The flames were still burning brightly, and Alester Floren's wails seemed to linger.
The King of Dragonstone, Stannis Baratheon, stared at Corleone with a cold glare, as if if there was any problem with the other person's answer, he would burn him alive just like Alester in the next second.
Under such gaze, Corleone's expression remained calm and composed.
He knew that Stannis was putting on a show, and was just waiting for an explanation that would convince him to accept the deal.
And Corleone is indeed ready.
He need not boast, for facts speak louder than words.
As Corleone said before, he prepared three gifts for Stannis when he came to Dragonstone this time.
The first one is to bring back the "traitors" Davos and Gendry, which reflects the respect of Corleone.
The second item, ten thousand kilograms of wheat, was enough to relieve urgent hunger, but not enough to make Stannis sit back and relax, demonstrating the strength of Corleone.
Now comes the third item, an offer that Stannis can't refuse.
Corleone didn't speak immediately.
He just lowered his head and slowly took out a thicker roll of parchment from his arms, and the guard presented it to Stannis.
"Please allow me to present a third gift, my lord."
Stannis unfolded the parchment.
There is no text on it, only a very finely drawn map - the map of South Westeros.
From King's Landing to the Dorne Marches, from the Shield Islands to Shipwreck Bay.
The area near Broken Ship Bay is heavily circled with dark red lines and marked with dense annotations.
When he saw the familiar castle, Stannis' breathing became visibly faster.
That's his home.
However, now, Duke Mace Tyrell leads tens of thousands of troops in Highgarden, surrounding it like an iron barrel.
"Storm's End." Stannis read the name, with a hint of anger and helplessness in his voice.
"Yes, Storm's End."
Corleone took over the conversation and took two steps forward. "Tyrell Duke and Matus Rowan Earl led an army of 40,000 to station at the city, and the fleet blocked Shipbreaker Bay."
"The acting city lord Gilbert Falin Ser you appointed is a qualified commander, but Storm's End's food reserves do not exceed three months. Therefore, if I were Mace Tyrell, it would only be a matter of time before I capture this castle."
Stannis knew all this information, but when Corleone recited it so calmly, it still hurt like being cut with a dull knife.
"So what's your third gift?"
Stannis's voice was filled with suppressed anger. "A map that tells me Home is falling?"
"You also asked me to use a large amount of Gold Dragon to buy grain to feed a castle that I am blocked from and cannot even transport a single ear of wheat in?"
"No."
Under Stannis' questioning, Corleone shook his head and said calmly, "The gift I mentioned... is the way to lift the siege of Storm's End!"
Dead silence.
As soon as these words came out, the whole hall fell into silence.
Even Assel Floren, who was looking at the flames burning with an enthusiastic expression, opened his eyes wide, with the word "ridiculous" written all over his face.
Everyone knows that under the siege of 40,000 troops in the River Bend, the situation facing Storm's End now is definitely more serious than when Stannis was besieged.
However, this guy claims to be able to directly resolve the siege of Storm's End Castle?
What a joke!
"Lift the siege?"
Such nonsense made Stannis couldn't help but sneer, and the corner of his mouth twitched. "Do you want to kill the 40,000 troops in the Reach alone with a single sword, or can you summon a sea monster to overturn the Redwyne family's fleet?"
"War does not have to happen only on the battlefield, my lord."
Faced with Stannis's doubts, Corleone's tone remained calm. "Why did Mace Tyrell besiege Storm's End?"
"Of course not to capture it. After all, Storm's End has very limited strategic value to Highgarden."
"He is carrying out the order of the King's Hand, restraining Baratheon's last strength, and at the same time... fighting for a Queen crown for his daughter Marga li."
This statement was not new. Stannis raised his eyebrows and did not comment on it, but he did not make any sarcasm, as if he wanted to see what fresh suggestions the guy in front of him could give regarding the siege of Storm's End.
"With all due respect, Sir, the Tyrell family is rich and powerful, but it seems to be a little bit short...
Luck."
As he spoke, Corleone raised his right thumb and index finger with a small distance between them, making a gesture that was not so friendly to men from a country that likes to eat kimchi.
"More than ten years ago, when your brother raised the flag of rebellion and the Targaryen rule was on the verge of collapse, the Tyrell family chose to serve the Mad King."
