It had been only a little more than a decade since Robert Baratheon overthrew the Targaryen dynasty and claimed the Iron Throne.
Ten short years.
For a kingdom as vast and complex as the Seven Kingdoms, such a period was hardly enough to establish unshakable rule.
The Baratheon dynasty was still new.
Its authority was far from stable.
Across the Seven Kingdoms, countless people quietly watched and waited.
Some were loyal.
Some were uncertain.
And some secretly hoped for the return of the royal family that had ruled for nearly three hundred years—the Targaryens.
To the common people, however, such matters often meant little.
Whether the ruler wore a crown of dragons or stags made little difference to a peasant struggling to survive winter.
Kings changed.
Lords fought.
But the lives of the smallfolk remained the same.
They were still tools for the nobles.
Workers.
Taxpayers.
Soldiers when called.
The lambs of the ruling class.
Yet ironically, that very reality made the masses easier to control.
Faith.
Tradition.
Power.
At certain times, these things were not merely tools used by rulers.
They were pillars of society itself.
But beneath everything else, one truth remained constant:
Interest was eternal.
It was precisely because of this that King Robert Baratheon had rushed north after the death of Jon Arryn.
He had traveled a great distance to seek help from one man.
Eddard Stark.
Although Robert often neglected the duties of kingship, he understood something important.
He knew who had truly supported him during the rebellion.
And he knew who could be trusted.
The Iron Throne was surrounded by enemies.
Robert was not blind to that fact.
He understood that many eyes watched the throne with greed.
A dynasty that had ruled for only ten years could not possibly be secure.
That was the truth Robert feared.
The argument between Robert and Eddard Stark at the ruins of the First Men's fortress had not been a simple disagreement.
It was not merely a moral debate.
It was not simply about whether killing children could be justified.
Robert understood the real issue.
And deep down, Eddard Stark understood it as well.
Yet Ned Stark's sense of honor and justice prevented him from compromising.
What Robert truly feared were the two surviving Targaryen children across the Narrow Sea.
Viserys.
And Daenerys.
Orphans of a fallen dynasty.
But also potential claimants to the Iron Throne.
Throughout the Seven Kingdoms, Robert knew many people secretly hoped those two would return.
He would never believe otherwise.
The Targaryen dynasty had not been a minor ruling house.
It had been founded by Aegon the Conqueror and his dragons.
Under their rule, the Seven Kingdoms had been united for centuries.
Such a legacy could not disappear easily.
And now the political situation had grown even more complicated.
Tywin Lannister's unexpected seizure of King's Landing had shaken the realm.
Even if it was only a strategic maneuver, the event alone threatened the stability of the Baratheon dynasty.
When Kevan Lannister occupied the capital and rumors spread of mercenary armies gathering across the Narrow Sea, the war grew far more confusing.
What had once been a relatively straightforward conflict now became something far more dangerous.
No one could clearly see the direction of the war anymore.
To understand the situation, one had to examine the battlefield across the Seven Kingdoms.
Renly Baratheon's forces in the Stormlands had gathered many vassals.
But their campaign was suddenly slowed.
The reason was the unexpected movement of Dornish troops.
The intentions of Dorne remained unclear.
Were they preparing for war?
Or merely demonstrating strength?
No one knew.
Because of this uncertainty, the Stormlands had to divide their attention.
They needed to defend their own territory while also preparing for potential conflict with Dorne.
The Vale faced similar problems.
While supporting the war in the Riverlands, the Vale also had to defend against possible threats from across the Narrow Sea.
As for Dragonstone, the situation there was even worse.
Although Stannis Baratheon possessed a newly built royal fleet, it was not strong enough to withstand a full-scale invasion from across the sea.
Even Stannis—the stubborn man who had once held Storm's End against overwhelming odds—was forced to request reinforcements from the mainland.
Meanwhile, the Reach launched its own offensive against the western territories.
But their campaign quickly stalled.
The Ironborn of House Greyjoy seized the opportunity to raid the coast.
Soon the Reach and the Iron Islands were locked in constant skirmishes.
And in the midst of all this chaos—
Tywin Lannister struck.
With perfect timing, he seized King's Landing.
And before the entire realm, he openly responded to the Iron Throne.
It was the first direct confrontation between Tywin and King Robert since the war began.
Across the Seven Kingdoms, attention shifted.
All eyes turned toward the Riverlands.
Everyone understood the significance of this moment.
The outcome of this conflict might determine the future ruler of Westeros.
But the situation remained unclear.
Who truly held the advantage?
No one could say.
Yet one fact could not be ignored.
Kevan Lannister now controlled King's Landing.
If he stabilized the capital, he could free his forces quickly.
Then, with the right coordination, the gates of the city might open to outside forces.
King's Landing could become the decisive breakthrough.
