If a person could read minds, they could easily become anyone's best, most intimate, and most trustworthy friend. If a god could always read
If a person could read minds, they could easily become anyone's best, most intimate, and most trustworthy friend.
If a god could always read the thoughts of their believers, it would be very simple to make them steadfast and loyal followers.
What connection does the High Septon have with the Son of Light? Why wasn't he chosen as the Son of Light from the beginning? Why wasn't he told about the Long Night earlier?
Just as these thoughts arose in the High Septon's mind, the girl spoke to him cheerfully:
"The True God resides in the Astral Realm, because the material world rejects Him.
The stronger a True God is, the greater the rejection from the material world.
Ordinary True Gods, like R'hllor, because of their weaker power, can more easily communicate with the mortal world and thus appear more active here.
But I, I have surpassed True Gods, surpassed this dimension.
Just as this world has the continent of Westeros, the Summer Isles, the continent of Essos, and countless islands and kingdoms around the Jade Sea,
beyond this world, there are countless other worlds.
R'hllor is only the God of Fire in this world. He was stripped of the Song of Fire by the Valyrians and became the Lord of Light.
As for me, I am the Lord God of all the heavens and worlds.
In your world, my followers call me 'the Seven.'
In other worlds, I am called 'God,' 'Christ,' 'Ra,' 'Buddha,' and many other names.
In every world, my title is different.
But as my believers, you are all my children, and eventually you will return to my embrace.
Now do you understand?I am the Lord God of the multidimensional realms.
My authority is too great. A single thought of mine could shatter this world, just as a grown man cannot wear a child's clothes.
The stronger the power, the further it is from the material.
Even if I wish to speak to you, my children, you must fast and pray for a long time, using the power of faith to build a channel that connects to the Astral Realm.
But this world's energy level is too low, faith is scarce, and such channels cannot last long, so our conversations are always brief.
If even communication is so difficult, how could I possibly transmit divine power across worlds?"
"However, the situation has now changed. Dragons are the source of miracles in this world. They build a bridge between the low-level material world and the high-level Astral Realm."
The girl's voice echoed in the High Septon's heart. Although he did not understand some of the words, he immediately grasped her meaning.
If someone later asked him about the role of dragons in the world, the High Septon could explain in simple words:
The human world is like the first floor, the Astral Realm of the gods is the second floor, while the Seven are so powerful they reside on the tenth floor.
Dragons are like ladders, connecting the first floor to the second, allowing the gods of the second floor to intervene in the mortal world.
If dragons became followers of the Seven, the bridging effect would be even greater, like a ladder built directly between the "home of the Seven" on the tenth floor and the mortal realm.
But the "dragon ladder" was originally built only for the first and second floors. Forcing it up to the tenth would cause it to collapse—
unless the bond between dragon and the Seven was made even closer.
There were two ways to achieve this:
First, if the dragon became as devout as the High Septon himself, it could become the Son of Light.
The Son of Light possessed a powerful channel of faith to the Seven, and one day their soul could ascend to Paradise through it.
Second, the Seven could bestow some divine authority upon the dragon, raising its status within the Faith.
It would be like peasants, who cannot see the king, while the Hand of the King sees him daily.
"How many Sons of Light are there?" the High Septon asked.
"Very few. A devout Son of Light like you is rare indeed." The girl shifted into the form of the Mother, her face radiating compassion as she spoke.
Even with all his years of experience, the High Septon could not help but feel a swell of pride.
What could be more glorious, more joyful, than receiving recognition from the Seven?
Yet soon he frowned. It was already rare enough for the Black Dragon to become a believer of the Seven. Demanding him to be as devout as himself might be asking too much.
Besides, if the dragon were just as devout, who then would truly be the Son of Light?
Yes, he was devout.
But devotion had nothing to do with whether one harbored selfishness.
He had selfish desires, a hunger for power, schemes, and ruthless methods, but he was still a worthy Son of Light to the Seven!
If that was the case, the first path was no longer feasible.
"Merciful Mother, the Black Dragon is dull-witted. He may not grasp the teachings of the Scriptures in time. Without becoming a Son of Light, he cannot establish a cross-dimensional channel between the mortal world and Your Majesty.
The Long Night is coming. Without your divine power, Westeros may be plunged into ruin!" The High Septon fell to his knees in desperate prayer.
But Dany had already foreseen his choice. Or rather, this whole arrangement was a trap meant for him.
She knew his character, his way of dealing with others, even his every light or shadowed thought at this moment. Of course she could easily lure him into her plan.
So she feigned reluctance.
The Mother's voice was still gentle, but her face now showed a trace of hesitation.
"Taking a lowly dragon as the Seven's spokesperson in this realm is not a problem. I have subordinate gods in every world.
I do not mind if the Seven-Pointed Star is altered, because the essence of the Faith lies in justice (the Father), mercy (the Mother), purity (the Maiden), diligence (the Smith), courage (the Warrior), wisdom (the Crone), and reverence (the Stranger).
As long as these seven virtues remain, the rest is unimportant.
But will the believers accept such changes in doctrine?
It would be better for you to guide the Black Dragon carefully, to cultivate him as your successor. This way, much conflict will be avoided."
The High Septon's heart stirred, and he asked, "If the Black Dragon becomes your spokesperson, can he become a god?"
If that were possible, it would be too enviable! Even he longed to become a vassal god of the Seven himself.
So the Mother quickly cut off that thought and satisfied him with another promise:
"No. Whether he becomes a god depends on his talent and destiny. But I will grant him something more precious—justice, mercy, purity, diligence, courage, wisdom, and reverence.
