Starting the following day, the goods procured by the Magister's Palace of Gulltown came in waves.
The golden Gold Dragon seemed to be leaping and bounding right before their eyes. At first, a few people couldn't stop smiling, and then more and more people joined in with beaming smiles.
As more and more people benefited, many felt that Lord Crabb, who claimed to be the temporary guardian of Gulltown... seemed... to be a very good person?
On the ninth day that the Swamp Marigold Banner fluttered over Gulltown, the doors of the Lord's Hall opened, and Lord Crabb listened to the petitions of the people of Gulltown for the first time.
After the petition ended, the people of Gulltown whispered among themselves... Lord Crabb was a kind governor.
The petition in Gulltown lasted for seven days, from dawn to dusk.
Meanwhile, the people suddenly realized that the villains living around them had disappeared one by one, which made them unconsciously overlook the increasing number of blue patrol teams on the streets.
Ding~~ Ding~~ Ding~~ The bells in the largest square of Gulltown suddenly rang.
Then, the people witnessed a scene they would never forget.
They heard someone loudly proclaiming the crimes, followed by a scene of heads rolling in.
Fear was spreading, but people soon found their lives much easier than before.
Are they afraid of the new governor who will leave Gulltown with an unyielding stench of blood? Of course they are, but they are even more afraid of the villains closer to them.
Normally, they would never be able to avoid these people in their lives, but... their new governor is so "cruel" that he has completely eliminated them from their lives.
As time went on, they grew to admire the new governor's bloody methods more and more.
Laughter and cheers also spread among the common people of Gulltown, who began to affectionately call their new governor the Bloody Earl in private.
The Declaration of Lords Declarant camp in the south of the Eyrie is home to the elite forces of the House Royce, House Waynwood, House Hunter, House Redfort, House Belmore, and House Templeton, totaling six thousand troops from each family.
Yesterday, the Declaration of Lords Declarant's forces launched a symbolic attack on the Eyrie, a show of force intended to warn Lysa Tully, who was hiding within the Eyrie.
"Gentlemen, I believe that a siege is sufficient; it is simply impossible for our forces to breach the Eyrie."
"According to the intelligence I've gathered, the Eyrie has a considerable food reserve, which is how the Gods know how long we need to stay here."
Why haven't our messengers returned yet?
" The Gods help her, she poisoned her own husband, she's insane!"
"I don't think she would dare to do anything to harm the envoy under these circumstances. Poisoning could be done secretly, but there are thousands of eyes watching her here. She absolutely wouldn't dare, unless..."
"Has she really gone mad?"
" The Gods, do not forgive her!"
"... Has Ser Blackfish of the Bloody Gate replied yet?"
" Brynden Tully said he wouldn't get involved in the dispute Declaration of Lords Declarant and Lady Lysa, but he demanded that we not stop him from Sky Cell Basket vegetables into the Eyrie."
"What does he mean? Doesn't this amount to supporting his heinous niece? What about his chivalrous honor?!"
"Perhaps this is why Duke Tully dislikes his brother."
" The Knight of the Bloody Gate ' actions will make us a laughingstock. I think we should just blockade Gates of the Moon and cut off the Eyrie's supplies."
"Sir, a carrier crow has arrived from Gulltown!"
While Bronze Yohn and his men were holding a war meeting in their tent, they received news that Gulltown in the Vale had fallen.
Sir Simon Templeton of Nine Stars roared, "This is invasion! This is a crime!"
Lady Anya Weywood of Ironoaks frowned as she read the letter. " The Lord Crabb of Crackclaw Point?"
Lady Anya's once brown hair has turned gray, her eyes are lined with wrinkles, and her chin skin is sagging.
After reading the letter, she handed it to Bronze Yohn and said in a deep voice, " The House Grafton is gone forever."
Sir Simon Templeton abruptly rose to his feet, roaring, "These barbarians must pay with their blood!"
Lady Anya gestured for Simon Templeton to sit down, and calmly said, "Take a look at the contents of the letter first."
Bronze Yohn's grey eyes were half-hidden beneath his thick eyebrows. After reading the letter, he pondered for a moment, then handed it to Gilwood Hunter Earl Longbow Hall, who had a large beard.
