Looking out from the battlefield on the south bank of the Blackwater Rush, the distant sky glowed with emerald and orange hues. Beyond it, another massive battlefield raged.
King's Landing had become the center of absolute chaos. It was besieged from the west, south, and north, while warships were rapidly approaching from the east, surrounding the city on all four sides.
To the west, the Rose and the Lion clashed in fierce combat. Along the south bank of the Blackwater Rush, the Stag battled the Elephant. The river itself was littered with burning ships and shattered wreckage, while countless drowned and charred bodies floated among the flames. The survivors desperately searched for gaps in the city's collapsing defenses to force their way inside. Explosions echoed throughout King's Landing, and even the North Gate was under heavy assault.
On the southern battlefield, Lothor, Jon, and the others worked tirelessly to restore order. The Volantis soldiers had completely lost their fighting spirit and no longer dared to resist.
Gendry dismounted and gently calmed his black warhorse, a gift from the Red Viper. Even for him, riding and fighting all day was exhausting. He silently wished his dragons would grow larger soon so he could ride them into battle instead.
A young squire from Marajo's camp suddenly knelt before him.
"Liberator, this is my gift to you—Lord Marajo's most treasured possession."
The man presented an exquisitely carved wooden jewelry box. Its emerald lid was beautifully inlaid with jasper and chalcedony.
"You are already free," Gendry replied calmly, looking at the man without accepting the gift.
The box slipped from the man's hands and fell open, revealing a glittering green beetle carved from agate and emerald. Its twisted black face resembled a human's, while its curved tail dripped with venom.
"Your Highness, be careful!" Ser Barristan shouted as Ser Garlan Tyrell rushed forward to shield Gendry.
"I regret it," the man whispered.
In the next instant, he raised his arm, revealing a concealed miniature crossbow beneath his robe. Two poisoned bolts shot toward Gendry in rapid succession.
Had Gendry accepted the box, the assassination would have been unavoidable. Since he had refused it, the assassin was forced to rely on his hidden weapon.
Bang! Bang!
Gendry reacted instantly.
With astonishing speed, he sidestepped both bolts while raising Tiger Roar before him. The poisoned arrows scraped harmlessly across the broad Valyrian steel blade.
The assassin's eyes widened in disbelief.
Even Ser Garlan was stunned. Such speed and precision seemed almost supernatural, as though Gendry had foreseen the attack.
"Protect the Liberator!"
Marajo's Unsullied guards immediately surrounded Gendry with drawn swords, forming a defensive wall.
Meanwhile, Ser Barristan charged after the assassin.
Without the advantage of surprise, the assassin stood no chance.
Barristan's sword flashed brilliantly through the air.
Blood sprayed across the ground as the assassin staggered backward. A black mist seeped from his mouth before he collapsed lifelessly.
"There's poison hidden in his teeth," Barristan observed after examining the corpse.
Turning toward Marajo's Unsullied squire, he asked,
"Do you know this man?"
The guards all shook their heads.
"We barely recognize him. We only noticed him today."
"It's one of the Regretful Assassins," Gendry said coldly.
"The Qartheen have provoked me time and time again."
His grip tightened around Tiger Roar.
"They first sent a warlock to lure me into the House of the Undying. Now they've sent an assassin to kill me."
His eyes turned icy.
"One day, I'll fly my dragons to Qarth itself."
"We were never allies with the Qartheen," Ser Barristan replied. "They're another slave-owning power. According to the prisoners, while they didn't contribute warships or camel cavalry, they provided extensive supplies."
"We'll deal with them later."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Nearby, Sizzdara of Meereen and the Grand Commander of Yunkai sat pale-faced among the prisoners, terrified they would be executed as accomplices.
At that moment, Lord Karren approached.
His armor was stained with blood and soot, his shield shattered beyond repair, and the edge of his sword was badly chipped. Despite his exhausted appearance, his face shone with excitement.
"Prince Gendry, we've broken the Volantis center and captured many prisoners."
Gendry nodded approvingly.
"Well done, Lord Karren. You all fought bravely today."
"Long live the Storm!" Karren roared while raising his fist.
"We'll fight however you command!"
"Excellent."
Gendry appreciated his straightforward loyalty.
Among the Stormlords, brave warriors were plentiful, but commanders who combined courage with tactical brilliance were rare. Ser Barristan certainly qualified. His uncle Stannis did as well, though Stannis preferred commanding from the rear like Tywin, making battlefield timing and reconnaissance his weaker points.
"Lord Karren, you and Jon will oversee the battlefield cleanup. Establish a camp along the Blackwater Rush and organize the prisoners."
"Separate the spoils carefully. Don't overcrowd the prisoner tents. Maintain proper sanitation and ensure they receive enough food to prevent starvation and disease."
"Understood."
In truth, there would not be many prisoners. The citizen soldiers of Volantis, New Ghis, and the Lysene mercenaries had suffered devastating casualties, while countless slave soldiers had already surrendered voluntarily.
"My Lord..."
