Lady Raedelle, the master of ceremonies, stood beside Aegon. She lifted her chin slightly and gathered her strength once more to call out loudly to the crowd below, "Lords of the South, step forward and swear your loyalty to Your Grace Aegon I, the supreme king of Westeros."
Among the Reach nobles, Tyrell frowned slightly as he watched Raedelle, the last scion of House Gardener. He sensed Aegon's clear regard for her and felt that she might pose a subtle threat to his position as Highgarden's steward.
The southern lords stepped forward and knelt before Aegon. As their knees struck the ground, a heavy thud echoed through the hall.
In perfect unison, they presented their weapons with both hands.
Aegon instructed Visenya to collect the swords of the surrendered lords, then continued the oath-taking ceremony.
Once the vows were completed, all eyes turned expectantly toward Aegon.
With the title of Lord of the Reach now vacant and Highgarden without a ruler, the lords descended from the Greenhand Bloodline were certain that one of them stood the best chance of being granted the southern lordship.
Aegon maintained a solemn expression as he looked down at the defeated lords of the Reach.
While touring Highgarden with Harlan, he had quietly observed and assessed the strength and influence of the region's noble houses.
In his mind, Aegon had divided the Reach's noble strength into three distinct tiers:
T0 tier: House Peake, House Hightower, and House Redwyne of Greenwall. In Aegon's evaluation, these houses showed no obvious shortcomings—militarily, politically, or financially.
T1 tier: House Tarly of Horn Hill, House Serry of the Shield Islands, House Tyrell, and the houses founded by the sons of "Greenhand" Garth. These houses might be strong in certain areas, but they had one or more weaknesses and relied on T0-tier families or the regional liege lord to survive steadily.
T2 and below: lesser noble holdings and knightly houses...
Aegon realized this system of classification could just as easily apply to the other great domains of Westeros.
"Lords," Aegon said calmly.
He raised his hand slightly, pausing just long enough for the once noisy crowd to fall completely silent. All eyes turned to him.
Inside the Oak King's Hall, the assembled lords held their breath, not daring to miss a word.
Each of them was secretly wondering who would be granted the crucial title of Lord of the South.
Suddenly—clang!
Aegon unsheathed the Valyrian steel sword Blackfyre. With both hands crossed over the hilt, he stood tall, the long sword planted firmly before him on the platform above the throne.
"I am angry. I am furious!!" Aegon's voice rose sharply, flames of rage burning in his eyes.
He lowered his head slightly, casting a commanding gaze down at the kneeling lords of the Reach. His voice thundered:
"You dared to resist the royal army of House Targaryen. That is an unforgivable crime!"
At these words, the lords of the Reach felt their throats go dry.
It wasn't just the accusation—it was the oppressive force of Aegon's presence as the founding king. His dominance was overwhelming and fearsome.
House Tyrell's leader, Harlan, and House Hightower's lord, Manfred, dipped their heads slightly. While others were distracted, they exchanged a quick glance. A faint, nearly imperceptible gleam of satisfaction flickered in their eyes—after all, their two houses had not joined House Gardener in defying Aegon's forces.
"The Stormlands and the North also raised armies against the royal forces. Please forgive us as you have forgiven the other two regions, Your Grace," the head of House Peake pleaded loudly, his voice trembling with unease.
House Peake's main bloodline had been wiped out in the Field of Fire. The current lord was only the former head's cousin. As loyal allies of Mern IX, the Peakes now found themselves in a dire position, clinging to the hope of Aegon's mercy.
"Yes, please treat us as fairly as the North and Stormlands, and grant us your mercy, Your Grace," a southern noble dared to add.
Bang!
Aegon struck Blackfyre hard against the floor. The deep, thunderous sound echoed through the hall like a peal of lightning.
The lords who had hoped to reason with him flinched, silenced in an instant. No one dared to breathe. Every eye returned, wide and focused, on the king.
"My mercy is reserved for those who have served the Targaryen dynasty with merit," Aegon declared, his expression stern, voice calm yet forceful. "You ask for fairness? Then let me tell you why I forgave the North and the Stormlands."
"Before I set foot in Westeros," he continued, raising his voice and sweeping his sharp gaze across the lords below, "the North and the Stormlands committed large forces to help the Targaryen royal family conquer the powerful kingdom of Volantis. That was a true contribution!"
"Their territories had both merit and fault, which balanced out—thus, they were spared punishment!
And you?
What deeds have you done in service to the Targaryen dynasty??"
Aegon's tone turned sharply accusatory. A cold sweat broke out on the foreheads of the assembled lords.
