(Male protagonist's perspective)
"Do you have any other solutions? Or is this just wishful thinking?"
Robert harbored a deep grudge against my past actions, which seemed to fuel his penchant for mockery and ridicule. His ability to seize any opportunity to ridicule me was the best proof of this.
"Yes, Your Majesty, I have an idea." I boldly propose my suggestion. "Let us divide the Iron Islands Iron Islands electing a new lord, or by creating a new title of equal standing."
Lord Royce and Tully shook their heads slightly. Royce offered his reservations. "Your Majesty, we cannot deprive someone of their birthright; it's the same as killing Balon. Since the conquest, the House Greyjoy has been the lords of the Iron Islands, and this would destabilize the Iron Islands."
It seems Royce's adherence to the principle of honor reflects his inherent sense of honor. Nevertheless, for practical reasons, I have persisted. "Lord Royce, here's the point. If you can't keep up with the discussion, you can listen. No one will object."
Royce's anger and embarrassment were undeniable, but I pressed on resolutely. "As I said, you could depose Greyjoy, or better yet, establish a new title equivalent to the Lord of the Iron Islands. Then we could divide the Iron Islands in two and create infighting between them. When they're fighting amongst themselves, they won't be able to fight us or raid us."
Seeing my meticulous preparations, Robert asked with some curiosity.
"Since you've planned so meticulously, you must have a family in mind. Which family in the Iron Islands dreams of rivaling Greyjoy?"
In response, I proposed the criteria for an ideal candidate.
"A new leading family needs to meet two conditions: First, is there any family with enough ambition to stand up against the House Greyjoy and vie for power? Four families meet this condition, but realistically, only two of them are strong enough to challenge the Greyjoy. The second condition is that they must oppose the old ways. This leaves only the House Harlaw. My point is that if half the people of the Iron Islands can maintain or strengthen their own power, they won't care about old customs."
I slowly approached the map of the Iron Islands, using it as a visual aid to my strategic division of labor plan. Tully expressed his concern about the potential consequences. "This will make a mess of the Iron Islands."
I reiterated the intention behind my proposal and clarified its purpose. "To reiterate, this plan aims to create instability in the region. Even if Harlaw or Greyjoy manage to consolidate their power and hold all the islands in the years to come, it will lead to infighting among the Iron Islands. They will need more time to prepare for rebellion. Once this plan is implemented, the Wet Rats will kill each other, not our innocent people."
Robert's gaze shifted to Eddard, silently seeking his opinion, while Tywin listened attentively, remaining silent. Ned offered his perspective. "I can't say I like this plan, but I wouldn't mind giving Bear Island and the coastal towns a few years of peace."
My prediction of the future consequences of this plan is clear. "If the House Harlaw wins these power struggles, the raiding culture on the Iron Islands will gradually decline, but if the Greyjoy win, I predict they will rebel at the first sign of weakness on the Iron Throne. It may take ten or twenty years, but they will definitely rebel."
Following the meeting, Robert's proclamation appointed Rodrik Harlaw as Supreme Ruler of the Seas and Rivers, effectively giving him control of half the Iron Islands due to the betrayal of House Greyjoy. The Iron Islands families reacted differently; while many disagreed, House Harlaw's staunch supporters saw it as a promotion and a way to unite around their new leader. The plan's success exceeded my expectations.
It is worth noting that during the celebrations for Rodrik Harlaw's new title, another incident occurred. Harlon Stonetree, Stonetree's son, participated in a deadly confrontation and killed Botley's son Balon Botley. The trigger was Balon marking Lord Harlaw as a usurper.
With these events concluded, the army began its retreat homeward with its spoils. However, Robert's intentions extended far beyond simply returning us home immediately. He announced a grand tournament to be held in Lannisport, planning to spend a large portion of the spoils—two hundred thousand gold dragons.
The upcoming martial arts tournament comprises three main events: martial arts, close combat, and archery. Winners will receive generous rewards. First place will receive 35,000 gold dragons, second place 10,000 gold dragons, and third place 2,000 gold dragons. Similarly, in the close combat event, first place will receive 30,000 gold dragons, second place 7,000 gold dragons, and third place 2,000 gold dragons. In the archery event, first place will receive 15,000 gold dragons, second place 5,000 gold dragons, and third place 2,000 gold dragons. The total reward amount exceeds 100,000 gold dragons, with the remaining funds used for celebrations.
My enthusiasm for this competition is beyond words; Robert's generous promise will bring considerable wealth to the most skilled participants. With unwavering confidence, I am certain victory in the archery competition is within reach, and I also hold optimistic expectations for the jousting. However, the close-quarters combat will also be a challenge, especially if respected figures like Jaime or Ser Selmy participate. In any case, the prospect of competing against these revered knights excites me greatly.
As preparations progressed, knights of all kinds set up the stage for the upcoming tournament. The final touches were completed in just four days, and the arena was ready outside Lannisport. My tournament journey would begin in the first round, against Lord Royce. Although I hoped to ride my powerful companion, Sith, I anticipated the organizers wouldn't allow it. However, this didn't deter me from trying. Sith's qualities were extraordinary, far surpassing those of ordinary horses.
Sith's average speed reaches an astonishing 35, surpassing the average horse's 30. With a burst of magical energy, her speed reaches an astonishing 85, but it's important to note that this is running speed, not attack speed. Furthermore, her immense strength sets her apart; compared to a horse's 20-25 strength, her strength reaches an astonishing 40. Her strength is so great that she can easily overwhelm a fully armed opponent, or decapitate someone with a single swing of her giant claws.
Tomorrow, the competition will begin, and people are filled with anticipation. Amidst cheers, Lord Frey, known for his cunning, appears. He bows before the king, seeking forgiveness for his delay. For his deliberate procrastination, Robert bestows upon him the title " Lord Frey the Late." This nickname, a mix of jest and reproach, highlights Lord Frey's shrewdness; his aim is to minimize his own losses, while the other Riverlands lords bear the brunt of Tully's lack of leadership.