Conquering the Westerlands-Debts of Gratitude Accrue Interest

Even the most fortified and strategically important city needs to be garrisoned; otherwise, it's just a difficult road to travel.

The same situation occurred at Golden Tooth. Jon used a false order to divert most of the garrison from Golden Tooth, and then ordered 20,000 troops to launch a surprise attack, which resulted in its easy capture.

As dawn broke, Jon entered the city. By then, only sporadic resistance remained. With a numerical advantage, he launched a fierce attack. Furthermore, more than half of the defenders of Golden Tooth were untrained miners, who had no reason to fight to the death.

In the firelight, these emaciated miners looked like skeletons, which made Jon realize that Tywin truly didn't treat people like human beings.

They receive no preferential treatment in peacetime, and naturally, no loyalty is expected in wartime.

When Jon offered to spare their lives by laying down their weapons, these men, who had spent almost their entire lives panning for gold, threw down their weapons without hesitation, as if they were burning their hands.

When Jon found Daven, he was already surrounded by Martin's Heavy Armor Battalion. He and the few remaining soldiers stood back to back, looking at the enemy forces around them with panic.

With the defending general in dire straits, the outcome of this battle was no longer in doubt.

They were huddled in a corner of a tower, with moss-covered walls behind them. The morning sun shone on them, as if it were the last bit of pity the world was giving them.

"Go and ask him if he's willing to surrender," Jon said, turning to his squire Robert Frey.

Robert Frey, who had become much stronger than Jon, came Daven Davenport and conveyed Jon's message.

However, Daven sneered and shouted in Jon's direction, "Jon, you, you're just like Stannis, who seized the throne through treachery, treachery! You had that Scarlet Witch replace Tywin's orders, you, you despicable bastard!!!"

By this time, Daven had already been hit by several arrows, and because he had spent a long time comforting Lady Lefford that night, he was now panting heavily, clearly exhausted.

Seeing his attitude, Jon had no interest in engaging in any verbal sparring with him.

Even Jaime could be taken prisoner, yet this guy shows absolutely no intention of surrendering.

Just as Jon was about to order Daven shot, a white-haired figure ran out – it was Rickard.

"Jon, let me kill him!" Rickard, carrying his broadsword, approached Daven.

He was still unable to let go of the deaths of his two youngest sons, and only the blood of more Lannister could appease the aging father's rage.

"Jaime killed two of my sons, so I shall at least kill two Lannister to atone for my sons' deaths!" Rickard said in a deep voice, a gust of wind blowing his snow-white hair and beard, making him look somewhat like the "Winter Sun" banner of House Karstark under the night sky.

Jon saw no need to stop them, and instead ordered his soldiers to quickly secure the area around Golden Tooth, while he stayed behind to watch over Rickard in case anything went wrong.

After all, the House Karstark had contributed a thousand men to his army, and although he was the commander-in-chief, he still had to give them that much face.

The appearance of Rickard made Daven feel a fire burning in his chest. Seeing his father's killer right in front of him, he drew his sword and went to meet him. The two strong men swung their swords at each other, and the sound of metal clashing tormented the eardrums of the crowd.

Daven was young, and his spinning slash was powerful and heavy. Fortunately, Rickard was experienced and raised his sword to block in time. However, Daven reacted even faster and kicked Rickard in the stomach.

The distance between the two widened considerably. Just as Rickard was about to fall, one of them quickly steadied him by grabbing his lower back, but was met with Rickard's cursing. "Get out of my way!"

Having regained his footing, Rickard, somewhat enraged, slammed his helmet on the ground and launched another attack, to Daven roared and charged once more.

Seeing what was happening, Jon took advantage of the fact that no one was paying attention, turned around and took a bow and arrow from an archer, ready to strike at any moment.

Perhaps realizing that he was doomed to die today, he calmed down and even made considerable progress in his martial arts skills, defending against Rickard's attacks with impenetrable defense.

Finally, Rickard was caught off guard again. His sword was deflected by Daven, Daven then slammed Rickard to the ground with his shoulder. The nearly sixty-year-old Rickard could hardly withstand the impact of a strong man, and coupled with the heavy armor he was wearing, he was unable to get up.

Daven finally seized his opportunity, his eyes flashing with the excitement of revenge, and swung a horizontal slash straight at Rickard's face.

Rickard was too old. When he followed Robb south and supported Robb, he thought it might be his last campaign.

Even if they manage to return alive, they will die in the endless winter that is about to break in the North.

Those around tried to stop him, but it seemed too late. Daven swung his sword, but missed. An arrow had somehow appeared in his wrist, its fletching even trembling slightly.

Before Daven could react, another arrow pierced his face. His burly body stiffened for a second before collapsing to the ground.

Enze came to Rickard's side and reached out to help him up.

