Weeding out the roots

"Who is that person being escorted so personally? It must be someone of great importance. I have to follow and see," murmured the remaining spy as he quietly left the bushes. He stealthily made his way to a hidden spot where his horse was tethered and mounted it. Thankfully, the moonlight tonight was dim, just bright enough to see the road ahead. He hadn't chased the carriage for long before he saw it enter the city and stop at the Russian embassy. The mysterious man he'd been following then walked into the embassy.

"You mentioned that in addition to the seven high-ranking military officers, you also saw Russians involved?" Milock interrogated the spy before him, his gaze sharp and inquiring. The spy recounted the events in detail. After a moment of contemplation, Milock instructed, "Take a few men and keep watch over the Russian embassy. And while you're at it, keep an eye on the British and French embassies as well. See if there's any unusual activity."

"Understood, Your Excellency," the spy responded before departing.

Once alone, Milock rubbed his temples, muttering to himself, "More and more players are entering the game, and we're running low on manpower."

Milock soon found himself at the palace, reporting the involvement of foreign powers to King Carol I. The old king's face darkened with the news. "Is this information confirmed?" he asked gravely.

"Yes, our spies witnessed it firsthand," the leader of the spies confirmed, then was dismissed by the king.

"Send for Edel," King Carol commanded Chief Adri after Milock had left.

Crown Prince Edel was reviewing reports from the inspection team at that moment. The team had uncovered evidence of corruption involving Viscount Millesl, who was in charge of logistics, General Lauren Cree, commander of the seventh division, Colonel Klaus, chief of staff, and General Bill Slow, commander of the sixth division, among others.

"This implicates a significant number of high-ranking officers," Edel noted.

"No, Your Highness, this represents a quarter of our top military brass," General Puleshan corrected him.

While discussing these matters with his chief of staff, Chief Adri arrived with news that the king requested Edel's presence. Following Adri, Edel entered King Carol's study.

"Father, did you need to see me?" Edel inquired.

"The Russians have met with Ferlawrenscu. I suspect they've promised him something," the king disclosed, referring to the intelligence he'd received.

"Father, I've instructed the inspection team to expedite the review process and secure evidence for their arrest," Edel said.

"There's no need for such complexities," the king interrupted. "Let the inspection team gather sufficient evidence to convict them and send it directly to you. I'll have Milock arrest these individuals," declared King Carol.

"Is everything alright, Father?" Edel asked, his tone reflecting a mix of respect and concern, reminiscent of the deference found in Eastern traditions.

"Trust in Milock's capabilities. We must sever Russia's overreaching hand," the king stated, his concern about Tsarist Russia's intentions evident.

"As you wish," Edel responded, his tone far from that of a naive youth.

Returning to his residence, Edel summoned his head of the bodyguard, handing him a note for Carust. "Use the cipher to send this to the inspection team, and ensure it's delivered by someone reliable," he instructed. Chief Guard Carust nodded gravely in acknowledgment.

When the inspection team received the coded message, the team leader discreetly informed his trusted aide, "Prepare the evidence we need immediately."

By the next day, Edel had received the necessary evidence and presented it to King Carol. "Summon Milock," the king told Director Adri.

Shortly thereafter, Milock appeared before King Carol. "Take this order and coordinate with a special dispatcher from Bronga for the arrests," the king commanded.

"Understood, Your Majesty," Milock replied, quickly excusing himself.

Left alone with his son, King Carol observed, "Edel, do you think my actions are unreasonable?"

Edel remained silent, prompting his father to continue, "I asked you to reorganize the army to bolster its prestige. That was a task without urgency; it could be done gradually. But with the Russians extending their reach, we must act swiftly and decisively. We cannot afford to give them an opening. Romania must remain stable."

"Father, I understand your reasons. I was too impatient and failed to see the bigger picture," Edel admitted, acknowledging his earlier misjudgment.

Milock, armed with the king's orders, met with General Blongart at the headquarters of the guard division. "Will the men I provide be sufficient?" Blongart inquired after reviewing the warrant.

"Absolutely," Milock confirmed.

Soon after, Milock deployed his men: "You, head to Lauren Cree's residence; you, to Millesl's; you, to Bielslow's..." He assigned his subordinates to arrest the conspiring high-ranking military officers, while he personally led the team to detain the mastermind, Earl Ferlawrenscu.

At Count Ferlawrenscu's residence, chaos erupted as guardsmen and soldiers stormed in, corralling everyone present. Milock, overseeing the operation with a satisfied grin, greeted the Earl, "Good morning, Earl Ferlawrenscu. I believe you know why we're here today."

The Earl, disdain evident in his expression, snorted coldly without looking at Milock. "You're just a lackey of Carol, what's there to be pleased about?"

Maintaining his smile, Milock instructed his subordinates, "Please escort the Earl to our finest VIP room. We must ensure he is treated warmly."

"Absolutely, my lord. I will see to it that the Earl is well accommodated," one subordinate replied, emphasizing the word 'well' as he spoke.

Count Ferlawrencecu and his confidant, along with General Lauren Cree and Viscount Millersle, were among the seven high-ranking officers taken into custody. News of their arrest spread rapidly, causing a stir among the nobility and influential figures.

At the Russian Embassy, the ambassador spoke to envoy Ilviklev, "It seems the old lion is quite vigilant. I will depart immediately."

"For your safety, let the military attaché escort you in a diplomatic vehicle," the ambassador suggested, to which Ilviklev agreed, prioritizing his security.

Shortly after the envoy's departure, Milock received a report from his spies. "You're clever," he commented upon hearing the news.

"My lord, the butler from the Ferrence household has been hired," reported a spy, arriving breathless with new information.

"These conspirators deserve their fate," Milock remarked coldly, reviewing the butler's confession. "Take this and continue the interrogation. We need all their confessions."

As the investigation deepened, all implicated military officials confessed, except Count Ferrencecu.

Facing the unyielding Earl, Milock pressed, "You still refuse to speak?"

"There's nothing to say," Ferrencecu replied stoically, determined to protect his family even in the face of death.

"Mr. Earl, if you cooperate, I will ensure your family is allowed to leave Romania safely. Otherwise, accidents happen, such as a servant knocking over a candle leading to a tragic fire where no one from the Earl's household escapes. Wouldn't that be regrettable?" Milock posed the threat subtly, his tone laced with feigned regret.

Ultimately, Count Ferrencecu yielded and revealed everything.

King Carol, upon reviewing Milock's report, consulted with Prince Edel on how to proceed. After deliberation, Edel suggested, "The mastermind should be hanged, and the participants demoted and stripped of their military titles and honors."

Pleased, King Carol instructed Chief Adri, "Carry out the Crown Prince's orders."

Consequently, the Romanian government charged Earl Ferrencecu, General Lauren Cree, and Viscount Millersl with embezzlement of military supplies, misuse of military funds, and incitement of military rebellion. They were sentenced to hanging, stripped of their titles and ranks, with their properties confiscated and their families ordered to leave the country immediately. The other involved parties were demoted to soldiers, retired from service, and had their embezzled funds and military honors confiscated.

Following these events, Crown Prince Edel's prestige within the military soared, solidifying his authority and ensuring that no one dared defy his commands.