Lymond. Lychester rushed into the study.
The old man's face was flushed with excitement, and his breathing was like an old bellows.
He rushed to the desk, waving his arms in the air, almost knocking over the ink bottle on the desk.
"Suleiman!"
"The Church! The Church said that in order to help us rebuild Riverlands, it would...
He gasped, his voice shaking with ecstasy.
"You want to give us two hundred thousand Gold Dragon! A full two hundred thousand!"
Suleiman looked up from behind the pile of parchment.
Lymond. Lychester's joy was like a fire, but all he felt was an icy chill.
He stood up and walked around the desk calmly.
"Something's wrong."
His voice was very soft, but it was like a basin of cold water poured on Lymond. Lychester's head.
"What's wrong? This is two hundred thousand Gold Dragon!"
Suleiman didn't answer, he walked outside the door.
"Guard."
A Long Retainer Guard immediately stepped forward and put his hand on the hilt of the sword.
"Call all the cabinet members, immediately."
Long Retainer Guard's figure disappeared at the end of the corridor.
Not long after, rapid footsteps sounded one after another.
Cabinet manager Olivier arrived first, he is always so calm.
Financial Controller Hubbard followed behind, his fat face full of shrewdness.
Finally, there was President Monopoly Guild, Polly. Hewen, the illegitimate son's eyes were shining with doubts.
Suleiman is not polite.
He looked at Polly. Hewen with sharp eyes.
"Polly, has there been anything unusual lately?"
Monopoly Guild's tentacles are all over Riverlands, one of its functions is to serve as his eyes and ears.
Polly. Hewen's expression became serious and he thought carefully.
"Sir, I don't know if this matter counts."
"My family's merchants reported that East Riverlands and those Lords have been very frequently visited by envoys recently."
East Riverlands.
Suleiman's pupils shrank slightly.
He turned to Olivier.
"Olivier, immediately send someone to inquire about information other than Riverlands, especially King's Landing."
"I want to know what happened."
Olivier immediately bowed. "Yes, sir."
Suleiman's words continued, "Prepare the raven and give it to Lord Raymun. Darry."
"Ask him what Lords of East Riverlands is doing."
Thoughts were racing in his mind.
House Lychester's foundation is too shallow and its rise is too fast.
They are like a gorgeous island, always unaware of the coming storm.
If even Raymun. Darry refuses to tell the truth, then House Lychester cannot even know the situation of East Riverlands.
Something big is definitely going to happen.
The church's two hundred thousand Gold Dragon does not look like reconstruction funds at all.
It smells more like war aid.
Olivier took the order and left quickly.
Suleiman looked at the soldiers patrolling in the courtyard, their armor reflecting the cold light in the sun.
He was silent for a moment, and the uneasiness in his heart became heavier and heavier.
He called Rosso Brune again.
"Go and bring over the two little lords of Mallister and Deddings's family."
Rosso Brune was stunned for a moment, not understanding what Master Suleiman meant.
Suleiman's eyes were devoid of warmth. "Let the two of them stay at Rushmarsh."
"It was announced that House Lychester held a banquet for them."
He must capture the lords of these two families, just in case.
"Yes, sir."
Rosso Brune didn't dare to ask any more questions and turned around to execute the order.
A series of orders were issued.
The air in the study seemed to be frozen.
Lymond. Lychester The blush on his face had long since faded, leaving only the nervousness.
Suleiman's uneasiness did not lessen at all.
He said to the last one Long Retainer Guard.
"Go and ask Brother Arlan to come over."
He added an accent to the word "please", as if he were saying "press".
In the drawing room, the fire was burning brightly.
The warm air is filled with the aroma of burning wood.
Arlan monk is wearing a brand new brown monk's robe, sitting on a soft armchair, with a peaceful posture.
He had a gentle and compassionate smile on his face, as if he was not here to give away money, but to forgive sinners.
Suleiman walked in and sat across from him, the light of the fire dancing in his eyes.
"Monk."
"I heard from my father that the church is going to give away House Lychester two hundred thousand Gold Dragon.
Arlan monk's smile deepened, it was a kind of joy from the heart.
"Master Suleiman, you are Seven's favorite.
1
"Your righteous deeds in Riverlands have already spread throughout all the temples in Seven Kingdoms."
