This cannon, named "Regalia," was over four meters long, with a front outer diameter exceeding half a meter. Someone as short as Tyrion could climb inside headfirst. Compared with legendary weapons from Earth, such as the "Great Turkish Bombard" or even the "Tsar Cannon," it was naturally nothing special, but in this world, with its sister "Truth" not yet fully cast, and excluding the anomalous existences from the age of magic, it was likely indeed "the most powerful weapon ever created by humans," at least in physical terms.
However, observant people had probably already noticed: this cannon was definitely not cast from the Iron Throne, because it was made of bronze.
This was Aegor's offhand boast coming back to bite him. He had not thought that far ahead when he grabbed Daenerys's hand in the Red Keep's throne room and made that grand declaration, but various research and data from the arsenal indicated that current technology simply could not cast an iron cannon that was large enough to be intimidating while still being functional. Thus, the Regalia and Truth cannons were changed to be cast from bronze, and Aegor's original plan of "adding a piece of the throne to the molten iron and claiming it was cast from the Iron Throne" naturally fell through.
In fact, even using bronze, an expensive but reliable material, the casting of the first supercannon still went through several twists, turns, and failures before it was finally completed.
But this was a minor issue. Tyrion had already prepared the official propaganda: they would simply claim that there was an inner core cast from the Iron Throne within the bronze layers of the barrel. After all, no one would have the chance, or the courage, to saw open the barrel to verify it.
Undoubtedly, this cannon, whose cost and weight were astronomical but whose reliability was highly questionable, had pitifully low practical combat value... but that did not matter. Its main purpose was to awe and intimidate.
And judging from its appearance now, it was clearly capable of fulfilling that task.
Not to mention the two Vale nobles who had only heard the name of cannons, even the lords of the North and Riverlands who had seen cannons and even experienced their power were awed by the size and the subtle sense of power emanating from the metallic behemoth before them. For a moment, they were all struck silent.
"Is... this a cannon?" Robb asked in a dry, choked voice, suppressing the tremor in his tone.
In terms of absolute size, the "Regalia" was much smaller than a giant trebuchet, but Winterfell had been shelled. Robb could not forget that the small cannons used by Aegor's Gift Army at Winterfell, which could be carried by two or three adults, had easily penetrated the sturdy main gate of the keep. Compared with those few cannons, this behemoth before him was like the difference between a little finger and an arm.
He had not even seen medium or large cannons yet, and without any preamble or preparation, he had skipped two levels and jumped directly to viewing a gigantic cannon. The visual impact brought by this stark contrast was easy to imagine.
"Yes, this is a cannon." Tyrion readily took over from the Lord of the North, emphasizing the word "a." "Rest assured, since I invited you all here today, there will definitely be something substantial... We can begin!"
The last sentence was shouted toward the engineers and artillerymen gathered around the "Regalia." With this command, the scene, which had been as silent and solemn as a religious sanctuary, suddenly became a hive of activity. Safety officers began issuing orders to evacuate anyone who might be in front of the cannon, the propellant loading team picked up barrels, and the cannonball carriers used a tool resembling a carrying pole, but capable of concentrating the strength of four people, to lift a large stone sphere prepared nearby...
While the preparations for firing proceeded noisily, Tyrion led the visiting group dozens of meters away from the cannon, arriving behind a one-man-high barricade built from heavy sandbags, slightly behind the cannon's muzzle.
"Please do not leave this area before the firing is complete, to prevent any accidents."
The nobles exchanged glances, all finding it incredible. They were not standing in front of the cannon, only watching it fire. What danger could there be?
The preparation for firing the giant cannon was actually quite cumbersome and time-consuming, but to maximize the intimidating effect of this demonstration, most of the preliminary work had already been completed. The final signal before ignition came quite quickly: the signalman waved a small flag, a soldier who received the signal raised a bugle and blew a loud call, and immediately nearby to the east, a relay followed suit. The successive bugle calls faded into the distance, until they finally disappeared within the old Industrial Park.
"This is to remind the personnel working inside the Industrial Park that a test firing is about to take place, so they should prepare themselves... lest they be startled and cause a production accident." The dwarf quickly explained again, then was the first to cover his ears with both hands. "Now, please protect your ears, just as I am."
Everyone followed suit. Even the most unruly and stubborn Brynden "the Blackfish" did not dare risk his hearing by going against the crowd at such a moment.
The flag was waved again, and the bugler blew one last, very short note. Then everyone inside and outside the barricade, everyone within sight, including the bugler himself, dropped everything they were holding and covered their ears tightly while bending down and squatting.
In an instant, everything fell silent, leaving only the faint white smoke rising from the silently burning fuse at the tail of the "Regalia."
After a flash that was not blinding, an earth-shattering roar swept over them.
The air vibrated, the ground groaned, and the tremendous sound struck their eardrums through the flesh and bone of the hands covering their ears. Although it no longer caused stinging pain, it was still enough to shake everyone's minds and almost send their souls flying out. In their horror, they did not even dare imagine what would have happened if they had not covered their ears.
Tyrion was the first to lower his hands, and only then did the others dare remove their protection. Looking again, they saw a large cloud of white smoke spreading out, enveloping the entire form of the "Regalia." The acrid smell of gunpowder smoke instantly filled their nostrils. There were no hills on the flat firing range to reflect sound waves, but many people still felt as if the cannon's roar lingered and echoed.
"What we are demonstrating to you today, my lords, is a test firing with half charge. If using a full charge, it could launch a stone ball weighing as much as several adult men over a league away." He naturally would not mention that this intimidating semi-finished product would most likely burst if a full charge were used. "Its original design purpose was to destroy strong castles and fortresses. Whether it is King's Landing or Storm's End, Highgarden or Oldtown's Hightower... even Harrenhal, which was already burned by dragonflame, under the continuous strikes of such a powerful weapon, its destruction would only be a matter of time. Fortunately, the battles where this weapon was expected to be used have all gone more smoothly than anticipated."
