Chapter 192: The King's Grace
"Lord Chief Logistics Officer, I wonder if you would agree with one sentiment." Renly Baratheon stared at Egger with a warm, radiant smile. "I have always believed that talent is the key to ruling. Use the right people, and managing a realm is as simple as taking a meal. Unfortunately, my brother Robert never seemed to realize this. His Small Council is filled with nothing but flatterers, fools, or ill-intentioned conspirators. The only man who could be called loyal, brave, and wise is the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, whom Robert simply calls 'Barristan the Old.' When I take power, the Small Council and the Kingsguard will undergo a complete purge." He paused, casting a tender glance at the Flower of Highgarden beside him. "My dear Queen Margaery believes you possess the talent to govern, and I have no doubt she is right. My Rainbow Guard is not yet full, and when the day comes that I sit upon the Iron Throne to rule the Seven Kingdoms, there will be vacancies on the Small Council as well. At that time, I can issue a decree releasing you from your Night's Watch vows. Should you be willing to serve me, you may take your pick of three positions: the Kingsguard, Master of Coin, or Master of Laws. What say you, Lord Chief Logistics Officer?"
...
What in the world? He had come here to plead for mercy for his property, so how had the conversation suddenly veered in this bizarre direction? Egger opened his mouth, and it quickly clicked—his reputation was no longer confined to the City Watch and the common folk. It seemed even great nobles like Renly and Margaery had been influenced by the rumors!
The offer of the Kingsguard was clearly aimed at his title as the White Walker Slayer. Due to Robert's negligence, the quality of the current Kingsguard had plummeted. Of the seven, aside from Barristan Selmy and Jaime Lannister, the other five didn't even have well-known nicknames. The Warrior King had failed to realize that for a King's honorary guard, prestige is often as important as actual prowess.
Renly clearly understood this, which was why he held a tournament to choose his guards and actively recruited famous warriors.
Ever since Oberyn Martell had gone easy on him during the Vale rebellion to save his face in front of the rank-and-file, rumors of his formidable martial skills had been spreading. When he formally reported Slynt, survived an assassination attempt by killing several attackers, and then had a wight appear in the city at the perfect time to prove the legends beyond the Wall were true... the image of this high-ranking Night's Watch officer as a man of unfathomable skill had become solidified in the minds of the well-informed nobility.
As for including Master of Coin as an option, that was easy to understand. Renly and Margaery surely believed that if he could build the massive Night's Watch industries from nothing, he would have no trouble managing the Seven Kingdoms, which was just a larger-scale enterprise. After all, it was just about finding money—who better than a man who had already proven he could?
But... what was Renly thinking to suggest he was fit to be Master of Laws? Egger looked up at the handsome man wearing the slender gold crown, and a guess slowly surfaced in his mind: Pfft—this guy hasn't realized he was played yet.
On that day in court, Egger had used the sophistry of that which is not forbidden is permitted. Had this former Master of Laws, now a self-proclaimed King, actually believed Egger possessed a genius for jurisprudence?
The cost of posturing in a backward world was truly low!
Admittedly, Renly's offer was tempting. If the proposer had been Stannis Baratheon, Egger might have given it serious thought.
He had no experience in government, and running a business wasn't the same as managing the royal treasury... but if he chose Master of Laws, familiarized himself with the work, and relied on his influence over the City Watch, his superior learning ability, and the simple virtue of being thorough—he wouldn't do a worse job than a hands-off boss like Renly. If he could push his luck and maintain control over the Night's Watch industries while shedding the black, it would be a sweet deal indeed.
Unfortunately, even a child understood that if one decides to abandon neutrality and pick a side, they must pick the side most likely to win. And Egger, having seen Melisandre's methods, wouldn't dare oppose a Red Priestess—an entity he didn't understand but who possessed undeniably terrifying power—even if a throne was put in front of him.
Under the hushed whispers of the Stormlands and Reach lords surrounding the tent, Egger weighed his words and responded to Renly's olive branch. "Lord Renly, Lady Margaery, I thank you both for your recognition of my abilities. However... 'talent for governance' is a praise I truly do not deserve. I am somewhat adept at managing logistics for a mere Night's Watch legion, but as for sitting on the Small Council to govern the Seven Kingdoms, I fear I lack the capacity. Besides, even in black, I can still serve you. After all, regardless of who sits upon the Iron Throne, they will need the Night's Watch to guard the northern borders and defend the realm against those things beyond the Wall, will they not?"
