"Prince, please wait a moment."
Just as he left the Tower of the Hand, someone called out to him from behind.
Daeron turned around. "Lord Varys?"
Varys walked toward him step by step, a practiced smile on his face.
Before he could ask, Varys spoke first, sighing, "Grand Maester Pycelle has met with an accidental death. The kingdom has lost a pillar; it is truly heartbreaking."
Hah!
He played along since Daeron was also acting. "Indeed, a wise man who served three kings, dead in a stairwell closet."
"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, looking at each other in a strangely tense atmosphere.
Is this fun?
Daeron's expression was innocent, without the slightest hint of 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 poise."
Varys was the first to break the silence.
He knew the cause of Pycelle's death perfectly well.
He was just curious about how Prince Daeron had bypassed his Little Birds to take Pycelle's life.
It seemed now that nothing could be baited out.
Daeron: "Lord Varys, you'd better tell me what business you have."
If the other party didn't spill something useful, don't blame him for not showing respect next time.
"My Little Birds have scouted out some minor matters related to you again."
Varys said with a gentle smile, "Ser Janos Slynt, who guards the Dragon Gate, is involved in a conspiracy to force Lord Manley's hand and drive away the newly recruited Gold Cloaks."
"Janos Slynt..."
Daeron repeated, remembering the name.
In the original story, he was the Commander of the City Watch during Robert's time.
Known for severe corruption, which was even permitted by the King.
He had participated in a coup and betrayed the political idiot Ned Stark.
Varys added a few more words: "Ser Janos has poor personal morals and often engages in shady dealings. Ser Alliser Thorne, whom you recommended, has recruited a group of skilled men into the City Watch, which has seriously affected his... business."
As he spoke, he detailed the time and place of the planned confrontation.
[Writing to this point, I hope readers will remember our domain 101kks.com]
"Thank you for the information, Lord."
Daeron took his leave.
He was just thinking about whom to make an example of, and someone just bumped into him.
As for whether it was true or false?
Daeron did not doubt Varys's ability to gather intelligence.
After a period of getting to know him, he had also figured out Varys's way of doing things.
Specifically pointing out Janos was likely because he couldn't stand the man's corruption and bribery.
"We all do it for the realm."
Watching the receding back, Varys tucked his hands into his sleeves, his expression exceptionally serious... That night.
Daeron took action, hosting a banquet for captains of all levels to eat, drink, and be merry in Lord Manley's name.
Anyone who knows Chinese history should know.
This is called a Hongmen Banquet... At a certain brothel in Cobblers Square.
"Thanks to Lord Manley, and thanks to the fucking ale and tits."
"Hahaha..."
The brothel had been booked out by the Commander of the City Watch. The Gold Cloaks present were carousing wildly, shouting while clutching scantily clad girls.
It was very vulgar.
Second floor.
"Prince, do you really intend to do this?"
Lord Meryn was over forty, with a thin build and black hair and beard that had sheep-like patches of gray.
Learning of tonight's plan made him feel uneasy.
Daeron's face was as calm as a still lake as he pressed the man down into a chair. "I will take all responsibility; you don't need to have any psychological burden."
Lord Meryn was still flustered. "But once the act of killing fellow officers is exposed, it will be judged as treason."
It didn't matter for him, but the Prince had a bright future ahead; why take such a big risk?
Lord Meryn was a good man, possessing the kindness, etiquette, and justice of a noble lord.
But he was also an incompetent man who could not control his direct subordinates well.
Sometimes people even dared to feign compliance with city defense and patrol tasks.
How could the army guarding King's Landing be like this!
"My Lord, failure is called treason. Success is called revolution."
Daeron patted his shoulder lightly, his voice full of power.
The arrow was on the string and had to be shot.
Lord Meryn sighed helplessly and accepted it passively.
Checking the time, it was about time for the people to arrive.
A quarter-hour later.
