Marco looked at the Three-Eyed Raven, who seemed a little dejected. He seemed to guess what the Raven was thinking, and smiled as he said, "This is the power of magic. If you had developed your own bloodline power back then, you might not have ended up like this. But I have an idea!"
After that, Marco explained to the Three-Eyed Raven that he had discovered the water in Griffin's Roost seemed to have the ability to guide the power of a person's bloodline.
Because, originally, there were only about 20 Wargs on Skagos Island, but recently, some children and hunters in the castle seemed to be showing signs of awakening.
Marco suggested to the Three-Eyed Raven that when spring arrived, he would lead a force to The North to find him and bring him back to Griffin's Roost.
The Three-Eyed Raven was initially somewhat looking forward to it, but after thinking about the condition of his body, he shook his head in refusal.
He told Marco that his body was already 120 years old. If the Children of the Forest hadn't been using magic to maintain his body, he would have perished long ago.
This was also why the Children of the Forest called him the "Last Green Seer," because if he couldn't find a suitable successor, he would disappear completely along with his body.
He really wanted to see the magic of Griffin's Roost for himself, but there probably wasn't time. He had to find an heir on Westeros.
The Three-Eyed Raven told Marco that he had originally been eyeing the Stark family's four-year-old prince, Bran Stark. He had the best "Warg" talent in all of The North. At such a young age, he could already have "Wolf Dreams" and control the cats and dogs in the castle within those dreams.
But hearing Marco say this, he had other ideas. Although Bran was talented, he didn't have much time left to educate him. It was very likely that he wouldn't be able to teach him much before everyone was wiped out by the White Walkers.
Hearing that Bran was only four years old, Marco finally had a general concept of time. He had been worried that he wouldn't be able to join the plot, but he didn't expect the system to favor him so much. Marco estimated that the current time should be 295 years of Aegon's Conquest on Westeros.
In his previous life's memory, the "Walnut Prince," Rickon Stark, seemed to have just been born this year. Three years later, King Robert Baratheon would come to ask Eddard Stark to go to King's Landing as the Hand of the King.
The thought that he had three years to plan made Marco's heart race. He craved glory and wanted to make a name for himself on Westeros.
As a nobody in his previous life, he now had a perfect starting point. The undying passion in his heart made Marco hope to be noticed and admired.
In the following time, Marco explained his needs to the Three-Eyed Raven. Since the White Walkers had risen, the Children of the Forest were in danger.
So Marco hoped the Three-Eyed Raven could bring the Children of the Forest, who lived with him, to Skagos Island, in order to accumulate more power to fight the White Walkers in the future.
Marco also had a vague feeling that these magical creatures from the world of Game of Thrones would be of great help to him.
Like Silver Flash the Unicorn, after he subdued it, he then subdued all the Rockborn on Skagos Island.
And Marco was also guessing that these Children of the Forest should have the same natural attributes as the Elves, because from the legends on Westeros, it could be seen that this race's magic had always been closely related to the forest, especially the Weirwood.
Marco wanted to protect all the Children of the Forest and make them his forest shepherds, turning the entire Skagos Island into a green island. The People of the Flowers all knew that green mountains produced green waters.
Therefore, after Marco unified Driftwood Hall and Abyssal Fortress, he had been teaching them to develop in a healthy way. If they didn't protect the vegetation here, Skagos Island would become a barren island in the future.
Now, the entire area north of Abyssal Fortress had been designated a protected area, and all Rockborn were not allowed to enter to cut down trees or hunt.
The area south of Abyssal Fortress was also implementing a policy of rest and recuperation: Driftwood Hall would log and hunt for one year, and then stop everything, switching to King's Hall for another year.
Marco talked with the Three-Eyed Raven for a long time. There didn't seem to be a concept of time within that space. After a while, the Three-Eyed Raven couldn't hold on any longer.
After enduring for another hour, it indicated that its mental energy was severely depleted. Without even a farewell, it dissipated into a cloud of black ash and vanished.
At that very moment, Marco opened his eyes and awoke. He climbed out of the foul-smelling hide blanket. Although he'd been in this world for almost a month, the scent of the low-quality fur blankets and fur coats still made it hard for him to adjust. It made him nauseous, and he wanted to vomit. At times like these, he missed the modern facilities and necessities of his world.
"If I can't adapt to this world, then I'll change it! Make it adapt to me!"
