Chapter 200: Scorched Earth in the West, Trial by Seven, Vengeance of the Viper

In the Westerlands army camp west of Golden Tooth, Duke Tywin looked at the map of the Westerlands with a troubled face.

"I never expected that while the Ironborn are launching a massive invasion of the North, Eddard would still dare to take the initiative to send troops into the mountainous regions of the Westerlands."

Ser Kevan said dejectedly, "What on earth is going on with the Ironborn? According to the timeline, the Iron Fleet should have already captured the Wolf Castle on the west coast of the North and occupied Moat Cailin."

Jaime gave a soft snort, "The Ironborn are fickle. King Balon took the Lannisters' gold, but don't expect the Ironborn to help the Lannisters defeat the Starks. Now that the enemy has entered the mountains of the Westerlands, we are fighting on our own soil and are more familiar with the terrain; annihilating the Wolf Prince's Mountain Legion will not be a problem."

Duke Tywin said, "The people of the Westerlands are indeed more familiar with the mountains of the Westerlands, but there must be skinchangers in the Mountain Legion. Those eagles, owls, giant eagles, and the like can easily conduct reconnaissance."

The Golden Lady's skirt rustled, "I can deal with the skinchangers. My sparrows and squirrels can scout for the Lannisters in the mountains, and I can even attempt to charm the beasts that the skinchangers possess."

Duke Tywin: "Golden Lady, your little animals scouting for the Lannisters can indeed offset the reconnaissance advantage of the skinchangers for us, but the combat capability of the Mountain Legion in the mountains cannot be underestimated."

"According to the intelligence I previously obtained, the Wolf Prince's Mountain Legion is composed of Rockborn from Skagos, Cave Dwellers from the Frostfangs beyond the Wall, Night Runners, Mountain Clans from the Mountains of the Moon in the Vale, and warriors from the Northern Mountain Clans. Such a legion is a nightmare in the mountains!"

Jaime stroked the ribbon on his gilded sword, "Father, these are nothing more than a bunch of savages, the Wolf Prince's barbarian pets. Give me a legion, and I can easily clear the enemies from the mountains and send these savages howling back to the Riverlands."

Duke Tywin said, "The soldiers of the Mountain Legion are mostly savages, but their commander is Bronze Yohn. The Lord of Runestone, Bronze Yohn, is brave and skilled in battle; he is definitely not someone easy to deal with."

Jaime said disdainfully, "Bronze Yohn is a lord of the Vale; what does he know about our mountains in the Westerlands? I have faced Bronze Yohn in the lists many times before. Wearing that bronze armor of his, when has he not been defeated by my lance?"

"Father, send me to deal with Bronze Yohn and the Mountain Legion!"

Duke Tywin shook his head stubbornly, "No, Jaime, you must stay here."

Jaime said sullenly, "Why?"

Duke Tywin's finger landed on Riverrun on the map.

"Brynden Tully and the young wolf cub Robb have gathered a large army under the walls of Riverrun. Now that the Mountain Legion has invaded the northern mountains of the Westerlands, as long as I divide my forces to rescue the northern mountains, the Wolf Prince's army under Riverrun will inevitably advance along the River Road to attack Golden Tooth."

"Golden Tooth is the throat of the Westerlands. Once Golden Tooth falls, the entire defensive line of the Westerlands will completely collapse. Jaime, you must stay at Golden Tooth; you are needed more here."

Jaime said, "According to recent news, Lord Jason Mallister of Seagard has taken the Seagard fleet to raid the fishing villages and small towns along the coast of the Westerlands. Should we divide our forces to provide support?"

Duke Tywin shook his head, "The number of ships in the Seagard fleet is not large. Even if Eddard set up a shipyard in Seagard, Seagard does not have many warships in the short term. I will write to Lord Farman to have the Fair Isle fleet head north to deal with the Seagard fleet, and at the same time write to King Balon to have the Ironborn raid the coast of the Riverlands; by then, Lord Jason Mallister will surely withdraw his troops."

Duke Tywin turned to Ser Kevan, "Kevan, I will allocate five thousand elite troops to you. You will head north and summon the lords along the way. With the forces of the local lords added together, by the time you reach the northern mountains, your strength should be ten thousand, which is enough to deal with Bronze Yohn's Mountain Legion."

"I will send the Golden Lady with you; she can help you deal with the skinchangers in the Mountain Legion."

The Golden Lady revealed an evil smile, "Duke Tywin, rest assured, I will capture every skinchanger and let the skinchangers and their beasts weep in the dungeons of Casterly Rock!"

Eddard rode a giant eagle, accompanied by the Giant Eagle Prince Michu, the Giant Eagle Princess Bessa, and the magic dragon Flying Wolf, arriving at the Blacksmith City on Sea Dragon Point.

After the Iron Islands army was routed, Asha Greyjoy, Iron Fleet Commander Victarion, and Aeron Greyjoy sailed away from the North. At Stony Shore Castle on the Stony Shore, Acting Castellan Lamberd Tallhart of Torrhen's Square and the heir to Torrhen's Square, Benfred Tallhart, led troops to surround the Wolf Castle of Stony Shore Castle, which had been occupied by the Ironborn, while Jon Snow attacked from the sea with the North Coast Fleet.