"At that time, Duke Mace Tyrell led most of the armies of the Reach and besieged Storm's End for nearly a year."
"Nearly a year of famine must have impressed you, my lord."
Hearing this, Stannis frowned slightly.
Of course he remembered that it was one of the darkest years he had ever experienced in his life.
Storm's End was besieged for a year by Mace Tyrell's ground forces, while Arbor's Paxter Redwyne's fleet blocked the castle from the sea.
Not even a grain of rice could be transported into the city, and people ate all the food. Then they started eating rats and everything edible in the city, and then...
The Onion Knight is here.
"Then the Mad King died by Jaime Lannister's sword and King's Landing was breached."
Corleone continued to talk, seeming to be very familiar with this period of history. "Duke Mace Tyrell surrendered to Lord Eddard Stark, thus saving his family, territory and most of his army."
"This is a smart decision."
Corleone pursed his lips and smiled, then continued, "At the beginning of this war, the clever Duke of Metz unswervingly supported your brother Renly, who claimed to be the king. The Duke of Metz even married his daughter Marga Li."
"Although they defected quite quickly after Renly's death and immediately moved closer to the Lannister, for the Duke of Mace...
He spread his hands and made a very helpless gesture. "He is once again standing under the wall of Storm's End Castle."
"History is a circle, my lord, and the Tyrell family always seems to be pushed by fate, back to the same starting point, facing the same castle, and fighting the same... siege for unknown reasons to them."
Hearing this, Stannis tapped his fingers slowly on the armrest of the chair.
"Fate?" he muttered carefully.
"Yes, the Tyrell family is always used to betting on the side that seems to be the strongest before the situation becomes clear."
Corleone smiled and talked, and his voice became more powerful. "But this time is different."
"Mace Tyrell is a good lord, but he is by no means a qualified commander. He does not have the courage to lead his crew to sail in thick fog."
"If, while he is working hard around Storm's End, consuming Highgarden's Gold Dragon to feed an army of forty thousand, his daughter Queen's position suddenly becomes less stable, what do you think he will do?"
As soon as these words came out, Stannis' breathing suddenly became rapid.
Everything Corleone said is so clear-cut and very maneuverable. If it can really be done, then Mace Tyrell will most likely choose to lead his army back to King's Landing as soon as possible!
After all, he was dragged to the Riverlands by Storm's End Castle, which led to the subsequent defeat in the war. The Tyrell family gained nothing.
With Metz Tyrell's indecisive and foresighted personality, he will never allow this to happen again - this is an inevitable choice based on human weakness and political actuarial calculations.
As long as the operation is done well, the siege of Storm's End Castle will be resolved soon. At least he will not be trapped on this isolated island by then, and can return to his clan and choose Xu Tuzhi!
This is definitely an offer Stannis can't refuse!
Joy gradually overcame doubt, but just when he leaned forward slightly, he was about to inquire in depth about the specific details.
"No!!!"
A shrill scream burst out from Melisandre's throat, attracting everyone's attention.
Stannis frowned and looked around, and saw the blazing fire reflected in her red eyes, staring in the courtyard in the direction of Alester Florent, who had been sacrificed by the flames earlier.
The flame was very strong, poured with fish oil, and crackled, and the rising black smoke twisted in the sea breeze of Dragonstone.
"Ms...
"Lady Melisandre...
Stannis couldn't help but drink in a low voice, but Melisandre's eyes had no focus at this time and were extremely distracted. They just reflected and danced the flames that burned Alester to death.
At the heart of the pulsating flame, something else seemed to begin to emerge.
In the vast white snow, on the pale plain paved with frost and bones, the banner of the crowned stag buzzed in the cold wind.
A figure stood on the top of a mountain piled with corpses, the sword held high was burning with flames, and the cry of victory seemed to tear apart eternal winter.
This is a prophetic scene.
It is mankind's great victory against the long night!
However, at this moment, a black horse seemed to leap out from the shadow itself, its hooves trampling on the ice and bones.
The knight on horseback, his armor covered with frost and snow, his face was very blurry in the snowstorm and could not be seen clearly. The Longsword in his hand reflected the last dim light of the winner's sword.
The sword light flashed and a head flew away from the shoulder.
The flag of the crowned stag slowly fell over and was submerged in the dirty slush.
The knight reined in his horse and turned around.
