Haunted Forest.
The cave where the Three-Eyed Raven hid.
Galon stood before the weirwood tree, watching Brynden Rivers breathe his last.
In the recent action to seal the Great Other, both Brynden and Bran had burned through their lifespans to suppress the phantom form of the dark god, creating a window of opportunity for Galon.
Though it had lasted only a brief minute, it completely exhausted the scant remaining lifespan Brynden had left.
On the way back to the Wall, Galon received Bran's message and immediately decided to come to the cave to see him one last time.
"Is there really no other way?"
Galon's expression was complex.
He had strange feelings regarding the Three-Eyed Raven.
Though they had rarely interacted, he possessed an unexplainable trust toward the old man.
It was as if between Greenseers, such trust and bond were meant to be.
At this moment, watching the utterly exhausted Three-Eyed Raven, he could not help but ask.
The Three-Eyed Raven parted his lips and laughed softly.
The tree branches piercing his body made his laugh sound somewhat ghostly and chilling.
"It is useless. I should have died long ago.
It was the power of the Old Gods that prolonged my life.
Now that the Great Other is sealed, my mission is complete, and it is time for me to join the Old Gods."
Brynden lowered his eyes to look at Bran, who rested beside him, his frail voice echoing through the cave.
"From this day forth, Bran, you are the Three-Eyed Raven."
"You must remember your duty..."
Sorrow filled Bran's eyes.
He raised his head and made a solemn pledge to Brynden.
"Teacher, I will remember the duty of the Raven!"
Hearing the word "teacher," a look of deep gratification appeared on Brynden's face.
"Son of the Old Gods..."
"A century from now, we shall meet again within the weirwood..."
As the voice grew fainter until it was barely audible, under the gazes of Galon, Bran, and Leaf, Brynden slowly closed his eyes.
Then, his body slowly withered.
Finally, he transformed into a pile of rotten, wood-like remains that scattered among the roots of the weirwood tree.
Galon's crimson eyes stared fixedly at the weirwood tree. He could feel that a part of Brynden Rivers had completely merged with the Old Gods.
'Sigh...'
He sighed silently, then shifted his gaze onto Bran, asking, "Bran, what do you plan to do next? Will you return to Winterfell with me?"
Bran shook his head.
"Galon, though the Great Other has been sealed and absorbed by you, a deity does not disappear so easily.
Next, you will undoubtedly still have wars to fight.
Just in case, I need to stay here to keep watching the Always Winter for any anomalies.
And this, too, is the duty of the Three-Eyed Raven."
Galon understood.
A symbol birthed from death would never completely disappear as long as death itself endured.
By sealing and absorbing the Great Other, he had merely turned the individual consciousness of the dark god back into a part of the pan-consciousness of the Old Gods, returning everything to a balance of life and death.
His eyes shifted to look at the Child of the Forest standing beside them.
"Lady Leaf, please help me look after Bran!"
Leaf smiled gently, chanting softly in the melodious True Tongue.
"I will, Son of the Old Gods.
Go and enjoy all that awaits you in the mortal realm.
When your lifespan reaches its end, we shall ultimately reunite in the weirwood..."
Galon nodded slightly. He turned around, preparing to leave the cave and return to the Wall.
Just then, Bran's eyes turned completely white as if he saw something, and he spoke again to warn him.
"Galon, my ravens tell me... Gendry is dead. The people on the Wall seem to be discussing electing you as King.
Also... the Targaryen from across the Narrow Sea is riding a giant dragon toward the North..."
The first piece of news was well within Galon's expectations.
However, the second piece made his brow furrow.
"Targaryen?"
A sharp glint flashed through Galon's eyes.
After pondering for a moment, he said calmly, "In that case, I shall return first. Bran, once the situation stabilizes, I will bring Sansa, Arya, and Jon to see you."
Seeing Bran nod, Galon turned without hesitation and walked briskly toward the outside of the cave.
'If there is a road to heaven you do not walk it, yet you break into the gates of hell when there is no entrance.'
'Daenerys, oh Daenerys. Since you have come to the North, do not think about leaving alive.'