After a bloody battle, the Ironborn soldiers assassinated the commander appointed by Victarion and raised a white flag to surrender. Stony Shore Castle returned to the hands of the North, and the Ironborn on the Stony Shore were also cleared out.

Now, the last Wolf Castle occupied by the Ironborn was the Blacksmith City on Sea Dragon Point.

Flint's Finger was the Northern lord's castle closest to Blacksmith City. Lord Barack Flint had already led a large army to the walls of Blacksmith City, and the Northern soldiers from the arrow towers and watchtowers on the Flint cliffs also came down the mountain to join the siege of Blacksmith City.

Even upon seeing the magic dragon and the giant eagles attacking, the Ironborn did not lose their courage. The Ironborn fought back with crossbows and yew longbows, wounding several giant eagles, and even the magic dragon Flying Wolf had its wings pierced by sharp arrows; the blood it sprayed was fire.

Fortunately, the trebuchets brought by Barack Flint used stones to smash the walls of Blacksmith City. The Northern soldiers swarmed in and fought a bloody battle with the Ironborn among the ruins of the walls. After a fierce and bloody fight, the Northerners slaughtered the Ironborn in the city, and the heads of the Ironborn were piled under the Weirwood Heart Tree as a blood sacrifice to the Old Gods.

Eddard ordered the Giant Eagle Prince Michu and the Giant Eagle Princess Bessa to take care of the injured giant eagles and the magic dragon Flying Wolf, and he went to the dungeon to rescue the Iron Bitch Helen, James Codd, and others who had been imprisoned in the cells.

Helen planted a wet kiss on Eddard's face, and Helen collapsed into Eddard's arms, "Wolf Prince, I knew you would come to save me."

Eddard stroked Helen's beautiful face, "I hope these damned Ironborn invaders didn't mistreat my Iron Bitch."

Helen said, "A few guys almost raped me, but fortunately, King Balon's daughter Asha saved me. Wolf Prince, I have been locked in the dungeon the whole time; how is the situation outside?"

Eddard said, "Jon and I used wildfire and dragonfire to burn the Iron Islands fleet at the Heatwave River. The Iron Fleet lost two-thirds of its ships, and the fleets of the other Iron Islands leaders also suffered heavy losses."

"Many of the Iron Islands' great ships, such as Victarion's Iron Victory, Asha's Black Wind, Aeron Greyjoy's Silence, the Harlaw leader's Bookish, and the Botley leader's Sovereign, were all destroyed by the flames. I captured the Reader Roderick of Harlaw, as well as the Botley leader, Dagmer Cleftjaw, and other famous Iron Islands generals."

"Now, all the Northern Wolf Castles occupied by the Ironborn have been retaken by the Northerners. Victarion, Asha, and Aeron Greyjoy have fled toward the Iron Islands like defeated dogs."

Helen was extremely excited, "I knew that with the strategic planning of Jon and the Wolf Prince, we would definitely be able to clear out the Ironborn. It's just a pity that I was taken prisoner and missed the great battle."

Eddard said softly, "Don't be silly. If it weren't for the desperate resistance of Blacksmith City on Sea Dragon Point, Stony Shore Castle on the Stony Shore, Warhorse City in the Rills, and Dawn Watch at Barrowton, which slowed down the Ironborn's speed of attack, how could Jon and I have had the time to organize a defense at the Heatwave River?"

Helen was deeply moved, "I didn't receive the Wolf Prince's orders before and rashly attacked Lannisport. Will the Wolf Prince be angry?"

Eddard said softly, "You disobeyed military orders, and I was very angry, but fortunately you destroyed the Lannisport fleet. My army has already begun to attack the Westerlands, and with Lannisport having lost its fleet, the maritime defense of the Westerlands is even weaker. You also made a contribution while resisting the Ironborn, so I will forgive your previous mistakes."

Helen lowered her head, "I am the Wolf Prince's salt wife; I will definitely obey the Wolf Prince's orders in the future."

"Wolf Prince, after the Iron Islands fleet suffered a disastrous defeat at the Heatwave River, they lost too many longships. Please let me lead the North Coast Fleet south; I will definitely be able to wipe out the Iron Islands."

Eddard said, "Helen, I will send you to lead the North Coast Fleet south, but not to attack the Iron Islands, but to raid the Westerlands."

Helen was a little surprised, "The Westerlands?"

Eddard said, "Although the Ironborn were disastrously defeated, the Ironborn's combat effectiveness at sea is still not to be underestimated. Back when King Robert quelled the Greyjoy Rebellion, Stannis destroyed the Iron Fleet at Fair Isle, but later, when the Seven Kingdoms' armies attacked the Iron Islands and fought on the islands of the Iron Islands, they still suffered heavy casualties."

"In the end, the Iron Islands are too barren; there is very little arable land there, and the iron ore on the islands is not worth much. Even if the North captured the Iron Islands, it would be too difficult to conquer the Ironborn. Helen, you are an Ironborn yourself; you know very well that the Ironborn believe in the Drowned God, and they are completely different from the people of the North, the Riverlands, and the Vale."

"I have decided to attack the Westerlands first. The Westerlands are far more prosperous than the Iron Islands; there are gold mines and silver mines everywhere. Once I conquer the Lannisters, I will go to conquer the Iron Islands."

