"Ah~"
Sitting in his familiar chair, the newly released Janos let out a comfortable groan.
He had suffered enough during this period.
First, he was scared half to death in a mansion, then he spent a week shoveling manure in Flea Bottom, and finally, he was tossed like trash into the sunless dungeons of the Red Keep, where no one even cared about his food or drink.
If it hadn't been for his decent relationship with the dungeon guards, he probably would have starved to death in there.
"Arthas, I'll definitely make you pay for this!"
Recalling the hardships he had endured these past few days, Janos clenched his fists, his eyes filled with a murderous glare.
"Barry, Barry!"
He shouted the name of his former deputy, his sharp voice echoing through the Gold Cloaks Headquarters, but no matter how much he called, there wasn't even a hint of a response.
Just as Janos was about to lose his patience, the office door slowly opened. Lancel, dressed in a red silk robe, walked in carrying a cup of steaming tea, followed by the burly Gendry.
"Why is it you? Where are Barry and those other guys?"
Janos was all too familiar with this Lannister, who had once escorted him all the way to the mansion to confess.
But times had changed. Now that he was the other's superior, he sat arrogantly in his chair and rudely demanded to know the whereabouts of his lackeys from Lancel.
"Oh, Lord Janos."
Respectfully placing the hot tea on the table with both hands, Lancel's expression was the epitome of sycophancy.
"Those few were dismissed from the Gold Cloaks long ago, on the grounds that they couldn't keep up with the training intensity."
"Oh, that's right!"
As if remembering something, Lancel slapped his forehead.
"That fellow Barry had his right hand personally cut off by Arthas at the Golden Robes Square for extorting ten Gold Dragons from the manager of Silk Street."
"He's probably making a living in the newly established Council for the Disabled in Flea Bottom now!"
"What!"
This shocking news nearly made Janos jump out of his chair, and it took him a while to calm his astonishment.
Looking at the fawning Lancel, he knew the other was likely trying to curry favor with him.
But this blonde Lannister was clearly Arthas's confidant; there was no way he would use him.
Turning to look at the honest-looking Gendry, Janos asked:
"Young man, what is your name?"
" Gendry , milord."
Without many words, Gendry simply introduced himself honestly, making him seem even more simple-minded.
"Very good, Gendry!"
The simple and direct answer satisfied Janos greatly; he was in dire need of an obedient person to serve as a tool for retaking control of the Gold Cloaks.
"Tell me, are you willing to carry out my orders without question?"
"Even if it means turning against your own comrades?"
Before making a decision, Janos had to test him one more time.
"Of course, milord!"
Gendry puffed out his chest and pounded it with his right hand, the thumping sound echoing in the room.
"Your command is my direction!"
"Excellent!"
Looking at Gendry, who was as sturdy as a bull, the smugness in Janos's eyes grew even stronger.
With such a simple-minded and formidable-looking personal guard, he was confident that he could fully bring the Gold Cloaks back under his control by tomorrow morning.
"Lancel Lannister."
"I hereby officially announce that you are no longer a member of the City Watch. Please leave this place immediately."
Raising his head high, although he didn't dare to touch this blonde Lannister boy easily, with the hand of the king backing him up, Janos had never felt so vindicated.
He then looked at Gendry, who was standing straight.
"From now on, you will be my deputy. Carry out my orders well, Mr. Gendry!"
"No!"
Hearing that he was dismissed, a look of great fear appeared in Lancel's eyes, and he pleaded hoarsely with Janos.
"Please don't drive me away, Lord Janos."
"The mistakes that fellow Arthas made have nothing to do with me! If I return to the Westerlands like this, my father will surely scold me to death!"
Lancel became more and more agitated as he spoke, moving closer to Janos.
"Please leave immediately, Lord Lancel."
Gendry, standing like an iron tower, stepped appropriately between Janos and Lancel, mercilessly holding his large hammer across his front like a personal bodyguard.
"You... you ungrateful wretch!"
Lancel seemed furious, pointing at Gendry and cursing while trembling all over.
"Don't forget who discovered you in the Colosseum of Flea Bottom! Would you be where you are today without me?"
"Now that you've moved up, you want to kick me aside? Has your conscience been eaten by a Shadowcat?"
Seeing Lancel so exasperated, Janos couldn't have been more delighted. However, knowing he had business to attend to, he waved his hand and ordered:
"Gendry, please escort this Mr. Lannister out!"
Receiving the order, Gendry immediately tucked Lancel under his arm like a chick and walked out the door... "Hey, it's one thing to act, but why did you pour tea for that disgusting guy?"
