A day later, when the world was reacting to the Queen of the Britannia Empire's speech. The shepherds in the Europan countries started getting nervous as they sensed something wrong.
They were informed and ensured by the Shepherdess of the Britannia Empire that they'll kill Diana and everyone in the royal family. But that fact was betrayed when she made a speech in Westminster Palace. As expected, Anne couldn't just easily kill a family relative, especially when she was special to her.
Now, the Ruthenia Empire hadn't revealed information to the world about the true identity of every shepherd, they are hinted at in Alexander's speech. But the Queen of the Britannia Empire confirmed that her younger sister was affiliated with the Black Hand and hence strongly backed up the claim that there is an executive member of the Black Hand working in every country.
With that, the Black Hand Shepherds assumed that it's already been compromised and was already known by the Ruthenia Empire. It is only a matter of time before they chase them and have them answered for their crimes.
Now that the Shepherd of the Black Hands knows that they are living in numbered days, they are taking full advantage of it. One of them is Erik Jan Hanussen, the current Prime Minister of the Deutschland Empire.
In the Reichstag. Erik Jan Hanussen was looking at the map splayed over his table. The territory of the Deutschland Empire that is marked red indicates Ruthenian occupation.
"So they have fully taken control of Konigsberg, and we are facing a huge number of deserters surrendering to the Ruthenia Empire. What was their reason again?"
"They are saying that the government of the Deutschland Empire is being controlled by the Black Hand, who conspired an assassination of every monarch during their attendance at the crown ceremony in the Britannia Empire," Frederick answered. "Sir, pardon me if I'm going to say something rude to you. Are you affiliated with the Black Hand?"
Erik shot a chilling glare at Frederick.
"Frederick. What a preposterous thing to say in front of me? Me, a member of the Black Hand? Are you out of your mind?"
Frederick was unfazed by his glare, even locking his gaze with him for a second. Moments after, Frederick spoke.
"I apologize but the whole nation is confused right now. Are they truly fighting for their country against invaders, or are they at war with a country that has nothing to do about the death of Kaiser, and instead was planned and executed by the Black Hand."
"This is not the time for confusion," Erik said. "The Ruthenia Empire is taking every inch of our lands. We have to stop their advance, isn't that our priority?"
"But, Your Excellency, the Britannia Empire had Black Hand executive, The Queen's younger sister, Anne Mary Edinburgh. You know I'm finding it hard to believe that when that false queen told you that it was the Ruthenia Empire who killed the kings and emperors of Europa, you immediately called the high command for mobilization without proper investigation. You just jumped in."
"Just where are you getting with this, Frederick? Why do you sound so certain that I'm the Black Hand? It can be you, right? And what's the matter with declaring war on the Ruthenia Empire? That false queen had proof, Ruthenian soldiers caught live on television. That's enough for us to justify the declaration of war."
"But now that the Queen herself confirmed that it was the Black Hand who killed the Kaiser, and not the Ruthenia Empire, then what's the point of continuing this war? If our country is being manipulated, then I will do everything in my power to cut the strings to stop it being controlled."
"The point of this war? You are now asking me that? Well, I'm going to give it to you. Ever since the war started there have been thousands of casualties on our side and the Ruthenia Empire is occupying our cities. Isn't it the goal of the nation to protect its territory and its people from invaders?"
Frederick sighed. "That was because you dared invade their lands in the first place."
"Whose side are you on?" Erik asked.
"The side of truth," Frederick answered and sighed. "Let's stop playing this charade, we already know that you are affiliated with the Black Hand, Erik Jan Hanussen, or should I rather say…The Shepherd of the Deutschland Empire?"
Hearing those words coming out of Frederick's mouth made Erik's eyes widen.
"What are you talking about…" Erik inquired, growling.
"We have received a tip from the Ruthenia Empire. They have a master list of all the members of the Black Hand, as well as its executive. Most of them were killed in the nuclear bomb but the rest? Well, the operation to take them out is still underway."
"Frederick…you are smarter than this. The Ruthenia Empire is giving you lies, I'm not part of the Black Hand. My loyalty has been to the Deutschland Empire."
"Erik, to be honest, I couldn't control myself any longer from punching you in the face. You are already caught and yet you still spit lies."
"That's not a lie!" Erik raised his voice. "You are all being deceived by the Ruthenia Empire. How can you believe them so easily huh? Did they just contact you on the phone and told you I'm the Shepherd of the Deutschland Empire? That's fucking stupid if you think about it!"
Erik continued ranting, drops of saliva splashed over Frederick, but just like before, he was unfazed. He knows the truth after all, he is just putting up a strong front.
"That's not stupid, in fact, the Ruthenia Empire had managed to take the false queen alive and was interrogated…"
"Wait…she didn't die in the crossfire?" Erik asked, his mind starting to race as the real truth began unfolding itself.
"Yes. The Ruthenian Empire government said that the Shepherdess of the Britannia Empire had a change of heart. To repent for her sins, she told them everything she knew about the Black Hand and its members. To confirm it, I called Her Majesty myself. In short, the Shepherdess of the Britannia Empire just exposed everyone. This is a huge security breach, a terrorist holding the highest position in the government."
After saying that, two guards entered Erik's office.
"There's no point in lying, Erik. Even the President of the United States was caught. I'm going to give you choices, give yourself up peacefully and answer for your crimes, or resist and die here," Frederick stated.
Erik scoffed, seconds later, it turned into a chortle. "I can't fucking believe this. As expected, the Shepherdess of the Britannia Empire had a soft heart. I knew from the start that she will be a liability for the future of the Black Hand…"
Erik reached out under his table.
"Don't move!" the guard warned, aiming their Mauser C96 pistol.
"Don't even think about it, Erik," Frederick said. "These guards won't hesitate to pull the trigger to kill a traitor."
Erik snorted. "Well, it looks like you caught me. But you won't get to decide my fate."
The muscle in his forearm twitched as it reached under the table. Two armed guards pulled the trigger of the pistol, producing a bang that reverberated in Erik's office.
Blood trickled down on the corners of his mouth, and he felt his body getting heavy. His vision blurred and the room around him faded.
His decision to play the long game has failed.
