Under the setting sun, Storm's End quietly nursed its wounds.
The guards who had been resisting the invasion not long ago had changed sides and were now clearing the ruins, moving corpses, and gathering supplies and weapons.
The City Gate, restored to its original state by the Sorcerers, showed no trace of war and was even newer and more complete than before, as if it had just been forged. In fact, that was exactly the case.
Even the damage outside the city was being rapidly repaired.
The City Walls, constructed from two layers of tightly fitted rock with a layer of sand and stone in between, had previously been riddled with many hideous cracks, and the section near the City Gate had been almost on the verge of collapse, with sand and stone scattered everywhere.
Now, the yellow sand flowed backward, and the broken stones reassembled, forming the original solid rock wall.
The terrifying tunnels and gullies on the earthen ground were also being filled by soil and gravel that actively crawled over, restoring the ground to a level or natural state, as if nothing had happened.
If they hadn't seen the Six-Pointed Star cloaks patrolling everywhere inside the city and the miraculous changes, the guards would have almost believed that everything was just a nightmare.
But it was reality.
The guards who were captured and processed first were the ones who could best appreciate how terrifying and powerful these Six-Pointed Stars were. The slight courage that might have remained at the beginning of the battle had long since completely disappeared, leaving only awe and submission.
Everyone actively demonstrated their value, not daring to have the slightest complaint, only seeking to save their lives.
After dealing with the guards, the servants and remaining family members in the city also began reporting to the Priests in batches, receiving blessings, being implanted with the Divine Grace Core, and then being assigned various tasks within their capabilities.
The busy work left them no time to think about anything else, only mechanically executing orders, just as they had served Duke Renly before.
But it was different now.
In a short period, Storm's End had been turned upside down and then restored to its original state, just with a new owner.
The key was the change in ownership.
Especially the new owner, King Joffrey I, and the forces he brought, which were truly difficult to calmly accept.
Storm's End was already filled with Silver Cloaks and Six-Pointed Stars. Walking on the Roads, one could see Six-Pointed Stars moving, patrolling, or chatting everywhere, making it unavoidable to feel constrained, cautious, and trembling, as if brushing past an invincible, fierce giant beast.
And that was indeed the truth.
Only after the battle did the guards clearly realize that only a few hundred people had charged in and taken Storm's End! And they hadn't left a single corpse behind, not even one person was injured!
Was this still war?
At least for the Royal Guard, this battle outcome was not surprising, and war was precisely like this.
After extensive training and watching videos of the battles at Cape Wrath, the Royal Guard's control and utilization of their own strength were already sufficient.
Artillery supported from the rear, shattering all obstacles in their path, while Shield Warriors, filled with Holy Shield Power, were responsible for the attack and cleanup, also carrying "Water Drops" filled with Fire power and Steam Sprayers with them. How could there be any casualties?
It was even less possible to be repelled or even defeated.
With this absolute confidence, the Royal Guard had packed up their camps before the battle began, completely emptying the campsites where they had stayed for more than ten days, preparing supplies and equipment, dismantling tents, fences, and all other belongings, leaving only a desolate Open Space.
As expected, the attack launched at noon, and the entire camp was moved into Storm's End in the afternoon, seamlessly connecting.
Naturally, the five thousand Royal Guard also stationed themselves in this Fortress that had only been conquered once.
Five thousand people.
This also made everyone in the city completely give up hope.
Compared to the hundred thousand strong army under Renly, the number five thousand did not seem like much.
And outside the City Walls of Storm's End, this number could not make the Fortress fearful. It had been surrounded by more enemies for a longer time.
But now they were inside the City Walls.
Five thousand people were already more than everyone in the city combined, not to mention that each of them was a monster capable of fighting a hundred.
Storm's End had completely changed owners.
People gradually understood. And it would never change back, not even if a hundred thousand strong army appeared at the same time.
At this moment.
The servants and guards could only watch as their former acting Castellan, Cortnay Penrose, and the bastard of Storm's End, Edric Storm, walked past them and entered the center of the Castle.
King Joffrey had occupied that place.
People's hearts were complex, but their faces showed only numbness or fawning smiles, and they dared not greet these two or show any concern.
After all, the King had not yet delivered his judgment.
...
Following the familiar Roads, Cortnay Penrose once again stepped into the familiar room.
Here, Lord Renly had ordered the raising of an army, issued a declaration of war, and become King Renly. Here, Cortnay Penrose had lit candles, handled letters, made decisions, calculated supplies, and prepared defenses.
For so many years, this Study had been Cortnay Penrose's friend and had never made him feel uneasy.
Unfortunately, everything was different.
The Crowned Stag banner still hung on the wall, but the person sitting beneath it had changed.
Joffrey I of Baratheon and the Lannister family. What was this? Half Stag, half Lion? Or a Golden Lion in a Stag's skin, or a Stag in a Lion's skin?
The answer would be known soon.
Cortnay Penrose prayed silently. If Joffrey could spare little Edric, show some mercy and generosity, and learn some of King Robert's charm, perhaps the Seven Kingdoms could still hope for their monarch to achieve something.
If not...
Cortnay Penrose bowed stiffly. "Your Majesty, Storm's End is yours."
To personally conquer Storm's End, what immense glory and victory. He should be satisfied, and spare the mere bastard brother.
Knowing that Lord Renly must be considered a mortal enemy by him, Cortnay Penrose could only hope for this.
At least spare Edric.
"In a way, we are also brothers. Edric, little brother."
Joffrey calmly surveyed Edric Storm before him. This true son of Robert Baratheon, who was only one year younger than himself.
King Robert would not mistreat himself.
On the night Stannis Baratheon and Selyse Florent held their wedding, King Robert had enjoyed the marriage bed in advance, and conceived Edric with Delena Florent.
Unlike King Robert's other bastards, Edric's mother, Delena of the Florent family, was not of humble origin like a commoner or a prostitute.
Edric was thus acknowledged for his bloodline and allowed to bear the surname "Storm".
He was even raised in Storm's End.
"Edric, what do you want to do in the future? Just tell the truth, I am not a narrow-minded person." Joffrey smiled.
Cortnay Penrose, standing beside him, looked at Edric worriedly, but could not speak up to prompt him.
Edric Storm, who inherited his father's looks and his mother's prominent ears, bowed. "Your Majesty, the deep affection between Prince Tommen, Princess Myrcella, and yourself has always filled me with longing. Unfortunately, now that I finally meet you, it is in such a situation. How can I ask for any favor?"
Edric's demeanor was calmer than most adults.
"I only ask..."
He raised his head, his eyes full of earnestness.
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