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Chapter 22 - History, Present, and Future

Clay didn't intend to expose the Three-Eyed Raven's identity. He wanted to see what this neither-man-nor-ghost was up to.

At the very least, Clay could now confirm that Bran's fall from the broken tower, where he witnessed the Queen and the Kingslayer's tryst, was definitely not accidental.

The Three-Eyed Raven, using the magical threads grown from the Weirwood Tree, had guided Bran in a way Clay couldn't understand.

Clay didn't recall precisely when Bran had fallen in the original timeline. During his time in the dungeon, he had no contact with the outside world and lost track of time.

Perhaps Bran's climb had already happened, and Clay's actions had merely interfered with the Three-Eyed Raven's plans.

His draining of the Weirwood Tree's magic and severing of the magical threads had likely pushed the Three-Eyed Raven over the edge, forcing it to come down and play these games with him.

Clay figured the Raven was probably wary of the god that didn't exist behind him, which was why it was talking about having no ill intentions. But that was fine; the more the Raven speculated, the better it was for Clay.

"What do you want with that child?" Clay asked, mimicking the Raven's detached tone.

The Three-Eyed Raven didn't answer Clay's question. Trailing his long black robe, he slowly walked towards the iron chair covered in spikes.

He slowly stepped onto the platform and, under Clay's gaze, sat upon the Iron Throne as if he had done it a thousand times before.

Clay had to admit that the chair seemed to possess extraordinary magic, causing those standing below to involuntarily feel a sense of awe.

"There are no kings here," Clay said coldly.

"Indeed, but it doesn't matter," the Three-Eyed Raven said. He gripped the armrest of the Iron Throne, and the blade cut his palm, spilling pale green blood, but he didn't care.

"I want to make a deal with you, Agent of a Foreign God," his voice suddenly grew louder.

"Oh?" Clay was curious about what he would say.

"I will use my power to help you sit on this throne, on the condition that after you become king, you allow the North to be independent."

Clay was filled with question marks, almost doubting his ears. For a moment, he wondered if the Three-Eyed Raven had eaten too many weirwood seeds before coming, making its mind a little unclear.

How many armies do you have? What abilities do you even possess to boast like this? If you're so amazing, why haven't I heard of it?

After holding back for a long time, Clay finally said, "I don't believe that with you, I can just yank the Iron Throne out from under Robert Baratheon's ass."

"The current Stag is indeed strong and healthy, with sharp antlers, but the gods have not given him a fawn to inherit his legacy."

As the Three-Eyed Raven spoke, its tone suddenly became distant, but Clay could only roll his eyes internally. Isn't it just saying that Robert's three legitimate children aren't his? Why be so godlike about it?

"I think, if you have something to say, you might as well say it directly. There's no need to dangle a carrot in front of me."

Frowning, the Three-Eyed Raven carefully considered the meaning of "dangling a carrot." It could only take it as a term unique to the foreign gods, but that didn't stop it from understanding Clay's meaning.

"Alright, let's speak plainly then. I ask that you no longer interfere with my actions regarding that Stark boy, and you can make a request of me, as long as I am able to fulfill it."

Tsk, what is this, a wish-granting lamp from another world? Clay shook his head, deciding to make a ridiculous request.

"So, you're saying you can get me a Dragon Egg, and tell me how to hatch it? Can you do that?"

Clay looked intently at the face that resembled a piece of driftwood, curious to see what it would look like when it was displeased. Surprisingly, the Three-Eyed Raven simply glanced at him and nodded calmly.

"Yes, I can. If the deal is made, I will have Hodor, the stableboy of Winterfell, bring it to you. But it will take time. You will receive my gift in White Harbor." "...?" Clay was stunned, realizing he had been too hasty. He should have asked for a Gundam.

Even though he was incredibly curious and wanted to know how the Three-Eyed Raven would dig up a Dragon Egg for him in the North, along with an instruction manual, or rather, the method of awakening it.

Clay had originally wondered why the Three-Eyed Raven didn't do it themselves since they knew how, but when he thought about their ghostly appearance, he understood that the entity was probably hiding in a cave beyond the Wall.

"Answer me one question, and I'll agree to this deal," Clay said.

The Three-Eyed Raven nodded, waiting for Clay to continue.

"It's the same question as before. Why is Bran so important to you? Can't you find someone else? Why does it have to be him? What's so special about him?"

The Three-Eyed Raven was silent for a long time on this question. Just as Clay was starting to get impatient, it let out a long sigh and gave a wry smile.

"He is the best choice, you must understand. Across all of Westeros, only the blood of the wolf and the dragon is special. Some of them are the best vessels."

"North of the Wall, the Cold God's steps are getting closer, constantly shrinking the space for the living. And east of the Narrow Sea, the blazing light of R'hllor wants to set all of Westeros ablaze."

"Like you, I am also an agent of a god, but as you can see, my body is almost rotten. Bran is my best successor, and also the best agent of my master."

Pondering these words, which were packed with information, Clay countered:

"So, you invited me, and even want to help me, simply because my power doesn't belong to the Cold God, nor to R'hllor, the Lord of Light?"

"You have ambitions for Westeros, and that is enough."

"You're not worried about the god behind me... well, taking your territory or followers?"

"It doesn't matter. Like I said at the beginning, the North's independence is fine. My Lord doesn't mind you and the gods behind you taking the South because the power of R'hllor can no longer expand, or the whole world will be unbalanced."

"What about the Seven Gods?"

"In my Lord's words, they are seven beings who can't even stabilize themselves. Expecting them to resist R'hllor is impossible."

In the empty throne room, Clay could only hear his own breathing. These simple sentences caused a storm in Clay's head.

He had originally thought that the gods in the world of ice and fire were just mascots, but now the Three-Eyed Raven had appeared to explain things, and Clay realized there was much more to it than he thought.

After thinking it over, Clay felt that he could trust the Three-Eyed Raven's words at most halfway; believing everything would probably lead him astray.

Also, he couldn't accept all of the Three-Eyed Raven's conditions. If he did, his plan to create a Witcher army would be completely ruined.

Pretending to hesitate for a long time, Clay sighed, "Your conditions are very good, but I can't completely agree."

The Three-Eyed Raven frowned again.

....

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