"So, this is all the list of the people affiliated with the Black Hand? Including the executives?" Alexander asked after reading the note filled with names while looking at Anne who was still wiping off her tears.
"Yes," Anne confirmed. "Since the Congress has been destroyed, where most members are associated with Black Hand, except the President, which you confirmed you haven't killed yet, those people on the list are the only remaining officials of the Black Hand. Just as you said, we are like ants, we take instructions from the Black Hand in the United States. Without them, we are on our own."
Concluding her explanation, Anne heaved a sigh of relief. She knew it wasn't enough for her sins to be forgiven, but helping Alexander and the Ruthenia Empire to end the Black Hand released some of the tension in her chest.
"There are members of the parliament here in the list. How do you plan on snuffing them out?" Alexander asked.
"We'll take care of it," Diana replied. "Alexander, you have done a lot to fight the Black Hand, we'll do our part. Still, I find it hard to believe that the Prime Minister of the Deutschland Empire is also one of the Black Hand. Not only that, all Black Hand executives have high-ranking positions in the government, thus exerting a lot of influence. So how are you going to take care of them?"
Alexander hummed as he thought but quickly snapped out of it. "Do I really have to think about it? Of course to expose and bring them to justice. By justice, I mean Ruthenian justice. Killing them would be a mercy for them, so we'll take our time. As for Anne, well, I really don't know what to do with her. So her fate is in your hands. I don't care what you will do to her if you decide to let her live, then keep an eye out for her, otherwise, we would be forced to take drastic measures. I'm sure you know what I mean," Alexander's lips curled into a smile.
"I know, she may be my sister but she has committed a crime."
"I will accept any punishment that I will receive, even if it's death," Anne said.
"So…I think this is it," Alexander rose to his feet and sighed deeply. "At last, the Black Hand is finished. I will prepare your transportation back to the Britannia Empire along with some of my finest elite forces. They'll be your security for the time being until uncertainty settles in the isles of the Britannia Empire."
"The moment we get back to the Britannia Empire, I will pull Britannia out of the war, and encourage the others to do the same. But I'm sure after showing us your most powerful weapon, they are likely going to consider it, even if the nation is controlled by the Black Hand," Anne said.
"Should you pull out of the war, I will order my navy to stop the naval blockade. I am aware that the blockade is hurting your economy."
"It would be our pleasure if you order it now," Diana said, chuckling.
"No, I don't think so. Just declare the retraction of your declaration of war then we got a deal," Alexander said. "So, I'll leave the two of you here as I have to return to work and settle this once and for all."
After saying that, Diana bowed politely at Alexander. Alexander acknowledged the gesture with a nod of the head before leaving the room. The Imperial Guards inside were tasked to keep an eye on them.
Outside, he met a known individual.
"Rolan?" Alexander said, scanning his appearance. There are some minor bruises on his face but other than that, Rolan seemed fine. "Didn't expect to see you sooner."
Rolan shrugged and looked around at his surroundings. "I have something to report, Your Majesty. You see, all of the royal families we rescued from London want to have an audience with you. I think it would be best to attend to it and explain the situation."
"I'm going to do that anyway but I have some urgent matters that take precedence…" Alexander trailed off his words when an idea popped up in his head. "You know what? I think I'll go and see them."
Rolan nodded in satisfaction and spoke again. "Your Majesty, I received news that Sevastian was affiliated with the Black Hand? That was a serious breach of security. We have let a dangerous individual stay by your side…this matter wouldn't be overlooked. We'll do a proper investigation to ensure that this would never happen again," Rolan said resolutely.
"I figured you'd say that," Alexander scoffed softly. "Soon, peace is going to be on our hands. The reign of terror of the Black Hand will end now.
"Anne confessed?" Rolan asked.
"Yeah…"
"That's good then. I have been deployed overseas two times in a row, I think I'm going to take a week off," Rolan chuckled.
"You're going to need that," Alexander chuckled back.
***
In the next two hours, Alexander met the surviving royal families and the special forces extracted from London. They were confused at first but when Alexander explained the situation to them, they finally understood. To nail the Black Hand down completely, each of the royal families promised to testify to the war the Black Hand is doing and convince the nation who is at war to stop.
After that, Alexander heads straight to the Command Ops where he is greeted by the officials.
"Your Majesty," Alexei lowered his hand after performing a salute. "I'm happy to inform you that the Berlin Strategic Offensive Operation can be executed tomorrow."
"I thought it would take days?" Alexander cocked his head to the side as he took his seat.
"That I thought too, but due to the advancement in communications and computers, we were able to strategize in a short amount of time. So, Your Majesty, should we execute it?"
"Hold that order," Alexander said. "I have received invaluable intel from the shepherdess of the Britannia Empire herself. There's no need to take Berlin, we just have to take out their leader. Prime Minister Erik Jan Hanussen. Kill him, and then we end the war. I think at this point, we should be discussing post-war policies and how to proceed."
"I concur, Your Majesty," Sergei said. "Before I proceed, may I ask a question?"
"What is it?"
"Are the Black Hand executives high-ranking individuals in their respective countries?"
"Yes," Alexander confirmed.
"Then we'll have to find a replacement, one that wouldn't act against the interest of the Ruthenia Empire," Sergei said.
"Good…but let's return to the Black Hand. My order is to capture all of the bastards on the list, alive preferably. We'll have them experience Gulag," a predatory smile spread across Alexander's face.
