Bountiful Hall

In the end, the merit he had accumulated by killing Pycelle and ridding the people of a scourge had come into play.

"With you, I know what to do now."

Daeren put the golden crescent-shaped Lucky Ring on his left index finger and gripped the Neptune Greatsword in his right hand.

He could wear two rings, but only wield one weapon.

Ordinary weapons did not count.

"It's a little heavy. It isn't suited for a two-handed sword style."

Daeren weighed the Neptune Greatsword in his hand and quickly figured out how to use it.

The Neptune Greatsword was slightly larger than a longsword. Its blade was sky blue, while its crossguard and hilt were dark blue. It appeared to have been forged from some kind of cold deep-sea steel and enhanced with magic.

It looked incomparably luxurious, like a priceless work of art.

Originally, after planting the Strawberry Seeds on the thirteenth day of spring, he had planned to run back and forth between King's Landing and the farm, busy with the City Guard and watering crops.

Crops had to be watered every day. If they went unwatered for even one day, they would stop growing.

That would delay their harvest date.

With the Neptune Greatsword, things became much simpler.

After the thirteenth day of spring, he would charge through the mine down to the sixtieth floor, mine copper and Iron Ore, then smelt them into Copper Ingots and iron ingots.

One Copper Ingot and one iron ingot could make a basic sprinkler.

Once he set up sprinklers, he would no longer need to water the crops every day.

That would free the Farmer from part of his labor.

"I wonder how a level-five Neptune Greatsword compares to a Valyrian Steel sword."

Daeren practiced a few swings and quickly felt the clear difference between the weapons.

With his strength behind it, the Neptune Greatsword could shatter a standard-issue longsword in a single blow.

It was said that Valyrian Steel swords could do the same.

Well... Valyrian Steel was lighter and could even cut through armor.

A Valyrian Steel sword was probably superior.

After all, the Neptune Greatsword was only level five.

Before the joy had faded from his face, a set of footsteps sounded in the distance.

Daeren glanced over and put away the Neptune Greatsword.

As for the Fishing Treasure Chest...

Once its contents had been taken out, it crumbled into wood chips.

"Your Highness, the materials for building the castle have all been delivered. Lord Owen requests your presence."

Ser Jon spoke respectfully.

Daeren immediately set off.

It was a stretch of level ground with hills to the east, the Kingswood and Blackwater Rush to the north and south, and endless plains to the west.

White marble slabs had been stacked neatly, while over a hundred stonemasons and laborers waited obediently.

Lord Owen hurried over. "Your Highness, what do you think of the location Ser Jon and I selected?"

"I'm very satisfied."

Daeren looked around and found nothing to criticize.

His prince's territory was vast. Several ranges of hills ran east to west, combining with the Blackwater Rush, the Kingswood, and the East Coast beaches to form complex terrain with multiple landscapes.

For ease of travel, the hills where Dragon Tongue Farm stood were located in the northeastern part of the prince's territory.

They were not far from either the Blackwater Rush or the beach.

However, that also ruled out copying King's Landing and building the castle along the coast.

The result would not be much different.

King's Landing stood on the north bank of the Blackwater Rush and, protected by Blackwater Bay, had risen to become a port city.

The prince's territory lay on the south bank of the Blackwater Rush, at the river's swiftest outlet to the sea.

Given the size of the eastern beach, it could support only a small pier at most. It had no potential to become a port city.

Therefore, building the castle inland was perfectly suitable.

"Build Bountiful Hall here by Bluegrass Hills first. In the future, the town can expand westward."

Daeren stated his plan.

Bluegrass Hills were the hills that supported Dragon Tongue Farm, named after the Blue Grass unique to Meadow Farm.

Bountiful Hall was the name of the castle.

Compared with names like Summerhall and Raventree Hall, what he wanted most was fertile land and abundant produce.

So that he could grow more high-quality crops.