After a moment of silence, Lady Anya spoke up, " The Earl of Crackclaw Point launched the campaign against the Eyrie in the name of King Joffrey, and he falsely accused the House Grafton of being Lysa's accomplices."
Earl Gilwood Hunter Earl, "It's more like the revenge of Half-Wildling family."
Everyone present understood the hatred the Crackclaw Point men harbored towards the Vale Nobles, because their families had all participated in the blockade of the Crackclaw Point.
Sir Simon Templeton scoffed, "With that little force from Crackclaw Point?"
Lady Anya spoke up, "Sir Simon, never underestimate any enemy!"
She glanced at the crowd and then asked, "My lords, will the Earl Crackclaw Point join forces with Lysa Tully?"
Bronze Yohn shook his head slightly and said, "No one who sits on the Iron Throne can tolerate the crimes committed by Lysa Tully."
"Gentlemen..."
Bronze Yohn said slowly, "We all know that Stannis is reorganizing his troops in the south, and a major battle for King's Landing is inevitable."
He paused, then added, "My question is, why would the Lannister Queen Mother send her trusted confidante to the Vale at this time?"
Lady Anya's eyes flickered, and she asked, " Earl, what have you been thinking about?"
Bronze Yohn shook his head and replied, "I initially suspected the Lannister wanted to use this opportunity to extend their reach into the Vale, but now I think..."
He paused, then continued, " The Lannister are surrounded by enemies; it's not worth it."
Earl Benedar Belmore Strong Song, who had been silent, patted his pear-shaped belly and said, "I've heard that King's Landing's food supply problem has remained unresolved. Could it be that the Regent Queen Mother has her eye on the grain from the Vale?"
As he finished speaking, many people nodded in agreement, but Lady Anya retorted, " Stannis Baratheon won't give the Lannister that much time, at most three months... I think that's enough time for Stannis to subdue the southern armies."
Bronze Yohn tapped his fingers on the armrest of his chair and said, "Gentlemen, we need to decide as soon as possible: Lady Lysa... Crackclaw Point... Which should the Declaration of Lords Declarant deal with first?"
He had barely finished speaking when the captain of the guards standing at the door strode in and said, "My lord, Petyr Lord Baelish requests an audience."
Bronze Yohn asked in surprise, " Petyr? What's he doing here?"
Simon Templeton's voice held a hint of sarcasm. "He's probably just back to see the magnificent fortress on the Fingers."
As Simon Templeton finished speaking, many people inside the tent chuckled softly.
Petyr entered the tent with graceful steps, a slight bow on his lips, and said, "Gentlemen, it is an honor."
After Petyr sat down, Bronze Yohn asked directly, " Petyr, why are you here?"
Petyr shrugged and smiled, saying, " Earl, you're not asking about the rumors about me in King's Landing, are you?"
Bronze Yohn stared at Petyr for a moment, then said, "You may refuse to answer."
All eyes were on Petyr, who sighed softly and said, "It seems I still need to explain."
He continued, "As everyone should know, I am the adopted son of Duke Tully, and I grew up in Riverrun with his children..."
Petyr glanced at everyone present, shrugged, and said, "Later, I heard about Lady Lysa from Lord Stark. I couldn't just stay silent then."
Lady Anya's eyes flickered slightly as she said, "I heard you were imprisoned in the Black Cells of the Red Keep."
Petyr Grey's green eyes trembled slightly... Given Eddard Stark's character, he would never reveal his problems to anyone before the formal trial, so he was very certain at this moment.
Petyr looked as if he'd heard a joke, "Your Excellency Lady Weywood, you should trust the Lord Stark's honor; he simply doesn't like me putting honor aside for personal reasons."
Bronze Yohn nodded slightly and said, "Then why are you here? Whom are you here for?"
Petyr's smile faded, and he said, "My lords, I come for the Declaration of Lords Declarant, and for the peace of the Vale."
After a moment of silence, Simon Templeton spoke sarcastically, "Ha, Littlefinger, this is the Vale, not the Red Keep where you play word games. Did you think we brought our troops here just for a stroll?"
