Chapter 192
Percival stared at Ferris in astonishment, seeing only cold indifference and hatred in his eyes.
In an instant, that shock ignited into burning rage.
Percival thought in disbelief, ‘I’m his father! How could my own son betray me, all in the name of justice?‘
But now was not the time to argue back. Arthur’s commanding gaze had already locked onto Percival, leaving him no room to breathe.
“Mr. Mcgee, is this accusation true?” Though Arthur’s voice remained measured, everyone present could see the fury simmering beneath his calm facade.
Percival immediately prostrated himself, his voice trembling as he pleaded, “Your Majesty, these are fabricated charges! I am being falsely accused!
“I has always been utterly loyal to Your Majesty. How could I possibly do such a thing?”
Pointing at Ferris with a look of pained heartbreak, he continued, “It must be that this child harbors resentment toward me, which is why he would say such things. I beg Your Majesty to investigate thoroughly!”
“Father, spare me the sweet talk.” Ferris’s face was as calm as a still pond, but his eyes burned with the resolve of a man with no way back. “After all these years of buying and selling official posts, haven’t you done enough?” –
He drew a ledger from his sleeve and raised it high above his head. “Your Majesty,” he declared, “these are the detailed records of Mr. Mcgee’s corrupt. dealings, every bribe taken, every official post sold. The dates, the families involved, and the exact amounts of money are all meticulously documented. Simply cross–check these names, and the truth will be undeniable.”
Percival’s face instantly turned ashen. That ledger was once his means of controlling others, but now it had become the proof of his crimes.
A cold sweat broke out across Percival’s back, and he slumped to the ground.
Xander’s lips curled into a cold smirk as he cast him a disdainful glance.
Percival thought, ‘Who else but Xander could have pulled this off and gotten that ledger?
‘To think he’d go to such extremes for Athena… How shocking.
‘So even Xander, the one everyone calls cold and heartless, has his Achilles‘ heel after all.‘
Percival cursed his own carelessness. ‘If I’d known it would come to this, I never should have come to the palace to lodge this complaint,’ he thought
bitterly.
Arthur flipped through the names on the ledger, his shock deepening with every page.
From petty county offices to the Federal Bureau, even the Core Palace had been infiltrated by Percival.
Arthur could only wonder how many of Percival’s agents lurked within the Core Palace, and just how many secrets he already knew.
The more he thought about it, the more a cold sweat crept down his spine.
“How dare you!” Arthur thundered, his voice booming through the grand hall.
Even Thanatus fell to his knees in terror.
Percival pleaded in panic, “Your Majesty, please calm down…”
He knew that this was the end for him.
Arthur’s face turned ashen with rage. Pointing directly at Percival, he thundered, “Mr. Mcgee, for treason against the throne, you are hereby stripped of
Chapter 192
your title, reduced to commoner status, exiled a thousand miles from the capital, and banished forever from returning!”
“Your Majesty, spare me, please…” Percival pleaded frantically, but it was already too late.
The evidence was irrefutable, there was no way he could talk his way out of this.
The Imperial Guards stormed into the hall and hauled Percival away.
Arthur’s face turned deathly pale as a sudden wave of dizziness washed over him.
He pressed his fingers to his temple, exhaustion etched across his regal features.
“Your Majesty, you must take care of yourself,” Xander said with genuine concern.
Arthur waved him off with a weary sigh. “I’m fine.”
But though he claimed to be fine, the pain in the emperor’s eyes was plain for all to see.
Arthur reflected, ‘These veteran had fought alongside the late emperor to build this empire. By punishing them now, am I denying my father’s legacy?
‘There are so few capable ministers left in the court, and the imperial treasury is nearly depleted.
‘By disposing of Percival, it’s akin to cutting off one of my own limbs.‘
At that moment, Ferris stepped forward and said, “Your Majesty, to prove my loyalty, I am willing to donate most of my fortune to the imperial treasury.”
Hearing this, Arthur’s eyes lit up as he looked at Ferris.
Ferris stood motionless, his gaze fixed coldly on Xander’s retreating figure. Only when Xander was about to disappear did he finally let his pent–up hostility show.
20 25 H1, 11 JUI O
Thanatus beamed at him and bowed. “Your Lordship, wonderful news! His Majesty requests your presence in the Imperial Study for a private audience.”
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