The vast armies gathered around King's Landing finally retreated, both from the Westerlands and The Reach.
By this time, the Red Keep was completely under Jon's control. The original garrison was imprisoned, and Cersei and her three children were heavily guarded.
Eddard Stark's head had been removed from the battlements. Varys found a court painter for Jon to create a portrait of Eddard, which could serve as a reference for the stonemasons in Winterfell in the future.
It was a Stark tradition to commission statues of all past Lords of Winterfell and place them in the crypts.
Additionally, the ancestral Stark sword, Ice, had been delivered into Jon's hands.
This impossibly large Valyrian steel sword was as tall as a man, its blade wider than a palm, with an undulating dark pattern running through it, as if imbued with magical power.
Thinking of magic, Jon opened his Golden Finger:
[Sword Saint]: Red [Archery]: Purple [Horsemanship]: Blue [Gods Perspective]: Purple [Warging]: Green [Unburnt]: White [Super Strength]: Blue Remaining upgrades: 1
Previously, to orchestrate the coup and quickly control Roose Bolton, Jon had used two upgrades.
Later, during his journey and his time in King's Landing, he recovered one upgrade.
Jon tried touching Ice, wanting to see if it would affect his Golden Finger, but it did not.
It seemed his Golden Finger wasn't strongly related to magic.
Ice, in this timeline, avoided its fate of being reforged into two swords. While Jon desired a Valyrian steel sword, he had no intention of claiming Ice.
He similarly ordered it to be carefully preserved, while he himself toured the Red Keep accompanied by Varys and Pycelle.
"My Lord, the place where you captured and killed the false king is called Maegors Holdfast. It was built by Maegor Targaryen, the second Targaryen king," Pycelle introduced every detail of the Red Keep to Jon in his old but fawning voice, as if he were trying to sell him the castle.
The overall style of Maegors Holdfast was somewhat different from that of Westeros, reportedly because Maegor recruited craftsmen from the Free Cities.
Jon had learned that the reason the Lion-Flower Alliance dared to attack earlier was because they were certain the Red Keep had not fallen to Jon.
And the way they confirmed this was through ravens.
This gave Jon a new idea: if he could control the sending and receiving of ravens in a castle, wouldn't that mean he would know all their movements like the back of his hand? He could even manipulate them by having ravens deliver 'false messages' to influence their judgment and decisions.
Jon decided that he should upgrade the [Warging] entry next. He wondered if he would eventually become half a greenseer.
Speaking of intelligence, Jon subtly observed Varys beside him. This fellow must have already hidden Tyrion, but he didn't mention it at all, seemingly intending to conceal it.
"The most regrettable part of this battle was not capturing the Imp. Actually, our relationship is quite good. Winterfell was where we first met, and he taught me many things. If I could find him, I certainly wouldn't kill him," Jon said, trying to probe Varys.
Seeing that Jon was not interested in his knowledge, Pycelle wisely shut his mouth.
"Indeed, Tyrion possesses one of the rarest minds in this world, but war is cruel and chaotic, and he is merely a dwarf, unlike your Lordship who is highly skilled in martial arts," Varys said, subtly clearing himself of suspicion and flattering Jon at the same time.
Jon smiled slightly, noncommittal. According to their previous communications, Varys might have sent Tyrion across the Narrow Sea in advance, and then, after various transfers, to young Aegon.
He didn't know whether Tyrion would ultimately side with young Aegon or the Dragon Mom.
If he chose to follow the Dragon Mom, then once she had her own territory, Tyrion would be a good vassal to assist her. Therefore, Jon didn't bother to inquire about Tyrion's whereabouts.
However, this didn't mean he could ignore the matter.
Varys's goal was to help the 'Blackfyre bloodline,' young Aegon, ascend the iron throne. He also had an ally, Illyrio Mopatis, in the distant Free Cities.
Illyrio was a merchant, but ever since Varys became the intelligence master for The Mad King, Illyrio's fortunes rose, and he became a renowned Magister of Pentos, even able to speak with the Khal.
