[FMMIKA] Chapter 247: Scapegoat

"Do we need to do anything, Your Majesty?"

Beside Artorius, d'Eon asked earnestly.

"No, let them go." Artorius waved his hand. "We have more important matters to do."

"But..." d'Eon hesitated.

Artorius was referring to the restoration of France's production and order and coming up with a reasonable excuse for everything to fall back into 'order'.

"After all, I will be governing this country in the near future, though not permanently..." Artorius added. "But I'm a perfectionist, so even in temporary rule, I must make it perfect."

After Artorius said this, Jalter pondered for a moment and then lowered her head, looking somewhat downcast.

"For the former issue, I've already devised a comprehensive plan for governing the country, so no need to worry." Artorius assured.

When Artorius said 'I've already', he was referring to the homunculus maid secretaries.

After the gate connecting the Singularity and his timeline was established, a group of homunculus maid secretaries was quickly transported here. They came with a complete guide for the rise of France in the late Middle Ages.

Follow this guide, and within three years, France's GDP would double, within five years, an army of ten thousand would be ready, and within ten years, they would stand unopposed, even against England.

Of course, for Artorius Pendragon, all of this was unnecessary. He only needed a platform, a stage to play a little 'game' with everyone from Chaldea, and behind everyone in Chaldea, there was the 'Proper Human History', 'Counter Force', and 'Human Order'.

This Singularity, detached from proper human history and isolated from time, was the perfect guinea pig for the Dragon Emperor.

"That's it for today. Many things have happened, and everyone must be tired. You can go back now. The maids will guide you to your respective rooms."

"Yes."

"Understood."

"Um..."

Unlike d'Eon and Carmilla, when Artorius said they could go, Jalter hesitated as if she wanted to say something.

"Is there something on your mind?"

"..."

"Hmm."

Jalter hesitated again for a moment and then nodded.

"In that case, d'Eon and Carmilla can leave, and Jeanne can stay." Artorius agreed without opposition.

d'Eon and Carmilla exchanged a subtle glance.

The loyal and cunning spy had an expressionless face, but they could see a trace of envy and resentment in the eyes of the Blood Countess. Perhaps she was not pleased that Jalter received such special treatment from the Emperor.

'From the very beginning, His Majesty had a special regard for Miss Jeanne, but that's just how it is, inevitable after all...'

d'Eon thought to themself and cast another glance at Jalter.

The girl adorned in a full set of black armor appeared hesitant.

Compared to the original Jeanne, the blackened version was not only dressed in darker attire but also seemed somewhat pale. Her hair was closer to platinum, her skin even paler, yet she retained all her breathtaking beauty.

'I see why...'

Even without knowing the Dragon Emperor's particular preference for Artoria Face individuals, it was quite evident from his gaze, expression, and mannerisms that he held Jalter in special regard.

'Perhaps next time, I'll address her as a Mistress...'

With those thoughts in mind, d'Eon discreetly departed.

A musketeer, both a spy and a diplomat, was skilled at deciphering people's intentions. They'd never do something they shouldn't, like being a third wheel.

In this regard, Carmilla was different.

Coming from a distinguished Hungarian family, she held a blend of fear and fascination for the Emperor. She wished to escape his attention yet also desired it.

Like dragons to the Dragon Emperor, vampires to the King of the Moon, or nobles to their monarch.

Naturally, she desired to flatter and gain his attention, favor, and tenderness.

However...

Currently, the Dragon Emperor was fixated on that naive village girl in black armor.

This made Camilla feel unjust.

'As a courtly lady, I'm obviously a better fit...'

'That girl probably doesn't even understand what the emperor's favor represents. Truly...'

'Playing with me would be so much more entertaining...'

With those thoughts in her heart, Carmilla hesitated to leave, only fleeing when Artorius once again turned his gaze towards her with his piercing stare that had subjected her to excessive pressure and forced her to lower her head and escape.

"So, what did you want to say now?"

In fact, there was no clearing of the room.

Apart from Jalter, there remained six secretaries from Artorius's Empire in the room. However, he had no intention of asking them to leave.

"What I want to ask is something else." Jalter looked at Artorius and tried to act calm, "I can't assist in matters like nation-building, making laws and policies, or governing a country, so I won't mention those. But how do you plan to 'account to the people'?"

"Find a scapegoat." Artorius seemed nonchalant. "Place all the people's anger, discontent, and resentment on the head of that guy. Then torture and execute him brutally, so the people's wrath is vented, and everyone can move forward happily."

"By guy, you mean..."

At this point, Jalter's expression turned somewhat pale. She seemed to have already guessed.

"Right, you've probably figured it out. It's Marshal Gilles."

Artorius continued, "He doesn't even qualify as a scapegoat, to be honest. Because it was his doing in the first place. He was the mastermind, the instigator, and essentially the commander-in-chief of your group. So, holding him accountable and sentencing him to death is only fair."

"But I was obviously..."

As Artorius spoke about throwing Gilles under the bus, Jalter became agitated.

In the game, she was known as one the best women in all of Chaldea, and after the fake anger and desire for vengeance that she had been imbued with disappeared, the honesty of a village girl reemerged and made Jalter feel a sense of responsibility she had never experienced before.

So, when she heard Artorius talking about scapegoating Gilles, the girl became anxious, wanting to argue with Artorius.

However, before she could finish her sentence, Artorius interrupted her:

"While you might think your position is more important than Gilles, it's actually wishful thinking, because you're more like a puppet. I have no reason to kill you. Of course, if you wish to die, you can go ahead and commit suicide. I won't stop you."