As soon as the words fell,
Many people, primarily members of the Royce family and Sir Ryan, knelt on one knee.
Among them were acquaintances, some of whom had met once before and some of whom had never met.
They all placed one hand on their chest to demonstrate their loyalty to the heir of Runestone City before them.
Some people did not kneel and looked silently at the young heir.
For the time being, Lady Rhea's loyalty to Runestone City and her loyalty to the heir were two different things.
Aemon saw it all and gently raised his hand: "Get up. I see your loyalty."
Crash! Everyone who had been kneeling stood up and took a step back in unison.
This highlighted those who did not kneel.
There weren't many.
The Tollet family of Gray Valley City, the Korwat family of Coldwater City, and some branches of the Royce family with distant bloodlines.
Aemon looked at each family's representative one by one.
The two groups looked at each other, then fell into silence.
Aemon put on a coat and was about to speak.
Suddenly, a sturdy man in silver-gray armor ran straight to the blacksmith's shop.
The man had a rough face and short gray-black hair.
After entering the shop, he buried his head in the spliced full-body plate armor, unable to take his eyes off it.
While staring at it, he muttered, "What great craftsmanship! There isn't even a crack in the ribs."
From what he said, he was clearly an expert.
There are many types of armor; plate armor offers the strongest defense and a higher survival rate on the battlefield.
The quality of plate armor depends on how many defects the blacksmith leaves during the forging process.
After all, the materials are almost the same.
No one can penetrate the steel plate. Gaps between different parts of the armor are a fatal weakness that can break the defense.
The better the blacksmith's craftsmanship, the fewer gaps there are after the armor is assembled.
Aemon's full-body plate armor has no gaps unless you look closely.
"Your Highness, are you the reincarnation of the 'Blacksmith'?"
The strong man's eyes sparkled as he shouted, ignoring the heat of the silver breastplate touching the plate armor: "I'm fighting for you this time! If I achieve military success, will you give me this armor as a reward?"
The Tollett family emblem was printed on the chest of his armor.
He himself was Addison Tollett, the Lord of Greydale.
He had led the army there nine days ago.
During this time, he went to the blacksmith shop almost every day to watch His Highness forge iron.
Blacksmithing is not a lowly profession.
The ancestors of the Andals conquered the continent of Westeros with bronze and iron technology that was of cross-era significance.
Even in the faith of the Seven Gods, there is a "blacksmith."
Addison stayed for nine days and witnessed His Highness's forging process.
A total of three full-body plate armor suits, seventeen half-hand swords, and two oak shields were forged.
This forging speed is comparable to flying on a dragon.
After each finished product, the next one is of better quality.
Currently, the quality of this full-body plate armor surpasses the work of the best blacksmiths in the valley.
Even if you spent all of Greydale City's savings, it would still be difficult to buy.
His words immediately attracted the attention of others.
Some people have noticed that His Royal Highness has superb forging skills.
Otherwise, why would anyone gather here to watch the blacksmithing?
The pressure was on the young prince.
Aemon looked at Sir Addison, who ignored etiquette and said with a smile, "Do you like this armor?"
"Of course!"
Addison roared.
He just loves it.
Aemon held up the freshly baked shoulder armor and handed it to Addison, pretending to be serious. "There's no need to do meritorious deeds. It's yours now."
"Ah?"
Addison was stunned.
He looked at the hot shoulder armor, which had not cooled down yet. It was like a hot potato.
It wasn't right to take it, but it was hard not to.
He gritted his teeth and reached out to take it.
"Wait."
Aemon suddenly stopped, replaced the shoulder armor with a helmet, and stuffed it into his arms. He smiled and said, "You're a warrior; you deserve it."
These weapons and armor were made to be rewarded.
Addison was stunned again, staring at the steel helmet with a mask in his arms.
"Why, don't you like it?"
Aemon passed by him and faced the vassals outside the blacksmith shop.
His back was completely exposed.
He wasn't afraid of the people's dissatisfaction or any reckless actions behind him.
The scene was quiet, and no one spoke.
Some people stared at His Royal Highness, and others stared at Addison.
Those who stared at Addison were partly worried he would get angry and partly envious of the free top-notch plate armor.
One second, two seconds...
"Hahaha!"
A burst of laughter erupted from the blacksmith shop.
Aemon didn't turn his head, but the corners of his mouth rose slightly.
Addison put on the helmet, strode out of the shop, and said arrogantly, "Look! This is the new armor His Royal Highness rewarded me with."
In his excitement, he let loose a string of swear words.
"Hahaha..."
"What the hell? Why do you deserve a piece of armor?"
"Your Highness, I want one too!"
These rough words completely ignited the enthusiasm of his vassals, who started laughing and cursing.
Aemon looked around, his smile growing wider.
Plop! Addison knelt on one knee and said in a loud voice, "Your Highness, the Tollet family has been loyal to the Royce family for generations. I will also abide by the honor of my ancestors."
"I swear today that I will be loyal to you and fight for you every day."
As soon as he finished speaking, the room fell silent.
Many people know that Addison of Greydale is not as reckless as he seems, but rather, a bold and cautious gray fox.
Apart from Runestone City's direct troops, he had observed His Royal Highness the longest.
In fact, he was the only vassal who stayed in the blacksmith shop every day.
Aemon looked down at him and said seriously, "You may die if you serve me."
"I'm afraid I won't die on the battlefield but rather die a coward's death."
