Chapter 1
The Westerlands, the Crownlands, Blackwater Bay.
The deep autumn sea wind carried a salty tang as it howled through the cracked stone walls of Pompey Castle, letting out mournful wails like a final elegy for this fallen family.
"Young master… no, my lord, it's time."
Old steward Morsen's voice trembled slightly. In his hands, he held a washed-out velvet ceremonial robe, its edges visibly worn. His cloudy eyes were filled with humiliation and unwillingness. "That merchant's daughter is already waiting downstairs."
Victor Pompey stood in front of a cracked bronze mirror, staring at the young man reflected in it — black hair, striking purple eyes, and features so handsome they seemed unreal.
He had transmigrated.
He had crossed into the brutal world of A Song of Ice and Fire, becoming the sole surviving heir of House Pompey.
Unfortunately, there were no dragons, no magic — only a mountain of crippling debt and a drafty, crumbling castle.
To avoid starving to death and to repay the usurious loans the previous baron owed to the Iron Bank, he had no choice but to make a decision that would make every noble in the region laugh at him:
Marry the daughter of a nouveau riche merchant.
In Westeros, a noble marrying a commoner was considered a great disgrace. Even for a minor baron, it was seen as self-debasement.
"Morsen, don't make that face."
Victor took the robe and put it on with elegant movements. The corner of his lips curled into a roguish smile. "Whether she's a merchant's daughter or a duke's daughter, as long as she can keep House Pompey alive, she's a good woman."
"But… the neighboring lords are all waiting to mock us! Especially that branch of House Frey next door. They say the Pompey bloodline has already been tainted by the stench of coins. They want to kick us out of the noble circle!" The old steward shook with anger.
"Let them laugh."
Victor straightened his collar, a cold glint flashing in his eyes — something only a modern man would understand. "After tonight, they won't even have the chance to cry."
No one knew what kind of trump card Victor was holding.
The moment he transmigrated, a cold mechanical voice had already echoed in his mind:
[Many Children, Many Blessings · Family Rise System is loading…] [Activation condition: Complete your first marriage.]
In this world where human life was as cheap as grass, on the desperate eve of the coming winter, this was his only capital for a comeback.
…
The castle hall was dimly lit by candles.
There was no lively crowd of guests.
Only a few minor lords from the surrounding area had come — clearly wanting to watch the spectacle. They held cheap ale and looked at the shabby wedding with mocking eyes.
"Hey, look at that. This is our 'noble' Baron Pompey."
A middle-aged knight with a beer belly laughed loudly. He was a vassal under Harrenhal. "I heard that for this measly dowry, he's even planning to change the griffin on his family crest to a gold coin? Hahaha!"
Harsh laughter rang out.
Victor's expression remained calm, as if he hadn't heard a thing.
His gaze passed through the crowd and landed on his bride.
Surprisingly… she was beautiful.
The girl named Alice wore an ill-fitting luxurious dress. She kept her head lowered, nervously twisting her fingers. Although she lacked the arrogance of highborn ladies, her frightened fawn-like eyes and the voluptuous figure that even the loose robes couldn't fully hide gave her a tempting, youthful charm.
She was a rare beauty.
If she hadn't been married off to a fallen noble like him, she might have been taken as a plaything by some old lord.
"Since this is a transaction, let's each take what we need."
Victor stepped forward under the jeers of the crowd and took the girl's cold, trembling hand.
The septon casually recited the vows.
There were no blessings — only the silence of a deal completed.
…
Deep into the night.
In the shabby master bedroom, the fireplace crackled loudly.
Alice sat on the edge of the bed, so nervous she felt like she might faint. She knew her low status. Even with a huge dowry, she was still lowly in front of this man.
"M-my lord…" Her voice was as quiet as a mosquito. "Please… be gentle…"
Victor looked at the face that appeared especially delicate and alluring under the candlelight. The frustration and anxiety he had felt since transmigrating turned into the most primal urge.
In this world, power was everything.
And the source of his power… began right now.
"Call me husband."
Victor blew out the candle.
The bed curtains fell.
That night, even the wind outside the window seemed much gentler.
And it was on this night that the gears of fate for House Pompey began to spin wildly.
…
The next morning, the first rays of sunlight slipped through the gaps and fell on the messy bedsheets.
Victor lazily opened his eyes. The girl in his arms was still sound asleep from exhaustion. Her fair skin was marked with faint red traces — proof of last night's wild passion.
At that moment, the long-awaited voice exploded in his mind like heavenly music:
[Ding! Congratulations, host, on completing a major life event: Marriage!] [Many Children, Many Blessings System officially activated!] [Companion detected: Alice (Ordinary Human / Beauty Score: 90)] [Settling first marriage rewards…]
Victor sat up abruptly. A light blue holographic screen only he could see appeared before his eyes.
[Reward 1: Newbie Gift Package received!] [Reward 2: Family Funds — 1000 Gold Dragons (deposited into system space)!] [Reward 3: Elite Troop Summon Card — Spartan Heavy Infantry × 50 (Modified version, Loyalty MAX)!] [Reward 4: Host Body Enhancement — "Dragon Kidney" (As long as you plow deeply, even an iron pestle can be ground into a needle. Stamina recovery speed +300%)!]
Whoosh!
A warm current instantly surged through his entire body.
Victor felt his previously weak, malnourished body now filled with explosive power. His previously aching waist and back were now so strong they could kill a bull!
"One thousand gold dragons? Fifty Spartan heavy infantry?"
Victor sucked in a sharp breath.
That fat pig knight who mocked him earlier didn't even have a few hundred gold dragons to his name!
And these fifty Spartan heavy infantry were enough to dominate this chaotic region of Blackwater Bay in this cold-weapon era.
[Ding! Newbie Quest Issued: The Dignity of the Family.] [Quest Description: A group of bandits is approaching the outskirts of your territory. They appear to have been secretly hired by that fat pig knight to steal your wife's dowry.] [Quest Objective: Annihilate all enemies. Leave no survivors!] [Quest Reward: Primary Marrow Cleansing Pill × 1 (Can improve the aptitude of future offspring)!]
The gentleness in Victor's eyes vanished instantly, replaced by a bloodthirsty cold gleam.
He looked down at his still-sleeping wife, gently tucked the blanket around her, then put on his robe and strode toward the door.
"Morsen!"
Victor's voice carried through the thick wooden door with unprecedented authority and dominance.
"Open the castle gates."
"And prepare a big pit. Today… we have quite a few people to bury."