Tyrion said apologetically, "Unfortunately, I'm going to disappoint you again; I'm returning to Casterly Rock after the martial arts tournament."
Lynd asked, "To return to Casterly Rock and continue being your sewer master?"
"Of course not," Tyrion shook his head and said, "To be my father's Official."
Upon hearing this, Lynd was stunned, and an expression of surprise appeared on his face.
Lynd knew very well how much Duke Tywin disliked Tyrion, to the point where this dislike was almost hatred.
As deep as Duke Tywin's love for his wife was, so strong was his hatred for Tyrion, which is why even when Lynd offered such high conditions, he still did not agree to let Tyrion work at Summerhall.
Although the superficial reason was that Tyrion was the chief heir of Casterly Rock, in reality, it was simply because he disliked Tyrion and refused to give him any opportunity to display his abilities.
However, it was truly incredible that Duke Tywin would now allow Tyrion to serve as an Official.
One must know that an Official often stays with the liege lord, assisting in handling Official duties, just as Jon spends most of his day in the castle's study, assisting Lynd with various matters.
So, this means Duke Tywin would frequently see Tyrion, his deformed son whom he hated so much. What was this? Self-torture?
"Yes, that's the expression!" Tyrion pointed at the surprised Lynd, laughing, and said, "When I first heard the news, I had the exact same expression.
I suspect my father has gone mad!"
Lynd raised an eyebrow and said, "Shouldn't it be that he finally discovered your talent and realized it could help Casterly Rock…"
Before he could finish, Tyrion interrupted, "Do you believe that yourself when you say it?"
Lynd smiled and shook his head, then retorted, "What about you? Do you know why Duke Tywin would look at you differently?"
Tyrion said nothing, only looked at Lynd.
Lynd immediately understood Tyrion's meaning and said, "The Miracle Merchant Guild in Lannisport?"
"After thinking it over, that's the only reason I can come up with," Tyrion nodded and said, "He must have taken an interest in the Miracle Merchant Guild's fur trade.
He's unwilling to be just a transit point and wants to take over that business."
Just then, Arya, who was drinking juice nearby, suddenly interjected, "Couldn't it just be a father loving his son and wanting his son to work by his side?"
Lynd and Tyrion were both stunned by her words, then burst into laughter simultaneously.
"What's so funny about that? Am I wrong?" Arya pouted, looking at the two with dissatisfaction.
Tyrion suppressed his smile, looked at Arya, and said, "Please tell me, Miss Arya, would Lady Catelyn allow Jon Snow to leave his stable and serve as an Official by Duke Eddard's side?"
Arya hesitated, thought seriously for a moment, then shook her head and said, "No."
"Yes, my father wouldn't either," Tyrion sighed and said, "In my father's eyes, I am just like the bastard in Lady Catelyn's eyes.
The grave is perhaps where people like us truly belong."
As Tyrion's words fell, the atmosphere in the courtyard became somber.
Perhaps Tyrion himself felt the atmosphere was not good, so he immediately changed the subject, saying, "Actually, even without my father's appointment, I wouldn't go to your Summerhall."
"Why?" Lynd asked, puzzled.
"Because your system isn't suitable for me," Tyrion poured himself a glass of wine, took a sip, and continued, "In your system, the power of the collective is infinitely magnified, while individual ability rapidly diminishes until it completely disappears.
Anyone with ability who enters your system will naturally become a part of the system, completely disappearing from public view."
Lynd shook his head and retorted, "Who said that? There are countless people under my command who have risen to high positions based on their individual abilities.
Aren't Baelon, Roso, Moose, and Asha the best examples?"
"They are indeed typical examples of rising from the bottom through ability, but they are also the best examples to prove my point," Tyrion finished his wine and said, "I ask you, if any one of them were to have an accident, would their position immediately find a perfect replacement, and not just one perfect replacement?"
Hearing Tyrion's words, Lynd fell silent.
As Tyrion said, for any position within the Summerhall territory, Lynd had multiple alternative solutions that could immediately fill the role if the person in that position were to have an accident, without any interruption.
This alternative solution initially only applied to lower-level Officials in Summerhall, but now it has spread throughout the entire Summerhall bureaucratic system; even for positions like Asha, the Lord of the Iron Islands, there are two or more alternative solutions.
Lynd nodded, admitting, "You're right, even if you came to Summerhall, you wouldn't be able to display your talents."
Tyrion smiled, poured himself another glass of wine, then raised his glass to Lynd and said, "To the system!"
Lynd did not raise his cup; instead, Arya, who was beside him, cooperatively raised her cup and clinked it firmly with Tyrion's.
Understanding Tyrion's sentiment, Lynd no longer extended an invitation to him.
Their conversation shifted to current affairs, good places to eat and have fun in King's Landing, and which noble's banquet was worth attending, and similar topics.
In the evening, Lynd and Arya got up and left the Black Kitten, but before leaving, Lynd reminded Tyrion to return to Casterly Rock as soon as possible.
Unfortunately, Tyrion was already drunk, being embraced by two women from the Summer Isles, and paid no attention to Lynd's reminder.
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