Game of Thrones: I Created the Magic Web

Chapter 157: A Stab to the Heart

At the top of the highest tower in Lormouth.

Renly Baratheon stood alone by the battlements, gazing south.

The bright sunlight bathed the world.

All that could be seen were lush, rolling green forests, the green hues distinct, interesting, and not chaotic.

Some were jade green, tender and translucent, like children.

Some were apple green, vibrant and luscious, tasting sweet and sour, like teenagers.

Some were olive green, vibrant, strong, and mature, seemingly unremarkable, yet capable of evoking both warmth and stability, like energetic young adults.

Some were dark green, simple and elegant, like elders who had seen the world.

A forest is a world in itself.

Gazing into the distance.

At the edge of the world, a faint line of crimson emerged, contrasting yet harmonizing with the green forest, showcasing the wonder of creation.

One couldn't help but marvel at the beautiful scenery.

However.

Renly couldn't see what he wanted to see.

Storm's End.

He recalled the magnificent castle, where the waves crashed day and night and storms frequently visited, flipping through the memories in his mind. Walls, gates, mechanisms.

Did they really think they could breach it in the hands of Ser Cortnay Penrose with just a few thousand men?

Renly wanted to burst out laughing, mocking Joffrey's foolishness and arrogance. But having learned so much, he dared not be careless.

Even the axe wielded by a fool could be as deadly as that of a wise man.

Unfortunately, Joffrey held just such an axe, and it was growing rapidly, becoming sharper and sharper.

The first news came from King's Landing.

Spies were sent to observe the harbor, relaying intelligence from the Kingswood to Goldengrove, or along the Kingsroad to Bronzegate.

The ravens of the castles would complete the final leg of the journey.

Thus, Renly was able to know the movements of King's Landing from five days prior.

But sometimes he wished he didn't.

Within three days, King's Landing had sent four pieces of shockingly critical intelligence.

Large quantities of lumber were stockpiled at the docks of King's Landing, and then, in just one day, the Royal Fleet stationed in King's Landing doubled in size, reaching as many as three hundred warships!

Overnight, steel was transformed into sleek warships, launched successfully, and able to move without sails!

After the launching ceremony, the city's troops boarded the Royal Fleet, and all three hundred warships set sail for the sea, with Joffrey himself on board!

A day later, the lumber was exhausted, and nearly three hundred brand new warships were born in King's Landing!

Each message was more terrifying, each more dangerous.

Renly could hardly believe it.

But all the spies and letters were consistent, and some even came to the castle to tell Renly what they had seen and heard, in detail and thoroughly, with evidence.

A piece of wood with extremely chaotic grain, as if formed by randomly mixing several colors.

Renly chose to believe.

He knew that this intelligence could not be concealed, so he quickly called a meeting to discuss how to respond.

The lords and generals initially raised very similar questions, and after confirming the truth, reacted differently: some were silent, some were emotional, some muttered to themselves in despair, and some were stunned and bewildered, their movements sluggish.

Renly displayed his calmness and composure, merely instructing the generals to intensify training and sending letters to the castles along the coast.

But the ravens from Rain House arrived at Lormouth half a day later, announcing that the Royal Fleet had arrived.

This moment was the darkest hour for Lormouth.

The lords and knights present were disheartened and held little hope for the defense of the southern castles.

Those whose territories were along the coast of Cape Wrath conveyed their expectations to Renly with their eyes, some subtly or excitedly proposing to immediately return to defend the Stormlands, setting the battlefield at Cape Wrath, and striking the enemy with blood and fire.

Old Lord Estermont of Greenstone even privately approached Renly, begging him to save Estermont Island at all costs.

The crowd was agitated, speaking with one voice.

But how could Renly agree to chase after a fleet with cavalry and infantry?

Moreover, these warships could be built by the hundreds in a single day, and even if skilled sailors were limited, at least there was no need to worry about damage, making them almost equivalent to an unsinkable fleet.

And although there was only one ironclad warship, it was a true floating fortress, impossible to breach.

Fight such an enemy at sea?

Renly was even more determined to implement the plan to cross the Blackwater Rush upstream.

The Blackwater Rush was shallow upstream, making it impossible for deep-water warships to reach, and even a few more sunken ships would make it difficult for even light vessels to approach.

Then, capturing King's Landing from the land should be hopeful.

Renly had already abandoned the idea of certain victory.

The power possessed by Joffrey was not only strange but also full of unknowns, shrouded in mist.

Who knew what extent this power could reach?

Renly couldn't help but think of the worst-case scenario: his hundred thousand troops easily destroyed by Joffrey's tricks, like a game.

However, after the darkest hour, dawn began to break.

The second letter from Rain House brought smiles to everyone present.

Rain House had held!

The enemy appeared so mysterious and bizarre, warships, lights, loud noises, all just for show!

Renly also breathed a sigh of relief.

Judging from this situation, at least the chances of victory on land were high.

Provided that the second letter was genuine.

Perhaps the good news came too suddenly, Renly was subconsciously doubtful, inexplicably uneasy.

But subsequently, Amberly, Greenstone, Storm's End, Weeping Town, and Griffin's Roost, one letter after another arrived, with similar content: first warning and requesting assistance, describing the enemy's situation, then reporting safety, and reporting the enemy's movements.

The time was concentrated within a short day or two.

The massive Royal Fleet seemed like a band of pirates, running very fast, searching for weak prey everywhere, never attacking difficult castles head-on.

More importantly, the fleet used a very limited amount of light and sound!

Was that to say that Joffrey's various strange abilities were also like this, difficult to sustain, and not as terrible as he thought?

Renly suppressed his excitement, not allowing himself to fully believe this guess.

The situation suddenly improved.

So, how should the troops proceed now?

The lords and generals argued endlessly: some said to continue westward and join the Reach army, some requested to go south to protect the territory, and some shouted to go straight north to test the quality of the Blackwater Rush fleet.

What drove Renly to make a decision was the raven from Storm's End.

Ser Cortnay Penrose reported in his own handwriting: Joffrey had landed with five thousand men to besiege the castle, and most of the accompanying fleet had gone north, cutting off their retreat.

Renly secretly rejoiced that the one holding the dangerous axe was Joffrey, a fool.

"Your Grace, a letter from Tumbleton."

The maester came up from the stairs behind him, holding a roll of parchment.

Unsealing the wax with the crossed quill pattern, the content of the letter was as expected: Joffrey had sent the fleet north to plunder villages and towns.

Renly's last concerns were also dispelled.

He looked at Storm's End again.

The Royal Fleet ravaged the coastal villages and towns, and Joffrey led a few thousand men to flaunt their power outside Storm's End.

The defensive strength of King's Landing was unknown.

Then, let the war end outside Storm's End.

He shouldn't try to destroy the axe.

While the axe hadn't grown up yet, while the fool had let go of the axe, one strike.

Stab to the heart.

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