Ice and Fire: Conquering the World Starting from the Wall

Chapter 72 Real Steel, Pure Iron, and Bright Copper

Davos witnessed Melisandre use her body to create a shadow assassin, who then assassinated Ser Cortana Penrose, the guardian of Storm's End.

He concluded that Renly had also died for this reason.

Because of the Children of the Forest's magic at Storm's End, the Shadow Assassin could not cross the barrier, so Stannis ordered Davos to revive his smuggling skills and smuggle Melisandre to the walls of Storm's End in a small boat.

The scene from that night still haunts Davos's nightmares: the shadow assassin grabbing the bleeding thigh with his withered black hand, writhing and crawling out of Melisandre's swollen belly, and the terrifying assassin not only wearing a crown but also having a face exactly like Stannis's.

She would stop at nothing to win, and the originally upright and honorable Stannis became hypocritical under her influence.

He once tried to cover up his patricide with lies in front of Davos.

Now Davos is even more worried that Melisandre will continue to use this tactic against Lynn.

If Lynn dies from this witchcraft, even if the savages don't understand what's going on, they will still vent their anger on poor Princess Shireen and her mother.

Davos was almost certain that Melisandre wouldn't care at all whether Celis and Shireen lived or died.

With that in mind, he decided to tell Lynn about Melisandre's method of summoning shadow assassins, thus helping the wildling king who was once his mortal enemy.

Stannis seems to have no hope now, and Davos must find a way to save his only heir.

In Davos's view, facilitating a marriage between the two would be the best outcome at present.

One side has dragons and a savage army, the other is the sole rightful heir to the Iron Throne—a match made in heaven.

Unfortunately, King Lynn disregarded the Baratheon family's right to the inheritance.

And to be honest, judging from the other party's appearance, they probably wouldn't be interested in Princess Shirin, whose appearance has been ruined.

Therefore, although Davos was worried, he still told Lynn about the Scarlet Witch's shadow magic and advised her to avoid meeting Melisandre.

Both Renly Baratheon and Ser Cortana Penrose were killed by the Shadow Assassins after negotiating with Stannis.

Melisandre, who was Stannis's standard-bearer at the time, was always by his side.

Davos speculated that Melisandre might have placed a curse during the negotiations, otherwise it would be impossible to explain why the Shadow Assassin could pinpoint the victim so precisely.

She said Storm's End was an ancient place, where magic was woven into the giant stones, and shadows could not pass through the black walls.

"Perhaps you'll be safer on the Wall until you find and kill the Scarlet Witch. Legend has it that the magic on the Wall is far more powerful than that of Storm's End."

Davos offered honest advice.

Lynn was shocked that such a terrifying method of assassination existed in the world, but he was more confused and unable to comprehend it:

"Is Stannis really that stupid, determined to put himself in such a deadly situation?"

"If I were in that position, I would have already scurried back to my castle in the south with my tail between my legs."

Even if they were unwilling to surrender to King's Landing, Windbreak Keep and Dragonstone, with their easily defensible terrain, were still strongholds for warlords. Why fight to the death in the North?

Davos sighed and said quietly:

"If you met a blacksmith named Donal Noy at Castle Black, you might have heard his opinion of the three Baratheon brothers."

Before losing a hand, he was the chief blacksmith and weapons master of Storm's End; he forged Robert's warhammer that killed Rhaegar Targaryen and Stannis's first sword.

Lynn said:

"I know him. If nothing unexpected happens, Donald Noy should be teaching the craftsmen of Thane how to forge iron right now."

"So what was his assessment?"

Davos said:

He said to people more than once that Robert was like real steel, which could be forged into the deadliest weapons and the strongest armor.

In comparison, Stannis is pure iron, black, hard, and strong, but also easily damaged, breaking before it can bend.

As for Renly, it was shiny brass, beautiful to look at, but practically useless; it could only be used to decorate the hilt and scabbard.

"In fact, his assessments are coming true one by one."

Davos sighed:

Robert rusted and decayed because his crown had been hung up for too long; Renly, though handsome and beloved, died because he was too proud and soft.

"And Stannis... though I'm reluctant to speak ill of the Lord, there's no doubt he's been bent too many times and is now on the verge of breaking."

"I know him too well."

Davos concluded.

Lynn understood what he meant.

"The Scarlet Witch said that Stannis's life force was burning too weakly, and drawing more might kill him. Does this mean Melisandre is no longer capable of casting this spell?"

Lynn pressed for details.

This woman is indeed troublesome; she not only knows assassination but can also see the threat directed at her in the flames.

Davos had planned to assassinate her, but he was arrested as soon as he arrived on Dragonstone.

The Dragonstone maester Clyson, who attempted to poison her, also failed; the dangerous and deadly poison "Stranger" had no effect on her.

Davos replied:

"No, this ability isn't something only a king can bestow; she once told me..."

...Let me visit her room at night, and she will bring me unprecedented joy, and then use the fire of my life to create a shadow assassin for Stannis.

She said I was a person consumed by fiery passion, but at that time I only had the rage to kill her, and besides, I didn't believe in her god at all.

"The one whose flames burn fiercely..."

Lynn kept repeating this sentence, feeling a chill run down his spine.

This method is impossible to defend against; it seems the only way is to find her and physically destroy her.

He can't just hide inside the Great Wall forever, can he?

But her ability to detect the source of danger through flames is truly a headache.

Since there wasn't a good way to deal with Melisandre for the time being, Lynn had no choice but to put her matter aside for the time being.

Given Davos's complete lack of transparency, Lynn stopped pressuring him.

"Lord Davos, regardless of our previous positions, I have witnessed your loyalty, integrity and honesty here."

Therefore, I will continue to treat Mrs. Celis and Miss Shireen with the utmost courtesy.

Lynn's words delighted Davos.

This Hand of the King claims to come from the Flea Nest of King's Landing and was promoted by Stannis for his honesty and outspokenness. Now he certainly doesn't seem like a qualified politician, and he has a very down-to-earth vibe.

"However, I have one condition."

Lynn finally revealed his purpose:

"That means you must swear to serve me until the ransom is paid. This ransom may be your own, or it may include others."

Upon hearing this, Davos immediately stood up, bowed, and then asked:

"Your Majesty, are Lady Celeste and Miss Shireen included as well?"

He changed his tune very quickly, no longer referring to them as queen and princess.

"Of course, they don't mean that much to me."

If nothing unexpected happens, as soon as Stannis dies, his territory will be devoured by the vultures surrounding the Iron Throne in the blink of an eye.

The only way to get it back is through swords, not bloodlines.

Lynn gave a cold laugh:

"If what you say is true, then Stannis has already lost the hearts of the people. His vassals have either rebelled or died, and the rest are about to die."

Looking across Westeros, no one will stand up for orphans and widows.