On the military parade ground.
The thunderous, feverish cheers continued to echo through the camp.
The commotion attracted soldiers from all corners of the military camp.
One after another, they gathered around, eager to see what had happened.
After learning the truth, they too became excited and joined the cheering.
Among them was Arya.
Ever since agreeing to the political marriage the previous night, Arya had been in a gloomy mood.
So even though she was desperately curious about the Trial of the Seven, she stubbornly refused to go and ask Galon about it.
Not long ago, she heard the cheers coming from the parade ground. Her natural curiosity got the better of her, and she followed the crowd over.
When she heard about the various miraculous visions that had appeared around Galon, her eyes immediately filled with admiration as she gazed at him standing atop the wooden platform.
From where she stood, every lord present, whether from the North, the Riverlands, the Vale, or the Iron Islands, seemed to be kneeling before Galon and offering him their highest respect.
'If Galon is truly favored by the gods, how wonderful would it be if he became king!'
'Alas...'
Arya's gaze shifted, and she spotted Gendry standing behind Galon with a frightened and bewildered expression.
'How can that stupid bull compare with Galon...'
Her mood became even worse.
At the same time, her gaze toward Galon grew somewhat hostile.
She had not forgotten that Galon was the one who had arranged her marriage.
'Hmph. Once I return to Winterfell, I'll make sure to give him a hard time.'
'No. I can't do it alone. I'll have to find Jon too. He'll definitely help me!'
Arya continued grumbling silently to herself.
Meanwhile, Galon stood atop the platform, examining the changes within his own body.
As the power of the Old Gods gradually faded, he could clearly feel that his body had become even stronger.
Even the wound on his left arm, which had not completely healed before, was rapidly closing.
At the same time, an unprecedented sensation of being intimately connected to some mysterious existence had been permanently engraved into the depths of Galon's soul.
'The Old Gods... the First Men... the Children of the Forest...'
At that moment, the blood inherited from the First Men and the Children of the Forest granted him an extraordinary surge of spiritual perception.
Galon's crimson eyes, even brighter than before, swept across the parade ground.
In an instant, nothing happening on the entire field could escape his sight.
Including Arya's muttering.
Even more astonishingly, countless pieces of magical knowledge belonging to the Children of the Forest surfaced in his mind.
With his Green-Seer bloodline, Galon realized that as long as he wished, he could unleash the magic of the Children of the Forest.
Among that knowledge were even powerful spells such as the Hammer of the Waters.
Galon's heart immediately stirred.
However—
'Now isn't the time to experiment with magic. I have more important things to deal with.'
Galon suppressed his urge to test his new abilities and raised a hand, signaling for silence.
The parade ground gradually fell quiet once more.
After a moment, he turned his sharp, cold gaze toward Davos, who was already kneeling on the ground.
"Ser Davos."
Taking advantage of the overwhelming prestige created by the miraculous vision, Galon suddenly pressed the Onion Knight.
"Now."
"Tell me. Where is Stannis?"
Davos struggled internally.
On one side was the lord he had sworn to serve.
On the other was Galon, who had just displayed a divine manifestation connected to the faith of the Seven.
Whether he answered or remained silent, he was destined to betray one of his oaths.
"Stannis used sorcery to murder Renly and the Starks. The gods will never tolerate such a kinslayer.
But you are different, Ser Davos.
If you tell me the truth, I believe the gods will forgive you for standing by and witnessing his crimes."
Galon's words became the final weight placed upon the Onion Knight's heart.
Davos slowly closed his eyes and bowed his head to the ground.
"God-touched...
He is... in Saltpans. His Grace is hiding in an abandoned village north of Saltpans.
There are still fifty guards with him."
Galon nodded, a sharp gleam flashing through his eyes.
"Lord Karstark."
His gaze shifted to Rickard Karstark below the platform.
"Take five hundred cavalrymen and capture Stannis. Remember, I want him alive."
"Yes, my lord!"
Lord Karstark rose without hesitation and immediately departed to carry out the order.
"My lords."
Galon scanned the entire field before speaking once more.
"Stannis has repeatedly sent witches to murder the kingdom's most important figures.
Today, the gods have finally had enough.
They have descended upon me and granted me their blessing.
Guards!
Take this damned witch and hang her outside the camp.
I want everyone to witness the price of defying the gods and the laws of the realm!".
At Galon's command, the soldiers who followed the Faith of the Seven overcame their fear and dragged Melisandre's shriveled corpse outside the camp.
They hung her from a crooked tree.
Once the soldiers had left, Galon continued.
"My lords, return to your quarters and rest for now.
Once Stannis is captured, I will summon you all again. Together, we will judge this kinslayer."
Only then did the assembled lords begin dispersing in groups, their faces filled with various mixtures of fanaticism, excitement, and exhilaration.
