The Mountain of Ice and Fire

Before Cersei Lannister was arrested, Jeyne Westerling had been living in Maegor's Holdfast at the invitation of Cersei (Arya Stark). After Cersei Lannister was thrown into the dungeon, there were no royal family members in Maegor's Holdfast, and Jeyne Westerling became the only high-ranking official living there.

With the royal family gone, Maegor's Holdfast needed courtiers to manage it, and Jeyne became the sole high-ranking official in charge.

To avoid suspicion, the Mountain continued to reside in the Stone Cells, where the courtiers lived. The Mountain led his generals and guards to meetings in the throne room, separate from Lady Jeyne in Maegor's Holdfast.

Jeyne Westerling resided in Maegor's Holdfast, guarded by Bronn, the captain of the Kingsguard who no longer had to worry about Cersei's kill order. Her personal generals were Brienne of Tarth and Serry the Bull, two female warriors more imposing than most men. The young general Luc led two hundred-man companies of Clegane men into Maegor's Holdfast.

The royal Kingsguard, from Barristan to Harlan, a total of six men, also switched their allegiance to protect Maegor's Holdfast and Lady Jeyne Westerling, the acting administrator.

A snake cannot move without a head, and the kingdom urgently needed to elect a king.

Daenerys Targaryen on Dragonstone was still waiting for the Mountain to release her master of whisperers, Varys, and her general, Daario, one of the conditions for reaching a peace agreement. Daenerys held the key to the 50,000 warhorses the Mountain craved.

The Mountain and his loyal Clegane forces desperately needed to replenish their horses!

The Vale cavalry also needed warhorses as compensation.

The warhorses from the Dothraki Sea were fat, strong, and well-trained, possessing more combat power and stamina than the horses of Westeros, although they were inferior in height and burst speed to the purebred horses of the Claw.

Compared to the purebred horses of the Claw, the Dothraki horses had greater endurance and were better suited for long-range raids.

Fifty thousand warhorses were a powerful military asset. The combined forces of the southern alliance marching north—Jaime's army, the Clegane army, and the Vale army—had never possessed as many as 50,000 warhorses.

The Mountain wanted these 50,000 warhorses not only for himself and the Clegane army, but also for the Vale army, and to distribute some to the Crownlands army and the Reach army to buy their loyalty.

But one of the conditions for the exchange of 50,000 warhorses was the release of Varys and Daario.

Daario voluntarily became the Mountain's guard, leaving Daenerys speechless, but Varys had to be released.

Varys was the witness who testified to Mace Tyrell's treason, and before Mace Tyrell's case could be resolved, Varys could not be released.

And to fully resolve Mace Tyrell's case, a king had to be chosen for the Iron Throne first.

Mace was the Hand, and only the Regent, King, or new Hand could make the final decision on him. The judge could only try Mace and pronounce judgment on his crimes but had no power to execute him. Execution required an administrative order signed by the King, Regent, or new Hand.

But the kingdom was now a country without a king, without a regent, and without a new Hand.

Although the Mountain held great power, he needed a nominal right to execute it. The Master of War had no power to execute the Hand, and the Master of Laws could only try the Hand.

The Mountain decided to nominate Gendry Clegane to sit on the Iron Throne.

Of course, some courtiers still doubted Gendry Clegane's bloodline. The courtiers, led by the Lord of Antlers, hoped to wait for Lord Eddard Stark to come to King's Landing to verify Gendry's identity before nominating him as king, but the Mountain had other ideas.

Lord Eddard Stark could delay coming to King's Landing to testify, or he could testify after a long period of time, but why couldn't the king be nominated first to handle government affairs?

Why not?

The Mountain knew that the courtiers had doubts in their hearts, believing that Gendry was his adopted son, and wondering if there was some kind of 'conspiracy' behind it. But the Mountain believed that if those guys didn't have the guts to say it to his face, they should shut up. If anyone dared to stand up and object, the Mountain would demand evidence from them, and if they couldn't produce it, he would shut them up. Too many things could no longer be delayed. The kingdom had to have a king in order to appoint a Hand or a Regent, and then the kingdom's government affairs and military affairs, banking and trade, and the Mountain's dragon breeding and troop training could be carried out on a large scale.

The Mountain's goal was to conquer the continent of Essos across the Narrow Sea: Braavos, Pentos, Norvos, the Dothraki Sea, Slaver's Bay, Qarth, Meereen.

*

The throne room. The Small Council chamber.

The chair in the center was empty, without a Hand, a King, or a Regent.

The Master of War, the Mountain, sat in the first honored seat on the right—this position was actually always the position of the Hand, after the King sat on the chair in the center.

The first honored seat on the left was occupied by the High Septon of the Great Sept of Baelor.

The High Septon wore a white robe, jewels, and a seven-pointed crown inlaid with rare jades such as rubies, emeralds, moonstones, and ambers. The priceless seven-pointed crown that had been passed down from generation to generation was stolen during the refugee riots in King's Landing, so the High Septon had a new one cast by skilled craftsmen.