As soon as they stepped out of the room, Gendry set Lancel down and asked with a puzzled look.
Even if they were acting under Arthas's instructions, Lancel was being a bit too nice to Janos.
"You don't know jack!"
He glanced disdainfully at the seemingly simple-minded fellow. Gendry's acting just now was explosive; even he had almost been fooled.
"I added a special'seasoning' to that cup of tea!"
No sooner had he spoken than a heart-wrenching scream came from inside the room, followed by the sound of a cup hitting the floor.
Amidst Lancel's sinister smirk, Gendry hurriedly pretended to be concerned and pushed the door open.
He saw the tea cup shattered on the floor, tea splashed everywhere. Janos was spitting repeatedly and dry-heaving.
A trail of crystal-clear slime was slowly dripping from the corner of his mouth.
Recalling Lancel's smirk, Gendry seemed to realize something. A chill ran down his spine, and he pretended to see nothing, closing the door again to leave Janos alone.
"Lancel Lannister!"
After he left, a sharp roar of anger came from the room; clearly, Janos's rage had reached its breaking point.
"I will definitely kill you!"
...That night.
The rioting people, exhausted from the day, had mostly returned home to rest, and King's Landing returned to a rare state of tranquility.
Meanwhile, the Gold Cloaks, who had been standing in the streets all day, yawned boredly and prepared to call it a night.
Under Arthas's remote manipulation, they had managed their restraint perfectly, achieving a level of chaos in King's Landing without causing almost any casualties.
Just as everyone was about to head home, Gendry appeared on the street wearing a horned helmet and riding a tall horse.
Before the Gold Cloaks could react, the fellow had already knocked seven or eight people to the ground.
"By order of the new commander, Lord Janos, everyone is to gather at the Golden Robes Square within thirty minutes."
"If anyone is late, their fate will be the same as these guys!"
After dropping those harsh words, Gendry rode off to the next street without looking back, leaving a group of Gold Cloaks staring blankly at their groaning comrades lying on the ground... It was late at night, but the Golden Robes Square was brightly lit, with countless torches making it as bright as day.
All four thousand Gold Cloaks were present, whispering to each other as they gazed at the familiar figure in front of them.
Seeing the massive force, a sense of power returning to his hands welled up. Once everyone had quieted down, Janos spoke loudly:
"Brothers of the Gold Cloaks, I believe you are all very familiar with me, so I won't introduce myself!"
"I know that these past few days, you have all suffered just as I have."
"But I am back! As long as you listen to me, everything will return to how it was before!"
As he spoke, a smug smile appeared at the corner of Janos's mouth. From Gendry's report, he had heard that these pampered fellows had been "tortured" quite a bit by Arthas.
Not only were they forbidden from collecting protection money, but they were also subjected to high-intensity training in various ways.
As long as he promised to let them return to the old days, Janos was confident these guys would be eternally grateful to him!
To his surprise, however, as soon as he finished speaking, there was an uproar in the crowd, and even boos broke out.
Lately, although they couldn't extort the commoners as before, Arthas had improved their treatment, and they didn't have to hand over half their wages, so their income was actually higher than before.
Despite being trained day and night, their meals were always the best and were never skimped on.
Most importantly, these men, who were usually despised by the public, had actually seen something called "affection" in the eyes of the people of King's Landing these past few days!
"Get lost, Janos!"
"You disgusting fellow, who wants to follow your orders!"
"Eat my dick!"
The boos grew louder, and Janos's face turned ashen. Things seemed to be unfolding beyond his expectations.
"You ungrateful wretches!"
While he was at a loss for what to do, Gendry stepped forward, knocking several of the leading Gold Cloaks to the ground and cursing:
"commander Janos has been so good to you, and yet you dare to complain!"
Under everyone's astonished gaze, Gendry picked up a Gold Cloak and threw him in front of Janos, shouting loyally:
"commander Janos, as you ordered, I have captured the disobedient one."
"Should I kill him immediately?"
At these words, everyone looked at Janos with eyes full of hatred, as if they wanted to skin him alive.
"I knew this guy was up to no good!"
In the crowd, a Lannister captain angrily drew his sword and held it high above his head:
"Brothers of the Gold Cloaks, if we don't act now, we'll be next!"
As soon as he finished, the four thousand Gold Cloaks responded as one, surging toward Janos like a tide.
"Wait... wait!"
Seeing the situation spiraling out of control, Janos shouted, trying to explain something, but he was instantly swallowed by the crowd.
Before losing consciousness, he thought he saw the supposedly simple-minded Gendry wearing a profound smile as he gradually vanished into the crowd...
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