Soon, as they departed, the miraculous scene that had just occurred around Galon began spreading throughout the entire camp.
Amid the growing commotion, Galon's prestige had already reached the level of legendary heroes.
At this moment, after Edmure and Lord Royce had also left, Barristan finally turned his complicated gaze toward Galon.
If Galon had not been born into a relatively minor family, the spectacle just now would have been enough to win over the hearts of the entire army and place him on the Iron Throne.
'Gods are gods, and kings are kings.'
'The gods should not, and must not, interfere in royal authority.'
As a Kingsguard, Barristan had principles of his own.
He glanced at Gendry, who was still recovering from the shock, then took a deep breath.
"God... Lord Galon."
"As for King Gendry, what do you intend to..."
Before he could finish, Galon interrupted him. "Ser, regarding Prince Gendry, I have already made my decision."
His voice brooked no argument.
"Come with me."
"Lady Catelyn wishes to speak with all of you."
With that, Galon turned and walked toward Catelyn's tent.
Barristan was somewhat helpless.
He could only nod at Gendry and remind him quietly, "Your Grace, we should follow him."
Gendry finally recovered and followed Galon.
Seeing where they were headed, Arya, who had been hiding among the crowd, immediately realized they were probably going to discuss the marriage.
'Do I really have to marry that stupid bull?'
The girl felt miserable and lost.
At the age when she longed most desperately for stories of heroes, she had encountered a man who had left an unforgettable impression upon her.
Yet fate had played a cruel joke.
The hero she admired loved her sister, not her.
She knew that the moment she agreed to the marriage, she had already given up on the love she had imagined for herself.
Arya did not understand love.
But she understood the pain of losing something she desperately wanted.
Tears welled in the corners of her eyes. Just as they had when she silently cried after losing her father.
With her head lowered, Arya slowly left the parade ground.
Meanwhile.
The three of them arrived at Catelyn's tent.
"Galon, what happened outside? Why is it so noisy?"
Catelyn had been waiting for some time. Her face was pale as she sat on the bed and questioned Galon.
Galon casually replied, "Stannis sent a witch assassin. I killed her."
"Are you hurt?"
Catelyn did not ask anything else. Instead, she immediately looked at him with concern.
"I'm fine, my lady.
I learned Stannis' whereabouts from her companion and have already sent Lord Karstark to capture him.
I believe we'll soon be able to avenge Robb."
Galon stretched his arm to show that he was unharmed before changing the subject and delivering news that filled Catelyn with delight.
"Good. Good!"
"Stannis... I want to see him executed with my own eyes!"
Catelyn gritted her teeth, her expression so fierce that Gendry beside her felt a shiver run down his spine.
"Don't worry, my lady... You'll soon get your wish."
Galon gently reassured Catelyn before turning his gaze toward Gendry.
"Prince, I asked you to come here because I wanted to discuss something with you.
If the North were to proclaim you king... And if we were to win this war for you...
What would we receive in return?"
A flicker of delight appeared in Barristan's eyes.
He immediately gave Gendry a meaningful look, silently urging him to think carefully before answering.
Gendry, however, was stunned.
He had not expected Galon to be so direct.
"You..."
After hesitating for a moment, Gendry decided to answer according to what he had heard Lord Stark and the other nobles discussing in King's Landing.
"You will have the friendship of the king and the eternal gratitude of House Baratheon.
I will pardon all your crimes and allow you to keep your titles and lands.
Your honor will..."
Catelyn shook her head helplessly.
These were nothing more than the most conventional political platitudes. There was no point listening to them.
"Enough."
Galon raised his hand and interrupted him.
'Gendry really is nothing more than a blacksmith. He knows nothing about politics.'
'I suppose I'd better put it more plainly.'
Galon stared at the nervous young man before him.
After a moment's thought, he spoke bluntly.
"Prince, the blood of the First Men runs through the veins of the North.
We don't need the friendship of southerners. And we have committed no crimes for you to pardon.
The honor we possess was earned with swords and blood, not bestowed upon us by others.
If all you can offer are these empty formalities, then I think this conversation can end here."
Gendry became even more flustered.
He stared into Galon's emotionless eyes, unable to think of an answer.
What could he possibly give him?
Aside from the title of prince, he had nothing.
Just as Gendry was about to give up, a practical thought belonging to his years as a blacksmith suddenly surfaced in his mind.
'No. I should ask him what he wants.'
'Just like asking a customer what kind of weapon he wants forged.'
With that thought, Gendry gathered his courage and asked, "Then... what do you and the North want?"
"As long as... As long as I can give it to you, once I become king, you may... you may decide it yourselves."
At last, a satisfied smile appeared on Galon's face.
"What the North wants is actually very simple."
Galon exchanged a glance with Catelyn before slowly speaking.
