The Small Council Explodes

Under the cover of night.

Teams of golden-robed enforcers swarmed the streets, arresting criminals with impunity.

Without specific targets, they burst into residences, casinos, brothels, and other establishments, apprehending suspected fugitives.

As the de facto rulers of King's Landing, they knew exactly where criminals hid.

BANG!

The back door of an underground boxing ring was kicked open. The organizers were all arrested, and the spectators scattered.

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"Over here, there are some children!"

A golden-robed enforcer opened a barred gate, revealing three emaciated children huddled in a dim dungeon.

Other golden-robed enforcers gathered around.

One dragged out a half-grown boy, roughly prying open his mouth to reveal a set of sharpened teeth.

The boy's eyes were fierce. Even when thrown back, he didn't cry or make a sound.

"This one's a lost cause. Check the other two."

The leader of the golden-robed enforcers was older and had seen the money-making tools cultivated by these inhumane underground boxing rings.

From the boy's demeanor, he could tell the other party had already killed in matches.

Under cruel experiences, they had become more savage than beasts, beyond any form of discipline.

"These two are fine."

The golden-robed enforcer pried open the mouths of another girl and boy. Their teeth were unfiled, and their bodies bore only whip marks, no signs of combat.

Most importantly, the eyes of the two children were filled with fear and tears, yet they retained their individual will.

The captain of the golden-robed enforcers waved his hand: "Take these two back for resettlement. Toss the older one into the flea pit."

DaerenPrince had given the order.

Female orphans under 13 and male orphans under 11 were to be uniformly taken in. Orphans exceeding these ages would be dealt with on a case-by-case basis.

Those ruined and disabled by underground boxing rings were to be directly thrown into the flea pit.

It might seem cruel, but Daeren was no philanthropist.

His territory needed population.

Younger orphans, having not experienced too much darkness, could still be nurtured and educated.

Once they exceeded 13, especially the boys.

They were no longer children, but a reserve of future criminals.

The scope of Daeren's purge of King's Landing did not include the flea pit, which was meant to be a refuge for those driven to desperation.

This corresponded to the saying, "You can't drive a dog into a dead end."

Those in the flea pit, good and bad indistinguishable.

They would be dealt with specially.

"Let's go, next!"

After smashing and looting everything, the golden-robed enforcers escorted the villains from the underground boxing ring away.

At the same moment.

The same scene played out repeatedly.

Spreading outwards from the City Guard barracks, then to the Cobbler's Square and Silk Street, a third of King's Landing was engulfed in gold.

Dawn broke.

Daeren sat on the base of a statue on Silk Street, his silver-gold hair stained with blood, his eyes filled with unwavering conviction.

He checked his status panel.

Spring, 24th day, Wednesday, clear skies, 7:30 AM.

The night's purge had been extremely difficult.

Daeren silently looked up, watching carts covered in white cloth, dripping with blood, being transported out of the city.

Plop!

A severed hand fell out, twitching reflexively.

Elisha entered his field of vision and picked up the severed hand, stuffing it back into the cart:

"Prince, the Cobbler's Square purge is complete. The shops on Silk Street have complex backgrounds behind them; it will take a little more time."

Daeren seemed not to hear, remaining silent.

Purging King's Landing was a mad plan.

Over the course of one night, over a thousand criminals of various types were arrested, with no less than a hundred executed for disobeying the law, and many more beheaded for resisting.

The severed limbs and remains of the executed alone filled six or seven carriages.

"Our family has fallen."

Daeren closed his eyes in silence.

It was 280 AC.

One year before the tourney at Harrenhal and the "False Spring," and two years before the "War of the Usurper."

He needed to collect Dragon eggs beforehand and manage the farm afterward.

He had not a single moment to waste on the City Guard, on governing like a frog slowly boiling in warm water.

A chaotic time called for severe measures!

The Targaryens had not yet fallen, and his father, Aerys, was still king.

As long as he gained his father's support and the assistance of the Small Council, the consequences of this matter would be negligible.

"After today, the defenses of King's Landing will be in my grasp."

Daeren's thoughts raced through his mind, comparable to a computer.

By firmly grasping the defenses of King's Landing, he could transform from a favored Prince into a prince with real power.

His influence would increase, allowing his subsequent plans to proceed smoothly.

Seeing the silent Prince, Elisha asked with concern, "Prince, you haven't slept all night. Please rest for a while."

"No need."

Daeren opened his eyes and stood up, saying, "After discovering such a major event last night, the Small Council is probably in an uproar right now."

Someone would summon him shortly.

"Prince, shall I find a group of skilled men to accompany you back to the Red Keep?"

Elisha's eyes suddenly turned sharp.

Daeren glanced at him and said calmly, "The Seven Kingdoms are still my father's Seven Kingdoms."

Elisha immediately shut his mouth.

"Tell the Gold Cloaks to be mindful and not to cause trouble during the day."

Daeren did not refute, calmly stating, "Go to Lord Manwoody's side and personally protect his safety."

The coup within the City Guard, the purging plan last night.

The main strategy was speed, ruthlessness, and precision.

Now that the overall situation was settled and irreversible, the only thing to ensure was Lord Manwoody's personal safety.

If he were assassinated, the public opinion of the incident would spiral out of control.

"Yes, Prince!"

Elisha took the order and went directly to Lord Manwoody's residence in King's Landing.

With the noise gone.

Daeren took out a fresh, glistening Strawberry and took a bite.

No matter when or where, or under what circumstances, never forget to eat breakfast.

The Red Keep, Council Hall.

Just as Daeren had predicted, the royal ministers, who had heard the news upon waking, were in an uproar.

"Seven hells! Look at what Prince Daeren did last night!"

Count Simon Stunton, the Minister of Justice, had a stern face, barely suppressing his panic.

He was already an old man.

He had been woken up by his attendant early in the morning and informed of the massive shake-up in the City Guard and the overnight purge of half of King's Landing's criminals.

Heaven knew his heart had nearly pounded itself to death.

Count Rhaegar Velaryon, the Master of Ships, said gravely, "In just one night, the Gold Cloaks executed no less than a hundred people. Their bodies and severed limbs took seven horse-drawn carriages to transport out of the city."

"It is said that Prince Daeren personally killed three people who dared to resist in the chaotic streets last night."

Damn it!!

Did he think he was Daemon Targaryen, the "Rogue Prince" from over a century ago?

Count Colton Chase, the Master of Coin, was the youngest. A shadow fell over his face as he said, "My lords, it's too late to say anything now."

"His Majesty doesn't know about this yet, and the Prime Minister has yet to decline."

"If we can't suppress this matter, our heads will be impaled on spears and displayed high on the walls of Red Keep."

Upon hearing this, the other two felt as if their heads were about to explode.

Count Colton looked at the fourth person present and questioned, "Lord Varys, why didn't you report such a major incident last night?"

The King and Prime Minister were absent, and the Grand Maester's position was vacant.

Only three ministers and one master of coin remained on the Small Council.

Lord Varys's brow furrowed. Facing the sudden accusation, he replied smoothly, "My lord, even the smallest bird needs to rest. Besides, last night's events were sudden and without warning."

Who could be omniscient?

Informing Daeren, the Prince, of the conspiracy was meant to help him gain power quickly and restore order to King's Landing.

But the other party's actions were so cunning that he was caught off guard.

It was like two acquaintances meeting, chatting amicably one moment, and the next, one suddenly pulls out a dagger and stabs the other.

Unpredictable!