Jon's face reddened with both excitement and nervousness.
"No objections," Gendry interrupted. "This is my order."
Jon immediately nodded.
Turning toward the two captured commanders, Gendry said,
"Lord Sizzdara and the Grand Commander of Yunkai, you are noble prisoners. Appropriate accommodations will be prepared for you. Are you satisfied?"
Neither man dared object.
After witnessing Gendry effortlessly survive an assassination attempt, any thoughts of resistance or escape had completely vanished.
"Thank you, Your Highness," the Meereen commander replied quietly.
"We accept," the Yunkai commander answered with a mournful expression.
Around them, the surviving mercenary captains quickly declared their loyalty.
"The Windblown are at your command!"
"The Stormcrows are at your command!"
"The Iron Shields are at your command!"
"The Daughters of the Mist as well!"
None of them wished to join the prisoners.
Gendry looked over everyone and declared,
"In this campaign, I slew Oznak zo Pahl of Meereen, Krazz the Good Master of Astapor, Daario of the Stormcrows, Krazz the gladiator, and Marajo, Magister of Volantis."
"Now..."
"Only King's Landing remains."
"Yes, Your Highness," Ser Garlan replied respectfully.
This wasn't empty boasting. It was a declaration of overwhelming military strength—the glory of the coming Storm.
"Then allow me to lead the assault on King's Landing and earn glory for knighthood."
---
Meanwhile, outside the King's Gate, Tyrion Lannister's negotiations with Sandor Clegane had failed.
One mercenary stepped forward.
"We attacked three times, my lord. We lost half our men. Wildfire was everywhere. Horses screamed like men... and men screamed like horses."
Tyrion's face darkened.
"Do you think I hired you for a tournament? Do you want chilled milk and fresh berries as well? Get back on your horses!"
"And you too, Hound."
Blood covered one side of Sandor's face while the other looked deathly pale.
He slowly drew his longsword but swayed slightly, overwhelmed by the lingering smell of burning wildfire.
Tyrion immediately understood.
The Hound was afraid.
"We have to stop them."
Sandor planted his sword into the ground.
"Open the gates. Let them come inside, then surround and kill them. They're only mercenaries and slave traders."
"I've already lost half my men. There aren't enough horses left."
"I'm not sacrificing everyone to the flames."
"You will obey the Hand of the King," Ser Mandon Moore declared.
"The Hand can go to hell," Sandor growled.
"Bring me wine."
A Gold Cloak offered him a cup.
Sandor took one sip before spitting it onto the ground.
"Water?"
He hurled the cup away.
"To hell with your water. Bring me wine."
Tyrion sighed.
The Hound's fear had infected everyone nearby, while Ser Mandon inspired little confidence.
It seemed only one choice remained.
"Very well."
"I'll lead the charge myself."
The Hound burst into laughter.
"You?"
Ignoring him, Tyrion raised his voice.
"Ser Mandon, carry the King's banner."
"Pod, my helmet."
"Form ranks!"
Seeing the hesitation on every face, Tyrion shouted,
"You call me the Halfman."
"So tell me..."
"What do you full-grown men have that I don't?"
His words struck home.
If even the dwarf was willing to lead the charge, how could they continue hiding?
---
At Flea Bottom, Gold Cloak spearmen patrolled the streets.
"Back inside, you drunken fools!"
They struggled to prevent looters from pouring into the streets.
Then thunder echoed across the city.
It wasn't wildfire.
It was horses.
"The enemy!"
"They've broken through the North Gate!"
Panic spread instantly.
"Run!"
The Gold Cloaks threw down their spears and fled. Some stripped off their uniforms and disappeared into the crowd, while others simply abandoned their posts.
"The Northerners are here!"
"The Clawmen have entered the city!"
The news spread like wildfire.
Rioters rushed toward the Iron Gate and the Gods Gate, while countless terrified citizens fled toward the Red Keep.
A filthy street prophet stood atop a cart and shouted,
"The bleeding red star lights the sky!"
"Disaster has come because of the Lannisters!"
"The Kingslayer slew the late king!"
"The Kingslayer's whore murdered the king!"
"Divine punishment!"
Soon dozens of voices echoed the same cry.
"Divine punishment!"
"Divine punishment!"
King's Landing descended completely into madness.
Fire, looting, murder, and riots erupted across every district.
It became a city celebrating its own destruction.
---
Joffrey stared at the chaos in horror.
"How did this happen again?"
"Weren't people forbidden from leaving their homes?"
His mother had ordered him back to the Red Keep, yet everywhere he looked there were starving crowds surging through the streets while self-proclaimed prophets urged them toward destruction.
As the king withdrew from the walls, the defenders' morale completely collapsed.
Hundreds of Gold Cloaks abandoned their spears and fled.
Suddenly, Joffrey's escort encountered a massive crowd.
"It's a riot!" one guard shouted, his face drained of color.
The filthy mob surged closer.
Then someone in the crowd suddenly pointed toward the royal escort.
"The King is here!"
"I saw him when I went to petition!"
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)