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Published at 25th of April 2024 07:33:35 AM


Chapter 100: ' Hope or Threat ' Part I

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Chapter 100: ' Hope or Threat ' Part I

Hi everyone here's another chapter.

A small announcement, I will be breaking up the length of the chapters a bit from now on. I will be lowering the average from 3500 to about 2500 words per chapter. But from now on (barring complications) I should be able to post a chapter every two days (instead of every 5).

Thank you all for your support.

Have a great weekend and Happy Reading!!!

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POV: Bloody Snow;

Main Corridor, Sea Tower, Pyke's Fortress.

Seconds before a Kraken froze...

The body was on the edge, legs and arms screaming for mercy.

The boy had crossed a line for too long that his master forbade him to cross except in situations of extreme danger...

However, victory was at hand. Bloody Snow chose to continue trespassing the forbidden boundaries of technique... he was aware that he would have to pay the price for this choice, but the biggest prey of all was only a few dozen feet away.

The predator had sensed the word 'King' from that distance... Balon himself was within reach of his jaws.

He lowered his killing intent so as not to startle the slimy sea squid. He had to entice it to come to him...

"Shooters! The King will be with us soon, let him come." He admonished Bloody Snow in a fierce authoritative tone.

"Y-yes, m-my lord," replied the vice-captain of the crossbow unit Edmund, stammering and finally managing to get a moment's respite from that gloomy pressure.

He had instructed the marksmen not to target the possible King. He couldn't risk Balon getting away with a mere flesh wound and running away with his tail between his legs.

Seconds later...

The 'big fish' had taken the bait.

He had even held back against those four foolish levels [4] and [5] who had thought they could scratch him...

That slimy, arrogant individual was just a few steps away from him now.

Bloody Snow unleashed all of his murderous will once again, releasing the dormant beast within him with a presence more intimidating and murderous than ever.

The man and his guard dog were petrified on the spot.

Balon shot it bigger than he thought, he was genuinely disappointed by what he saw in front of him. A forty-year-old semi-scruffy Level [6 class: Knight]... Hearing the rumours of Balon's past 'great deeds', he expected at least a Level [7]...

Bloody Snow analyzed in the blink of an eye after the second opponent, the one with a peculiar armour... It seemed to be adorned with shark teeth.

'A level [8 class: king]... This is going to be fun!' he thought elatedly... but something was wrong. He felt too much anger and elation building up inside of him and an overwhelming desire to tear the two individuals apart. To make them suffer, to make them feel as much pain as possible.

'No! I should not kill Balon... I must... I should force him to surrender...' A moment of clarity stopped the sword hand, giving precious seconds for the enemy to recover.

A huge amount of conflicting thoughts and voices invaded his thoughts.

Time was running slower than normal...

He had promised his not-yet-declared King Eddard that he would show mercy to Balon should he surrender, and that he would have the opportunity to join the Night's Watch. An undeserved privilege in his opinion... Had he killed Balon here and now, the battle would be won no more deaths.

The usurping King's head on a pike and game over! Follow current novels on novelb((in).(com)

The boy was no longer under the influence of the benefits of [Bless], he had just exhausted a life preserver that would help him suppress a dangerous presence within him. A presence that came to life just a year ago under Zick's supervision...

[Yess... Yes, Balon must die! He's a prey!] sang a bestial and provocative voice inside the boy. A voice that advised him in his deepest subconscious as he unleashed without inhibitors Zick's technique mixed with complete killing intent.

'No... I shouldn't... ' thought a faint spark still present within him.

[Yes you should! He wanted you dead! Kill or be KILLED, boy! Such a simple choice, so sweet... Kill him!] The entity became more persuasive and authoritative.

'Zick... Zick had told me... I should' The voice left no room for that thought.

[Forget that old man! He's weak... We can't be weak... Can you feel the power flowing? Let it flow, Duncan. Embrace it! Go beyond the limits! We can get much stronger than this...]

'I... feel it, yes I feel it flowing...' The spark was smothered more and more.

We should rejoice in the good, successful flying experience rather than wallowing in the fear that the chicks might crash to the ground! Come on, give me a little smile! Ahahah!... Never mind...

Speaking of gifted, that brat Khal Drogo? Is that boy getting a grip?" Duncan revealed much of the information he possessed, revealing to Zick his abilities and all the possible changes the world could undergo.

