"The order and peace of the Seven Kingdoms will be destroyed by such schemers!"
"Faced with House Legge'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 made solely 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! It will only be wielded against those Legge soldiers who trespass on my family's land! I will not proactively step one foot into House Legge's inherent territory! I will not harm any commoner on their land! I will not plunder a single copper coin belonging to them! And I will certainly not claim House Legge's rightful lands!"
"Therefore, the intention of raising an army has no ulterior motives; it is only to reclaim my rightful land, not to cross the border by a single step, nor to deviate a single banner."
"This war is a duel between my family and House Legge, 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 Tully's protection, and to defend the legal principles passed down for a thousand years in the Seven Kingdoms!"
"I know it's 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 that my struggle!
Can set an example for all nobles in the Seven Kingdoms who uphold their vows!"
"On the day this declaration reaches Willow Wood City! If House Legge still refuses to withdraw from my land after five days! Then I! Arthur! Lord of Vicon Gorge! Vassal of Daedings Family! Will have no choice! But to raise an army! To reclaim 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 it. Damn it, what was going on? How did Lord Arthur just start a fight..."
Riverrun, where the Three Rivers converged, moisture seeped into the stone cracks, and the walls of the council hall were covered with a thin layer of dampness.
Lord 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.
He lifted his gaze from the parchment and looked out the window. The three turbulent rivers converged here; usually unnoticed, their rushing sound now felt irritating.
The declaration had arrived two days ago, and there were three more days to go.
For two days, the envoy was accommodated in a guest room, enjoying Riverrun's hospitality, but could not meet any influential person. However, the envoy could not decide anything, and time was still ticking; there were three more days.
Lord Hoster Tully's aged hand slapped the table. Why were things in the Riverlands always so bad? Every family had grudges, every family wanted revenge. The Blackwoods and the Brackens, and now even Daedings Family and House Legge had started.
Robin Legge, 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 during this time of war."
"I am willing to return to Willow Wood City to mediate this matter on behalf of Riverrun."
Desmond Grell, the master-at-arms of Riverrun, 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 sent earlier had confirmed that this was indeed the case; House Legge's actions were indeed despicable, but Arthur's actions also overstepped the rules.
A newly ennobled lord daring to declare war on a family with a long history in the Seven Kingdoms was in itself a challenge to the existing order.
Therefore, Hoster did not hold House Legge accountable for the envoy's matter.
He recalled the endless feuds between House Bracken and House Blackwood. Every time he tried to mediate, it was like putting his hand into boiling oil. Now, another pair had arrived.
Hoster rubbed his temples and finally spoke: "The Riverlands cannot afford another internal conflict. The Ironborn are still raiding at sea. I need all my vassals to point their swords west, not at their neighbors."
But House Legge's actions undoubtedly stained their honor. The underlying conspiracy didn't matter; these fools, getting caught made it a big deal.....
"Family, Duty, Honor." Hoster softly recited 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 in the face of external enemies?
If he intervened, favoring either side would cause resentment from the other. The best choice seemed to be the simplest choice.
He stood up, walked to the window, and turned his back to everyone.
"Let's wait a little longer."
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