With Bountiful Hall as the reference point, the town's center would be placed to the west.

He did not approve of his father Aerys's new city plan, but he was willing to use it as a blueprint for development.

The prince's territory bordered King's Landing to the north and possessed the excellent harbor of Blackwater Bay.

To the south lay the vast Kingswood.

If the noble lords of the Stormlands wanted to reach King's Landing, they could not avoid passing through the prince's territory.

That made it ideal for trade and transport.

Once a town was established, even charging tolls could become a stable source of income.

Lord Owen was stunned and reminded him, "Your Highness, building a castle will take quite some time. As for the town you mentioned..."

That was unrealistic!

"Just build Bountiful Hall first and use all the materials."

Daeren said calmly, "The rest will be handled by those who come after."

Though it was called a "hall," it was actually a castle in style.

He had initially wanted to build a palace complex like Summerhall.

But considering the enormous material costs and poor practicality of a palace, he decisively gave up on the idea.

There were too many troublesome commoners in Westeros.

He did not want to be sleeping soundly at night only for someone to break into his bedroom.

Castles had become popular in the medieval era because of their practical ability to withstand enemies.

As for those who would come after...

There were so many homeless orphaned vagrants in King's Landing.

Once he became Deputy Commander of the City Watch, he could rightfully take in some of them.

Reclaim wasteland, build houses, establish markets...

He would take it one step at a time.

With Dragon Tongue Farm as his foundation, he was confident that he could build a world-famous city in the prince's territory.

"I understand what you mean."

Lord Owen nodded solemnly.

Every noble territory was the result of generations of effort by that noble family.

He had clearly misunderstood.

After explaining everything that needed to be explained, Daeren intended to leave.

Seizing the opportunity, Lord Owen called someone over and hurriedly said, "Your Highness, the castle's architectural style still needs discussion. Ser Alliser Thorne can offer you some advice."

Daeren studied the newcomer.

He looked to be around thirty, powerfully built yet lean and stern, with black-gray curly hair and sharp, bright black eyes.

His appearance was not bad.

Unfortunately, his unsmiling face, high cheekbones, and thin lips made him seem somewhat harsh.

"And you are?"

Daeren asked first.

Alliser bowed and introduced himself. "Your Highness, I am from House Thorne in the Crownlands. I once defeated three opponents in succession at the Lannister tourney and was knighted."

I remember who he is!

Daeren suddenly realized.

No wonder he had seemed familiar. He was Alliser Thorne, the Night's Watch instructor from the show.

That harsh man who constantly mocked Snow.

Daeren had some impression of him.

Alliser was a die-hard loyalist of House Targaryen, and House Thorne had served the Royal Family for generations.

During the Dance of the Dragons, Rickard Thorne of the Kingsguard, who escorted Prince Maelor, had come from this very house.

During the War of the Usurper, Pycelle deceived his father Aerys and opened the City Gate of King's Landing.

Tywin led his army into the city and began a frenzied sack.

Alliser joined the resistance and fought until the very end, only to be captured alive and brought before Robert.

Between beheading and donning black to become a man of the Night's Watch,

Alliser chose to join the Night's Watch.

He served there for more than a decade, until he encountered Jon Snow, who knew nothing of anything.

Talk about bad luck.

Jon Snow was clearly Rhaegar's bastard, which meant he was one of the Targaryens Alliser had sworn to serve unto death, more or less.

But the main reason Alliser targeted Jon Snow was that, officially, he was Ned Stark's bastard.

How could Alliser remain calm when looking at that long gray-haired Stark face?

In the end, he went down the wrong path.

"He's useful."

After figuring out his background, Daeren made his judgment.

Since he had managed to meet Daeren through Lord Owen, his intention to pledge himself was obvious.

"Let's talk as we walk, Ser."

Daeren smiled faintly.

"Yes, Your Highness!"

Alliser was flattered. He clenched the sword at his waist with his right hand and followed the prince onward.