Chapter 372: Twists and Turns (Part 3)
As Daenerys descended from the high dais, her leather boots clicking against the cold floor as she walked toward the Lord Commander of the Night's Watch, Melisandre—standing behind Egger—could no longer suppress a deep, sharp intake of breath. Even a second before entering this hall, she had been absolutely certain that Egger was the Prince That Was Promised. But at this moment, even a woman as stubborn as she felt her resolve waver.
Sharing the same gender and possessing a conventional orientation, the priestess was naturally immune to the physical attraction the Mother of Dragons radiated toward men. However, this did not stop Melisandre from sensing the intense fluctuations of energy emanating from Daenerys. This strange majesty—part magical power, part something more complex than mere temperament—was so palpable it felt as if it were pouring from every pore of Daenerys's body every second, permeating the air around her and growing rapidly stronger as the distance between them closed.
Was this the power of prophecy?
Tap, tap, tap... The sequential footsteps finally stopped a mere meter in front of Egger. The height difference of over ten centimeters forced Daenerys to look up at him, which might have seemed like a sign of weakness, but in terms of sheer presence, the roles were completely reversed. The Dragon Queen might not have known where this aura came from, but she had clearly mastered the best way to use it: by reducing the distance between them to a twentieth of what it was, the attraction and pressure Egger felt from her had increased more than a hundredfold.
If his mouth could speak without the interference of his brain, Egger would have certainly agreed to the Queen's demands instantly. If his legs could move freely, he likely would have dropped to one knee in submission. If a certain organ between his thighs had its own vote in the body's governance, he would have definitely...
Staring at those lips—so close, so moist and healthy even without lip gloss—Egger swallowed hard. After lockling eyes with her for a moment, he first affirmed a rational judgment from moments ago: Daenerys was indeed beautiful, but not nhumanly so. Then, in the next second, a thought suddenly struck him: this little Queen was remarkably bold. He hadn't been searched upon landing on the island or entering the castle; currently, a spare small dagger was tucked into the outside of his boot. Yet she approached him without a hint of fear. If he simply lifted his leg, drew the blade, and thrust... Stannis's throne would be secure.
Having assassinated the Dragon Queen once in his imagination, Egger's tightened mind and body relaxed slightly. Daenerys actually knew how to ask for the sky and settle for the earth—at the very least, her IQ was normal.
The difference between publicly recognizing her as the sole legitimate ruler of the Seven Kingdoms and swearing fealty to fight for her was significant: the Night's Watch would only need to make a statement. Without contributing a single soldier or sword to help her seize the Iron Throne, they could secure her promise not to attack the Night's Watch Industry.
It seemed like a fair trade, but in reality, it was an impossible condition to accept. Neutrality was a stance in both the moral and physical sense; one could not exist without the other. Issuing a statement without joining the war sounded fine, but it was nonsense. To recognize Daenerys as the legitimate ruler was to automatically label Stannis an illegitimate usurper. Even if Egger had the skill to suppress opposition within the Watch, the moment that statement was released would be the moment he officially declared war on the Baratheon faction.
If the Night's Watch forces were isolated overseas in an impregnable fortress, he might consider it. But the Gift and the North were one entity, and both were currently standing shoulder-to-shoulder preparing for the White Walkers. To trade that alliance for one industrial park and a bit of saltpeter would be a net loss.
Before Egger could finish his thoughts, Daenerys added another point: "I understand what you fear. I will allow you to return to the Wall and stabilize the situation before making the announcement. I will also guarantee that before Stannis declares you a traitor and sends troops to seize the Industrial Park, my forces by land and sea will have surrounded King's Landing, pinning his soldiers behind his own walls."
"I thank you for your thoughtful consideration, but such a declaration would completely violate the neutrality of the Night's Watch," Egger said, putting on a pained expression. "Besides... Your Majesty, whether or not you are the sole legitimate ruler of the Seven Kingdoms... that is hardly something for us wall-watchers to judge, is it?"
The Queen's brow furrowed.
"I do not care about the rules of the Night's Watch; I am talking business with you. I take what I want, and I give what you want," Daenerys said decisively. "As for judgment—do you think I want the Watch's recognition to grant me the legitimacy to rule? No, my legitimacy comes from my blood and my dragons! It is simply that the entire realm is waiting and watching. I need a person of renown and weight to break the silence and stir the stagnant water. Whether that leader is House Martell, House Tyrell, or the Night's Watch, I do not care! I chose whoever found me first. Do you understand, Lord Commander?"
He understood, of course. In fact, few understood better than Egger.
