The sun's orange glow slowly pierced through the clouds, signaling the arrival of the second day.
The sun was warm, but war was cruel.
The land near Westeros Fort was stained red with blood, from top to bottom.
Dark brown blood dyed the wild grass by the roadside and the scattered stones.
There were also many muddy pits trampled by horse hooves on the ground, and even human body parts like arms and fingers were casually discarded.
Viserys Targaryen removed his blood-stained dragon helmet; he had a handsome face with a hint of youthfulness and determination.
Although Viserys's various attributes had increased, starting his development into a stat monster, an entire half-night of riding and slashing was still quite exhausting for his spirit.
Viserys now understood why some great generals commanding armies often had short lives; it was simply too mentally and physically taxing.
The battlefield was a place of life and death, with situations constantly changing.
Generals bore the lives of thousands, and considering strategy, logistics, morale, and gathering enemy intelligence, it was indeed not something an ordinary person could endure.
Moreover, in this era of classical warfare, generals also had to personally charge into battle.
Viserys roused his spirits and instructed Ser Roland to be responsible for clearing the battlefield, tallying casualties, controlling prisoners, counting bodies, and so on.
"Long live His Majesty Viserys!"
"Long live the King!" Many soldiers expressed their joy at the victory and praise for the King.
Viserys greeted them and was quite satisfied with the results—a splendid victory.
Viserys's soldiers received excellent training; exercises are bloodless wars, and wars are bloody exercises.
Exercises can never surpass real war; a powerful army is forged through war.
The greater benefit was the increase in Viserys's personal prestige.
Previously, many soldiers knew Viserys possessed the talent of a Water Dancer assassin, but they still had some doubts about Viserys's ability as a knightly commander.
After all, direct combat was completely different from Water Dancer assassination, and Viserys was not very old, nor did he have war experience.
However, after a victory, all doubts about Viserys vanished.
Viserys not only devised the hammer-and-anvil tactic but also personally led his soldiers in the charge, being the most ferocious and deadly knight.
Talk of restoring the kingdom and the King's grand dreams were illusory; what mattered most now was whether Viserys could fight and dared to lead.
Of course, more important was the increase in attributes.
["Fate Defier" Viserys Targaryen has unlocked a new profession, Knight, rewarding one basic attribute increase: Strength +0.1, Agility +0.1]
["Fate Defier" Viserys Targaryen has repeatedly executed "evildoers" in war, rewarding one basic attribute increase: Strength +0.1, Agility +0.1]
Viserys looked at the bonus from the Just Judgment talent; he had killed many people in the war, but purely evil individuals were still a minority.
This talent needed to be used on a group of truly despicable people, but there were plenty of scoundrels in both the Eastern and Western Continents: dothraki, pirates, slave owners, bandit knights, and mercenaries—all fair game.
Looking at the flashing information on the attribute panel, Viserys had also figured out a bit of a pattern.
When Viserys activated a new profession or a new special talent, the system would specifically reward some attributes.
However, the Strength attribute was the easiest to activate, followed by Agility, while Toughness and Spirit attributes increased the slowest.
From this perspective, the system also encouraged Viserys to be more proactive and explore new professions and special talents.
[Viserys Targaryen]
[Age: 14]
[Professions: Fate Reverser (Beginner), Knight (Mastery), Water Dancer (Mastery), Singer (Grandmaster), Gourmet (Legendary)]
Viserys looked at his professions; after the war, he had activated the new profession of Knight, and Knight had already surpassed Water Dancer to become his second profession.
[Reputation: Pioneer with Rising Renown]
Viserys's title of King Without Land had disappeared, now replaced by the title of Pioneer.
[Charm: High]
[Companions: None]
[Attributes: Strength 3, Toughness 2.9, Agility 3, Spirit 2.1.]
His attributes were very balanced; Viserys predicted that above 3 roughly represented a first-class warrior, and other people's attributes would not be as comprehensive as Viserys's.
[Special Talents: Glutton, God of Gastronomy, Insight, Just Judgment]
Viserys requested special attention to screening prisoners, especially those who were strong and capable, had artisan skills, or possessed cultural literacy.
"What is your name?" Viserys asked, approaching a particular prisoner—a blond priest with a seven-pointed star symbol on his face.
Priests were also considered educated individuals.
The standard appearance of Andals was blond hair, blue eyes, and tall stature.
