Golden Block
A combat skill that deflects enemy attacks and disrupts their balance while praying to the Golden Tree. It can be effective even from a distance.
A golden inscription appeared in mid-air, and illusory runes gathered into a circle. Inside the circle, countless golden lines outlined a pattern, with the most striking feature being the interwoven arcs at the very center of the circle.
That was the symbol of the perfect Golden Law.
The moment this illusory symbol appeared, Greatjon and Roose Bolton, who were closest to Robb, instantly felt an urge to kneel and worship.
Fortunately, this illusory pattern only appeared for a moment before immediately emitting a shockwave and dissipating into the air. Only then did the two manage to suppress the urge to cry, kneel, and repent.
The Golden Block combat skill deflected all arrows shot at Roose Bolton, causing the uncontrolled arrows to scatter and splash, embedding themselves firmly at the feet of Roose Bolton's horse. The startled horse, having just raised its front hooves, nearly threw Roose Bolton to the ground.
After finally getting his horse under control, Roose Bolton looked at Robb with some indignation, wanting to question his intentions, but the words caught in his throat, leaving him speechless.
He was terrified, frightened, and utterly confused.
He had clearly seen that there were knights from his own family in the ranks, but why, in just a few days, were those knights able to shoot arrows at him without any regard for their former loyalty and affection?
What exactly did Robb do?
Did he control these people with magic?!
Robb still wore his familiar smile: "Hahaha, my apologies, Lord Roose Bolton, just a little joke with you, I'm sure you don't mind."
Everyone knew this was not a joke, but a warning.
Robb was warning Roose Bolton about his repeated attempts to test him recently.
Roose Bolton was furious, wishing he could find two people to skin to vent his anger, but he looked at the solemn Wolf Cavalry beside him and forced a smile: "Of course, a very interesting joke."
Greatjon gloated from the side: "Hahaha, Young Master Robb is truly amazing! In such a short time, these wolf cubs are already completely different from before!"
Robb modestly replied: "You flatter me, I just did some insignificant work. Were you coming to the forest to find me? What happened?"
Greatjon's smile faded: "The Manderly Family's contingent has arrived. They also escorted your mother to Kalin Bay."
Robb's heart stirred, another powerful helper had arrived: "Quickly, take me there!"
The group arrived at the meeting room in Kalin Bay, which was already filled with lords of all sizes. In the midst of these people, Catelyn Stark spoke while frequently looking towards the door, hoping to see that familiar figure soon.
Finally, when Robb appeared at the doorway, Catelyn stood up excitedly.
As a mother, and a woman whose husband had been captured, Catelyn both relied on Robb, because he was the eldest man in the family, and worried about him, as Robb was still just a child after all.
How she longed to rush over, kiss her son's eyebrows and nose, and get a good look at how her child, whom she hadn't seen in almost a year, had grown.
She was eager to talk to her son, to tell him about her experiences, and to ask about his first time leading an army into battle. She had a million things to say.
But as soon as she moved a step, her footsteps halted.
Catelyn came from a noble family and was now the lady of the North. She had participated in countless political banquets and was very sensitive to the atmosphere. She noticed that the moment her son entered the meeting room, the faces of all the lords became serious.
They were no longer relaxed, as if under the deterrence of some powerful authority. They became cautious, wary, seemingly afraid of doing something wrong.
Greatjon and Roose Bolton, who walked in with Robb, even looked like escorts, personally opening the room door for Robb and pulling out a chair, as if serving a king.
This...
She hadn't seen wrong, had she?!
Even if Ned were here, these lords would not show such expressions!
Catelyn's face was filled with astonishment, unable to believe that her son had grown to such an extent. It was foreseeable that he would become an even more outstanding Lord of the North than Ned!
After calming herself a little, Catelyn apologized to the lords: "My lords, I am quite tired from my long journey and only wish to speak a few words with my son alone. I trust you will understand."
All the lords stood up at once. Catelyn had a strange feeling that these people were not leaving because of her words, but because of her son, Robb, who was sitting beside her.
There was ale and cheese on the table. Catelyn poured a horn cup, sat down, and after a small sip, carefully observed her son. He seemed taller than when she left, and more imposing. She truly wondered how this young man managed to bring those lords to heel.
"You've grown a beard. Edmure started growing his at sixteen."
Robb saw his mother, and the closeness brought by blood made him very gentle. He rarely said something playful: "These beards are in the way. I think I'd look handsomer if I shaved them off."
Catelyn was amused: "You don't seem worried about me sending you back to Winterfell, like chasing a crying baby back to bed. You know you were still using a wooden sword when you practiced sword fighting a year ago."
Robb shrugged: "You saw how those lords behaved. I bet if you suggested sending me back to Winterfell, they'd send you back instead."
Catelyn wasn't angry when she heard this, but rather very pleased: "You've truly grown up. I can't believe it. How did you subdue those scoundrels?"
"My name is Stark, that's enough."
Catelyn wanted to reach out and touch her son's hair, but after thinking about it, she pulled her hand back.
Robb asked her: "You know about Father, don't you?"
This was Catelyn's greatest fear. She tried her best not to let anyone see her fear: "I know. The Manderly Family told me when I landed in White Harbor."
Catelyn had been planning to return to Winterfell from King's Landing to see her children for a long time, but halfway there, she found a dwarf—the Little Demon of Lannister—drinking by the roadside.
She had always believed that the Little Demon wanted to kill her son, Bran, so she immediately called for people to arrest the Little Demon.
She then went to her sister's territory, intending to have her sister kill the Little Demon to vent her anger, but the Little Demon escaped.
A few days later, she heard news of a major change in the capital, so she quickly returned to the North, planning to discuss countermeasures with her son.
Catelyn said with some disappointment: "My sister... she's unwilling to send knights from the Vale of Arryn, so we won't be able to get aid from the House of the Falcon."