Petyr spread his hands, a slight smile playing on his lips, "That's a great idea."
Ser Simon rose abruptly from his chair, gripping the hilt of his sword, and glared at the composed Petyr.
Petyr looked at Bronze Yohn and said, " Earl, drawing your sword during negotiations is no honorable thing."
Other members of the Declaration of Lords Declarant spoke up to reassure Simon Templeton, who then sat back down in his chair.
Once everyone quieted down, Bronze Yohn spoke up, " Petyr, are you representing Lady Lysa?"
Petyr nodded at first, then shook his head.
Bronze Yohn raised his hand to stop the others from speaking, saying, " Petyr, we don't like guessing games. I hope you can be direct."
Petyr shrugged helplessly and said, "Alright, let's get straight to the point. Gentlemen, and ladies, what do you intend to do to Robert Arryn's mother? Or rather, what is your ultimate goal?"
As Petyr finished speaking, the members of the Declaration of Lords Declarant exchanged glances, and finally all looked at Bronze Yohn.
Bronze Yohn stared at Petyr for a moment, then said, " Lysa Tully must be tried publicly."
Petyr smiled and said, " Robert Arryn is young and sickly; he's so pitiful."
Bronze Yohn answered Petyr's veiled question, " Petyr, I will take him to my Runestone and make him a knight that Lord Jon Arryn can be proud of."
Runestone?
Petyr seemed curious. "Why not Ironoaks or Longbow Hall? Or some other adult's castle?"
Benedar Belmore declared, "Anywhere is fine; Duke Robert will visit our castle in rotation."
Lady Anya's sigh interrupted everyone's thoughts. She said, " Lord Petyr, your attempt to sow discord is clumsy and will not affect the Alliance of the Righteous."
Petyr's eyes flickered. "Lady Wywood, gentlemen, can you represent the Vale?"
The atmosphere inside the tent grew heavy, but he continued, "I have many friends in Gulltown. I recently heard some bad news, and I think you all know what happened there, right?"
He continued, "Madam, gentlemen, this concerns the honor of the entire Vale. My suggestion is... let's first eliminate our common enemy, shall we?"
Red Keep, Small Council.
Varys's fat face was contorted with barely concealed terror. " Queen Regent Cersei, my Little Bird has brought concrete intelligence."
Cersei Lannister began, " Varys, tell me."
Varys nodded slightly and replied, "My Little Bird told me that Renly Baratheon was murdered in a truly horrific way right in the middle of the army. A blade sliced through steel and bone like cheese, cutting his throat from his left ear to his right."
Pycelle Grand Maester his sleepy eyes wide and said, "It's unbelievable."
Cersei frowned and asked, " Varys, have you found out who did it? Is it Stannis who's the killer?"
Varys shook his head slightly, somewhat helplessly. " Your Queen Regent, Renly's sudden death has sparked a flurry of rumors, like Mushroom in the shadows. A groom said he was killed by one of the Renly Rainbow Guard... A washerwoman claimed that Stannis, carrying his cursed sword, infiltrated the camp and killed his brother... Some soldiers believe the murderer is a woman, but they can't agree on which one. One soldier thinks it's the Maiden Renly cruelly abandoned, another says it's a prostitute who served Renly the night before the battle, and a third dares to speculate that Little Rose of Highgarden is the real culprit..."
Queen Regent Cersei interrupted impatiently, " Varys, are you wasting my time with this nonsense? Remember, I want the truth!"
The Lioness roared, Varys couldn't help but shrink back.
Tyrion grinned. "At least we can be sure Renly is dead. It seems King Joffrey will be very disappointed; he's said to have prepared many sharp spears for Renly's head."
Queen Regent Cersei scoffed, her voice filled with pride. "It can also be used to insert Stannis's head."
Tyrion blinked... "My dear sister, Renly's death is not good news."
Tyrion had been hoping the Baratheon brothers would fight a bloody battle in the south, leaving them both severely weakened, but now... Stannis is probably the Lannister ' true rival.
Tyrion looked at Varys and asked, "My Lord Master of Whisperers, what is the situation with Renly's 100,000-strong army?"