Grell Castle On the city wall, the strong wind roared, bringing the ultimate chill.
Suleiman, Raymun. Darry stood side by side, their eyes looking beyond the crenellations to the earth below outside the city.
Nearly two thousand Ironborn's banquet tents were connected together, like stars falling into the world, shining like daylight. The noisy singing and rough laughter penetrated the night, and the shocking noise was clearly transmitted to the ears of the two people.
Ironborn were naked, exposing their muscles full of scars, and were arm-in-arm with the soldiers sent by House Grell to "accompany" them.
They tore into the fatty barbecue, poured wine down their throats like free river water, drank wantonly, and even started a wrestling match next to the campfire, with the muffled sounds of falling and shouts of victory intertwined.
Although there are no women here, there is endless wine and endless meat. For these people wandering on the sea,
For a predator who has been surrounded by salted fish and wind and waves all day long, and who has been hunting down the Riverlands cavalry team for a long time,
This place is simply heaven.
Raymun. Darry's face became paler. He clenched the edge of the battlement tightly, his knuckles turning white from the force. "Suleiman, do we really have to do this?"
"This... this is not right."
He whispered, more like talking to himself than asking Suleiman.
"This is murder...
.. This is a crime... even if it is Ironborn.
Raymun. Darry's voice gradually became trembling.
"Guest Right is a contract made by gods for mortals..
"Those who violate it will be cursed, Suleiman. Even if we are just a gang of House Grell, we can't escape..."
Raymun. Darry Sir Ronald behind him also looked worried and pursed his lips tightly, but he was not because of what was about to happen. After all, it was what House Grell did. They just had to participate for the sake of the kingdom.
What he was worried about was that this young man was too ruthless. After Ironborn arrived, in order to avoid being found out and fall into death, he had people prepare their war horses on the other side of the castle without House Grell knowing about it.
Once the matter is exposed, the team can escape at any time, and Mrs. House Grell, Damon. Grell, Elena, and all their soldiers and servants...
They have no way out, what will happen to them? Suleiman has been ready to abandon them from the beginning. If they are seen through, he will take advantage of the chaos and leave while they are being killed by Ironborn. House Grell is like a chess piece on his chessboard that is destined to be sacrificed at any time...
Sir Ronald sighed in his heart. The young man in front of him sometimes showed kindness and generosity, saving them like a savior, and sometimes showed his most ruthless and cruel side.
Raymun. Darry's face became increasingly pale under the firelight, and he held the hilt of the sword tightly at his waist. "My faith, it is torturing me."
"Suleiman, my friend...
Suleiman's own light still fell calmly in the sea of carnival below. Although there may be gods in this world, he has no faith. Just like in his previous life, he only silently made a wish to his ancestors. Although it never came true, it may be regarded as faith, ancestral faith.
He turned to look at Raymun. Darry and spoke slowly, his voice clear and firm:
"My friend."
"When a conspiracy can prevail, never resort to force."
After saying that, he ignored the inner struggles of Raymun and Darry and turned around to give orders to Rosso and Bryn who had been standing quietly behind him.
"Everything is going according to plan."
"Yes." The two men responded in a deep voice without any hesitation. They turned around and walked quickly towards the stairs leading to the bottom of the city wall. Their figures quickly disappeared into the darkness, like two drops of water merging into the sea.
In the Lord's Hall, the carnival has reached its peak.
The air was filled with the strong smell of sweat, grease, spices, wine and barbecue, and hundreds of candles illuminated the entire hall as bright as day.
The musicians worked hard to play loud and cheerful tunes, but the loudest music they produced was
I have already been overwhelmed by the rude noises of the Ironborns who have no etiquette.
Bloody Hair Hal drank one cup after another, his cheeks turned red.
He looked at the normally ferocious captains who were now wrestling with the knights of Riverlands like children who had not grown up, bragging loudly about their achievements and calling each other brothers, and the last trace of vigilance in his heart completely dissipated.
Everything goes according to plan.