Helen Pyke said, "So, I am to take the North Coast Fleet to Seagard?"

Eddard nodded, "Correct. The Northern fleet staying at Seagard can deter the Iron Islands across the sea, and heading south to raid the Westerlands will also become very convenient."

"I am going to ride the giant eagle and take the magic dragon back to the Riverlands, and lead the armies of the Riverlands, the Vale, and the North to conquer the Lannisters of the Westerlands!"

In the great hall of Riverrun, Lord Hoster, Brynden Tully, the Young Wolf Robb, and Ser Edmure welcomed Renly.

Now, because Edmure had previously disobeyed military orders, he had been relieved of his military command by Lord Hoster. He focused on managing the affairs of his territory and performed quite well.

The Wolf Prince's army under Riverrun had already begun to march toward the Westerlands. The first division was led by Fellan and Robett Glover, the second by Greatjon Umber, the third by Lord Tytos Blackwood of Raventree Hall, the fourth by Lord Herman Tallhart of Torrhen's Square, the fifth by Ser Lyn Corbray of the Vale, the sixth by Lord Jonos Bracken of Stone Hedge, and the seventh by Lady Maege Mormont of Bear Island.

The seven-pronged army, totaling more than twenty thousand men, marched toward the Westerlands fortress of Golden Tooth and raided the villages and mines along the way in the Westerlands.

Lord Hoster was in high spirits, "Your Grace Renly, I never expected that you would come to Riverrun."

Renly said humbly, "Lord Hoster, how could I still be any sort of Grace? The nobles of the Stormlands and the Reach have abandoned me. Now, I have renounced the crown; you can just call me Renly. I am just an exile, here to join the Wolf Prince Eddard."

Renly then presented the Rose and Stag crown. This crown was crafted from pure gold, the roses on it carved from cat's-eye, garnet, and ruby, while the stag was made of sapphire, tourmaline, and agate. This crown alone was worth a high cost, and Hoster hurriedly had Robb accept this crown.

Lord Hoster smiled, "Then, Lord Renly, on behalf of the Wolf Prince, I welcome your arrival, as well as that of your friends!"

Renly pointed to the Knight of Flowers Loras and Brienne beside him, "These two are my friends. The Knight of Flowers Loras, he is the youngest son of Lord Mace Tyrell of Highgarden. This is Brienne of Tarth; she is the daughter of the Lord of Tarth, Lord Selwyn, the Evenstar."

"Brienne and Loras have always remained by my side, never leaving me. Even though their families abandoned me, they still did not give up on me. They are the most precious wealth of my short career as a king."

Brienne said: "As long as the Wolf King treats Renly well, the Knight of Flowers and I are willing to take up arms and fight for the Wolf King."

The Knight of Flowers Loras said: "Yes, we long for the Wolf King to lead us to win the glory of battle together."

The Young Wolf Robb said excitedly: "The Wolf King has now gone to the North; if he knew you had come to join him, he would certainly be very happy. Loras the Knight of Flowers and Brienne of Tarth are both formidable warriors, and Renly is famously a good man, deeply loved by the commoners. With your support, the Wolf King will be like a tiger that has grown wings."

Brynden Tully said: "The Wolf King has always envisioned establishing a female army, and in the future, Lady Brienne would be the best candidate for commander of this female army. Brienne and Loras, you may remain under my command, and I will have you lead the scout troops."

Lord Hoster said: "Now that the Mountain Gregor is ravaging the Riverlands with a pack of mad dogs, I believe the Knight of Flowers Loras is suited to hunt down the Mountain."

On the road to Riverrun, Renly, Loras, and Brienne all witnessed the atrocities committed against the commoners of the Riverlands by the Lannister mad dogs, including the Mountain Gregor, Amory Lorch, and the Brave Companions, and all three were filled with righteous indignation.

The Knight of Flowers Loras stroked his sword, "The Mountain Gregor is a hypocritical knight; I have long wanted to slaughter this fellow."

A rough voice came, "Little Flower Knight, you'll have to wait in line if you want to slaughter my big brother."

Sandor, dressed in smoke-gray armor and wearing his dog-head helm, arrived in the hall with the mercenary Bronn.

Renly asked in surprise: "Sandor, you are not in King's Landing guarding your master Joffrey, why have you come here?"

Sandor replied irritably: "King's Landing has become a city of the undead; I am no longer a Lannister dog. Now, I am a dog in the wolf pack. Renly, what about you? Why are you not in Highgarden acting as your king, and why have you run to Riverrun?"

Renly said helplessly: "My Kingdom of Roses and Stags has already fallen, so I had no choice but to come and join the Wolf King."

Sandor let out a raspy laugh, "You are suited for bragging at court banquets, not for being a king. What can you do coming to the Wolf King? Do you intend to fight, too?"

Lord Hoster said: "Lord Renly is an honored guest of the Wolf King and also my guest; he does not need to go to the battlefield."

As long as Renly remained in Riverrun, Brienne and the Knight of Flowers were willing to serve the Wolf King; besides, Renly's martial prowess and command ability were quite average, making him unsuitable for combat.

Renly said: "Lord Hoster, I still hope to serve the Wolf King; please arrange something for me to do! I do not wish to eat for free. I was the Master of Laws on King Robert Baratheon's Small Council."