...
"This is beyond ungrateful."
"His Grace personally recruits him, and this damn crow puts on airs?"
"He has the right, unlike you, who only knows how to drink and swing a sword!"
The murmurs of the surrounding lords suddenly grew louder. If Renly's sudden recruitment of a Night's Watchman was a slight surprise, the recruit's rejection was a genuine shock. Renly had only declared himself King a few days ago and was currently in the most sensitive stage of his transition, where dignity and face were paramount. At such a juncture, for someone to dare disrespect him in public... one couldn't tell if this crow was reckless or simply brave.
Renly's expression didn't change a bit; his internal thoughts were unreadable. He might have been unhappy, but it didn't show on his face. This was the terror of a smiling tiger. Egger wouldn't be truly afraid no matter how much Robert roared or threw things, but with Renly smiling, he felt his scalp tingle.
"Discussing the governance of the Seven Kingdoms is perhaps premature. We can speak of it again once we enter the capital and move into the Red Keep," Margaery chimed in at the right moment to smooth things over. "The Chief Logistics Officer has a massive business in King's Landing, after all. If he agreed right here in front of everyone, his home might be gone by the time he returned to the city. Your Grace might give him some time to consider. Perhaps once you have taken King's Landing, he will change his mind."
Egger's eyes met Margaery's, and for a moment, he didn't know how to feel. To have such a beautiful Little Rose think highly of him and speak up to save him at a critical moment was certainly an honor. Unfortunately, her words were a needle hidden in silk—outwardly helping him, but actually leaving him no room for retreat.
Fame is a double-edged sword; besides bringing convenience and influence, trouble follows close behind.
"The Queen speaks sense," Renly said, instantly returning to his friendly and enthusiastic self. "I have not yet taken King's Landing, so it is only natural for the Lord Chief Logistics Officer to have concerns. It is fine to go back and think it over. I have granted the request you came for. If there is nothing else, you may depart. My army will march for King's Landing after breakfast and expects to arrive at the walls in three days. I hope that by the time I sit on the Iron Throne, you will have your answer ready."
"Thank you, Lord Renly." Egger bowed deeply, stole one last glance at Margaery, and said, "I take my leave."
Leaving Renly's camp, Egger mounted his horse and raced back without pause. Could Eddard Stark hold King's Landing against Renly's assault? Where was Stannis? Would Melisandre use shadow-binding to kill Renly as she did in the original plot? To ponder how to respond to Renly's second recruitment before these questions were answered was a waste of mental energy. What he needed to do now was return to his industries and prepare them for the impact of war.
After another day of hard riding, Egger arrived at the industrial park on the morning of the third day since leaving King's Landing. He immediately summoned his middle management for a brief meeting.
"Surround the park with a wall?" Enoch scratched his head. "Two days isn't enough time for such a large area."
"It doesn't need to be a high wall for defense. It just needs to be taller than me, so people can't easily hop over." Unless he built something as high and thick as the Wall, no structure could stop the assault of thousands. Egger could only count on Renly keeping his word. "Once it's built, paint the outside black. If possible, put up some flags with black cloth. In short, make it so anyone can see at a glance that this is Night's Watch territory!"
"Understood. That shouldn't be a problem."
"Security team—stop training for the next two days and help build the wall! Also, when Renly's army arrives, if scattered soldiers come to pilfer or loot without house banners, drive them off. But if they come flying banners... abandon resistance. Preserving lives is the first priority!"
Gerlos looked like he wanted to say something, but ultimately he puffed out his chest. "Yes, sir!"
They say you maintain an army for a thousand days to use them for one, but Egger had raised his security team for over a hundred days, only to command them to hide like turtles—once when provoked by the City Watch, and now against Renly's host. The feeling was both helpless and humiliating.
"The grain in the warehouse should be sufficient. If any nearby residents ask for refuge, let them in." Given Renly's concern for his reputation, he shouldn't allow his troops to harm civilians in broad daylight. "Alright, if I think of anything else, I'll send word. But the gates of King's Landing will likely be sealed soon. Everyone... take care."
The control over the gates of King's Landing was becoming increasingly strict, but as a "big player" in the eyes of the City Watch soldiers, his passage remained unrestricted. Returning to the office, he told Nina about his gains and encounters. He soon received the latest news of King's Landing from her.
"What? The Red Keep announced Robert's passing last night, and Stannis completed his coronation ceremony in the Throne Room this morning?"
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