Addison took off his helmet, his face firm.
"Okay."
Aemon waved his hand.
Jansif trotted forward and handed him the clan sword, "Lament," which was hanging on the wall.
Aemon held "Lament" and placed it on Addison's right shoulder. He said solemnly, "I promise you will die in battle with honor, not from a backstab, not from filth, and not from betrayal."
Then, he repeated the response to the oath of allegiance.
With each sentence, he moved the sword from Addison's right shoulder to his left shoulder, finally hanging it above Addison's head.
Addison lowered his head and accepted the oath.
"Get up, Lord Addison."
Aemon placed the "Lament" on Addison's waist and picked it up with his own hands.
His strength was so great that he lifted a six-foot-tall man up as if he were a chicken.
Stunned again, Addison stared at His Royal Highness's young, strong muscles and laughed, "Yes, Your Highness!"
His laughter was so loud that it overshadowed the previous one.
"Hahaha!"
Aemon looked at him and laughed too.
He liked this guy; he was a trustworthy general.
"Hahaha..."
The lord and his minister laughed out loud. The rest of the vassals looked at each other and laughed too.
The valley was closed and conservative but also abided by tradition.
In this respect, only the North and Dorne could compare.
The lord could be a young boy, but he couldn't be a coward.
His Royal Highness had a sturdy figure, controlled the temperature, and had the strength to forge iron.
All of these qualities showed that he was a tough guy with superb martial arts skills.
"Your Highness."
Walder Korwat of Coldwater City walked out of the crowd, knelt on one knee with his uncle and illegitimate brother, and publicly swore allegiance.
Their presence in Runestone City was a testament to their loyalty. If
The person in front of them was worthy of loyalty, they would kneel.
One by one, the remaining branches of the Royce family knelt.
Outsiders could kneel; there was no reason to turn a blind eye.
"Everyone, get up."
Aemon grabbed Addison's and Walder's arms and shouted as he walked. "Tonight, Runestone City will host a banquet for you. Let's get drunk!"
Human nature is fickle.
He didn't like socializing, yet now he was willing to drink with these Vale men.
After all, he was also half a Vale guy.
"Hahaha!"
The group was mighty, with each person calling out to the knights and squires in their families. They
They just walked to the gate of Runestone City.
Rumble! A group of Vale knights raised dust as they carried a flag bearing a red castle on a white background with red edges.
In the blink of an eye, they arrived in front of the gate.
The two leaders took off their helmets. They were Holden Redford, the eldest son and heir of the Redford family, and Adrian Redford, the second son.
Aemon was surprised, but remained calm.
He had not invited the Redford family from the Red Fort.
Holden dismounted, walked to the front, put one hand on his chest, and said seriously, "Following my father's orders, 500 Valley Knights, 500 longbowmen, and 1,500 Redford family infantrymen came to support. I hope your highness is not worried."
"Thank you for coming. Thank you for the Redford family's great help."
Aemon replied politely, glancing at the red-haired girl behind him.
Jansif was as happy as a sparrow. She pounced in front of her two brothers and said happily, "You're finally here! Was it hard on the way?"
Needless to say, it was a letter she had secretly sent to the Red Fort.
Aemon narrowed his eyes, suspecting that his mother had added something to it.
Jansif hugged her two brothers, one on each side, and complimented them.
She was especially clingy with the eldest brother, Holden.
When the Royce family vassals saw this scene, they smiled like aunts.
What else could the Redford family be here for?
Jansif looked up and blushed.
Holden's face was tense, and he whispered, " "If you become the princess, I will bring all the remaining troops, and Father won't say no."
The Redford family is one of the oldest in the valley, so naturally, they have more troops than this.
However, my little sister has not made any progress, so sending too many troops would seem flattering.
Even so, two thousand troops is a significant number.
"Welcome! We are going to hold a banquet."
Aemon quickly came back to his senses and greeted them with a bright smile.
As the prince recruiting troops, the more the better.
With the two thousand people in the Red Fort included, Runestone City now has nearly 15,000 troops.
With Vermithor and Silverwing outside the city, they have more than enough troops to flatten the valley.
Colorful!
...
Six days later.
At night.
Runestone City is lit up and ventilated, and the noise never stops.
Servants add wine in batches, and barrels are piled on more than a dozen carriages.
Aemon sits in the main seat and looks around at the vassals drinking happily.
The banquet has been held for seven consecutive days, and today is the seventh night.
Tomorrow morning, the army will set out.
The 15,000-person army will travel south to Seagull Town and proceed to an unknown battlefield in the gorge.
Aemon was lost in thought, his eyes as deep as the night.
"Everything is ready, Prince."
Jansif walked over slowly, the corners of her pretty mouth curling up.
Lady Rhea rarely goes out; she has become the mistress of Runestone City.
Coordinate the army's food and supplies, and arrange the expedition banquet.
Everything must be managed in an orderly manner.
"Keep an eye on who has grievances with whom, and don't let them get together and fight,"
Aemon warned.
Jansif nodded and watched His Royal Highness leave.
There is a meeting room on the second floor, and representatives from all parties have arrived.
Clap, clap, clap! After Aemon left, a group of musicians entered the hall from both sides.
A cellist played a new song.
The melody was beautiful but depressing.
It was like the suffocation before a storm.
It exploded amidst the despair and swallowed all the ships in the endless deep sea.
Like a song before war, it inadvertently pulled people into a solemn state.
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