There were two ways to consolidate the gains of victory: one violent, the other peaceful.
Gendry had already decided on conciliation and civilization for his soft approach. His hard approach would be to wipe out the Restorationists. After all, both digging canals and fighting White Walkers required manpower.
The best way to consolidate those gains was war. Only through war could the king's prestige and the unity of the realm rise to another level.
Flowers grew in the places of greatest suffering. Cold and famine would make it easier for Westeros to truly become one.
Chapter 460: The Human Alliance and Azor Ahai Reborn
In the year 300 AC, in the king's great tent near Casterly Rock.
Gendry looked at the highest-ranking lords. The young king resembled a black-haired giant of a god, unmatched in strength.
"This war of succession has lasted more than two years. Now, with the deaths of Euron Crow's Eye, Tywin, Cersei, and Tommen, it has drawn to a close at Oldtown and Casterly Rock. Perhaps some lords already hope to resume production and put away their weapons."
Three years was no short time. Aegon's Conquest had taken three years, not counting the prolonged war in Dorne afterward, while Robert's war had lasted two full years.
Wars in Westeros usually consisted of a series of battles of varying sizes, finally ending after one or two decisive engagements.
"But what I want to tell you is that a new war is emerging. This is not a war between men, but a war against the cold, the White Walkers, and the wights. It concerns everyone in the Seven Kingdoms.
"This is not something the lords of the North can bear alone. Every warrior must rise to weather this crisis together." Gendry continued to stress the coming war.
Although