King's Landing.
The Gate of the Gods.
The King's Road outside the city was filled with noise and commotion.
Since yesterday, when Galon had led thirty thousand soldiers to King's Landing, he had been preparing to demand the city's surrender.
But just as he was about to begin, he received an unexpected piece of news.
Inside Blackwater Bay, the waters were filled with longships flying the various banners of the Iron Islands.
Asha's Iron Fleet had actually arrived at King's Landing before him.
When Galon heard the news, he was overjoyed.
He had originally been worried that if they stormed King's Landing, Tywin and the others might escape by sea.
Now, there was no longer any need to worry about that.
Galon immediately sent Captain Harlaw to contact Asha while he established camp outside the city.
When the soldiers learned that the fleet in Blackwater Bay was also their ally, morale in the camp soared.
They were practically itching to launch an attack and seize King's Landing immediately.
Early that morning, Galon ordered the soldiers to cut down nearby trees and begin assembling siege engines while he waited for Asha to join him.
Time passed slowly.
By the time Asha arrived with her men, it was around two in the afternoon.
"Queen Asha!"
Galon led Edmure, Lord Royce, and the others forward to welcome Asha and her Ironborn army.
"You're late, my Kingmaker!"
Asha dismounted and boldly stepped forward, embracing Galon.
Her eyes burned with emotion as she whispered,
"I've been waiting for you for so long."
"Hmph!"
Several Northern lords could not help but snort when they saw how close Asha and Galon were.
Galon heard them but remained expressionless as he released Asha.
"I had to deal with a few minor problems along the way."
Asha had already heard from her uncle Harlaw about how Galon had drowned the Lannister army.
A look of astonishment flashed through her eyes.
"Your little problem certainly made quite a splash. You wiped out an army of forty thousand men."
Galon smiled slightly and invited her inside.
"Come. Let's talk in the command tent."
He then looked toward Ron and ordered, "Ron, you and Captain Harlaw will arrange quarters for our allies."
After seeing Ron nod, Galon led Asha and the others toward the command tent.
Along the way, Asha explained why she had appeared in Blackwater Bay.
Only then did Galon learn that after attacking the Arbor, Asha had immediately sailed toward Dragonstone and had destroyed the remaining Redwyne fleet along the way.
A short while later, the senior commanders of the entire allied army had gathered.
The only exception was Gendry, who was still slowly making his way here with two thousand infantrymen.
"Gentlemen."
Galon briefly explained the situation.
"At present, King's Landing has only a little over six thousand defenders. A direct assault still carries some risk.
So, I intend to send someone inside to negotiate their surrender first. After that, we will decide how to proceed.
Does anyone have any objections?"
Lord Royce and the others had long since become completely convinced of Galon's abilities.
Naturally, they followed his orders without question.
"Very well. Ser Hughley!"
Galon turned toward Hughley, who stood at the back of the group.
"You were once King Robert's squire, and you are now someone King Gendry greatly values. I want you to enter the city and negotiate its surrender."
"Are you willing?"
Hughley was momentarily stunned.
Then he answered without hesitation.
"I would be honored to serve the Hand!"
Galon nodded and looked around the tent.
"Then it is settled. Lord Royce, have someone escort Ser Hughley into the city.
As for the rest of the army, proceed according to the original plan."
Everyone answered in unison.
"Yes, Lord Hand!"
Asha's eyes moved slowly over Galon as she watched him command the army with such authority.
She became increasingly captivated.
'Galon is becoming more and more like a king.'
'But conquering a man like this is exactly what an Ironborn woman should do.'
While Asha was lost in thought, the others gradually left the command tent.
Once only the two of them remained, Galon smiled.
"What are you thinking about so intently?"
Before he could finish speaking, Asha immediately dropped her tough queenly facade and threw her arms around him.
She held him tightly before looking up and kissing him passionately.
Galon returned her affection.
After a while, they finally separated.
Galon held her close and said, "You arrived at exactly the right time."
"I was still wondering how I could bring you and the Iron Islands into the alliance. Now, everything has fallen into place.
Once we take King's Landing, I'll have enough justification to convince the others to honor the promises I've made."
Asha was not concerned about anything else. She looked at him eagerly.
"What will the Iron Islands and I receive?"
Galon lowered his voice.
"Fair Isle."
"I'll convince Gendry to grant the island in the Westerlands to you."
Asha frowned.
"After helping you this much, that's all you're giving me? How about adding the Shield Islands in the Reach?"
Galon rejected the suggestion.
"Impossible. Even if I agreed, the Tyrells wouldn't.
The Reach is different from the Westerlands. The Tyrells still possess considerable strength, and the Shield Islands are part of their maritime defenses.
At most, I can give you a portion of the Tyrell family's spoils... But all of this depends on one thing.
You must give up your claim to the throne."
Asha was not disappointed.
She understood that this was already the limit of what Galon, as the Hand , could promise.
"All right. But I want one more thing."
Galon's brow furrowed.
"What else do you want?" His tone made it clear that she should not push her luck.
Asha smiled mischievously.
"Of course. Our child."
She leaned close and whispered,
"I'll be waiting for you tonight."
Galon's eyes flickered, but he did not refuse.
While the two continued their private conversation, the atmosphere inside the Red Keep was colder than the winds of winter.