It was rumored that the Targaryens still had a large sum of gold in the Iron Bank of Braavos. Jon didn't know if it was true, but considering their circumstances, it was likely true.
Jon decided to extort Varys.
The three arrived at the training yard, which was filled with various weapons. In a small room, Jon immediately spotted the long-handled warhammer.
That was Robert's warhammer.
Jon walked towards the warhammer. Varys and Pycelle exchanged glances; they both knew the weight of this warhammer. An ordinary person would struggle just to lift it, let alone wield it.
Moreover, in their eyes, Jon's physique was of the agile and slender type, unlike Robert's sturdy build.
But the next moment, Jon directly picked up the steel warhammer with one hand. It was clear that although Robert's warhammer hadn't been used for a long time, it had been very well maintained, coated with wax and oil, and its pommel was decorated with gold filigree and gemstones.
Holding the warhammer in one hand, Jon walked to a humanoid target, spun, swung, and struck with a mighty blow.
Crack! The humanoid target shattered into pieces, as if trampled by a wild bull.
Varys and Pycelle were both astonished. They had previously heard that Jon had smashed people with a battering ram and didn't believe it, but now it seemed true!
After smashing one target, Jon continued to swing. The heavy warhammer made a whooshing sound as it cut through the air, just hearing it made Pycelle's legs weak.
"Lord Jon truly possesses divine strength! The way he just smashed that target had the same might as King Robert killing Rhaegar!" Pycelle flattered, but Jon's mouth twitched slightly.
He said nothing, but turned and said, "Grand Maester, I wish to place the King's warhammer and Lord Eddard together in the sept. I want to keep vigil for them." The waters in the Red Keep were too deep. Before Stannis arrived, Jon would only seal it off, not live in it, but he still needed to stay in King's Landing for a while, and during this time, the sept was a good place.
"No problem, My Lord. I will have the High Septon arrange it for you."
Jon nodded. In fact, he also wanted to 'exorcise' Rhaegar's soul ring from the warhammer.
"Grand Maester Pycelle, Lord Varys, I have executed the false king and successfully avenged my father. I intend to return to the Wall and continue my service in the Nights Watch after I hand over the iron throne to His Majesty Stannis.
"Hmm—hmm? My Lord—you—"
Pycelle looked as if he had misheard. He looked up at Jon, the pale jowls on his neck shaking in confusion. In his opinion, this was completely impossible.
Jon had too many choices. First, he had conquered King's Landing for Stannis, preventing him from becoming an 'exiled king.'
Such an immense achievement could easily secure him a fertile and vast territory, and make him an absolute dignitary in Stannis's new court!
This was something many people dreamed of, but Jon was casually giving it up with a single sentence. Pycelle couldn't understand it at all.
A look of astonishment also flashed in Varys's eyes. If Jon was truly determined to go to the Wall, how could he rely on him to gain a foothold with Stannis?
But his intuition told him that things were not so simple. Varys pondered for a moment and then spoke: "My Lord, in my opinion, the Seven Kingdoms need you more than the Wall right now. His Majesty Stannis would not necessarily allow a talent like you to waste his abilities on the Wall. You should not think this way."
"You don't understand," Jon said, feigning difficulty, and casually sat on a stone block. Pycelle and Varys followed him closely, even bending deeply to hear his words more clearly.
"I am not only a bastard, but also a deserter from the Wall. I heard that my father Eddard was framed, and I secretly left. Moreover, the Wall currently lacks men and supplies. If I don't go, who else can?
You don't know, the situation on the Wall is very serious now. The wildlings want to breach the Wall and move south because of the cold weather, and rumors of Others echo in the snowstorm. Our Wall is in peril."
As Jon spoke, he observed their reactions. Seeing their thoughtful expressions, Jon continued, "King Robert was extravagant, and His Majesty Stannis will also be very short of money in the future. I hope to bring back more supplies when I return to the Wall, which would also atone for my sin as a deserter." With that, Jon looked at Varys and said in a teasing tone, "Lord Varys, you are the Master of Whisperers. Do you have any intelligence about gold?"
