The Vale Army

"Your Majesty, we should win the throne by saving the kingdom, not by putting the cart before the horse."

Davos had already returned to King's Landing, and because he had Jon's warrant, he encountered no obstacles along the way.

Jon even personally sent a ship to take him from Casterly Rock to Seagard, and then after two days of travel by carriage, he took another ship from the Trident River to Harrenhal.

In the end, two horses died running from Harrenhal, and in just ten days, Davos crossed the entire Westeros and returned to King's Landing, having lost a great deal of weight.

"It seems you know better than I do how to be king?" Stannis said coldly, Davos quickly lowered his head.

"Can't you see that without the threat of the Iron Islands, the lords of the Sunset Sea will unite more closely?! Can't you see that with each passing day, the ambition of that bastard whose father he doesn't even know grows stronger? Let me tell you what will happen when winter comes: we'll either have to borrow more from the Iron Bank and the Free Cities, bearing heavier interest rates, or I'll have to bow down to that bastard in exchange for food. Which one do you think we can accept?! You, answer me!"

Stannis's voice remained calm and unhurried. Unlike Robert, he didn't like to use roars to express his anger. His voice was like a gradually gathering dark cloud, ready to unleash a cold downpour at any moment.

"Your Majesty, I understand your concerns. When I returned, Jon assured us that he would resolve our food problem." However, Davos's voice trailed off as he spoke. The food problem was far too serious; entrusting their food security to others was absolutely impossible.

Seeing that Davos seemed to understand him, Stannis asked, "Where is Priestess Melisandre? Where is she now?"

Upon hearing Stannis's question, Davos immediately recalled the terrifying shadow born from Melisandre, or rather, the Shadow Assassin.

A long silence fell over the room.

"I'm asking you a question! Where is Melisandre?!" Stannis's voice sounded impatient.

"Melisandre, Melisandre stayed behind; Jon Snow left her at Casterly Rock."

"Detained? That makes sense, he won't let her come back," Stannis said, as if he had expected it.

Melisandre wasn't a problem; he still had Thoros Davos. Stannis appeared to be struggling.

He felt he could simply tell Stannis that Melisandre wasn't being held captive, that she had stayed at Casterly Rock voluntarily, and that she had even gone to Slaver's Bay at Jon's behest to help another Targaryen, but he just couldn't bring himself to say it.

Stannis thought for a moment and then said, "Write a letter to that bastard and tell him to return Melisandre. I'll send back the House Frey I've imprisoned."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Davos kept the truth to himself for the time being and turned to leave Stannis's room.

After Davos left, Stannis went to the Training Yard.

Two boys of similar age, with similar facial features and the same thick, charcoal-black hair, were Training Yard in the Red Keep's training ground.

They were both very strong, and it was easy for an observer to conclude that they were brothers.

One of Gendry young men, Gendry, possessed astonishing strength, even wielding the warhammer left behind by Robert. Another young man, Edric, was also quite strong, but his martial arts skills were even more refined.

Both brothers were bastards of the former King Robert Baratheon, Stannis brought them into the Red Keep and placed them in his personal guard.

Stannis stood not far away, watching the two brothers spar.

Standing beside him was the Red Priest Thoros.

"I'm leaving those two to you," Stannis said, turning to his side. "I hope they can be of help on the battlefield."

Upon hearing Stannis's words, Thoros didn't immediately agree. Instead, he pursed his lips, looking quite conflicted. However, he finally made up his mind and said, "Your Majesty, I understand."

Like Davos, Thoros also didn't want to see Jon and Stannis go to war.

After all, he had fought alongside Jon, and his past experiences filled him with a sense of honor.

But when Jon revealed that earth-shattering secret to the entire Seven Kingdoms, the Seven Kingdoms, which had just seen the dawn of peace, seemed poised to face war and turmoil once again, and the two sides in this war were the two most powerful people in Westeros.

Thoros had argued that Jon had merely revealed his identity and had not yet declared himself king, hoping that Stannis would not rush into war.