The blond priest wore chainmail, and his dust-stained white robe also bore the symbol of the seven-pointed star; compared to a sword, his weapon was a silver-plated wooden staff used for prayer.
This priest was also one of the leaders of the Andal bandit gang, choosing to surrender after "One-Eye" died.
Judging by his appearance, he should be a military chaplain, as the Andals devoutly worshipped the Seven Gods.
"Umu Andalas, I am the bishop of this operation," Bishop Umu replied respectfully. "These gangs are all my followers; I prayed to the Seven Gods for these leaders and warriors who went to war."
"May I ask your age?" Umu asked.
"Fourteen," Viserys replied.
"The Warrior's star shines on you, not us," Umu shook his head. "Truly the power of a Warrior."
"I don't believe I offended any tribe in the Velvet Hills," Viserys said, looking at the bishop and having someone arrange a wooden stool for him.
"You didn't offend anyone, but it's our custom to grab what we can and leave," Umu explained, then stretched his limbs.
Viserys immediately understood the operational logic of these Andal bandits: they used hit-and-run tactics, scattering after raiding.
"Where is your chivalry? I recall that knights originated from the land of Andas; knights do not steal or rob," Viserys asked.
"Ever since those wealthy Andal lords left, how could we, the abandoned Andal tribes, have the energy or money to learn to be knights? It's out of place, better to just raid," Bishop Umu explained awkwardly.
The rich folks had all run off to Westeros, leaving a bunch of poor brothers to eat dirt.
Viserys was somewhat speechless. "Who organized the people of these tribes?"
"It was organized by One-Eye, whom you killed. He and others discovered someone mining river sand, and they were outsiders. One-Eye was one of the most formidable warriors among the tribal bandits in this area. There were also Toad Leg and Axe, but they seem to be dead," Umu replied.
"You're a bishop, why are you also following a war? Aren't you afraid?" Viserys asked.
"They're all acquaintances; I'm the only bishop around here brave enough to run with them, and I also have some children to support."
"You have children?" Ser Roland was also surprised; this was very uncanonical.
How could a bishop marry and have children, unless they were born before he joined the clergy?
"It's normal; the environment here is harsh. My position as bishop is a part-time job for survival; I have to support my wife and children," Umu said frankly.
Viserys carefully observed Umu; he already felt a certain admiration for his talent.
Moreover, this Umu priest could adapt to circumstances and was not a fanatic of the Seven Gods' doctrine, like the High Sparrow.
"So now, you are the leader of these prisoners?"
"You could say that, I'm familiar with all of them," Umu said, a little embarrassed.
"What did you say I looked like just now?" Viserys asked.
"I saw you today as a Warrior descended from the heavens—no, you are the embodiment of the Warrior. Only a Warrior can be so courageous, unmatched by anyone!" Bishop Umu declared loudly and skillfully, causing Viserys's soldiers to burst into laughter.
Viserys looked at this grassroots bishop; he had good judgment, and as a bishop, he should also possess some level of knowledge.
"What books have you read?" Viserys asked.
"The Seven-Pointed Star Bible, The History of the Andals, honored Dragon King. I once wanted to study at the Citadel, but I was short on funds," Umu replied.
"You know my identity," Viserys asked.
"I heard the soldiers' shouts, and that dragon banner, plus your appearance—silver hair and purple eyes are the characteristics of the Dragon King," Bishop Umu said, looking at Viserys very seriously.
Viserys had quite an interest in Umu; he had come in a hurry and didn't even have a bishop or maester, and now he had a ready-made prisoner.
"Death is a gift I bestow; I am sorry, but this is war."
"You need not apologize; slaughter is the destiny of the Andals," Umu said with some melancholy. "This is a scattered state of affairs; the Braavosi, the Pentosi, the dothraki, mercenaries come and go. Attaching oneself to the strong and hiding are instincts."
"What if I spoke of the future? Another way of life for the Andals," Viserys looked directly at Umu.
"A great future," Umu said. "The Andals who tried in the past did not receive the protection of the Seven Gods and did not see it through."
"Since you say I am a Warrior descended, how should you treat me?" Viserys looked at Umu; the path was before him, and he wanted to hear the answer.
"The Warrior stands before the enemy, defending us from all directions. Gentlemen, His Majesty Viserys is the Warrior's incarnation on earth. The punishment we received last night was the Warrior's wrath. Kneel, let us accept the Warrior's will!" Bishop Umu stood up and loudly addressed the prisoners.
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