"I will tell you a law of the Targaryen dynasty: no title without merit, no lordship without service. Those with merit will be rewarded, those with fault will be punished. This is an iron rule!"
Aegon's voice rang out, firm and clear. "Lord Loren of the Westerlands repented in time and did not take up arms against the royal army. Even so, he was still punished. And yet you lords of the South expect to escape all consequence—and even dream of being granted titles? On what grounds? Would that be fair to Lord Loren?"
The lords of the Reach knelt on the ground like wilted eggplants, unable to utter a word under Aegon's scolding.
Lord Loren's lips curled ever so slightly in satisfaction. Fools—just moments ago, they were mocking me. Now it's their turn to suffer.
His confidence in his decision to surrender before battle only grew stronger.
At the same time, Loren was beginning to see clearly: this Aegon of the Targaryen dynasty ruled with an iron hand, and it seemed he intended to centralize power across Westeros. It was unlikely he would willingly relinquish a rich stronghold like Highgarden.
Lady Argella kept her eyes lowered, deep in thought. She hadn't expected Aegon to turn the Stormlands into a land of merit so suddenly and cleverly.
She glanced up at him quietly, admiration flashing across her face. Her lover's mind was sharper than she'd imagined.
At that moment, Lord Manfred of House Hightower raised his head and addressed Aegon loudly, "Your Grace, House Hightower never resisted your royal army. When you summoned us to Highgarden, I arrived promptly and obeyed your orders without hesitation. I wonder if that counts as meritorious service."
"House Tyrell as well," added Harlan, quickly lifting his head and speaking respectfully. "I helped clear out the remnants of Mern IX from Highgarden for you. We have done no wrong. I ask Your Grace to judge fairly."
Aegon gave both men a slight nod, then raised his hand and declared in a powerful voice, "I have said before: the Targaryen dynasty rewards loyalty and punishes rebellion!
Since you have rendered service, I will grant you Castle Dunstonbury and Castle Whitegrove. These two castles belonged to the rebellious House Peake, and have now been stripped from them as punishment.
Tell me—does this not seem just?"
House Peake had once been a first-tier powerhouse under the rule of the Gardener kings in the Reach. They held three castles, and their lord had served as a close advisor to the King of the Reach, wielding immense influence in the region.
Now, with Aegon's ruling, they were effectively demoted. Losing two of their three castles, House Peake was left with only Starpike.
The new head of House Peake, not from the main line, had yet to secure his position. He was in desperate need of recognition from Aegon to suppress the rival factions within his former fief. Though filled with resentment, the situation left him no choice. He stepped forward and bowed first, saying, "Your Grace's judgment is fair. House Peake submits gratefully."
Lord Manfred of House Hightower frowned slightly, feeling disappointed.
He had hoped to compete for the title of Lord of the Reach. His house already held multiple castles, so gaining Castle Dunstonbury wouldn't provide any major advantage.
Just then, Harlan of House Tyrell stepped forward to thank Aegon for the reward.
House Tyrell, which had previously held only a few minor and obscure holdings, now had a significant castle added to their domain. Their strength had increased markedly—just enough to touch the edge of the T0 tier.
Seeing Harlan, who had contributed just as much as he had, readily accept the reward, Manfred had no choice but to follow suit and offer his thanks for Aegon's generosity.
Aegon then formally announced the penalties for the lords of the Reach.
Overall, the punishments were not harsh—mostly slight increases in taxes, which were well within the means of the nobility. With this, the tension in the hall eased, and the lords felt a weight lift from their hearts.
Aegon's most severe measures were reserved for the close confidants of Mern IX.
These nobles, many of whom had served in the Greenhand Knights under House Gardener, had been staunch loyalists of the Reach Kingdom. Without exception, they were struck hard and had their power drastically reduced. House Peake was a prime example.
With the rewards and punishments settled, Aegon waved his hand, signaling the southern lords to rise and ordering all vassals to stand before the steps of the Oakenseat.
His face was solemn, and he spoke in a grave tone, "I know many of you are wondering why I have yet to appoint a Lord of the Reach, am I right?"
Below, the southern lords nodded repeatedly, like chickens pecking grain.
Aegon continued, "As I've said before, the Targaryen dynasty is strict in its management of noble titles. No title shall be granted without merit. Even when you great lords grant titles to the nobles under your rule, I hope you will show restraint."
The lords of the North and the Stormlands nodded in agreement.
Aegon turned back to face the southern lords and declared, "You have achieved nothing—so how could I grant you a ducal title?
The answer is simple: earn it on the battlefield!
I am called the Conqueror in Westeros, and the Targaryen dynasty has a grand plan for conquest.