Hoster thought for a moment, "Lord Renly, the Wolf King Eddard has not declared himself king, so there is no Small Council. The Wolf King is currently implementing military colonies and household registration systems in the Riverlands and the Vale, and there is a massive amount of work to be done every day. If you are interested, you may join in."

Renly smiled, "I am very willing to serve the Starks and the Wolf King."

Brynden Tully took Brienne, the Knight of Flowers Loras, and Sandor to the camp outside Riverrun, where they encountered Prince Oberyn, who had returned from battle.

Prince Oberyn widened his eyes, "Am I seeing this correctly? How are Joffrey's dog, Renly's flower, and the beauty together?"

Brynden Tully said: "Prince Oberyn, during your expedition, Sandor, the Knight of Flowers Loras, Brienne of Tarth, and Renly have all joined the Wolf King's camp."

Sandor the Hound said coldly: "I heard a Red Viper of Dorne intends to hunt down my big brother the Mountain in the Riverlands, so I joined the wolf pack; my big brother the Mountain Gregor is mine alone to kill."

Prince Oberyn said calmly: "Hound, the Mountain Gregor is one of my targets; I also intend to kill the old thief Tywin and Amory Lorch."

"Now that the Mountain Gregor and Amory Lorch have appeared in the vicinity of Mummer's Ford and Wendish Town, are you interested in hunting them together?"

Sandor the Hound said: "Very well, Amory Lorch can be left to you, but don't even think about snatching the head of my big brother the Mountain."

Prince Oberyn cast a flirtatious glance at Loras, "Knight of Flowers, you truly grow more handsome by the day; whichever beauty gets to share a bed with someone like you at night must be very happy."

Renly followed the Riverrun jailer to the dungeons of Riverrun, where Tyrion and his squire Podrick were being held.

Tyrion asked curiously: "Your Grace Renly, why have you run to Riverrun? Could it be that you, too, have become a prisoner of the Wolf King?"

Renly said: "I have already renounced my crown and surrendered to the Wolf King; now, I am a guest of the Wolf King."

Tyrion looked at the shackles on his hands, "Renly, you are a guest in the Wolf King's parlor, while I am a prisoner; why don't you say a word to save me?"

Renly smirked, "Your father is not willing to spend gold to ransom you at all, so who can you blame? I heard that some dark and terrible things have happened in King's Landing? Is it true that Cersei has become a Corpse Queen?"

Tyrion smiled, "Compared to those depraved creatures in King's Landing, being a prisoner in Riverrun isn't so bad, is it?"

In King's Landing, at Baelor's Sept, under the gaze of the seven deities—the Mother, the Father, the Warrior, the Crone, the Maiden, the Stranger, and the Smith—the obese High Septon, dressed in silks and satins, knelt before Cersei and the necromancer Ogbeta.

The High Septon wept: "I am willing to abandon the faith of the Seven and become the most humble servant of the Great Other, as long as you spare my life."

Cersei sneered, "High Septon, you are the representative of the Seven! You have relied on the Seven to amass countless wealth, you have grown fat and greasy, and you are a regular at the brothels on Silk Street. The peacock meat, lark meat, caviar, golden wine from the Arbor, and Blue Noble you enjoy every day—which of these is not a gift from the Seven?"

"How is it that even you have betrayed the faith of the Seven?"

The High Septon shed tears, "Your Majesty the Queen Regent, I only wish to live. As long as I can survive, I will do whatever you ask of me."

Ogbeta held the Skull Scepter, "High Septon, are you truly willing to abandon the faith of the Seven?"

The High Septon wobbled his pig-like neck, "That is correct, I am willing to follow the Great Other and become a follower of the Great Other."

Ogbeta revealed an ugly smile, "To prove your determination, I want you to announce to the people of King's Landing that the Seven are hypocritical gods and that the Great Other is the only true god."

"I want you to personally lead the followers of the Great Other to smash the statues of the Seven at Baelor's Sept."

The High Septon was somewhat afraid, "I can convert to the faith of the Great Other, but to have me attack the Seven in public—is that not a bit much? I will be cursed by the Septas and Septons of the Church, the Silent Sisters, the good men and women of the Seven Kingdoms, and the knights anointed with holy oil. I would rather give up the position of High Septon and become an apprentice of the Great Other; would that not suffice?"

Ogbeta said gloomily: "If you refuse me, I will make your life worse than death."

In the end, the High Septon yielded.

Cersei had originally worried that the High Septon would lead the people of the Church to resist to the death; it seems this fat High Septon loves himself more than he loves the Seven.

Publicly slandering the Seven at a holy site like Baelor's Sept is destined to offend those knights anointed with holy oil and the followers of the Seven, but Cersei does not care. As long as she can please the Great Other, doing anything is worth it.

When Cersei burned the Godswood and destroyed the statues of the Seven in the Royal Sept, Sir Arys Oakheart of the Kingsguard was greatly displeased; a few days later, Arys Oakheart disappeared, presumably having fled King's Landing.

Princess Myrcella liked Sir Arys Oakheart very much, because Arys Oakheart was the most handsome of the Kingsguard and possessed great gentlemanly demeanor and chivalry. Upon learning that Sir Arys Oakheart had left, Myrcella shed tears of sorrow.

