The Mountain of Ice and Fire

Chapter 141: Talent for Ventriloquism (Seeking Recommendations)

"Bernie, give it a try!" Bernie said.

Stinky Mouth was immediately stunned.

Bernie had repeated his own words exactly. If he hadn't been keeping his mouth shut, he would have thought he was speaking.

My god, what a talent!

"What else can you do?" Stinky Mouth's shocked expression pleased Bernie.

He loved seeing people stunned by him; it made him feel satisfied, comfortable, and superior. He enjoyed the feeling of being 'amazing'.

Then, Stinky Mouth heard dog barks, bird calls, flowing water, wind blowing, horse hooves, and wolf howls.

Bernie produced each sound effortlessly and realistically.

Passersby stopped to listen to the incredible and beautiful sounds.

Each sound was so lifelike, with no flaws to be found even in the smallest details.

This met Lord Mountain's requirements: a special skill, an unusual ability, a unique talent.

But what use would this guy be in the army?

Stinky Mouth couldn't figure it out.

When the enemy attacks, you can't have this guy use 'fake arrow sounds' to kill them, right?

However, this wasn't something Stinky Mouth should be worrying about.

Since Bernie's 'ventriloquism' was so impressive and met Lord Mountain's orders, what was there to hesitate about? Let's go.

Although the official conscription was five days away, Stinky Mouth could tell from this guy's eyes that he had no intention of joining the army. Such a talented individual couldn't be let go. If he were to be let go, it would have to be after Lord Mountain had seen him and decided that this talent was truly useless for military purposes. Only then, with Lord Mountain's approval, could he be released.

"Get up and come with me!" Stinky Mouth said.

"...Where...to...?" Bernie's voice trembled.

He could now feel the terrifying aura emanating from this young man. It was definitely the kind of aura that treated killing people like drinking a glass of fruit wine.

"I'm a soldier of Ser Gregor, where do you think we're going?"

"My lord, are you going to punish him?" The Ox blocked Stinky Mouth.

Stinky Mouth smiled, "Big sister, can't you tell that he has no respect or love for you? Don't bother with him."

"No, he's a good person, he saved my life," The Ox said.

"Oh!" Stinky Mouth sized up the woman. Stinky Mouth was a person of integrity, loyalty, and gratitude, and he admired people with these characteristics. The big sister in front of him was undoubtedly such a person! Bernie treated her so poorly, but because Bernie had saved her life, she tolerated it and protected him in times of crisis.

"Big sister, don't worry, I'm taking him to be a soldier," Stinky Mouth said.

"Really?"

"Really. Didn't you want him to be a soldier? Let me tell you, big sister, once he becomes a soldier under Ser Gregor, if he ever tries to bully you again, or wants to desert, I guarantee you he'll regret being born into this world," Stinky Mouth said.

"Just scare him a little," The Ox's honesty made Stinky Mouth sigh inwardly.

Stinky Mouth wasn't a simple kid; he grew up on the streets and was good at reading people. He had already seen that Bernie despised the big sister. If the big sister hadn't earned two gold dragons today, this kid definitely wouldn't have come home with her.

Stinky Mouth had been following Bernie along the way and had already seen through his personality. He was a slippery, frivolous rogue for whom loyalty and integrity were just a mouthful of phlegm, to be coughed up when needed and spat out when not.

Bernie's eyes darted around. He didn't like being constrained and couldn't endure hardship. Ever since his ventriloquism talent was revealed, everyone had liked him. Whenever any family in the village had something good to eat, as long as he learned a few phrases, they would immediately be happy and smiling, and invite him to eat and drink well. He basically grew up without experiencing any hardship.

Apart from not growing taller, his ventriloquism skills became increasingly better. As an adult, he was incredibly skilled, learning anything he saw and imitating anything he heard with uncanny realism. Because of this skill, he was well-liked by Count Banecroft, and he often mingled with the nobles as a jester, performing comical acts and enjoying a comfortable life.

Because of his ventriloquism talent, he had also tricked many young girls into bed. He amused the nobles at their homes and earned a lot of money, which he spent on wine and prostitutes.

Despite his dwarfish height, he was very nimble and, although not as generous as Tyrion Lannister, he gave prostitutes as much money as he could.

But today, he was unlucky. Since Stinky Mouth had seen through his nature, if he wanted to escape, there was only one way: to bite his tongue and commit suicide!

Bernie was someone who cherished his life and was afraid of pain, so he would naturally not choose to bite his tongue and commit suicide. So, let's go.

The Ox was worried, and Stinky Mouth also liked this large, clumsy but honest and kind-hearted big sister, so he asked her to come back to Casterly Rock with them.

When Mountain sent Stinky Mouth out, he told Stinky Mouth that if this strong woman's family was not well-off, or if he could persuade her family, to bring her back and let her be Lady Jeyne's maid.

Mountain had a knack for seeing people's true nature. He could see that a straightforward woman like this would make the best maid: loyal! If Jeyne was in trouble, she would protect her with all her might without being ordered to do so.

The woman was tall and strong, stronger than most men, and had good natural strength. With a little training, ordinary people would not be her match. She was strong and honest, making her the most reassuring maid for Jeyne. As Mountain became busier, Jeyne needed loyal maids, and not just one.

*

Night.

In Mountain's room.

Bernie stood in front of Mountain as if a little person from Lilliput was facing a giant from Brobdingnag.

The difference in size between the two was too great.

Looking at Mountain, Bernie truly felt what pressure was.

During the day, in front of thousands of people, Mountain was on the second-floor corridor, and his terror and pressure were dispersed, so Bernie didn't feel it too strongly. But face to face, Bernie's only feeling was that he wanted to die.

"Listen, if you ever dare to touch her again, I'll cut off your fingers," Mountain said.

Bernie was so scared that he couldn't speak. He knew that Mountain's words were law to him. If he really hit the Ox again, his hands would definitely not grow back on his arms.

"Ox, you're not allowed to be called that name anymore. If Bernie dares to call you Ox, tell me, and I'll cut off his tongue."

Lady Jeyne said, "Ser Gregor, don't scare this young couple. Since she is happy and willing to be my maid, I will give her a name. Because of her tolerance and patience towards her husband, let's call her Grizelda. From today on, Grizelda, you are my sister."

"Thank you, Lady Jeyne." Grizelda's eyes immediately welled up.

She was very happy and grateful to be Lady Jeyne's maid.

Mountain reached out and touched the frightened Bernie, "Bernie, your wife is my lady's sister now, do you think you can still be disloyal to her, beat her when you want, and scold her when you want? Let me tell you, listen carefully, from now on, hand over your monthly military pay to your wife, don't go to any brothels, you can drink alcohol, but don't trick young girls into bed. I can see all your dirty little secrets with one glance."

Bernie felt like he was suffocating, and his head was buzzing.

This change was too big and too magical, and his little heart needed to digest it properly.

"Alright, from now on, you are my wine server. Tomorrow morning, you two, get up early and receive short sword fighting training. Bernie, your ventriloquism talent can be used for entertainment, but not for showing off, understand?"

"...Yes... Ser Gregor..." Bernie felt like he was standing on cotton.

"Good, Bernie, take Grizelda back to your room to sleep, be good tonight, and don't bully her."

Lady Jeyne smiled, "Bernie, if you bully Grizelda, I'll know."

Bernie quickly swore to Gregor and Jeyne that he would never bully Grizelda again, and that he would not hit her, scold her, or humiliate her, but would only treat her with all his heart.

Watching the young couple leave obediently, Gregor felt extremely happy. Bernie's talent would be very useful in the future Seven Kingdoms civil war, and at critical moments, it would be worth an army!