Ser Cortnay Penrose's expression was indifferent, having completely given up hope on the chaotic battle within the city.
Everything was over...
The City Gate was completely lost, the passage occupied, the barracks, Warehouse, and armory all fallen into enemy hands, and the battle in the great hall was about to end.
Fortunately, the City Walls were temporarily stable, allowing him one last moment to reflect and review.
That was the only thing he could do now, wasn't it.
Cortnay Penrose gave a tragic smile.
At this moment, his mind was clearer than ever before. Thoughts raced, and he quickly understood many things.
The facts were laid bare.
Joffrey's army was so powerful, unimaginably powerful.
Since when did this start?
Certainly not today, nor after the siege, but before that.
How terrifying.
What crucial intelligence.
Cortnay Penrose didn't know whether to blame himself, to hate himself for not discovering it earlier, for being deceived by the enemy's disguise, and even misleading Lord Renly.
Damn it.
Right, Rain House City, Crow's Nest, the Ravens from these Castles also brought wrong news.
Fatal news.
These Castles were definitely not as safe and sound as they claimed. If even Storm's End couldn't resist that terrifying power, what Castle could?
Cape Wrath was finished, long finished.
Cortnay Penrose had just realized this now, but it was already too late.
Did those Castles voluntarily write lies, or were they threatened? Had the Earls and Maesters already defected to King Joffrey, or were they severely punished?
Cortnay Penrose sighed deeply.
None of this mattered now. Reality was irreversible.
These Castles had sent out messages.
And Storm's End was certainly not the only place to receive these messages. Bronze Gate, Greenvalley, Fallenwood, those Castles closer to Lord Renly must have also been deceived.
Plus the one sent from Storm's End, a seemingly more trustworthy one.
So.
Where was Lord Renly?
A terrible guess flashed through his mind, causing Cortnay Penrose a strange pang of pain.
I've harmed Lord Renly!?
Recalling the letter he had personally written more than ten days ago, so clear, Cortnay Penrose knew he was deeply guilty.
He truly couldn't believe it.
But all the signs now told him this cruel truth. His earlier doubts were also answered in this unwelcome way.
Why attack today?
Cortnay Penrose looked north, his eyes pleading with the monarch beyond his sight. Lord Renly, are you coming? Because of that letter of mine, did you bring your army?
If that were the case, while it wasn't too late, hurry and leave...
Cortnay Penrose sadly closed his Eyes, taking the opportunity to leave Storm's End, leave the Seven Kingdoms, leave every region a ship could reach.
Beyond the voyage of the Royal Fleet.
Yes. Although he hadn't seen the true strength of the Royal Fleet yet. He had already guessed much.
Violent explosions.
Wasn't the weapon that destroyed the Storm's End City Gate more suitable for placing on a Warship?
The swaying sea surface, flying iron balls, what Fortress on the coast could withstand such power? Perhaps the Castles of Cape Wrath were conquered because of this.
Cortnay Penrose felt no resentment.
Lord Renly was determined to claim the Iron Throne, he could not oppose him and would serve him with all his might. But to ask him to judge right from wrong?
Cortnay Penrose did not think he had the qualification or ability.
If the war was won, that was naturally good, but if it failed, he should face it calmly and accept any outcome. After all, it was a rebellion, and the losers should not cry injustice.
He only hoped that Lord Renly could leave safely.
But his wish clearly would not have any real impact.
Before the sun set, Storm's End would be completely captured, no one could save it, no one could escape. Lord Renly was completely unaware of the disaster happening here.
Until Lord Renly appeared outside the Storm's End City.
What will happen then?
Boom boom boom~
The sound of the terrifying weapon exploding seemed to echo again, occupying Cortnay Penrose's thoughts, and then outlining the future disaster.
However, the army Lord Renly brought must be very large. Perhaps they can exhaust the iron balls.
Cortnay Penrose really wanted to believe this.
But he also knew in his heart that he couldn't make wild guesses about unknown things with a narrow mind.
Just like Aegon the Conqueror three hundred years ago. The Andal Kings at that time didn't see the power of the flames from the three dragons, and actually gathered their forces, left their castles, and fought the dragons in the wild. What was the result?
Ours is the Fury.
This battle now seems even more despairing than "Ours is the Fury".
After all, Aegon at that time only had three dragons, but now. Cortnay Penrose looked back inside the castle, where there were countless terrifying warriors wearing Six-Pointed Star white robes.
Hundreds, thousands, even tens of thousands.
No one could maintain their original courage in the face of such power.
Even on the section of the City Walls where Cortnay Penrose was, the guards had already given up resisting and dared not use their bows and crossbows again, for fear of being liquidated later.
How many people have died so far?
He didn't know whether to guess a larger number to prove the soldiers' bravery. If counted honestly, at most a hundred people.
He felt both relief and regret in his heart.
There were soldiers who had given up their weapons everywhere in the city, but very few corpses.
The unseen passage connected to the City Gate should have been the place with the most casualties. However, most of them were probably not killed by bravery, but by ignorance.
They used their lives to buy some time for the safety of the City Walls, but it was also in vain.
Counting the time, they should be here.
Cortnay Penrose seemed to be detached, quietly watching the entrance to the stairs on the inner side of the City Walls, waiting for his end.
The Adjutant seemed to have seen the Lord's death wish.
"My Lord, Edric is still in the bedroom at this time, should we go and see? The city is so chaotic, what if..."
Cortnay Penrose was stunned for a moment, then his eyes widened.
Edric Storm!
Little Edric, King Robert's flesh and blood, a Baratheon by blood.
How could he forget this little fellow!
Lord Renly also instructed him to take good care of Little Ed and ensure his safety!
Cortnay Penrose finally ignited some fighting spirit, "Call reliable men, we'll go to Little Ed immediately!"
The Adjutant breathed a sigh of relief, "Yes!"
...
"Iron Bull" Gendry's face was full of displeasure: "Hmph! Let's see where you can run now? Surrender immediately! Come with me to see Your Majesty!"
The target ran all the way from the City Walls back to the tower, which made it much more troublesome for him to chase.
Cortnay Penrose protected Little Ed behind him.
"That's exactly what I intended."
After all, they were related by blood. Hopefully Joffrey would spare Little Ed.
Was this a luxury?
Under the reminder of the Light Screen, Gendry looked at the eleven or twelve-year-old boy again.
Black hair, blue eyes, just like himself. But he had a pair of big ears. Was this King Robert's bastard, Edric Storm?
King Robert. Heh, what an incompetent father.
"Let's go."
Gendry said. "Come with me to see Your Majesty, both of you."
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