The Mountain of Ice and Fire

Just as everyone was finding it hard to believe and even the Hound showed a moment of hesitation, the Mountain roared, like a thunderclap from the ground, shocking everyone. Some noblewomen and ladies dropped the food in their hands onto the tables, and many knights, generals, centurions, and surrounding guards were caught off guard, their hands trembling, spilling wine from their cups.

Amidst the thunderous roar, the Mountain strode towards the Hound.

His stride was simply too large.

Each step he took was equivalent to three steps for an ordinary person.

Once he started sprinting, he was as swift as a rabbit and as powerful as a galloping horse.

A humanoid beast rapidly approached the Hound.

The Hound made agile dodging movements, swaying left and right, to confuse the Mountain's judgment of his position.

But these were just minor tricks!

A greatsword knows no finesse!—A sword so heavy that it doesn't need a sharpened edge; one strike can easily kill a person. Its destructive power is more than ten times that of an ordinary sharpened sword.

With absolute strength and violent speed, the Mountain didn't need any skills.

Sword and shield clashed, and the Hound staggered backward, losing his footing. The Mountain continued to stride forward.

The shield was the Mountain's weapon.

Shield bash!

With two sword strikes and three shield bashes, the Mountain forced the Hound to the edge of the dueling circle.

If the Hound had to face another sword and shield exchange, he would be forced out of the dueling circle.

Whether it was the Hound's active sword strike or the Mountain's active shield bash, it was always the Hound who had to retreat.

Because the Mountain was too large, his shield was several times wider and thicker than an ordinary shield; otherwise, it couldn't cover his massive frame.

The iron-clad oak shield held in both hands was also custom-made for the Mountain, usually requiring a dedicated horse to carry this huge shield and greatsword.

In the Mountain's hands, it was a shield; in the eyes of ordinary soldiers, it was a thick door panel wrapped in iron.

The Mountain's shield already had deep cracks from sword strikes, but this didn't affect the Mountain's absolute advantage.

Unless a miracle occurred, such as the Hound arranging for assassins to use crossbows to ambush the Mountain, or the Hound burying crossbows in the grass beforehand, but facing the Mountain's perfect shield defense and offense, even if the Hound himself wanted to use a crossbow to ambush, he would be powerless without help.

The Mountain suddenly gathered his energy and charged forward. In the limited dueling circle, the Hound's back was already at the edge.

Many faces turned ashen, but more people showed happy smiles.

Those who bet on the Mountain to win were laughing!

A loud crash!

The Hound's sword fiercely struck the Mountain's rapidly approaching shield. Sparks flew as the iron cladding on the shield burst open with a huge crack, and the longsword also deeply penetrated the oak shield, the deep gash demonstrating the Hound's powerful attack.

However, the Mountain's strength was even greater, not just a little bit, but several times the power of the shield bash!

An unmatched, enormous force was transmitted from the sword to the Hound's arms, instantly piercing through his entire body. A familiar sensation, similar to the impact of being struck by the Mountain's sword last night, but even more powerful.

The Hound flew backward, drawing an arc in the air, like a human-shaped toy being knocked away by the Mountain's shield.

Bang!

The Hound slammed into the grass, his body sliding forward along the ground, unable to control himself.

A long skid mark was dragged across the grass until the Hound's body crashed into the nobles' long table before stopping.

A huge force vibrated inside the Hound's body, and a sweet taste rose in his throat as he spat out a mouthful of blood. His arms and upper body were completely numb from the massive impact.

This shield bash put even more pressure on the Hound's body than the previous greatsword strike.

After all, the heavy shield weighed far more than the greatsword, and when swung by the Mountain with full force, it was like a moving hill slamming into the Hound.

A terrifying shield bash! Swift as a landslide, unstoppable, unmatched!

Without the limitations of the dueling circle, the Hound could have chosen to retreat and dodge.

But even if the Hound ran away, he couldn't escape the Mountain's pursuit.

One step for the Mountain, and the Hound would have to run three steps!

The Mountain's stride was too large, and his explosive speed was even greater in a short amount of time!

The entire arena was silent, not a sound could be heard!

In terms of instantaneous explosive power, the Mountain was invincible in the Seven Kingdoms!

From throwing the sword out of the circle to launching a counterattack, the Mountain was as swift as a raging lion. After closing in on the Hound, a single shield bash was all it took to knock the Hound down.

There was no need for a sword at all!

The Mountain strode to the Hound, using his foot to pin down the longsword in the Hound's hand.

The hilt of the Hound's longsword was wrapped with cloth and tied to his hand; unless his hand was cut off, his sword could not be knocked away!

The Mountain slowly lowered the edge of his shield onto the Hound's neck.

Countless eyes widened, whether they had bet on the Mountain or the Hound.

Joffrey's blue eyes shone with excitement and madness. He stood up, clenching his fists, almost shouting, 'Press it down, Mountain!'

Queen Cersei's face was pale as she cried out, 'No!'

The Hound was her dog. This had nothing to do with any feelings between master and servant; it was mainly because she needed this dog!

Queen Cersei thought she had shouted with all her might, but she heard her voice so weak that it was almost inaudible. Even she doubted whether she had made a sound at all.

Queen Cersei didn't make any sound! Her cry was in her heart! On the surface, she picked up her wine glass, wanting to appear calm as she took a sip, but her hands were shaking so badly that she couldn't bring the glass to her lips.

The surrounding nobles, courtiers, knights, generals, and guards almost all stood up. They didn't realize they had stood up. An invisible force seemed to be pushing their bodies to rise. They stared intently at the Mountain, knowing that in the next moment, the Mountain's shield would press down, severing the Hound's neck, and the Hound, known for his bravery throughout the Seven Kingdoms, would be beheaded.

Sansa covered her face with her hands, tightly closing her eyes.

Her governess, Mordane, turned her head, unable to watch any longer. Brothers killing each other, patricide, a human tragedy!

'Hound, you've lost!' The Mountain's voice rang out. He slightly raised his shield, allowing the Hound to breathe.

The Hound gasped for breath, unable to speak.

The force of the Mountain's shield bash was causing his arms and chest to ache.

The numbness disappeared, and the pain began to rise!

If you had used a lance, you would have had a chance to pierce my leg! Facing absolute power, your weapon must be longer than mine to have a chance. A straight thrust with a lance, with your strength, one strike could break through two layers of my armor!'

The cutting force of a sword is spread across the blade too much; the force of a lance is concentrated at the tip, with greater pressure. With the Hound's formidable strength, he could easily break through armor!

The Hound glared at the Mountain, feeling that the Mountain's words were like venomous whips lashing at his dignity and honor!

After last night's duel, it was also the Mountain who taught him to use hidden arrows and poison. He did as he was told; today, he failed again. He couldn't use the crossbows and poison, and he lost!

And the Mountain was 'teaching' him again!

When did the Mountain go from 'stupidly berserk' to 'wise strategist'?!

'Hound, I'll spare you three sword strikes today: the first is for my father; the second is for my little sister; the third is for you. Our grudges are settled. I won the duel, and I have the right to choose to burn you to death!' The Mountain moved his shield away and shouted, 'Bernie, bring the torch!'

The Hound feared nothing, not even death, but he feared one thing greatly: fire!

It's the end of the month, please vote and subscribe! Please subscribe and vote!