The current Emperor was not the puppet Little Emperor who was manipulated by ministers behind the scenes, but the Little Emperor's grandfather. He looked like an ordinary fifty-year-old man, with brownish-green hair, wearing the keter (the crown), and holding a scepter symbolizing imperial power, but he lacked any kingly aura.
However, his gaze was still clear, showing that he was definitely an independent and clear-headed Emperor. Perhaps he wasn't a great emperor for all time, but he wasn't incompetent either. Under his rule, if there were no accidents, the Empire would certainly not rise, but it would also definitely not decline.
But now, Tohsaka Rin, this 'accident,' had arrived... In the spacious hall, besides the Emperor seated high above, civil and military officials stood in front of the twenty-four giant supporting pillars on both sides. Military generals were on the left, and civil officials were on the right. At the very front of the military generals' ranks on the left was General Black. On the right, at the very front of the civil officials' side, stood a lean, energetic old man nearing sixty, presumably the current minister Qiaoli.
Tohsaka Rin and the other eight knelt before the Emperor in the main hall, their right hands on their chests, paying their respects. General Black, the overall head of the military, stepped forward to report to the Emperor:
"Your Majesty, the top ten graduating cadets from the Imperial Military Academy have arrived. Among them, Budo, who ranked second, is unable to come due to severe injuries sustained during the assessment. Please forgive him, Your Majesty."
The Old Emperor already knew about these matters and naturally didn't mind, saying, "Being injured while participating in the Imperial Military Academy's assessment is considered being injured for the country. He is innocent, and I hope Budo recovers soon."
"Your humble servant thanks Your Majesty on behalf of Budo. The top ten rankings for this year's Imperial Military Academy graduation assessment are as follows: First place: Tohsaka Rin; Second place: Budo; Third place... Fifth place: Zhi Feng... Among them, Tohsaka Rin, who ranked first, broke the Imperial Military Academy's historical highest score record from 300 years ago. According to Imperial regulations, General Rin Tohsaka should be granted the rank of General and one Imperial Arm. Please make your decision, Your Majesty..."
Just as Black was reporting military affairs to the Emperor, Rin was also secretly observing the officials on both sides. She had to admit that the anime's portrayal couldn't be directly applied. Even if these civil and military officials weren't particularly good-looking, they at least looked human, unlike the twisted and ugly depictions in the anime!
Hmm? I finally found him!
Soon, Rin found the person she had been looking for among the civil officials and couldn't help but smile faintly. At this point, Black had finished his report to the Emperor, who then said,
"All of you, stand up. You are all talents who are about to go to the battlefield to defend the Empire. I look forward to your performance. Which one is Tohsaka Rin? Step forward and let me see her."
All the officer cadets stood up. Rin stepped forward as commanded, looking directly at the Old Emperor with a smile, and responded with her head held high,
"Reporting to Your Majesty, it is I."
Having faced and challenged the King of Conquerors and the King of Heroes, Rin naturally felt no unease towards the Old Emperor. Her voice was clear and composed, without the slightest hint of nervousness.
Although the Old Emperor had received a detailed report about Rin, he was still momentarily stunned when he first saw her young, tender appearance and petite figure. If he were a foolish and incompetent ruler, he would probably have directly ordered her to be made a concubine or beauty on the spot, and the plot would essentially be over. Rin would then have no choice but to dragonify, smash the Imperial Armory on her body, go all out, and slaughter the palace, making this journey to another world a complete waste.
Fortunately, such a cliché, third-rate plot from costume dramas did not actually happen. The Old Emperor had been on the throne for decades. Even after the initial surprise, he quickly returned to normal and said,
"I heard reports from the Military Department early on that this year the Imperial Military Academy welcomed a young female genius who broke the Empire's 300-year-old highest score record. I didn't expect her to be so young."
"Thank you for your praise, Your Majesty."
Rin bowed slightly. At this moment, all the civil and military officials in the court turned their gaze towards Rin, as her existence was too special. They began to whisper and discuss Rin among themselves.
