The Best Arrangement

As night gradually fell, the mood of the crowd grew increasingly heavy.

A raid is a one-way trip; it's far more dangerous than capturing some White Walkers.

This is something everyone knows in their hearts.

Jon himself understood that even with thorough preparations and the Divine Vision Golden Finger possessed, he couldn't bring those four hundred people out of the Sea of Bones and Corpses."

Ordinary human soldiers experience fear, confusion, frustration, and emotions; they can find weaknesses on their own.

But these Wights and armies of White Walkers are completely different; they are like blocks of ice, overwhelming the enemy with sheer numbers and then turning the enemy into part of themselves.

If you had a dragon, you could just airdrop Wildfire and burn those sailboats.

"Perhaps I should add the 'The Unburnt ' entry to the top level, then burn myself, like Daenerys hatching Dragon Egg?"

Jon thought this, but quickly brought his thoughts back.

It's a bit too late to think about these things now, and whether they can even hatch is another matter entirely.

The safest way is to let your son hatch the Dragon Egg.

Dragons may be the best weapon against Wights, but I didn't place all my hopes on them from the beginning.

He had already decided that if there really wasn't enough people willing to do it, he would play it safe and withdraw first.

While keeping Young Griff, he began research and development of Gunpowder and Firearms in the Iron Islands.

I refuse to believe that these Wights can stand a chance against Firearms.

Benjen looked at Jon, whose familiar yet unfamiliar face flickered in the firelight, as if he were trying to sort out his myriad thoughts.

The chief Ranger didn't say much, but stood up and looked around at the people, especially the Night's Watch. He noticed that Alliser's eyes flickered.

Jon had already promised to take him away from the Wall, but he didn't want to take on this mission. He didn't want to die here, especially since they had initially agreed to just capture a few White Walkers and leave.

Benjen had no idea what agreement there was between Alliser and Jon, and was just a little disappointed that the Night's Watch had become like this.

However, he was soon relieved to find that most people did not back down; they simply lacked a spark to ignite their passion.

Benjen took a deep breath and asked, "Who among you is willing to come with me to burn down the White Walkers ' wrecked raft?"

"Uncle Benjamin—" Jon began, trying to persuade him that perhaps he could go back first. Even if they confronted each other head-on, he was confident enough to win, but Benjen raised his hand and refused him.

"Jon, you are king now. I want you to go back and take charge, not risk your life here." Before Jon could say anything, Benjen cut him off, then looked at the others.

"Do you intend to watch your own king personally go to the front lines? You don't even have the guts for a single attack?!" Benjen said coldly, with a hint of provocation.

"I'll go!" a young Night's Watch stepped forward.

He had only joined the Night's Watch a year ago, mainly inspired by Jon.

Many believe that the Wall is the starting point of Jon's legendary life, and Jon also spared no effort in promoting the White Walkers beyond the Wall were not a myth.

This led to another increase in the proportion of nobles who voluntarily joined the Night's Watch.

At least those who joined were no longer criminals, but rather people with idealistic views.

However, the young Night's Night's Watch was silenced by an old but resolute voice as soon as he spoke.

"You little brat, you've only been through a few years of wind and snow."

The speaker was none other than Daenys, the old commander of Shadow Tower. The old commander stood up proudly, his aged but tall figure standing tall, just like the Shadow Tower he had guarded for decades.

Daenys and Benjen not far away, exchanged a glance, a slight smile playing on their lips. Then, Daenys shouted, "The Wall's Night's Watch have served for more than five years, step forward!"

As soon as he finished speaking, almost all the Night's Watch stepped forward. Alliser's legs trembled at the sight. A sense of honor made him want to step forward, but the undeserved calamities suffered at the Wall for over a decade and Jon's promise made him unable to let go.

It was night, and neither Benjen nor Daenys noticed Alliser, who hadn't stepped forward, but he felt as if everyone was watching him.

I never joined the Night's Watch willingly. I want to go back south. I can't die in the snow. It's all Tywin, Tywin forced me! I don't need to step forward! His Majesty Jon, His Majesty the King promised me, I don't need to stand up!"

Alliser encouraged himself, wanting to return alive.

After an unknown amount of time, the chosen Night's Watch stepped forward and gathered together, like black foundation stones.

When Tormund and his men in the group saw the black crows they used to hate, their eyes suddenly stung and burned, and their fists, each the size of a clay pot, clenched involuntarily.

When Ygritte saw the Night's Watch were bravely facing death, she couldn't help but stand up. Beneath her fiery red hair, her eyes shone with an astonishing light.