The broken cloak behind him raised a corner, and the lacquered Black Hand palm emblem with its five open fingers whizzed away in the ice and snow!
Boom!!!
The illusion disappears.
The flames suddenly shot up, then dimmed suddenly, leaving only the charred remains of Alester and the choking smoke.
But the final scene, the splashing blood, the fallen flag, and the seal of Black Hand, seemed to have been nailed into Melisandre's soul.
She stood there, motionless.
The sea breeze blew her red hair and the corners of her robe, but she couldn't feel it.
The prophecy of the Lord of Light... Stannis won, and then was immediately killed?
If Stannis is really the reincarnation of Azor Ahai, he is destined to lead mankind against the Long Night,
The legendary hero who achieved final victory...
How could he be beheaded at the moment of victory?
No.
She immediately put an end to the idea.
The Lord of Light's revelations are unmistakable, fire cannot lie, Stannis must be Azor Ahai!
So, where is the problem?
Her dilated pupils shrank and she looked at the man in the center of the hall - Vito·Corleone.
No, to be precise, he looked at his chest.
That's the badge!
Hands in the Dark!
The flame did not give a clear face, only a emblem.
But the time, place, people, everything is too coincidental.
Is this man's appearance on Dragonstone at this moment, with seemingly tempting help, precisely to lead Stannis to the path of "victory is death"?
"Lady... Lady Melisandre!"
At this moment, Stannis's call finally woke her up.
"Uh...Your Majesty."
Melisandre quickly bowed and restored her mysterious and majestic demeanor.
But her gaffe just now was seen by everyone.
"What happened to Fa Sheng?"
Stannis looked at her and frowned slightly. "You seem to have never been like that just now. What did you see?"
O
Hearing this, Melisandre did not answer immediately.
She couldn't tell Stannis all about the vision, she couldn't tell him, "Hey! Your Majesty, good news!
The flames show that you will achieve a great victory and then be beheaded by this guy immediately!"
What would this make Stannis think?
He will question all of her prophecies and the authenticity of his own divine mission.
The already fragile pillar of faith on Dragonstone will collapse in an instant.
Nor could she say, "Sorry, I may have made a mistake. You may not be Azor Ahai."
So, she must take action.
With the authority of the red-robed priestess, in the name of eliminating potential threats, before everything becomes irreversible.
Having made up her mind, Melisandre did not look at Corleone, but looked directly at Stannis, and said in a tone that stated the facts, "The flames of the Lord of Light gave me new warnings in the embers that purified the traitors."
"Oh?" Stannis leaned forward slightly.
Regarding the revelation of fire, he has always had a complicated attitude, somewhere between dependence and doubt.
"The flame shows...
Under everyone's gaze, Melisandre pointed her finger at Corleone: "There is a fundamental conflict between the man in front of him and his path, and the holy path paved by the Lord of Light for Your Majesty."
"The so-called help he brings" is full of worldly calculations and shadowy tricks, which will tarnish the purity of the mission and lead Your Majesty astray!"
She spoke very vaguely and did not mention ice fields, beheadings, or Black Hand Badge.
It is just characterized as "road conflict" and "tarnishing the mission".
Corleone frowned slightly when faced with this accusation that came out of nowhere.
Damn it, did I mess with you?
Melisandre's groundless accusation made Stannis a little doubtful, and asked him, "Are you telling the truth?"
"Ser Corleone provides a solution to the dilemma at Storm's End. We can consider it in detail and see if it is too early to draw a conclusion."
"No, Your Majesty."
Melisandre's voice suddenly became firm, even with a hint of irresistibility. "Some contamination started from the first contact."
"The warning of the flame is clear and urgent. This person is a huge variable and a stain on the sacred road."
After saying that, she no longer looked at Stannis, but directly ordered Assel Florent: "Assel Ser."
"You serve the King of Light, and you long for a pure world. Now, the King of Light tells you through my voice to clear this variable."
"Use your sword to fulfill your oath to the only true God in the world!"
Her order is direct and straightforward. For a fanatical believer like Assel, this is the highest order.
Hearing this, Assel did not hesitate at all, and did not even ask Stannis for his opinion.
Rub!!!
Longsword unsheathed it neatly, and struck Corleone with the cold blade. Axell's low roar spread throughout the hall.
"For the Lord of Light!"