The Great Sept of Baelor had no shortage of gold and jade. There was a vault and a jade treasure house dedicated to it underground in the Sept, filled with boxes and boxes of gold and all kinds of priceless jewels.

This huge wealth was also the financial power supporting the Mountain Bank's paper money territory.

To be convincing, the paper money issued by the Mountain was linked to gold.

Major events in the royal family, including the trial of the great nobles, were entitled to the High Septon's participation and were indispensable. It was just that in the past, with the King and the Hand, the High Septon spent more time in the Sept. Unless the King or the Hand came to invite him, the High Septon would basically not participate in the Small Council meetings.

According to law and tradition: the King's enthronement, the execution of great nobles, the appointment of the captain of the Kingsguard, and the royal family's weddings and funerals must all be presided over by the High Septon.

In extraordinary times, the Mountain invited the High Septon, who had extremely high prestige in the Seven Kingdoms.

Anyone elected as High Septon, whether he was a stonemason, blacksmith, or farmer before, would immediately become the most influential person in the Seven Kingdoms: for the High Septon who could speak to the Seven Gods and convey their will, he was a demigod walking among the people.

With the High Septon's participation in the Small Council meeting, it had absolute credibility and authority. The people of the Seven Kingdoms would not doubt that the decisions made at the Small Council meeting would be unjust, and the High Septon, whom they fully trusted, was the witness.

In addition to the High Septon, the members of the Small Council who attended the meeting were the Master of Laws, Jeyne, the Master of Coin, Littlefinger, the Master of Whisperers, Berne, the Grand Maester, Qyburn, and the Master of Ships, Wagner Gower. These five high-ranking officials, including the High Septon himself, were all people in the Mountain's system.

Throughout the Small Council meeting, there was no external force for the Mountain.

The Mountain was as if he were at an internal meeting of the Clegane army: "My lords, the first government affair—I propose that Ser Barristan Selmy serve as the captain of the Kingsguard."

Jeyne was stern and solemn: "The captain of the Kingsguard has special privileges and is the only person who can make any suggestions to the King without being punished."

"Let's take a vote." The Mountain's right hand bent and tapped the table, making a click.

The ministers raised their hands together, and finally the Mountain also raised his hand, and the High Septon also raised his hand.

The Mountain said: "Unanimously approved, Berne, go and ask the Kingsguard, Harlan, to invite Ser Barristan Selmy to the meeting. The Small Council meeting cannot be without a righteous and loyal captain of the Kingsguard."

The Mountain borrowed the prestige of the High Septon, and at the same time, he also hoped to borrow the prestige of Barristan Selmy.

With Barristan's participation, some courtiers with doubts in their hearts could reduce their 'conspiracy theories'.

Harlan was one of the Kingsguard guarding the conference hall, while Barristan Selmy was guarding the Maegor's Holdfast drawbridge. Because his behavior of communicating privately with Tyrion Lannister was considered dishonorable, Barristan Selmy was currently starting his career with a crime, and he took the initiative to stay away from the throne hall.

Although Barristan admitted that he had received a letter from Tyrion and replied to it, which was an absolute stain that could be seized by the 'enemy' to attack and humiliate him, in the hearts of the courtiers and generals, no one really believed that Barristan would commit treason.

Barristan's reputation was a true steel. He was another Kingsguard after the era of the fearless Barristan Selmy who was trusted by the people and nobles of the Seven Kingdoms.

Although the Mountain played politics, he would never be pretentious. He also didn't care about some nobles' 'dark' thoughts about him. In his eyes, those nobles with 'different political views' were scum that didn't need to be paid attention to. When the kingdom moved forward like a chariot, it was normal to throw off some stupid guys who were unwilling to grab the chariot and crush them.

The wheels of history were unstoppable!

Soon, Barristan Selmy arrived.

The Mountain cut to the chase and spoke on behalf of Jeyne without any suspicion: "Barristan, the Small Council meeting unanimously passed a resolution to nominate you as the captain of the Kingsguard. Your formal appointment and ceremony will be postponed, but our next agenda urgently needs your participation."

The High Septon said: "Ser Barristan Selmy, after today's meeting, you must be prepared to put on a white robe in the Sept to welcome the Seven Gods' inquiry and blessing. Your ceremony needs to be postponed."

"High Septon, Lord Mountain, I..." Barristan Selmy felt guilty and moved.

The Mountain shouted: "Barristan, the kingdom is very fragile now, don't be indecisive, don't worry about being accused of treason, I believe in your innocence, start doing things with a crime, everything is for Westeros! Your case, the Master of Laws needs time to investigate."

"Yes, Lord Mountain." Barristan's view of the Mountain had changed as early as the Battle of the Blackwater years ago.

