Unlike the chaos in Flea Bottom, Silk Street was exceptionally cooperative with the Gold Cloaks' operations, remaining peaceful and serene.
Since Baelish's disappearance, the ownership of these pleasure houses had nominally belonged to The Imp, but the fellow hadn't had time to send people to take over before he found an excuse to slip away with Robert.
Therefore, the actual managers of Silk Street were still the same group of people who had served under Baelish.
But things were different now; rumors were spreading throughout King's Landing that Baelish had fled in a panic, abandoning even his properties, because he had offended his major creditor, Arthas.
If even Baelish couldn't afford to offend him, how could these shrewd fellows not cooperate with the Gold Cloaks at such a sensitive moment? That would be a blatant slap in Arthas's face.
"Dear Lord Jeyne, all the managers of the brothels on Silk Street, large and small, are all here."
On the top floor of the finest brothel on Silk Street, Jeyne Lannister stood by the window with his green eyes, gazing at the messy Flea Bottom to the east, a playful smile appearing on his face.
It was hard to imagine that the poorest slum in King's Landing and the most luxurious and debauched den of vice were separated by only a single street.
Despite the proximity, Silk Street's air was filled with the scent of rouge and powder, entirely unlike the constant stench emitted by Flea Bottom.
Turning around slowly, Jeyne looked at the crowd sitting at a long table, surrounded by Gold Cloaks, a flash of disdain in his eyes.
It wasn't that he discriminated against these pimps; Jeyne simply looked down on anyone who did not belong to House Lannister.
"Since everyone is here, I'll keep it brief, gentlemen."
Sitting at the head of the long table, Jeyne unceremoniously unbuckled the sword at his side and slammed it onto the table:
"I come by order of Lord Arthas to inform you of something."
"First, the properties here now belong entirely to Lord Tyrion, as I'm sure you all well know."
Scanning the crowd and seeing that everyone acknowledged this, Jeyne nodded with satisfaction:
"You are lucky; Lord Tyrion does not intend to replace the managers here, so you may continue to do business here legally."
"You only need to hand over seventy percent of all your profits on time every month."
This figure was reasonable; after all, what they had previously handed over to Baelish was essentially the same amount.
"Don't get excited too soon."
Seeing that they didn't object but instead seemed somewhat relieved, Jeyne raised his voice again:
"I said just now, your business must be 'legal'!"
"Lord Arthas does not wish to see any illegal trades appear in King's Landing again, so..."
Looking at the uncertain expressions on the pimps' faces, Jeyne's green eyes flickered slightly, seemingly enjoying the feeling of having them in the palm of his hand.
"If things like human trafficking or forcing women into prostitution are discovered in any of your establishments..."
As soon as he finished speaking, Jeyne gave a wave of his hand. A Gold Cloak stepped out from the ranks and hauled out a man in fine clothing who was sitting closest to him, lifting him up like a small chick.
Once the Gold Cloak punched the fellow to the ground, Jeyne stood up, drew his sword from the table, and rested it against the man's neck.
"This damned fellow—we actually found underage girls in his establishment."
Announcing the crime loudly to the crowd, Jeyne began to pass judgment like a judge:
"In the words of Lord Arthas, this is an utterly unforgivable capital offense!"
Following Jeyne's sentence, under the shocked gazes of the crowd, he swung his sword cleanly and decisively, decapitating the man—who clearly held the highest status among them—right in front of everyone!
Blood spurted from the neck, splashing onto the faces of almost every pimp sitting there.
Killing one to warn a hundred—no matter how many years passed, it remained the simplest and most brutal method.
Jeyne carefully wiped his sword dry, looked at the reactions of those present with satisfaction, and directly strode toward the door.
"Oh, by the way, everyone."
Just as he was about to leave the room, Jeyne seemed to remember something and turned back to warn them in a solemn tone:
"Baelish's previous debt to Lord Tyrion has not been repaid yet; I think you should show some initiative."
