Do You Think You're a Targaryen?
"My lord, Tywin sending someone at this time is definitely to humiliate you. Should we just throw him out?" Sandor whispered to Jon.
Jon looked at the group of noble generals before him, each with a worried expression.
Especially Black Walder, whose name means "black man," is very dark-faced after his second trip to the Westerlands. Today, he volunteered to lead the first wave of attacks, resulting in more than 300 casualties. When he returns, he will probably get a scolding from Old Walder.
Unless they can capture Casterly Rock.
Brynden and his ilk, on the other hand, believed that they should seize as much territory as possible from the start, as they wouldn't gain any advantage in Casterly Rock.
If Jon simply sends the messenger away, it could be detrimental to morale.
"No need, let him in."
When Adam saw Jon, Loras, and Garlan in the tent—people who were about his age or even younger—he couldn't help but feel contempt. In his mind, these people would never be able to breach Casterly Rock, which was personally guarded by Tywin.
--
They might besiege Casterly Rock for a year or two, but if it goes on for too long, they'll have to withdraw. Even if they have enough supplies, the soldiers can't endure years of fighting.
Moreover, the daytime battle had already proven that Jon was helpless against their defenses and had even foolishly chosen a worthless target.
Thinking of this, Jon's reputation on the battlefield no longer felt so intimidating to him.
Under everyone's watchful eyes, Adam spoke in a disdainful tone, "Lord Jon, Lord Tywin Lannister of Lord of Casterly Rock has told me that Casterly Rock is not a place you can lay your hands on, nor is it something a bastard can defile! You've already done quite well to have deceived Daven Davonne and entered the Westerlands, but if you don't want to die at the hands of Casterly Rock, you'd better retreat as soon as possible. Lord Tywin says that if you're willing to stay in the Westerlands as an Earl, he can grant you Golden Tooth as your territory."
As Adam spoke, his eyes quickly glanced at the attendant beside him. If the attendant hadn't been there, he would certainly have spoken more politely.
But if he did that, he wouldn't be able to explain himself to Tywin when he got back, so he had no choice but to bite the bullet and say those offensive things.
Given Jon's current status, he naturally wouldn't be the first to speak out in rebuttal.
"Our masters have long been legitimized by His Majesty Stannis," Martin said. "And Tywin's good son, the Kingslayer! He can sleep with his own sister whenever he wants, does he think he's Targaryen?!"
Listening to Martin's remarks, Jon's eyelids twitched slightly. Well said, Martin. Don't say that again.
"I think Tywin and you're tired of living!" Jon said menacingly before Sandor could speak.
He is now not only the captain of Jon's personal guard, but also a mouthpiece when necessary. Jon doesn't like him calling himself a "dog," but he thinks this is the time to show his fangs.
Before anyone else could react, Sandor pressed his large, thick hand down on Adam's shoulder.
Adam saw a giant a head taller than himself looking down at him, and instinctively shrank back.
Especially that face, twisted and grotesque from being burned, was so terrifying that just looking at it would give you nightmares for three days straight.
Adam had served in the Lannister army for a long time and naturally knew Sandor, but he had never been so close to him before.
"Sandor," Jon, leaning back in his chair, spoke up, gesturing for him to step back.
Seeing that Jon wasn't an unreasonable person, Adam breathed a sigh of relief and made his tone more respectful before speaking, "Lord Jon, perhaps you are not aware, but Casterly Rock's water supply doesn't come from those few wells or springs. The water there is at most a little sweeter. Casterly Rock's true water comes from the rain bestowed by the gods. Unless you can fly up into the sky and stop the rain, it's impossible for us to die of thirst."
Adam glanced at the others out of the corner of his eye, then lowered his head and remained silent, as if to tell Jon that this was all he had to say.
To everyone's surprise, Jon, sitting at the head of the table, grinned and chuckled, "Heh heh, I actually do have a way to stop the rain."
"What?" Adam seemed not to have heard clearly, and the others all looked at Jon with curiosity.
Loras, in particular, scratched his ear, thinking he had misheard.
Melisandre, sitting in the corner, abandoned her statue-like expression and, for the first time, showed a human expression on her face.
"By the way, what's your name?" Jon asked.
"Adam."
"Adam, do you know that the more fortified a fortress is in this world, the more likely it is to be breached from within? If you are willing to help me in the future and help me solidify my title as Lord of Casterly Rock, then you will have a place by my side."
"That's impossible, sir. I am a Lannister, and I will never kneel before you," Jon was trying to persuade Adam to surrender.
Jon already knew about Adam through the lurking Raven. But it would be beneath him to engage in a war of words now.
"Alright, just remember that my promise always stands."
Jon said calmly, but not only Adam, but also Brynden, Black Walder and others didn't quite believe it.
Intercepting rainwater from the sky?
Are you kidding me?
Even water on the ground is difficult to intercept.
But Jon had no obligation to explain anything to Adam, the messenger, and simply waved him away.
"Jon, Your Grace, do you really have a way to stop the rain from falling?" Brynden asked, unable to sit still any longer.
Jon fought well, avenged his father, and declined the Duke's investiture. Therefore, in the eyes of others, he was a good person and did not seem like the kind of guy who talked big.
Even though Loras was muttering that Jon was exaggerating, he still looked at him with a hint of expectation. Although he didn't like Jon, he also agreed that Jon didn't have the habit of exaggerating.
Maybe he really can stop the rain from falling?
Jon then noticed that even Melisandre's usually expressionless face held a hint of curiosity.
"Yes, I can, but to stop the rain from the sky, I need a boat on the water," Jon said casually, a line that could almost be sung in a song. He turned to Garlan and asked, "Ser Garlan, Lord Redwyne's fleet should have set sail by now, shouldn't it?"
"Yes," Garlan nodded. "We'll probably resupply in Highgarden along the way, and they'll be here soon."
"Why do you need a boat to stop the rain? Why is that?" Loras asked like a curious child, though he was still not entirely convinced.