"But just because something has existed for thousands of years… does that make it right?"
Karl's voice was calm, yet firm. His words did not carry arrogance, but neither did they yield.
"The adults, the dragons… even they have vanished into history. Nothing in this world is immutable. If something no longer fits the present, then it should be changed."
The chamber fell into a brief silence.
Eddard Stark looked at Karl steadily. As a man shaped by the North—a land of ice, honor, and rigid tradition—his instincts leaned toward preservation rather than change.
Karl had expected that.
Men like Eddard were dependable, unyielding… but also difficult to persuade.
However, another reaction in the room caught Karl's attention.
Varys, the bald eunuch known as the Master of Whisperers, showed a subtle flicker of interest when Karl mentioned "profit."
"Perhaps," Varys said softly, stepping forward with a gentle smile, "we might hear Sir Karl's thoughts in full, Lord Edd."
His tone was smooth, conciliatory.
Eddard hesitated briefly, then nodded.
Yet it was clear—he was not convinced.
"Tournaments," Eddard said firmly, "have always been costly affairs. No matter where they are held."
His gaze sharpened.
"Mind your words, Varys. This is not a business."
"This is where knights earn honor—like on the battlefield."
His voice carried the weight of conviction.
To him, this was sacred.
Not commerce.
Not profit.
But honor.
Varys simply inclined his head, his smile unchanged. He did not argue further—but his eyes shifted toward Karl, clearly intrigued.
Karl, however, did something unexpected.
He turned his gaze to another man.
Barristan Selmy.
"If it were you, Ser Barristan… how would you see this matter?"
The question caught the Kingsguard captain off guard.
Barristan Selmy, a knight whose reputation echoed across the Seven Kingdoms, was not a man accustomed to being asked for political opinions. He was a sword—honorable, steadfast, and silent.
For a moment, he said nothing.
Then he stroked his beard thoughtfully.
His eyes flicked between Eddard and Varys… before returning to Karl.
"The Prime Minister is correct," Barristan said at last.
"Tournaments are another battlefield for knights. Victory here brings honor, just as war does."
His tone was steady.
"This is not a business. If it were… it would defile the very purpose of such events."
He paused slightly.
"Unless… you mean something manipulated. Something controlled."
Karl smiled faintly.
The answer was exactly what he had expected.
Two against one.
Tradition stood firm.
But Karl did not argue immediately.
Instead, he nodded… then shook his head slightly.
"I see," he said.
"And I believe… you misunderstand me."
The room grew quiet again.
Karl leaned back slightly, his expression relaxed.
"The 'business' I speak of has nothing to do with dishonor. Nothing to do with manipulating outcomes, or buying victories, or corrupting knights."
"In fact—"
He spread his hands.
"My goal is the opposite."
"To elevate them."
Eddard's expression eased slightly.
Barristan watched more closely now.
Even Varys leaned forward just a fraction.
Karl continued.
"A knight who wins in my proposed system… will gain far greater renown than any champion before him."
Eddard exhaled slowly.
"Then explain it," he said. "As long as honor is not insulted… we can discuss it."
Barristan nodded in agreement.
Karl cleared his throat.
"My idea is simple."
"I want the common people… to participate."
That single sentence stunned the room.
"Commoners?" Eddard repeated, his brow furrowing.
"You intend to take coins from their pockets?"
His voice carried concern.
"You must understand—every coin they own is their survival. Their food. Their life."
Karl shook his head immediately.
"No. That is not my intention."
Eddard's eyes narrowed.
"Then what? Gambling?"
His tone hardened again.
"You want them to bet on outcomes? To risk their livelihood on games?"
"If that is your plan… abandon it."
Karl let out a small laugh.
"You misunderstand again, Lord Edd."
"Yes, I want commoners involved."
"But not like that."
He leaned forward slightly.
"This is not about taking their money."
"Even if it were—how much could they possibly contribute?"
The question hung in the air.
Karl continued, his voice gaining momentum.
"What I propose… is a new model."
The three men exchanged glances.
None of them fully understood yet.
Karl didn't wait.
"I want tournaments to become… regular events."
"Not occasional celebrations."
"But scheduled."
"Once every year. Every two years. Even every four years."
Varys's eyes flickered.
Eddard frowned.
Barristan remained silent.
Karl pressed on.
"And more importantly… we expand the events."
"Right now, tournaments are limited. Knights fight. A victor is decided."
"But what if—"
He raised a finger.
"We create events where commoners can participate?"
Barristan frowned.
"Such contests would be dangerous. Commoners would be slaughtered."
Karl shook his head.
"Only if we keep the same rules."
"What if we change them?"
Now, all three were listening carefully.
"For example," Karl said, "we could hold a race."
"Set a distance. Let them run."
"The fastest wins."
He didn't stop.
"We can have swimming contests."
"Climbing contests."
"Jumping contests."
"Throwing contests."
"Strength contests."
"Endurance contests."
Each word struck like a stone in still water.
Ripples spread.
Eddard blinked.
Barristan looked genuinely surprised.
Even Varys seemed… intrigued.
"…The cost?" Eddard asked slowly.
Karl smiled.
"Why must we spend money?"
Eddard frowned deeper.
"Then where does the money come from?"
Karl leaned back.
"If we announce such an event…"
"What do you think will happen?"
Varys answered almost immediately.
"People will come."
"Everyone will want to try."
Karl nodded.
"Exactly."
"Now imagine… if participation requires a small entry fee."
"Two copper coins."
Silence.
Then—
Understanding began to dawn.
But Varys frowned slightly.
"It would still not be enough," he said.
"To cover costs, the fee must rise. And if it rises… participation drops."
Karl grinned.
"Correct."
"This alone is a losing business."
The others looked confused again.
Karl's smile widened.
"But what if we have fifty events?"
"A hundred?"
"What if the festival lasts… months?"
The scale began to shift in their minds.
Karl's voice grew stronger.
"A large base creates enormous returns."
"And that's not all."
"We establish an official platform."
"For betting."
Eddard stiffened—but Karl raised a hand.
"Regulated. Controlled."
"Fair."
"Not chaos."
He continued before objections could form.
"And merchants…"
"We allow them to sponsor events."
"Name them."
"Promote themselves."
"Even associate their names with champions."
Now—
Even Varys's eyes lit up.
"And in every transaction…"
Karl tapped the table lightly.
"We take a share."
Silence fell again.
Heavy.
Realization filled the room.
"This…" Eddard whispered.
"…what is this?"
Karl smiled calmly.
"A system where everyone benefits."
"Knights gain honor."
"Commoners gain opportunity."
"Merchants gain profit."
"And the crown—"
He paused.
"…gains control."
Varys leaned back slowly.
Barristan remained silent, deep in thought.
Eddard stared at Karl.
Still conflicted.
Still uncertain.
But no longer dismissive.
Karl's voice softened.
"And the most important part…"
"We don't even need to profit."
"We can even lose money."
The others looked at him sharply.
"But in return…"
Karl's eyes gleamed.
"We gain something far greater."
"A united realm."
"A shared identity."
"A kingdom that gathers—not just for war…"
"But for something greater."
Silence.
Complete silence.
Because now—
They understood.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)