After waking up again, the High Sparrow returned to the South Mountain Nursing Home to check things out. There weren't many people left; most had been brought into his monastery. However, some who couldn't move remained behind.
Looking at these decaying elderly people, the High Sparrow didn't feel he was the same as them, for he had faith in his heart.
Afterward, the High Sparrow went to the North Sea Kindergarten.
He liked coming here to watch the young children; he enjoyed seeing their smiles and listening to their voices.
"Grandpa Sparrow!" A little girl ran over and called out.
"Ah, Cosette!" The High Sparrow looked at her with a kind smile.
"What's wrong?"
"Brother Lancelot... is he really dead?" Cosette asked with a sad face.
"I don't know, but he's not someone who dies easily. He is Lancelot, after all!" the High Sparrow said, patting Cosette's small head.
"As long as you pray with all your heart, even if he is dead, he will come back to life. Because the True God can grant any wish of a believer," the High Sparrow said.
By now, he knew that the so-called Faith of the Seven was merely an evolution of the Cthulhu cult.
It was not the same as the Seven Gods he originally held in his heart.
So he wanted to establish a new religion—a monotheistic one, with only one unique, omniscient, and omnipotent God.
To create a god, the High Sparrow needed a human vessel, an incarnation of God on earth. He had originally intended for Lancelot to be this vessel.
But now Lancelot was missing, perhaps dead. He didn't know.
But the human incarnation of God would not die.
Lancelot's accident disrupted his plan. However, he could continue to wait.
In the North, Winterfell.
Eddard Stark received a letter from King's Landing. This letter was essentially an appointment, naming Eddard Stark as the Commander-in-Chief of the Seven Kingdoms' Allied Forces on the frontline.
"This is a good thing! Father, why do you look so troubled?" Robb Stark asked.
Eddard Stark showed no sign of joy after reading the letter's contents.
"Robb, you are still young; there are many things you don't understand. With great power comes great responsibility."
"The position of Commander-in-Chief concerns the lives and deaths of tens of thousands. Should I be happy about that?"
Eddard Stark's teaching made Robb Stark nod. Though young, he was not brainless.
Although Eddard Stark had returned to Winterfell, Catelyn Tully was still at Riverrun. Her father was dying, and she had decided to stay at Riverrun until his passing.
As for Eddard and Catelyn's children, aside from Robb Stark at Winterfell, Sansa, Arya, Bran, and Rickon were all in King's Landing.
As children of a Duke (Lord Paramount), they were entitled to their own courtyard and guards in King's Landing.
Their presence was also frequent at high society banquets.
"Beautiful Sansa, you seem to be lacking in spirits!"
At a ball, Prince Renly approached her with a glass of wine.
"Look, aren't Jeyne Poole and Beth Cassel having a great time?"
Renly was referring to Sansa Stark's two handmaidens and close friends from Winterfell.
One was the daughter of the steward, the other the daughter of the master-at-arms.
"Lord Renly, you are a representative of the Council. Did something really happen to Lancelot?" Sansa Stark asked.
"Him! He's missing, everyone knows that. But specific news hasn't arrived yet. After all, the Kingsroad separates King's Landing from the Wall! Even a raven needs a month to fly that distance!" Renly shrugged.
"But sometimes I really envy them for being able to go to war! Loras went too, which has left me rather bored lately." Renly showed an expression of utter boredom.
"My Lord, I heard that you... well... is it true... after all, you and Ser Loras are both men! You wouldn't really..." Sansa Stark couldn't help but ask.
She had been in King's Landing for too short a time. Long-time residents knew that Renly and Ser Loras were extremely close—thick as thieves.
"Hahaha, what of it? Shouldn't we embrace everything with an open mind? Sansa, you are still too young to understand the diversity of society," Renly laughed.
"If you want to see for yourself, I can take you to broaden your horizons!" Renly continued.
"Littlefinger's brothel has everything! Beyond your imagination."
Sansa Stark hurriedly said, "Excuse me, please allow me to take my leave."
Watching the frightened Sansa Stark retreat, Renly laughed heartily, then put his arm around a male servant and went into a room.
When Sansa Stark returned home, she saw a rapier stuck into the door of Arya's room, along with a letter.
It was a letter from Arya to her.
The letter said that Syrio had taken Arya away for training elsewhere. He planned to take Arya on a journey through the Free Cities to broaden her horizons and build her courage.
On a Braavosi merchant ship leaving the docks of King's Landing, Syrio and Arya, both dressed in common cloth, stood at the bow. After a glance back at King's Landing, Arya entered the cabin.
"Why didn't you say a formal goodbye to your siblings?" Syrio asked.
"Nothing to say. We'll see each other again anyway," Arya said calmly.
"And what about Lancelot? Don't you want to see him again?" Syrio continued.
"I will see him again too. I believe he won't die," Arya said.
"Is that why you left the Valyrian steel rapier, Needle, behind?" Syrio asked.
"One sewing needle is enough for me," Arya replied.
The ship lurched and began its journey.
Meanwhile, in a tree hollow somewhere beyond the Wall.
Lancelot was still wrapped in a spherical cocoon of roots. After an unknown amount of time, the root sphere loosened, leaving only a thin, willow-like root wrapped around Lancelot's left wrist.
The other end of the root connected to Brynden Rivers' body; it was a special root extending from his chest.
The root was actually green, seemingly transmitting something to Lancelot.
"I'm hungry! Is there anything to eat? Lord Bloodraven?" Lancelot asked.
Brynden Rivers did not respond, but the Children of the Forest brought Lancelot some food.
Nuts and frozen fish.
Lancelot looked at the Children of the Forest; they seemed to treat him with a bit more respect now.
"Is it because I will become the next Greenseer? That must be why they show me more respect," Lancelot thought.