Kal let out a light chuckle as he spoke these words, yet the gaze in his eyes was as cold as solid ice.
"But… there has never been such a precedent before," Tyrion frowned. What Kal intended to do made him feel uneasy.
Hearing this, the trace of coldness in Kal's eyes turned into a smile.
"You said it yourself. This will be the precedent."
"These rights must be taken back under the authority of the realm. If they truly have the courage—or anything else—I do not mind letting Robert go and have a talk with them."
"He is very good at talking. The moment he opens his mouth, even strangers quickly become acquaintances."
The king's little jest was rather effective. The great lords present all laughed, though their laughter sounded somewhat forced.
Then it was interrupted by two light coughs from the man who had not laughed at all—Eddard Stark, Lord of Winterfell.
"Your Grace, I believe it would be better if you treated this matter with a little more seriousness. After all… because of the White Walkers in the North, the realm is not truly as peaceful as it might appear."
"And winter has already arrived. If possible, I would advise maintaining good relations between both sides. At the very least, we may exchange goods through trade to obtain supplies. That would benefit us."
Compared with Tyrion's attempt at persuasion, Eddard's words were far more direct.
Among those seated around the long table, no one understood the danger of winter better than he, a man of the North.
And with the threat of the White Walkers added to it, the tales he had heard from his old nurse as a child—stories of the Long Night—might very well come to pass again.
The Hand's words caused the lords at the long table to stop indulging the king's cold humor. The expressions on their faces gradually turned serious.
At this moment, the man who had spoken little until now—Lord Randyll Tarly, Master of Laws—finally opened his mouth.
"Now the lords of the Seven Kingdoms have already loosened the restrictions within their own lands, allowing hunters to enter the mountains to hunt. They only need to submit the appropriate taxes in hides and meat. Along the coasts they are also fishing while there is still time, and as for the land, no one knows how many more harvests it will yield."
"Your Grace, I believe we truly must treat this matter with seriousness."
However, as he spoke, Varys looked over with a playful smile and said in that sharp, cloyingly sweet voice of his, "But precisely because of this, those merchants dare to threaten Your Grace so brazenly, do they not?"
"Lord Randyll Tarly, according to some of the information I have received, it is not merely the Iron Bank stirring trouble behind the scenes."
"As His Grace said, this is a war… and while His Grace has refused to pay the debts once owed by the Iron Throne to the Iron Bank, another war is also waiting for us."
"You are a commander renowned throughout the Seven Kingdoms. I believe you should understand what awaits when one retreats step by step."
Around the long table, as several men spoke and argued, the expressions in everyone's eyes were different.
Seeing that they were still entangled in this matter, Kal directly raised his hand and slapped the table, the sound of the blows echoing sharply as he cut them off.
"Enough. This matter will be handled according to my arrangement. I naturally understand the concerns you speak of."
"As for those greedy bankers, I know their kind well enough. If there is profit to be made, they would even sell the rope meant to hang themselves."
"They wish to use this moment—when our entire realm must stand united against the White Walkers—to threaten me and my people. How could I possibly give them what they want?"
"And it is precisely for that reason that, under such circumstances, we must firmly grasp those things that concern the most basic livelihood of our people. How could we place our own lifeline into the hands of others, letting them hold it tight, merely in exchange for short-sighted profit?"
"So… if someone still insists on going his own way, then let him lose his head. Let them understand that some things are not theirs to covet."
"When I ascend the throne, these drafted laws will be proclaimed at once. At that time, I would very much like to see who wishes to test whether his neck is harder than steel."
"Enough. This matter is settled. There is no need for further discussion. The council is dismissed."
Kal made the decision directly, unwilling to waste more time arguing over it, and dismissed the meeting.
Seeing that the king would not yield, the ministers could only exchange a few looks with one another before rising, bowing to the king, and departing.
Outside the doors, the Kingsguard on duty—Garlan and Theon—pushed the great doors open. Kal strode out, intending to find Erevi and discuss a question about magic that had come to mind while his thoughts had wandered earlier.
