Littlefinger knelt.
Even after being captured and imprisoned by Kevan Lannister for so long, he still carried himself with an air of refinement that hardship had failed to erode. Yet now, he dropped to his knees without hesitation, bowing so decisively that even Karl was momentarily stunned.
Karl had not expected Petyr Baelish's knees to be this soft.
This was a man renowned for his talent in money and trade, a master schemer whose ambition once rivaled kings. In the original course of events, Littlefinger had been full of vigor and ruthless aspiration. And yet now, he looked ready to smear tears and snot across Karl's boots if it meant surviving.
Karl chuckled softly.
He stepped forward and helped the Prime Minister to his feet.
"Lord Petyr, what are you saying?" Karl asked gently. "How could I possibly harm you?"
His tone was warm—almost affectionate.
"You must remember," he continued, "His Majesty entrusted you with a rather large sum on my behalf. Ten thousand gold dragons, if I recall correctly."
He smiled faintly.
"I would truly hate to lose the only man who can hand that money to me."
As he spoke, something almost nostalgic flickered in his eyes.
Those ten thousand gold dragons had been awarded to him by King Robert only a few months ago. Back then, Karl had been nothing more than a bastard mercenary scraping by from battle to battle. A nobody. A disposable sword.
And now?
Now he was a knight.
Now he bore the title of Eastwatch-by-the-Sea.
Now he commanded two thousand soldiers—and behind them stood tens of thousands from the High Mountain clans who would follow him without hesitation.
In a matter of months, he had climbed from obscurity into power. What he lacked was territory suitable for expansion. Beyond that, he lacked nothing.
Littlefinger, who had moments ago felt death tightening around his throat, suddenly saw hope.
Money.
Karl had brought up money.
That meant survival.
"Of course, Lord Karl!" Littlefinger said quickly, forcing a smile through trembling lips. "His Majesty personally instructed me in this matter. The funds have long been prepared. I can deliver them to you immediately."
He spoke rapidly, afraid that even a heartbeat's delay might irritate this unpredictable killer.
Karl nodded approvingly and patted him on the shoulder, like a teacher pleased with a promising student.
"Excellent. I have many expenses these days. Armies are not cheap."
He gestured casually toward his soldiers.
Then, as though remembering something trivial, he turned his head toward the two halves of Grand Maester Pycelle lying on the floor.
Pycelle's body had been split cleanly down the middle. His severed halves leaned in opposite directions, lifeless eyes staring upward.
Karl sighed.
"Such a tragedy. That brute Gregor Clegane was truly mad to murder the Grand Maester."
His voice carried regret.
"I arrived a moment too late. A shame."
Littlefinger understood instantly.
His expression shifted to one of righteous indignation.
"Yes, indeed! The Mountain's crimes are beyond counting. To kill a frail old man—truly inhuman!"
He played his part perfectly.
Karl smiled.
"The realm is fortunate to have you, Lord Petyr."
Littlefinger's eyes gleamed with relief.
Then Karl turned his gaze elsewhere.
Varys stood rigid, Bronn's blade pressed against his throat. Sweat glistened across the eunuch's brow.
"Oh, Lord Varys," Karl said lightly. "I nearly forgot what you promised me outside the city."
Varys stiffened.
He had believed this was the end—that Karl would silence him after striking a deal with Littlefinger.
But instead of ordering his death, Karl asked calmly:
"Regarding the murder of Jon Arryn… did Lord Petyr Baelish have a hand in it?"
The hall fell silent.
Littlefinger's face drained of color.
Varys blinked.
Then he nodded.
Karl's smile widened.
"That's good."
He turned back to Littlefinger.
"I truly wished to give you a chance."
His voice grew cold.
"But it seems you did not value it."
Desperation broke through Littlefinger's composure.
"No! Lord Karl, Varys lies! I am not responsible!"
Then panic overtook him.
"It was Lysa Tully! She poisoned her husband! She mixed tears of Lys into his wine! Pycelle interfered with the treatment—he drove away Maester Colemon when Jon was improving!"
The truth spilled out uncontrollably.
Karl's smile vanished entirely.
"Do you think I would toy with you without evidence?"
He placed his hand on Littlefinger's shoulder.
"In Lysa's chambers at the Eyrie, I found your letters. You told her to burn them."
His fingers tightened.
"She did not burn them thoroughly."
Littlefinger's last hope shattered.
His knees buckled—but Karl's grip prevented him from falling.
This time, Karl did not restrain his strength.
His fingers pierced into flesh.
Bones cracked.
With a sickening sound, Littlefinger's shoulder collapsed under Karl's grip, crushed like fruit in a vise.
A scream tore from Petyr's throat.
Karl lifted him effortlessly.
"Everyone has ambition," Karl said coldly. "But yours poisons everything it touches."
He threw Littlefinger to the ground.
Petyr clawed desperately at the stone tiles, dragging himself away.
Timett moved first.
The scimitar fell.
A single, brutal stroke.
Littlefinger was cut cleanly in half at the waist.
His scream echoed through the throne room.
Blood spread across the marble floor.
Karl did not look back.
Instead, he approached Varys.
"Do you disapprove of my justice?"
The sword lowered from Varys's neck.
Varys swallowed.
"He deserved it," he said carefully. "If what you say is true, then countless deaths trace back to him."
Karl nodded.
"I had my reasons. Jon Arryn was kind to me in my youth. This is the only repayment I can offer."
Varys studied him.
"Will you kill me?" the eunuch asked calmly. "I am, after all, the last witness."
Karl raised a hand and pushed Bronn's blade fully away.
"I am merely a bastard who despises evil," he said lightly. "If you wish to be my enemy, consider it carefully."
He smiled faintly.
"I already drink with a dwarf. I would not mind adding a eunuch to the table."
The hall still echoed with fading screams.
But the game had moved forward.
And Karl Stone had just removed another piece from the board.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)