Intent to kill erupted on Galon's face.
Now that Gendry was dead, the only ones standing in his way were the remnants of Targaryen.
If the Mother of Dragons had stayed hidden in Essos without revealing her name, Galon might have found it too troublesome and chosen to coexist with her peacefully.
However, since she brought her forces to Westeros, Galon would never let her off under any circumstances.
There was only one Iron Throne, and only one side could survive.
Now!
With a cold expression, Galon mounted his dragon and rushed toward the Wall.
In a short moment.
The vast and terrifying shadow of Placidusax appeared once more in the sky above Castle Black.
In the next second.
The entire castle and nearby military camps erupted into wild cheers to welcome their hero.
"Glover!"
"Glover!!"
"Hero Glover!!"
Galon smiled, guiding Placidusax to land slowly on the open ground in front of the castle.
Looking at the nobles of the Seven Kingdoms who came to welcome him with various expressions on their faces, he calmly dismounted the dragon.
"Everyone!"
"Glover has fulfilled his mission. The Night King has been slain by me, and we... have won!"
Galon took a deep breath and shouted loudly toward the nobles and all directions.
In an instant, wild cheers echoed across the sky again.
"Lord Glover, a hero of matchless valor! The entire Seven Kingdoms holds you in utmost respect!"
Mace stepped up to Galon, flattering him with a hint of servility.
Ever since he saw which way the wind blew back in the Haunted Forest, he had secretly decided to curry favor with Glover before anyone else.
At the very least, the South could not become Glover's enemy like last time.
Galon waved his hand modestly, pretending not to know, and said:
"Lord Tyrell speaks too highly.
Had it not been for all the lords fighting bravely to buy me time, I would not have completed the mission so smoothly.
By the way, where is His Majesty?
At such a moment, how can we not celebrate together with His Majesty?"
As soon as the words left his mouth, the expressions of the others suddenly changed, and their original smiles were replaced by forced sorrow.
Barristan stepped forward, saying mournfully, "His Majesty... His Majesty... was killed by the White Walkers!"
"What?!"
Galon trembled all over, appearing as if he were hearing this for the first time, his face full of disbelief.
"His Majesty was safely guarding the Wall, how could he be killed by the White Walkers?"
Barristan smiled bitterly, shook his head, and explained:
"His Majesty was young and impetuous. Seeing that the general situation was decided, he insisted on going to the battlefield to hunt the White Walkers."
"Yet unexpectedly..."
He sighed, stepped aside, and said, "Lord Glover, His Majesty's body is in the hall. Please come and look upon him one last time."
Galon's face showed grief. He immediately pushed through the crowd and walked toward the hall.
Behind him, the nobles of the Seven Kingdoms exchanged glances, and after making silent decisions, they followed one after another.
"His Majesty!"
Galon pushed open the doors and immediately saw Gendry, whose body lay on the table with two stones covering his eyes.
Beside his head sat a crown.
"His Majesty!"
He stepped forward, crying out mournfully once more, standing before Gendry in prolonged sorrow.
"How could it end like this?"
"You... and you... how did you protect the King?!"
Anger suddenly erupted on Galon's face.
He turned and pointed at the power players of the Seven Kingdoms who followed him in, shouting in interrogation.
Barristan looked ashamed.
He shook his head, offering no defense for himself, but instead took the lead in proposing Galon as King.
"Lord Glover, His Majesty has met a tragic end. I know I have failed the oath of the Kingsguard, and my crime is severe.
However, a kingdom cannot go a single day without a King!
Today, you have slain the Night King, routed the army of the dead, and saved all the people of Westeros.
King Gendry has neither brothers nor heirs.
Only if you step forward can the situation in the Seven Kingdoms be stabilized!"
Meeting Galon's intentionally surprised gaze, Barristan said word by word, "Today, we are willing to honor you as King and swear our allegiance!"
As soon as his voice fell, others immediately chimed in to agree.
"That is right! The kingdom cannot be without a master, and only you have sufficient prestige!"
"Yes, my Lord, please agree!"
"Without you, the entire Seven Kingdoms will fall into chaos, and endless wars will erupt again!"