But what she received in return was a severe and harsh reprimand.

"That damned bastard is not yet a king, but I dare say that the people around him have already started calling him Your Majesty!"

These are Stannis's exact words; after all, that's what he did back then.

The reason Robert's two illegitimate sons were found was simply to use their blood, the so-called King's Blood, to create something beneficial for Stannis on the battlefield.

However, to avoid suspicion, Stannis kept them around as bodyguards.

Just then, Little Stannis, Stannis's attendant, came to his side and said, "Your Majesty, the army from the Vale has arrived."

"Hmm." Stannis slightly parted his thin lips. "Let's go take a look."

After a brief preparation, Stannis and his retinue passed through the North Gate of King's Landing and met the Vale army led by the newly appointed Warden of the Vale, Yorn Royce.

Banners fluttered across the Vale, and the gleaming armor of the army shone like a vast metallic lake in the sunlight.

Just by looking at this army from above, one can tell that their strength is extraordinary.

Before the army, "Bronze Yohn" wore the bronze armor inherited from the House Royce, which was engraved with strange runes. The House Royce claimed that these runes could make the wearer invulnerable to weapons.

"Your Majesty," Yohn Royce bowed to Stannis, followed by his two sons.

Although "Bronze Yohn" was somewhat old, his two sons were both in their prime. The three of them stood tall and proud, ready to be inspected by Stannis. The Yorn father and sons all seemed to be upright people, the kind of people Stannis liked.

Standing behind the father and his two sons were lords, nobles, and military commanders from other families.

Looking at the colorful flags fluttering in the wind—the brass ones belonged to the House Royce, the green ones with black stripes to the House Waynwood, the red ones with white stripes to the House Hunter, and the House Redfort, the House Belmore, and many other well-known families of the Vale — Stannis's perception of the crown's weight became increasingly clear.

A group of fully armed knights stood at the front, their armor gleaming, forming a long line that stretched as far as the eye could see.

There were also longbowmen carrying longbows, their bows slung diagonally across their backs, looking like a forest from afar. When they unleashed a volley of arrows, it was a storm of steel.

This army gave the king, who had only been on the Iron Throne for about a year, the confidence to quell the rebellion.

"Sir Royce, how many men from the Vale have come to defend the King this time?"

"Your Majesty, the Vale has dispatched 8,000 cavalry, 15,000 longbowmen, and 15,000 infantry, a total of 38,000 men, to come to the aid of the King!"

How many knights are there?

"One thousand one hundred fully armed knights are at your service."

Yohn Royce's voice was powerful and resonant, like the stirring beat of a marching drum.

Stannis nodded with great satisfaction upon hearing the number.

When Tywin led Westerlands army from Golden Tooth, he brought a total of 40,000 men with him. Part of the reason was that the Lannister were richer and could recruit a large number of free riders and warriors before setting out.

The fact that the Vale has mobilized so many soldiers at once shows its sincerity.

Many people believed that since Jon was flying the Targaryen banner, he would inevitably have to settle scores with the Vale. If he really was a Targaryen, then they would have no chance of escaping. In short, they dared not gamble, so they decided to support Stannis with their cavalry.

Even though Jon had informed the Seven Kingdoms that he hoped the lords of Westeros could unite and first find a way to deal with the approaching Long Night and the White Walkers.

However, the Vale people did not believe it, thinking that Jon was just lying to them.

The Long Night and the White Walkers are merely legendary beings; it is Jon's terrifying record that truly frightens them.

When people are afraid, they are naturally less likely to make rational choices.

Driven by fear on one hand and hatred on the other, Jon Royce hoped to kill Loras on the battlefield to avenge his son.

Finally, with the added allure of the Iron Throne, the Vale chose to stand under Stannis's banner.

Stannis, in his capacity as king, received the Vale nobles and soon spotted a figure that displeased him Petyr Baelish.

"I am grateful to Lady Lysa for entrusting me with the army of the the Eyrie, and I am also responsible for the logistics of the Vale army."

