King's Landing Purge!

Fear gripped the hearts of the crowd, and no one dared to interject or joke anymore.

"Very good."

Daeren nodded lightly and decisively ordered, "Act!"

The Gold Cloaks flanking Elisha pounced like hungry wolves, seizing the highest-ranking figures, the captains in charge of the city gates.

"Your Highness, we've been framed!"

"Spare me, I confess..."

"..."

The city gate captains were terrified, kneeling on the ground and begging for mercy frantically.

The remaining eight or nine mid-level officers trembled, standing obediently to the side, not daring to make a sound.

Anyone with a brain could see that the City Guard was about to undergo a complete upheaval tonight.

Once these mid-level officers were gone, the army would be Daeren's and the Prince's for the taking, without any obstruction.

"Gentlemen, I am not an unreasonable person."

Daeren said with an impassive face, "You captains of the city gates have not only engaged in corruption and bribery, but you have also committed many heinous acts in secret."

"Do you want me to list them one by one?"

As soon as he spoke, the pleas of the city gate captains abruptly stopped.

They knew best what they had done.

Extortionate taxes, human trafficking, rape of young girls, harboring criminals...

They would do anything for money.

A bunch of scum and scoundrels!

Daeren snorted coldly, "As I assist Lord Manwoody in managing the City Guard, I cannot ignore those who use the royal banner to oppress the good people."

"You few outstanding individuals will serve as examples for public execution."

At this moment, the city gate captains seemed to have their bones removed, turning into weak-kneed invalids.

Daeren glanced sideways.

The eight or nine patrol officers who were caught felt a chill run through their bodies, their minds racing to recall their crimes.

"You few are more honest compared to them."

Daeren said with a scrutinizing gaze, "I will give you a chance to atone for your sins. Consider carefully whether to resign your positions tomorrow morning or accept a demotion and remain."

He wasn't trying to kill them all.

He would strike down some and win over others, thereby completely dividing them.

The eight or nine patrol officers exchanged glances, clearly with their own thoughts.

They secretly breathed a sigh of relief, thinking their nightmare was about to end.

Unexpectedly, Daeren continued, "However, among you, some will face trial, some will atone for their sins, and there is one who is extremely wicked."

Who?

The eight or nine patrol officers shivered, as if an invisible hand had gripped their hearts.

"Sir Jenos Slinter!"

Daeren's gaze was sharp, "You are also a city gate captain, and by rights, you should be given a chance to stand trial."

"Unfortunately, someone has pointed your name out."

Jenos Slinter, who had been trembling in the crowd, now completely collapsed to the ground.

"Come out!"

Elisha reached out and yanked him out.

Jenos had an ordinary appearance, with a receding hairline and a potbelly that made him look middle-aged and greasy, exuding a timid and shifty aura.

"Your Highness, please, spare me."

Jenos's face was pale. If he hadn't been propping himself up with his hands, he probably would have turned into a puddle of mud from fear.

He knew too well that his crimes were enough to warrant a hundred executions.

"Don't worry, I will spare you."

A smile played on Daeren's lips.

Jenos was overjoyed and quickly said, "Thank you, thank you, Your Highness."

His boneless demeanor was truly unbearable to watch.

Daeren walked past Lord Manwoody, who was already stunned, drew a dagger from his waist, and slammed it onto the table with a clatter, calmly saying:

"Everyone give him one stab, and let me witness your determination to repent."

Hearing this, Jenos's expression changed drastically.

"Your Highness, I..."

Pfft!

Before he could finish, a mid-level officer plunged a dagger into his back.

Then, the sound of blades piercing flesh echoed repeatedly.

Daeren watched impassively from start to finish.

A moment later.

The scene shifted back. Jenos lay in a pool of blood, his body riddled with holes.

Daeren remarked, "Poor Lord Jenos, with so many holes in him, how will he ever hold any Gold Dragons?"

Everyone fell silent.

They all knew that starting tonight, the City Guard had changed.

"Confine the prisoners, and dump the bodies in the flea pit."

