The silence in the jousting arena lasted only a brief moment.
When Loras Tyrell's magnificent silver armor crashed heavily onto the muddy ground, stained with blood and horse dung, the entire world seemed to be muted.
Then, a volcanic surge erupted!
"Black Knight!"
"Black Knight!!!"
No one knew who first shouted this name.
Immediately after, a thunderous roar, like mountains collapsing and tsunamis raging, converged from every corner of the jousting arena, almost tearing the sky apart!
This was no longer mere cheering, but a near-frenzied worship!
An unknown crow from the Wall, a rustic bumpkin riding a plow horse, had overcome all ridicule and contempt, cutting a path through thorns.
He won against the Frey's pig with the dirtiest tricks.
He toppled the prince's The Hound in the most roguish manner.
Then, when everyone thought his luck had run out, he crushed the Golden Lion, Jaime Lannister, head-on with the most brutal and unreasonable force!
Finally, he used a jousting technique that was almost an art form to completely shatter the golden rose adored by countless maidens!
Every opponent was a knight of long-standing fame.
Every opponent was battle-hardened!
Yet he, an unknown, was able to have the last laugh.
This in itself was a miracle!
This was a legend worthy of being sung by bards for a hundred years!
Lynn sat quietly on the back of "Storm," taking off his helmet and letting the deafening roar wash over his body.
His gaze swept over House Tyrell's viewing stand, where the "valiant" Garlan was staring at him with a look as if he had seen a ghost.
He then looked towards the high platform.
With a crisp sound, Petyr Baelish's crystal wine glass slipped from his hand, shattering on the ground.
He slumped into his chair as if his spine had been removed, his face ashen white.
The wine soaked his luxurious robes, but he seemed oblivious, staring blankly at the black figure in the arena, his lips silently opening and closing like a fish out of water.
Lynn's gaze finally rested on House Stark's viewing stand.
"He won! Lynn won!"
Arya bounced excitedly in her chair, her small face flushed crimson, her voice hoarse from shouting.
She spun around abruptly, grabbing Ned Stark's arm, her gray eyes sparkling with an unprecedented light and an undeniable determination.
"Father!"
She lowered her voice, yet it was incredibly clear.
"I want to marry Lynn!"
The smile on Ned Stark's face instantly froze.
He looked down at his youngest daughter, her gray eyes filled with a stubbornness and wildness unique to the North, utterly unlike his wife Catelyn.
He wanted to refuse.
This was too absurd.
Arya was still a child, and Lynn... he was a Night's Watchman.
However, when his gaze once again fell upon the center of the arena, upon the black figure cheered by thousands.
All words of refusal were stuck in his throat.
A Night's Watchman?
A Night's Watchman who could crush Jaime Lannister head-on, who could toy with Loras Tyrell with his jousting skills?
A Night's Watchman who could be hailed as a hero by the King's son, and bankrupt the Master of Coin?
Ned's heart began to pound.
A crazy thought uncontrollably grew in his mind.
The strength, wisdom, and unfathomable strategic ability Lynn displayed had far exceeded the scope of a normal person.
And his combat power was so strong that even Ned himself might not be his match now.
He was not only the blade of the North but also House Stark's most steadfast ally.
His progress in King's Landing to this point was almost entirely due to Lynn's strategizing.
If... if this immeasurable power could be forever bound to House Stark... Ned's breathing quickened.
He looked at Arya's stubborn little face, which gradually merged with his sister Lyanna's face.
He then looked at Lynn in the distance.
He understood that Arya had made up her mind.
Even if he disagreed, Arya would make the same decision Lyanna had made back then.
Moreover, this marriage would bring far more benefits than drawbacks to House Stark.
The only obstacle was Lynn's identity as a Night's Watchman.
But as long as the King spoke, the so-called Night's Watch oath would be nothing but a scrap of paper.
No one in the Seven Kingdoms could be more effective than Robert's word!
Ned took a deep breath.
"Hmm, then wait until you're a bit older."
Ned's voice was light, yet as heavy as a mountain.
Arya was stunned.
She had regretted saying that just now.
But she never expected that her father would... actually agree?
After a brief moment of shock, there was immense ecstasy!
She hugged Ned's neck tightly!
"I knew it! Father, you're the best!"
Sansa sat blankly to the side, her small hand subconsciously clutching the silk of her skirt.
She had heard her father's almost promised reply.
It was like a needle, gently pricking her heart.
Arya... that wild, crazy sister, who only knew how to wield swords and spears all day, was she going to marry Lynn?
Marry the hero who saved the prince, defeated Ser Jaime, and was now worshipped like a god by all of King's Landing?
She lowered her head, looking at her spotless blue dress, then involuntarily looked at the black cloak on Lynn's shoulder.
She had sewn it stitch by stitch; it was her gift to the hero, a plot point that should have been in the story.
But now, Arya was going to marry Lynn with just one sentence?
She was House Stark's eldest daughter, the most beautiful lady in the North.
Why... why wasn't she the princess in the story?
Was she really going to marry the cruel and tyrannical Joffrey?
Just then, a huge commotion came from the high platform.
King Robert Baratheon actually stood up from his throne!
His corpulent body pushed aside the attendants and nobles in front of him, staggering step by step down the high platform, walking towards the center of the jousting arena!
"Hahahahaha! See, Ned!"
"This is your wolf pup from the North!"
Robert's roar and wild laughter echoed throughout the entire jousting arena.
He walked to Lynn's horse, his eyes, usually clouded by alcohol, now bursting with astonishing light.
His large, fan-like hand slapped heavily on Lynn's leg armor, making a dull thud.
"Good lad! You've done Ned proud!"
"I've never seen such a satisfying joust in my life!"
Robert looked around, his gaze sweeping over the grim-faced members of House Lannister, the smile on his face growing wider.
He suddenly drew the longsword from his waist, that magnificent sword adorned with dazzling gems, unique to the King, shimmering with majestic cold light in the sunlight.
He pointed the sword tip at Lynn, his voice as resonant as a bell.
"Kneel!"
Lynn dismounted, kneeling on one knee on the ground stained with blood, horse dung, and glory.
The entire jousting arena also fell completely silent at this moment.
Everyone held their breath, witnessing this historic scene.
Robert rested the longsword on Lynn's right shoulder.
"Lynn, in the name of the Warrior, I bestow upon you courage."
The longsword moved to his left shoulder.
"In the name of the Father, I bestow upon you justice."
"In the name of the Mother, I bestow upon you mercy, to protect women and children."
"In the name of the Crone, I bestow upon you wisdom, to discern right from wrong."
"In the name of the Smith, I bestow upon you resilience, to never yield."
"In the name of the Maiden, I bestow upon you purity, to guard the innocent."
"In the name of the Stranger, I command you to guide the dead, to fear no death!"
Robert withdrew the longsword, lightly tapping Lynn's shoulders three times with the flat of the blade.
He stepped back, his plump face filled with the majesty of a king.
"Arise!"
Robert's voice echoed through the sky.
"Arise, Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, Ser Lynn!"
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