At that moment, hurried footsteps sounded behind him.
"Kal, wait for me—wait a moment!"
Tyrion, clutching a thick notebook in his arms, hurried after him and shouted from behind.
Kal, walking ahead, could only roll his eyes and stop with a look of helplessness.
Following behind him, Barristan glanced back at the dwarf who was running up, shrugged, and led Garlan and Theon a few steps aside to give them space.
Kal halted, and Tyrion hurried forward to catch up and block his path.
Looking at the panting Tyrion, Kal spoke before he could open his mouth.
"Do not tell me you still wish to argue about the matter just now."
"Not entirely," said the dwarf, who felt his calf beginning to cramp again. Leaning on his knee, he waved his hand quickly. "I simply believe I must remind you that we must remain vigilant about the food supply. And not only food—other related supplies must also be watched, especially things like clothing meant to keep people warm."
"During the past two months of investigation, I have noticed some unusual fluctuations in these things. You know what I mean—I am not referring to the price."
Hearing this, Kal's eyes shifted slightly. After glancing briefly at the several members of the Small Council not far away, he looked back at Tyrion.
"Walk with me while you speak. Why did you not bring this up just now?"
"This is only a reminder. I believe we must at least be more vigilant in this regard and make preparations early."
In response to Kal's words, Tyrion did not say much more. He merely said this and then walked forward beside Kal.
Kal nodded and did not dwell on it. "There is no need to worry about the matter of grain reserves. I have long prepared for it, and if the time truly comes, I have a way to deal with it. As for this shock to the market, I have already made preparations as well."
"If those people truly intend to make a move, they will only suffer a heavy loss and fall into my trap."
"But what you said about clothing and warmth does indeed require vigilance. None of us know when this crisis will end. Perhaps three years, five years, ten years—or perhaps, like the Long Night of old, it may last an entire generation. Therefore it is never wrong to remain mindful of danger even in times of peace."
Hearing Kal say this, Tyrion's expression also turned serious, and a faint urgency stirred within him.
After speaking briefly for a few moments, Kal seemed to think of something again. He rubbed his chin and looked toward Theon behind him.
"Theon, in a moment go and summon the man in charge of the Alchemists' Guild. I wish to know whether there has been any progress in the things I ordered them to experiment with earlier."
"Those fellows cannot spend all their time studying fire and magic. If they have the time for that, they would do better to accomplish something practical."
Hearing the king's order, Theon came back to himself from his earlier astonishment and hurriedly nodded.
"Yes, Your Grace!"
Having settled these two matters, Kal's gaze turned once more toward Tyrion.
"As for you, begin with the regulation of the markets. It happens that we may also use this opportunity to carry out my earlier plan to establish industrial workshops belonging to the Crown."
"There are many idle people within King's Landing. If we provide more opportunities for employment, it will also increase the income of the smallfolk and allow them to live better lives."
"And not only King's Landing—the same is true throughout the Seven Kingdoms. At present, especially in the North. The hides and similar goods purchased from other regions should all be sent to the North for processing."
"So long as we plan properly in this regard, we can prepare in advance against being squeezed by outside forces, whether in trade or in other matters."
"If we hold these core things firmly in our own hands, the realm itself will grow ever stronger. When that time comes, problems like this will not even need to be brought before us."
Kal spoke with clear reasoning, but Tyrion's expression turned somewhat bitter as he listened.
"I am only half a man, yet you would work me like a horse every day! Damn it… cough, cough."
Tyrion, who habitually wanted to curse a few words, shut his mouth under the stern gaze of Barristan.
Kal merely smiled faintly.
"What horse could be as useful as you?"
"And besides, if nothing unexpected occurs, you will soon take up Lord Eddard Stark's burden and become my Hand of the King. So you had best start thinking about how these matters should truly be arranged and carried out."
"The suggestions I gave you remain things on paper and in words. If they are truly to be put into practice, we must proceed step by step and see what results they bring."
