The Mountain of Ice and Fire

"King Tommen was born in the 291st year of Aegon's Conquest," the Mountain said. "This year is the 300th year of Aegon's Conquest, and His Majesty is just a nine-year-old child. It's not his fault that he's being deceived by the cunning and treacherous Hand, but the fault of the court stewards and courtiers around him."

The Mountain looked at the court steward beside Loras, who immediately broke out in a cold sweat, his face pale, his eyes filled with fear. This fellow was recommended to His Majesty by Kevan; he is Kevan's man.

"Julie, kill that court steward; he's the dog of the treacherous Hand, Kevan."

Whoosh!

An arrow flew like a meteor, hitting the court steward's forehead, who had already made a move to dodge.

The court steward's head snapped back violently, as if struck by an invisible force that almost made him fly. He clawed at the air with both hands, his eyes filled with horror, his throat making a rattling sound. With a crash, he fell from his horse.

Julie used a short crossbow.

Clegane's heavy cavalry surrounded a company of the city watch and a company from the Reach. Across several horses, Julie faced the court steward directly.

Loras Tyrell and the others were all terrified! The panic spread among the two hundred soldiers, affecting their highly sensitive warhorses, which stamped the ground restlessly.

The Mountain doesn't need any reason to kill people. Besides, he now has justification: the King's decree defining Kevan as a traitor is in hand, which has the force of law!

The Mountain said coldly, "Lord Mace Tyrell, you are the Master of Laws of the kingdom, in charge of the law for the King. You should be upright, selfless, and fearless, but you clearly knew that Hand Kevan was colluding with the Iron Islands' rebel king Euron, yet you still chose to support Hand Kevan. Such a reversal of right and wrong, helping evil for pleasure, and breaking the law while enforcing it are all capital crimes."

The Mountain's tone became increasingly stern, and Lord Mace was so frightened that he almost fainted.

Mace Tyrell's nickname is 'Inflatable Fish,' a typical example of someone who looks good but is useless. His mother, Lady Olenna Redwyne, looked down on this son the most. Otherwise, the true ruler of the Reach wouldn't have been Lady Olenna before her death.

Mace didn't want to die, and he was very afraid of death. The Mountain accused him of reversing right and wrong, helping evil for pleasure, and breaking the law while enforcing it, and he didn't know how to respond at all. He was being held in the air by the Mountain, and seeing the Mountain kill the court steward again without a word, he was so frightened that his soul left his body, and he couldn't catch his breath and fainted.

The Mountain stared at Loras Tyrell: "Ser Loras, you are the Captain of the Kingsguard, the most honorable knight in the Seven Kingdoms. Not only have you not helped His Majesty discern right from wrong, but you have also reversed right and wrong and cannot distinguish between good and evil. What qualifications do you have to be the Captain of the Kingsguard? Among all the Kingsguard in history, you are the most disgraceful. No loyalty, no wisdom, no courage, no justice."

Loras Tyrell's face turned from green to white, and he shouted, "Mountain, release my father; I want to duel with you!"

"Duel?" The Mountain sneered. "For what? To make yourself even more humiliated? To bring even more shame to the royal family? To prove to everyone that you can't distinguish between loyalty and treachery? You are so utterly stupid, unable to distinguish between good and evil; what's the point of living? If you have any conscience left, you should commit suicide immediately and preserve some of the honor of the Captain of the Kingsguard."

Loras Tyrell was so angered by the Mountain's scolding that his face turned purple, his chest heaving. He gripped the hilt of his sword, tightening his grip, the veins on the back of his hand bulging, but he knew that as soon as he moved, the Mountain would show no mercy. He had already experienced the Mountain's swordsmanship; even joining forces with his brother, they had been crippled.

The Mountain stared at Loras with extreme contempt. Loras also stared at the Mountain, unblinking. Everyone saw Loras's face becoming more and more terrible and was amazed. The atmosphere was tense. Perhaps in the next second, Loras would suddenly attack, and the Mountain's Ice Sword would be unstoppable.

Everyone felt like a steel plate was pressing on their chest, extremely uncomfortable.

Suddenly, Loras shouted, spewed blood, and fell backward.