His voice had a chant-like rhythm.
"You judged the pagans in the name of the gods, you gave the land back to the peasants, you punished the greedy merchants."
"Everything you do is in line with the teachings of <The Seven-Pointed Star>."
Suleiman frowned and interrupted his hymn.
"So, these two hundred thousand Gold Dragon are the church's recognition of my behavior?"
Arlan monk shook his head, a cluster of scorching flames ignited in his gentle eyes.
"No."
"This is not a gift, my lord."
"This is the sword that armed Seven in the world."
Suleiman looked at him and said nothing.
Arlan monk's body leaned forward slightly, his voice was low, full of bewitching power.
"Look at Westeros now. The nobles are corrupt and degenerate, and they don't know the suffering of the people."
"Look who is sitting on Iron Throne."
"Robert. Baratheon, an alcoholic."
His voice was filled with unconcealable contempt and anger.
"Under their rule, the kingdom is heavily in debt and the people are in dire straits."
"Why do Iron Islands's Ironborn dare to wreak havoc on our land? Because the king is weak!"
"Seven's glory is being tarnished by these people!"
Arlan monk's eyes flashed with fanatical light, as if he had seen a divine revelation.
"The church needs a sword, a sword that truly belongs to Seven."
"A sharp sword that can cut down all heresy and injustice in the world."
"And you, Lord Suleiman, are the sword-wielder chosen by Seven."
He spread his hands as if showing a grand blueprint.
"From the Reach to Stormlands, countless devout believers are being called together."
"They were armed with axes and pitchforks, with the fire of faith burning in their hearts."
"They need a leader, a hero who can wield a holy sword."
"Two hundred thousand Gold Dragon is just the beginning."
"As long as you are willing to raise this sword, the entire church will be your strongest support."
Arlan monk's smile became meaningful, like a messenger sharing a sacred secret.
"You will lead an army of justice to cleanse this filthy kingdom."
"When you hold high the flag of Seven-Pointed Star, the devout believers in the entire kingdom will become your army."
He stood up and walked to Suleiman. His voice was like a devil's whisper, spreading chills in the warm room.
"An army that belongs not to kings, but to the gods."
The air in the living room suddenly solidified.
The crackling sound of the fire was particularly harsh.
Suleiman slowly raised his head.
His eyes were as cold as the surface of a lake in winter, without a trace of ripples.
He interrupted the monk who wanted to continue, his voice without any emotion.
"Friar, you are under arrest."
"Guards!"
Two heavily armored Long Retainer Guard immediately pushed open the door and entered with their hands on the hilts of their swords, their cold eyes locked on monk Arlan.
The warm air in the living room suddenly became chilly.
Arlan The smile on monk's face remains as enthusiastic and pious as ever.
He stared at Suleiman, replaced by a strange, pitiful smile.
"I understand."
He spoke softly, as if talking to himself.
"You think that by rejecting this sword, you can stay out of it?"
He laughed, and the laughter echoed in the room, making people shudder.
"It's too late, Master Suleiman, it's too late for everything."
"The news has spread throughout Seven Kingdoms. You are the sword chosen by the church, and you are the hero in the hearts of believers."
"You have to take this sword whether you want it or not."
His eyes swept across the two guards standing still like statues, and finally returned to Suleiman's face.
"The flame has been ignited. If you refuse to become a sword bearer, you will be burned to ashes by the flames."
"Iron Throne will not believe your innocence, and those fanatical believers will not let go of a hero who betrayed them."
"You have no way out."
Suleiman stood up and walked to him.
"Whether there is a way out or not is up to me."
He gave a cold order to Long Retainer Guard.
"Gag his mouth and take him down."
"Imprisoned in the deepest dungeon, no one is allowed to see him or talk to anyone without my order."
"Yes, sir!"
A Long Retainer Guard stepped forward, roughly tore off a piece of tablecloth, and stuffed it into the mouth of monk Arlan.
The door was closed.
The living room became quiet again, with only the fire still burning tirelessly.
Suleiman stood there, motionless.
He turned around and walked out of the room quickly, his voice echoing in the empty corridor.
"Bryn!"
"Send my orders!"
"Mobilize the troops!"
Rushmarsh's air froze.