However, Cersei did not feel that Arys Oakheart's departure was a loss; he was the youngest son of Lady Oakhart of Old Oak, and Old Oak is a vassal of Highgarden. The territory of Old Oak borders the Westerlands and has been an outpost for the Reach against the Westerlands since ancient times.

After Arys Oakheart left, a vacancy appeared in the Kingsguard, and Cersei immediately filled it with Black Kong Tabit. Like the flame-wielder Nurus, Black Kong Tabit was a slave-turned-strongman and one of Cersei's male favorites.

The current Kingsguard are all Cersei's people, and Cersei feels much more at ease. However, Cersei does not need the Kingsguard for protection; the Kingsguard are responsible for protecting Joffrey, Myrcella, and Tommen.

Having Rhaegar Targaryen and the Death Storm by Cersei's side is enough.

It was the Great Other who bestowed Rhaegar Targaryen upon Cersei, the man she loved with all her heart. Cersei would stroke Rhaegar's silver-white hair and kiss his god-like face every day, but it is a pity that after his resurrection, Rhaegar Targaryen has no body heat and is cold all over, unable to warm Cersei in bed like Jaime, the flame-wielder Nurus, or Black Kong Tabit.

As for the Death Storm, he is the resurrected Robert Baratheon, the Worm King. Cersei hates Robert, but she cannot deny that Robert is a powerful warrior. With Robert guarding her side, Cersei feels secure.

What makes Cersei happiest is that Robert can no longer go to brothels to fool around with whores like he used to. He does not eat or drink, has no desires, and can no longer enjoy fine food or wine. He has become Cersei's servant. Cersei makes the Death Storm responsible for washing her feet every day, and whenever the Death Storm washes Cersei's feet, Cersei feels that she is a queen high above all others.

Cersei has now become a faithful follower of the Great Other.

The bells of Baelor's Sept rang out, a sound like a funeral knell, summoning the people of King's Landing to gather at Baelor's Sept.

Consequently, the people from Iron Street, Silk Street, Flea Bottom, Flour Street, Cobbler's Square, the streets beneath Rhaenys Hill, the Dragonpit, the streets beneath Aegon's High Hill, and Shadow Lane heard the bells and flocked toward Baelor's Sept.

In recent days, Ogbeta used bats and rats to scout and discovered that the wealthy districts near Baelor's Sept and the Old Gate were hoarding large quantities of grain and food. While the entire city was starving, the wealthy and the people of the Church could still live without worry and could even make a fortune by hoarding and price-gouging food.

Ogbeta dispatched the Death Storm, leading the Black Cloaks composed of followers of the Great Other, to confiscate much of the food from the Church and the wealthy. Today, this food was all transported to the high platform in the square of Baelor's Sept.

Seven crystal towers surround Baelor's Sept, and in the plaza of Baelor's Sept, the statue of Baelor the Blessed stands proudly.

Below the high platform of the plaza are the indifferent people of King's Landing, each with a cold expression and dull eyes; almost everyone looks at the bread, ham, ale, corn, and other food on the platform with hungry eyes.

When the people filled the entire Baelor's Plaza, the High Septon, Ogbeta, and Cersei arrived on the high platform, escorted by the Death Storm and Rhaegar Targaryen.

Rhaegar Targaryen wears a suit of silver-white armor, the three-headed dragon crest on the breastplate carved from rubies; his helmet is crafted into the shape of a dragon, and his purple eyes and silver-white hair set off his breathtaking beauty.

The Death Storm wears a suit of azure armor, the breastplate bearing the Crown of the Stag of House Baratheon; his helmet is an Antler Helm, and he holds a warhammer in his hand. The visor covers his face, but those familiar with him can still recognize through the armor and physique that this is Robert Baratheon.

Some of the old folk in King's Landing certainly recognize Rhaegar Targaryen and Robert Baratheon, so whispers about the rebirth of Rhaegar Targaryen and Robert Baratheon are everywhere in the streets; these two mortal enemies have now become subordinates of Queen Regent Cersei. The commoners are afraid, and Cersei is very satisfied. The more the subjects fear, the more it benefits her rule.

Whether it is the people of King's Landing, or the Septas and Septons of the Church, or the Silent Sisters, all look at the High Septon, Cersei, Ogbeta, Rhaegar Targaryen, and the Death Storm with eyes of awe.

The High Septon cleared his throat, "Everyone in Westeros knows that the High Septon is the representative of the Seven on earth, and as High Septon, I am the one who understands the Seven best. I solemnly announce today that the Seven are hypocritical deities, they are false gods!"

As soon as these words were spoken, they immediately caused an uproar in the crowd.

Lord Gyles Rosby began to cough violently, Lady Tanda Stokeworth and her daughter were frightened and at a loss, Grand Maester Pycelle stroked his chest, the Redwyne twins Hobber and Horas exchanged angry glances, some Septons and Septas began to whisper, and more commoners began to curse.

A burly man who looked like a Smith said, "High Septon, what nonsense are you spouting?"

An old woman said, "The Seven cherish the Seven Kingdoms; as High Septon, how can you blaspheme your own gods?"

A white-haired preacher cursed, "High Septon, you are truly fallen! To speak such blasphemous words in the holy Baelor's Sept!"