Due to her upbringing, Daenerys was bound to be someone who disregarded rules and tradition. Because of this, throughout Egger's long-term planning for his own future, she had always been the top choice above all other options: he knew nothing about Young Griff, and persuading the Starks to rebel was impossible. Someone like Stannis, who was already on the throne and possessed a rigid, stubborn mind, would never tolerate Egger extending his reach beyond the Gift or taking off the black. Only a young Queen like Daenerys, who was still conquering the realm, might prioritize ability and loyalty above all else, caring neither for Egger's non-Westerosi origin nor the black cloak he wore.
When the war against the Great Other ended in a victory for humanity, Egger—not wanting to spend his life guarding the Wall for the next war like the hundreds of commanders before him—would inevitably find a way to jump out of the Gift. At that time, the Mother of Dragons returning to Westeros would be the perfect springboard.
Siding with Daenerys Targaryen had always been the most critical step in Egger's grand strategy. He recruited men, stockpiled grain, trained disciplined officers, and developed weapons ahead of his time... On the surface, he was preparing for the White Walkers, but in secret, he was accumulating power for the day he needed to debut on the stage of all Westeros.
The Dragon Queen's request was excessive, but not unreasonable; in fact, it played right into Egger's hands.
However, all of this could only unfold under the prerequisite that "the war against the Great Other ends in a victory for humanity." Even a planned event, if it happens at the wrong time and place, can be fatal!
"I understand..." Egger knew the situation he faced was terrible. Daenerys could never understand or accept these reasons. If you were a Queen and someone came running to say: Agree to my terms first, and after I finish what I'm doing, I'll come join you, would you believe them? Egger certainly wouldn't. "But, once this declaration is released, the close cooperation between the Night's Watch and the North will collapse, and the airtight defense along the Wall will crumble with it..."
"How much support can the North give the Watch? I will give double." An impatient look began to replace the friendly expression on Daenerys's face. "Once I take King's Landing and destroy the Usurper, I will certainly send reinforcements to the Wall. If the army of wights and White Walkers you reported is indeed real, I can even bring three dragons north to assist. Does that satisfy you, Lord Commander?"
It was more than satisfying; it was arguably overgenerous. Yet it was a condition Egger simply could not accept. Even if the Queen successfully took King's Landing and moved her troops by sea to the Wall, the entire operation would take at least a month or two. Distant water cannot put out a nearby fire!
What exactly had happened to land him in such an embarrassing and difficult dilemma?
Egger furrowed his brow for a long time before finally realizing why the entire conversation felt off: He hadn't come here to ask Daenerys to reinforce the Wall at all! His original plan was to present The Prince to show respect, and then use that momentum to request the Queen avoid the Industrial Park during the war... Using the value of the knowledge in that incomplete booklet to trade for a simple favor was a fair deal. The missing portion of the book would serve as the catalyst for future contact and the hidden path for his eventual exit from the Gift.
Egger hoped the Queen would agree, but ultimately, he didn't care if she didn't: as long as he was allowed to leave Dragonstone, he would return to the Industry Park and find other indirect ways to keep the production of saltpeter going. But Daenerys had shown an abnormal friendliness and an overly intense expectation from the start, completely ignoring his actual intent and goals, one-sidedly starting this so-called trade... Egger hadn't intended to negotiate with her at all, so how could anything good come of it?
The most awkward part of the situation was that the deadlock wasn't caused by malice from either side, but because it shouldn't have started in the first place. Daenerys's offer to help in the North in exchange for a statement of legitimacy was, in terms of value, quite sincere. But the North—not yet crippled—and the well-manned Gift simply did not need the Queen's intervention.
The Queen showed goodwill, and Egger was forced to reject it; that was why the situation had reached this point. It was only because the special aura around Daenerys was so strong that it had interfered with his thinking earlier, preventing him from understanding what was happening until now.
So, what or who had given Daenerys this groundless goodwill and expectation of him, causing her to come forward and proactively offer to join the war against the Others?
Egger's gaze swept the room, finally landing on the Red Priest standing in the corner—the one who appeared to be Melisandre's colleague.
Could it be another mess caused by a charlatan?
"Your Majesty!" Before Egger could speak, Petyr Baelish cried out in frustration. "After taking King's Landing, we should control the Crownlands and then find a way to make the Seven Kingdoms recognize you, unifying Westeros and restoring peace. The Wall has stood for thousands of years; it won't matter if it waits a little longer!"
Daenerys ignored Littlefinger's shout. Egger's endless hesitation and caution finally exhausted her patience. Feeling as though her warmth had been met with a cold shoulder, she felt a mix of shame and anger. She turned back toward the throne, casting a cold remark over her shoulder:
"The Lord Commander has traveled far by ship and must be tired... Accept the hospitality of Dragonstone and have a good night's rest. Give me your answer regarding my proposal tomorrow morning."
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