Chapter 143: Outside Rain House City
"Your Majesty, the people have been brought."
Earl Beric Dondarrion of Blackhaven respectfully gazed at the back of the valiant King standing on the bow.
Even though he had long witnessed the infinite charm of Divine Grace, Beric Donderrion was still deeply shocked by what he had seen and heard at sea over the past two days.
It was absolutely a great miracle in the history of warfare.
Within two days and two nights, the massive fleet had actually made a long-distance raid from Stone Dance City to the waters near Rain House City!
This was a voyage of a full two hundred leagues.
Converted to the new unit defined by the Divine Grace Light Screen, it was a distance of nearly a thousand kilometers.
Even if a single Swan Ship sailed at its fastest speed, and even if the wind direction was always favorable and the waves were calm, it would be completely impossible to cover such a long distance in two days.
Not to mention a fleet with over three hundred warships and tens of thousands of people!
Especially the steel warship underfoot.
Beric Dondarrion knew its terrifying power on the sea. It didn't need sails or oars, relying entirely on steel and Divine Grace for unstoppable movement.
The massive fleet was even a drag on it.
If it weren't for the need to wait for the "slow" fleet, this "Divine Grace" would probably have reached its destination a day earlier.
And the seemingly slow and useless fleet was actually the most powerful sea fortress Beric Dondarrion had ever seen, capable of matching or even defeating several times the number of warships and enemies.
He had seen it with his own eyes.
On the "King Robert's Hammer," the accompanying Holy Grace Priests used their abilities to make the entire crew and passengers completely refreshed and free from fatigue.
The fleet was thus able to sail day and night.
On the "Fury," the Holy Creation Sorcerers were immersed in the endless repair and maintenance of the ship.
Every day or half a day, the entire ship was like being rebuilt, as good as new, with a more beautiful and sturdy structure, and smoother and easier sailing.
The deck of the "Pride of Driftmark" had no catapults or ballistae, but instead rows of steel long barrels integrated with the deck, which could be arranged and moved at will by the Holy Creation Sorcerers.
This device was called a "Ship Cannon."
Water and fire, Beric Dondarrion couldn't help but marvel at the wonder of this combination.
Pure water or seawater was poured directly into the steel long barrel, then one or several iron balls were used to block the muzzle, the muzzle was adjusted to face the target, and Holy Fire Warriors stepped forward to inject fire.
Bang!
Steel roared, white mist steamed, and a terrifying huge splash erupted on the distant sea surface.
Some of these steel balls were even terrifying creations similar to "Water Drops," but they were larger and the explosions were more violent and hot.
It was hard to imagine what it would be like if such a thing hit a person.
Unfortunately, Beric Dondarrion knew that whether he wanted to or not, this unknown but certainly terrifying scene was about to unfold.
Ahead was Rain House City.
Unfortunately, House Wylde of Rain House City supported the rebellious Renly Baratheon.
Even more unfortunately, Rain House City was located on the north shore of Cape Wrath, bordering Shipbreaker Bay, and the nearshore waters were deep enough, and the castle was close enough to the sea.
Deep enough for warships to pass, and close enough for the "water balls" from the ship cannons to reach.
With just one command from the King, the merciless water and fire would unleash their bone-chilling coldness and hellish heat without reservation.
Steel would also fully display its advantage of hardness and sharpness.
With just one command.
The warship underfoot swayed imperceptibly, and the waves in Beric Dondarrion's heart were much greater, with excitement, surprise, fear, and sighing stirring in his heart.
With one command, how many people would die, and how much glory and honor would fade and be extinguished.
How many more such commands would be issued?
The night was deep.
The surging waves crashed against the steep cliffs, stirring the silent fleet.
Beric Dondarrion gently raised his gaze. The King's back was dark and deep, and the light from Rain House City ahead illuminated a steadfast outline, as if he wanted to hold the entire world in his palm.
Time seemed to pass for a long time, yet it also seemed like just a moment.
The King turned around.
"Earl Beric, you've worked hard."
"Glad to serve Your Majesty." Beric Dondarrion stepped back, revealing the four figures behind him.
Ser Hart Fell of Fallenwood, Ser Roland Storm of Nightsong, Ser Bruce Buckler of Bronze Gate, and Ser Nabert Grandison of Allview.
As instructed.
These four knights who commanded the rebel forces had boarded the ship with Beric and his group in Stone Dance City, while the other captives were handed over to the Dragonstone fleet for custody.
But in the past two days, this was the first time the King had summoned them.
Compared to Beric, these four Stormlands knights were clearly even more unable to resist the immense shock brought by this dreamlike fleet, each of them restrained and fearful, lest they anger the owner of the fleet and bring disaster to their families.
Nabert Grandison also clarified that answer.
Without the blessings of the Gods, Lord Renly's demands were almost impossible to succeed. And the day he returned to his family would likely be very, very soon.
Under the moonlight.
Joffrey carefully examined the four captured knights and the four families behind them.
Bronze Gate was close to the Kingsroad and was the northern gate of Storm's End.
The location of Fallenwood wasn't particularly important, but Renly was currently marching there, and when news of the fleet's attack was received, the most likely frontline fortress was Fallenwood.
Nightsong was a first-tier power in the Stormlands, skilled in combat, yet styled itself as the "Commander of the Marches," showing no small ambition.
Allview, what a resounding name.
Joffrey looked at Nabert Grandison. "The Sleeping Lion doesn't sleep well. Why rashly participate in rebellion? Aren't you afraid of bringing disaster to your family?"
Nabert Grandison respectfully replied, "Please forgive Your Majesty. House Grandison swore fealty to Storm's End. Although we know the dangers are great, and although we are bound to bleed and sacrifice, we can only walk into the abyss without hesitation."
Joffrey chuckled. "Which is greater, the King or the Liege Lord?"
Nabert dared not answer.
"Many people believe they should obey their oath to their Liege Lord more." Joffrey took a step forward.
"But in my dynasty, the first Liege Lord any Lord or Knight swears fealty to can only be me. There is no room for doubt, do you understand?"
Nabert bowed deeply.
"Renew your oath, right now, to the Liege Lord you first swore fealty to," Joffrey ordered.
After a brief silence.
Nabert knelt on one knee, his voice trembling as he swore his oath of fealty.
Joffrey turned to the next person with satisfaction.
"Hart Fell, what is your answer? After taking Storm's End, the decisive battle will likely be at Fallenwood."
Hart Fell could not resist.
"Bruce Buckler? You saw the Divine Grace on the warship. Can the bronze gates of Bronze Gate withstand such steel and fire?"
Bruce naturally had no courage to remain standing.
"Roland Storm. House Caron of Nightsong has brought hundreds of thousands of refugees to King's Landing. Earl Wendwater and Earl Massey demand justice. What degree do you think is appropriate?"
The bastard of Nightsong also swore his oath.
Earl Beric Dondarrion of Blackhaven followed closely, swearing fealty to the King even more than to his Liege Lord. He was already doing so.
Joffrey turned around and looked at Rain House City.
"Prepare."
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