Failure is Treason, Success is Revolution

"Your Highness, please wait a moment."

Someone called out to him from behind as he left the Prime Minister's Tower.

Daeren turned around. "Lord Varys?"

He saw Varys approaching him with a polite smile.

Before Daeren could ask, Varys spoke first, sighing, "Grand Maester Pycelle's unexpected death is a tragedy for the kingdom. We have lost a pillar."

Crack!

He echoed Varys' sentiment, "Yes, a wise man who served three kings, died in a stairwell."

"The dead cannot be brought back to life. We must look to the future."

Varys offered a word of comfort.

Afterward, the two fell silent, exchanging an odd glance.

Is this interesting?

Daeren's expression was innocent, showing no guilt or unease.

He was the one who killed him.

But wasn't the accomplice, or even the mastermind, you, my lord?

"You truly have great character."

Varys broke the silence first.

He knew the truth about Pycelle's death.

He was merely curious how Daeren, the prince, had bypassed his "little birds" to take Pycelle's life.

It seemed he wouldn't be able to pry anything out of him now.

Daeren: "Lord Varys, please tell me why you've sought me out."

If the other party didn't offer something useful, he wouldn't show him respect next time.

"My little birds have gathered some small matters concerning you."

Varys smiled gently. "Sir Jenos Slint, who guards the Dragon Gate, is involved in a conspiracy to force Lord Manly to abdicate and drive away the newly recruited Gold Cloaks."

"Jenos Slint..."

Daeren repeated the name, committing it to memory.

In the original story, he was the Commander of the City Watch during Robert's reign.

He was known for his severe corruption, which even the king allowed.

He participated in the coup, betraying the politically inept Ned Stark.

Varys elaborated, "Sir Jenos has a questionable private life and often engages in shady dealings. Sir Alliser Thorne, whom you recommended, has recruited a group of skilled men into the City Watch, which has severely impacted his... business."

He then detailed the time and place of the conspiracy.

"Thank you for informing me, my lord."

Daeren bid farewell.

Just as he was contemplating who to deal with, someone had walked right into his trap.

As for whether it was true or not?

Daeren didn't doubt Varys' ability to gather intelligence.

After a period of observation, he had also figured out Varys' methods.

Varys specifically mentioning Jenos was likely because he disliked the man's corruption and bribery.

"We are all for the kingdom."

Watching Daeren's retreating figure, Varys tucked his hands into his sleeves, his expression unusually serious.

That night.

Daeren took action. In Lord Manly's name, he invited captains of all ranks to a banquet.

Anyone who has studied the history of China should know.

This is called a "Hongmen Banquet" (a trap disguised as a feast).

In a brothel in Cobbler's Square.

"Thank you, Lord Manly. Thank you, damn ale and breasts."

"Hahaha..."

The brothel had been booked by the Commander of the City Watch. The Gold Cloaks present were reveling, embracing scantily clad women and shouting.

Shameless.

Second floor.

"Your Highness, do you truly intend to proceed like this?"

Lord Manwoody, over forty, was gaunt, his black hair and beard streaked with sheep-like gray.

Learning of tonight's plan made him deeply uneasy.

Daeren, his face as calm as a still lake, pressed the man into a chair. "I will bear all responsibility. You don't need to carry any psychological burden."

Lord Manwoody was still flustered. "But if the murder of comrades is exposed, it will be judged as treason."

He didn't care about himself, but Your Highness had a bright future ahead. Why risk so much?

Lord Manwoody was a good man, possessing the benevolence, propriety, and justice of a noble lord.

But he was also incompetent, unable to control his direct subordinates.

Sometimes, even the task of patrolling the city walls was met with feigned obedience.

How could the army guarding King's Landing be like this!

"My lord, failure is treason. Success is revolution."

Daeren patted his shoulder, his voice filled with power.

The arrow was nocked and the bowstring drawn. It had to be shot.

