First Come, First Served

Immediately after the city institution heads were dragged to the palace.

Contrary to expectations, they expressed with haughty faces the injustice and illegality of their sudden arrest.

The basis of their confidence was clear.

They were certain there was no physical evidence of their corrupt activities.

“Listen here, Inspector Loen! What kind of disrespectful treatment is this! After all my dedication to Azra! I’m the very person who has lived a life without a single shame under the heavens!”

The elderly head shouted, his veins bulging.

Of course, it was a shameless lie without a single trace of truth, a kind of bluff to seize control of the situation.

It was an action taken based on the judgment that one should act strongly in times like these.

‘Why are they so confident?’

Loen was astounded by their confident attitude.

What on earth makes them act like this? Is it because there’s no physical evidence?

In fact, there was a reason for their swagger.

Typically in such cases, when physical evidence is lacking and the targets for punishment are privileged with considerable influence.

Most often, rather than certain punishment, matters were usually settled through implicit negotiation and compromise.

In the sense of ‘if we show a little sincerity, you’ll also turn a blind eye accordingly.’

This tendency was particularly severe in the southern region, far from the center.

It was inevitable given that the empire’s territory was vast, even saying it was extensive would be an understatement.

That’s why the heads were displaying such an attitude.

Looking at the silent Loen, the elderly head thought.

‘The Southern Alliance had a clear justification as traitors, but we don’t. Above all, Loen Franz in front of us is also privileged like us…’

It might end with just a symbolic punishment.

We would need to show a lot of sincerity in return, but that was something we could certainly endure.

However, contrary to his expectation.

The words that came from Loen’s mouth were.

“Psyche. Take them away.”

“Yes!”

“W-wait a moment! Where is the law in this! Let’s at least have a conversationㅡ”

Loen looked down at their backs being dragged to the underground with a cold gaze.

After all, they only lacked physical evidence.

With the help of numerous small and medium merchants who had suffered under them, circumstantial evidence supporting corruption and specific testimonies had been secured to overflowing.

So, in other words, what remained was just one thing.

‘It ends once we get a confession.’

After two or three hours passed.

Psyche, with a refreshed expression, walked out of the prison.

“Lady Loen~ The interrogation is over.”

“The result?”

Psyche answered with a grin.

“When I did as you told me. They fluently confessed even crimes I hadn’t asked about.”

“Good work.”

“Not really? It was kind of fun to stretch my hands after a long time.”

In the end, Loen succeeded in extracting confessions from the heads.

It was an expected result since there was no way they could withstand the Inspection Corps’ interrogation.

That afternoon.

Once again, an execution ceremony was held in the city square.

Looking emaciated after just one day, they were dragged out,

And on the platform, confessed one by one the crimes they had committed.

“Khuhub… In exchange for taking bribes and covering up criminal organizations, I used them like private soldiers, like my own limbs.”

“To bring down merchants who were eyesores… I ordered mercenaries disguised as bandits to attack their trade caravans.”

“In return for turning a blind eye to contraband passing through customs… I pocketed enormous compensation… Khub.”

After confessions accompanied by tears and snot continued,

Their heads flew through the air one after another.

“Honestly, I didn’t expect even those guys to be executed.”

“The world is truly full of surprises, I tell you.”

Afterward, their properties were confiscated and passed to Loen, and their families were permanently banished from the city with only a portion of their assets.

They had protected at least their families’ lives with their sacrifices, so it was a not-so-bad deal in a way.

The downfall of those who had reigned as the real powers in Azra for many years was so empty and instantaneous.

Immediately after.

Loen replaced the leadership positions of the city’s core institutions with new figures.

She filled them with those who were favorable to the Franz family or willing to cooperate.

Seeing this, Seraphine showed concern.

“Loen. If you’re not careful, other nobles might challenge this as an infringement on the imperial family’s exclusive authority… Will it be alright?”

“Anticipating that, I nailed down that they’re temporary positions.”

“In that case.”

Knowing that they were temporary positions under the condition ‘until separate appointments from the imperial family,’ Seraphine quickly understood.

What if the imperial family newly appoints heads for each institution?

Then, those appointed by Loen would naturally step down.

As temporary positions to fill the void, they couldn’t be challenged.

But what if there are no particular measures from the imperial family?

Then these temporary positions would naturally solidify into official heads.

Finally.

All of Azra’s core authorities and various interests were in the hands of those who supported Franz.

The hearts of the city also completely turned to Loen.

Thereby, Loen came to hold everything in the port city of Azra.

Now, no matter who becomes the next ruler of the city, without joining hands with the Franz family,

It would be difficult to exercise proper dominance.

That’s how Loen’s plan to take control of the city was completed.

---

Late evening.

Seraphine knocked on Loen’s door and entered.

“Loen. A letter has arrived from Father.”

“Father, you mean Duke Bastard?”

“Yes.”

Loen consistently added the title “nim” when referring to her friend’s father.

Elegantly perched on the edge of the bed, Seraphine began explaining the content of the letter.

“Father plans to lead the knight order himself and come down to the south.”