He did not mention the Bloody Gate at all, but both the two Vale nobles and the accompanying lords from the North and Riverlands understood perfectly. This was a rather veiled and indirect threat, implying that if necessary, the attack on the Vale would involve this weapon.
"Alright." Tyrion pretended to be completely unaware of what everyone was thinking and left the barricade in a cheerful tone. "Bring the horses over. Let's go appreciate the effect of the cannonball!"
...
Whether it was the setup on the way to the firing range or the numerous steps and procedures before and after firing that seemed highly superfluous, all of it was meant to add a sense of ceremony and maximize the deterrence and oppressive feeling the "Regalia" could bring... but the effect created by all this artifice was not as powerful as the deep pit at the final impact point, from which faint smoke rose, and whose size and depth were enough to serve directly as Tyrion's grave.
More than one noble at the scene subconsciously stomped his feet, feeling the texture of the ground beneath him. It was very solid and dense, definitely not some deliberately loosened muddy ground.
Undoubtedly, the Bloody Gate absolutely could not withstand this weapon. When the League of the Righteous rebelled back then, the garrison's method of blocking the gate openings to hold out against Robert Baratheon was meaningless in the face of a weapon that could destroy stone walls indiscriminately.
After a moment of stunned silence, a lord from the Riverlands boldly asked what the price of this cannon was.
"For now, it is not for sale, but if any lord is truly interested in it, I think a million golden dragons would be a suitable price."
This was clearly an exorbitant and insincere offer, but no one at the scene dared to jeer. Amid the whispers, Edmure Tully, the broker and facilitator of this meeting, brought Lady Anya Waynwood to Tyrion's side.
Just as Daenerys's side had a hard face, the official negotiating team, and a soft face, Tyrion, the Vale had also made dual preparations by sending two great nobles with completely different styles and temperaments this time. After seeing Daenerys's side secure victory after victory, and even witnessing the superweapon Tyrion had demonstrated to them, they decisively implemented their final contingency plan: have the hardline hawk, Ser Brynden "the Blackfish," temporarily withdraw, and let the dovish Lady Anya handle all subsequent negotiations and communication.
"Lady Anya, I have learned from Lord Edmure about the difficulties the Vale is facing in negotiations with Daenerys. Frankly, those three conditions are indeed somewhat aggressive, and I do not entirely approve of them." After moving slightly away from the main group of nobles, Tyrion raised his chin and said slowly, with his hands behind his back, "Like you two, I do not want the royal government to go to war with the Vale, but Daenerys will absolutely not agree to the Vale getting 'peace' for free without paying any price. How about this: I will tell you my suggestions, and you can listen and see if they are acceptable."
"Regarding the condition to hand over the Bloody Gate for a royal garrison, I will try to persuade Daenerys to give it up. This fortress is a gateway and a fig leaf for the people of the Vale, but it actually has little significance for the royal government, especially after we have acquired siege weapons like 'Regalia' and 'Truth.'" He said this without hesitation. "But for the next two conditions, I do not have the ability or confidence to persuade Daenerys to change her mind. Still, I am happy to reveal some relevant information to help Lady Anya make her decision."
"First is the Targaryen national debt. I know it is a bit difficult to force the Vale, which is not known for its wealth, to come up with nearly a million in such a large sum all at once, but..." Tyrion briefly introduced the news that the national debt bonds would soon be tradable on the exchange, and then concluded, "Although this protection fee is a huge amount, seventy to eighty percent of it can be recovered immediately by selling the bonds, meaning the actual cost is only twenty to thirty percent of the face value. If the lords of the Vale are not in a hurry for money and can be patient, they might even get it all back completely in one or two years, or even make a profit."
"Then there is Gulltown. As the largest city and trade center in the Vale, I do not think anyone would willingly give up its port. But from what I know..." So he deliberately leaked the internal news that Daenerys was about to launch an expedition against Braavos, and then offered his suggestion. "As long as the Vale voluntarily provides the port temporarily to the royal fleet as a relay point for the expedition to Braavos, generously covers all logistical supplies, and sends your best capital ships to participate in this operation... then I think, after taking Braavos and the Iron Bank, having contributed and earned merit in the war, Daenerys would absolutely not be so cold-blooded as to still insist on the original conditions."
"Lady Anya, I have finished my proposal... What do you think? If it is generally acceptable, then I can go into the palace tonight to meet Daenerys."
Of the three initial conditions, one was abandoned and two were discounted. This not only exceeded the expected bottom line of the Vale negotiating team, but also fell below Daenerys's side's initial concession assumptions. The reason for this was actually that, with the expedition to Braavos suddenly put on the agenda, the royal navy's need for the nearby port of Gulltown had suddenly increased significantly. And in such a short time, even Aegor could not immediately gather the manpower, resources, and energy to fight another war with the Vale.
"If Her Grace could truly agree, the Vale will owe you a great debt of gratitude!"
Even without today's "tour," these conditions were already within the acceptable range. And after experiencing the solid shock and deterrence of the "Regalia" cannon, Lady Anya could barely conceal her gratitude toward Tyrion.
"Excellent. Achieving peace throughout the realm as quickly as possible is a blessing for the people of the Seven Kingdoms and everyone present." A smile also appeared on Tyrion's face. Gunpowder, that thing, truly could make anyone reasonable. "Alright, inform everyone to prepare for the return trip... I think a hearty dinner should be ready at Blackwall Keep by now."
(To be continued.)