Chapter 361 King’s Landing, the return of the king
King's collar.
King's Landing.
Using "city" to describe the former capital of the Seven Kingdoms seems a bit inconsistent now.
Because this place is too dilapidated.
Except for the towering city wall, it was dark and full of the smell of fire, but it still stood on the wasteland at the mouth of Blackwater Bay.
Everything else no longer exists.
From Mud Gate, go all the way north, or from Lion Gate, go all the way east.
All the magnificent or dirty and smelly buildings have now become history in ashes.
In this fire that lasted for several months, everything that should have collapsed had already done so.
The scene in front of me happened to illustrate one point.
The worst order is better than no order at all.
Although Stannis's other performances in the war are not worthy of praise, at least others are not much better than him. Don't laugh at the second brother, the world is as black as crows.
But only in the matter of King's Landing, he cannot escape his responsibility.
The hasty exit from King's Landing caused the place to become completely neglected.
Violence, even greater violence, can keep the people living here alive.
In a short period of time, more than half of the frail elderly, children, and women died.
Nobles who once lived in aristocratic areas, dressed luxuriously and were the envy of others.
During this time, the disguise was completely stripped away and he became more vulnerable than civilians.
The earliest fire started from there.
The fire destroyed all sin.
Now, when Aegon Targaryen himself came to the Mudgate docks in a battleship.
What was presented to him was this scene before him, a ridiculous ruin.
It is very similar to Harrenhal, which is located near the Lake of God's Eye.
The city wall is tall and does not collapse, symbolizing its former glory.
But the gray world inside the city gate makes people understand that this place is no longer of much value.
Yes, there are also people with overall strategic vision on Little Aegon's side.
Like Clay, they also accurately realized the huge strategic opportunities that existed in the royal territory.
This is a no-man's land.
This means that this is an excellent opportunity.
No matter what others think, but from their side.
Aegon the Conqueror raised his army from Dragonstone.
They now also occupy Dragonstone Island.
Later, Aegon I Targaryen the Conqueror also landed from King's Landing.
Oh, there was no King's Landing yet, but that didn't matter.
In short, every step he takes, little Aegon will feel that he is right.
Because what they are fighting for is "legitimacy."
There is quite a sense that I must do what my ancestors did.
Clay and Daenerys don't have this worry, because both of them are genuine dragon kings.
The dragon rising into the sky is the best evidence.
Except for young Aegon, who is confident that he is the true blood of Targaryen, everyone else in the upper class believes in his blood.
Even people on his side.
Therefore, in order for other people on the continent to have more recognition of this dragon-less king, these things that seem like child's play are actually things that the king must do.
"This is King's Landing?"
Sitting on the back of a pure white horse, with long silver-gold hair hanging down his back, Aegon Targaryen, who had a typical appearance of a descendant of Valyria, turned to ask Varys beside him.
This former intelligence chief served three kings: Aegon III, Robert Baratheon I, and Joffrey Baratheon I.
Now, wearing a luxurious brocade robe, his plump face is full of joy.
He entered the city again.
But it was different from the past. This time, this city truly belonged to him.
It's not that he wants to take away little Aegon's throne.
He wasn't interested in that position.
In fact, everyone knows exactly what the Aegon Targaryen group is made up of.
The accurate description is actually a group of losers in the traditional struggle of Westeros, united with the ambitious people in Essos itself.
Aegon Targaryen with the right to inherit the throne was packaged.
Under his banner, he launched a new round of conquest of Westeros.
in order to realize their ambitions.
If not for Clay's intervention.
Their original plan was to capture Daenerys and get the real blood of the Dragon King from her.
Starting with the descendants of Aegon Targaryen, we will completely resolve the question of little Aegon’s identity.
However, now the situation has developed into this.
Daenerys didn't get it, but was taken advantage of by a guy who appeared out of nowhere.
Now, 90% of the nobles on the mainland believe from the bottom of their hearts that the "legitimacy" is from Twin River City.
It's just that everyone is his own master and must fight against each other.
This is not good.
Everyone worked hard to find such a suitable person and tell such a big lie.
