As autumn arrived, the weather recently showed a noticeable increase in rainfall, bringing clear skies and gentle breezes.
Outside Casterly Rock, after the rain ceased, a rainbow formed a long bridge, stretching across the Sunset Sea and connecting to Lannisport in the distance.
However, no matter how beautiful the scenery outside, it could not affect the mood of the troubled Dwarf inside Casterly Rock castle.
Tyrion, sitting at a desk piled high with documents, tearing at his hair and complaining, heard Kesi's report and immediately leaned back in his chair, looking as if he had lost his soul.
"Lord Tyrion?" Kesi called out cautiously when Tyrion didn't respond.
His missing front tooth had long been replaced with a piece of gold in King's Landing, and this had given him the bad habit of occasionally showing his front tooth when he spoke.
As the capital of the Westerlands, Casterly Rock naturally had a sept built by the Faith, which was not surprising for the wealthy Casterly Rock.
This Sept of the Seven Gods was managed by a High Septon, a position considered the highest-ranking cleric in the Faith of the Seven, led by the High Septon residing in the Great Sept of Baelor in King's Landing.
As for the High Septon, he was usually elected from among the High Septons and was the supreme leader of the Faith.
However, in reality, the Faith was still managed by a council composed of High Septons, all of whom were the highest-ranking monks and nuns in the Faith.
Tyrion came back to his senses and, with a headache, turned his face to Kesi, "Alright, Goldtooth Steward, did this High Septon tell you what he wants with me?"
"I think you can see that your lord has left me here and I'm practically working myself to death. I haven't had time to sleep since last night, so if possible, I think, unless it's absolutely necessary, you should understand to give me some free space."
However, Kesi could only purse his lips at Tyrion Lannister's complaint and stepped forward to place the visiting card on the desk in front of Tyrion.
"The reason this High Septon came is because of my lord, His Majesty King Karl I Baratheon. But Lord Tyrion, I'm actually not much idler than you. Do you want to smell the horse dung on me? It might perk you up."
Kesi placed the items he brought, shrugged, and also complained with a look of dissatisfaction.
Since the war began, they had been working themselves to the bone.
They were already short-handed and had to deal with so many problems. Now, there were hardly any capable people in Casterly Rock who could manage affairs, and they were busy all day, every day.
Tyrion didn't believe for a second that this bastard still smelled of horse dung, but he also knew that this new steward was indeed not much more relaxed than himself.
Because every order he issued regarding supplies and administration had to be sent out for implementation through him, so in the face of Kesi's complaints, he could only rub his temples, pick up the visiting card, and what met his eyes was a prominent seven-pointed star on it.
But this made Tyrion frown.
Because this was an extremely formal visit, and it was in the name of the Faith, not the High Septon's personal name.
"Is it for Karl?"
"Strange, I don't remember Karl having any dealings with the Faith, and I've never seen him offer his faith to any deity."
"I do remember Karl having financial transactions with the Faith regarding funding issues during the Martial Games in King's Landing, but that was in his capacity as Minister of Finance to discuss investment issues."
"So the question is, what does this High Septon want?"
Seeing the symbol on the visiting card, Tyrion subconsciously frowned.
He immediately began to recall in his mind what connection Karl had with the Faith, and then, as he thought, he suddenly raised an eyebrow.
"Wait, it can't be that this is making the Faith uneasy, can it?"
After careful consideration, the only problem Tyrion could think of was this, after all, with Karl's current status as King, if he had any different ideas about the Faith, that would indeed be a big problem.
But if it was for this reason, then at least the High Septon should be the one to visit the King, what does it mean for a High Septon to come?
To humiliate the King?
Tyrion didn't remember that fat High Septon in King's Landing being so foolish.
And there was no need to find himself either.
Hearing Tyrion's analysis, Kesi was also puzzled.
"He didn't tell me why, but he seemed very angry to me, a bit like he wanted to come and question something—."
Unfortunately, he didn't read the content of the visiting card, which was Tyrion's concern.
