Old Walder's Resolve

Old York was overjoyed when he heard that the war might end early.

Though he had not personally slain any enemies, everyone regarded him as a hero.

Moreover, his share of military merit was guaranteed.

This campaign had already been a perfect success for him, even exceeding expectations.

Going home now would be perfectly fine.

"The war may only be ending, and the situation is still uncertain. Don't tell anyone else.

"And don't slack off on training."

"Don't worry, my lord!" Old York said excitedly.

Suddenly, he looked at Jon with a rather suggestive gaze.

Old York had once had a son, but unfortunately, the boy had died young.

Now, he only had a granddaughter under fourteen left.

He thought that if Jon were granted a noble title because of this achievement, he had to seize the chance for his granddaughter in advance!

Feeling Old York's increasingly fervent gaze, Jon instinctively avoided it.

He had seen that kind of look far too often.

In his previous life, when he had decided to drop out of school and go into business, everyone around him had thought his life was over.

But after he made money and built a house for his family, matchmakers from every village for miles around had nearly worn down his doorstep.

He knew what Old York was thinking, but there was no need to expose him.

Jon then looked toward the veteran soldiers nearby. Their training was starting to look fairly decent as well.

Many of them had once been hunters. In fact, despite their age, these old men possessed an attitude of, "If I die, so be it."

The only reason they feared death was because dying would mean taking a loss.

It was said that, in order to make the journey, every one of them had brought around thirty to fifty pounds of food from home.

As long as he ensured that the final reward was worth more than thirty to fifty pounds of food, they would be natural death squads—or rather, loyal men willing to die.

And he had a full six or seven hundred such men in his hands.

In addition to Jon's original five hundred or so men, these veterans and some soldiers who had lost their lords and joined Jon's ranks brought the number of men he could directly command to more than fifteen hundred.

Though nearly all of them were basically "limited-time trial cards," things were far better than when he had first left The Wall with not a single soldier under his command and had been forced to serve as Robb's hired hand.

And as long as he could maintain his winning streak and eventually obtain a decent fief, most of these men would continue following him.

The people of Westeros did not have the habit of refusing to leave their native lands.

Two days later, just as Jon further intensified the soldiers' training, scouts suddenly brought back news.

The Westerlands army had strengthened its guards and patrols!

Jon's heart skipped a beat.

"Could Eddard have already been executed?"

As the foster father of this body, Jon did not want Eddard to die.

But some matters lay beyond human control. If the realm truly descended into chaos, Jon had another plan.

A few days later, Roose Bolton convened another meeting.

At the meeting, neither the North lords nor Roose Bolton had Jon sit in some secluded corner again.

He was practically ushered into the center of the front row.

"Well done, Jon. I heard all about it. You gave Tywin a proper lesson and brought great honor to us Northmen," Meiqi Saiwen praised.

"Exactly! A bastard lecturing a duke—there's never been anything like it." Harrion spoke loudly, then immediately realized that sounded wrong. "Uh, Jon, that's not what I meant."

Jon waved a hand, indicating that it was fine.

Howland Reed, beside him, also smiled at Jon.

He truly liked this young man more and more.

And he increasingly hoped that Jon would never learn his true identity.

Just as everyone was chatting and laughing, Roose Bolton entered the tent.

The nobles fell silent at the right moment, though that was mainly out of consideration for Jon.

Roose Bolton acted as though he had not noticed. Rarely, he wore a smile as he spoke.

"My lords, I have good news to announce."

At that, everyone listened intently.

"Lord Robb has won a great victory at the Battle of the Whispering Wood. The Kingslayer, Jaime Lannister, is now locked in the dungeons of Riverrun!"

The moment Roose Bolton finished speaking, cheers erupted throughout the tent.

They were so loud it seemed as if they might overturn the tent itself.

"Robb, well done!"

"Truly Eddard's son!"

"The Kingslayer ought to fetch a great deal of money."

Everyone celebrated excitedly, discussing the news with animated faces.

Roose Bolton sat at the head of the gathering, waiting for them to exhaust their jubilant energy.

He looked down at Jon, only to find that the bastard did not seem particularly happy.

"Is it jealousy?"

Roose Bolton thought darkly.

As a noble experienced in warfare, he knew that Jon's ability to organize a counterattack when defeat had seemed certain was nearly miraculous.

In terms of difficulty, it should have been harder than Robb's surprise attack.

But the truth was that Robb's victory, having captured the Kingslayer Jaime, was far more dazzling.

Yet Jon was not as narrow-minded as Roose Bolton imagined.

He knew that Eddard had been executed around the time of the Battle of the Whispering Wood.

Combined with the unusual movements of the Westerlands army, he realized that Eddard had most likely already died.

That meant the battles ahead would be even more difficult and complicated.

At this point, the cheering gradually died down, and Roose Bolton spoke.

"Jon, word from Riverrun is that there are important matters to discuss. Robb hopes you can go there."

Robb must already know Eddard has been executed. His mind must be in turmoil, which is why he wants me there, Jon thought.

"Very well. I'll make preparations and set off." Jon then turned toward Meiqi Saiwen. "Count Severn, I'll have to trouble you to manage the army's logistics for me for now."

"Go without worry, Jon." Meiqi Saiwen patted Jon on the shoulder.

Roose Bolton had originally planned to take over the logistics and supply routes himself, but seeing how tightly Jon held onto his authority, he could only abandon the idea.

After the meeting ended, Jon did not delay. He immediately set off for the Twins with Tommen.

Traveling by ship from the Twins as a "transfer point" would allow them to reach Riverrun faster, and it would be safer as well.

Jon decided to travel day and night without rest.

Because he knew that Robb would soon be proclaimed "King in the North" by the North lords.

The title sounded impressive, but it brought many troubles.

Once he became king, an alliance with Renly, Stannis, or Highgarden would no longer be possible.

Putting on a crown meant becoming the enemy of the whole world!

The Twins.

Old Walder had also heard of Jon's dazzling performance on the battlefield.

At the same time, he had received news that Eddard Stark, the Hand of the King, had been executed.

He guessed that Jon probably did not know yet, and so he began entertaining certain thoughts.

Jon had proven his military talent through this battle.

He had already demonstrated his value.

If his previous proposal of a marriage alliance to Jon had been meant to put Robb in his place and test that "great man" of Winterfell,

then this time, he sincerely intended to make Jon his son-in-law or grandson-in-law.

"My lord marquis, Jon has arrived."

"Quick! Bring him in!"

Old Walder set down his wine cup and sat upright, speaking with some urgency, like a hunter spotting a rabbit about to step into his "trap."

No matter what, he had to secure this bastard this time!