In the Battle of the Blackwater several years ago, the Mountain killed Stannis and led the King's Landing garrison to win a great victory with fewer troops than the enemy. It was also at that time that the Mountain established his unprecedented prestige and glory in the garrison army. Barristan Selmy had fought side by side with the Mountain.

Barristan Selmy saluted the High Septon and sat down.

The Mountain said: "The second government affair, the commander of the King's Landing garrison is lacking, we need to recommend the most trusted and loyal general to serve and take office immediately."

"I recommend General Rolph Spicer," said the Master of Ships, Wagner Gower.

Rolph Spicer, Lady Jeyne's uncle.

"When General Rolph fought against Daenerys's navy, he took the lead without receiving a military order, which violated military discipline, and I haven't had time to punish him yet," the Mountain said in a deep voice.

"I agree with the proposal of the Royal Navy Commander Wagner," Lady Jeyne said, "My lords, there is a most critical quality to consider when choosing the commander of the garrison: loyalty! Absolute loyalty! General Rolph's loyalty to Westeros will never be questioned. He is wholeheartedly loyal."

After Lady Jeyne finished speaking, she raised her hand.

Wagner also raised his hand.

Two votes!

Berne, Littlefinger, and Qyburn all raised their hands.

Five votes in favor!

The High Septon, the Mountain, and Barristan did not raise their hands, but whether they were against it or in favor of it, they could no longer change the fact. Five to three, more than half of the votes: Rolph Spicer became the commander of the King's Landing garrison.

Jeyne said: "Ser Barristan, please send your Kingsguard brother to immediately notify General Rolph Spicer to come to the meeting. For the next government affairs, we need the addition of the commander of the King's Landing garrison."

"Okay, Lady Jeyne," said the captain of the Kingsguard, Barristan.

Rolph Spicer was in the corridor outside the throne hall, with many generals and guards under the Mountain. These generals and guards were guarding the Mountain to come to the throne hall for a meeting.

After a while, Rolph Spicer came in.

The Mountain said: "Ser Rolph, you have been nominated by the Small Council as the commander of the King's Landing garrison. This is your token and letter of appointment."

The Mountain was the Master of War, in charge of the military affairs of the Seven Kingdoms, and had the right to directly announce the appointment. The position of garrison commander was different from that of the captain of the Kingsguard. The captain of the Kingsguard had to hold a Seven Gods ceremony of appointment and would receive the honor of a special ceremony.

"Yes, Lord Mountain," Rolph Spicer said excitedly.

The Spicer surname was not a noble of the Westerlands, but belonged to the spice merchants of the Westerlands. In order to get rid of this, the Spicer family made huge sacrifices, even giving up the huge profits of the spice trade, and finally withdrew from the spice trade to make their family more like nobles.

Becoming the commander of the garrison was a highlight moment that could enhance the glory of the Spicer family name, and it was also an opportunity for the Spicer family to become true nobles.

The Mountain said: "High Septon, the third government affair, I hope we can nominate our own king under the blessing of the Seven Gods."

The High Septon coughed lightly, and then began a hymn-like prayer chant. Finally, the High Septon said: "The Seven Gods have agreed to your request, Lord Mountain."

The Mountain said: "In the name of the Seven Gods, in the glory of the Clegane family, I, Gregor Clegane—Duke of Dragonstone, Lord of Clegane's Holdfast, Lord of Tarbeck Hall and Castamere, Warden of the West, Warden of the East, Warden of the North, Master of War of the Seven Kingdoms, King of the Claw—hereby solemnly propose that Gendry Clegane, of the blood of the late King Robert Baratheon I, be the King of the Seven Kingdoms."

After the Mountain finished speaking, he raised his hand.

Littlefinger raised his hand.

Berne, Qyburn, Jeyne, Rolph, Barristan, and others raised their hands together.

Finally, the High Septon also raised his hand.

Unanimously approved!

Gendry Clegane—or rather, Gendry Baratheon—had officially become the King of the Seven Kingdoms!

The coronation ceremony would be held in the Great Sept of Baelor, presided over by the High Septon.

The Mountain said, "Ser Balon, please dispatch the Kingsguard to escort Ser Gendry Baratheon, who is in the corridor of the throne room, inside. According to the laws of the realm, he is now our king."

"Yes, Lord Mountain," Balon Swann stood up and strode out of the council chamber to personally greet Gendry Baratheon in the corridor outside the throne room.

The only person the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard needed to be loyal to was the King.

A short while later, Gendry Baratheon appeared at the entrance to the council chamber, a slight hesitation in the depths of his eyes, as if wary and suspicious. Balon Swann was behind him, giving him a gentle push on the back, and the unconfident Gendry Baratheon I walked in.

The Mountain stood up, Lady Janei stood up, Bernie Clegane, Littlefinger, Qyburn, Vargo Hoat, the High Septon, Lord Lothor Spicer, and all the other courtiers all stood up. Everyone paid their respects to the new king, which visibly made Gendry nervous.