And he used to be a commoner, or even less than a commoner.
Now that he had suddenly risen to become half a noble, he hadn't fully adapted to his identity yet, so he only had a superficial understanding of these upper-class matters.
But his answer had already given Tyrion a signal.
"Angry? And because of Karl?"
"So, the visitor means trouble, huh?"
"What does the Faith want to do by conveying this message at such a time?"
Tyrion raised an eyebrow, fanned the visiting card in his hand, and subconsciously tapped the table with his left index finger.
His tone began to turn somewhat unfriendly.
Then he looked up at Kesi, raising an eyebrow.
"Take him to the reception room, and also help me call Hall and Timett, and bring weapons."
Hearing the two names and Tyrion's specific instructions, Kesi immediately understood Tyrion's thoughts and grinned, revealing his gold tooth, and laughed.
"It's an honor to serve you, my lord."
Although he didn't understand some of the ways of the upper class, that didn't mean Kesi was foolish.
And when Kesi left, Tyrion finally opened the visiting card and began to read it, but as he read, he frowned again.
"Damn it, I knew it."
In the reception room of Casterly Rock, the High Septon of Casterly Rock's Sept was accompanied by a monk and a nun, and at this moment, the three were sitting in their seats, looking displeased.
As several clear footsteps sounded, the three looked towards the door of the reception room.
Then a Dwarf walked in with two men who looked fierce.
"Good morning, Septon Isaac. I've forgotten how long it's been since I last saw you, and I didn't expect to receive your visit today."
The Dwarf entered the room and greeted the people inside politely.
Seeing that the visitor was Tyrion Lannister, although they had come with dissatisfaction to demand an explanation, the three still stood up and bowed out of courtesy.
And although the two knew each other, and Tyrion had occasionally seen Septon Isaac in brothels when he was still in Casterly Rock, both were very clear about what to do at such a time.
"Lord Tyrion Lannister, I apologize for disturbing your schedule, but due to some rumors in Old Oak, I had no choice but to visit in person."
Septon Isaac, the High Septon of Casterly Rock, was not at all polite and immediately stated his purpose.
Tyrion, however, continued to smile at Septon Isaac's questioning.
"I apologize, Septon Isaac, I don't know where you heard these rumors about King Karl, but I think this might just be a misunderstanding—and if it's not a misunderstanding, then it's certainly an absurd accusation."
"A blasphemy against the King."
Tyrion was never a pushover to be manipulated.
He knew exactly how to handle such matters.
So even though he was speaking with a smile, there was no attempt to conceal the threat in his words.
As for Hall and Timett, who were following behind him, they were staring at the three in front of them with sinister expressions.
Timett's single eye swept over Isaac's neck, a slight grin on his lips.
And as for Hall, after a quick glance at the nun's chest, covered by thick robes, he unashamedly spat in disdain and turned to look out the window.
An old hag, dry and tasteless.
Except for Tyrion, these two showed no regard for the three people in front of them.
Isaac saw all of this, but he dared not speak his anger.
Because Tyrion's words were very direct, almost saying to his face that if anyone were to speak such words again, then he would have to suspect that these were accusations against the King by certain malicious individuals.
As soon as he entered the door, Tyrion gave the three a show of force, both soft and hard, without waiting for the clearly ill-intentioned High Septon to speak, for wasn't that his purpose?
But Tyrion still maintained a polished facade.
"I'm truly sorry, Septon Isaac, I'll have someone see you out. I'll personally visit when I have time."
Tyrion finished speaking and waved his hand, and Hall immediately stepped forward, raising his hand to gesture towards the door.
But just as Tyrion had dealt with the church's visitors, Kesi, whom he had just seen, suddenly burst in from outside the door again.
"It's bad, Tyrion, quickly look outside!"
The few people who hadn't left yet were stunned by Kesi's words, but seeing the Casterly Rock steward's anxious face, which didn't seem feigned, Tyrion didn't ask anything but instead got up and went to the window.