Less than three days after the order to mobilize the army was given, every stone in the castle was tense.
An invisible pressure enveloped everyone.
Long Retainer Guard The sound of armor scraping replaced the noise of the past.
They patrolled silently, with their hands on the hilts of their swords and their eyes alert.
In the stable, the war horse scratched its hooves restlessly and exhaled hot breath.
A raven flew high.
Its wings cut through the leaden sky like a black lightning.
Finally, it landed on the window edge of the study, folded its wings, and let out a hoarse cry.
In the study room, the air was as solid as ice.
Suleiman took apart the dry paint on the mailbox.
Lymond. Lychester stood aside, his palms all sweaty.
He kept wiping it with a handkerchief, but new sweat soon appeared again.
The parchment unfolds.
Suleiman's eyes swept across the letter paper.
The handwriting on it is neat, and every turn reveals the elegance of the aristocracy.
But the chill that hit my face caused the temperature of the entire room to drop.
Every letter seems to be written with murderous intent.
"If I hear one stupid thing about you dare to call yourself Sword of the Seven."
"I will lead Seven Kingdoms's army! Cut off your head!"
Suleiman Put down the letter.
The parchment fell lightly on the table, and the study became deathly silent.
This is a trap.
A trap that he couldn't avoid and couldn't break out of.
No matter what he did, it was wrong.
But now, he has stepped in and half of his body is stuck in the quagmire.
King's Landing, thousands of fanatical believers shouted his name, asking him to lead them to cleanse the kingdom.
East Riverlands and Lords are secretly communicating with each other with unknown intentions.
House Lychester has just detained the lords of House Mallister and House Deddings in the city and summoned troops.
Isn't it irrefutable evidence of deliberate rebellion?
Lymond. Lychester grabbed the letter, his eyes scanned the words on it, and his face instantly turned pale.
Suleiman said nothing.
He walked to the window and looked at the assembled troops in the courtyard.
The soldiers' armor reflected cold light in the gloomy sky.
The spears are like a forest, and the flags are flapping in the wind.
House Lychester is an outsider in the power field of King's Landing, an upstart who has risen rapidly through military exploits and conspiracy.
They have no friends, no allies, and no centuries-old relationship network there.
King's Landing has no one of his own.
Jon. Arryn is just an idiot.
Everything he sees and hears is what others want him to see and hear.
As long as there are caring people, every behavior of House Lychester will be accurately interpreted, amplified, and then presented to Jon. Arryn.
In the end, it was compiled into an irrefutable evidence of rebellion.
The steps leading to the dungeon were wet and slippery.
Ice-cold water droplets seeped out from the stone walls, glistening under the light of the torches.
The air was filled with the rotten smell of mold and despair.
Suleiman's footsteps echoed in the long and narrow corridor, clear and steady.
When the jailer saw the figure of Suleiman, he hurriedly bowed and saluted.
Arlan monk sat cross-legged on the ground covered with moldy straw.
He was not shackled.
The brand new brown monk's robe was stained with dirt, but he didn't care.
Hearing the sound of the door opening, he slowly opened his eyes.
Those eyes were astonishingly bright in the dimness. There was no prisoner's fear or despair, only a kind of calmness after burning out.
Suleiman waved his hand.
The jailer and guards stepped back, leaving space for him.
The iron door was closed behind him, but not locked.
Suleiman walked to the iron bars and looked at each other across the cold iron bars with the monk in the cage.
The light of the torch danced between them.
Arlan A smile appeared on monk's face, it was the same compassionate and gentle smile as in the living room.
"Sir, are you ready?"
Suleiman ignored his words.
He looked at the face that looked a little out of shape due to enthusiasm.
"Tell me what the church wants.
6
Arlan monk laughed and shook his head.
"I told you, my lord."
"We want to cleanse this filthy kingdom and let the glory of Seven shine on Westeros again."
Suleiman's eyes did not waver at all.
"I want to hear the truth."
Arlan The smile on monk's face slowly disappeared.
He stood up and walked to the iron fence, only an arm's length away from Suleiman.
His eyes were fixed on Suleiman, and the scorching flame ignited again.
"Truth?"
His voice was low and full of divine ecstasy.
"The truth is, the church wants to take back everything that belongs to it."