The guards were shocked, and several family guards hurriedly jumped off their horses to help Loras up. They saw that his face was like gold paper, his breath was faint, his eyes were wide, and full of bloodshot veins.

"Tsk, tsk!" The Mountain's words were like knives, each word like a blade. "The Captain of the Kingsguard, the most honorable knight in the Seven Kingdoms, has neither the exquisite swordsmanship to duel nor the courage of a warrior to commit suicide, stubbornly living as a fool who cannot distinguish between right and wrong. What qualifications do you have to be the Captain of the Kingsguard? Ridiculous! Ridiculous! Ridiculous!"

The Mountain's voice was like thunder. Even people inside the city could hear the three 'ridiculous' sounds.

The Clegane cavalry were all rough men. Before the Mountain's voice had even faded, they had already burst into loud laughter.

Loras Tyrell's anger attacked his heart, and he couldn't control himself. His throat felt sweet, and he spat out another mouthful of blood. Then his body convulsed, shaking violently. In the Clegane cavalry's roaring laughter, he died!

"Narrow-minded, twisting right and wrong, it's better to die early!" The Mountain said indifferently.

This verbal finishing blow was cruel and vicious, exactly the Mountain's demonic style.

The Reach soldiers and knights dared not speak out in anger, everyone lowered their heads, and were disheartened!

Who dared to encourage a battle?

No one dared!

It would just be a waste of life!

On the city walls, the generals were all frightened.

Lady Laena Braemont, Dickon Manwoody, Ilyn Payne, and others all changed color and felt fear!

The Mountain's cruelty and ruthlessness are now not only in swords and blades but also in the harsh and vicious language.

Although the Mountain's words were very vicious, Loras Tyrell being angered to death was also because he was young and hot-blooded, unable to bend, and too narrow-minded!

"Maester Halleck, raven message, order the Clegane main infantry to march urgently. Within four days, five thousand main infantry from the Mountains of the Moon and three thousand Clegane infantry will camp in Cobbler's Square in King's Landing. The remaining legions will camp outside the Gate of the Gods."

"Yes, Duke."

"Raven message, order Lord Gawen Westerling to lead the Dragonstone fleet to enter Blackwater Bay harbor. Four thousand Dragonstone soldiers will be stationed in Flea Bottom Square this afternoon."

"Yes, Duke."

The Mountain had already ordered the Clegane main legion and the Dragonstone fleet to withdraw. In a short period, the raven order sent two armies back for the second time and stationed 12,000 infantry in the city.

Generals such as Ben Broome and the soldiers on and off the city walls all looked at each other! But no one dared to question the Mountain! The soldiers on the city walls did not dare to take any military action on their own initiative without clear orders.

Because perhaps today's commander is tomorrow's prisoner.

The Mountain finished arranging the military deployment and looked at Ben Broome.

"Commander Ben, Hand Kevan designed to deceive me into the city, naturally to plot my life. How do you explain this matter?"

Ben Broome was silent.

Ben Broome is a loyal person. Ben Broome knows the fact that Kevan colluded with the Crow's Eye, but it is absolutely impossible for him to betray the Lannisters.

"Are you going to fight me? Or are you going to see His Majesty the King with me? I propose that everyone help King Tommen distinguish right from wrong in the Small Council, according to national laws, and do their part for the kingdom."

"...Agreed..." Ben Broome said hoarsely.

"Okay, let's enter the city together," the Mountain shouted.

Ben Broome is the commander of the city watch, with two thousand city watch soldiers under his command. With him there, no officer dared to launch a rash attack. In fact, the Mountain has extremely high prestige and is very popular in the hearts of the city watch soldiers. The city watch is unwilling to be his enemy.

The Mountain was appointed as the Guardian of King's Landing by Joffrey and led the city watch soldiers in a great victory that was written into the royal annals—the Battle of Blackwater Bay. He led the city watch soldiers to kill countless generals and soldiers of Stannis I. The Mountain made the city watch win unprecedented honor and military merit.

When the military and civilians of King's Landing lacked bread the most, it was also the Mountain who brought food from Harrenhal.

