Walking Out the Door

"Royal hunt!"

Aemon was startled, then thrilled.

Didn't that mean he was going back to King's Landing?

"That's right. I heard it's to celebrate the King's son's second Name Day, with nobles from across the realm invited."

Gonsal rolled his eyes and grumbled, "The royal family has deep pockets. Our King acts like he has money that'll never run out."

If they weren't holding tourneys, they were going on Kingswood Hunts. Even a little child's birthday had to be announced to the whole realm so everyone could celebrate together.

What pointless trouble. How was that the behavior of a ruler?

Aemon paid no attention to the complaints that followed, his mind wholly fixed on the Kingswood Hunt.

With an unreliable father and a mother who took a hands-off approach,

his daily life revolved entirely around Runestone. He had nearly lost touch with King's Landing.

There were members of the royal family who shared his blood, as well as mighty dragons descended from Ancient Valyria.

And his good friend was there too.

"Kid, stop pulling weeds."

Gonsal pulled a sour face. Even sheep wouldn't eat that stuff.

Aemon reacted swiftly, grabbing William and running toward the castle.

He had to ask his mother whether it was true.

Before William could react, he was forcibly dragged away by the little claw's tremendous strength.

After racing more than ten meters in a flash, the excited Aemon suddenly slammed on the brakes. Raising a claw to point at the two-meter-tall strongman, he said with utter seriousness,

"I'll leave this place to you. Supervise them while they gather Sweetgrass!"

Gonsal froze at his words, never expecting to be ordered around by such a tiny little thing.

The noble Prince Aemon refused to let the matter go. Putting on a stern expression, he snorted. "Also, you have to call me Prince. Don't be rude."

Once he was some distance away, he looked the two-meter-tall strongman up and down as if committing him to memory.

But the fierceness he imagined was limited by his childish, babyish voice and carried no intimidation whatsoever.

Ignoring whatever the other man thought, he grabbed his little follower and quickly fled.

Leaving the two-meter-tall strongman standing there in the wind, utterly bewildered.

After returning to Runestone, Aemon charged straight in and found his mother, questioning her at length.

The matter was confirmed. There really was going to be a Kingswood Hunt.

King Viserys had personally announced it throughout the realm, inviting every noble to the King's Wood to celebrate his eldest son Aegon's second birthday.

Lady Rhea, who was drinking at the time, added a special note.

The letter delivered to Runestone by raven had specifically named Aemon as someone who had to attend.

She had intended to tell him last night, but seeing how exhausted Little One was, she feared he would be too excited to sleep.

"Oh, wonderful!"

Aemon was overjoyed and ran back to his bedroom like a wild little thing.

At last, he could leave Runestone and look around the world.

Three days later.

The Kingswood Hunt was a major event, and nobles had to prepare in advance to ensure their journeys went smoothly.

House Royce was naturally no exception.

"Hyah, hyah!"

Lady Rhea rode a brown warhorse, her expression calm as she led a group of Vale Knights.

There were no fewer than fifty men, along with several carriages.

They were ready to set off.

At that moment, Aemon sat inside one of the carriages, staring at his valiant-looking mother outside with envy practically dripping from his mouth.

Bronze was called bronze, but it was actually unoxidized brass.

Whenever important members of House Royce attended grand occasions, they wore Bronze Armor: a base of calfskin leather with bright orange-gold plates set over the torso.

Add a vigorous warhorse and a troop of fully armed Vale Knights in suits of "iron cans,"

and they could swagger sideways anywhere across all Westeros.

It was just too damn cool!

"When I become a knight, I want to look that impressive too."

William rode a little pony beside the carriage, thinking that he would forge a set of Bronze Armor engraved with runes someday and pass it down as a family heirloom.

Aemon glanced at him, pursing his lips. "You should figure out how to pull grass properly first."

In three days, this guy had only found two clumps of Sweetgrass.

He was seriously lame.

William's face darkened, and he snapped, "What use is that grass? It's not as good as Bronze Armor."

"Then have you found any Bronze Armor?" Aemon raised his chin, not even deigning to look directly at him.

"Of course!"

William finally found a chance to turn things around and said proudly, "My family has an ancient set of Bronze Armor. I heard Gonsal's family has one in their collection too. I'll find them both for you when I get the chance."

Wasn't it just Bronze Armor?

House Royce was large and prosperous, with more than a dozen collateral branches. They could scrape together several antique sets if they had to.

"Hehe, Cousin, you did great."

Aemon immediately beamed and generously gave him a thumbs-up.

He changed his tune depending on the person, transforming into a master of changing faces.

He showered William with praise, nearly sending the young boy's heart soaring into the clouds.

William could only lift his chin and pretend to be modest. "No need to thank me. It's what I should do."

Though he did not understand what Aemon wanted them for, the two were close, and doing his best was enough.

Aemon praised him a few more times before retreating into the carriage with a grin.

The Bronze Armor in Runestone had been used up. How could he possibly overlook the collections of his "family"?

Once they returned from King's Landing, he would sweep the place clean.

Suppressing his impish thoughts, he looked at the two items neatly arranged on the seat: a basket stuffed with Sweetgrass and a brazier holding the Black Dragon Egg.

"Wonderful! This much Sweetgrass will definitely be enough to weave a huge mat."

Aemon smiled until his eyes narrowed into slits, his chubby cheeks looking especially soft and bouncy.

Over three days, he had found a total of twenty-four clumps of Sweetgrass.

There was no time to keep looking, and there did not seem to be much more Sweetgrass in the pasture anyway.

It was just the right time to stop.

He skillfully opened the Magic Essence Panel. Amid the blank white space were three overturned cards; one green and two blue, all priced beyond his means.

Aemon could not help glancing at them, his eyes fixed greedily on the Strong and Robust talent on the third blue card.

With that talent, one's physical condition would be extraordinarily good.

It would put him far ahead of countless others right from the starting line.

Unfortunately, it cost a hefty 200 essence.

He couldn't afford it. He absolutely couldn't afford it.

Forcing down his heartache, Aemon looked at the golden hourglass at the bottom of the panel.

Essence: 31

His little heart warmed again.

With a thought, Aemon closed the dazzling panel and opened the brazier forged from Black Steel.

A wave of hot air burst out, causing the temperature inside the carriage to soar.

After checking that the Black Dragon Egg still showed no sign of hatching, Aemon sighed and reached out to stroke its shell.

"An item containing magic has been detected. Magic Essence acquired: +3."

After the pleasant voice faded, he put the lid back on the brazier.

A dragon egg truly deserved to be called a living thing. The Magic Essence it provided was abundant.

Once every three days, three essence each time.

A smile curled Aemon's lips. The future was looking bright.

Soon, the prepared party officially set off.

The Moon Mountains lay to the northwest, so Lady Rhea led the group swiftly south.

The mountain roads were rough and uneven, and King's Landing was too far away.

To the south lay Gulltown, House Royce's old neighbor. It controlled the Vale's only port, and traveling by ship could save time.

Aemon stuck his head eagerly out the carriage window, admiring the scenery along the way.

The world outside really is huge.

They should reach their resting place before nightfall.

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Friends, please do your best to nurture this tiny little seedling~