"An unbreakable alliance that can bind all of us together."
He looked toward Gendry and gave him the final answer.
"A marriage alliance."
Gendry suddenly understood.
He finally realized what the North had wanted from the beginning.
They intended to unite House Stark and the royal House Baratheon through marriage.
"With whom?"
Gendry asked.
Galon smiled. "Obviously, Prince, you will marry Arya Stark."
"Arya?"
Gendry froze before hesitating.
"But she's still a child. And there's quite an age difference between us..."
Catelyn interrupted.
"That's why we can sign the alliance first and hold an engagement ceremony for the prince and Arya.
As for the wedding, you can wait until Arya is older."
Catelyn had already thought everything through, leaving Gendry with little room to object.
Even so, Gendry remained hesitant.
During their time fleeing from the Lannisters, he and Arya had endured countless dangers together.
They had survived side by side.
He had long since come to think of Arya as a younger sister.
The thought of marrying her was deeply uncomfortable.
"Your Grace!"
Seeing that Gendry still had not answered, Barristan grew anxious and hurried to persuade him.
"This is a tremendous opportunity!
House Stark is Warden of the North.
An alliance with them would make your throne as secure as a mountain.
And then there is the God-touched! With him helping you, your position will be even stronger!"
Catelyn frowned slightly.
She was still trying to understand who exactly this "God-touched" was.
Under Barristan's urging, however, Gendry finally nodded.
"Very well."
"I agree."
Catelyn and Galon smiled.
The atmosphere within the tent immediately became much warmer.
"Lord Galon, what about the Riverlands and the Vale?"
Barristan asked.
Galon answered confidently.
"Ser Barristan, there's no need to worry.
Edmure Tully, Lord of the Riverlands, is Lady Catelyn's younger brother. He will certainly agree.
As for the Vale, I will speak with Lord Royce shortly.
He is currently the Protector of the Vale. As long as he agrees, the Vale will follow."
He paused before turning toward Gendry.
"However, Prince, the Vale will probably use this opportunity to demand certain concessions.
And we are currently at the critical moment before our decisive battle with the Lannisters.
So I hope you will authorize me to..."
Before Galon could finish, Gendry immediately agreed.
"Lord Galon, do whatever you need to do."
"I trust you."
Galon smiled with satisfaction.
"In that case, Prince, please wait here.
Once I convince Lord Royce, I will have the entire army swear allegiance to Your Grace."
Hearing Galon change the way he addressed Gendry, Barristan finally breathed a sigh of relief.
He knew Gendry's position as king had finally been secured.
The group continued discussing the finer details.
Eventually, Catelyn began to look exhausted, and the others took their leave.
Galon went to find Lord Royce.
Barristan accompanied Gendry back to his quarters.
Along the way, Barristan reminded him,
"Your Grace, now that you are betrothed to Lady Arya, you must be careful never to offend House Stark.
And there is the God-touched.
Whether we can ever return to King's Landing depends entirely upon him.
So you might consider appointing him Hand of the King and giving him full authority over the war against the Lannisters."
Gendry looked puzzled.
"Then why didn't you suggest that just now?"
Barristan smiled.
"The time wasn't right.
Once he leads everyone in swearing allegiance to you, Your Grace, announcing it publicly will better establish your authority as king.
It will also make it clear to everyone that his authority comes from you."
Gendry nodded, only partly understanding. "All right. I'll listen to you, Ser."
Barristan looked relieved.
"Then return to your tent first, Your Grace. I'll have someone forge the badge of the Hand of the King."
Gendry nodded before parting ways with him.
Meanwhile, Galon invited Lord Royce into his tent.
"Lord Galon, you... What happened just now... That was truly..."
The moment Lord Royce entered the tent, he could not stop shaking his head in amazement.
Galon smiled faintly and invited him to sit.
"The gods favored me.
Stannis murdered his own kin and usurped the throne. His crimes are so grave that how could the gods possibly tolerate him?"
Once Lord Royce sat down, Galon turned the conversation toward the real matter.
"I invited you here because I want to discuss Prince Gendry."
As he spoke, Galon carefully observed Lord Royce's expression.
"Prince Gendry just approached Lady Catelyn and asked for Lady Arya's hand in marriage.
After considering it carefully, Lady Catelyn decided to accept the marriage alliance."
Lord Royce's expression changed instantly.
The moment the interests of the Vale were involved, the miraculous scene he had witnessed earlier was pushed from his mind.
He interrupted immediately.
"Lord Galon, that isn't what you said in the Vale! You originally said you supported Mya Stone.
And now you're supporting a blacksmith's bastard to sit upon the Iron Throne.
What do you take the Vale for?"
Galon did not deny it.
"You're right.
I did say those things in the Vale.
If Prince Gendry had never appeared, I would certainly have supported Lady Mya.
