Jaime Lannister was dumbfounded. Bro? What? How did I miss the memo on this one?
Wait, could Father have secretly... No, impossible. I would have heard about it. And if it was Father, why kill Grand Maester Pycelle?
Unless... part of the deal was using Pycelle's head to vent their anger?
Honestly, faced with the gaze of everyone in the room "throwing" suspicion at him, Jaime felt a little numb. He wasn't entirely sure if his father, Tywin Lannister, might actually be involved given his ruthless nature.
Of course, even if he was, Jaime couldn't admit it now. So he spoke up:
"I killed the Mad King with my own hands!"
Ah. Right. That clears that up.
The courtiers, including Robert and Eddard, looked away.
Jaime conspiring with the Targaryens? Impossible. If Jaime was in league with the Targaryens, then Ser Barristan Selmy must be a Dragon sleeper agent too!
These assassins were idiots. Trying to frame someone without even checking their background.
Of course, everyone kept these thoughts to themselves. After all, if the assassins were idiots, what did that make Lord Renly, who was killed by them?
Sigh. He was a good man. A moment of silence for him.
Damn, I got careless. Iron-Pumping Superman gulped. He suddenly remembered the identity of the knight he had just tried to frame. He recalled seeing this guy in the opening cinematic when he first logged in—this was the Kingslayer who stabbed the Mad King in the back.
My bad. Sloppy play.
But there's still room to maneuver!
"Ser Ilyn Payne!" Robert commanded.
A tall, gaunt figure stepped out from the ranks of the courtiers and bowed to the King.
"Tear out this assassin's tongue!" Robert ordered.
Ser Ilyn's eyes flashed with a cold light. He silently drew a dagger from his belt and walked stealthily toward Iron-Pumping Superman.
When a pockmarked face with no beard and barely any hair loomed into view, Iron-Pumping Superman instinctively recoiled. He shouted:
"Stay back! You ugly freak!"
"I said stay back! Fuck, are you deaf or just mute?!"
Ser Ilyn lunged forward, grabbing Iron-Pumping Superman by the hair. His deep-set, pale, colorless eyes revealed a flash of anger.
Just about right.
There was no fear in Iron-Pumping Superman's eyes, only a fleeting look of mockery.
"Wait! I confess! I'll talk! Who wants to lose their tongue for a few Gold Dragons and the Targaryens?!"
He's still talking!
"Grah!" Ser Ilyn was furious. The dagger was inches from Iron-Pumping Superman's mouth.
"Hold!"
Robert's command stopped the blade. Iron-Pumping Superman could clearly see the rage in Ser Ilyn's pale eyes.
"Hmph. So you really can't speak. Were you born that way? Or did you drink something too spicy and decide to slice off your tongue for a snack? I bet it tasted delicious."
Iron-Pumping Superman smirked.
Pfft. Jaime covered his mouth, looking apologetic for laughing.
Ser Ilyn glanced back. He could rage at a bound assassin, but he dared not bare his teeth at his masters. He lowered his head and slowly retreated.
"Varys. I leave them to you. I want to know how they got in! How did they smuggle Wildfire and weapons into the Red Keep!" Robert barked.
Varys was a hundred percent reluctant to approach these two dangerous lunatics.
But compelled by the King's order, he had to step forward.
Good. Your name is Varys, right?
Iron-Pumping Superman rolled his eyes. As the Spider approached, he whispered:
"Come closer, my Lord. I'll tell you... we have people inside the court."
Varys frowned and leaned in. Suddenly, Iron-Pumping Superman lunged, headbutting Varys and sending him stumbling back.
"Help! He has poison in his hand! He's trying to silence me!"
Varys was stunned. What are you doing?!
Robert frowned and questioned:
"Varys?"
Varys quickly spread his hands, showing he held nothing.
Robert was about to order the interrogation to continue when he saw the assassin, who had just been shouting, roll his eyes back and start foaming at the mouth.
Moon-Fang looked back. Damn, bro. You are committed to the role.
It turned out Iron-Pumping Superman had been hiding a poison capsule in his tooth the whole time. Biting down on it now was the perfect move.
Hand of the King Eddard Stark spoke up. "Get a Maester! Save him!"
Then he turned to Robert. "It seems the assassin took poison preemptively. He just wanted to frame Lord Varys."
Hearing this, the Spider shot Eddard a grateful look.
Robert waved his hand dismissively. He wasn't stupid; he didn't believe the clumsy framing attempt either.
"Your Grace!"
Just then, a Red Cloak ran up to Robert in a panic and bowed.
"We found Grand Maester Pycelle's body!"
"Where?" the King asked.
"In Lord Varys's chambers!" the Red Cloak replied.
Varys opened his mouth, then let out a soft, incredulous laugh. He was officially done.
"If Lord Varys truly did it, why would he leave the Grand Maester's body openly in his room?"
"It makes no sense. The assassins likely killed Pycelle when he was off guard and dumped the body in Lord Varys's room to frame him. It is too childish a plot," Eddard Stark argued on Varys's behalf once again.
Robert waved his hand again, indicating he understood.
"It's not like that, Lord Hand! We didn't find the Grand Maester in the room!" the Red Cloak said urgently.
"Are you lying to your King?" Robert glared.
"Forgive me, Your Grace! We found bloodstains in Lord Varys's room. We followed the trail and discovered a secret passage hidden within his chambers!
Grand Maester Pycelle's body was hidden inside that secret passage! Along with two of my squad members who had gone missing!
That is why, searching their patrol area, I quickly found the clues in Lord Varys's room!"
The Red Cloak spoke with clear logic and evidence.
Robert looked at his sworn brother, Eddard.
Eddard frowned, speechless.
Varys simply closed his eyes.
"Varys, it is not that I do not trust you, but I think you owe your King an explanation for this situation!"
Robert's gaze shifted to Varys.
"Your Grace, we also found this!" The Red Cloak pulled a piece of parchment from his breastplate and handed it to the King.
Robert passed it to Ser Barristan.
"Read it, Ser."
Ser Barristan didn't hesitate. He unfolded the paper and began to read aloud:
"Your Grace, your most loyal servant Varys has made contact with the men you sent. We have finalized the plan. We will surely kill the Usurper. The nobles and commoners of King's Landing all await the day the Dragon Banner flies over the city once more!"
Ser Barristan looked up in shock at Varys. By now, several Red Cloaks had surrounded the Spider.
The atmosphere was heavy, but the Lord Commander continued reading:
"May our plan succeed. May the great King Viserys III live long and healthy. May you reclaim your homeland. Your achievements will rival those of your ancestor, the Conqueror!
Long live the Divine Right of Kings! Long live House Targaryen! Long live King Viserys III, protected by the True Dragon!"
Varys swallowed hard. He had absolutely nothing to say.