Hearing Jon say this, Varys laughed, stating that he too exchanged intelligence for gold and had no intelligence regarding gold.
However, this small probe did not make Varys believe that Jon truly intended to return to the Wall; that possibility was still too small.
He believed that Jon was most likely preparing in advance for managing his future territory.
Next, the three walked towards the Throne Room, where the famous iron throne was located.
On the way, while Pycelle was introducing the surrounding buildings to Jon, Varys quietly indicated that he might be able to raise a sum of gold for Jon, but on the condition that Jon would speak for him to Stannis and allow him to retain his position as Master of Whisperers.
Of course, Jon agreed to this.
He already knew Varys's goal, which meant he knew his bottom line. Keeping him by Stannis's side and exchanging intelligence from time to time would be beneficial to himself and harmless.
Soon, the three arrived at the Throne Room. As soon as they entered the spacious hall, Jon saw the ferocious and ugly iron throne.
Curved or straight spikes jutted out menacingly, as if to tear at the flesh of every ambitious person.
Among the Targaryen kings, there were many instances of being cut by the iron throne.
Aegon the Conqueror, who forged it, said it was to remind his descendants that 'a king cannot be too comfortable.'
This was indeed a very wise maxim, but the problem was that it didn't seem to have any positive or active effect.
Looking at Jon, who was examining the iron throne, Pycelle and Varys exchanged glances. They wondered whether to encourage Jon to sit on it and 'experience' it.
But just as the two were communicating with their eyes, a white shadow darted past the three of them!
Ghost!
Having been away from the North for over half a year, and with the weather gradually turning cold, Ghost had long shed the fur Jon had dyed, returning to his original color.
The pure white Ghost, light as smoke, quickly climbed onto the iron throne and then lay down on it.
He stretched his long, pointed nose, sniffing around, seemingly very intoxicated by the rusty smell emanating from the iron throne.
"Ghost! Get down!" Jon's pupils constricted. He was about to make Ghost get off that iron chair, but he seemed to like this cold, hard object, even resting his head on the armrest.
But Jon, standing nearby, was a bit numb.
If no one else were around, it wouldn't matter if he went up to feel it, but Varys and Pycelle were still there!
"My Lord's wolf is indeed very lively," Varys said, trying to smooth things over.
In fact, they couldn't really make a big deal out of Jon's wolf. Telling outsiders that Jon's wolf sat on the iron throne would only make others think it was slander, and would be detrimental to them establishing themselves in the new regime.
Fortunately, Ghost, urged by Jon, reluctantly came down. Jon leaned down and gently patted Ghost's long, pointed muzzle as punishment.
Jon looked at the iron throne and said, "The Throne Room, including the entire Red Keep, should be sealed off until His Majesty Stannis arrives."
"As you command, My Lord," Varys and Pycelle respectfully said in unison, treating it as merely a small interlude.
Moreover, Ghost's actions also proclaimed a fact: Westeros was currently in its second 'Wolf Age.'
If Jon supported Stannis as king, then the Seven Kingdoms would usher in peace; otherwise, they would fall into a war of kings.
One sentence could summarize the current state of Westeros: 'Whether the Seven Kingdoms are chaotic or not depends on Jon.' Jon turned to face the two of them, then looked at Pycelle and declared loudly:
"Maester Pycelle, please immediately send ravens to the entire nation, stating that Jon Snow of Winterfell, son of Eddard Stark, has led his army to capture King's Landing, that His Majesty Stannis is the sole legitimate King of the Seven Kingdoms, and that all lords of the Seven Kingdoms have a duty to intercept and capture the rebel Tywin!"
Pycelle looked at Jon, who was giving orders in the hall. His voice echoed like a divine oracle, just like the kings he remembered.
Today is last date for offer
Ãdvåñçé çhàptêr àvàilàble óñ pàtreøn (Gk31)