"..."
Galon looked lost, as if he had suffered some magical shock, his body stepping back twice instinctively.
When he stood firm, he happened to be standing right near the high seat of the hall.
Like someone waking up from heavy intoxication, he swayed slightly, waving his hands repeatedly, "No, this will not do."
"As a vassal of the North, how can I become the King?"
Jon's face flushed with excitement as he said, "My Lord, please agree!"
"Now, except for you, no one in the North will yield to anyone else!"
Yohn Royce also agreed, "Indeed! You saved the Seven Kingdoms. With such monumental achievements, if you do not claim the throne, are you going to let the kingdom plunge into civil war?"
Edmure nodded deeply in agreement, "Galon... Lord Glover's talents are well known to me."
"If even you do not dare to be King, looking across the Seven Kingdoms, who else dares to sit on the Iron Throne?
I am still the Hand of the King, so please listen to me!"
Harlaw of the Iron Islands expressed with even greater excitement, "My Lord, the Iron Throne belongs to no one but you, and the Ironborn only recognize you as King!"
Galon glanced slightly at the nobles who had not yet spoken, and refused firmly once more, "No, absolutely not!"
"I am the Protector of the Realm recognized by King Gendry. If I claim the throne, how will the world view me?"
Just now, Mace had failed to speak first, looking somewhat annoyed.
At this moment, he interrupted even more impatiently, "Lord Glover, it is precisely because of this that you must claim the throne!"
"The King is dead, with neither brothers nor heirs.
You are the famous Protector of the Realm. Succeeding him as King is the most natural thing. Please agree!"
Arianne's eyes rippled with Charm, her speech flowing sweetly, "My Lord, you still have a dragon!"
"If even you are unwilling to be King, who else can sit firmly on that chair?"
As soon as these words were spoken, the remaining lords who had not opened their mouths turned pale.
At this moment, as if to prevent Galon from declining again, Greatjon directly picked up the crown from the table and walked toward Galon.
"Lord Glover, everyone shares the same wish. Please open your mouth and agree!"
With that, he held the crown, intending to place it on Galon.
"What are you trying to do?"
"Lord Umber, what nonsense are you playing at? Put the crown down!"
Galon wanted to step back and dodge, but Rickard stepped forward swiftly, using slight force to press him down onto the high seat in the hall.
He wanted to struggle, but his body, which could brawl with the giant Night King, unexpectedly could not exert strength for a moment, and he could only watch helplessly as the crown was placed on his head.
Next.
Greatjon, Karstark, and a group of Northern nobles drew their swords, placing them at Galon's feet, and swore loudly:
"The North swears allegiance to the King unto death!"
Edmure of the Riverlands saw that Galon had already donned the crown, and quickly drew his sword to kneel:
"The Riverlands swear allegiance to the King unto death!"
The Riverlands nobles following him all knelt down simultaneously, swearing their allegiance.
Seeing this.
Mace of the South, Yohn of the Vale, Harlaw of the Iron Islands, Arianne of Dorne, Penrose of the Stormlands, Gendry's Kingsguard, Mance who led the Free Folk, all knelt down one after another to swear allegiance.
Their vassals also knelt along with them, shouting their oaths of loyalty out loud.
Finally, Lord Daven of the Westerlands looked unwilling, yet he could only choose to kneel and swear allegiance.
"You... all of you..."
"Sigh, you people... have really put me in a tough spot..."
Only after there was no one left standing in the hall did Galon shake his head and sigh, saying with forced reluctance, "Since it has come to this, I accept!"
"For the sake of the Seven Kingdoms, I shall suffer the hardship myself!"
Instantly.
Shouts of "King!" echoed through the hall.
Soon, the sound spread outside, and the entire Castle Black, even the entire Wall, resounded with mountain-shaking and ocean-roaring cries of "King!"
The throne was settled.
Sitting on the high seat, Galon's mindset shifted rapidly, his gaze sweeping across the field full of majesty.
"In the name of Galon the First of House Glover, King of the Vandals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men, Ruler of the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm, I declare!
The war between the living and the dead has ended.