Hall moved, quietly separating Tyrion from the three Isaacs, watching the three with vigilance.
Timett was a beat slow in reacting, but he also quickly came to block the doorway, their weapons at their waists slightly unsheathed.
Immediately, the three church members who had intended to leave turned pale.
"Lo—Lord Tyrion, this, this—"
But at this moment, Tyrion, who was leaning on the window, didn't notice what was happening in the room.
As soon as he looked out the window, he saw a long black line extending across the sea horizon outside the window.
"Fleet?"
"This direction, is it the Arbor fleet?!"
"Damn it!"
With just one glance, Tyrion reacted.
Without further ado, he quickly turned to Kesi.
"Immediately sound the alarm, gather the entire city for shelter, and immediately summon the nobles who have already arrived at Casterly Rock.
Have them gather their armies and press them to all accessible landing shores!
Especially Lannisport, dispatch troops, and protect our territory!
Damn it! How did they come so fast?!"
The moment he noticed something was wrong at sea, Tyrion immediately reacted and quickly issued orders.
Earlier, when discussing matters with Karl, Tyrion and Karl had talked about the possibility of another attack from the Iron Islands.
After all, these pirates had come once before during the war between the Lannister Family and the Iron Throne.
And after Karl left, Tyrion had also prepared for enemies from the sea during this time.
However, these conjectures were only known to Tyrion and Karl, and Tyrion later only appropriately informed a small portion of the internal staff, but did not tell any of the supporting nobles.
As for this attack by House Redwyne's Arbor fleet, to be honest, Tyrion had only just received the news.
So he never expected the Arbor fleet to arrive so quickly.
Upon hearing that the visitors were the Arbor fleet from The Reach, the three Septon Isaacs in the room were all startled, and combined with the murderous aura spreading through the room, they could barely stand.
"Lord Tyrion, since you have important matters to attend to, there's no need to worry about us."
As his voice fell, Isaac, no longer caring about being humiliated by Tyrion, quickly pulled up his robes and scrambled away, fearing that a moment's delay would bring unwarranted disaster.
And most importantly, he now had to return to the Sept to gather people to protect the Sept's property, so as not to be affected by the upcoming war.
Although it was generally said that warring parties would not harm people of the Faith, in times of chaos, how could these things be absolute?
Not to mention the refugees, once fighting broke out, if some people just rushed in to plunder, they would have no way to stop them.
Tyrion had no time to pay attention to the three leaving.
As his orders were issued, Kesi quickly turned and left.
Then Tyrion looked at Hall and Timett again,
"Lord Hall, it's still unclear where the Arbor fleet will attack, but that's not important. Those nobles have suffered heavy losses, and many of them are not trustworthy, so we must handle Casterly Rock's defense ourselves."
"We only have less than three thousand of our own people who can be fully deployed, but I can only give you three hundred of them at most. Although it's a bit much to ask, I must demand that you absolutely defend Casterly Rock!"
"Casterly Rock is easy to defend and difficult to attack. Even with this manpower, controlling it is not a problem. Tell me, can you do it!"
In times of crisis, Hall knew what was most important.
Although Tyrion only gave him three hundred men and asked him to defend all of Casterly Rock, this was not a time when he could refuse with a simple "no."
"I know what I need to do. Don't worry, Tyrion, if Casterly Rock falls, it will only be over my dead body."
Hall did not refuse, but nodded with a determined expression.
Having received the response, Tyrion had no time for pleasantries.
He quickly turned to Timett.
"As for Timett, I'm entrusting all of our remaining men to you. Immediately notify Shaga and Qira, and have them lead the army out of the city to support Lannisport immediately."
"None of our people can stay in Casterly Rock now. Lannisport is equally important to us. If the Arbor fleet blockades the outer sea, it's not a big deal; we have enough buffer and time to figure things out."
"But if they choose to attack Lannisport directly, once we lose it, then our supply line to Karl will be cut off, and we'll be finished."
"And then the entire war situation will be affected, which is a loss we cannot bear."
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)