Cao… Prime Minister Shidong's Revenge!
They had arrived with only five men.
They returned with nearly four hundred.
The sudden expansion of their force fundamentally changed the nature of Karl Stone's journey. What had once been a swift, covert movement through the Vale now resembled a proper military march, complete with elite cavalry, supply wagons, banners, and strict formations.
In name, these men were loyal to Duke Robert Arryn.
In truth, the situation was far more complicated.
The Vale now had a Guardian of the Vale—a position that carried authority nearly equal to that of the ruling duke. More importantly, that Guardian had been officially recognized as an adoptive member of House Arryn and recorded into the family lineage itself.
That adoptive father was Karl Stone.
And Karl found this arrangement… extremely convenient.
The Slow March
Traveling along the Valley Road with a full army was nothing like riding swiftly with a small escort. The terrain was treacherous, the mountain passes narrow, and the weather unpredictable. Every decision had to account for hundreds of men rather than a handful.
Adding to this difficulty was Duke Robert Arryn himself.
The boy marched with the army—not by choice, but by necessity—and his poor health made the journey painfully slow. His face was pale, his body weak, and even riding in a carriage left him exhausted. As a result, the army advanced in short bursts, frequently stopping to rest.
Speed was no longer an option.
By the time they had left the Bloody Gate behind them, two full days had already passed, and the Valley Road showed no mercy.
Inside the Tent
Karl lifted the tent flap and stepped inside.
The air was warm and smelled faintly of herbs and wine. At the center of the tent lay Duke Robert Arryn, curled beneath a thick bearskin quilt. His small body looked almost swallowed by it.
When Robert saw Karl enter, he flinched instinctively.
His entire body trembled as he shrank deeper beneath the covers, pulling the quilt up to his chin. Only a pair of large, fearful eyes remained visible, watching Karl's every movement.
Karl was not surprised.
Despite his reputation for cruelty and petulance, Robert Arryn was not insane. He was simply spoiled, frightened, and sickly—a child raised in fear and indulgence, with no sense of security.
In Karl's opinion, that made him fixable.
Standing beside the bed was Ser Brynden Tully, the Blackfish. The aging knight straightened immediately upon seeing Karl and offered a respectful salute.
"My lord," Brynden said.
"I'm just here to see him," Karl replied, waving his hand casually. "No need for formalities."
Brynden relaxed slightly, though his posture remained guarded.
Over the past half month, the chaos at the Eyrie had reshaped the Vale completely. Compared to the insignificant bastard boy Karl had been upon arrival, his authority now carried immense weight.
Thanks to Lysa Arryn's actions—and her downfall—the Vale had been purged from top to bottom. Combined with the rapid spread of news, Karl Stone had become the most prominent figure in the region.
Some whispered that he resembled a certain ancient prime minister from the East.
A man without official troops of his own… yet feared by all.
Karl sat down beside the bed.
A Disturbing Revelation
"I came for you," Karl said calmly, "and this concerns Little Robert as well."
He placed the wine cup Brynden offered onto the table and reached out, brushing Robert Arryn's messy brown hair.
The boy stiffened but did not dare pull away.
Brynden's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean?"
"You're well aware of what happened during the investigation at the Eyrie," Karl said lightly.
As he spoke, Karl lifted the quilt and pulled Robert gently into his arms.
The contrast was striking.
Karl was tall, broad-shouldered, and powerful—holding the frail boy as easily as a bear cradling a rabbit.
With his free hand, Karl produced two small glass bottles.
One was round and apple-shaped, filled with liquid as red as blood.
The other was oval, egg-shaped, and held a golden fluid that gleamed like honey.
Brynden turned his head sharply, staring at the bottles.
"I paid no attention to those matters," he said cautiously. "And whatever you found has nothing to do with me."
Karl smiled faintly.
"I know. I trust you."
Brynden did not respond.
Robert Arryn stared helplessly toward Brynden, silently pleading for rescue.
Karl ignored it.
"This is precisely why I waited until we left the Eyrie," Karl continued. "Because this matter involves Robert himself."
Brynden frowned deeply.
Karl's tone sharpened.
"I suspect that Little Robert was poisoned while in King's Landing—just like his father, Jon Arryn."
The tent fell silent.
Brynden shot to his feet.
"What?! Do you realize what you're saying?"
Karl looked up, eyes cold. "Do you know what I discovered while investigating Lysa Arryn… and Jon Arryn's death?"
Brynden said nothing.
"Once this war ends," Karl continued, "I will report everything directly to the King. The truth about Jon Arryn's death will be dragged into the light."
The Blackfish's face darkened.
"If you're right," Brynden said slowly, "I will stand with you. But if this is a lie… I swear on my life."
Karl nodded.
Potions of Trust
He raised the bottles again.
"This is an antidote," Karl explained. "And this is an energy potion. Neither is poison, and neither is addictive."
Brynden's expression shifted.
"These formulas," Karl continued, "came from a wandering mage I met in the Free Cities. The antidote neutralizes most toxins. The energy potion restores vitality."
He met Brynden's gaze.
"I have no designs on the Vale. Jon Arryn raised me. I will repay his bloodline."
Karl uncorked both bottles and drank a mouthful from each.
Then he set them down.
"Grow strong," Karl said to Robert, ruffling his hair. "The Vale needs you."
With that, Karl turned and left.
Behind him, Brynden stared at the bottles for a long time before finally lifting them… and drinking.
Into the Mountains
At dawn, Prime Minister Stone mobilized two hundred soldiers.
They split into four detachments and vanished into the Bright Moon Mountains.
Karl knew he would find what he sought.
Within half a day, he located a High Mountain Clan settlement—roughly three hundred people strong.
Men. Women. Children.
Young warriors made up nearly half the population.
Karl studied them from the treetops.
Then he descended.
"Scatter them," he ordered calmly.
"Capture the warriors."
"Kill only those who resist."
His eyes were cold.
"End their resistance with blood."
The revenge of Prime Minister Shidong had begun.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)