The Watcher's organization helped gather as much information as possible about the activities of the 'gifted'.

"Not exactly, for the moment he is routing small Khalasar and returning to his priestess in Vaes Dothrak after each victory.

Many Khals are uniting to face Drogo's advance, the balance of power is shifting but it will still take time.

Do you wish us to 'act' to help slow it down?" Ramas asked.

"No. Khal Drogo is respecting all the customs of Dothraki culture and still seems to be open to dialogue despite his 'divine endowment'.

Impartiality, understanding, dialogue, and respect always come before all other measures, my boy. Always remember." Responded in a firm tone The Guardian of Love.

"Yes, master, as you wish," Ramas replied without objection.

"Let us return to more cheerful discourse, then, those five young men who helped our disciples, if possible I would like to send thanks proportionate to their help... mmm ... Any suggestions?" Zick asked, lowering the level of seriousness of the conversation.

"It seems that Duncan has already sung their praises to King Robert, spurring him to grant the last four a noble knighthood and make the first one the new future Lord of Pyke," Ramas said with a small nod of astonishment.

"Ahahah! I figured he'd already thought of a way to reward them. But forcing the King of the Seven Kingdoms to make a minor knight Lord of Pyke?! That boy knows one more than the Devil! Ahahah!...

In any case, I'd still like to participate to return the favour to those young men... mmm let's see... do they have families?" The Watcher was still a bit reluctant to let his heir throw himself into that cruel power struggle fray, but the boy's abilities were undeniable...

Duncan had already reached an uncommon level of skill in a very short time. And it was time for some hands-on experience. Zick had been noticeably 'annoyed' by the Braavos Titan's instant and uneducated 'move', but that line had not yet been crossed.

There was another factor that darkened the poor anxious Master's heart...

Duncan's Plans. That boy, although a genius, came up with crazy and reckless ideas that made your blood run cold just listening to them. And the worst part was that who knows how he always managed to convince other 'Crazies' to jump into the dark abyss with him.

"Zoldhak has already considered returning the favour, thinking it might please you.

And yes, master, four of them have families. Many have children, wives, brothers, sisters, and other family members scattered throughout the Stormlands, only one boy, Wex, appears to be an orphan, but he seems to be forging a small love interest with a young laundress in Dragonstone.

Zoldhak has already arranged to send a few of our agents to keep them safe, as well as clear the debts of a few minor moneylenders and merchants who harass a family member or two. And... he asks for your approval to support the new Lord of Pyke.

Lord Alan may have won the title of Lord, but the Island's treasury and resources will likely be drained significantly leaving few coins in the coffers...

The Crown is in urgent need of cash to support all the King's frivolities and maintain the stability of the Kingdom. Under this, it would like to fund and send military aid to House Fury, Master." Reported Ramas in detail.

"Ah, Zoldhak, my friend...you always manage to anticipate my wishes. What would I do without you? Sure, go ahead and inform him that I am more than supportive of the idea. If our friends wanted to 'invest' in the promising new House of Pyke, I would have no objection." Replied Zick in an impartial tone but with concealed satisfaction.

"Besides, I suppose these new four knights don't have much practice in the knightly arts, am I wrong?" Zick asked wanting to add a little personal touch.

"Correct assumption, master. They are more sailors and sea fighters, I doubt they have found the time or means for knightly subjects." Reported Ramas.

"Well, ask Master Ser Wondel to send them some of his boys to give them a hand, if possible. I'd like those young men to not be too marred by the cruel and pompous shenanigans of the noble blood." Zick.

"I am sure Ser Wondel will be honoured, master. I will inform him as soon as possible," Ramas replied confidently.

"Mmm... Are you omitting something I should know, my boy? Your anxiety and concern is palpable." Ramas did not deny that statement and replied, "Indeed yes, Master...Duncan...is pushing the boundaries a bit too far in my opinion.

He seems intent on leading another mad attack on Pyke's fortress. The thing is... he has decided to lead an infiltration group into the castle's defences, with a hundred or so volunteers, and no members of the Guardians at his side to protect him.

Some of the swords present in that group might be 'unsavoury', Ser Jaime Lannister being an example," Ramas explained.

"The Queen's twin?"

"The very one." Ramas.

"I see... Explain to me in detail everything we've been able to find out about this yet another Duncan folly," Zick asked more carefully.

End Part I

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