Looking at Storm's End ahead, everyone was completely stunned.
"How is this possible!"
"It must be my eyes playing tricks! Tell me, what did you see?"
"This is Storm's End..."
The cavalry reined in their horses and stopped, gripping their reins tightly, all questioning in disbelief.
Their eyes had not deceived them.
The large banner flying on the city walls was no longer just a single Crowned Stag, but a roaring Golden Lion and a Crowned Stag facing each other head-on.
King Joffrey's banner!
What did this mean? People had to realize the terrible truth: Storm's End had been breached!
The incredibly strong, never-fallen Storm's End, which remained unharmed in any storm and could withstand a siege of a hundred thousand troops, had been breached!
How was it done?
Earl Randyll Tarly looked around from his horse, his face serious and puzzled. "There are no signs of battle, and the so-called military camp is gone. What on earth happened?"
Renly Baratheon couldn't help but frown.
This situation was completely beyond his expectations. Joffrey had entered Storm's End?
Renly had never considered this possibility.
He knew that all his preparations were based on Joffrey still being outside the castle.
According to the plan, in order to successfully launch a surprise attack and catch Joffrey off guard, Renly personally led two thousand cavalry and rushed at full speed, heading straight for Storm's End, preparing to end the war as quickly as possible.
To lull the opponent into a false sense of security and ensure everything went smoothly, he didn't even send out scouts to gather intelligence, precisely to prevent Joffrey from sensing danger.
After all, the sea route couldn't be blocked, and even if only Joffrey himself escaped, it would be a huge loss.
For this purpose, the troops moved quietly and quickly, with the vanguard never venturing far, only defending the surroundings to prevent anyone from reporting to Joffrey.
Everything had been calm until last night.
But now...
Renly looked at his Storm's End and those banners from afar, the depression and anger in his heart almost exploding.
My Storm's End!
Mine!
Joffrey, how dare you plant that shameful banner on the walls of Storm's End?! Storm's End does not belong to the Lion!!
Anger flared, and Renly's breathing became rapid.
Earl Randyll Tarly quickly reminded him, "Your Majesty, the urgent task is to appease the soldiers and build a camp."
"We have come a long way and are truly unable to fight the castle. Let's settle down first and make plans after finding out the specific situation."
Renly took a deep breath. "That's right. Lord Randyll, you go and handle it."
Lord Randyll Tarly accepted the order and left.
The other generals around looked at each other, not knowing whether to approach and speak or quietly move away.
Renly forced a relaxed smile. "It seems we'll have to spend the night outside the castle tonight. Everyone go and get busy, and be sure to settle down before sunset."
Everyone secretly breathed a sigh of relief and bowed to King Renly to take their leave.
Watching the Lords leave, Renly's gaze returned to his Storm's End, his emotions slightly calmer but even more gloomy and dark.
Storm's End. How exactly was it done?
Was it because of Joffrey's strange powers and sorcery?
Didn't Storm's End also possess ancient magic? If Joffrey's power was real, was Storm's End's just a lie?
Renly couldn't help but feel lost.
At this moment, under the orders of the generals, the two thousand men gradually began to move.
Some cavalry remained vigilant, monitoring every move of the castle. Some troops went in groups in all directions, looking for villages and towns, collecting information and supplies. Other soldiers began to set up camp and prepare food.
Storm's End remained quiet.
As he watched, Renly couldn't help but ride his horse and circle the castle from a distance, but still found nothing unusual.
The city walls, the sea, the land, the rocks, everything was exactly the same as before.
The military camp that Ser Cortnay had reported was now an open space, with only signs of ordinary human activity, but no traces of battle.
It looked as if Joffrey's men had moved into Storm's End without any obstruction.
But how was this possible?
Ser Cortnay and the guards of Storm's End were not ignorant puppets; how could they have had no reaction!
However.
Perhaps it was worse than being puppets now.
Renly felt a pang of sorrow.
Given Joffrey's temperament, Ser Cortnay was likely already dead.
The people inside the castle probably wouldn't be spared either.
And Edric Storm. That little fellow's identity was a real thorn in Joffrey's side. Even if he wasn't killed, he was probably suffering a fate worse than death.
Renly didn't want to accept it, but he was powerless.
The plan was to sandwich Joffrey with Storm's End, but now, Storm's End had become the enemy's fortress.
Killing Joffrey was now almost impossible.
Storm's End, with five thousand men, was enough to resist an army of tens of thousands, let alone five thousand men who had already taken Storm's End. Even if the castle was recaptured, warships could pick up Joffrey and leave.
So, what was the next step?
"Rebel army, attention! Rebel army, attention!" A thunderous voice suddenly echoed across the entire field, causing the horses to neigh in confusion.
Renly looked up.
The voice continued, "To show the mercy and tolerance of the Gods, His Majesty will send an emissary for peace negotiations. At noon, Ser Cortnay Penrose will come out of the city alone. The rebel army must guarantee his safety..."
Renly's eyes widened instantly.
Cortnay! Is it Cortnay?!! How could he be an emissary??!
The Lords under Renly's command were equally astonished. Cortnay Penrose was the Acting Castellan of Storm's End. Now, it sounded like...
"Traitor! Despicable wretch! How dare you show your face before His Majesty again?" Earl Florent roared in rebuke.
Inside the makeshift main camp, Renly and a group of Lords gathered in a circle, gravely examining Cortnay Penrose who stood in the center.
Renly had calmed down considerably. Even now, he didn't believe that Ser Cortnay would truly betray them.
"Ser, state your purpose," Renly said.
Cortnay Penrose's eyes held deep sorrow and pain. "His Majesty the King has ordered me to offer terms of surrender."
It was true!
"If you are willing to cease resistance and withdraw your accusations and baseless demands, His Majesty will pardon your death sentence and exile you to The Wall to join The Night's Watch. The Lords will also be pardoned."
Cortnay Penrose sighed mournfully, "Failure is inevitable. Please reconsider, Lord Renly."
The others could no longer contain their anger and contempt.
"You say 'Lord Renly'?"
"How favored you were by His Majesty Renly! It's only been a few days, and you're already calling him 'Lord'? Chameleon!"
"Speak! Why did you hand Storm's End over to Joffrey!"
Renly secretly braced himself.
Cortnay sincerely didn't want to answer. But the light screen had already given him the prompt, so he could only comply: "Storm's End was not handed over by me. His Majesty is favored by the Gods, and his power is enough to control wood and stone."
Renly's heart sank.
Cortnay calmly narrated, "After a week of siege, a small boat snuck into the waterway along the Cliffside Dock. Then the City Walls themselves parted, allowing His Majesty's army to enter the city smoothly."
Everyone was silent, imagining the scene and how they could have possibly countered it.
Renly suddenly understood.
So the power that created the warships could do this too! Why bother with a siege then?
Hmm? Siege!
Renly's heart trembled. Why did he still lay siege then?!
Cortnay let out a long sigh.
"Lord Renly, you shouldn't have come."
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