"Before tomorrow morning, Lord Arthas expects to see at least five hundred thousand Gold Dragons placed in his office at the Gold Cloaks Headquarters!"
... "What a massive move!"
Atop a pavilion, the sunlight shone on Varys's smooth, bald head, reflecting a dazzling light.
He still kept his hands tucked in his sleeves, but his eyes gazed at the chaotic King's Landing below with immense worry.
"My dear Lord Barristan."
"As a member of the Small Council, are you really going to let the Lannisters run wild in King's Landing like this?"
Beside Varys was Barristan, who was white-haired yet still imposing; he was also observing the activity on the streets below.
"I actually think this is a good thing, Lord Varys."
Unlike Varys's concern, Barristan showed an expression of great approval for Arthas's actions:
"Under Janos's management, the public security in King's Landing has been far too chaotic these past years."
"Young people have drive; it's understandable for him to carry out drastic reforms upon taking office."
Listening to Barristan's reply, Varys shook his head somewhat helplessly.
Ever since being defeated by Arthas, this Lord Commander of the Kingsguard seemed to have become his staunch supporter.
No matter how outrageous the other party's actions were, Barristan could always find a reason to excuse him.
"But, Lord Barristan."
As the kingdom's Master of Whisperers, Varys always preferred for everything to remain as it was, not wanting any complications to arise out of nowhere.
He could provide information to anyone, yet he was never willing to enter the game himself, always manipulating events from the posture of an outsider.
Clearly, Arthas's series of operations had broken the delicate balance that had existed in King's Landing for all these years.
"Are you not worried that if this continues, King's Landing will soon become a place where Arthas alone has the final say?"
Varys continued his provocation, his voice filled with a seductive, manipulative tone:
"Don't forget, neither the King nor the Queen is in King's Landing right now. When they return, are we to hand them a capital that is already out of control?"
"You are being overly alarmist, Varys!"
Just then, Renly's lighthearted voice rang out from behind the two men.
This nominal controller of King's Landing had eyes of deep blue filled with excitement; he didn't seem to care at all that Arthas had bypassed his authority as master of laws to launch such a massive operation.
"Good morning, Lord Renly."
Seeing Renly stride over, Barristan greeted him warmly.
The master of laws, the Master of Whisperers, and the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard—if one added the elderly Grand Maester Pycelle, these few were fully capable of holding a Small Council meeting.
Nodding politely to Barristan, Renly turned his attention back to Varys:
"I spoke with Commander Arthas yesterday; he is a very caring and righteous young man."
"As the kingdom's master of laws, I fully approve of the City Watch's actions. This will be a grand cleansing of the filth hidden in the corners of King's Landing!"
His words were filled with undisguised excitement and praise for Arthas.
Watching Barristan nod repeatedly in agreement with Renly's words, Varys helplessly covered his face with his hand.
Since he had attained his high position and put the man who cut off his manhood into a box, he had only felt things spinning out of control like this once before.
That was when the Mad King Aerys ignored his advice and opened the city gates to the Lannisters!
"Lannister, it's the Lannisters again!"
Varys muttered to himself, squinting as he looked at the still-noisy King's Landing, wondering what he was calculating... The northwest corner of King's Landing.
Janos was escorted here by Lancel all the way, his face mournful as if his mother had died.
Who would have thought that in this corner adjacent to Flea Bottom and Dragonblood, there sat an incredibly luxurious mansion.
And who would have thought that this imposing mansion actually belonged to the former Commander of the Gold Cloaks.
And who would have further thought that our current Commander of the Gold Cloaks, Lord Arthas, would lead his men directly here with such precision, as if he were returning to his own home.
"This... Lord Arthas, what do you mean by bringing me here!"
Janos wailed, his legs so weak from fear that he had to be supported by Lancel and another Gold Cloak as they walked into the courtyard.
"It's alright, Lord Janos."
Patting Janos's shoulder with apparent warmth, Arthas comforted him with a relaxed smile:
"You don't understand now, but once we go inside, you'll understand!"
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)
Full collection also avilable at low subscription in patreon