The crowd began to throw stones at the High Septon, and the High Septon scurried away, hiding behind Ogbeta.

"I told you long ago that if you wanted me to publicly denounce the Seven, it would incite public anger."

Ogbeta tapped his Skull Scepter, and instantly, dark clouds gathered over the seven crystal towers of Baelor's Sept, filling with bats; the statue of Baelor the Blessed was covered by bats.

The people were terrified and quieted down; no one threw stones at the high platform anymore.

Ogbeta revealed a terrifying smile with his dirty yellow teeth, "Poor, pious souls, your devotion moves me, but it is a pity that your Seven have no power in the mortal world; they cannot save you, but the Great Other can. The Great Other has power!"

A Knight drew his Longsword, "I am Will, a Knight anointed with Holy Oil, and I will not allow you, a heretic, to slander the Seven!"

The white-haired preacher raised his arms and shouted, "Is there no one who will stand with this brave and kind Knight Will to defend the faith of the Seven?"

For a moment, hundreds of Hired Knights, Sworn Knights, free riders, and squires who had not yet become knights in the plaza drew their swords.

The Black Cloaks, followers of the Great Other on the high platform, immediately leveled their crossbows, and on the other side, the Gold Cloaks of the City Watch also drew their swords, confronting the followers of the Seven in the crowd.

Ogbeta said disdainfully, "Overconfident fools! You say Baelor's Sept is the holy land in your hearts; is there any Knight anointed with Holy Oil willing to stand out and challenge the champion of the Great Other, the Death Storm?"

"The hypocritical Seven have no power. You may send seven Knights together to challenge the Death Storm. The Death Storm will take on seven at once; if you win, I will immediately take the followers of the Great Other and leave King's Landing."

"Conversely, if the follower of the Great Other, the Death Storm, wins, I will destroy the statues of the Seven in Baelor's Sept and transform Baelor's Sept into a temple of the Great Other."

The people began to whisper, and soon, the Septons and Knights of the Church, along with the brothers of the Beggar Brotherhood, consulted for a while and selected seven Knights.

They were Sir Edder from the Arbor, who was the Captain of the Guard for the Redwyne twins; Sir Pate from Bitterbridge, a Hired Knight; Sir Will from Maidenpool; Sir Devon from the Rainwood; Sir Leo from Gulltown; and Sir Tom from Lannisport.

The last one was Sir Allar Deem from Dorne, who was the master-at-arms of the Red Keep.

Allar Deem usually taught swordplay to Joffrey Baratheon, Tommen Baratheon, and the royal squires; when Cersei destroyed the statues of the Seven in the royal sept of the Red Keep, Allar Deem was very unhappy.

Cersei looked at Allar Deem in surprise, "Sir Allar, are you sure you want to fight the Death Storm for the Seven?"

Allar Deem gave a light snort, "Queen Regent Cersei, I know very well who the man under that Antler Helm is, and you know it too. The Undead have eroded the Iron Throne, eroded the Red Keep, and now they have begun to erode the holy site of the Seven, Baelor's Sept."

"When you destroyed the Seven in the royal sept, as a Knight anointed with Holy Oil, I should have stood up to defend the Seven, but I acted like a coward. Now, you, this necromancer, and this cowardly High Septon are publicly blaspheming the Seven before the people of King's Landing and the holy Seven; I can no longer tolerate it! I will fight for the Seven!"

Cersei said disdainfully, "I think you are mad with the desire to die!"

On the high platform of Baelor's Sept, the seven Knights representing the Seven surrounded the Death Storm.

The Skull Scepter in Ogbeta's hand emitted a strange blue light.

"Today, the servant of the Great Other, the Death Storm, will defeat you seven Knights before the false gods of the Seven, and show you ignorant mortals the power of the Great Other!"

Under the witness of countless bats in the air and tens of thousands of people in King's Landing, the trial by combat began.

The Death Storm swung his warhammer, smashing the shield of Sir Edder from the Arbor with one blow; Sir Allar Deem and Sir Devon from the Rainwood struck the Death Storm's armor with their swords, and the Longswords were instantly covered in a layer of frost.

The people let out gasps. The skin on the hands of Allar Deem and Sir Devon holding the swords was injured by the cold current; when their hands left the hilts, large patches of skin were frozen off, and blood flowed out like jelly.

The Death Storm was as swift as a spirit snake; the warhammer shattered the breastplates of Allar Deem and Sir Devon, and both vomited blood and died.

The subsequent match was simply a slaughter; the Death Storm smashed the head of Sir Pate from Bitterbridge with his warhammer, then crushed the knees of Sir Will from Maidenpool, and the bones of his lower legs burst and flew out.

Sir Edder from the Arbor was smashed to death by the Death Storm's shield, and Sir Tom from Lannisport was brutally pierced by the Death Storm's Antler Helm before his face was smashed in by the warhammer.

The people of King's Landing, the Septas and Septons of the Church, and the Silent Sisters were all stunned and silent.

The bats began a feast on the bodies of the dead.

The necromancer Ogbeta walked on the sticky high platform, stepping on brains and blood, and said triumphantly, "Pious souls, you have all seen it; the seven Knights anointed with Holy Oil sent by the hypocritical Seven are simply no match for the servant of the Great Other, the Death Storm!"