"Let us Night's Watch Oath once more," Daenys said.

The Night's Watch brothers, hand in hand, faced the Wall, which was faintly visible to the south, and began to swear in unison. "Long Night is coming, and my watch will begin now, and end with my death."

I will not marry, will not be granted land, and will not have children.

I will not wear a crown, nor will I vie for glory or favor.

I will serve my duty faithfully, even unto death.

I am the sword in the darkness, the guardian of the Wall, the flame that wards off the cold, the light that breaks the dawn, the horn that awakens the sleepers, the shield that protects the kingdom.

I pledge my life and honor to the Night's Watch, for this night and for all the nights to come.

The Night's Watch Oath, deep and powerful, echoed across the vast snowfield, like the imposing the Wall, a resounding testament to a promise unchanged for millennia.

For a moment, their voices seemed to intimidate even the bound Wights.

With the oath completed, most of the required manpower had been gathered, and Tormund, Free Folk inspired by the call, also decided to join.

The reason was that he was more familiar with the area north of Hardhome.

"Go back and tell your old man that I burned the White Ghost's ass with Wildfire. My title should be expanded to include, well, the White Walker Burner," Tormund said casually to his son.

"I'll go too," Jaime said, standing up, but facing Jon. "Your Jon, remember your promise to me to get Cersei and Tommen safely to Slaver's Bay."

"Of course," Jon nodded, assuring Jaime.

"I'll go too." Several more Free Folk stepped forward; they all had family members killed by the White Walkers and wanted to take this opportunity to avenge them.

In the end, more than 460 people were selected to go.

They began their silent preparations when Benjen approached Jon and said, "Jon, I know you've left the Wall, but don't let it weigh you down. You are now the King of the Seven Kingdoms, and a king bears far more responsibility than a Night's Watch. We can die a quick death, but you must live on and lead the living to victory. I'll find out what happened along the way from others."

Jon ordered the Skinchanger to use their animal companions to guide Benjen and the others to their designated location as quickly as possible.

Guided by their Skinchanger animal companions, they were able to avoid some groups of White Walkers and Wights, and bypass difficult paths.

Based on their walking speed, it would take them at least half a month.

Most of the time, this raiding party "drags its own Wights shells along, only lifting them up when it encounters other White Walkers parties that are difficult to avoid."

It has to be said that they look somewhat comical. They wear shells and are all over two meters tall on average, making them look a bit like some kind of "spirit procession" at first glance.

"Hey, Lannister, tell me what's happened in the Seven Kingdoms all these years."

Benjen, wearing the Wights wolf shell, approached Jaime, who had his head inside the Wights's chest cavity, and asked.

Jaime was a little annoyed; why was he being asked this question out of so many people?

But after thinking about it, I decided to tell him what I knew.

Firstly, Jon discovered at the Wall that Dragonglass was a "special weapon" against Wights.

After that, they marched south without hesitation, Battle of the Green Fork, the Battle for King's Landing, conquering the Westerlands, and annexing the Iron Islands.

Benjen's illustrious military achievements need no further elaboration; what truly astonished him was Jon's background.

He was his uncle, and his sister Lyanna was his mother.

Although it sounds like a fantasy at first glance, it makes perfect sense upon closer examination.

After all, creating an illegitimate child is not something Eddard would do; rather, it's Eddard who would sacrifice his reputation to benefit his family.

As for the Battle of Harrenhal that followed, compared to the previous events, although it also had its moments of brilliance, it was not as thrilling.

Of course, it cannot be ruled out that Benjen might be somewhat numb.

After hearing Jon's story, it was naturally Young Griff's turn.

"I won't comment on this Young Griff's true identity, but he'll definitely be no match for Jon," Benjen said, staring at the Wights wolf husk. "Actually, I think given my sister Lyanna's personality, she would have given Jon a Valyria name, like Aegon or Jaehaerys. But Jon I sounds good too."

"Jon I?"

Jaime, standing to the side, smiled, as if mocking himself, or perhaps reminiscing.

He, who always preferred to solve all problems with his sword, couldn't help but wonder what would happen if he managed to kill Jon in Winterfell.

But he soon realized the consequences would be dire, because almost no king would care about the world beyond the Wall, which was the greatest threat to mankind.

Moreover, it was obvious to the naked eye that whether Joffrey or Stannis succeeded to the throne, even without Jon, they would have been overwhelmed by Aegon's Landing and would have had no time to look north.

Perhaps this is the best-case scenario for the Seven Kingdoms.