Isn’t it just for the legitimacy of Aegon Targaryen?
Now that orthodoxy is gone, what will they do here?
Is it really true that there are more people than Clay Mandler?
It's not impossible, anyway, if the Roses of Highgarden don't stage the drama of betrayal anymore, relying on the total population of the Seven Kingdoms.
If we send out the maximum amount of troops, we can still steadily suppress Clay Mandler's side.
Moreover, the city seems to be interested in supporting them.
After all, compared to those two they had already offended.
In the opinion of the wise men of the Council of Cardinals, a Targaryen king without dragons is still very safe.
Therefore, they chose to support Aegon Targaryen.
It can be said that if we don't go to see Dorne, now it will be a situation where the northeast is fighting the southwest.
However, compared to the core in the north, the government orders are clear.
The three parties in the south, Lannister, Tyrell, and Aegon Targaryen, who has already landed, actually have no cooperation at all with each other.
They are just a group of hunting dogs robbing carrion.
"Instead of saying this is the capital, I think it's better to call it a ruin."
Aegon Targaryen, who had already entered the city and crushed countless burnt human bones with his horse's hooves, made a pertinent comment to Varys beside him.
The eunuch smelling of perfume smiled sweetly at the king and whispered:
"But it is indeed your Majesty's grandfather, and it even extends to the capital of Aegon the Conqueror. No one in the Seven Kingdoms can deny this."
Although the tone was not intense, it was indeed an insult to the king.
How much power King Aegon Targaryen has is the result of everyone's joint discussion.
It's not like he just does whatever he wants.
Although there are loyal supporters like Jon Clinton.
However, descriptions such as ceremonial head and seal king are probably something that little Aegon can relate to.
It's just that he doesn't know it very well.
"Okay, so what do we do next? Just go into the Red Keep and let me sit in that chair?"
Aegon Targaryen asked again.
Varys chuckled, as if the question was pleasant.
But the eyes exposed between the sleeves were not warm at all.
He asked back:
"Shouldn't you do that, my dear lord?"
It was like this again, retreating in order to advance, the tone was never fierce, but it never left room for Aegon Targaryen to refute.
As the saying goes, returning to the old capital, then it seems unjustifiable not to sit on the Iron Throne.
"All right."
Aegon Targaryen had no choice but to nod.
So, the knights who were pioneering the way walked toward the palace, which was said to be the Red Fort, but looked more like the Black Fort.
Is that my palace?
Aegon Targaryen asked himself.
To be honest, he was extremely disappointed.
The feeling of dead silence here made him uneasy.
…
Riverlands.
Twin River City.
Drogon, who had just finished a full meal, lay down on the nest made of hay to rest with his bulging belly dangling.
Although winter has entered recently, the weather has rarely cleared up.
Since we are located south of the Neck, the temperature in Twin River City is quite acceptable.
This giant dragon, which has never had any combat missions, can only follow the other two brothers who eat and drink, lie down in the grass nest, and doze off every day.
Fortunately, the Hejian Land is rich, otherwise, it would really be a big problem to support these three big guys whose appetites and sizes are increasing day by day.
Daenerys comes out of the castle.
She planned to ride on Drogon, take Rhaegal and Viserion with her, and go for a walk in the sky twice.
Why do you always sleep on the floor like this?
Don’t they all say that dragons are proud and violent creatures?
Why did it turn into something more like a round, very edible domestic animal when it came to me?
Daenerys would never admit that there was a problem with the way she was raised.
"Fly Drogon!"
Daenerys, who came to the back of the black dragon, said to her "eldest son".
The black dragon, who was basking in the sun, turned his head, glanced at Daenerys, exhaled a large cloud of hot air, and lowered his head again.
It just wants to sleep, nothing else.
Seeing Drogon's attitude, Daenerys gritted her teeth and felt helpless.
She couldn't force Drogon to do anything, but fortunately the dragon's back was still warm.
Just as she was thinking about how to make this lazy dragon move, Daenerys suddenly noticed.
Drogon's big head buried in the hay suddenly lifted up, its red eyes suddenly opened, and its snake-like neck twisted toward its back.
