The crackling sound of burning firewood echoed softly through the hall.
Lord Selwyn Tarth sat by the hearth, his gaze fixed on his son, who was stretching his hands toward the flames to warm them.
"Garon," Selwyn asked slowly, his eyes reflecting the firelight, "why did you jump into the sea and enter that cave without hesitation?"
Garon paused.
"Was it old Fek's son who guided you there?"
The question was careful, but there was suspicion beneath it.
Garon immediately understood his father's concern.
"No, Father," he said, shaking his head. "Old Fek's son didn't do anything wrong. Please don't make things difficult for him."
Lord Selwyn frowned slightly.
Garon's inherited memories were clear. Old Fek's son had tried to stop him. It had been the original Garon who used his status as a noble to force the boy to lead the way, ignoring all warnings before diving into the sea.
That truth could not be spoken.
"Then why were you so certain the holy sword was in that cave?" Lord Selwyn asked.
Garon thought for a moment before replying.
"Because I heard a call while standing on the shore."
He chose his words carefully.
In truth, the original Garon had simply been reckless and fearless. Saying that aloud would only earn him a harsh scolding.
"The call of the holy sword?" Lord Selwyn's eyes widened, his breathing growing heavy.
"Yes," Garon nodded.
Now that he held the Maiden of Justice, whether such a call truly existed no longer mattered. This explanation would also make it easier to justify his sudden changes in temperament and maturity in the future.
After all, being chosen by the legendary Morning Light Garon and recognized by the holy sword made such changes seem natural.
Lord Selwyn did not doubt him for a moment.
Instead, the idea rapidly grew in his mind.
Could it be that my son truly bears a divine mission, favored by the Seven themselves?
The thought filled him with joy, but also hesitation.
He was glad that House Tarth might finally rise again through Garon.
Yet he also wondered whether he, as a father, was truly capable of guiding a child burdened with such expectations.
Garon had no idea that his casual explanation had placed such weight upon his father's heart.
He was too busy teasing Brienne, who was curled up against him.
At four years old, Brienne was already strong and warm, but there was no sign yet of the towering warrior she would one day become.
Her eyes, however, were exactly as described in the books Garon remembered from his previous life—clear, bright, and blue as sapphires.
And, of course, the freckles scattered across her cheeks.
Garon liked this sister very much.
Brienne was cute.
In truth, Brienne was only ever called ugly because of her height, her powerful build, and her crooked teeth as an adult. A woman with clear features, fair skin, and beautiful eyes was never truly ugly.
At this age, Brienne had not yet developed abnormally, and her teeth were still straight. She looked lively and lovable.
Garon silently decided that he would teach Brienne how to care for her skin, guide her training properly, and help her maintain both strength and balance. If done well, no one would ever dare call her ugly in the future.
Lord Selwyn fell silent again, lost in thought.
Brienne, exhausted from the day's events, soon fell asleep in her brother's arms, soothed by the warmth of the fire.
Garon finally took the chance to examine his panel again.
Name: Garon Tarth
Title: None
Strength: 3.12
Agility: 4.01
Spirit: 12.8
Magic: 0
Skills: Swordsmanship: 3% Archery: 7% Horsemanship: 4% Common Tongue: 27%
Swimming: 29%
Legendary Bloodlines: Duskstar Bloodline: 3% Targaryen Bloodline: 0% Storm King Bloodline: 1%
Legendary Weapon: Maiden of Justice
Quality: Maximum
Judgment Points: 0
Garon studied the numbers carefully.
If his strength and agility were just above three and four, then an average adult man was likely around ten.
As for his spirit being 12.8, that was probably the result of his transmigrated soul and the fusion of memories. The number made sense.
His skills also matched his upbringing. He had trained in swordsmanship, archery, and riding since the age of six, and learned the Common Tongue under Maester Aemon.
The percentages likely represented mastery, with one hundred percent being the limit of ordinary human potential.
What truly surprised him was the bloodline section.
Three legendary bloodlines.
The Duskstar bloodline.The Targaryen bloodline.The Storm King bloodline.
Among them, the Targaryen bloodline immediately drew his attention.
If he could develop it far enough, would he awaken the ability to ride dragons and resist fire?
The possibility was extremely high.
The Duskstar bloodline clearly came from House Tarth itself, a lineage that could be traced back to the Dawn Age. Perhaps Brienne's future strength was connected to this bloodline as well.
As for the Storm King bloodline, it originated in the Age of Heroes.
Before the Targaryens arrived, the Stormlands had been ruled by the Storm Kings of House Durrandon, whose seat was Storm's End.
After Aegon's conquest, the last Storm King was slain, and his daughter was wed to Orys Baratheon. From then on, House Baratheon inherited the Storm King's banner, words, and blood.
The most obvious trait of this bloodline was thick, dark hair, passed down through the Baratheon line.
Garon's possession of this bloodline was simple to explain.
Marriage.
House Tarth had intermarried with the Storm Kings and later with the Baratheons many times over the centuries. The blood had never fully disappeared.
But the Targaryen bloodline puzzled him at first.
Then he remembered.
When House Baratheon first rose to rule the Stormlands, their earliest marriage alliance had been with House Tarth, whose island guarded the strait near Storm's End.
House Baratheon carried Targaryen blood.
Through marriage, so did House Tarth.
For most Tarths, this trace was insignificant.
But for Garon, it was an unexpected treasure.
Because this bloodline could be developed.
And unlike others, he had a system to do exactly that.