The Mountain saved the lives of the entire military and civilians of King's Landing. He has won the hearts of the military and the people in King's Landing!

The Mountain and Commander Ben Broome rode into the city side by side, followed by his guard, separating the Reach cavalry and a company of the city watch. His left hand was always holding Mace Tyrell, as if holding a human-shaped toy, without any effort.

Although Mace Tyrell was still alive, he had completely lost his honor and his face was completely ruined!

The Mountain used Mace Tyrell as a hostage, so the Reach generals dared not move. The Mountain also had a small plan to use Ben Broome as a de facto hostage by riding into the city with him side by side.

Mace and Broome each have two thousand soldiers in their hands. The entire King's Landing has less than five thousand soldiers in total.

*

Maegor's Holdfast, Great Hall. Child King Tommen Baratheon, Queen Margaery Tyrell, Hand Kevan, and, somewhat unexpectedly, Euron Crow's Eye were also present.

Kevan's face was as usual.

An usher hurried in, kneeling on one knee: "Your Majesty, the entire city is discussing the rumor that the Hand has been imprisoned and executed by the King."

King Tommen was slightly uneasy: "Hand, the people's discussions are detrimental to your honor."

"Your Majesty, as long as the Mountain can be killed, it is worth it for me to bear some small criticisms."

Before he finished speaking, another usher hurried in: "Your Majesty, Hand, the Mountain has ordered Maester Pycelle and a company of cavalry to post copies of the King's edict all over the city."

Tommen was stunned, Margaery's eyes lit up, and the Hand's face turned black and cold.

Euron Crow's Eye laughed: "Kevan, you still care about these false names. As long as the Mountain falls for the trick and his head falls to the ground, any price is worth paying! To achieve great things, you don't have to be burdened by false names."

"Humph!" Kevan said expressionlessly.

Tommen's big eyes rolled around, he didn't like Kevan, and he didn't like Euron with a black eye patch even more. The atmosphere in the hall was very depressing. The shadow of Grand Maester Qyburn flashed before King Tommen's eyes, and he missed Grand Maester Qyburn, who was as kind as an old grandpa next door.

After the two ushers bowed and exited, another usher came in: "Report, Your Majesty, the Mountain has ordered his messengers to run around the city, shouting slogans."

"...Uh...what slogans..."

The usher looked at Kevan and hesitated, not daring to say.

Kevan said calmly: "Usher, His Majesty the King is asking you! Tell the truth!"

"The Mountain's messengers are shouting on the street: Hand Kevan has been executed, the King is talented and ambitious."

The usher changed 'treacherous Hand' to Hand in the slogan.

Tommen hesitated for a long time and asked the question he had always wanted to ask: "Is Grand Maester Qyburn in the Mountain's army?"

Tommen still calls Qyburn Grand Maester, which shows that Qyburn's position in his heart has not changed much because of Kevan's 'slander'.

"Your Majesty, the scouts did not see Grand Maester Qyburn in the Mountain's army."

"He's not in the Mountain's army?"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Tommen looked at Kevan, whose expression was like steel. He swallowed the words that came to his mouth and looked at Margaery Tyrell beside him with big eyes. Margaery smiled slightly, pure and moving, which made Tommen feel much better: "They didn't see the Grand Maester, Margaery, where do you think Grand Maester Qyburn went?"

"I don't know, Your Majesty," Margaery said softly. "Qyburn is a Mountain's party member. As long as the Mountain is killed, Qyburn won't be able to escape."

Tommen wanted to say something but stopped. Margaery didn't see his longing and closeness to Qyburn, or she saw it but deliberately ignored it. Tommen felt bitter in his mouth: "I want to drink something, Margaery."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Footsteps sounded hurriedly, and another usher ran in, panting heavily: "Your Majesty, Hand, Mace and the Mountain talked outside the Gate of the Gods, and Mace suddenly ordered the Mountain to kill Lord Harrold Swyft."

His Majesty Tommen was stunned on the spot!

Queen Margaery Tyrell looked shocked!

Euron Crow's Eye's one eye flashed, as if he had seen a very interesting puppet show, revealing a smile! The smile was not on his face, but in his one eye.

Hand Kevan stood up with a whoosh!