His eyes were fixed on the distant sky.
Daenerys didn't react at first. When Drogon suddenly stood up, adjusted his posture, and began to take steps and flutter his wings, Daenerys realized what happened.
Beside her, Rhaego and Viserion also had the same reaction.
Three dragons rose into the sky, attracting the attention of many people in Twin River City not far away.
These days, after spending a lot of time with these giant dragons, they all understand the temperament and temperament of these three guys.
Greedy, irritable, but lazy.
This situation of three-headed dragons taking off at the same time is indeed very rare.
In the study, Count Rickard Karstark, who was discussing matters with the old man, stared blankly at the scene outside the window and asked aloud:
"What's going on here?"
The corners of the old man's mouth curled up slightly, and he calmly answered Count Rickard Karstark's question:
"Clay is back!"
…
the weather is nice today.
Even though Galesos was not flying high, Clay could still see the sun hanging in the eastern sky.
He was already familiar with the terrain in this area.
After crossing the Neck, he knew he was almost there.
Along the Green Fork River that meanders southward, Galesos flaps its wings faster.
Dragons like warm places, so the further south they go, the more energetic they become.
After an hour, Clay could already see the two castles across the Green Fork River at the end of his sight.
That's the Twins.
Then, he heard Galesos roaring.
A long-lost emotion came over, it was... the joy of seeing his toy.
Clay was stunned for a moment and then immediately realized what he was doing.
This is the arrival of Drogon's three unlucky men.
Sure enough, after getting closer, the three black spots above the Twins City entered Clay's realization.
The distance between the two sides continued to close, and Clay also saw the three dragons, which were also slightly larger in size.
The giant dragon will not stop growing. With enough food, these three guys already have some of the power of their ancestors.
The message Galesos conveyed to him was clear:
It wants to bully people...ah no, it wants to bully the dragon!
Clay had no choice but to tell this guy what he meant:
"Put me down first, and you can do whatever you want later."
Galesos shook his head slightly dissatisfied, but still obeyed his master's will.
So, it roared at the three flying Drogons, then turned around and fell to the ground.
…
Looking at the four huge figures flying past each other in the sky, Clay skillfully held Daenerys's waist and smiled:
"Why, are you surprised that I'm back now?"
Daenerys was not a pretentious person. After taking a deep look at her man, she decided to do business first and take care of this guy in the evening.
"Let's go back to Twin River City first and let everyone know that you, the runaway king, are back."
Clay smiled, nodded, and got on the horse.
The forces in Twin River City in front of him were almost established by him.
Originally, the nobles under his command were already gearing up for a big fight.
As a result, the king who led their expedition stayed in the north.
Although everyone was dissatisfied, there was nothing they could do about Clay.
Who dares to mess with a Dragon King?
Fortunately, this king is not completely indifferent. If Twin River City contacts him, he will still give his opinions.
It’s just that I can’t see anyone.
When Clay returned to Twin River City, soon all the nobles staying here knew the news of the king's return.
After all, the four dragons in the sky cannot be hidden from anyone's eyes.
In the meeting hall in Twin River City, representatives from all parties arrived one after another.
Several great nobles from the Riverlands came, and Sir Blackfish, who represented the Tully family, also arrived.
On the northern side, the nobles Clay rescued from Harrenhal have never returned.
In the valley, a few nobles who still had some strength, headed by the Earl of Seagull Town, also arrived.
They all wanted to say hello to Clay Mandler, who was sitting in his high seat.
But I don't know what to say.
Beside him, Daenerys Targaryen also sat quietly, waiting for the meeting to begin.
Finally, after the last guy arrived, Clay, who was leaning on the back of his chair, straightened up.
His eyes swept across the faces of every guy here.
The nobles looked aside, Daenerys, who usually gave orders but was silent now, knew very well.
This "queen" has become a "queen" again.
She has returned her power to Clay Manderly.
His eyes finally stopped on the face of Brynden Tully, who looked a little gray, and then withdrew his gaze.
Clay said:
"Everyone, let's get started."
