Braving the howling north wind and the icy snowflakes that occasionally smeared their faces with ice slag, a dozen soldiers from Winterfell trudged northward in the snow along the long-lost road. He was walking, and the speed was very slow, even a little slower than a normal person walking on flat ground.
Originally, they were traveling on horseback. However, when they were at the last post, the snow on the road was too thick. When they saw that riding horses was slower than walking, and they even had to be distracted to take care of the horses, they had no choice. Instead of giving up on them, they all walked on foot, trying to continue heading north to reach one of their destinations.
In this gray sky and vast white snowfield, their bodies were tightly wrapped in gray-black cloaks, fur coats, heavy hats, leather boots and other cold-resistant clothing, leaving only their bare heads exposed. A face full of ice scum on both eyebrows and beard...
At the same time, after they walked through, a long series of deep and crooked footprints were naturally left on the thick snow behind them that was already knee-deep.
Based on the footprints and the direction they are heading, it is not difficult to guess that they are heading north of Winterfell and towards the Long Lake...
"Hey! Knight Galen, what exactly is that golden light coming out of your body? Is it... because of the blessing of an old god or seven gods?"
The journey was difficult and monotonous, so Arya, who was following along, asked O'Shea curiously.
"None of them! That golden light of mine is called Demacia's power of justice!"
In fact, that kind of thing, their little head of state, Anne, once let slip that it was actually something called Holy Light. However, Galen still felt that it would be better to call it Demacia Justice. ?
Anyway, that’s just a name!
Whether it's the Holy Light or Demacia's justice, as long as you have justice and courage in your heart, that's all.
"oh……"
"Then...can you teach me?"
She is very beautiful with the golden light shining on her body. Not only is she invulnerable, but her strength, speed, reaction ability, etc. have also been greatly improved. Arya has been staring at this incredible secret skill for several days, just waiting for it. Looking for a chance to speak!
Although, she also felt that the other party could not easily teach her this powerful 'Demacia's power of justice', but it was just a question anyway, and it didn't matter whether he answered or not.
"..."
"I'm afraid not!"
"I won't teach others this kind of thing. At that time, it was our Annie Yuan who first gave me the seed of justice... Besides, Arya, your personality may not be suitable for learning this. You are a killer. The murderous intent is too strong.”
Silently leading the crowd, Galen could no longer see the road and could only identify the approximate location and direction based on the woods on both sides. After hesitating for a while, he turned around and looked at the little boy who was also tightly wrapped like himself. The girl glanced at it, then shook her head.
Not everyone can learn the Holy Light, the power of justice in Demacia!
At least, in Galen's view, this Arya is not qualified in any aspect... because she is a little girl who is selfish and self-centered. She only has eyes for her family, but she has no heart. The heart of a brave man who dares to fight for those who cannot fight, and the belief that he is willing to fight for justice!
Anyway, in Galen's opinion, these are all necessary to learn this power. Only by possessing these can we learn the power of justice in Demacia, and it will never be like what a bad little head of state said. Generally speaking, it actually means 'It's over, have you all been deceived? ', no matter what, Galen will not waver in his belief!
so……
This Arya, this so-called female assassin of the Faceless Men, a female killer, she would definitely not be qualified.
"snort!!"
Thinking that the other party was perfunctory, Arya lowered her head, snorted hard, and then continued to move forward step by step.
"I really don't know how to teach..."
"Well, if you have a chance in the future, I recommend you to go to the Noxian Rage Academy on our planet Haven. By then, maybe you can learn that?"
There is definitely no need to think too much about the power of justice. After all, so far, there are very few marines or ghost agents who can successfully comprehend the power of justice in Demacia Academy of Justice! However, the Wrath Academy in Noxus is different. Basically, everyone can learn it, but the talent and the degree to which it can be achieved are different.
Anyway, just as Darius was displeased with him, Galen, he also despised those anger warriors who could learn it as long as they were human beings! In his opinion, those who can learn the power of justice in Demacia are the elites, and those Wrath Warriors are just a bunch of street goods.
"Anger? What is that, more powerful than your golden gleam?!"
"..."