At present, two regions remain outside our control—Dorne and the Iron Islands. Just two days ago, I received a letter from Dorne refusing to submit."
"I will issue the [Decree of Conquest], granting the Targaryen dynasty the right to subjugate rebellious nobles.
Those who hold this decree and conquer the lands of Dorne and the Iron Islands will be recognized by the Targaryen dynasty as the rightful lords of the castles they seize. The kingdom will endorse your newly claimed fiefs and guarantee their sanctity and inviolability."
The great lords present remained composed. Their own domains were already vast, and they showed little enthusiasm for the new policy.
But hundreds of minor nobles could hardly contain their excitement. They swarmed to the foot of the platform, eagerly crowding around Aegon, desperate to confirm the truth of what they'd just heard.
One minor noble, his voice trembling with excitement, asked with shining eyes, "Your Grace! Is it true?"
Aegon looked down at the excited crowd with a gentle smile and gave a slight nod in response.
The noble who received the nod was overjoyed. He rushed to the platform and reverently kissed the tip of Aegon's boot.
After thousands of years, their house finally had a chance to expand. How could they not be thrilled?
Manfred, the Head of House Hightower, bowed his head slightly, deep in thought, and muttered to himself, "A conquest order? A conquest order!"
"Your Grace, does the title of Lord of the Reach have something to do with the conquest order?" Harlan, quick-witted as ever, instantly saw through the implications and asked urgently.
Aegon nodded at Harlan with a smile, clearly pleased with his insight.
Under the eager gaze of the Reach's assembled lords,
Aegon addressed them slowly:
"I will have the deeds of the Reach's nobles in the conquests of Dorne and the Iron Islands recorded in detail.
Dorne and the Iron Islands are two vast and vital regions on the continent of Westeros. Once they are fully conquered, the two nobles with the most outstanding achievements will be granted their original lands in the Reach, along with the new territories they seize in Dorne and the Iron Islands. These combined holdings will be substantial enough to form two great ducal domains.
When that time comes, those two houses will be honored with the title Lord Paramount of the Reach, serving the kingdom by governing and defending the Reach, along with parts of Dorne and the Iron Islands."
"Two great domains!" Torrhen exclaimed, unable to contain his shock. His eyes were wide with amazement.
The nobles of the Vale nodded in agreement. "The Reach is already rich and vast. Add in the new lands conquered from Dorne and the Iron Islands, and there's certainly enough to establish two dukedoms."
"Can the Stormlands also take part in this grand conquest and apply for a conquest order?" Lady Argella asked loudly, prompted by her Stormlands bannermen, speaking on behalf of her region's nobles.
Aegon turned to her and calmly explained, "All nobles loyal to the Targaryen king are eligible to apply to me for a [Conquest Order]. However, only nobles originally from the Reach may compete for the title Lord Paramount of the Reach.
This is a special favor I am granting to the Reach. After all, no one wants to see their ancestral homeland—where they've lived for thousands of years—ruled by an outsider."
"Your Grace is merciful," the Reach lords said in unison, voicing their gratitude.
"Well said, Your Grace!" Manfred of House Hightower exclaimed with a broad smile. In his heart, he was certain that no house in the Reach could rival his own, and one of those ducal titles was as good as his.
"Wise words from Your Grace," echoed the mid- and low-ranking nobles, their praises flowing without end.
"With a wise king like Your Grace, the kingdom is sure to flourish!" one noble said earnestly, full of admiration.
Aegon looked on with satisfaction at the awestruck faces of the nobles, thinking to himself how easily their loyalty could be won.
Then he raised his voice:
"The future of the Targaryen dynasty is not confined to the continent of Westeros. So long as your banner can be firmly planted on lands beyond the kingdom, the Targaryen dynasty will recognize your legitimacy."
Aegon pointed his Blackfyre sword skyward, its blade angled high, and proclaimed in a thunderous voice:
"Do you want my reward?
If you want it, I can grant it to you.
Then go—conquer!
This is the Age of Conquest that I, Aegon the Conqueror, now begin for you!"
Hundreds of nobles raised their fists and shouted in unison, voices full of passion:
"Long live King Aegon I! Long live the Great Conquest!"
Loren stared blankly at Aegon, stunned. He had never imagined that this Valyrian Dragonlord harbored such boundless ambition.
Could it be that Aegon truly intended to mirror the grand ambitions of the Valyrian Freehold and attempt to conquer the entire world?
"I swear my undying loyalty to King Aegon the Conqueror."
"May the Seven bless King Aegon!"
"King Aegon, my sword is yours and yours alone!"