[Chapter Size: 650 Words.]
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"I will speak with Robert tomorrow to discuss this. We can't waste our drained finances on this ridiculous tournament."
Ned felt somewhat helpless. The original purpose of the tournament was to help the king select exceptional knights from across the realm.
But for Robert, it had become a mere spectacle. The prize for winning the tournament alone amounted to 50,000 Gold Dragon.
Ned then dismissed the small council and sat alone in the hall, a sad expression on his face.
The news he received from Robert was that Jon Arryn should have lived at least five more years, but he had suddenly died from overwork.
Even a fool could tell that things were not peaceful in King's Landing. Robert strongly felt that the Lannisters and the behind-the-scenes manipulators were trying to destabilize the Seven Kingdoms.
…
Theon entered a side corridor not far from Joffrey's chambers.
Theon reclined on the bed and looked out at the sea through the window.
I must say, the Red Keep is a truly magnificent structure. Facing the sea, one can enjoy the sea breeze every day!
"Now we just wait for the chaos in King's Landing," Theon murmured, stroking his vibranium sword.
Each time the sword cut into his fingers, he felt pain, a reminder that this was no dream.
His immortal body meant he would not die, but his senses still existed, and even the enhancement of his five senses made him more sensitive to pain.
This troubled Theon, as he feared that, after becoming immune to death, he might gradually lose his senses, and eventually, his emotions.
Bum bum bum.
There was a knock at the door, and a guard entered. "Ser Theon, Joffrey requests your presence. Please follow me."
Theon sheathed his Longsword, Kraken, in its custom scabbard and gestured for the guards to lead the way.
Following the winding corridors, Theon finally arrived at his destination.
It was an open space with around thirty people standing in the center.
"Theon, select some people to form a team. I'll soon be sixteen, and my father has allowed me to have my own team," Joffrey's voice was filled with excitement.
Theon narrowed his eyes. It seemed that this was Robert's way of protecting his son. Robert clearly sensed that something was wrong with the atmosphere in King's Landing.
Unfortunately, Robert never imagined, until his death, that the storm of chaos began with his own "son."
"You pick ten people, and the Hound picks ten," Joffrey said.
After hearing Joffrey's words, Theon noticed the Hound standing not too far away.
Theon then randomly selected ten people. These individuals were unimportant and likely part of Robert's trusted elite forces, brought from the Stormlands.
The Hound, on the other hand, chose ten people randomly. He simply didn't care.
…
North.
Tyrion said firmly, "The mind, like a sword, needs to be constantly sharpened to grow wiser."
Hearing Tyrion's words, Jon casually nodded twice.
Tyrion noticed Jon's indifferent attitude but said nothing more.
People with excellent combat skills often ignore the importance of wisdom. For a dwarf, wisdom is especially important.
Then, everyone stood up and departed, finally reaching the base of the Wall.
Looking at the magnificent wall in front of them, nearly two hundred meters tall and six hundred kilometers long, Tyrion wondered for the first time whether such a structure was really just for defense against the wildlings.
Benjen turned and whispered to Jon and his companions, "Welcome to the Wall!"
"Maybe some monsters really do exist. Is such a structure really necessary to defend against the wildlings?" Tyrion murmured to himself.
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