"That's not gold glitter, that's the power of justice in Demacia. Only people with a righteous heart can learn it! But anger is different. As long as your murderous intention is strong enough and you can control your anger, you can learn it. !”
"snort!"
"Knight Galen, you don't have to doubt the murderous intention of our faceless men, and you don't have to doubt my ability to control my anger! I am a killer, these are just basic skills!"
"..."
"I hope so, but I can't go back now. When I can go back one day, I will definitely nominate you."
"..."
"Knight Galen, what I have always wanted to ask... is it really okay for just a few of us to go north now?!"
Among the group of strong soldiers, the slightly petite Arya asked in confusion.
Although it is said that their main purpose of going north this time is to gather and dispatch the refugees and broken troops who have been withdrawn from the Great Wall, Castle Black, Queen Town and Hearth City, and to investigate the strength of the White Walkers nearby, but only these dozen people, Arya still felt it was a little too risky.
It's not like there is no one in Winterfell now, and after what happened two days ago, those guys who followed the conspirator Littlefinger Petyr Baelish have basically been cleared away, and the remaining ones , they are all willing to be loyal to her sister, the Duke of Winterfell, Sansa, or to Jon, the King of the North, who will never question her sister's orders or be perfunctory! If Galen wanted to, he could directly dispatch hundreds of elite soldiers to go north. Then maybe it would be safer?
"Don't call me Knight Galen. I'm not your vassal of Winterfell. I'm a legal citizen of our Sector Federation of Heroes! In my eyes, you little nobles who are ruining the place are really... It’s useless, it’s not rare at all… I’m not just talking nonsense, the living standards of the nobles here are far inferior to those of the homeless people receiving subsistence allowances in our federation.”
"Also, that sister of yours, Sansa, is really stingy. She just gave me a useless knight position, and then didn't even raise my salary?!"
Yes, Galen doesn't want to be a knight or knight. These messy titles without even a certificate are worthless in his eyes!
If he had a choice, he would rather the other party triple his commission, or give himself a bigger, more comfortable one, preferably a large room with a fireplace, like... that of Duchess Sansa. Almost the same?
Of course, it would be even better if the other party appreciated Galen's contribution and gave him the best room in the castle!
"A knight is not a position, but a title. From the day you are knighted, you are no longer a mercenary, but a canonized noble of our Winter City!!"
After Arya breathed a sigh of relief, she turned her head and glanced at the Galen beside her with some confusion. She had never seen such a person who was knighted by a lord still complaining.
"By the way, what does receiving subsistence allowance mean in your federation?"
After explaining the rarity of the title, Arya continued to move forward step by step.
Due to her petite stature and short legs, she could walk in the fluffy new snow no more easily than the tall soldiers around her.
so……
In order to kill this long and boring journey, and to learn more about this strange guy who is said to have come here from another world, Arya took advantage of these few days to do some questioning. The other party’s details, so as not to have a better opportunity to ask in the future.
"Minimum living security..."
"That is, everyone can receive free food and spacious residences without having to work, and it is also the kind with air conditioning, that is, your kind of fireplace? However, air conditioning is definitely much better than fireplace, and There is no peculiar smell, and there is no need to worry about carbon monoxide poisoning..."
To be honest, Galen really misses the life of Hewenxing...
In the past, when he was a general in the star sector, he always felt that the conditions of the minimum living security system in the alliance were really bad. Only those lazy people and those who were unable to work would have to choose that kind of life. tough life?
But now...
"I'll tell you the truth, if I had a choice, I would rather go back to our Federation's Star Haven to be an ordinary citizen living on subsistence allowance, and I wouldn't change the title of the Lord of Winterfell for you!"
"The subsistence allowance of our Federation of Heroes, whether it is food, clothing, housing, transportation, or other conditions, far exceeds that of any of you here, even your sister Sansa, the Duke!"
"Moreover, all citizens can apply for the subsistence allowance without any prerequisites!"
But in comparison, here in Westeros:
The food is not good, and supplies are extremely scarce and monotonous. Especially in winter, there are absolutely no vegetables. What comes and goes are those messy and terrible things such as meat, cheese, pickles, etc. If this continues, he, Galen, will I feel like I'm about to get those rare diseases like night blindness, beriberi and scurvy!