Inside the castle hall, Loras remained unwilling to believe that Jon had managed to persuade Daven to evade the Golden Tooth by simply putting on a show.

His entire worldview seemed to have been greatly impacted. He placed his sword across his lap and stared blankly at the ornate scabbard.

Meanwhile, Garlan, standing beside him, was talking to a House Tyrell maester.

"----The garrison of Golden Tooth has been redeployed----we----" Loras knew that Garlan was preparing a battle report for Highgarden, reporting on the situation on Jon's side. He couldn't hear it clearly, or perhaps he didn't want to hear it.

Not only him, but everyone else was equally puzzled as to why Jon's plan had worked.

For example, Brynden, who had never been optimistic about Jon, was now quietly tidying up his arm armor. He had always thought Jon was oversimplifying things, but now it seemed that he had been overcomplicating things.

"Hmph! I'd like to see how this bastard manages to breach Casterly Rock!" Loras thought resentfully. Even if Daven was an idiot, Tywin couldn't be that stupid, could he?

That's Tywin!

Loras, recalling how Jon had refused his request to attack the city, calmed down once more.

He remembered Jon's father, Eddard, when the Mountain ravaged the Riverlands and he asked Eddard for permission to lead an army to capture the Mountain, but Eddard refused.

At that time, he was very unconvinced, but Jon proved himself with victory after victory, leaving him speechless.

"Could it be because I am a Tyrell that—" Loras suddenly realized something, but he couldn't quite understand it.

As the group pondered their options, each lost in their own thoughts, Jon entered the hall, followed by his servant Robert Frey, Rickard, Martin, and others.

Upon entering the hall, he naturally took the seat of honor and then announced his next battle plan.

"My lords, we fought a great battle. We stormed Golden Tooth like thunder. Neither Sarsfield behind Golden Tooth nor Tywin, who was watching closely, had time to react. So I plan to let the army rest for half a day, have a good meal, and take five days' worth of rations. Before sunset tomorrow, we will head to Sarsfield and take it as quickly as possible!" Jon said to the crowd.

Brynden stared intently at Jon, finding the young man's appetite both enormous and terrifying.

Golden Tooth - Sarsfield - Casterly Rock.

Taking Golden Tooth is like stripping Casterly Rock of its armor, while taking Sarsfield is like putting a dagger to Tywin's throat.

Brynden believed that they should now use Golden Tooth as a base to seize territory. He still didn't understand how Jon should take Casterly Rock.

But the successful capture of Golden Tooth made him somewhat more accommodating, and he was starting to wonder what methods Jon would use.

Furthermore, while Sarsfield might not be too difficult to conquer, a direct attack on Casterly Rock is probably still impossible.

Tywin has definitely amassed a large army in the southern part of the Westerlands, and these troops will surely return to reinforce Casterly Rock once Jon arrives.

With 20,000 troops facing both returning Westerlands reinforcements and the threat of a sudden attack on Casterly Rock, a direct assault on Casterly Rock seemed like the worst possible option.

Unless Jon can quickly defeat the returning Westerlands armies.

Brynden felt obligated to remind Jon that conquering a country and breaching a city are not the same thing.

As soon as Jon finished explaining his battle plan, Loras stood up and said, "Leave the attack on Sarsfield to me, okay?"

Looking at Jon's face, Loras's tone became more inquisitive and probing, rather than the willful one who did whatever he wanted.

Jon looked at Loras and pondered for a moment, concluding that Sarsfield was only a small castle, and that taking it down with the advantage of time difference wouldn't be difficult.

However, I'm still not comfortable entrusting him to Loras alone; I'll need someone to help him later.

Ultimately, Jon agreed to let Loras participate in the attack on Sarsfield, but did not immediately allow him to lead an army on his own.

Rickard.

Upon hearing Jon's voice, Rickard immediately stood up.

He almost thought he was going to die when he fought Daven, but Jon saved him. Moreover, Jon's Archery were superb.

Not to mention that Daven's swiftly cleaved hand was barely visible to the naked eye, and it was nighttime, yet Jon managed to accurately shoot his hand and save his own life.

Sometimes Rickard felt like he was in a dream. When he first met Jon, he was just Robb's henchman, fighting to the death against Roose Bolton's provocations.

It's truly astonishing that he has now grown into a regional warlord.

However, it was precisely because of this that he decided to hand over the Karhold to his eldest son, Harrion, ahead of time. After all, Harrion had fought alongside Jon, and Jon would likely step in if any trouble arose in the future.

Even if he doesn't directly intervene militarily, Jon himself wields considerable influence. Although Karstark might not encounter any trouble in the North, he still wants to consider things more carefully, as he only has one of his three sons left.

Rickard volunteered to serve him to repay a debt of gratitude, but now Jon's debt of gratitude is compounding and it seems impossible to repay.