But what they hadn't expected was that this person was so foolish as to order the occupation of another noble's rightful land in broad daylight.
After a long time, Brynden put down the last testimony. He looked up at Arthur, his eyes holding a complex expression; this young man's thoughts were too profound.
Brynden sighed: "The evidence is conclusive, but do you know that the kingdom is currently at war? You should not attempt to provoke a private war at this time."
Arthur's voice returned to calm: "I am not here to excuse my actions."
"I merely want the entire Riverlands to understand the true reason why this war has escalated to its current state."
"If Riverrun deems me guilty, I am willing to go and stand trial."
His voice suddenly became sorrowful, as if tears welled in his eyes.
"Ser, how could I not know?"
"My father, my brothers, all died at the hands of the Ironborn, and I too. My mother threw herself from the castle because of it."
"If Riverrun and Lord Balon Dayne have a plan, I am willing, like my father, to commit the full strength of my domain to the front lines, without a second thought."
After Arthur finished speaking, he waved his hand again.
This time, two guards carried in a long wooden box covered with velvet cloth.
They carefully placed the wooden box on the table, then bowed and withdrew.
The atmosphere instantly grew strange; everyone was guessing what Arthur intended to do.
Robin Lygg looked at the box in confusion, while Brynden Tully frowned, seemingly guessing Arthur's intentions. It couldn't be that he was planning to bribe them, could it?
Arthur stood up and personally lifted the velvet cloth. A sheathed longsword lay quietly on the silk lining within the wooden box.
The blade was slender, displaying a strange, snowy white, as if forged from moonlight and milk.
Light flowed across the blade, revealing countless overlapping, flowing wave patterns. It was a luster no ordinary iron could possess, bearing an ancient and deadly beauty.
Brynden Tully's breath hitched. He quickly walked to the sword, his outstretched hand even trembling imperceptibly, but he quickly composed himself.
His voice was dry: "Valyrian steel."
Arthur's voice rang out clearly, ignoring Olivier's resentful gaze: "Ser, this sword was found in my family's desecrated tomb by Jero Legge."
"I will conceal nothing from Riverrun. This sword does not belong to my family; its fate should be decided by Riverrun."
Brynden didn't listen to him. His fingers lightly brushed the cold blade, feeling its unique, almost living touch.
He grasped the hilt and slowly drew the sword from the box. A faint hum echoed through the hall, and the bright gleam of the blade illuminated his wrinkled face.
Brynden abruptly looked up at Arthur, his gaze like a torch. He had guessed the sword's identity: "This is the Royce Family's Lament."
"Arthur, do you know the value of this sword? It is worth more than all the lands, castles, and wealth you currently possess combined."
Robin Lygg's mouth hung open in shock, staring at the legendary Valyrian steel sword, his mind blank. This young man actually offered the sword.
Arthur replied candidly: "I know."
His gaze was clear, without a hint of greed or reluctance.
"But I value my loyalty and honor more. I will conceal nothing from Riverrun. This sword does not belong to me; its ultimate ownership should be decided by the House Tully and Riverrun."
Brynden Tully gripped the hilt of "Lament," veins bulging on the back of his hand. He looked at Arthur, not caring if his words were true, as if trying once again to understand the young man before him. He slowly began to speak:
"If not for this war, simply by offering this sword, I would have knighted you."
Arthur did not stop. He took a small booklet from his Pregnant and placed it on the table. The booklet's leather cover was decayed, its pages yellowed and brittle, emitting a scent of earth and time mixed. He had torn off some content but preserved the experiences of that ancestor.
"Ser, this is my ancestor's diary, also found in the tomb. It records the origin of this sword and some of my family's past."
Brynden took the booklet and gently flipped through it. Finally, his finger rested on a page. He looked up, gazing deeply at Arthur. He knew the young man's purpose.
Arthur looked at Brynden, also smiling. It was just a sword. If it couldn't be used and was like scrap metal, it was better to exchange it for the reputation of a dragon-slaying family and a warrior of the Seven Gods. This was official certification from the House Tully.
Of course, he had deleted some of the fanatical, noble-insulting and prophetic content, and then slightly modified it. Now that the Targaryen were not on the throne, Robert Baratheon might be pleased and bestow some rewards with a grand gesture.
Robin Lygg looked at the silent Brynden, then at the composed Arthur, and finally at the priceless "Lament."
The anger, unwillingness, and humiliation on his face ultimately turned into complete powerlessness. He slowly lowered his head, his shoulders slumped, and he said nothing more. Who wouldn't call him a loyal subject for offering a Valyrian steel sword?
After a long silence.
Brynden Tully finally spoke again, his voice tinged with weariness. He held the diary to his chest, with an unprecedented solemnity.
"I will take this diary back to Riverrun."
"You have proven your righteousness with facts and evidence."
"You have earned honor for yourself and your family with this precious sword and this family diary."
Brynden looked at Arthur, then paused, seeming to find it difficult to speak, but still asked, word by word:
"But,"
"This war must end."
"Are you willing to accept Riverrun's judgment?"
A strange smile, for some reason, finally appeared on Arthur's face.
"Of course, Ser."
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