"Seven is a holy number, and I believe you have already seen that the Seven have no power here!"

"Embrace the Great Other! Servants of the Great Other, you may receive food for free!"

Baskets of sausages, oatmeal bread, black bread, roasted corn, pumpkin cakes, and barrels of beer, ale, and mead were pushed over by the Black Cloaks.

These were all food confiscated from the Church and the wealthy districts.

The starving commoners began to exchange glances, and soon, the gaunt poor began to go and collect food and bread.

At first there were few people, but soon, the trickle turned into a sea of people; people died of hunger in King's Landing every day, and under the threat of starvation, the gods became no longer important.

Cersei lowered her voice beside Ogbeta.

"Giving food to these poor people, isn't that a waste of grain? Wouldn't it be better to let them starve to death, turn into corpses, and then you resurrect them?"

Ogbeta revealed an ugly, bloody smile, "Your Grace, resurrecting corpses requires wasting a lot of Magic, and besides, these weak souls have poor combat effectiveness even after resurrection; only those who were great warriors in life are qualified to be resurrected with Magic and become servants of the Great Other."

"These commoners are more useful to us alive. The Undead are powerful, but the Undead have no fear; the fear of mortals helps me refine Dark Magic artifacts and collect more Magic to resurrect the ice dragon."

"Besides, I have treated all this food with Dark Magic; once they eat this food, they will become exceptionally pious to the Great Other and gradually become the most loyal servants of the Great Other."

Cersei smirked, "You sent the Black Cloaks to poison the wells all over King's Landing a few days ago, was that also to make the subjects of King's Landing become pious?"

Ogbeta nodded, "Yes, Your Grace, once these people eat the food and water of the Great Other, they will be loyal to Your Grace in the future and become loyal servants of the Great Other and Your Grace."

In the afternoon, the Black Cloaks and Gold Cloaks worked together to dismantle the statues of the Seven in Baelor's Sept—the Mother, the Crone, the Maiden, the Warrior, the Father, the Stranger, and the Smith—piling them up in the plaza of Baelor's Sept; the soldiers also pulled down the statue of Baelor the Blessed.

Amidst the requiem of Rhaegar Targaryen, tens of thousands of people in King's Landing ate the food they had just received and watched all this blankly; no one spoke out in protest, and no one stepped in to stop it.

Bronze Yohn led the Mountain Legion to capture Nun Castle in the northern mountains of the Westerlands; Goat Girl Gisela cut down the Lannister Roaring Lion Flag on the castle and replaced it with the Stark Direwolf Banner.

Nun Castle is one of the Westerlands' famous gold-producing regions, and inside the castle, there was gold piled up like a small mountain.

Shaga of the Mountain Clans tribe used those thick, large hands to stroke the golden sand and gold nuggets, shedding tears of poverty.

"Our Mountains of the Moon only produce stone; how is it that there is so much gold in the mountains of the Westerlands' Lannisters?"

Billy Stern, Lord of Floating Driftwood Hall and a Rockborn from Skagos, said: "Our Skagos only produces animal hides, timber, and Obsidian; we have no gold either."

Bronze Yohn said: "As long as we follow the Wolf King Eddard, in the future, the gold of the Westerlands' Lannisters will all be our gold."

After marching into the Westerlands, Bronze Yohn dispatched Goat Girl Gisela, Eagle King McCain, Cat Girl Jeyne, and others to use animals for reconnaissance, finding the caves hidden behind every mountain peak, and then sent Cave Dwellers, Night Runners, Mountain Clans warriors, and Rockborn to occupy every cave.

Subsequently, ten thousand men from the Three Rivers Army and the Chick Eagle Army slowly climbed over the mountains of the Westerlands using rope ladders; combined with the warriors of the Mountain Clans, the force in the northern mountains of the Westerlands exceeded twenty thousand men.

These days, the Mountain Legion swept through every village, every castle, and every mine in the northern mountains of the Westerlands, leaving scorched earth in their wake; over a dozen castles of Knighted Landed Knights were occupied by the Mountain Legion, including the castle of the notorious Sir Amory Lorch.

Sir Amory Lorch had led troops to pillage the Riverlands and slaughter the commoners of the Riverlands; after Bronze Yohn captured Amory Lorch's castle, he did not kill the commoners of the fief, but the warriors of the Mountain Legion slaughtered all of Amory Lorch's family and piled their corpses under the Heart Tree.

The noble captives, women, and children captured by the Mountain Legion were all sent to the cave at the border between the Riverlands and the Westerlands, and from there, they were transported over the mountains to the Riverlands.

Seizing children and women was the order Eddard gave to Bronze Yohn when he left the Riverlands.

Because there were many Rockborn, Mountain Clans warriors, and Wildlings in the Mountain Legion, seizing children and women was a familiar task for them.

Bronze Yohn said: "The Wolf King told me that once our army invades the Westerlands, we will be consuming the Lannisters' resources; we only need to hold our ground in the mountains and constantly wear down the enemy. Once Blackfish Brynden and the Young Wolf capture Golden Tooth, the Westerlands' defensive line will completely collapse."

In the Riverlands, the Red Viper Oberyn used a Lance to poke blood holes one after another in the body of Sir Amory Lorch.

Amory Lorch let out bursts of miserable wails.

