...King's Landing.
As the sun rose over the sea, warm sunlight shone upon this walled city.
The residents were awakened by the sunlight, welcoming their new day.
Fisherman's Square.
This place was right next to the port of King's Landing, where countless ships docked and departed daily, busy with the trade of the capital.
A merchant ship slowly docked, and a man with curly hair and a slightly balding head stepped off the ship with elegant strides, setting foot on the soil of Westeros for the first time in his life.
As the former First Sword of Braavos, Syrio began to survey his surroundings instinctively.
Fishermen were hawking various fresh goods in the square, their noisy voices rising and falling, which was very similar to Braavos.
But unlike Braavos, perhaps because King's Landing was the capital of Westeros, the public order here seemed very good.
The fishermen's stalls were orderly, not messy and randomly placed like in Braavos, and every twenty paces, a fully armed mail-clad guard could be seen standing watch.
What Syrio didn't know was that if he had arrived in King's Landing a few days earlier, he would have likely seen a scene even more chaotic than Braavos.
"Your name, new face!"
After walking just a few steps, Syrio was blocked by a guard wearing a gold cloak and holding a greatsword.
" Syrio Forel , sir."
Squinting his eyes, Syrio fished out two silver coins from behind his waist, held them out in his open palm, and calmly stated his name:
"I come from Braavos."
Even far away in Braavos, Syrio had heard of the ways of the Gold Cloaks in King's Landing.
Coupled with the warnings from the merchant ship's captain along the way, he didn't want to get into trouble as soon as he got off the ship, so he followed the local customs and took out money to try and send the man away.
But to Syrio's surprise, this Gold Cloak didn't seem interested in the silver coins in his hand.
"Put away your pitiful bribe, Syrio Forel of Braavos!"
Jeyne frowned as he sized up the short man, looked at the silver coins in his hand with some disdain, and shouted a stop:
"You've miscalculated; we Gold Cloaks do not accept bribes from anyone."
It was no joke; Arthas had just issued an order within the Gold Cloaks that past matters would be forgiven, and everyone's wages were doubled.
And he repeatedly warned that in the future, if anyone was caught being corrupt or extorting the common people, their hand would be chopped off immediately!
It was a real hand-chopping!
In the past two days, four colleagues had already had their right hands cut off by Arthas himself in front of everyone!
Let alone Jeyne, who was a Lannister; even an ordinary Gold Cloak guard probably wouldn't dare to openly accept bribes during this critical period.
And it was only a measly two silver coins.
Jeyne's shout attracted the attention of many surrounding fishermen, who all clapped and cheered for his righteous behavior.
The changes in the Gold Cloaks over these days had all been witnessed by them.
These low-level people, who were used to being oppressed and extorted, were all deeply grateful for Arthas's wisdom.
Looking at Syrio, who seemed a bit at a loss under everyone's gaze, a hint of a smile flashed in Jeyne's eyes.
However, he still remembered his duty, coughed twice, and pointed to the sword at Syrio's waist:
"Judging by your dress, you should be a swordsman, right?"
"That's right, milord."
Placing his right hand on the hilt of his sword, Syrio straightened his back and answered elegantly and proudly:
"I am a Water Dancer from Braavos!"
"What kind of dancer you are is none of my business, Syrio."
Jeyne shrank his neck; for some reason, the moment this short man gripped his sword hilt, he actually felt a hint of danger.
Shaking his head and crossing his arms over his chest, Jeyne reminded him:
"Since you are a swordsman, please go to the Gold Cloaks Headquarters to register as soon as you enter the city."
"Lord Arthas has ordered that everyone in King's Landing carrying a weapon longer than ten inches (25 cm) must register their name and the characteristics of their weapon clearly."
Turning around, as if not wanting to stand in front of Syrio anymore, Jeyne warned as he walked away:
"I have to give you a warning, Water Dancer."
"Don't even think about causing trouble in King's Landing."
"Our City Watch will be watching your every move."
As Jeyne's back disappeared, Syrio frowned and stroked his sword hilt, muttering:
"Arthas? Strange fellow, strange rules."
..."Lord Renly, what wind blew our master of laws here so early in the morning?"
At the Gold Cloaks Headquarters, the diligent Arthas arrived at his office early to handle official business. To his surprise, Renly seemed to have been waiting there for a long time.
Taking out the key to open the office door, Arthas and Renly exchanged pleasantries and took their seats.
"Arthas, I think you should restrain yourself a bit."
Not intending to beat around the bush, Renly reminded him point-blank:
"Robert has sent a letter, hoping that you can withdraw the trial against Janos and return all the property seized from his home."
"You know, most of these Gold Dragons belong to the King."
"And..."
Pausing for a moment, Renly looked at Arthas, who appeared calm as if he hadn't heard a word he was saying, and raised his voice slightly:
"Robert has appointed me as the acting hand of the king in his letter, ordering you to immediately stop the purge operation in King's Landing."
