Barristan was furious; he had been dismissed by the Lannisters on the grounds of "incompetence."
Recently, riots had broken out in King's Landing due to food shortages and a rampant plague; because of Cersei's inaction, the number of rioters reached tens of thousands.
At this time, let alone the City Guard, even if Tywin's army came, the rioters of King's Landing would dare to engage them in street fighting with iron tools from Harrenhal.
To prevent the residents of King's Landing from losing their lives in the riots, Barristan personally went to the scene of the unrest with several Kingsguard to speak with the residents.
When the rioters learned that Ser Barristan had come to them, they actually stopped their violence one after another and surrounded Barristan to listen to his words.
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In his capacity as Lord Commander of the Kingsguard and with his own honor, Barristan guaranteed that he would resolve the residents' problems.
He first demanded that the residents stop their violence and return to their homes, then began coordinating food distribution in King's Landing and implementing the epidemic prevention methods suggested by Roman.
Normally, the Kingsguard wouldn't have such influence, but this was Barristan Selmy; King's Landing might look down on Robert, Joffrey, and Cersei, but they would never look down on Barristan.
With Barristan in charge, King's Landing began orderly food distribution, and the Gold Cloaks who were Roman's inside agents in King's Landing also went to support Barristan in controlling the plague.
By now, the number of inside agents from Harrenhal within the Gold Cloaks had reached 200; with the help of these high-level talents, epidemic prevention stations, crematoriums, and water purifiers were established one by one.
Although King's Landing still lacked medicinal materials, at least the sources of infection were quarantined, and other residents no longer had to worry about the threat of the plague.
Barristan was full of praise for these 200 members of the City Guard: "There truly aren't many people left in King's Landing like you, filled with honor and responsibility. The victory in King's Landing's epidemic prevention would not have been possible without your assistance."
The Gold Cloaks agents replied: "It is our honor to fight alongside Ser Barristan! If you ever need help in the future, please take us with you!"
Looking at this group of disciplined and righteous City Guard members before him, Barristan suddenly felt that Janos, that corrupt official, wasn't entirely useless.
But just as Barristan was conducting his daily patrol of King's Landing, Cersei suddenly issued an order for him to return to The Red Keep.
Barristan arrived at the iron throne in a daze, seeing Joffrey seated upon the throne at a glance, with Cersei by his side, and The Hound and the other Kingsguard also present.
Old Barristan couldn't figure out what these people wanted, but his sidearm—the Magic Sword gifted by Roman—had already begun to tremble.
Barristan felt a slight tingling, followed by a surge of warmth spreading through his body; he immediately realized that his sword had detected something unusual.
"What do King Joffrey and the Queen Regent intend to do?"
Although he didn't know what the current king was thinking, Barristan still knelt respectfully before the iron throne.
"Good day, Your Grace. May the Seven protect you. Is there a task you wish for me to perform this time?"
Cersei shook her head and said, "Ser Barristan has always been diligent and has worked hard for the King. We have called you here today because we feel you are of advanced age; it is time for you to return home in glory and take a well-deserved rest."
"You shall receive a coastal castle, along with sufficient funds and Servants, to allow you to spend your final years in peace."
Barristan was stunned—was Cersei planning to dismiss him? His face was full of disbelief, and the words that left his lips were somewhat halting.
"This... no... Your Grace, you cannot do this. Have I done something wrong? A member of the Kingsguard only ends his duty in death!"
Cersei ignored Barristan, stating on her own that Jaime Lannister would take over the position of Lord Commander of the Kingsguard.
Joffrey, however, was not as patient as Cersei. He straightened his body from where he was slumped on the iron throne and said disdainfully:
"You are too old and can no longer protect the King. You couldn't protect my father, and I don't believe you can protect me. It is better to hand the position of Lord Commander to the young and powerful Ser Jaime."
"Jaime?!" Barristan's voice carried a hint of fury. "You want that kingslayer who betrayed his own vows to be the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard?"
"Ser! Mind your words!" Cersei snapped.
"Not only did you fail to protect King Robert, but you also recently conspired with the rebels from Harrenhal to conduct some'sanitation and epidemic prevention' in King's Landing. Allowing you to retire to your hometown now is already an act of mercy!"
Barristan watched as the other Kingsguard stood before him and drew their weapons, a sudden wave of bitterness filling his heart:
"Do you all think this way as well?!"
His brothers in the Kingsguard said nothing, merely looking at Barristan with smiles.
At that moment, Barristan's heart died. He angrily tore off his White Cloak and threw away the ornaments related to the iron throne.
Cersei and Joffrey had caused Barristan to break his Kingsguard vows once again, and his fellow Kingsguard brothers were among those mocking him.
"Forget the castle! I became a knight by vow, and I shall die as a knight. Keep those rewards for yourself, Queen Regent!"
Barristan turned and left; Cersei watched him go, nonchalantly fiddling with her nails.
Cersei didn't care at all about the consequences of driving Barristan away; she only wanted her lover, Jaime, back by her side.
At this time, Tyrion and Kevan were away from The Red Keep on business; they only learned of the matter from the angry discussions of the people of King's Landing.
Kevan: "That fool! How dare she take it upon herself to deal with Barristan? Does she not know that Barristan just quelled the riots in King's Landing? How will the people of King's Landing look at us Lannisters now!"
Tyrion: "Uncle, complaining is useless now. The priority is to quickly find Ser Barristan and stabilize the morale of King's Landing. You go back to The Red Keep first to stabilize the situation and don't let Cersei continue her nonsense!"
The Lannister uncle and nephew could only work hard to clean up Cersei's mess; otherwise, the rioters of King's Landing truly might tear down The Red Keep.
Meanwhile, Barristan was stopped by a group of children who brought him a personal letter from Roman.
"Ser Barristan, someone asked us to give this letter to you."
Old Barristan opened it and found that Roman was inviting him to Harrenhal to catch up.
"Respected Ser Barristan, by the time you see this letter, you must have faced suppression. I was once guided by your swordsmanship; as a friend, I sincerely invite you to Harrenhal for a chat, and let us share another drink."
"Harrenhal?"
Barristan gazed into the distance from a high tower. He had already heard of Roman's feat of conquering The Crownlands; while the nobles gnashed their teeth at him, the commoners praised Roman as an envoy of the Seven, bringing hope to the poor.
After struggling for a while, Barristan smiled self-mockingly. He was no longer a member of the Kingsguard; having been stripped of his position, he had no support and no ties left.
Now that Westeros was in a state of chaotic war, Roman alone was sought after by the common people. Barristan sighed in his heart; having served so many generations of kings, few could match Roman's reputation.
"Perhaps, going to Harrenhal for a visit is also a good choice."
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