Petyr leaned on his cane, looking very humble.

"Your Majesty, though I am but a minor lord in a remote borderland, I know the importance of loyalty to the King. Jon Snow has acted against all reason, forgetting the origins of his fiefdom and title, and even falsely claiming to be Rhaegar's son. Please allow me to contribute to your campaign against this rebellion."

No one said anything when they saw Petyr's appearance; some even looked at him with disdain. Petyr's grandfather was a mercenary from Free Cities who had distinguished himself in suppressing the Blackfyre Rebellion and was thus granted a territory.

This outsider, along with a minor nobleman of average strength, was not well-liked by the crowd.

In addition, Petyr's reputation wasn't good either; he had previously been accused of bewitching the Queen into sacrificing Maester Aemon, who had served at the Wall for so long.

Needless to say, Aemon's long service on the Wall, and even his act of declining the Iron Throne, were enough to earn him respect.

In short, Petyr's image is as despicable as Aemon's, which is why he hasn't integrated into any circles.

However, there was nothing wrong with this statement, and all the lords echoed his words, saying, "I'll do the same."

Stannis had to admit that Petyr was very good at talking and getting things done; he was a talented person. His only flaw was that his ambitious and scheming nature was unsettling.

"Yes, Baelish, if you can ensure the army's timely supply of provisions and offer valuable advice, I will not hesitate to reward you. Jon Snow may be a traitor, but he can attest to what I say."

"Send word to the entire army: whoever can take Jon Snow's head for me will be the new Lord of Casterly Rock!"

Stannis's words caused a stir among the crowd. That was Casterly Rock, the Casterly Rock that could guarantee the family's prosperity for hundreds of years!

But the wise person quickly calmed down.

That's Jon Snow!

The White Wolf Knight, who slays the Mountain, vanquishes the Usurper King, and turns the tide of history.

In some places, it has become a trend among taverns to adapt Jon's story into songs.

His invincible military exploits and legendary rise from humble beginnings have captivated countless hearts.

The fact that he, as an illegitimate child, married Highgarden Rose has made him the object of many people's longing.

Jon, son of Eddard, has already become a near-legendary figure.

Kill him? Deep down, everyone thought that was absurd.

However, defeating him, or at least repelling him, might still be possible.

Finally, Stannis returned to the Red Keep with a group of Vale nobles to prepare for a simple banquet.

The army from the Vale was stationed outside the city, and he also sent some wine from Lys as a reward.

Stannis didn't care much about Petyr; he didn't think such a minor character could cause him any trouble, let alone retaliate against him, so he didn't take him seriously.

The army in the Vale was able to assemble the fastest because of its proximity.

In the short time it took for one vehicle to arrive, the Stormlands army also arrived one after another, with a conservative estimate of more than 10,000 men. Stormlands should have been able to muster an army of 20,000 to 30,000 men, but the losses in the Battle of the Blackwater more than a year ago were simply too great.

As previously agreed, Stannis entrusted the defense of Storm's End to Oberyn, allowing Oberyn to lead Dorne's army to Storm's End. Of course, the main purpose was, just like in the war to overthrow the Targaryen, to use Storm's End to contain the Reach army.

The advantage of this arrangement is that it allows all forces aligned with Stannis to exert their influence as quickly and effectively as possible.

The Dorne army did not have to travel thousands of miles to King's Landing, nor did the Stormlands army have to be divided, which would have resulted in the final support forces being dispersed. Instead, they completed their war preparations as quickly as possible through a "reshuffling" method.

Stannis's power was rapidly gathering, which greatly boosted his confidence, making him believe that his chances of winning were very high.

Stannis quickly determined their operational objective: to mobilize troops to the Riverlands, launch a direct attack on the Twins, and cut off the Northern Army's southward advance.

At the same time, 10,000 men were dispatched to Harrenhal to provide support, ensuring that the Iron Throne Army could maintain its strategic offensive posture.