Represented by Janos Slynt, the captains of the eight city gates of King's Landing, along with a dozen mid-level officers, arrived in two groups.
One group came together, while the other had only a few.
When they saw Lord Meryn, they only gave a perfunctory nod in greeting.
But when they saw Daeron standing behind Lord Meryn, their expressions changed instantly, and they hurriedly bowed.
Daeron said amiably, "Tonight is an internal gathering of the City Watch. Don't be stiff."
During the conversation, Alliser arrived leading a squad of men.
"Alliser Thorne, what are you doing bringing a group of patrolmen to a banquet attended by the Prince?"
A Gold Cloak officer, built like a bull, stepped forward and questioned him bluntly.
"Some people think so highly of themselves that they even treat their subordinates like honored guests."
"Hahaha..."
A dozen Gold Cloak officers chimed in one after another, attacking their thorn in the side with verbal abuse as much as they could.
Who among those present hadn't engaged in corruption or bribery?
As soon as Alliser arrived, he kept a close eye on them.
He was even more arrogant, looking down on them and greeting them with biting sarcasm.
He had clearly become everyone's number one enemy.
Facing the ridicule, Alliser let out a cold sneer, not taking it to heart at all.
These people thought he was timid and wanted to push even further.
"Everyone, we still have business tonight."
Daeron interrupted the nonsense.
Janos's heart skipped a beat as he asked, "Prince, isn't tonight just for gathering and fun?"
The group of Gold Cloak officers realized something, and their faces instantly turned sour.
Not for fun, but to discuss business.
What business could they possibly discuss?
"Don't be in a hurry, Ser Janos."
Daeron started normally, but halfway through, his smile vanished. "Also, do not interrupt me when I am speaking."
"Ser Alliser!"
Bang!
At the command, the door to the room slammed shut.
"Alliser, what are you doing?"
The burly officer was filled with shock and anger.
Alliser didn't say a word, looking at Daeron inquiringly.
The latter nodded slightly.
"I don't know anything! Let me out!"
The burly officer, confident in his martial prowess, shouted and stepped forward.
The next second.
Alliser made his move, drawing the steel smallsword at his waist and slashing swiftly and fiercely at the other's neck.
Swish!
A head with a shocked expression flew up; he had been beheaded on the spot.
!!!
The Gold Cloak officers were pale with fright. Some drew their weapons, while others questioned Lord Meryn, who had remained silent from the start.
"Quiet."
Daeron was calm and composed. His voice wasn't loud, but it reached everyone's ears.
A Gold Cloak officer of minor noble birth looked shocked and said urgently, "Prince, we are all brothers-in-arms. How can you let Alliser commit such a wanton act of violence?"
Daeron turned his head away, thinking to himself that the man had no memory.
"Disrespecting His Highness is a death sentence!"
Alliser charged forward, swinging his sword.
The opponent was no pushover either. Having received a noble education since childhood, he drew a longer and heavier double-edged greatsword from his waist and roared as he struck back.
A series of clanging sounds rang out as the metal clashed, throwing off intense sparks.
Alliser had the upper hand. He found an opportunity to kick the man down, stepped on his chest, and pierced through the gap in the gorget with a single thrust. Blood immediately gushed out like a fountain.
Splurt!
The steel smallsword was pulled out, its thin blade completely unscathed.
In contrast, the double-edged greatsword that had clashed with it had several notches in its heavy blade.
"As expected, it is a divine weapon."
Alliser was secretly excited, his gaze fixed dangerously on the others.
"It's... it's over."
Seeing this scene, everyone's hearts pounded with fear, and they completely lost the will to resist.
In terms of status, there were Prince Daeron and Lord Meryn. In terms of martial prowess, Alliser Thorne and the group he brought were all experts capable of taking on several opponents at once.
What kind of bullshit banquet was this?
It was clearly a trap set for them, intended to wipe them all out.
Daeron clapped his hands lightly, drawing everyone's attention.
"Everyone, can we talk now?"