Voices of doubt, admiration, suspicion, opposition, exclusion, discrimination, and so on, gradually made the entire hall as noisy as a marketplace. The Old Emperor couldn't help but frown and roar,
"Silence! This is the Imperial Deliberation Hall! What kind of behavior is this, to be so noisy!"
The scene immediately quieted down. The civil and military officials who had been chattering a second ago no longer dared to utter a sound, showing that the Old Emperor's authority was still unquestionable.
"One who breaks the Imperial record can directly become a General. This is the foundation of the Empire's nearly thousand-year-old tradition, a stage for the Empire to showcase its capable individuals to its countless subjects! No one needs to discuss this matter further. Guards! Bestow the rank of General upon Tohsaka Rin!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
In the back hall, three female Imperial Guards, who had already prepared, each held a golden tray. On them were Rin's General's rank insignia, cloak, and sword. General Black, on behalf of the Emperor, personally adorned Rin with them. After the jeweled button of the magnificent General's cloak was fastened, General Black sighed softly and gently patted Rin's shoulder.
"Congratulations. May you bring greater peace to the Empire in the future."
"I will do my best."
General Black then returned to his position as the head of the military officials. At this moment, Rin, wearing a neat military uniform with pure gold General's rank insignia, a magnificent Black cloak with gold trim, and holding a standard General's sword, stood in the center of the hall. Her imposing General's presence was already more dazzling than anyone else's, as if she had become the protagonist of this space!
The Old Emperor nodded slightly in satisfaction, then said, "Although you already possess an Imperial Arm, the Empire will not go back on its promises to its subjects. Onest..."
"Your humble servant is here!"
At the Emperor's summons, a tall, somewhat corpulent middle-aged man with gray hair ran out from the end of the civil official ranks. He ran until he was level with Rin before saluting the Emperor and saying,
"What are Your Majesty's commands?"
The Old Emperor removed a ring from his hand and placed it on a tray held by an attendant. The attendant then walked to the summoned middle-aged man.
"Take General Rin Tohsaka to the Imperial Armory and let her choose any one she desires. Tohsaka Rin, whether you gift this Imperial Arm to someone else or replace the one you are currently using, the Empire will not interfere. However, Imperial Arms are crucial treasures of the Empire and must never be lost, understand?!"
"Your humble servant obeys the decree!"
"Your humble servant will bear it in mind."
Subsequently, Onest, with both hands, picked up the ring from the tray. His somewhat corpulent, honest, and chubby face wore a fawning smile as he said to Rin,
"General Rin Tohsaka, please follow me."
Rin also smiled faintly in response,
"Thank you for your trouble, Mr. Onest."
I finally found you... Rin then followed Onest out of the deliberation hall. As they walked, the middle-aged man, who was much taller than Rin, stooped slightly and said with a fawning smile to Rin,
"I am Onest, just a humble Logistics Officer. Congratulations, General Rin Tohsaka, on ascending to the position of General at such a young age. You truly put us humble officials, who are still struggling in our middle age, to shame."
Rin showed no disdain for the tall, middle-aged fat man who was currently fawning over her. Instead, she responded with a smile,
"You jest, sir. In military campaigns, food and logistics are paramount. As a commander who will be leading troops on campaigns, I will need your continued support."
"General Rin Tohsaka, you jest! How would I dare?"
The Logistics Officer belonged to the lower ranks of civil officials, as his previous standing position clearly indicated. There was more than just one rank separating him from Rin, who was now a full General. Thus, he disregarded his dignity to flatter her a few times and make himself known. He didn't expect Rin's reaction to be so polite, which made him feel somewhat flattered and apprehensive.
Tohsaka Rin, of course, wouldn't be polite to just anyone.
Although the fat man in front of her was still a minor official, he was a crucial figure Rin needed to achieve her goals on this trip to the Akame ga Kill World.
Because this Logistics Officer named Onest, at the beginning of the original work/canon, was called the Minister!
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