After seeing Myrcella off, Roman and Fili returned to their relatively peaceful routine.
With Lord Tarly unwilling to act rashly, Mace Tyrell splitting his forces to attack Storm's End, and the Westerlands still crippled, Roman's subjects could finally breathe easier.
The waterways around the Gods Eye and the Crownlands were complex. Many places looked close on a map but required long detours in reality.
So Roman and Fili began surveying the terrain together. Roman observed from the sky while Fili mapped the ground with the help of her ravens. Once the major watersheds were charted, they started excavating the canals.
The goal was to connect the Gods Eye, the Trident, and Blackwater Bay, allowing riverboats to move goods efficiently across the region.
Although they could make use of the existing developed waterways in the Riverlands and northern Crownlands, several key sections still needed to be dug by hand.
To fund the project, Roman poured in a large portion of the profits earned over the past few years from selling glass, porcelain, ironware, and other goods.
The move shocked both the Riverlands and the Crownlands, and soon drew the attention of the entire Seven Kingdoms. No one understood why Roman was spending so much gold on canals.
Even the nobles of the Reach, who considered themselves experts in waterworks, scoffed at the plan and waited to watch him fail.
Roman mobilized idle workers and displaced refugees within his territory. He also brought in most of the giants and recruited Free Folk from Crackclaw Point and the North.
Fili watched the bustling crowds and couldn't hide her worry.
"Lord Roman, we are still at war. Is it really wise to start such a massive project now?"
"Don't worry. We aren't digging an entirely new river—just connecting several existing ones. We've already built plenty of ditches and dams before. This won't take long."
Roman then walked her through the economic numbers, showing the vast difference in cost and speed between water transport and land transport.
Fili, who had managed logistics for years, immediately grasped the value once the figures were clear.
"I understand now, Lord Roman! I'll head to the site right away to supervise and tell them to work faster!"
Roman smiled. "No need to rush. The canal isn't the most urgent thing. The workers' health comes first. When you go down there, keep a close eye on the overseers and make sure they don't cut corners. Also, call Wilson over. I want to see his latest results."
While Roman was organizing the canal works, the Red Viper was already on his way.
Oberyn Martell had come at Prince Doran's command to meet Roman and gauge his true attitude toward the Lannisters.
The Red Viper sat inside a carriage speeding along the main roads through House Whent's territory. He quickly noticed how smooth and fast the ride became once they entered Roman's lands.
"This feels almost like the old Valyrian roads," he muttered, "only wider and far more extensive. Roman is no simple man."
It was planting season. Through the carriage window, Oberyn saw endless fields filled with farmers and oxen. He marveled at the abundance of iron tools. In Dorne, a single iron plow was a prized possession. Here, nearly every farming family seemed to have one.
As he traveled deeper, he witnessed the true scale of Harrenhal's rear-area production base. Only then did he realize what he had seen earlier was merely the beginning. The dense towns, workshops, and farmlands made him understand why Roman dared to challenge Tywin Lannister.
The more prosperous the territory appeared, the graver Oberyn's expression became. He was already thinking about how Dorne could maintain friendly relations with House Whent.
"Damn it… how much more has Roman kept hidden? Just one section of canal has tens of thousands of people working on it! He really is a monster. With this kind of mobilization ability, who in Westeros can compare?"
Roman was not at Harrenhal. He met the Red Viper at a key point along the canal construction. The two men shook hands politely.
"Prince Oberyn, it is an honor to receive you in our humble lands. Please allow me to convey greetings on behalf of Lady Helaena of House Hoare."
"Enough with the pleasantries," Oberyn replied with a grin. "If this is a backwater, then we Dornish must be drinking wind and eating sand every day."
After the brief formalities, Roman picked up his teacup and asked directly, "Prince Oberyn must have important business to come all this way. Is it a personal matter or Prince Doran's?"
"Both," Oberyn said, taking a sip. "First, to thank you for killing the Mountain and sending his head to Sunspear. Prince Doran has prepared a generous gift for House Whent."
A Dornish attendant stepped forward and presented several chests filled with rare treasures. Oberyn then added with a wry smile,
"Though I must admit, I still hold a little resentment toward you. Your heroism robbed me of the chance to avenge my sister myself."
Roman nodded. "I am sorry for that. But that beast attacked the Riverlands and slaughtered my people. My hatred for him was no small thing either."
Oberyn laughed and clapped Roman on the shoulder. "I'm not truly blaming you, Ser Roman. Just venting. In any case, I didn't come only to thank you for the Mountain. We have other matters we wish to confirm with you."
Here it comes, Roman thought. He set down his teacup and watched the Red Viper calmly. The earlier words had been mere pleasantries. Now they had reached the real purpose—Dorne's purpose.
Oberyn toyed with the fine bone-china cup in his hand and said casually,
"Dorne wishes to know how House Whent intends to deal with those people in King's Landing going forward… and what role you, Ser Roman, plan to play in the war to come."
The Red Viper leaned forward, eyes expectant. Roman even felt the gaze carried a slightly strange intensity.
"Those people in King's Landing made themselves my enemies—that was their choice. As for the current situation, it is not about what I want to do, but what House Lannister and House Tyrell intend to do."
He continued, "For Harrenhal, this war has already been tragic enough. The people long for peace, and so do I. But if the opportunity arises, I also suggest teaching those lions a proper lesson."
Oberyn snorted inwardly. House Whent spoke of peace, yet they showed no mercy when seizing land.
"The Lannisters—especially Tywin and Cersei—are the root cause of most of these wars," Oberyn said. "Since both Dorne and Harrenhal have deep grudges against that house, why not cooperate? Together we could deal with those lions once and for all."
Roman did not answer immediately. He closed his eyes for a moment, thinking, then spoke slowly.
"So Prince Doran has finally decided he will not endure it any longer?"
The Red Viper nodded, a cruel smile spreading across his face. His gaze drifted toward distant King's Landing as certain plans took shape in his mind.
Roman asked directly, "Tell me your plan. After all, the Lannisters are still the Wardens of the West. How exactly do you intend to destroy them?"
Oberyn did not speak at once. Instead, he took out a badge with a red-and-black background, engraved with the three-headed dragon of House Targaryen breathing fire.
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