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Chapter 67 - Chapter 67: The First Legion, Started

"We have sworn a sacred oath to dedicate ourselves to the holy cause of His Majesty Viserys," the Andal elders west of the Rhoyne River solemnly declared.

"I also swear a sacred oath to judge good and evil in the world with a just heart, and to protect the land and people of Andas with a brave heart," Viserys Targaryen proclaimed loudly.

Ser Roland and Bishop Umu stood not far from him, their expressions serious.

The black-armored knight Viserys was young, but he was already the sole conqueror and savior in the hearts of many Andals.

Viserys was, in effect, proclaiming himself King of Andas, but he still had a long way to go if he wished to become the undisputed king.

Powerful factions like the Greenvine Family of Andas, for instance, would not accept a king who appeared out of nowhere.

But Viserys no longer cared about these petty families; giving them a chance would be useless.

These powerful clans would fawn over Tyrosh, Pentos, and the Dothraki, clinging to survival, but they refused to believe that the Andals could fight again.

Since that was the case, those who did not believe in the power nurtured by the land of Andas itself were not fit to be king of the Andals.

"Look at the suffering the Andals have endured," Viserys said, pointing to the devastation not far away.

On top of the spears were the heads of Tyroshi slavers and mercenaries; their dried blood had already begun to stink.

The previously oily, bright purple and red hair of the Tyroshi was now stained with dirt.

Viserys's tone rose again, "Look at those evil Tyroshi slavers, the weeping Andal people, these ruffians ravaging the land of our ancestors."

"The enemy brought blood and fire, the enemy brought humiliation and slavery."

"Now, what shall we do?"

As soon as this last sentence was uttered, the atmosphere on the scene boiled like water.

"Revenge!"

"Revenge!"

"Andals will not be slaves!"

The Andals shouted slogans, their seven-pointed star symbols on their faces and chests so prominent.

Viserys's boots stepped on the cold mud, and the grayish-brown mud splatters were like the sins of the world.

"I bring you two paths," Viserys continued. "The first is to be brave in the name of a warrior, to fight like men. But most may die, may face retaliation; this is a difficult path, and I have nothing to give you except the promise to lead from the front. The second path is for the Andals to lay down their hatred, choose to kneel and smile at the enemy, as they have for thousands of years. This might bring us temporary peace. If the Tyroshi come seeking revenge, you only need to offer me. I leave the right of choice to my people."

Viserys did not bring up the matter of the Greenvine Family being suspected traitors; if you don't kill a snake, it will come back to bite you.

If the Greenvine Family truly was such a viper, it would be better to lure the snake out of its hole and then eradicate it in one fell swoop.

Moreover, for Viserys to stir up internal strife just as he gathered the strength of Andas would be too rash.

"We will only choose this!" the Andals roared like beasts, then seized the weapons in their hands.

Having endured humiliation for half a lifetime, it was better to fight back.

The Andals waved their spears, swords, pitchforks, battle-axes, and even flails.

"Tyrosh, Pentos, Braavos, I've had enough of them. And those damned Dothraki beasts. Why do they oppress the Andals like this? Outsiders will not appreciate the Velvet Hills and the Upper Rhoyne River. Their gods are also false, not believing in the Seven Gods and knights. Why can't we govern ourselves as before? If I have to kneel, I will only kneel to this one king, the first king to fight for the Andals." The first bearded Andal warrior drew his sword, his words like thunder.

The Andal warrior knelt down and placed his sword beside Viserys. "Long live His Majesty Viserys! Long live the King of Andals!"

The first Andal knelt and shouted.

Then came the second Andal warrior, the third, the fourth.

Although they had never been ruled by the silver-haired king before, they all now rose, drew their swords, knelt, and shouted ancient names no one had heard before.

"Long live the King!"

"Long live the King of Andas! Long live the King of the Andals!"

All the Andals, elders, warriors, women, and children cheered together.

They chose to follow, to follow the tall, silver-haired warrior.

The clamorous sound was like a tide, intoxicating.

This was not the tide of the sea, but the tide of human roars.

Viserys's purple eyes swept over the Andals on the field. Since this is the case, let me, Viserys, lead you to another destiny.

All the Andal elders understood this reality; the history of the Andals would be written by new people.

"His Majesty Viserys, the slavers have committed too many crimes in our villages. They kill people, kidnap people, sell women and children, and burn villages."

"Many villages have suffered such a catastrophe."

"The atrocities of the slavers will be repaid with blood," Viserys promised.

"Since that is the case, we request to entrust the land and people on the west bank of the Rhoyne River to you. Please protect us, Your Majesty," the Andal elders pleaded.

"Granted," Viserys nodded.

"Elders, warriors, I also need your wisdom," Viserys calmly offered his suggestion, inviting the Andal elders to join him. "The elders of the Andal villages will all be invited to join my Secret Council. The monks of the Andal villages will be managed by the bishops of Westeros Fort. As for the young people in those villages, they will follow my troops for Squire training."

"Oh, and the soldiers of those villages," Viserys added. "I will conduct new training for the soldiers."

"Stonewatch Village is at your command, Your Majesty!"

"Greenfield Village is at your command, Your Majesty!"

... The Andal villages gathered from the west of the Rhoyne River also chose to accept Viserys's command to deal with the coming crisis.

The faces of the Andal elders showed excited light; this was exactly the Andalized system they had envisioned.

Viserys looked at the respectful expressions of the elders. With this, his power had crossed from the west to the east of the Upper Rhoyne River, entering a new phase.

"Please give your orders, His Majesty Viserys, we are willing to obey your commands and become your sword and shield," the Andal warriors clamored.

"I will count the population, and then reorganize them," Viserys said, looking at the gathered Andal warriors. These men could swell his army.

But besides individual combat prowess, these men also needed new improvements, learning army discipline, and learning formations.

This was a process of re-civilization, allowing the Andals to re-enhance their organization, evolving from scattered skirmishers to a regular army.

Viserys had already planned his strategy: ten centurions would form a thousand-man unit, and above the thousand-man unit would be legions.

And the gathered Andals would be listed by him as part of the first legion.

Ãdvåñçé çhàptêr àvàilàble óñ pàtreøn (Gk31)

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