Under the gaze of thousands of eyes.
One hundred Six-Pointed Star silver-robed figures walked out from the Royal Guard, extending their hands to press against Highgarden's City Walls and the ground.
Most people didn't understand why.
Margaery had a guess in her heart. She gently twisted her body and looked back at Joffrey, who was holding her. "Your Majesty, is this a demonstration of that magical power?"
"It's not just a demonstration." Joffrey leaned into her ear.
The girl carried a faint Rose fragrance, and another more unique, indescribably sweet scent, similar yet different from Hannah, Sansa, and Daenerys.
"You'll see if you keep watching."
The sunlight was bright, but the girl in front of him was cool to the touch, making him want to get closer.
He did exactly that.
With a bear hug, the petite Maiden was pulled into his embrace, as if being pressed beneath him.
The "Queen of Thorns" to the side and behind cast a sharp gaze. Joffrey couldn't help but urge his reins forward a few steps to avoid that strange discomfort.
The Sorcerers began to channel energy together.
Boom~~~
A low humming tremor came from underground, as if long-accumulated magma was about to erupt, as if thousands of Cavalry were charging towards them in unison.
People whispered, feeling deeply uneasy.
"Prepare to march!" the Royal Guard Commander "Ironhand" Jacelyn Bywater gave the command.
The Royal Guard waiting outside the City Gate quickly moved in units of ten-by-ten squares, finally forming a large rectangle with two squares side-by-side and seven squares in length.
Another hundred or so people guarded the supply wagons on the outermost edge and did not join the formation.
The onlookers soon realized something was wrong.
Twenty people in a row, that was much wider than the City Gate. How would they get through?
"Ironhand" seemed completely unaware, not changing the command or slowing the pace. He simply shouted squarely, "March~!"
Fourteen squares stepped out in unison.
Thump! Thump! Thump!
The audience was startled and immediately clicked their tongues in amazement.
When had they ever seen such a beautiful march? No one could remain indifferent upon seeing such a neat, unified, and spirited marching posture for the first time.
Noble ladies who didn't understand military matters watched for the spectacle, at least finding it pleasing to the eye.
Knights and Lords skilled in combat were even more shocked. They knew that if an army could maintain such strict discipline and formation during battle, whether for offense or defense, it would absolutely be invincible at the same level.
Could it be used in combat?
Looking at the expressions and Eyes of these Soldiers, no one thought this was just for show.
Some of these Lords had their own Elite Soldiers, kept by their side and rigorously trained, but neither in number nor ability were they comparable to the army before them.
Furthermore, the total number of this "Royal Guard" was not just this; was it as many as ten thousand?
Many people secretly sighed, thinking that even if the King's strength was only this much, it would probably be enough to defend the dignity of the Iron Throne and make the Seven Kingdoms submit.
Everyone's gaze followed the marching Royal Guard towards the Highgarden City Walls.
Closer and closer, closer and closer.
They were about to collide!
Many people already looked anxious, watching the frontmost squares continue without stopping, their speed undiminished, truly wanting to shout out to stop them.
Crack~~
After a crisp sound of stone breaking, there was silence.
Everyone's expressions were stunned.
Margaery covered her small mouth with a suppressed gasp, her large Eyes blinking rapidly, filled with surprise and curiosity.
Thump! Thump! Thump!
The two Royal Guard squares in the very front steadily passed through the City Walls that had voluntarily retreated, entering Highgarden.
The "Queen of Thorns" looked serious, unconsciously squeezing out deep wrinkles all over her face. She leaned on her cane, staring intently at the strange changes in Highgarden.
The opened City Gate inexplicably became much larger on its own. The two heavy wooden doors retreated to the sides along with the solid City Walls, making the gap in the middle wider and higher.
Seeing the reactions of the people around her, the "Queen of Thorns" realized she wasn't seeing things.
This was reality!
Lady Olenna Redwyne raised her head. The Gatehouse Tower above the City Gate had moved to one side of the City Wall, leaving the original position as an empty Open Space.
This section of the City Wall had completely become an Open Space.
How wide? Enough for dozens or hundreds of people to pour into Highgarden simultaneously. Hot Oil couldn't be poured that far, Trebuchets couldn't throw that close, and the power of arrows wasn't enough to eliminate all enemies.
How long? It extended directly from the Kingsroad outside Highgarden into Highgarden itself. A single charge could break the defense line.
And it's getting longer and longer...
Margaery shook Joffrey's arm, pouting sadly, "The garden's been torn down, the bare stairs aren't pretty at all."
The sorcerers were renovating the roads inward along the broken section of the city gate, and the hedge maze along the way had been turned into steps.
Joffrey smiled faintly, "It's nothing big. Once we've finished touring Highgarden, I'll have them restore it exactly as it was. Nothing will change."
Margaery just sighed at him, her emotions completely exposed.
Joffrey dotingly ruffled the girl's hair, pointing a finger at the sky, "Don't be sad, I have another surprise for you. Right now, look at the sky."
Margaery leaned against his shoulder, raising her eyes.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
A series of explosions came from behind, white shadows arcing into the sky.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Salutes exploded into brilliant red, gold, black, and emerald green fireworks over Highgarden, clearly visible even in the daylight.
Margaery murmured softly, "So beautiful."
Using cannons as a base, and adding pre-set light magic energy, it was effortless to create any pattern or design.
Joffrey was also immersed in the fireworks feast.
Boom!
This one was a fiery red multi-layered circle, inscribed with intricate and mysterious patterns and incantations.
Boom! Boom!
A dark black, strong stag gently sniffed a golden rose.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
A golden sword was plunged into a red shooting star, falling towards the green land.
Boom...
The sound echoed throughout the land, and the light illuminated the earth.
Everyone in Highgarden could fully enjoy this unprecedented visual feast.
However, people's moods varied.
Stomp! Stomp! Stomp!
Following the continuously extending steps, the Royal Guard advanced all the way until they reached the ancient tower in the very center of Highgarden before stopping.
The cannon fire finally ceased.
But the atmosphere of silent astonishment lingered for a long time.
Joffrey rode his horse to the side of the Queen of Thorns, "I really like your honor guard. I wonder if you are satisfied with the surprise I presented, Lady Olenna."
Olenna Redwyne sighed leisurely, "Satisfied, how could I not be satisfied with such a unique and moving sight."
"Your Majesty has gone to great lengths."
Joffrey tightened his embrace around the maiden in his arms, "For my lovely Queen, anything is worth it."
"Margaery," he rested his chin on the maiden's shoulder, "Say goodbye to Grandmother, and then show me around Highgarden properly."
Margaery winked at her grandmother, "Don't worry, we are both very safe."
Lady Olenna nodded with emotion.
Joffrey kicked his horse's belly, entering Highgarden along the steps, gradually disappearing into the depths of the garden
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