The guards beside the King and Queen were all surprised, everyone's face changed!

"Ha, Mace has betrayed the royal family and the Hand," Euron Crow's Eye laughed.

Immediately, several guards glared at Euron Crow's Eye.

This person's face is hateful, he actually dares to speak casually in front of the King and mock adults.

Kevan was horrified and his body swayed slightly.

Mace ordered? The Mountain did it?

"Order to close the bronze gates of the Red Keep, and the Royal Guard to guard the city walls. No one is allowed to enter or leave."

"Yes, Hand," a knight hurried out.

"Hand, it must be a misunderstanding. My father would never betray the royal family and His Majesty the King. We are all his children," Margaery stood up, trying her best to keep her body from shaking.

"Guards, protect the King into the inner chamber, Queen Margaery, you have to go up to the city with me."

The Red Keep also has tall and majestic city walls. The Royal Guard has a small number of only three hundred gold cloak soldiers, but they are known for their well-equipped soldiers, outstanding swordsmanship, and unwavering loyalty.

"Hand, I can help you defend the city," Euron laughed.

"Come, take Euron to the underground secret room."

Four guards walked over menacingly, their hands on their sword hilts, while Euron Crow's Eye was empty-handed, in a single shirt, with no weapons or armor.

"Lead the way," Euron Crow's Eye chuckled.

The situation has changed, maybe Kevan wants to use himself as a bargaining chip to offer to the Mountain again. When Euron Crow's Eye left the hall, he gave Kevan, whose face was as iron, a big smile.

The sound of footsteps was chaotic, and the usher ran in, panting heavily, his chest heaving violently: "...Lord...the Mountain's vanguard army of two hundred cavalry has entered King's Landing, and the leading warrior is carrying Lord Swyft on his spear..."

Kevan didn't say a word, and quickly walked out of the hall, followed by twelve sword-bearing guards. These guards came from two great families: the Lannister family and the Swyft family.

"Report..." Another messenger ran in, "Lord Hand, the Mountain has captured Lord Mace, and killed Lord Mace's warhorse. He also attacked Commander Benlont, killing Commander Benlont's warhorse. Commander Benlont is pinned down by the warhorse's corpse and cannot move."

Kevan continued forward. The Kingsguard in Maegor's Holdfast had received orders and were running and forming ranks to guard the Red Keep's gate.

"Report..." Another messenger rushed over, kneeling on one knee. Kevan, nearing his breaking point, stared at the messenger.

"...The Mountain...The Mountain...killed the Master of Coin, Ser Austyn Lyryk."

Austyn Lyryk, one of Kevan's confidants.

Kevan strode forward. Just as he reached the spiral staircase, another messenger shouted from the stairs below, "Report..."

This time, Kevan's mood was mixed with complicated feelings, anxiety, and confusion. If Duke Mace and the Mountain were working together, the Mountain wouldn't have forced Loras to his death. But why did Mace order the murder of his father-in-law, Swyft? From the looks of it, the Mountain was clearly coercing him with life-or-death threats.

"Report...Lord Hand, the Mountain's words were like knives, humiliating Loras Tyrell. Loras Tyrell fell from his horse, spitting blood, his whole body convulsing. It looks like he won't survive."

Kevan walked down the stairs, before even exiting Maegor's Holdfast's main gate—

"Report...Lord Hand, the Mountain has ordered the Clegane main force to march urgently to King's Landing and garrison in Cobbler's Square; he also ordered the Dragonstone fleet to return to the Blackwater and garrison in the Mud Gate Square."

Kevan walked onto Maegor's Holdfast's drawbridge, and another messenger arrived.

"Report...Lord Hand, the Mountain is carrying Lord Mace and riding side-by-side with Commander Benlont Bronn. The Clegane cavalry has entered the city and is heading towards the Red Keep!"

The Mountain is here!

No siege, no falling for a trap, the Mountain entered the city without losing a single man!

"Order all the soldiers in the Red Keep to defend the city with all their might!" Kevan said with a bitter taste in his mouth, feeling an overwhelming sense of defeat, wanting to jump off the drawbridge.

"Yes, Lord Hand!"