Man With Super Medical Skill (Matthew)
Chapter 3285 Palace Maneuvering

Chaos erupted in the palace when Aerial Legion soldiers had broken in the previous night, and the battle that followed was fierce. Fiorenna, clutching her child, had hidden in a secret chamber deep within the palace. If not for the intervention of the Everton garrison, she

and her son might have fallen into the hands of the intruders.

Once the remaining Aerial Legion were either captured or eliminated, Fiorenna finally dared to emerge, still holding her child close.

"Your Highness, with His Majesty missing, it would be wise to crown the prince as emperor," suggested Chief Financial Officer Kainne, stepping forward. "And until His Majesty is found, you should handle state affairs."

Many of the ministers nodded in agreement. Whether they were truly loyal or had other motives, they knew that the country could not be left leaderless. Gadel was missing, and no one could be sure if he was still alive. They felt it necessary to install a new leader to stabilize the kingdom and calm the people's fears.

Fiorenna glared down at the ministers, her expression showing both fury and frustration at their quick maneuvering.

"My husband, King Gadel, is not dead, and yet you are impatient enough to force me to step aside?" she cried out. The ministers responded carefully, "We mean no disrespect, Your Highness, but the country cannot go without a ruler." Standing helplessly above them, Fiorenna glanced down at her child, cradled in her arms. Where are you, Gadel... Suddenly, a commanding voice echoed through the hall. "How dare you!"

Matthew appeared at the entrance of the Montirian Hall, his expression cold as he surveyed the kneeling ministers.

"His Majesty is not dead, only missing," he said, his voice sharp. "And yet here you are, unable to hide your ambitions? You're all eager to follow Aelion's treacherous path, I see!"

Matthew's scornful words sent a

shiver through the ministers, who trembled as they kneeled. "Prime Regent, we have no such intentions! But the kingdom cannot go a day without a ruler. Now that His Majesty is missing, surely there

must be a temporary-"

"Shut your mouths!" Matthew snapped, his cold smile chilling the room. He strode toward them and kicked one minister to the ground.

"Prime Regent, you..." one of them stammered, stunned by the transformation. The once mild-mannered man now carried the air of a true ruler, perhaps even more so than Gadel.

Matthew's gaze swept over the

ministers, his expression a mix of contempt and amusement. "Do you think I don't know what you're plotting? You want Tristan on throne so you can all conspire and

line your pockets, bringing ruin to the country!"

"Prime Regent, you misunderstand! We would never-"

"Never?" Matthew cut them off, his eyes flashing with fury. "What haven't you done, you corrupt cowards with evil intentions? Guards!"

The officials knelt lower, their voices rising in unison, "We beg for mercy, Prime Regent! We acknowledge our mistakes!"

Matthew chuckled darkly, then said, "Now you see your mistakes? Take them all out. Give them twenty strokes of the cane each. Anyone who has oppressed the people shall get a hundred."

He paused, then added with a smirk, "Survive the hundred strokes, and I'll consider forgiving them.

At his command, panic spread

through the courtiers. Some

ministers went pale and collapsed in

fear-a hundred strokes of the cane would be a death sentence. However, those who had kept their hands relatively clean sighed in refief; twenty strokes would leave them bedridden for a while, but at least they wouldn't be facing their end.