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In Winter Town, within one of its pleasure districts.
"Until dinner, then. Now I'm going to enjoy my appetizer!"
"My dear little brother, I suggest you come with me now. Our lovely sister is in a particularly foul mood today. Best not to irritate her any further."
"What rotten luck… little one, wait for me tonight. This silver coin is an advance."
"I'll be waiting, Lord Tyrion."
With a mischievous smile on his face, Jaime stepped out of a pleasure house, accompanied by Tyrion, who was still straightening his disheveled clothes.
Tyrion adjusted his expensive garments—made of wool, silk, and linen—while grumbling:
"Who upset our lovely sister this time? That fat stag who shares my tastes?"
"Hmm… he's part of the reason."
Jaime's smile faded as he paused to think.
"I think the other part is Robb Stark. His polite and humble demeanor likely irritated her."
"Ah! That Young Wolf I've been hearing about the entire journey?"
Tyrion replied immediately.
"So the famous boy isn't arrogant… quite the opposite, he's polite and humble. That must make her think her son is a complete failure."
"Couldn't you put that a bit more nicely? He is still your nephew."
Jaime raised an eyebrow and looked at Tyrion with mild disapproval.
"Yes, yes… you always defend her."
Tyrion muttered as he easily hopped over a muddy puddle.
"But I still remember when the two of you tricked me as children.
You cut open my mattress, stuffed it with fresh sheep dung, and sewed it back up.
I spent days living with that awful stench without knowing where it was coming from!"
"Hahaha! In the end, I told you!"
Jaime laughed loudly.
At that moment, his smile was open and genuine—very different from the expression he usually wore in front of King Robert.
Perhaps only in the presence of people he trusted did he show his true self.
Suddenly, Jaime's laughter stopped.
He paused and glanced subtly behind him.
"What? Someone following us?"
Tyrion knew his brother well and immediately caught on.
Jaime simply nodded.
"Come on, come on. The youngest knight of the Kingsguard arriving in town is bound to draw attention. It's only natural they'd want to keep an eye on you."
Tyrion casually slapped Jaime on the backside and kept walking.
Jaime shot a faint smile toward an old house behind them before continuing forward.
Once the two Lannister lions disappeared around the corner, Theon stepped out from behind the abandoned house, his expression grave.
…
Robb watched with quiet boredom as Smalljon and Owen competed in a drinking contest at a long table.
Around them, several members of the guard shouted and cheered them on.
After much insistence from Theon, all the members of the guard had asked Robb to officially name them the Wolf Guard.
Since it wasn't anything particularly important—and it pleased his men—Robb agreed.
He then glanced toward the raised platform in the great hall.
There, Robert was still happily challenging people to drink.
Robb was beginning to admire the pot-bellied king's stamina.
After all, he had been drinking nonstop since the afternoon.
Eddard and Catelyn sat beside him, along with Cersei.
The hall was lively and festive.
Among everyone present, the one who interested Robb the most was Tyrion Lannister.
Tyrion seemed completely at ease among the common soldiers, telling stories and jokes.
In truth, Robb felt a certain sympathy for Tyrion.
But at the moment, they stood on opposing sides.
So he made no attempt to start a conversation.
Crack… crack…
Bloodwind lay beside Robb, gnawing enthusiastically on a massive pork leg bone.
As Robb watched the wolf, his current stats appeared in his vision.
Name: Bloodwind
Contractor: Robb Stark
Constitution: 11
Speed: 10
Strength: 10
Species: Spiritual Direwolf (6)
Blood Pact Points: 1
During the hunt for wildlings, Robb had personally killed four enemies.
Bloodwind had killed three.
In total, Robb had gained 14 Blood Pact Points.
That's right.
When Bloodwind killed enemies, Robb also gained points.
Over the past few days, even with daily training, Robb had only gained 4 points through eating.
For a total of 18 points.
When Bloodwind's Constitution surpassed 10, Robb discovered that each new point now cost 2 Blood Pact Points.
So he distributed the remaining points evenly between Speed and Strength.
Now Bloodwind's attributes were balanced.
Its combat power was already terrifying.
Even so, Robb always had the wolf act discreetly.
It was a hidden card.
Robb also confirmed that hunting ordinary animals did not grant Blood Pact Points.
As for supernatural creatures…
He had yet to encounter any.
In truth, if Robb wanted to accumulate points quickly, he could simply take Bloodwind and slaughter villages in other territories.
But humans were human because they had moral limits.
An ordinary person from Earth would never massacre innocents purely for personal gain.
Therefore, for Robb:
Killing enemies in battle to gain points was acceptable.
Massacring innocent civilians… never.
Bored with the feast, Robb quietly stood up and left the hall.
Bloodwind was too large to follow, so Robb sent a mental command for the wolf to continue happily chewing its bone.
As he stepped outside and breathed in the cool night air, Robb saw Benjen Stark speaking with Jon.
"Uncle Benjen."
Robb approached with a smile.
After a brief conversation, Benjen returned to the great hall.
Only Robb and Jon remained.
Taking advantage of the rare moment alone with his brother, Jon spoke first:
"Robb… you've changed a lot lately."
"Have I?"
Robb chuckled softly.
"Perhaps it's the price of growing up."
Jon had been observing him for a long time and finally voiced his concerns.
"I've noticed that many guards and servants in the castle are now working for your Wolf Guard.
Robb… what you're doing is dangerous."
He hesitated before continuing:
"If Father finds out, he'll stop you."
Robb didn't know exactly how much Jon had figured out.
But the boy truly had sharp instincts.
Even so…
He would never guess the full plan.
"Jon."
Robb spoke calmly.
"You're the one most like Father. Honest, brave… and quiet."
He pointed north, where the dark night concealed the horizon.
"But you can be even better than him.
So go.
Follow the path your heart desires.
Wear the black.
Your world is not here in this small Winterfell.
It lies beyond the Wall."
Jon remained silent.
His gaze followed the direction Robb pointed, as if seeing a bird escaping its cage.
Robb then added:
"All I want is to protect my family.
Protect Winterfell and protect the North. That's all."
Jon looked at Robb for a long moment.
Then he nodded.
His eyes were steady, filled with determination.
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