A drunken Ironborn leader slammed the table, stood up, and pointed at the musicians with his palm-like big fingers:
"That's enough! Stop playing these soft green ditties! Come on to some of our Iron Islands music! Come on to something that will make a man's blood boil!"
His clamor immediately attracted a chorus of agreement.
"Yeah! Some sea monster roar!!!"
"It's so boring to be soft!!!"
"Let's have some real man music!!!"
Damon. Grell The lord and his wife were sitting on the main seats, with stiff and enthusiastic smiles on their faces. They immediately waved their hands. The musicians seemed to have been prepared. As soon as the strings turned, an exciting, rough and murderous melody suddenly sounded.
"Oh oh oh oh!!!"
When Iron Islands's war song sounded, all Ironborns were boiling. They grabbed wine glasses and plates, banged on the table crazily, and roared along with the familiar melody with their hoarse throats. The whole hall was shaking in this wild rhythm.
Dagmer took the wine glass and walked through the noisy crowd with satisfaction, walked to Maron. Greyjoy's seat, pushed aside the nervous "crew" next to Maron, and patted Maron heavily on the shoulder. "Well done, kid."
"You have finally grown into a real man! A Ironborn with desires and ambitions! A real Greyjoy!"
Maron. Greyjoy raised his head silently, looked at him with empty eyes, then took the wine glass, raised his head, and drank the wine in one gulp.
Dagmer laughed heartily, "Hahaha!!!"
"Waiting for the victory of the war! I will proudly tell your story to every Ironborn on Pyke! My little Maron!!"
After he finished speaking, he patted Maron on the shoulder, ignored Maron. Greyjoy who stood up with wide eyes and struggled to say something, and turned around to merge into the more enthusiastic celebration.
At this moment, the side door of the hall was pushed open, and several servants worked together to push several dining carts in. On the dining carts,
They were three whole pigs roasted to a crisp and sizzling with oil. They were wrapped in golden crispy skin, and the rich aroma of spices and meat instantly overwhelmed all the smells in the hall.
"The roast pig is here!!!"
"Let me go first!!!"
"Go away! Of course Master Maron will come first!!!"
The Ironborns let out a louder cheer, and the atmosphere of the banquet was pushed to an unprecedented climax. The knights of House Grell strode to the roast pig and began to cut the pork for the Ironborn guests.
Bloody Hair Hal smiled and was about to drink again, when he caught a glimpse of a strange person out of the corner of his eye.
A typical Riverlands young man walked out of the shadow of the side door of the hall. When the knights of House Grell were cutting pork for the Ironborn, the center of everyone's attention, he did not attract anyone's attention. He walked steadily and looked calm, as if this lively and noisy banquet was just a walk in his backyard.
He watched the young man walk directly to Maron. Greyjoy and made an incredible move. He stretched out his hand and took away his wine glass from Maron. Greyjoy's trembling hand.
The action was so quiet and natural, yet so offensive.
Bloody Hair Hal was keenly aware of the strangeness, stood up and pointed at the strange young man with a voice like thunder:
"Who are you?!!!"
In addition to the musicians playing music, the noise in the entire hall became louder and louder. The Ironborn noise seemed to have been pressed on the pause button at this moment. Everyone's eyes moved from the House Grell knights who were cutting meat in the center of the hall to the strange intruders.
The young man raised the wine glass he took from Maron. Greyjoy, and his eyes slowly scanned every shocked, angry or confused Ironborn face in the hall.
His voice was not loud, but it was so harsh in the noisy yet strangely silent environment:
"You don't have to know my name."
He paused, letting the chill of these words spread throughout the hall.
"Because you are all dying."
The moment he finished speaking, the young man swung his wrist and threw the heavy wine glass to the ground.
The clear and crisp sound of hitting the ground was like a thunder in the dead silent hall.
And the moment the silver cup fell to the ground, the Ironborns, who have been on the battlefield and are keen on murderous intent, almost instinctively felt the murderous intent coming from everywhere!
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