But, Lord Royce..."
He paused and patiently explained.
"Prince Gendry is King Robert's legitimized bastard.
He was also recognized by Lord Stark as the legitimate heir.
Whether we consider the succession of the realm or any other factor, his claim is beyond dispute.
Lord Royce, how could I oppose him under these circumstances?"
Fire burned within Lord Royce's eyes.
"So the North has already decided that this Gendry will sit upon the Iron Throne? Hmph!"
He snorted mockingly.
"If you've already made your decision, why bother informing me?
Let the North play its own game.
The Vale will have no part in it!"
With that, Lord Royce slapped the arm of his chair and prepared to leave.
But despite his words, his movements were slower than a late-arriving Frey. Galon immediately offered him a way out.
"My lord, isn't that exactly what we're doing?
We're discussing it.
If the Vale has demands, tell me what they are.
Besides, just moments ago I already secured ten years of tax exemption for Gulltown from Prince Gendry on your behalf."
A sharp gleam appeared in Lord Royce's eyes.
He had never truly intended to leave.
After all, Galon had defeated the Vale's knights through the Trial of the Seven.
They were bound by honor to respect the result.
But as the man responsible for all Vale affairs, Lord Royce naturally wanted to extract as many benefits as possible.
So he began bargaining.
"Only ten years of tax exemption? Lord Galon, perhaps you don't know.
When I was in King's Landing, Lord Redwyne proposed thirty years of tax exemption to the Iron Throne.
So why does Gulltown only get ten?"
Galon was speechless.
Gulltown was the Vale's major trading port.
It maintained extensive commerce with the city-states across the Narrow Sea and served as one of the most important financial ports supporting both King's Landing and the Vale.
Tax exemption meant that the Vale would retain all of Gulltown's tax revenue.
Every gold dragon collected each year would flow directly into the Vale's coffers.
It was an enormous fortune.
Galon could certainly grant thirty years of tax exemption on his own authority.
But doing so would mean spending his future wealth in advance.
He absolutely could not accept that.
Galon shook his head.
"As far as I know, even the immensely wealthy Lannisters refused such an outrageous demand.
Lord Royce, ten years is already quite generous."
Lord Royce, however, still wanted more.
For a moment—
The two men engaged in a fierce verbal battle within the tent, like merchants in a marketplace haggling over every last coin.
They went back and forth for several hours before finally reaching a reluctant agreement.
Galon promised Lord Royce that, in addition to ten years of tax exemption for Gulltown, the Vale would receive a share of the spoils captured from the Westerlands or the Reach.
A significant position on the royal council would also be reserved for young Lord Robert Arryn.
Finally, Galon's cousin, Ron Glover, would marry one of Lord Royce's granddaughters.
"Lord Galon, the gods truly do favor you.
Not only are you extraordinarily capable in military and political affairs, you even possess remarkable insight into financial administration.
With your support, Prince Gendry's position will be as secure as a mountain."
After the negotiations concluded, Lord Royce wore a broad smile, his tone suddenly carrying the warmth of a trusted ally.
Taxes and war spoils were not actually what mattered most to him.
What mattered was the marriage alliance with House Glover.
With Galon behind it, the rise of House Glover was already inevitable. And House Royce could gain considerable benefits from that rise.
"You flatter me, Lord Royce."
"I'm merely trying to do a little more for this kingdom."
Galon poured two cups of wine from the table and handed one to Lord Royce with a smile.
"Prince Gendry grew up in a blacksmith's shop.
He never received a noble education, and he knows virtually nothing about governing a kingdom.
That is why people like us must manage the realm for him."
Galon raised his cup, his words carrying a second meaning.
"To cooperation."
Lord Royce understood immediately. He raised his cup and clinked it against Galon's.
"To a prosperous partnership."
The two exchanged smiles and drank together.
"However..."
After finishing his wine, Lord Royce spoke meaningfully.
"Lord Galon, what do you intend to do with Mya?
I hear she's quite infatuated with you. Surely you're not going to have your fun with her and then simply abandon her?"
Galon's expression did not change.
He answered calmly.
"Once the war is over, I'll find a suitable place for her.
She may be a bastard, but she is still of royal blood. She shouldn't be forced into some lowly occupation."
His eyes flickered.
He briefly remembered his time with Mya, then recalled what Asha had said when she offered herself to him.
A thought slowly formed in his mind.
'Perhaps Storm's End would be a suitable place for her.'
'If she were to bear my child...'
Galon considered the matter briefly before suppressing the thought.
Now was not the time to concern himself with such things.
He smiled and changed the subject, discussing the coming war with Lord Royce.
Another half hour passed.
Then a soldier announced from outside the tent:
"Lord Galon!"
"Lord Karstark has returned."
"Stannis has been captured and brought back to camp."
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