Marco muttered to himself, as if he were both admonishing himself and making a declaration.
Just as he was about to lie back down for a bit, the system panel in front of him suddenly popped up again!
"Ding! Congratulations to the host for gaining the trust of the Apostle of the Old Gods. The host is further accepted by the world's consciousness. Awarding one 'Blessing of the Sylvana Ancient Tree' (free upgrade once)!"
"Ding! The hero has leveled up. Please select the corresponding ability:
1. Speed Energy: The hero automatically masters the group "Rapid Response" magic. When the player masters advanced Light magic, this becomes an advanced magic effect.
2. Retribution: Increases the combat effectiveness of the troops; when morale is 1, combat effectiveness is increased by 5%, up to 20%.
3. Beginner Destruction Magic: Allows the hero to learn 3rd-tier Destruction Magic and increases its power.
4. Financial Management: Provides the castle with 250 gold per month. (Note: Can be added to the hero's special ability, increasing the effect of King's Demeanor to 500.)"
Upon seeing the last option, Marco's heart clenched. He had initially intended to choose the "Retribution" skill, but then he thought of his "meager" resource list. He pinched himself and abandoned his other ideas, choosing the "Financial Management" skill instead.
Who would have thought that a skill he never even glanced at when playing the game would now become his most important one?
However, the end of the month was only a few days away. Adding in the final mission rewards, Marco was hoping to build the Griffin's Roost after finishing the barracks.
Before dragons appeared, Griffins firmly controlled the airspace over Westeros. Even though there was only one a month, with Griffin's Roost, there would be more and more. Marco had plenty of time.
A few days later, at Griffin's Roost.
Today was a big day. Because winter had arrived, the Rockborn on Skagos Island had basically gathered here. Since Griffin's Roost hadn't been expanded yet, living space was limited, so Marco chose to have everyone rotate their living arrangements.
Except for children and the elderly, all adults over 16 had to live outside for half a season. The temperature near the moat, affected by the magic of Griffin's Roost, remained around 0 degrees Celsius.
The Rockborn on Skagos Island were themselves quite cold-resistant, so they built many tents in this area. After putting in warm straw and furs, they could sleep soundly.
They didn't have to worry about freezing to death in their sleep like before, which made some Rockborn extremely grateful to Marco.
The roughly made black bread had also become a gift from the lord in their eyes. After all, in the past, many Rockborn couldn't even eat tree bark, so cannibalism had always been prevalent in their groups.
Of course, there were still some fellows who disobeyed orders, still doing as they pleased, eating people, robbing people, raping, and killing.
This small tribe called the Man-Eaters had over 100 warriors. They were usually the bullies of the island. Now, led by their chieftain, they dared to challenge Marco to a duel, vying for ownership of Griffin's Roost.
Their fate was to be used by Marco to test his magic. This time, he summoned an Earth Elemental. This rock giant, over three meters tall, was made of irregular blocks of stone. Its two stone arms, resembling arms, were covered in sharp obsidian barbs.
With a single punch, it instantly turned several of the Rockborn, who were frozen in terror, into a bloody pulp. Those who were merely grazed by the barbs fared even worse.
They didn't have a single part of their bodies that wasn't injured, and could only wail in agony on the ground. Their heart-wrenching screams terrified the rest of them, freezing them in place!
Witnessing this incredible spectacle for the first time, those who were just starting to get restless completely extinguished any lingering thoughts of rebellion.
Then, the Earth Elemental smashed the terrified warriors one by one into a bloody mess. The Man-Eaters, a tribe of over 100 people, who were still lively just ten minutes ago, had now become a pile of minced flesh.
This display of power made everyone remember this day, and also remember Marco, the mysterious and terrifying lord!
Marco, however, didn't think it was enough. He looked at the Rockborn around him, who were filled with fear and awe, and shouted loudly:
"I declare that from today onward, the first day of winter will be known as 'Winter's Day.' You must remember this day, for from this day forward, you will no longer suffer from hunger or cold.
And I, your lord! Your protector, will elevate your race to become a noble people, no longer subject to being sold or slaughtered! Do you understand?"
Everyone looked at Marco in silence, but Marco saw hope and gratitude in many eyes, even though some still only spoke the old tongue!
"The Saint!" "The Saint!"
After a chorus of cheers, everyone knelt on the ground. Marco felt incredibly proud at that moment. He never would have imagined that he, once so insignificant, would have such a day!
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