Although it was somewhat difficult to say, Renly still dutifully reminded him:
"Your actions these days have indeed overstepped the bounds."
"Oh, dear Lord Renly."
Tapping his knuckles lightly on the desk, Arthas looked at him with eyes that seemed somewhat disappointed:
"I originally thought that you, like me, kept the people of King's Landing in your heart."
"But I didn't expect you to say such words."
Hearing Arthas's disappointed tone, Renly quickly stood up to explain:
"It's not like that, Arthas."
He clenched his fists tightly, his emotions seemingly a bit agitated, and his eyes flickered slightly:
"I personally support your righteous actions very much."
"But Robert's letter was very clear: you must stop your previous behavior immediately."
"And he even gave me the power to dismiss you at any time!"
As soon as he finished speaking, seeing Arthas staring at him intently, Renly knew he had misspoken. He sheepishly lowered his raised right hand and sat back in his seat.
"I didn't expect Robert to issue such an order."
Arthas smiled contemptuously in his heart; he knew very well that it must have been The Spider who had snitched on him to the King.
Shaking his head, he stood up, walked to Renly, and asked loudly in a questioning tone:
"Haven't you seen the changes in King's Landing over these days, Lord 'hand of the king'?"
His expression was solemn, as if he were launching a long-term, meaningful revolution:
"Ever since I came to King's Landing, I have been shocked by the dull expressions and lifeless eyes of the people here."
"It is a kind of bewilderment from losing faith in life!"
"Everywhere is filled with killing and violence. Evils like rape, robbery, and human trafficking are common, especially in the slums!"
"Forgive my bluntness, but even the public order of the Iron Islands is probably better than King's Landing!"
"This is simply not what should be happening in the most sacred capital of the Seven Kingdoms!"
Arthas became more and more excited as he spoke, turning back and slapping the table, giving Renly a start.
Taking a few deep breaths, seemingly calming his angry mood slightly, Arthas spoke earnestly again:
"I don't want to be a great man, Renly."
"I am also just a fourteen-year-old boy."
"However, as long as I serve as the commander of the city watch for one day, I must be responsible for the people of King's Landing."
"Although my efforts may not get much in return."
"But when I see the heartfelt smiles on their faces, I know that my persistence is all worth it!"
A series of heartfelt words were spoken with great force, and Arthas sincerely extended his right hand to Renly.
"Renly Baratheon."
The sunlight shone through the window onto his face, his golden hair reflecting a dazzling light, looking so sacred, like the Father himself descending to earth.
"No one can stop me from achieving this goal."
"Let us join hands and Make King's Landing Great Again!"
"Arthas..."
Renly's eyes were filled with tears. Looking at this boy who was selflessly dedicated to the kingdom, he actually felt a hint of guilt for having doubted his previous motives.
He tremblingly extended his right hand, gripped Arthas's tightly, and answered firmly:
"Fine, then let us work together and Make King's Landing Great Again!"
Arthas squeezed Renly's hand hard, as if very excited, then quickly let go.
This guy's hobbies were well-known among the nobles of King's Landing.
Slowly sitting back in his chair, Arthas couldn't help but feel a bit emotional.
Renly was much easier to fool than that cunning Blackfish; he took the bait again without even needing to use magic.
Arthas didn't feel embarrassed at all about deceiving this brainless fellow.
Although the methods were not sophisticated, at least his starting point was good, and the people of King's Landing also needed a ruler like him.
"In a bit more time, it won't be this troublesome."
Arthas squinted his eyes, his head leaning against the back of the chair as he looked at Renly, who was so bamboozled he couldn't tell north from south, and began to calculate his plan in his heart.
As long as the hearts of the people in King's Landing were with him, and the Lannister captains completely took control of the Gold Cloaks for him, his position as commander would be as steady as Mount Tai.
It wouldn't be so easy for Robert to dismiss him then.
And... Arthas cast his eyes to the west.
That old fellow Tywin must also be making preparations and wouldn't let slip this god-given opportunity to control King's Landing.
While the two were preoccupied with their own thoughts, a noise came from outside, seemingly some kind of dispute.
"Lord Arthas!"
Just as Arthas was feeling a bit dissatisfied, Lancel hurriedly pushed open the office door:
"A Braavosi swordsman has come outside, shouting that he wants to challenge you!"
"What are you good for!"
Frowning, Arthas scolded without any mercy:
"Just drive him away."
Ever since his title as the first knight of the seven kingdoms became famous, in these days, there had been no fewer than eighty or a hundred knights coming to his door wanting to challenge him.
And they were all fellows with no real skill, hoping to become famous overnight. Arthas was truly a bit tired of it.
"It won't work, Lord Arthas."
Lancel turned his face, and the two then noticed a clear mark from the flat of a blade.
He explained with a sob:
"That swordsman is too powerful; even Gendry was easily taken down by him!"
"What?"
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