After Lord Karl took control of the Royal Capital, Richter shifted the Intelligence Bureau's focus from external reconnaissance to internal surveillance. He dispatched a large number of capable spies to infiltrate every corner of the Royal Capital, keeping watch on the movements of suspicious individuals. Though the Empress Dowager's remnants held their secret gatherings with great care, the Intelligence Bureau's spies still detected traces of their activities.
After obtaining the preliminary intelligence, Richter did not act at once. Instead, he continued his surveillance without revealing anything, following the trail to gradually uncover the secret alliance's organizational structure, membership list, and plans of action. Like a patient hunter, he waited for the best moment to draw in the net.
It was not until the eve of the secret alliance's planned rebellion that Richter presented the complete intelligence to Karl.
Karl read the report and fell silent for a moment before slowly saying, "It seems some people won't shed tears until they see the coffin."
He raised his head, looked at Richter, and asked, "Are you confident you can wipe them out in one stroke?"
Richter smiled faintly, a trace of coldness and confidence in that smile. "Rest assured, my lord. Everything has already been arranged. If they do nothing, so be it. But if they dare make a move, I guarantee they will come and never return."
Karl nodded. "Good. I'll leave it to you. Remember, I want them alive. I want them to confess their crimes in public with their own mouths."
"Yes, sir."
That night, the moon was dark and the wind was high.
The streets of the Royal Capital lay in silence. Apart from the occasional footsteps of patrols and the clack of night-watchers' wooden blocks, no other sound could be heard. Most people had already drifted into