Chapter 62: Core Strength

(First, let me say a few things: the protagonist's character design is being changed to that of a frank, upright, kind, and righteous lord. I'm adding a bit of a chivalrous image—someone who repays kindness and vengeance alike—and a "king of bragging" who doesn't let insults or boasts go overnight.)

I previously wanted to shape him into a benevolent and righteous lord, but I wrote him a bit too much like a saint. That was a failure of my writing ability; I kowtow to everyone and offer my apologies.

Also, the part about beating a hundred people to death needs a slight change. It won't affect the subsequent plot, but I need to raise the level, otherwise, it really won't make sense.)

The following is the main text:

The second morning.

The banks of the Blackwater River were crowded with the commoners of King's Landing, who were there to cool off and escape the stench. Hundreds of tents were scattered among the trees along the riverbank, and attendants carrying fruit platters and tavern keepers holding wine barrels moved back and forth among them.

"This is also a good place to be." After feeling the breeze and the barely perceptible stench, Patrick sighed with emotion.

"Actually, the Red Keep is the better place, but unfortunately, our status isn't high enough to stay there." Desmond said this.

The Master-at-arms of Riverrun spoke the truth.

Generally speaking, if a great noble from out of town comes to King's Landing, the King's servants will arrange accommodation in the Red Keep.

For example, Beric Tanderly, the Count of Blackhaven in the Stormlands, could stay inside the Red Keep because he was a vassal of the stag house, Baratheon.

As for Patrick, who was of the same rank—the first heir to a count's domain—the Red Keep wouldn't pay him any mind, so he, like small nobles such as Arthur and Desmond, lived outside.

There is a bit of a trick to this.

Because it is the stag dynasty, the nobles from the stag house's three current major territories—the Crownlands, Dragonstone, and the Stormlands—are valued more than nobles of the same rank from other regions.

Below the stag house, the vassals of the Lannister house of the Westerlands are the most valued, after all, they are the Queen's people.

As for the rest, such as the vassals of the hawk house, Arryn, of the Vale, they also received preferential treatment from the Red Keep when the former Hand, Jon Arryn, was still alive.

And now, if the northern vassals of the wolf house, Stark, come to King's Landing, they also receive preferential treatment.

The great vassals from the other major territories do not have such treatment.

The unreasonableness of this situation also reflects some of the awkward circumstances of Robert's four-house alliance.

By rights, Robert's Iron Throne was won by the alliance of the four houses: wolf, hawk, fish, and stag.

Considering that the stag house's troops didn't fight much in the early stages, the other three houses made the primary contributions to Robert's throne.

However, the Reach and the Westerlands, which had the top two strengths, preserved their power and thus gained "united front" value.

Consequently, Robert married the eldest daughter of the liege house of the Westerlands to maintain the unity of the Seven Kingdoms.

In this way, the fish, wolf, and hawk houses, who fought for the world and put in the most effort, ended up with only their pre-war status.

The Westerlands did the least but gained the greatest benefits. Consolidating their existing status was the stance of the Lannister house led by Tywin.

The Reach performed in a standard manner, but because their strength was the greatest in the Seven Kingdoms, after more than a decade of recuperation, they had some different ideas.

Seeking a status commensurate with their strength has always been the core demand of the Reach led by the rose house.

Considering they cannot overthrow the throne, what they can do is marry into the royal family. But if the king changes, they will also support a candidate willing to pay a high price.

Even within the stag house, because Stannis, who had the greatest military merit, received the smallest Dragonstone, while Renly, who had no merit, received the Stormlands and Storm's End, they gradually developed grudges against each other.

Robert's throne was already teetering due to his immature performance in politics.

Littlefinger, Petyr Baelish, instructing Lysa Arryn to poison the former Hand was just the most precise kick to this teetering throne, causing it to begin to topple.

Of course, all of this had little to do with Arthur and the others.

At this moment, what they needed to face were dozens of Jiaodu and heirs from various families, large and small, of the Reach.

And several times that number of attendants and servants.

"Arthur Bracken, I am very glad you could come upon invitation."

Loras Tyrell, nicknamed the Knight of Flowers, stood up to welcome his guest.

As for Patrick, Desmond, and the others behind him, he nodded symbolically.

As the son of the liege of the most powerful territory in the Seven Kingdoms, Loras did not need to build good relations with two small nobles and a Knight.

The reason the Knight of Flowers invited Arthur was, firstly, because he had a good impression of Arthur standing up for a commoner, and secondly, because of the invincible, monstrous strength Arthur displayed.

"I was just thinking of practicing with a Lance; your invitation is truly a wonderful act of providing a pillow just as I was getting sleepy." Arthur responded this way.

Although his custom-made full Plate Armor was not yet finished, it was good to be able to ride a horse and find the feeling of charging with a Lance.

In a Lance tournament, the only condition for victory is to knock the opponent off their horse while remaining on your own.

To allow both sides of the competition to successfully achieve this condition, the shields used in Lance tournaments are different from the convex shields and flat shields used in normal combat.

A round Goumiandun is the shield used for Lances; its only advantage is that it allows the specially made lance to not easily slide off, and then break due to the two sides rushing toward each other.

"There is no rush for that; it looks like you aren't wearing armor, so you can only ride around for fun."

The Knight of Flowers had a very friendly attitude toward friends he recognized.

The two stopped exchanging pleasantries and walked to the main seats of the VIP area to sit down.

The venue was still being set up, but due to the influence of the rose house Duke's son, these nobles from the Reach could use it in advance.

Patrick, Desmond, and the others did not receive the favor of the Knight of Flowers; they were arranged in seats that matched their status.

Of course, because there were few people now, they were not too far from Arthur.

"I would like to ask, is your great strength innate, trained, or a blessing from some god?"

Loras asked politely, while signaling a servant to serve Arthur wine.

"Of course it's not innate; this is all great strength I trained for bitterly myself." Arthur said proudly.

His expression now was as if the system did not exist.

Loras looked on with awe, "I didn't expect that someone could actually train their strength to this degree. Quickly, teach me, so I can also become as powerful as you."

Arthur held back his laughter and explained seriously: "First, the most important thing is to train the core, that is, the strength in the waist and abdomen; this is the source of your power."

"And to train the core, there are only... um... sit-ups, planks, and such methods. Of course, you must also eat enough meat to supplement protein and so on."

He briefly introduced his fitness experience from his past life, fooling him first before anything else.

Loras was confused, and his admiration for Arthur grew a few points: "Are these terms you thought of yourself? They sound very high-end."

"Ah, that's right. I started pondering how to make my strength greater since I was a child. What I just mentioned is only an inconspicuous yet extremely basic part of my vast theory." Arthur began to spout nonsense.

"It seems my invitation was the right choice; you can teach me a great deal of knowledge that exceeds my imagination."

Loras saw the servant approaching with a wine flagon and goblets, so he picked up a goblet himself and poured Arthur a glass of Arbor Gold.

The two were conversing happily until they were interrupted by a voice full of shock:

"What, how could it be possible for someone to slaughter over three hundred people?"

PS: Seeking recommendation votes and monthly tickets.

(End of this chapter)