“Himself? That’s surprising?”

Loen’s eyebrows rose slightly.

“I also naturally thought one of my brothers would come. It seems Father wants to make sure.”

The Franz family and Seraphine’s Bastard family were currently in a secret agreement.

A covert alliance between the empire’s top-tier ducal families.

If this fact were to become known, it would cause tremendous ripples in the imperial political world.

According to the agreement,

The Bastard family was set to share in the Southern Alliance’s interests alongside Franz.

In exchange, the Franz family would gain the firm support of Bastard.

It was a deal beneficial to both.

Therefore, now that Loen had annihilated the Southern Alliance.

The Bastard family, having completed preparations, had begun their full-scale southward movement to reap the benefits.

“If the Duke himself is taking action, we won’t need to worry much about that side.”

With the Duke of Bastard’s capabilities, they would certainly secure their share without issues.

“That’s not all. There’s more to tell.”

Loen tilted her head.

The letter seemed longer than expected.

Seraphine continued in a tone peculiar to noble ladies.

“According to Father’s investigation, there are several other families moving quickly besides us.”

Loen’s eyebrows twitched.

“Already?”

That’s too fast?

Loen muttered inwardly.

The purge of southern traitors was not yet completely finished.

The Inspection Department was still continuing cleanup in the duchy, and similarly in the south, the corps’ rear units were scattered throughout, stirring up the families and territories of traitors.

In other words, the south was still in a chaotic and unstable state.

In such a situation, carelessly stepping in could bring unknown harm.

It was natural for ordinary nobles to be cautious.

So right now, the only families that had entered the south were the Franz family under Loen’s protection and some of their vassals following them.

The rest of the nobles were just watching.

Anyway.

Despite these circumstances, to think there are already families moving…

Seraphine added with a snort.

“It must mean that what the Southern Alliance left behind is that attractive. Just getting your hands on a few businesses or prime mines would bring quite a profit.”

Seraphine’s tone contained contempt for those trying to take what was theirs.

“…”

Loen frowned, sinking into thought.

It would be quite troublesome for Loen to reclaim something that someone else had stealthily seized.

She could do it if she tried, but there was ample room for unnecessary conflict or misunderstanding.

So the best course was.

‘I should block the very possibility of other families’ intervention. Or at least delay their involvement as much as possible.’

It seemed time to move the corps again.

‘I should quickly send the corps’ main force and vanguard throughout the south.’

The rear units were chasing the remaining traitors, so they were excluded.

The rest, the main force and vanguard stationed in major cities taking rest.

These forces would be sufficient.

Loen decided to use them to prevent hostile families from daring to crawl into the south.

Under the legitimate pretext of dealing with remaining traitors, she would block and delay their entry.

‘I can’t let them secretly place their spoons on someone else’s table.’

Loen’s eyes shone coldly.

With the city takeover completed, it was now time to turn her gaze to the entire south.

---

The next day.

New orders were issued to the entire Southern Corps.

“First, swiftly occupy the key resource points left by the Southern Alliance, and thoroughly manage them to prevent malicious forces from exploiting them.”

According to the first order, the corps’ vanguard, composed entirely of cavalry, mounted their horses before sunrise and scattered like the wind throughout the south.

They immediately occupied abandoned mines that had lost their owners.

And to prevent malicious forces from secretly occupying the mines and claiming to be the new owners, they began strict surveillance.

The corps’ flags fluttered at each mine entrance, and glinting spearheads blocked outsiders’ approach.

“Second, establish checkpoints at all major passages in the south to thoroughly prevent the escape of remaining traitors.”

According to the second order, this time the corps’ main force of over 20,000 blocked the key passages connecting each city in the south and began iron-clad inspections.

And in the hands of those commanding the checkpoints were papers listing the names of specific families.

Meanwhile.

Such movements of the corps spread instantaneously throughout the central noble society via messengers on horseback.

And the reactions were starkly divided according to each family’s interests.

“Count. A message from Duke Franz.”

“What did His Grace say?”

“He says to prepare moderately and depart for the south for now.”

Nobles following the Franz family noticed that now was the opportunity.

They hastened to prepare to head south, mobilizing all their family’s resources and personnel without delay.

Conversely, the reaction of families who were in hostile relations with the Franz family, or those who planned to secure a significant share in the south this time, was cold.

“Isn’t this completely meaning they’re blocking all passages to have everything for themselves?”

“What a cunning woman. Blocking the roads by using the entire corps like private soldiers.”

“Let’s send people to survey the situation and somehow find a gap to squeeze in.”

Everyone was angry at Loen Franz’s blatant actions, but…

In the face of the justification of purging traitors, it was difficult to openly resist.

The position of Corps Commander was directly appointed by the Emperor, so they couldn’t even raise objections.

Yet, they had not the slightest intention of giving up the vast interests spread throughout the south.

They began to move busily, trying to somehow infiltrate the south by evading the corps’ surveillance network or seeking other methods.

It was the moment the curtain rose on an invisible competition for the vast spoils left by the Southern Alliance, scattered throughout the vast imperial south.