The title of High Protector of the Seven is like that of a High Septon in the church. When one High Protector's soul ascends to Paradise, the next takes their place."
At this, the High Septon was completely content.
He prayed fervently: "Merciful Mother, have pity on your lamb."
"Child, the choice is yours. You are the Son of Light. You may decide the affairs of the Faith in this world."
The Mother sighed softly and vanished.
The next morning, sunlight streamed through the mosaic stained glass, casting colorful patterns across the marble floor.
An old man in a gray robe, barefoot, lay prostrate on the ground as though in worship. Yet his head was turned to the side, and strands of drool trickled from the corner of his mouth, dampening the floor.
Lancel cautiously approached the High Septon, bent low, and only after hearing the faint sound of snoring did he breathe a sigh of relief. The High Septon had not followed in the steps of Saint Baelor, starving to death in the midst of fasting and prayer. He was merely too weary and had fallen asleep.
"Your Grace? Your Grace?"
The old man's frailty stirred pity in the one-armed knight, but he knew even more clearly that the faithful must not see their High Septon in such a state.
He gently shook the elder, whose sunken cheeks and pale skin made him look even more fragile, until he stirred awake.
"Your Grace, you must be hungry. Here, drink some barley porridge."
Lancel carefully held a bowl of clear, almost transparent porridge to the High Sparrow's lips.
It was not that he wished to mistreat his superior.
Rather, during fasting one could not eat solid food, only drink water, and this thin porridge counted as "clear water."
"No!" The High Sparrow pushed the porcelain bowl away firmly.
"Your Grace, this does not count as food. You are not breaking your fast," Lancel urged.
"No, it is far too bland. I want meat pies, meat broth, and two large duck eggs!" the High Sparrow declared solemnly.
"Caw—"
Lancel swayed, nearly collapsing on the spot.
But soon he understood.
"Your Grace, have you completed your fast already? It usually lasts at least half a month. Why is it so short this time?"
"Yes. I have seen the Mother."
The High Sparrow licked his lips, unable to endure the gnawing hunger within him, then seized the porcelain bowl and gulped it down noisily.
"Lancel, summon the city's stonemasons at once. We must renovate the statues of the Seven. Yes—according to Daenerys's suggestion, let all Seven ride dragons."
"And the doctrine must also be revised. The spirit of the Seven remains unchanged, but just as a king requires a Hand and the Kingsguard, so too must the Seven have Hands of the Seven and High Guardians."
Lancel hesitated, unmoving, and whispered, "Are you certain, Your Grace? Shouldn't you rest for a few days until you are fully clear-headed—until you…"
"I am very clear-headed. This was the Crone's instruction," the High Sparrow replied sternly.
"Didn't you just say you saw the Mother?"
Lancel grew increasingly convinced that the old man's mind was faltering.
"The Seven are one. The Mother is the Crone, and also the Maiden."
"Your Grace…" Lancel wanted to ask, "Was it not the Crone you saw in your dream?"But the High Sparrow's authority was too great for him to risk blasphemy.
"This Crone you speak of—was she the same as before? What did she look like? When I entered just now, you seemed to be sleeping." The one-armed knight carefully hinted.
Her features were not clear in his memory, but they resembled the statues well enough. Her expression and tone were familiar, and she called him "child." It could not have been a dream, the High Sparrow thought.
Still, he did not intend to explain further to his subordinate. His gaze hardened as he ordered, "Do as I have said. In time, you will witness the miracles of the Seven yourself."
By noon that day, word had already spread that the High Sparrow had decreed the Seven should each have a black dragon as their mount.
That very same day, Euron Greyjoy—who had inherited the title of "King of the Iron Islands and the North" from Balon—arrived in King's Landing with dozens of wagons laden with betrothal gifts, crossing through the Riverlands.
Euron had come to court Cersei.
Back when the High Sparrow had placed Queen Margaery on trial, the seasoned Kevan Lannister had already struck an agreement with Euron.
At this time, the ironborn still held the Shield Islands at the mouth of the Mander.
According to their pact, after Euron married Cersei, he would personally hand the islands over to House Tyrell.
Then the last lingering ripples of the War of the Four Kings would finally come to an end. Everyone ignored the fact that one of those kings, Stannis, still remained.
In the Red Keep, within the arched balcony of Maegor's Holdfast, in the queen dowager's chambers—
Cersei sat across from Euron. Aside from Ser Robert Strong, who guarded the balcony door, no one else was present.
To ease his niece's deep-seated reluctance toward the match, Kevan had arranged this private meeting.
Cersei glared coldly at the man opposite her for a long moment, then suddenly rose, walked to his side, and brushed her hand lightly across his scarred, pockmarked cheek.
Euron's facial muscles twitched slightly, but he did not pull away.
"My lord duke, you are more handsome than the rumors claimed—if not for these childish scribbles of scars," Cersei said with biting sarcasm.
Euron's bright blue eyes shone with gentle amusement as he replied, "Your Grace, you are even more beautiful than the rumors—if you were to wear a wig."
*(Note: On that day, Queen Margaery was only released on bail by Randyll Tarly. She had not been fully acquitted, and her formal ecclesiastical trial was just beginning.
Euron indeed bore the title of "King of the North," inherited from his elder brother Balon.
Of course, it was a self-proclaimed title by King Balon, since the ironborn occupied Karhold, Deepwood Motte, and other northern lands. Yet no one truly recognized his kingship over the North.)*
(End of Chapter)
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