"Facing the Legge Family's relentless pressure and blatant humiliation, I have no choice but to respond with iron and blood!"
"This is not for personal gain! It is a painful declaration that must be made to uphold the sacred rights of a lord and the laws of the Seven Kingdoms!"
"I hereby solemnly declare to the Seven Gods and all Lords! My war! Its purpose is limited! Its boundaries are clear!"
"My sword! Will only be wielded against those Leige soldiers who step onto my family's land! I will not actively step one inch into the Legge Family's inherent territory! I will not harm any commoner on their land! I will not plunder a single copper coin belonging to them! Nor will I claim the Legge Family's rightful land!"
"Therefore, the intention of raising an army has no ulterior motives; it is merely to reclaim what is mine, not to cross the border by a single step, nor to let a single banner stray."
"This war, between my family and the Legge Family, is a duel to defend the rights of a lord and the laws of the Seven Kingdoms' nobility. What I seek is not personal gain, but to uphold the justice established by the Tully and to defend the millennia-old legal principles of the Seven Kingdoms!"
"I know it is a small gamble! Victory is slim! But for justice and righteousness! I am willing to fight to the death! Regardless of victory or defeat in this war! I only wish my struggle! Can set an example for all nobles in the Seven Kingdoms who uphold their oaths!"
"On the day this declaration reaches Willow Wood City! If, after five days, the Legge Family still refuses to withdraw from my land! Then I! Arthur! Lord of Wyvern's Gorge! Vassal of Daedings Family! Will have no choice! But to raise an army! To seek justice!"
After Barna finished reading, the two looked at each other, falling silent.
He picked it up again, looked at it, and confirmed he hadn't misread. "Damn it, what's going on? How could Lord Arthur just act like this..."
Riverrun, where the Three Rivers converged, moisture seeped into the cracks of the stone, and the walls of the council chamber were covered with a thin layer of dampness.
Duke Hoster Tully's fingers rested on a meticulously worded parchment declaration.
The edges of the paper were slightly curled from the long journey, but the ink on it was still clear.
His gaze shifted from the parchment to the window, where the three turbulent rivers converged. Usually, he didn't notice, but at this moment, the sound of the rushing water felt irritating.
The declaration had arrived two days ago, and there were still three days left.
For two days, the envoy had been placed in the guest room, enjoying Riverrun's hospitality, but had not seen any person of importance. However, the envoy could not decide anything, time was still ticking, and there were three days left.
Hoster Tully's aged hand slammed onto the table. Why were things in the Riverlands always so bad? Every family had grudges, and every family sought revenge. The Blackwoods and the Brackens, and now even the Dading and Leige Families had started.
Robin Leige, captain of the Riverrun guard, took the declaration, read it silently, and slowly spoke: "This matter, indeed, my family was in the wrong first..."
"But Daedings Family should not provoke a private war at this time of conflict."
"I am willing to return to Willow Wood City to mediate this matter in the name of Riverrun."
Desmond Grell, Riverrun's master-at-arms, took it, glanced at it, and chuckled:
"This kid means to tell us, 'I'm going to fight, they started it, I'll just beat them up, not steal their stuff, you guys just watch.'"
But everyone understood that this was a dilemma. The envoy Arthur had sent earlier had confirmed the matter; the Legge Family's actions were indeed despicable, but Arthur's approach also overstepped the bounds of propriety.
For a new noble to dare declare war on a family with a long history in the Seven Kingdoms was, in itself, a challenge to the existing order.
Therefore, Hoster had not held the Legge Family accountable for the envoy's matter.
He thought of the endless feuds between the Brackens and Blackwoods; every time he tried to mediate, it was like putting his hand into boiling oil. Now, another pair had emerged.
Hoster rubbed his temples and finally spoke: "The Riverlands cannot afford another internal struggle. The Ironborn are still raiding at sea. I need all my vassals to point their swords west, not at their neighbors."
But the actions of the Legge Family undoubtedly tarnished their honor. The underlying conspiracy was irrelevant; these fools got caught, and it blew up...
"Family, Duty, Honor." Hoster whispered the Tully family motto.
And he, Hoster Tully, what was his duty? Was it to protect the interests of every vassal, or to maintain the stability of the entire Riverlands, especially at a time when there were external enemies?
If he intervened, favoring either side would cause resentment in the other. The best choice seemed to be the simplest one.
He stood up, walked to the window, and turned his back to everyone.
"Let's wait a little longer."
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