In recent days, the Wolf King's great army began its counterattack on the Westerlands; the days for the Brave Companions, Amory Lorch, and the Mountain Gregor, who were roaming and pillaging in the Riverlands, became even harder, as their armies were constantly dealt heavy blows by the teams of the Lightning Lord, the Red Viper, Thoros of Myr, the Knight of Flowers, and Brienne.

The Knight of Flowers Loras said: "Red Viper, how did you capture Sir Amory Lorch?"

The Red Viper Oberyn said: "Sir Amory Lorch's family castle was raided by Bronze Yohn leading the Mountain Legion; the warriors of the Mountain Legion killed Amory Lorch's family, and I believe his ugly daughters must have been raped. Sir Amory was very sad and wanted to return to the Westerlands, so he fell into the encirclement of my Viper Group. Isn't it pathetic, Sir Amory?"

"When you tortured and killed the little daughter of my sister, Princess Elia Martell, back then, you should have expected that your family would have this day too!"

Sir Amory Lorch cried like a child and sobbed: "Spare me! I was only carrying out the orders of Duke Tywin."

The Red Viper Oberyn said: "Don't worry, the old thief Tywin and the Mountain Gregor won't be able to run; they will be reunited with you in hell."

Brienne looked disgusted. "Prince Oberyn, this Amory is a hypocritical Knight; he is guilty of heinous crimes. Just kill him with one sword stroke; torturing him is meaningless."

Prince Oberyn rotated his Lance, the Lance turning in Amory Lorch's chest, and Amory Lorch let out a blood-curdling scream.

"Of course it has meaning, Brienne of Tarth; this is revenge."

Sir Amory Lorch screamed and passed out; in the end, Amory Lorch was beheaded by the Red Viper Oberyn, his head thrown into a sewer, and his corpse fed to the hounds.

The Red Viper Oberyn said: "Now on the list of revenge, there is one less Manticore Knight; only the Mad Dog Knight and the Lion Duke remain."

Blackfish Brynden and Robb stood on a high mountain ridge in the Westerlands, looking out at Golden Tooth.

Below the ridge, the Chick Eagle Army, the Three Rivers Army, the Winter Wolves, and the armies from various great houses of the Riverlands, the North, and The Vale were advancing toward Golden Tooth; armor and Lances shone in the sunlight, like steel Roses under the bright sun.

Robb said: "Duke Tywin is determined to be a coward; even though our army has entered the territory of the Westerlands, Duke Tywin still stays behind Golden Tooth and refuses to attack."

Blackfish Brynden said: "Duke Tywin must have divided his troops to deal with Bronze Yohn in the northern mountains of the Westerlands. The Westerlands' forces at Golden Tooth are not as numerous as ours, and Duke Tywin had long ago implemented a scorched-earth policy on the lands outside Golden Tooth; he evacuated the people and moved away the food. With the Westerlands' forces at a disadvantage, there is naturally no need to take the initiative to attack."

Robb frowned, "If our army advances to the foot of Golden Tooth, do we really have to force a siege? Golden Tooth is a position chosen by Duke Tywin; our army will suffer heavy casualties."

Blackfish Brynden said: "The Wolf King said there would be mountain paths near Golden Tooth that could be used for a sneak attack. I have already sent the skinchanger Orell to scout with his eagle, and your Direwolf Grey Wind is also sniffing around; we need a breakthrough point."

"Of course, if Tywin defends Golden Tooth in person, he might have sent troops to block the small paths. If that is the case, we will have no choice but to attack Golden Tooth; once the army is at the gates, even if casualties are heavy, we must strike."

"According to the Wolf King's arrangement, House Frey will fight as the vanguard."

Robb was somewhat puzzled, "Why choose House Frey as the vanguard?"

Blackfish Brynden said: "Why not? House Frey is a relative of Duke Tywin. Lord Walder's second son, Emmon Frey, married Duke Tywin's sister Genna Lannister, but the Emmon family has lived in Casterly Rock and Lannisport for years and rarely returns to The Twins."

"The River Crossing House Frey is not enthusiastic about the Wolf King's reforms in the Riverlands, such as the household registration system and the military colony system; it is rumored that they are also flirting with the Lannisters. Lord Walder often resisted Lord Hoster's orders in the past; if he dares to play tricks in front of the Wolf King, he must be prepared for his descendants to serve as cannon fodder."

The Heir of House Frey, Sir Stevron, remained at Riverrun, responsible for food and supplies; he was advanced in age, nearly seventy, but after all, he was more than twenty years younger than Lord Walder.

Sir Stevron was a man of good character; in the large and complex House Frey, he was a representative of the pro-Stark faction. The Wolf King Eddard hoped that Stevron could successfully succeed Lord Walder; in this way, the River Crossing House Frey would be more compliant.

Leading the troops on the expedition were Walder Rivers, Black Walder, and Aenys Frey, the fierce generals of House Frey. These people generally had a poor reputation and were ambitious; the Wolf King Eddard and Blackfish Brynden both hoped that these Freys would die on the battlefield and win the glory of battle.

Thanks to Happy Wind Man 008, Fallout Wasteland Old Ice Stick, wasu, With You Joy 1, Mo Zi, Tian Tian Ku Pao Main God for the monthly tickets; thank you for your support!

(End of this chapter)