"The 30,000 troops stationed in Old Oak are training tirelessly, and Earl Matus Rowan is holding out."
Duke Tywin looked straight ahead down the long corridor.
"Our army will march south tomorrow."
His deep, capable, and authoritative voice echoed through the Golden Corridor, reaching far beyond his sight, the gold-covered walls shimmering as if in response.
Casterly Rock, which had never fallen.
Joffrey was walking within it, discussing the war alone with its owner, Duke Tywin, talking about death, gold, and power, contemplating battles, deals, and conspiracies.
Casterly Rock had undoubtedly heard many similar words and was likely accustomed to and weary of them by now.
Fortunately.
Joffrey was young enough to maintain his interest and pleasure in many things.
"Grandfather, I wish you a victorious return in advance."
"The Oakheart Family's territory will be incorporated into the Westerlands, their titles stripped, and a permanent Governor appointed." Joffrey spoke matter-of-factly about the distribution of the spoils of victory.
"So, Grandfather, what do you think should be done with the Rowan Family's territory and titles?"
Two sweet fruits.
The Oakheart Family resided in Old Oak, their territory located on the northern coast of the Reach, bordering the Westerlands. It controlled the Coastal Road and was near the Shield Islands, Highgarden's naval defense line, effectively the North Wall of the Reach.
Taking it would dismantle the Reach's independent defense, allowing the Westerlands to directly penetrate towards Highgarden, bringing troops to its gates and preventing House Tyrell from responding calmly.
The Rowan Family of Golden Tree City was even more significant.
Their fiefdom encompassed nearly the entire northern Reach, with numerous vassals and sworn knights, not much inferior to their Liege Lord Tyrell.
Furthermore, the Rowan Family had a long history, noble blood, and great prestige, and was allied through marriage with families like Tyrell, Hightower, Redwyne, and Tarly, mutually supporting each other.
In terms of both strength and reputation, among the hundreds of Earls in the Seven Kingdoms, the Rowan Family was definitely in the top ten.
Duke Tywin, however, answered with a question of his own: "Lady Aven Oakheart has several sons. Tyrell is likely to support one of them in claiming inheritance to Old Oak, which would put the Royal Family and the Westerlands in a difficult position."
Joffrey shook his head gently. "There's no need to worry at all. As long as Grandfather is willing to accept this gift, all sorts of troubles will be cleanly dealt with."
He smiled. "Haven't a thousand Holy War Army soldiers been transferred from King's Landing for your command?"
Along with the reinforcements came three hundred Artillery Chips. The chips came with their own Runes and Magic Energy, making them easy to transport. When needed for battle, a Sorcerer only had to fuse them with Steel to recreate the artillery.
Complete victory on the Western Front would be created from this.
"Even so," Duke Tywin appeared quite cautious, "the Reach will not willingly accept this. All surviving families will remain highly vigilant or hostile, and the Kingdom will still not be peaceful."
Tywin looked at Joffrey. "Why not leave an unmarried Oakheart girl to inherit the title? We can find her an excellent husband."
An ancient tradition. Ruling the spouse's fiefdom as husband or wife, allowing power to transition smoothly.
But this did not satisfy Joffrey.
In his plans, the post-war Old Oak should undergo greater changes.
Rain House City was the beginning of the Governor system, and Old Oak was a further step in testing it – no titles granted, only officials appointed, with personnel entirely designated by the Royal Family.
This was also why Old Oak was to be placed under Westerlands administration.
By limiting the inevitable disputes and conflicts to the level of the Reach and the Westerlands, the Royal Family could remain outside and act as an arbiter, favoring one side to achieve the desired outcome.
Did Duke Tywin not want to play the villain?
Or had he realized the damage this would do to the noble feudal system? Resisting as a Duke, rather than supporting the Royal Family's centralization of power as an elder?
Joffrey did not stop walking.
"Does Grandfather not want the Westerlands to expand its territory? If this method is used, what reason would Old Oak have to be separated from the Reach?"
Tywin walked alongside Joffrey.
"Westerlands, Reach, these are just names. As long as Old Oak is in our hands, its nominal allegiance doesn't matter."
"Besides," Duke Tywin said meaningfully, "aren't they all under the rule of the Iron Throne?"
Joffrey sighed.
"Grandfather, you naturally understand that the territories under the Iron Throne's rule are vastly different."
Joffrey directly pointed out the distinctions.
"Those like the Westerlands, who are as close to the Royal Family as one family, plus the families and fiefs directly loyal to the Iron Throne, these can be considered the Royal Family's loyal forces."
"Most of the Lords in The North, Riverlands, and The Vale are not hostile to the Royal Family and can be considered reluctant allies."
"The Reach and Stormlands are even stronger challengers to the Royal Family. One wants the Throne, the other wants to return to the court and hold real power."
"As for Dorne, it is detached and hardly counts as a Lord under the Throne."
Joffrey spoke fluently and without reservation, as if truly treating Tywin only as a close and intimate elder.
"Grandfather, should we let this situation continue?"
Joffrey's gaze was earnest.
"Aegon the Conqueror's three Dragons failed to conquer Dorne and could not make the entire Seven Kingdoms wholeheartedly submit, so he had to maintain the status quo and govern the Kingdom through the Lords."
"But it's different now."
"We have power that is more powerful and precise than dragons, enough to bestow grace upon everyone and make the world submit."
"If we waste such a great opportunity, even the gods will not tolerate it!"
Joffrey's tone was resolute.
"Grandfather, don't limit your vision to Casterly Rock. The Seven Kingdoms, Essos, and the wider unknown world, our journey is endless!"
Every word showed his great confidence.
It was no wonder. The Divine Grace Light Screen and various magic powers were undoubtedly overwhelming and crushing blows to this era. How could he not be confident?
Duke Tywin did not respond.
The two continued forward, each step on the gold-paved ground clearly audible.
The view gradually widened.
This was a spacious palace. Niches carved into the rock walls displayed hundreds of majestic armors of various shapes, some ancient, some gleaming.
The Hall of Heroes.
Joffrey knew that behind each piece of armor lay a brave Lannister knight, duke, or king who had died in battle.
Rumble~~~
Bursts of thunder came from underground, the roar of the tide.
Duke Tywin stopped before a bronze armor.
Joffrey walked closer to examine it. Time had left countless marks on this armor. Even with careful maintenance, the armor was already covered in bronze rust, and the plates were mottled.
"Joffrey Lydden," Duke Tywin said.
"Perhaps you've heard of him?"
Joffrey nodded slightly, "An Andal knight from thousands of years ago, who married the only daughter of King of the Rock Gerold III, later changed his name to Joffrey Lannister, was crowned Joffrey I, and ruled the Kingdom of the Rock."
Duke Tywin gently stroked the ancient armor.
"He also had a steel armor, but it has long since vanished with the wind. Only this bronze armor produced in Casterly Rock has been preserved, along with Casterly Rock."
Crack~
The bronze armor was suddenly taken down by Duke Tywin. The plates collided back and forth, almost shattering.
"Casterly Rock is willing to offer this as a gift."
Duke Tywin's eyes held many complex meanings, "Do you like it, Your Majesty?"
Joffrey extended a hand.
The moment he touched the armor, the bronze flowed along his palm to his entire body, restoring it to its original state.
Joffrey I.
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