactly how many people are in a rush to 'wail at my funeral'."
Victor took a deep breath and knelt to kowtow heavily.
"This old slave understands!
We will let those restless people see the most despairing ending of their lives."
Valery followed closely behind, his eyes filled with seriousness.
After the two departed, the Bedchamber fell into silence once again.
Sophia collapsed back onto the cushions, letting out a long sigh of relief.
Phew, now I should be able to recover in peace.
________________________________________
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