Meanwhile, in the Ruthenia Empire. Alexander was reading a report made by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sergei, who was standing in front of his desk. He flipped the pages to the end and shut them close.

“The Shepherd of the Deutschland Empire resisted arrest and got killed by the guards in his office at the Reichstag. Surely this information of his passing, when announced to the whole of Europa, would make the remaining shepherds sneak out of the country and hide in remote places.”

“They won’t get away from us, Your Majesty, that I assure you,” Sergei vowed.

“I have received many assurances in the past and most of them weren’t even fulfilled. So you don’t have to bother saying that to me Sergei to appear respectful.”

“Well, Your Majesty, according to the Director of the Foreign Intelligence Services, they have eyes on shepherds and are ready to take them down should they try to leave their country. Though I am wondering, Your Majesty, why did you decide to give the Deutschlanders information about Erik? Why don’t you do the same to the Francois and Austreans?”

Alexander hummed, rubbing his chin as he contemplated.

“Because I want something that the Deutschland Empire has. You are going to find that out after the war. So, are they happy with our tip?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. In fact, the High Command of the Deutschland Empire has approached us for a peace treaty to end this war.”

Alexander leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms across his chest. He thought that this was the equivalent of World War 1 in his original world. Instead of taking four years the war here took over in just two weeks. It must have been because of the Black Hand. If this war was all about nationalism and patriotism, it’ll guarantee a long war. Nevertheless, the war is seemingly stopping thanks to the Ruthenia Empire finding out about the conspiracy.

If the Deutschland Empire pulled out of the war just like the Britannia Empire, then he’d expect others to do the same. They are not going to let them walk away that easily. They still declared war on the Ruthenia Empire and that comes with a cost.

In every peace treaty, there are agreements that both parties must agree on. If one of them weren’t satisfied with the terms, the war will continue until the war goals are met.

Alexander had long planned to have overseas territories. Where he will officially end the term coined to the Ruthenia Empire as the landlocked country. The countries that waged war on the Ruthenia Empire had a lot of overseas colonies. He can demand some of them if he’d like.

“The war against the Black Hand is nearing its completion, and we emerged as victors. Without the Black Hand, peaceful days will befall upon this world, unless some individuals or groups get hungry again for power.”

“Would you take that path, Your Majesty?” Sergei asked.

“I admit, I did have that kind of ambition. But, after five years of ruling the country as its emperor, I figured that the population is too diverse for us to add more. If ever, we can just add colonies and have someone else, preferably a local, to rule over it.”

“You are thinking of taking colonies from the great powers, Your Majesty?” Sergei inquired.

“I sure have slipped that out of my mind,” Alexander chuckled. “Anyways…wooh! I know it’s early to celebrate but I really want to return to normal life where I’ll just do my thing in the office, run the country, and spend the rest of my time with my family.”

“Good thing it will happen soon, Your Majesty. Oh, by the way, Sevastian’s execution will be held in one hour. Do you want to come and see it?” Sergei suggested.

“Sevastian…” Alexander clicked his tongue as he twiddled his fingers. “Traitors and enemies of the world are falling one by one huh? Very well, count me in.”

***

The execution of Prince Sevastian was scheduled for six o’clock in the evening. Alexander heads there with Rolan who now thankfully acts as his personal bodyguard after a series of tours in the Britannia Empire.

They were escorted by officials toward the execution room where Sevastian is going to meet his end.

They arrived at the spectators’ room, where high-ranking officials working in the Commands Ops can be seen sitting in front of a rectangular window pane. On the other side of it were strapping belts on the headrest and the armchairs.

An electric chair.

The door opened from the other side of the wall, where they saw Sevastian getting pulled by the warden to the electric chair.

They watched as the men in charge strapped Sevastian’s wrists, ankles, forearms, chest, and waist with leather straps. The sponges soaked in a saturated brine were placed at the crown of Sevastian’s head. Then the electrodes, a device that will deliver two thousand and five hundred volts of electricity through Sevastian’s body.

The Chief who was holding Sevastian as a prisoner raised a thumbs up, indicating that everything was ready. Alexander stepped forward and spoke into the microphone where he’ll be heard by Sevastian.

“Sevastian, do you hear me?” Alexander asked.

Sevastian answered with a nod of his head.

“Good, because at any moment, you will be executed for high treason. Two thousand five hundred volts of electricity will be delivered to your body. It’s going to be painful but you won’t be able to feel it.”

“How…” Sevastian uttered a question.

“Because the velocity of the electricity is so fast that your nervous system won’t be fast enough to communicate pain. It is a humane way of execution. Your death would be calm compared to the other prisoners who are executed by hanging.”

“I see…that’s reassuring then,” a smile spread across his face as he closed his eyes, ready for whatever is next.

“Chief, the floor is yours. Please start the execution,” Alexander said.

“Yes Your Majesty,” the Chief acknowledged his orders and reached his hands out to the lever. He pushed the lever up and suddenly Sevastian’s body convulsed as the electricity traveled throughout his body. There was smoke rising up from his head. After a few seconds, Rolan broke the silence with a question.

“Is he…dead?”

“At two thousand volts alternating current, yes,” Alexander replied, trying to keep a straight face.

The Chief’s subordinates removed Sevastian’s body from the electric chair and dragged him out of the room. The execution was finished, and Alexander, who saw it all, felt that Sevastian’s death was a type of symbolism.

After five years, Alexander had wiped out the Black Hand. Though not officially, he is confident he’ll get there as they already marked them.

“I wonder what life awaits me now,” Alexander muttered under his breath.