Nearby, the three Kingsguard, led by Barristan, heard the king and Tyrion speaking of this matter and all quietly lowered their eyes, slowing their pace.
As for the unfortunate dwarf, he could only scratch his head and stare at the man before him with the expression one might give a demon.
"Are you a devil?"
"I am no devil."
"And besides, is it not a good thing for you to become Hand of the King? What a great honor that is for the Seven Kingdoms."
Kal curled his lips as he spoke, even reaching out to rub Tyrion's head.
"Once you have done these things, House Lannister will rise again in your hands, and you will establish a new branch of the family. Marry a beautiful noble lady."
"Oh, speaking of that—whose daughter do you fancy? I will arrange the match for you."
"What about House Frey? I will find you the prettiest one. And I have the feeling that old Walder Frey has lived long enough. When the time comes, the Twins will be yours."
Kal said this in a tone that sounded almost like a jest.
But when Tyrion heard it, his gaze sharpened.
"Are you serious?"
At the side, Barristan kept his eyes forward as though he had heard nothing at all.
Garlan and Theon, however, could not help exchanging a glance before stepping a little farther away.
The five of them happened to have reached a section of the city wall. Kal stopped and looked down over King's Landing below.
"Of course I am serious… You know the situation in the Riverlands. That place is one I must bring under my control. I had arranged for Bronn to handle the matter before, but the results were not ideal. In the end, he still lacks the necessary standing and background."
"And at present I have even taken the seat that belonged to your own house. So instead, I will give the Twins to you."
"As for House Frey… well…" Tyrion's face was full of hesitation, and for a moment he did not know what to say.
It would be a lie to say he was not tempted. Yet with a single sentence Kal had handed the lordship of the Twins to him. From the killing intent hidden in Kal's words, he also understood what kind of storm would follow if Kal truly meant it.
The Freys would hardly dare raise war over it, but if Kal truly did such a thing, then to the lords and nobles throughout the Seven Kingdoms it would be like a thorn buried deep in the flesh.
Kal only smiled at this.
"I have already shown House Frey enough courtesy by not troubling them over what happened to Genna Lannister. If one of their daughters becomes your wife, that will be their honor."
"Enough. The matter is settled. I have no wish to hear your opinion."
"At that time Walder Frey will personally preside over your wedding and give you his finest and most beautiful daughter. As for what comes after, Walder Frey will die of old age, and when that happens, with your position as Hand of the King, taking control of the Twins will naturally not be a problem."
"So long as you understand what I mean. As for how far you can go, and what expectations you hold for House Lannister, that will be your own concern."
"Do not disappoint me, Tyrion."
After saying this, Kal looked deeply at Tyrion, a trace of meaning in his gaze, then turned and left with the others.
Tyrion alone remained where he stood, struggling with his thoughts.
…
Time passed in the blink of an eye, and the sun was already nearing the horizon.
After finishing up with Erevi, and also roughly sorting out some of the thoughts from their earlier discussion about magic—
At the invitation of Eddard and his own betrothed Sansa, Kal came to the Tower of the Hand to attend the Stark family's dinner.
"Long time no see."
"My respects, Your Grace!"
Before the feast had begun, in a small garden, Kal once again saw the former First Sword of Braavos.
Syrio Forel, who had been training Arya and Bran, immediately put away the wooden sword in his hand when he saw Kal arrive and hurriedly bowed to the young man who had now become king.
Kal had not expected to see the former First Sword of Braavos again. He had nearly forgotten about him.
Nearby, Arya, who had been concentrating on sparring with Syrio Forel, was also surprised to see Kal. Instantly delighted, she was about to rush forward just as she had done before.
"Kal… I—"
But before she could make any improper move, Syrio Forel hooked a foot and tripped her, then quickly caught her before she could fall.
The clever movement, combined with Arya's instinctive effort to regain her balance in the instant she lost it, made it appear as though she were bowing toward Kal.
"My respects, Your Grace."
Beside her, Bran neatly lowered his sword and, imitating his teacher, followed suit with a respectful bow.
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