Tywin sat at the head of the small council table.
His face was pale, but his back remained perfectly straight.
Across from him sat Lady Olenna, the Queen of Thorns, dressed in black.
"We need more troops!"
Tywin's voice remained calm, but a fleeting trace of impatience appeared in his eyes.
"The Reach can still raise tens of thousands of men.
Lord Mace must immediately gather the remaining strength of the Reach and bring it to King's Landing.
I'll send word to the Westerlands and have them hire more and better sellsword companies from Essos.
As long as we can hold King's Landing for a month, the situation may turn in our favor."
"A turn in our favor?"
Lady Olenna let out a sharp, mocking laugh.
"What sort of turn are you expecting?"
"Another battle like the Ruby Ford, where you can send the last of House Tyrell's bloodline into the river to feed the fish?"
The grief over her grandsons' deaths had filled her normally sharp eyes with venomous resentment.
"It was an accident."
"That was your incompetence!" Lady Olenna slammed her hand onto the table.
"Willas is dead! Loras is dead!
My poor grandsons lost their lives because they listened to your nonsense!
And now you still want my army?
Tywin, have you grown senile, old lion? Do you think the roses of Highgarden bloom solely for House Lannister?"
Cersei, standing behind Tywin, could no longer contain herself. "Watch your words, my lady! We're all in the same boat now!"
"The boat has already sunk, fool."
Olenna coldly glanced at Cersei.
"I'm considering whether I should throw you overboard so I can keep myself afloat."
Just as the confrontation was on the verge of tearing the alliance apart, a Kingsguard hurried into the room, his expression grim.
"Lord Hand..."
"Galon's envoy has arrived. He says he has brought a final ultimatum."
For a moment, the entire council chamber fell silent.
Finally, Tywin forced himself to remain composed.
"Send him in."
The Kingsguard nodded and went outside to fetch Galon's envoy.
A moment later, Hughley strode into the council chamber.
Having returned to a place he had once known, Hughley was in an exceptionally good mood.
He looked directly at the Lannisters and Tyrells who had once seemed impossibly powerful.
There was not the slightest trace of fear on his face.
"In the name of Gendry I of House Baratheon, King of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm...
I come by order of Galon Glover, Kingmaker and Hand of the King, to deliver this message to the rebels."
Hughley looked around the room and spoke in a clear, powerful voice.
"Lord Randyll Tarly has already led the surviving forces of the Reach and sworn allegiance to King Gendry.
Ser Ponos of the Stormlands has also surrendered and returned to Storm's End to gather reinforcements.
Gentlemen, King's Landing is already a dead city!"
Cersei's face twisted with rage.
"Shut up, you mongrel from Flea Bottom! What right does some bastard have to call himself king?
Guards! Drag him outside and cut off his head!"
But after Cersei finished speaking, the Kingsguard in the chamber acted as though they were deaf.
They remained exactly where they stood.
Hughley gave Cersei a cold smile, clearly enjoying the sight of her losing control.
Then he continued.
"Lord Glover is merciful.
He promises that if the city opens its gates and surrenders now, only the principal offenders will be punished.
As for the other families, so long as they sincerely repent before King Gendry, their previous offenses will be forgiven."
Those words were like a sharp dagger.
They instantly severed the fragile bond holding the alliance together.
Lady Olenna's expression changed.
She forced down her grief over her grandsons and lowered her head, thoughtfully running her fingers over her wine cup.
'If only the Lannisters have to be sacrificed, then House Tyrell can survive?'
'Gendry... That blacksmith might actually be easier to control than Joffrey.'
A flicker passed through Olenna's eyes.
She had already made her decision.
Cersei looked desperately toward her father.
"Father, kill this lying mongrel!"
Tywin remained silent in the Hand's chair. He knew the situation had already become hopeless.
'It is time to consider the family's future... No matter what happens, House Lannister must not fall.'
He looked at his troublesome daughter with complicated emotions.
His heart was filled with sorrow.
'Joanna, forgive me.'
'This is the only way to preserve the family.'
Tywin gritted his teeth and slowly rose from his chair. He looked toward Hughley and lowered his head.
"Take me to Glover... Take me to the Hand."
For a moment, the entire council chamber was completely silent.
No one had expected the lion who had just been urging his allies to stand firm to be the first to lower his head.
"Father! What are you doing?!"
"Joffrey... He's your grandson!"
Cersei screamed in disbelief.
But Tywin no longer had the patience to argue with his foolish daughter.
He waved his hand.
The Lannister guards immediately stepped forward and escorted Cersei away.
"Come."
"Take me to Glover. I want to have a proper discussion with him."
Only then did Hughley fully comprehend what had happened. His expression became one of barely concealed excitement.
He turned around and accompanied Tywin in a carriage out of the Red Keep.
One hour later.
At the Gate of the Gods, Galon and Tywin reached an agreement on the terms of surrender.
Tywin and Jaime would take the black.
Cersei and her children would be placed at King Gendry's disposal.
House Lannister would be stripped of its position as Wardens of the West, but would retain Casterly Rock and its lordly title.
The new Lord of Casterly Rock would be appointed by King Gendry.
The moment the agreement was finalized, Galon led thirty thousand soldiers into King's Landing and formally took control of the city.
Thus, King's Landing changed hands.
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