The Wall.
The colossal fortification raised thousands of years ago by Brandon the Builder had never been as crowded, noisy, or filled with a murderous tension as it was today.
The ruins of Castle Black had already been cleared away.
The tunnels through the Wall leading beyond it had been reopened one after another, including entrances that had been blocked for ages.
South of the Wall's tunnels stretched camps for dozens of miles.
The cold wind howled, whipping countless ice crystals through the air, yet it could not cool the boiling blood of the soldiers gathered here.
The banners of the Seven Kingdoms snapped proudly in the wind and snow.
Galon flew overhead on dragonback.
As far as the eye could see, the land below was covered by a vast sea of people, colorful yet carrying an unmistakable air of bleakness.
At the western end of the Wall stood the Shadow Tower.
More than ten thousand ironborn were disembarking from longships along the shores of the Bay of Ice.
With Asha pregnant, they were currently commanded by Rodrik Harlaw.
As the ironborn came ashore one after another and marched toward Castle Black, the Reach army under Lord Mace Tyrell also gradually began landing.
With the giants' help, the supplies brought from the south were quickly transported to Castle Black.
To the east of the Wall stood the great army of the Riverlands, commanded by Edmure Tully, alongside the Dornish army led by Princess Arianne. The golden spear and red sun stood shoulder to shoulder with the trout.
At the center of the Wall, the banners of the North, the Crownlands, the Stormlands, the Westerlands, the Vale, the wildlings, the Skagosi, and the Night's Watch gathered together, forming a vast, shifting sea of color.
And that was not all.
The maesters from Oldtown were busier than ever.
Some stood atop the Wall, carefully testing enormous crossbow bolts tipped with obsidian.
Others hurried between tents, excitedly studying the bodies and physical structure of the Others and wights.
Still others were constantly mixing medicines to treat the wounded.
Surrounded by a group of military maesters, Maester Beckman proudly introduced his newly developed bows and dragonglass-tipped arrows.
Inside the Wall's tunnels, meanwhile, the alchemists from King's Landing were carefully carrying clay jars filled with wildfire toward the lands beyond the Wall.
The oily green liquid sloshed inside the jars, radiating a dangerous aura.
No matter how one looked at it, this was an unprecedented alliance.
Galon rode Placidusax in circles above the Wall.
Looking down at the enormous army he had personally gathered through persuasion, a surge of ambition rose within him.
'Now, the armies of all Westeros are in my hands.'
'Once we win the decisive battle against the Others, the entire realm will be mine for the taking!'
'And when that happens...'
The corners of Galon's mouth curled upward, his eyes gleaming with a chilling intensity.
But he quickly reined in his emotions. He reached out and gently patted Placidusax.
With a thought from Galon, the dragon let out a low growl and carried him toward the depths of the Haunted Forest.
The busy soldiers below heard the dragon's roar and instinctively looked up.
As they watched the great dragon disappear into the distance, fervent admiration appeared on their faces.
"With a legendary hero like Glover on our side, we will surely win!"
"Victory is ours!"
A short while later, Galon arrived at the edge of the Haunted Forest on dragonback.
He gazed into the distance.
Amid the endless snow, the Others were driving countless wights steadily toward the forest.
Farther away, an ice dragon circled above the army of the Others.
Galon narrowed his eyes.
For a moment, he felt as though someone riding the ice dragon was looking directly at him.
"That's the Night King!"
The Three-Eyed Raven, who had arrived at some point, flapped its wings.
Greensight spread through the air, and its form transformed into that of Brynden Rivers.
Galon was not surprised. He turned his head toward the Three-Eyed Raven floating beside him.
"Is the Cold God's original power really inside him?"
"Yes, but not much."
The Three-Eyed Raven shook his head before explaining.
"Even so, it is enough for us to determine the location of the Cold God's true body.
Galon, as long as you can kill it, Bran and I can help you locate the place where the Cold God sleeps.
Once we seal the Cold God, the Others and wights it created will vanish in an instant."
Galon nodded slightly to show that he understood.
"But you must act quickly.
If your army cannot stop the Others, the power gained from the living dying and being transformed into wights will greatly strengthen the Night King.
When that happens, you will be in trouble."
The Three-Eyed Raven spoke solemnly.
Galon's expression grew serious as he looked toward the Night King riding the ice dragon in the distance.
"Then before killing the Night King and that dragon, I'll need to find a way to cripple the wight army first."
The Three-Eyed Raven looked curious.
"What do you intend to do?"
Galon recalled the terrain of the Haunted Forest. After thinking for a moment, he answered confidently.
"I intend to set an ambush at the Milk River beneath Fist of the First Men. We'll bury a large amount of wildfire there, then lure the Others into the trap."
The Three-Eyed Raven nodded, though he reminded him:
"The wights should be easy enough, but the Others possess strange and unpredictable abilities.
It may be difficult to deal with them effectively."
Galon had already considered that.
"The wildfire will burn the wights to ash, leaving them unable to rise again.
And the Others still fear dragonglass weapons. I've already equipped the army with them. We have enough to inflict serious damage.
Besides, even if we can't destroy every Other, it will still buy me enough time."
