In the 1015th year of the Imperial Calendar, the eldest prince of the late Emperor Modeer was killed by roving bandits while traveling. Upon hearing the news, General Bude of the Empire flew into a furious rage, single-handedly slaughtered his way into the enemy camp, and returned to the Imperial Capital unscathed carrying the gang leader's head. This feat shook both the court and the countryside, earning him the title of the Empire's Strongest.
The bandit camp had housed two Teigu Users who were among the greatest reactionaries of the era. This incident also allowed the Empire to reclaim two Teigu.
Not long after, the second prince accidentally fell into a lake while feeding the fish and drowned before rescue could reach him, plunging the entire nation into three days of mourning. When Prime Minister Honest learned of the tragedy, he flew into a rage in the imperial court, cruelly torturing everyone who had accompanied the prince and leaving them exposed to the scorching sun at the gates of the Imperial Capital until they died. Taking advantage of this opportunity, Honest used the pretext of protecting the young prince to bring the youngest imperial heir to his own estate, establishing heavy security around him.
Chapter 87