Game of Thrones: I Created the Magic Web

Joffrey's game of King had begun.

Robb Stark and Theon Greyjoy played the roles of two opposing “Lords.”

Bran Stark, Jon Snow, Rodrik Cassel, and four others played the roles of “Knights,” each serving one of the two “Lords.”

Seventy-seven spectators were roped in to play the roles of “soldiers,” each serving under one of the seven “Knights.”

Everyone owed allegiance to the “King.”

The “King” spoke.

“What petitions do those assembled before me have?”

All the players became serious. After hearing the Crown Prince's explanation of the game's rules, no one thought it was just a simple game for entertainment.

Robb was the first to speak.

“Your Majesty, your vassal Stark requests a territorial judgment.”

With four knights sworn to him, and being in Winterfell, the Stark family's seat, he undoubtedly had a greater advantage than Theon.

“Greyjoy has seized a knight's territory belonging to Stark. Stark demands that Greyjoy return it.”

Each “Lord” had three opportunities to initiate a challenge. The challenged party could counter once without using up a challenge opportunity.

Robb initiated the first round of challenges against Theon.

Victory would mean that one of Theon's knights and eleven soldiers would be transferred to his side.

Defeat would result in no reward, and the King would impose a random punishment.

Theon naturally wouldn't submit directly.

He also stepped forward to petition, “Your Majesty, this is slander from Stark! Greyjoy demands a trial by combat.”

Joffrey nodded.

“Trial by combat is permitted. Stark and Greyjoy will each designate a knight to fight.”

Robb designated Ser Rodrik Cassel, the master-at-arms.

Theon looked at Jon, with whom he usually didn't get along, “Jon, you wouldn't deliberately lose, would you?”

Jon snorted unhappily.

“I still have some honor, ‘respected’ Lord.”

Jon didn't go back on his word.

He did his best. The swordsmanship and physique he had painstakingly trained since childhood were his greatest assets over the years, and he defeated the experienced Ser Rodrik.

Robb's challenge failed. Joffrey didn't punish him.

Theon decided to counter, “Your Majesty, Stark has seized two knight's territories belonging to Greyjoy. Greyjoy demands that Stark return them.”

Theon raised the stakes.

Most of those present were from Winterfell, and some of Theon's men were already somewhat unhappy.

Robb didn't demand a trial by combat. He knew Jon's martial prowess, and continuing that way wouldn't lead to victory. Voting was the only option.

“Your Majesty, Stark is innocent. I request a Great Council be convened!”

Joffrey agreed.

“Great Council,” another form of judgment in the King's Game, where the seventy-seven soldiers present would vote on the issue.

Each knight now had 11 soldiers. The decision of 7 or more soldiers had to be adopted by the knight, otherwise, the knight could choose to agree, disagree, or abstain.

The final seven votes would determine the ultimate outcome.

Before the voting began, the two lords could speak to win the support of the soldiers.

“The lords may begin their speeches.”

Robb was very confident. He only said one sentence, “Please support me, everyone.”

Indeed, this was Winterfell.

Theon was even more aware that he seemed destined to taste defeat and ridicule again.

This game is unfair!

But where in the world is there fairness?! Isn't Winterfell just like this game!

He fell into pain.

I am the heir of the Iron Islands, the son of the Kraken, I am a resilient Ironborn…

Am I?

My father is Lord Balon Greyjoy of the Iron Islands, but his face has long been blurred in my memory, replaced by the face and words of Duke Eddard.

My motto is “We Do Not Sow,” but now I am in the North, where “Winter is Coming.”

My god is the cruel Drowned God, “What is dead may never die, but rises again, harder and stronger.” Now I am praying to the gods of the green lands.

My belonging is the sea, the longship, but now I have forgotten the salt taste of the sea.

Who am I, after all?

Would Stark accept me?

Theon tasted the metallic and bitter taste in his mouth.

He only felt his soul constantly falling, straight into the dark and crazy abyss. It was neither Winterfell nor Pyke of the Iron Islands, but a place of unknowing and unconscious non-existence…

Joffrey poured his vast spirit into his eyes, and his words were tinged with magic.

He only said, “Greyjoy, speak.”

Theon couldn't help but raise his head. The Crown Prince's eyes were beckoning him to look over.

Gods, what kind of monster lives in there?

Calm warmth hid a storm that could sweep the world, unpredictable yet unwavering, making people both respectful and fearful, loving and hating, impossible to forget for a lifetime.

Like a supreme King.

King.

Yes, King!!

Theon's face was flooded with fanatical emotions, and his eyes shone with a mixture of hope and despair.

Theon prostrated himself on the ground, as if on a pilgrimage.

“Your Supreme Majesty, Theon Greyjoy offers you unwavering loyalty! My sword, my body, my soul, everything belongs to you!!”

Everyone was dumbfounded!

Joffrey's lips curled into a wanton arc.

He drew Dragonflame and pressed the tip of the sword heavily on Theon's shoulder.

“I accept your allegiance.”

“In the name of the Seven Gods, Theon of House Greyjoy, I, Joffrey Baratheon, knight you as a knight of the King's service. Remember, you must not retreat in battle.”

“Arise, Ser Theon Greyjoy.”

A knighting ceremony that was so simple that it couldn't be simpler, and even somewhat unconventional, but no one dared to treat it as a joke.

People could only stare blankly.

Joffrey retracted Dragonflame, one hand on his hip and the other holding the sword hilt.

“Let the voting begin.”

Robb's confidence was mostly lost.

The seventy-seven soldiers gradually stirred. They looked at each other, tacitly choosing to obey the greatest liege lord to whom they all owed allegiance.

Robb closed his eyes.

All seven knights lost the right to choose. The soldiers under them overwhelmingly voted for the same side.

The Great Council, Greyjoy won!

Robb lost two of his knights, half of his strength, and the scales of victory tipped in favor of Theon.

Theon launched an attack.

“Your Majesty! Stark has seized two knight's territories belonging to Greyjoy. Greyjoy demands that Stark return them!”

One more win, and Robb would be completely defeated.

At this time, Robb had to face a difficult choice. Trial by combat, Jon was on the other side. The Great Council didn't seem to hold much hope now either.

Do I also have to swear allegiance to win?

Robb's mood was complicated, and he seemed to understand the Crown Prince's intentions. The King's Game was indeed a game for the King.

Jon's heart was also struggling.

The perceptive him had long seen that this game was not simple. At least, the Crown Prince had the intention of making him make a decision at this time.

King's Landing? The Night's Watch?

It seemed that a choice had to be made now.

Jon looked at the Crown Prince, and his gaze met the Crown Prince's, as if a strange force was transmitted.

Jon only felt his head heat up, and he immediately knelt on one knee.

“Your Majesty, Jon Snow is willing to offer eternal loyalty and requests to be ennobled as a lord.”

People were shocked again.

There was also a rule in this game: knights could request to be ennobled as lords, as long as they obtained the allegiance of another knight and seven soldiers.

Joffrey was very satisfied with the game's outcome.

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