Daeren demonstrated his efficiency, saying, "I'll give you one day. Get it done quickly. Tidy up your subordinates, and I want to see all the Gold Cloaks here tomorrow at this time."

He had dug out the rot and now needed to clean up King's Landing, this cesspool.

On the 26th of Spring, he would harvest the last of the Strawberries. After that, he would need to find a way to get to Dragonstone.

Before that, King's Landing needed a complete overhaul.

"Yes, Your Highness!!"

The voices boomed, deafening.

The next day, after dark.

Shoemaker's Square, the City Guard barracks.

Clusters of torches dispelled the gloom, illuminating the barracks as bright as day.

Daeren, clad in armor and a purple cape draped over his right shoulder, stood amidst a sea of men.

His gaze swept over them.

Over a thousand Gold Cloaks, clad in half-plate armor, equipped with fine short swords and clubs, each with a golden cloak, stood with solemn expressions, heads held high.

These were the hungry wolves.

A pack that had broken free from the hyenas' control, now ravenous.

Daeren had removed the corrupt officials, installed his own men as officers, weeded out the incompetent cowards, and kept the core of those who still valued honor.

To win their loyalty, he distributed money to each of them.

The Gold Cloaks, long exploited by their superiors, saw the dawn of a new era.

"Are all present?"

Daeren asked in a deep voice.

"Yes, Your Highness."

Lord Manwoody stood to the side and whispered, "Everyone awaits only your command."

Daeren surveyed the crowd again.

On both sides of the ranks, he saw the excited Elisha, the newly appointed mid-level officer of the City Guard, Jeremy Lake...

And many more like them, lowborn but skilled, grassroots knights.

Before this, they either had no connections or disdained the corruption within the City Guard.

But now, they flocked to it.

There was only one reason.

"Commander arrives!"

Elisha's voice rang out, silencing all other sounds.

The thousand-plus Gold Cloaks instantly quieted, their gazes turning in unison.

Daeren, his expression unreadable, walked to the front, meeting everyone's eyes.

The crowd was utterly silent, awaiting the Prince's words.

Daeren waved his hand, and soldiers behind him brought forward several large chests.

Creak!

The chests were opened, revealing piles of silver stags mixed with Gold Dragons and copper stars.

The breaths of the thousand-plus Gold Cloaks hitched, followed by heavy gasps.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Unconsciously, the Gold Cloaks beat their chests with one hand, as if a drumbeat had sounded.

Daeren raised a hand.

Instantly, the sound stopped.

Daeren's gaze was like a torch as he spoke, "When I took over as Deputy Commander of the City Watch, you were still a pack of starving, exploited mongrels."

Silence still reigned.

Daeren raised his head slightly, raising his voice, "Now, you are a pack of hounds, well-fed and well-rested, standing ready, prepared for battle!"

"Awoo...!!"

Remembering the meat and wine from this morning and the heads of their exploiters that had been severed, the Gold Cloaks were filled with excitement, howling in unison without question.

One hundred and fifty years.

The Gold Cloaks, once renowned, had become infamous generation after generation.

Finally, another Targaryen Prince had taken charge, bringing them back under the protection of true dragon blood.

Daeren walked forward step by step, saying sternly, "My father's city has fallen into disrepair, with all sorts of evils breeding and running rampant."

"This era is over."

"From tonight, King's Landing will once again fear the gold."

He then issued the order to depart.

Gold Cloaks: !!!

With deafening roars, over a thousand Gold Cloaks followed Prince's figure out without hesitation, surging forward.

"Remember, our sweep will be in Cobbler's Square and Silk Street."

"Thieves, chop off their thieving hands."

"Rapists, cut off their tools of violation."

"Murderers, an eye for an eye, a life for a life!"

Order after order was given, the methods of punishment exceptionally brutal.

To avoid criticism, Daeren left some room for maneuver.

"Before execution, if anyone wishes to don the black and go to the Wall, you must ensure they depart unharmed."

"We are not executioners; we are law enforcers!"