"Vice-Captain Hannibal of the Imperial Valekar Guard will lead a contingent of five hundred guards," Alexander said calmly. "They will wipe out the Reus Family in completely."
The hall froze as everyone's eyes widened; this was the first time in years that the Imperial Valekar Guard would move beyond the palace gates in force.
Not to mention, Hannibal was not just any officer.
He was an Expert, although weaker than Victor in pure strength, he was far more ruthless.
No one doubted what this meant.
"The Imperial Treasurer," Alexander continued, his gaze sweeping across the hall, "along with the Minister of Trade, the Minister of Imperial Businesses, and the Minister of Magical Resources, will oversee the seizure of assets and property."
"I want everything secured and catalogue."
With Vice-Captain Hannibal overseeing the operation, any attempt to be clever and game the system in front of him would end in death at best or full-blown torture.
"The council will reconvene tomorrow," Alexander said. "Is that understood?"
"Yes, Your Majesty," they replied in unison.
"Council dismissed."
Chairs scraped softly as everyone stood and bowed.
Alexander descended the seven steps from the throne, unhurried. Victor fell in behind him without a word.
As the Emperor exited, several Imperial Valekar Guards entered and efficiently removed Paul Reus's severed head and lifeless body from the hall.
The doors closed.
Only then did the council members begin exchanging glances. Some already suspected this had been a carefully constructed trap. A provocation engineered from the start.
But suspicion meant nothing without proof and they had no proof.
***
Minutes passed in heavy silence before the High Chancellor finally exhaled and spoke.
"You have the Emperor's orders," Jordan Thorn said sharply. "What are you waiting for?"
That snapped them back into motion.
The Imperial Treasurer rose immediately, followed by the Minister of Trade, the Minister of Imperial Businesses, and the Minister of Magical Resources.
None of them lingered any more and immediately made their way out.
Outside the hall gates, five hundred fully armed guards stood in perfect formation, their armour polished, with the imperial family banner raised high.
A reinforced carriage prepared for the council members waited at the centre.
Once all four officials were seated inside, Hannibal mounted his horse at the front of the column.
"Move out."
With a sharp command, the formation moved.
***
As the operation unfolded beyond the palace walls, Alexander walked slowly towards his carriage that was in a different space.
A familiar notification appeared before his eyes.
[You have successfully killed an Expert-rank being]
[You have gained 1000 Kingdom Points]
A faint smile tugged at his lips.
'But first…' he murmured.
He turned his head slightly.
"Victor."
Victor straightened immediately.
"Wait here for the Arch Imperial Mage. Once the council finishes their internal discussions, bring her to me in the crown gardens."
"Yes, Your Majesty," Victor replied, bowing deeply.
Alexander stepped fully into the carriage as the doors closed behind him.
As the carriage began to move, he returned his attention to the system.
…
[RULER STATUS]
[Name: Alexander Maximus Valekar]
[Martial Rank: Intermediate (1)]
[Mana Rank: Intermediate (1)]
[Race: Human]
[Bloodline: Valekar Imperial Bloodline]
[Attributes: Fire, Yang Flame, Air]
[Techniques: Valekar Imperial Flame Martial Technique, Valekar Imperial Flame Mana Technique]
[Abilities: Swordsmanship(E), Close Combat(D), Spearmanship(E), Poison Resistance(C)]
[Unique Abilities: Deserved Pride(A)]
[KINGDOM PROFILE]
[Kingdom Name: Valekar Empire]
[Stability: 1% (Rebellion will happen just a single event)]
[Kingdom Points (KP): 5524]
[Kingdom Territory]
[Fully Controlled]
-
[Partially controlled]
Valekar Capital (7%)
[Contested Area]
Central Imperium (1%)
Black Sea Region (0.1%)
Marmaros Region (0.001%)
Aegean Region (0.0001%)
Mediter Region (0.0001%)
Dragon's Teeth Mountains (0.0001%)
South-eastern Valekar (0.0001%)
[Available Troops]
Imperial Valekar Guard (1176) (100%)
Shadowbound Reavers (22) (100%)
Imperial Valekar Intelligence (317) (100%)
Imperial Valekar Police (2%)
Imperial Valekar Armies (0.1%)
Imperial Valekar Mages (0%)
Imperial Valekar Navy Fleets (0%)
Militia (0%)
[Spawn Troop]
Shadowbound Reavers (Available)
[Convert Troop]
Imperial Valekar Guard (Available)
[Store] (Locked)
…
Alexander had gained more than he initially expected.
Not only had a new and completely loyal troop been added to his command, but the kingdom's stability had risen back up to one percent.
That alone was no small achievement, but the real reward was the Kingdom Points.
Two thousand points had been earned by reclaiming control over the Argus Giant Eyes.
Another thousand came from the executing Paul.
And finally, one thousand seven hundred and thirty-three points were gained through the eliminating Simon and every loyal attendant who stood with him.
Killing Simon had been very easy and swift.
Alfred had personally killed him, ending the man before he even realised something was wrong, while the remaining members of the faction were left to his subordinates.
Catherine was left with the shadowbound reavers to take care of the aftermath.
Thankfully, with the destruction of Reus trade group nobody would really care about the death of a small time noble.
'Now only one question remained, how do I use the points.'
"Alfred," Alexander said calmly, "are the documents I requested from Catherine ready?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Alfred appeared beside him without sound, placing a sealed scroll into his hands before retreating half a step.
Alexander broke the seal and unfurled it.
Inside was one of the fabricated agreements Minister George Campbell had supposedly made with the Six-Seven Gang.
The handwriting, seals, and structure were all designed to match Paul's, presenting it as Paul keeping records of correspondence between him and the Minister of Police.
It was perfect because, most, if not all of the information were true curtesy of the Argus Giant Eyes' Archives.
Each document contained enough fabricated detail to be convincing, not to mention other document recovered from the Six-Seven Gang's headquarters.
The documents were retrieved from the gang leader's room.
It contained escape plans, safe routes without police overwatch, timing, prison vulnerabilities and lists of bribed officials.
It was clear the gang boss had been preparing to use it as leverage if he ever needed to although he apparently didn't say a thing to his lieutenants.
"Good," Alexander said, nodding.
Without hesitation, he spent three thousand Kingdom Points.
Thirty Shadowbound Reapers answered the call.
Alexander summoned them in pairs, materializing silently and sending them out to avoid crowding the carriage.
Once the final pair had emerged, Alexander handed the scroll back to Alfred.
"You know what to do."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Alfred vanished into stealth, the Reapers dispersing with him, already moving toward their targets.
Alexander leaned back, a faint smile forming.
"One faction down," he murmured. "Two to go."