From this day forth, you shall lead your soldiers back to your fiefs within a month, and then gather in King's Landing!
I shall reward those who contributed, entertain you all, and reorganize the Small Council!"
The others said respectfully, "As you command, Your Majesty!"
Then.
Everyone left the hall one by one.
'Is this what it feels like to wear a crown?'
'Heh...'
Once everyone had left, Galon took off the crown on his head, played with it for a moment, and suddenly let out a sneer.
He stood up and walked down from the high seat.
Passing the long table, Galon casually tossed the crown onto the table and stood at the entrance of the hall, gazing at the hazy southern sky.
'Many of them are currently submitting only in name.'
'To make them completely loyal unto death, besides strength, interest alignment must be used.'
'It seems there will be plenty to keep me busy next.'
'However, before that, Daenerys and her dragons must be dealt with first!'
A cold light flashed in Galon's eyes.
He estimated that with the speed of Daenerys riding her dragon, she would arrive at Winterfell in the North in just a few days.
'There is still time. First, settle the matters regarding the Free Folk, the giants, and the Night's Watch.'
'Now that the Great Other is sealed, the duties of the Night's Watch will likely have to change too.'
'And regarding the North, should Winterfell be handed to Arya?'
'As for the South, after returning to King's Landing, decisions can be made slowly...'
Thousand of threads of thought tangled like a jumble of yarn in Galon's mind.
At the thought of Daenerys's Dothraki ravaging his kingdom, killing intent surged uncontrollably within him.
However, quickly.
Galon realized this was equally an opportunity for him.
Destruction before creation—
If the Targaryen army plowed through the southern castles with blood, then as long as he defeated Daenerys, he could arbitrarily insert his own people into the South.
In this manner, he would completely secure his fundamental base in the South.
'Haste makes waste, take it step by step.'
Galon took a deep breath, pushing down his tangled thoughts.
He straightened his posture and began touring the various houses and armies in his capacity as King.
During this time, various bindings of interest were naturally indispensable.
After temporarily stabilizing the major nobles, Galon rode his dragon and intercepted Daenerys in the Hornwood Mountains on her way to Winterfell.
"Glover?"
Daenerys looked at the massive black dragon Galon rode, her expression changing repeatedly.
Previously, when she learned Glover possessed a giant dragon, she had paid it no mind.
She and her followers believed that no matter how big a single dragon was, it could not match her three dragons.
Yet now, Daenerys realized that Drogon, whom she rode, alongside Viserion and Rhaegal flying near her, were not as large as Placidusax even when combined.
Even worse.
When Placidusax let out a threatening roar, her three dragons could not help but tremble all over.
"Remnant of Targaryen, you should not have returned!"
"And you certainly should not have come to my domain!"
Galon looked at Daenerys, speaking coldly.
Daenerys's eyes darted around, and she said tentatively, "Remnant of Targaryen?"
"Protector of the Realm, since you can ride a dragon, you must also carry the blood of House Targaryen in your body.
True dragons will not bow to beasts. Why do you bow your head to a stag?!
Why do we not join forces and rule the Seven Kingdoms together?"
Yet Galon looked at her with a cold and indifferent expression, speaking words that left her stunned.
"Join forces to rule?
You rode a dragon into my domain without the owner's permission, and now you talk to me about joining forces to rule?!
Now!
In the name of Galon the First of House Glover, King of the Vandals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men, Ruler of the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm!
I order you—dismount your dragon immediately and bow your head to the ground!"
Daenerys widened her purple eyes, screaming in disbelief, "You claimed the throne?"
"You damned Wolfswood bastard, how dare you demand a true dragon to kneel!"
Before she could finish her words, Galon did not bother to argue with her any further.
When it came down to it.
There was simply no room for compromise between the two of them.
When Daenerys gave up the last mercy he offered her, her fate had already been sealed.
"Placidusax, dracarys!"
With a thought from Galon, Placidusax immediately let out a bloodthirsty roar.
In the next second.
A torrent of black-green dragonfire struck Rhaegal, who was flying to the side, in an instant.
In a single moment.
