Chapter 74: Clegane's Dance of Triumph
On the dueling platform, the red sun slowly rose.
Compared to yesterday, regardless of anyone's specific mood, even more crowds had gathered around the dueling platform.
Today's opening had undergone a significant change.
Over thirty Warriors in full plate armor first stood on the dueling platform, forming a triangular formation.
Standing alone at the very front of the formation was a corpulent man, round as a meatball.
"Hoo! Hoo! Hoo!"
Suddenly, war cries erupted in unison from the dueling platform.
The thirty-plus Warriors in plate armor on the dueling platform suddenly unleashed an imposing aura, no less than that of a thousand-man army.
...
The noisy crowd instantly froze in place, as if they had witnessed a perilous battlefield where flesh flew.
Their sudden quiet drew attention, and the surrounding crowd instantly fell silent.
Music began to play. Common instruments from The Reach combined to form a tune that was very unfamiliar to the people of The Reach.
Although the tune was unfamiliar, its rhythm was quite catchy.
The Warriors in plate armor on the dueling platform moved in unison with the rhythm, creating sounds of clashing metal, their movements full of powerful beauty.
Especially the fat man standing at the front; his movements felt the most powerful, yet he did not lack agility.
This agile fat man was none other than Monton Waters, who had earned his position in the 'C' spot with his strength.
The group of Warriors dancing in full armor on the dueling platform were the Clegane Household Guard.
The group dance performed by the Clegane Household Guard was a dance that had recently begun to circulate in Clegane Territory, named the "Crackclaw Point Dance of Triumph," also known as "Clegane's Dance of Triumph."
This group dance was a slightly modified version of the "Axe Gang Dance of Triumph" from Glyn's previous life, promoted in the Territory under the name of his vassal Knight Pell.
Clegane Territory, which lacked entertainment and had a simple folk custom, quickly embraced this group dance full of fighting spirit.
Glyn had originally thought Knight Pell would earn a title like "Dancing Knight," but the result was quite the opposite.
Because of the dance's name, Knight Pell earned the title "Triumphant Knight."
After learning of this privately, Glyn paused for a moment, then patted Knight Pell, who looked grateful.
...
At the end of the group dance, the Clegane Household Guard roared, and in unison, raised their blades high, pointing them straight at the sky, their astonishing aura seemingly piercing the heavens.
"Wow!"
"Cheers!"
The people of The Reach momentarily forgot the conflicts on the dueling platform, and cheered enthusiastically for the splendid performance of the Clegane Household Guard.
Under the explanation of a "commentator," they quickly learned the name of the group dance: "Clegane's Dance of Triumph."
The people of The Reach's favorable impression increased significantly.
Glyn nodded slightly in satisfaction. Things had to be done step by step; only then would it benefit his ultimate leverage.
...
Glyn stood on the dueling platform, his sword planted firmly with one hand.
Today, a hint of gentleness appeared on Glyn's face, as if time had returned to the first day the challenge began.
Each match would not exceed five rounds.
Soon, the first challenger of the third day stepped onto the dueling platform.
"Clang! Clang! Clang!"
The clash of swords echoed repeatedly.
The challenger couldn't even launch an attack, only passively parrying Glyn's relentless cleaving, sword after sword.
The force of each cleave, compared to the last, grew stronger every time.
With a *crack*, the challenger's sword shattered and fell from his hand.
The challenging Knight stared blankly at the longsword lying on the ground, his face filled with despair.
He was so merciless!
The surrounding crowd briefly felt indignant for the challenger who had lost in just three sword strikes.
But this sentiment was very fleeting. They were more concerned with the next challenger; they wouldn't forever sympathize with a loser. What they truly anticipated was a challenging victory from a Knight of The Reach.
...
Samwell Tarly and his brother, who had rushed to Highgarden last night, secured a very good viewing spot with the help of guards early this morning.
His younger brother, Dickon Tarly, excitedly waved his small fist: "Ooh-ooh-ooh! What powerful swordsmanship!"
His kind cousin, Talla Tarly, was more concerned about the defeated challenger whose face was filled with despondency, secretly praying for their early recovery.
Samwell Tarly's mind was filled with thoughts of the fat man who had led the dance earlier. Their body shapes weren't too different, but why could that fat man be so agile?
Despite his corpulent figure and weight, it seemed not to hinder his agility in the slightest.
His younger brother, Dickon, full of excitement, asked Samwell: "Brother, can I invite Baron Glinn to lunch?"
Samwell wanted to answer, saying it should be no problem.
Because Samwell knew that their father, Randyll Tarly, was reputed to be the greatest commander in Westeros, enjoying great fame.
Baron Glinn, also from a military Noble House, would very likely be willing to befriend Randyll Tarly's descendants.
...
Samwell's lips moved, but he didn't know how to speak.
The current situation was that Baron Glinn was challenging the Knights of The Reach. If he brought his brother to befriend Baron Glinn at this moment, he worried it would draw public anger upon House Tarly and cause great trouble for his father.
"Brother?"
His younger brother, Dickon, seeing Samwell silent for a moment, couldn't help but urge him again.
Samwell finally made up his mind. His younger brother was still young, and everyone knew their father disliked him.
Although he was the eldest son, he couldn't represent his father and House Tarly.
For his brother, he was willing to take a risk.
The anxious Samwell, just in case, had already written his last letter to his mother last night.
...
Samwell mustered what little courage he had for his brother.
Samwell showed a wide, white-toothed smile: "Dickon, let's just watch for now. We'll find an opportunity later."
His younger brother, Dickon, seeing Samwell agree to his request, couldn't help but cheer.
His cousin, Talla Tarly, who witnessed all of this, showed a slight smile on her young face.
Samwell wiped sweat from his brow with the back of his hand, just as he met Talla's gaze.
Samwell and Talla almost simultaneously averted their gazes.
His cousin hadn't smiled at him for a long time. Although Samwell didn't know why, his suddenly improved mood suppressed quite a bit of the fear in his heart.
...
...
King's Landing, City Watch.
Dik, thin as a stick, though he had changed into a Goldcloak uniform, still lacked any heroic bearing.
Dik, hiding in a corner, stared blankly, his trembling body suggesting he had fallen into some kind of terror.
Yesterday, he had clearly promised his sister, but today, when reporting his name to the City Watch, it was as if he was controlled by the Others, and he used the Clegane surname.
He couldn't even remember what he had said afterward, but everyone present at the time already knew.
His name was Dik Clegane, and he was even of Noble birth.
"Dik Clegane" was assigned to a relatively safe area and even had a few subordinates; he was already a small leader upon arrival.
Dik finally snapped out of it, his Adam's apple bobbing as he swallowed a mouthful of saliva.
He had to seize the opportunity; he had to hold onto the position he had gained with such difficulty.
...
"Dik Clegane" decided to keep this matter from his sister for now.
He would be careful; if he was careful enough, there shouldn't be any problems.
He believed he could handle it, because everyone called him "Clever Dik."
Regarding the second update, it would be a bit late; I estimate around 12 o'clock.
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(End of Chapter)