"Yes, my lord! I'll send the orders now!" Kent replied immediately, turning and running toward the barracks outside the city.
As Jason stood, Lena stepped forward to straighten his collar, her expression filled with worry. "Sir, are you going to war again?"
Bella simply blinked her large eyes, looking up at him nervously.
Jason nodded and offered them a comforting smile. "Don't worry. My soldiers are armed with the best flintlock rifles. The Boltons and their rebels only have swords and bows. We have a huge advantage. We will win this war."
Lena and Bella were just girls, not yet eighteen. They didn't understand the complexities of war. All they could do was pray to the gods to keep their lord safe.
After finishing with his stab-proof suit and buckling on his sword, Jason strode out of Starfire Castle.
Qyburn was waiting for him in the hall. He bowed slightly as Jason approached.
"My lord, just as you instructed, we've prepared all the transport and supplies for the First and Second Northern Corps," Qyburn reported. "The wagons are loaded. The men can set off with the army in about an hour."
"Good. Well done, Qyburn. Thank you for your hard work," Jason said, satisfied with his advisor's efficiency.
Qyburn hurried to keep pace with his lord. "Sir, as your advisor, I request to go with you to Winterfell."
He continued, "This war isn't like the last one, when you were just following Robb Stark south. This time, you are the commander. There will be more to manage than just the fighting. Many things will need to be handled..."
Jason stopped, considering Qyburn's words. He was right.
Last time, he had led a thousand cavalrymen with Robb's army. His only job was to lead the charge and kill the enemy. He didn't have to worry about cleaning up the battlefield, treating the wounded, or dealing with prisoners.
But this time was different. He was the supreme commander, leading his own army against Roose Bolton. He had to manage not only the battles but also all the tedious military affairs that came with them. Honestly, Jason knew he couldn't handle all of that alone. He needed help.
Qyburn was the perfect person for the job.
Still, Jason frowned. "Qyburn, of course I'd want you with the army. You could help me manage the logistics and all the other military duties. But I'm worried about Starfire City. Will it be alright without you here?"
Qyburn stood with his hands clasped, his grey robes making him look wise and scholarly. "My lord, please don't worry. After more than half a year, Maester Boris, Morris, and Maester Sarank are more than capable of managing this city."
"Even if I go with you, they will be able to run Starfire City perfectly fine. In fact, this is a good opportunity for them to show their abilities."
Jason thought for a moment, then nodded in agreement. "You're right. We should give Boris, Morris, and Sarank more chances to prove themselves. In the future, I'll need each of them to be capable of governing a city as large as this one."
Hearing this, a spark ignited in Qyburn's wise eyes. He spoke with growing excitement. "My lord, are you planning to use this chance to take control of the entire North? With Robb Stark dead and most of the northern lords killed by the Boltons and the Freys, the path is clear."
"Once you defeat Roose Bolton's army, the rest of the North will be empty. It can easily be yours. No one will be left to oppose you. You will be the new Warden of the North!"
The more he spoke, the more excited Qyburn became, his wrinkled face flushing. He raised his voice. "No, not just the Warden of the North! With nearly thirty thousand well-trained soldiers armed with powerful rifles and cannons, you could easily become the King in the North!"
"Yes, you're more qualified to be king than the bastard on the Iron Throne!"
Qyburn's mind was racing, picturing his master sweeping across the North, forcing the remaining houses to swear loyalty. Then, he would lead the army south into the Riverlands. With their superior weapons, no one could stop them. After conquering the North and the Riverlands, Jason would be the second King in the North, far greater than Robb Stark ever was.
Of course, Qyburn knew there would be challenges. The ancient noble houses might not be willing to submit to an outsider like Lord Jason. They would need to solve those internal problems before they could continue their conquest south. First, they would destroy Tywin Lannister and take the Westerlands, then march on King's Landing itself. Lord Jason could become king of all Westeros.
The thought made his blood boil. He realized Jason already commanded a force powerful enough to sweep the Seven Kingdoms, a force not seen since Aegon Targaryen's dragons conquered the continent four hundred years ago.
Jason couldn't help but grin as he watched Qyburn practically shaking with excitement. He wondered what exactly the man was imagining that had him so worked up.
"You're right, Qyburn. This is a perfect opportunity to win the North," Jason said calmly. "And I've received news that the wildling army beyond the Wall is already moving south."
"If the Night's Watch can't hold them back, the wildlings will pour into the North and cause chaos everywhere."
Jason paused, letting his words sink in as Qyburn's expression grew serious. "But there's something even more frightening. I've heard rumors that an ancient god of cold and death has awakened the dead beyond the Wall. They are chasing the wildlings south, and they want to cross the Wall to kill everything that lives."
"If this is true, then the enemy we'll face is a hundred times more dangerous than Roose Bolton or the wildling army."
Jason adopted a solemn expression, as if he were sacrificing everything for the good of mankind. "That's why I have to act now. I must defeat Roose Bolton and unite the North, so I can gather all its strength to fight the true enemy of humanity—the army of the dead!"
A flicker of doubt crossed Qyburn's eyes. An army of the dead? He didn't quite believe it. Was it possible Lord Jason had invented this story to give himself a noble excuse for conquering the North?
But even as the thought crossed his mind, Qyburn dismissed it. It didn't matter. He was loyal to Jason, and he would be an essential advisor to the future king.
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