Lord Manwoody sighed helplessly, passively accepting.

He checked the time, estimating that people would soon arrive.

Fifteen minutes later.

The captains of the eight city gates of King's Landing, represented by Jenos Slint, along with a dozen mid-level officers, arrived in two groups.

One group arrived in cliques, while the other consisted of only a few.

Upon seeing Lord Manwoody, they offered only perfunctory nods of greeting.

But when they saw Daeren standing behind Lord Manwoody, their expressions changed, and they quickly bowed.

Daeren smiled kindly. "Tonight is an internal gathering for the capital's garrison. Don't be so formal."

As they spoke, Alisha arrived with a contingent of men.

"Alisha Thorne, Your Highness is attending a banquet. Why are you bringing a group of patrol guards?"

A stout, bull-like officer in golden robes stepped forward and questioned him rudely.

"Some people are too full of themselves, treating even their subordinates as honored guests."

"Hahaha..."

A dozen officers in golden robes attacked the eyesore with words, each trying to outdo the other.

Who among them hadn't taken bribes?

As soon as Alisha arrived, he had targeted them.

He was arrogant and looked down on them, spewing sarcastic remarks at every meeting.

He had become everyone's public enemy.

Facing their mockery, Alisha sneered, completely unfazed.

These people thought he was timid and wanted to escalate their attacks.

"Everyone, we have important matters to attend to tonight."

Daeren interrupted their nonsense.

Jenos's heart skipped a beat. "Your Highness, tonight isn't a party?"

The officers in golden robes came to their senses, their faces instantly turning grim.

It wasn't a party, but serious business.

What serious business could they possibly discuss?

"Don't rush, Sir Jenos."

Daeren started normally, but halfway through his sentence, his smile vanished. "Also, when I speak, do not interrupt me."

"Sir Alisha!"

Bang!

With a command, the room door was shut.

"Alisha, what are you doing?"

The stout officer exclaimed in shock and anger.

Alisha remained silent, looking at Daeren as if seeking confirmation.

The latter nodded slightly.

"I don't know anything, let me out!"

The burly officer, confident in his strength, shouted and stepped forward.

The next second.

Eliza made her move, drawing the steel rapier at her waist and slashing towards the officer's neck with speed and ferocity.

Swish!

A head, frozen in shock, flew off, decapitated on the spot.

!!!

The gold-robed officers were thrown into a panic. Some drew their weapons, others questioned Lord Manwoody who had remained silent throughout.

"Quiet."

Daeren remained composed, his voice soft yet carrying to every ear.

A gold-robed officer, born of minor nobility, looked shocked and blurted out, "Prince, we are comrades. How can you let Eliza commit such wanton violence?"

Daeren turned his head, muttering to himself about their forgetfulness.

"Disrespecting His Highness is a capital offense!"

Eliza lunged forward, sword raised to attack.

The officer was no pushover either. Having received a noble education since childhood, he drew a longer, heavier two-handed greatsword from his waist and roared in retaliation.

A clash of steel rang out, sparks flying in a fierce exchange.

Eliza gained the upper hand, finding an opening to kick him down. She planted her foot on his chest and, exploiting the gap in his gorget, thrust her sword through, causing blood to gush forth like a fountain.

Pfft!

She withdrew the steel rapier, its thin blade undamaged.

In contrast, the greatsword that had met it bore several nicks along its thick blade.

"As expected, a divine weapon."

Eliza felt a thrill, her gaze dangerously fixed on the others.

"It's... it's over."

Witnessing this, everyone's hearts pounded, their will to resist completely shattered.

In terms of status, there were Daeren Prince and Lord Manwoody; in terms of combat, Eliza Thorne and the group he brought were all capable of fighting several opponents at once.

What a damn banquet.

It was clearly a trap, designed to capture them all.

Daeren clapped his hands lightly, drawing everyone's attention. "Gentlemen, can we talk now?"