Accompanied by a miserable shriek, Rhaegal did not even get the chance to dodge before being blasted off the mountain peak by the dragonfire.
Before Daenerys could react, Placidusax charged toward Viserion, and the two dragons instantly engaged in a brutal fight.
By the time the Mother of Dragons reacted, Placidusax had already crushed Viserion's neck with one bite.
The body of the giant dragon fell from the sky.
"No!"
"Rhaegal! Viserion!"
"You damned bastard, I will kill you!"
"Drogon, dracarys!"
Daenerys's body trembled violently. She did not flee immediately, but instead drove Drogon to swoop down and breathe dragonfire.
However, even the Night King was no match for Galon and Placidusax, let alone Daenerys.
In just a few short minutes.
Galon guided Placidusax to tear open Drogon's body. Drogon uttered painful roars, attempting to flee while carrying Daenerys.
Unfortunately, it was too late.
Majestic dragonfire swept through all directions, and in a flash, knocked Drogon and Daenerys down the mountain.
Under the desperate eyes of the person and the dragon, Placidusax swooped down, opened its bloody mouth, and tore them apart alive to devour them.
Next.
Rhaegal, who had been knocked down by dragonfire earlier and tried to escape, was caught by Placidusax and effortlessly eaten alive.
Galon's expression was cold, his heart without a single ripple regarding the death of Daenerys.
He waited until Placidusax drank and ate its fill, then rode it once again to return to the Wall.
At Castle Black.
Galon informed the nobles of the Seven Kingdoms of the news that the Targaryens had returned.
When they learned that the King they elected had ridden a dragon and devoured all three of the Targaryen dragons, all the nobles immediately became filled with righteous indignation.
They shouted, demanding to immediately dispatch troops to smash the enemies in the South.
"The Seven Kingdoms belong to Your Majesty!"
"Westeros belongs to Your Majesty!"
"A mere Targaryen remnant wants to lay hands on Your Majesty's kingdom?"
"We refuse, we firmly refuse!"
"Your Majesty, as long as you give the order, all soldiers of my house are willing to charge into battle for you!"
"..."
In this atmosphere, Galon smoothly took command of the army again, ordering the troops to board ships and head south.
As for himself, he rode the dragon, heading south first.
Soon.
When news arrived that Daenerys and her three giant dragons had all perished at the hands of Galon, a violent conflict erupted within King's Landing.
Aegon Targaryen was also killed by the Unsullied during this conflict.
The Golden Company shattered and dispersed.
And the moment Galon appeared over King's Landing riding his dragon, the city gates were opened once more.
The Iron Throne had finally awaited its true master!
Several months later.
To prevent unnecessary deaths from occurring, which might cause further twists in the Always Winter.
Aside from executing the die-hard followers of the Targaryens and a portion of the Dothraki who had committed heavy slaughter, Galon gathered the rest, loaded them onto ships, and shipped them off to Essos.
Afterward.
He rode his dragon to pacify the Seven Kingdoms.
Upon returning to King's Landing, he held a grand award ceremony to revitalize the morale of the people.
Just as he had anticipated earlier, after Daenerys died, her army lost control completely. The Dothraki threw off their reins and engaged in wild slaughters.
Although Galon pacified them one by one afterward, executing a portion and sending most back to Essos.
The harm and death had already been done.
The nobles and commoners of King's Landing and the Crownlands were almost wiped out.
The Reach, the Stormlands, the Westerlands, and the Riverlands suffered varying degrees of losses.
Especially Highgarden.
Mace's only remaining son, Willas, alongside Lady Olenna, also died in this riot.
Afterward.
Galon could only first relocate a small portion of people from various regions, while also relocating a portion of the Free Folk beyond the Wall who were willing to live in the Crownlands, to repopulate the area.
After rewarding the contributors and distributing benefits, Galon sat firmly upon the Iron Throne.
Over the next few years.
He governed with dedication, gradually restoring the livelihoods of the Seven Kingdoms, and encouraged agricultural and commercial development, allowing the whole of Westeros to step out from the dark clouds of war.
Six years later.
Peace reigned over the Seven Kingdoms!