Published: January 4, 2026
Late morning at the Ministry of Justice, inside the minister’s office.
I was alone with Vinny, the deputy minister.
After reading through the list of names in his hand, Vinny said,
“These are the main and accessory conspirators involved in this rebellion.”
“They’re all people close to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince,” I remarked.
Every name was familiar.
The Crown Prince’s trusted aides, former tutors, knights.
Anyone could see they were nothing but the Crown Prince’s faction plotting rebellion.
“What will you do?”
I sighed and rubbed my temple.
If it were just these men, we could handle it by the book and impose the proper sentences.
The real problem— I glanced briefly at Vinny.
He looked away awkwardly.
It was an obvious reaction.
There was just one issue.
Whether or not the Crown Prince was involved.
Imperial law grants the royal family certain leniencies even if they break the law.
Except for one case—rebellion.
If a royal family member is involved in rebellion, whether main or accessory, the punishment is the severest: execution by beheading.
And with such closely connected people, it was impossible that the Crown Prince “had no knowledge” of it.
Even in ordinary crimes, failing to report a known crime is itself a crime—though for something like theft, it might mean a light sentence or a fine of just one lien.
But that is clearly defined by imperial law.
And if the Crown Prince knew about the rebellion and did not report it to the Emperor, that alone would be a capital offense.
That was the real problem.
The Crown Prince’s rebellion—and execution.
Such a scandal could shake the empire itself.
“Has Your Majesty said anything?”
“Yes. His Majesty ordered me to repeat the original message: ‘Those persons shall be punished accordingly.’”
“I see.”
I sighed.
“What does that mean?”
“His Majesty apparently does not want to make a fuss. Understandable, of course.”
“So?”
“We will punish only those on this list. Fortunately, the rebellion is confirmed; there’s no need for confessions.”
“Indeed.”
“So, all are sentenced to death and immediate execution.”
“As expected.”
Vinny bowed deeply.
The look in his eyes was one of genuine admiration.
Even with death sentences, there are two types of execution timing.
One is immediate execution; the other is an annual batch execution.
Those with heavier crimes or no mitigating circumstances are executed immediately.
Whereas, if there is some room for mercy or other unknown crimes, execution can be delayed.
Delaying execution leaves the possibility of a general amnesty.
For example, if someone killed a person who murdered a family member, imperial law prescribes beheading, but the execution can be delayed up to three years.
If a general amnesty occurs during that time, the person gains freedom.
There’s also another story.
A man sentenced to death had mitigating circumstances, so he waited three years for execution but never encountered amnesty.
His family bribed a prison guard to send a woman who got pregnant by the man, thus continuing his bloodline.
In other words, executions can be delayed for such reasons.
But I decided on immediate execution for all.
His Majesty clearly did not want to involve the Crown Prince “at this time.”
That’s why I chose this course.
After deciding, I stood up from the minister’s chair.
“Where to?”
“To have an audience with His Majesty. Just to be sure.”
“Understood. I’ll prepare.”
“Thank you.”
I left the minister’s office and the Ministry of Justice, got into a carriage, and headed straight to the palace.
Upon requesting an audience with His Majesty, I was led to His Majesty’s study—a room as large as a library.
His Majesty was reading some documents but looked up when I entered, smiling and standing.
“Oh, you’ve come, Noah.”
“Yes.”
I knelt on one knee and bowed deeply before standing to face His Majesty.
“What is the matter?”
“Regarding the rebellion.”
“I see. What about the punishment?”
“According to imperial law, the ringleaders shall be executed by beheading, and the accessories sentenced to death—”