The Three-Eyed Raven tilted his head and sighed.
"That's true."
"I finally understand how miserable it must be to have you as an enemy."
Galon smiled faintly and said nothing.
"All right. You should return.
Leaf has probably already reached the Wall. She will help you complete your plan."
With that, the Three-Eyed Raven transformed back into an ordinary raven.
It gave two loud cries before disappearing into the forest below.
Once the Three-Eyed Raven was gone, Galon took one last long look at the approaching Others before turning Placidusax back toward the Wall.
A short while later, as he was nearing the Wall, he spotted Leaf concealed among the trees.
Placidusax slowly descended to the ground.
After the two spoke for a while, Galon invited the mysterious Child of the Forest to accompany him to the Wall.
An hour later.
Castle Black.
Inside the council chamber, where a map of the lands beyond the Wall hung prominently, the leaders of the entire allied army had gathered.
Some stared at Leaf in astonishment. Others watched her warily. Still others regarded her with fervent curiosity.
"Lord Glover, is this the legendary Child of the Forest?"
King Gendry sat upon the high seat, his eyes filled with disbelief.
"She looks like a child. Can she really help us..."
Before he could finish, Leaf rudely interrupted him in the Common Tongue.
"Child, when I traveled across Westeros, your grandfather was still struggling to tame his first pony.
Everyone, according to the ancient pact made a thousand years ago between the Children of the Forest and the heroes of mankind during the Long Night...
When the new Long Night arrives, we Children of the Forest will once again aid the heroes of mankind in driving back and sealing the Others.
That is why I have come here."
When Leaf finished speaking, everyone in the chamber turned their eyes toward Galon.
Clearly, they all understood that the hero mentioned by the Child of the Forest could only be Galon.
With everyone looking at him, Galon remained calm.
"Whether they are Children of the Forest or giants is not important to us.
Your Grace, my lords, just as Lady Leaf has said...
The enemy in the north seeks to recreate the Long Night of a thousand years ago and drag the entire world into a winter where the sun will never be seen again.
This is not the concern of a single race. It concerns the survival of every living creature."
His gaze swept across the room as his voice gradually rose.
"For the homes behind us, we have no choice. We must unite everyone we can and fight the Others to the death!"
The assembled commanders began whispering among themselves, and the council chamber erupted into a restless murmur.
"Lord Protector, tell us how you intend to fight. Give the order!"
"House Frey will follow you to the death!"
Patrek Frey of the Riverlands was the first to rise in support.
Then came the northern houses, Mance Rayder representing the wildlings, and Sparta, leader of the Skagosi.
The Vale, Riverlands, Iron Islands, and Dorne followed soon after.
The lords of the Westerlands, Reach, and Stormlands, however, turned toward King Gendry.
Gendry coughed heavily, suppressing the noise in the chamber.
He rose and stared at Galon.
A trace of inexplicable wariness flashed through his eyes, but in the end he spoke loudly and calmly.
"I, Gendry I Baratheon, King of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm, hereby appoint...
Galon Glover, Lord of Winterfell and Lord Protector, as Commander of the Armies of the Seven Kingdoms.
You shall command all forces fighting the Others until victory is won."
Galon stepped forward and bowed.
"Yes, Your Grace. Glover shall win victory for the Seven Kingdoms."
Gendry nodded.
"Lord Glover, tell everyone your plan."
"Your Grace, my lords."
Galon slowly straightened. His steady, powerful voice echoed throughout the chamber.
"Lady Leaf has told me that the army of the Others is commanded by the Night King, while the Others control the dead and raise them as wights.
Wights fear fire. Only by burning them completely can we free ourselves from the Others' control.
And the Others fear dragonglass weapons. Once struck by dragonglass, their bodies will melt away.
So I have decided..."
He walked toward the map of the lands beyond the Wall and began issuing orders.
"We begin here."
Galon pointed to the Milk River beneath Fist of the First Men.
"We will bury wildfire along the river and use every last reserve we have.
Once the Others lead the wights close enough, detonate the wildfire immediately and engulf the entire wight army."
He turned toward Arianne.
"Princess Arianne, you and Captain Harlaw will station your forces at Fist of the First Men.
Once the wildfire has burned itself out, you must charge down immediately and prevent the Others from escaping into the mountains."
Arianne and Captain Harlaw nodded in turn.
Then Galon turned toward Randyll.
"Lord Tarly, you will take the Reach army and Lord Davon Lannister's Westerlands forces and station them downstream from the Milk River.
Likewise, you must prevent any Others from escaping downstream."
Lord Tarly and Lord Davon solemnly accepted the order.
"Yes, my lord."
Galon nodded and shifted his gaze to Jon, who had just captured the Dreadfort.
"Jon, I am placing every northern soldier, the wildlings, the Skagosi, and the giants under your command.
You will serve as the center of the army and withstand the frontal assault of the Others and their wights."
Jon's expression filled with excitement.
"Yes. I promise I will complete the task."
Galon then looked toward Lord Royce and Edmure.
"Lord Royce, you and lord Edmure will station your cavalry in ambush at the Antler River.
