At that moment, Amon knelt with a thud, bowing like a pestle pounding garlic.
"No, no, no! I am loyal to the queen! I am loyal to the prince! Ser Simon and the others deserved death! Damn traitors!"
Seeing that this man had surrendered, Hugh breathed a sigh of relief—without him, the next risky plan would be difficult to execute. He did not want to welcome the Volantene army into the city according to the original plan; he wanted to do it himself! He knew that once the Volantenes entered the city, he would become nothing, and even the Prince of Myr promised by the Volantenes would not be granted to him.
Only by controlling Tyrosh himself... by acquiring Sara... the rider of the Bronze Fury... could he become a force not to be underestimated.
Hugh nodded approvingly and reached out to help him up. "Lord Amon truly understands the greater good."
Amon stood; his legs still trembled, and his trousers were wet, but he could no longer care for that.
Hugh looked at the bastards who were still alive. About thirty men—some were his close followers, and some had just been forced to participate in the killing. Those who had been forced still bore blood of their comrades on their bodies; faces full of horror and confusion.
Hugh's gaze swept over them, and then he said deeply, "Boys, dispose of these corpses."
The bastards were stunned, then began dragging the bodies away.
Hugh turned to Amon. "Lord Amon, I need you to do something."
"My lord! Speak, speak!" Amon nodded quickly.
"Go and gather the five hundred elite of the Velaryon garrison," Hugh said. "Have them assemble in the square. They need not wear armor. Just say... say that Prince Lucerys sympathizes with their hard work and wants to reward them."
Amon nodded repeatedly. "Alright, alright, I will go."
"And," Hugh continued, "the newly recruited Tyroshi troops are to be fully armed and on standby in the square. Wait for my order, and I will take those five hundred..."
He made a beheading gesture.
Amon's face went pale again, but he dared not say a word, simply nodding desperately.
"Go." Hugh waved his hand and nodded to six bastards to follow him.
The six bastards accompanied Amon and left.
Hugh turned and looked at the bastards dragging the bodies. Several who had done nothing stood in the corner with confused faces. They were not Hugh's men, and the killing just now had somewhat frightened them.
"Come here," Hugh said.
The few silent men approached.
Hugh looked at them and said slowly, "You didn't do it when you killed just now."
Those men's faces changed.
"I know what you're thinking," Hugh said. "You think I'm a traitor, that I'm treacherous, that I deserve death. Don't you?"
No one spoke.
Hugh sneered. "Then do you know what would happen to us if I didn't do this?"
He pointed at the corpses on the ground. "These men—loyal to the queen, loyal to the prince. But what can the queen and prince give them? When the war ends, you'll still be bastards, or wildlings looked down upon by others. Haven't you seen how those Velaryons look at us? That old Simon spoke kind words, but what did he think in his heart? Don't you know?"
Hugh paused and continued persuading. "We fight with all our might, fight for the queen, work hard for the prince—what can we get in the end? Nothing! But if we do this for ourselves, it's different! Tyrosh, six thousand soldiers, and the dragons will also be in our hands! If we play our cards right, we can become masters! We can make those who look down on us kneel before us!"
He looked at the bastards, his eyes like knives. "Now let me ask you one last time... will you follow me, or die with them?"
The bastards exchanged glances, then slowly knelt.
"We are willing to die for you."
Hugh smiled with satisfaction.
At that moment, a voice sounded. "Brother Hugh, what should we do next?"
Hugh turned his head and saw Ulf beside him, smiling obsequiously.
Hugh's smile became somewhat restrained.
Brother?
Ulf felt awkward and asked cautiously, "Brother Hugh?"
Hugh looked at him, suddenly raised his hand, and struck him hard across the face.
Smack!
Ulf was stunned, covering his face, bewildered.
"What did you call me?" Hugh asked.
Ulf stammered, "B-brother?"
Another slap.
Smack!
"Call me again?"
Ulf nearly cried. Brother Hugh hadn't been like this on ordinary days.
Hugh said proudly, "Before, when you called me brother, I didn't mind you. But now! What should you call me?"
Ulf finally understood.
An idea flashed through his mind.
Ulf knelt with a thud and shouted, "Your Grace! King of Tyrosh!"
All the bastards around were stunned, then also knelt and shouted in unison:
"Your Grace!" "King of Tyrosh!" "King Hugh!"
Hugh threw back his head and laughed. The laughter echoed through the damned hall, indescribably strange.
Amon, who had not yet left, was also frightened by this scene. But he quickly reacted, knelt, and shouted in a trembling voice, "Long live King Hugh!"
Hugh laughed even louder.
---
After Amon left, Hugh ordered several chests of gold coins to be brought.
The chests were opened; golden light illuminated the entire banquet hall.
"These," Hugh pointed at the gold coins, "were sent by the Volantenes. When we control Tyrosh and take refuge with Volantis, everyone can become a noble of the Black Wall, enjoying endless glory and riches."
The bastards' eyes lit up.
Hugh nodded with satisfaction and began assigning tasks.
"Ulf, take a few men to kill Nettles."
Ulf was stunned. "Nettles? That ugly girl?"
"Yes," Hugh said. "If you kill her, Sheepstealer will become a riderless dragon. You can ride him. He will be yours."
Ulf's eyes instantly lit up like two lamps. "Really? Your Grace? What you said is true?"
Hugh patted him on the shoulder. "Ulf, have I ever lied to you?"
Ulf trembled with excitement.
He had dreamed of riding a dragon. Now that an opportunity had appeared before him, how could he let it slip away?
"Your Grace, don't worry!" He bowed deeply. "I will go!"
He took a few men and hurried out.
Hugh watched his back; a mocking smile appeared at the corner of his lips.
Ulf was greedy, stupid, and brainless. Keeping him would sooner or later bring disaster. But he was still needed for now. When all the dust settles...
Hugh looked away and said to the others, "Boys, come with me to the castle. Control the prince, control the two princesses."
╔══════════════════════╗
📘 Want more?
Join me on Patreon for bonus chapters
and early access!
🔗 https://www.patreon.com/cw/OverlordD
╚══════════════════════╝