Just as it had once been when the Targaryens first conquered Westeros.
Under such circumstances, neither Dragonstone nor the Baratheon armies could defend against an external invasion.
Especially if Dorne chose to act.
If that moment arrived, King's Landing would become the key to Tywin Lannister's victory.
All Tywin needed to do was hold Harrenhal and wait.
With three hundred thousand soldiers from the Westerlands, his position was extremely strong.
That was why Robert Baratheon had no choice but to respond to Tywin's challenge.
If he ignored the situation, his authority as king would collapse.
If he acted rashly, he might trigger an even greater disaster.
Time itself had become the battlefield.
Whoever destroyed their enemy first would claim victory.
Across the Seven Kingdoms, many watched carefully.
Some waited for opportunity.
Others prepared for war.
And it was precisely at this moment that Karl Stone suddenly captured King's Landing.
His actions removed the greatest threat facing the Iron Throne.
For Robert Baratheon, it was an unexpected miracle.
For Tywin Lannister, however, it was catastrophic.
King's Landing had been the cornerstone of his entire strategy.
He had sacrificed everything for that move.
Every scheme.
Every act of ruthlessness.
All of it had been preparation for this moment.
Now his plans lay exposed.
At the royal war council, Robert, Eddard Stark, and the assembled lords quickly understood the situation.
This was why Tywin dared to threaten the Iron Throne with the capital itself.
If he escaped the current crisis, countless opportunities would open.
But fate had intervened.
Karl Stone's actions shattered Tywin's strategy.
Even so, Kevan Lannister's final sacrifice had given his brother one last chance.
Tywin seized that opportunity.
The Lannisters were not yet completely defeated.
As long as interests aligned, Robert's anger could be managed.
Tywin's request was simple.
But it placed Eddard Stark in a difficult position.
As Hand of the King, Ned Stark had to remain rational.
Even if it went against his instincts.
Once, Ned had executed a man simply for violating the kingdom's laws.
Honor guided his every decision.
Yet now he faced a situation where honor alone was not enough.
Looking at his old friend Robert, who was glaring furiously at Tywin, Ned felt exhausted.
Robert wanted revenge.
He wanted Tywin's blood.
But that was not the wisest choice.
After a tense silence, Robert finally sat back in his throne.
His fists remained clenched.
Seeing that Robert had finally restrained himself, Ned rubbed his temples.
Then he turned toward Tywin.
"Lord Tywin," Ned said calmly.
"Did you truly say that you are willing to give up everything?"
"Your lands."
"Your wealth."
"Your titles."
Tywin's voice remained steady.
"The wealth of House Lannister is known throughout the Seven Kingdoms."
"That is beyond question."
Ned studied Tywin carefully.
The man's eyes revealed nothing.
Calm.
Cold.
Unreadable.
Only when Robert had mentioned the death of Tywin's son had his expression changed slightly.
Otherwise he appeared completely composed.
Ned could not understand Tywin's true intentions.
Perhaps the man truly wished to preserve his family's survival.
The continuation of House Lannister had always been Tywin's greatest goal.
Yet something still felt wrong.
Tywin was not merely proud.
He was cunning.
Patient.
And ruthless.
Even now, he had chosen the path that benefited his family most.
Finally, Ned spoke again.
"What about your armies?"
Now that he had accepted negotiations, Ned needed practical solutions.
"The soldiers will become prisoners of the Iron Throne," Tywin replied smoothly.
"His Majesty may decide their fate."
"Of course… execution would hardly encourage future surrenders."
"They could take the black."
"Or swear loyalty to the crown."
Ned frowned slightly.
Robert finally spoke.
"Some will be executed."
"Others will lose their titles and lands and be sent to the Wall."
"And the rest may earn a second chance."
Thirty thousand soldiers.
Their fate now rested with the king.
Ned nodded slowly.
"It is a reasonable solution."
"They are experienced soldiers."
"They may strengthen the realm if handled properly."
Tywin inclined his head.
"As you wish."
Ned then added one final condition.
"The surrender must be organized carefully."
"We cannot risk treachery."
Tywin agreed immediately.
"The troops will surrender in stages."
"Without weapons."
Relief spread across Ned's face.
But one final issue remained.
"The mercenary armies," Ned said firmly.
"You must deal with them."
Inviting foreign armies into Westeros was unforgivable.
Yet even Ned Stark understood the need for compromise.
Tywin smiled faintly.
"They will not receive a single coin."
"The Lannister army itself will become the reason they retreat."
Then Tywin looked toward Ned.
"And that…"
"Is your problem, Lord Eddard."
Finally, Tywin turned his gaze toward the Iron Throne.
Toward Robert Baratheon.
The king stared back with barely contained fury.
But the game was far from over.
Now…
It was Tywin's move.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)