Once the final battle begins, use the fire oil developed by the maesters to eliminate the surviving wights."
Lord Royce smiled.
"Rest assured. I guarantee that not a single wight will escape."
Galon nevertheless warned him.
"Wights burn easily, but they must be reduced to ash before they are truly dead.
Otherwise, under the Others' magical control, even severed limbs can still cause us fatal trouble."
Everyone in the chamber immediately grew solemn.
Some seemed to imagine the horrifying sight of detached limbs still swinging weapons, and their expressions darkened.
"But you need not worry.
The entire army of the Others is commanded by the Night King.
Once he dies, the remaining Others will be like headless flies, easy prey for anyone.
Once the battle begins, I will ride Placidusax and face the Night King.
I promise you all that even if it costs me my life, I will drag the Night King down with me.
For the sake of mankind, I am willing to make that sacrifice."
Galon spoke with complete calm.
His righteous declaration immediately lifted the morale of everyone in the room.
At that moment, even Mace and Lord Davon, who disliked the Glover family most bitterly, could not help but feel genuine respect for Galon.
The others felt it even more strongly.
Gendry was ashamed of himself for having been wary of Galon only moments earlier.
His face flushed red as he stood.
"Lord Glover, please make certain that you return safely. The Seven Kingdoms cannot do without you."
Before Galon could answer, Gendry asked another question.
"Then what are the rest of us supposed to do?"
A flicker passed through Galon's eyes. He replied respectfully.
"Your Grace, I ask that you lead the Crownlands and Stormlands alongside Lord Mace as the grand reserve of the entire army, stationed beneath the Wall.
If anything goes wrong at the front, or if the Night King attempts to attack our rear, you will be our final line of defense."
Gendry froze.
"Me?"
"The reserve?"
The young king clenched his fists. Unable to suppress his anger any longer, he snapped at Galon.
"Lord Glover, are you saying that your king should hide behind the lines while the rest of you bleed on the battlefield?!"
"No."
Galon remained respectful as he tactfully explained.
"Your Grace, a king does not necessarily need to set foot on the battlefield himself.
Sometimes, remaining behind the lines allows a king to command the entire war more effectively and keep his people calm."
Mace strongly agreed.
He certainly did not want some sudden impulse from the king forcing him onto the battlefield as well, so he quickly added his support.
"Indeed. Lord Glover is absolutely right.
Your Grace's position is too important. Remaining behind the lines and directing the overall battle is the task most suited to you."
The Stormlands and Crownlands likewise nodded in agreement.
"Yes, Your Grace. Your safety concerns the stability of the Seven Kingdoms."
"With Lord Glover here, why should you risk yourself?"
"Exactly."
Their words made Gendry's breathing grow heavier.
He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but everyone around him wore expressions that seemed to insist they were acting for his own good.
In the end, Gendry did not argue.
He sat back down heavily.
But the fire of resentment burning inside him only grew hotter.
Seeing that Gendry had settled down, Galon allowed a cold smile to curl across his lips before speaking again.
"Starting today, the army will gradually advance beyond the Wall. We must complete all our deployments within half a month.
Everyone, for the sake of all living things and our homes!"
In an instant, the council chamber fell solemn and silent before a thunderous chorus erupted.
"For the living!"
"For our homes!"
The deployment was decided.
One after another, the commanders left the council chamber and began preparing for war.
Gendry also left the chamber, hoping to breathe some fresh air and suppress the resentment in his heart.
But the cold air outside did nothing to calm him.
Instead, it only made him more restless.
'Everyone is looking down on you... If you don't act, everyone will despise you.'
'No one will willingly swear loyalty to a weak king.'
Those thoughts tightened around Gendry's mind like a drawn bowstring, stretched to the point of breaking.
Ever since he had taken the Iron Throne, the pressure had been immense.
"Hmph!"
Gendry slammed his fist against the wall of the council chamber before storming away.
Yet while he was brooding restlessly in the North, he had no idea that back in his own homeland, the waters of Blackwater Bay outside King's Landing were already filling with the immense fleet of Slaver's Bay.
Daenerys had arrived in Westeros with her army.
The next moment, three dragons of different colors soared into the sky and circled above King's Landing.
In an instant, the city changed hands.
After more than a decade, the three-headed dragon banner of House Targaryen once again flew above the Red Keep.
At the suggestion of young Aegon, while the armies of the Seven Kingdoms were gathered at the Wall, Daenerys and her forces began attacking the remaining southern territories.
In barely half a month, countless Dothraki swept across the land like a surging tide, overwhelming the Crownlands, the Stormlands, and Highgarden.
Riding countless warhorses, they raced across the continent of Westeros, spreading slaughter wherever they went.
As the flames of war spread, Willas Tyrell was unable to resist Daenerys in the Crownlands and the Reach and could only bend the knee.
With the exception of Storm's End, most of the Stormlands also fell into Daenerys's hands.
Farther south, however, Dorne strangely remained on the sidelines, watching and waiting.
Soon, Brynden, who had remained in the Riverlands, received the news.
He immediately sent a raven flying toward Winterfell at full speed.
And at that very moment, the final battle at the Wall had begun.