As for what you are wearing, forget about it...
Look at him now. He is covered in linen clothes and animal furs, one layer on top and the other on the outside. Can these things, which basically rely on his own body temperature to keep out the cold, be considered clothes?
They have no constant temperature system, no deodorizing or sweating function, and because they have not been washed for a long time, they have started to get rancid and smelly, and they feel slimy. He has had enough!
As for where to stay…
The doghouse in the castle is really just a doghouse!
Fortunately, it is winter now. If it were summer, he, Galen, could even imagine that there would be all kinds of bugs, mice and other things running rampant there. By then... in a planet like Haven, which is better than theirs Living in a place that is worse than a kennel will definitely be a huge torture!
'The endless holy light...'
'Let our greatest and greatest Anne head of state come to save me Galen as soon as possible and get me out of the sea of misery as soon as possible...'
Galen is now basically certain that the space gem has indeed run out of energy and no longer has any special abilities! So, now, in addition to hoping that the little girl who doesn't know where in the universe, which plane he is in, and whether he heard his prayer will come to help him early, he is indeed Nothing can be done.
He has been completely trapped in this backward and ignorant place, and he can't go back!
"snort!"
"I don't have to work, and I can live a better life than my sister, the Lord of Winterfell. I won't believe it! Mr. Galen, are you sure you are not kidding? Where in the world can there be such a good place?!"
To be honest, if there really was such a place, I am afraid that ordinary residents of the entire Westeros continent and even most of the nobles would flock there like crazy, right? By then, will they be able to support a population of millions? Those are millions or even tens of millions of people, not one or two thousand or one or two hundred!
Anyway, Arya has been wandering around for many years and has traveled almost all over the continent of Westeros, even to Braavos across the sea. She will never believe that there is such a person like her in the world. A place I couldn’t even imagine.
In her eyes, the entire world of Westeros is a place where people eat people. If she wants to live a better life, she can only work harder, hone her skills, protect herself, her sister and Brother... Otherwise, maybe they will be killed at some point, robbed of all their belongings, and thrown into a sewer or ditch, and become a pitiful skeleton?
"Arya, if I can go back in the future, I will definitely invite you to visit our capital, Haven Star. Our capital is different from your little King's Landing. Our capital is an entire planet, with hundreds of A population of 100 million and countless space stations!”
"Also, I can even get you two sisters and the status of legal federal citizens, so that you can experience what a normal human life should be, and then I guarantee that you will never want to come back here again. …”
Yes, if Galen could go back and travel freely between Westeros and Haven, he might do that.
And that Bran, with his magical abilities, he will definitely be welcomed by the federal intelligence agency!
Anyway, he, Galen, is the commander of the combined fleet in the capital of Haiwen Star. He is one of the five-star generals with the highest military rank in the Federation. Therefore, even if he acts recklessly and gives two primitive people the status of Federation citizens, he will not Who dares to chat with him?
You know, if he made Galen go crazy, he could even knock down the protoss' mothership, so who would dare to nag him over such a trivial matter?
Ahem...
However, he will definitely not do it again in the future when he takes down the Protoss Mothership with one ultimate move!
Because the mothership of Protoss is too expensive... If it is damaged, even if he is the fleet commander and a five-star admiral, he will have to pay compensation according to the price! Moreover, in the highly automated and intelligent federal social environment, compensation is still directly deducted from wages, leaving him no chance to even think about becoming a doleful person.
"..."
"I still don't believe there is such a place in the world like heaven!"
After turning her head and looking at the serious Galen again for a while, Arya finally shook her head. She definitely didn't believe what this man who had always been a bit eccentric said!
Because she couldn't imagine that if there really was a place where you could eat well, live well, and be well clothed without having to work, I'm afraid everyone would run away to enjoy that kind of lazy life, and who else would choose to work? Paying taxes, who else would answer the call for soldiers to defend the lords' territories?
"Heaven?"
"Yes, compared to your continent of Westeros, our Federation is indeed a paradise... but from our perspective, that is just a very common thing."
After all, the technological strength and productivity are different. It is normal that the natives of the primitive planet like Arya cannot understand!
Look here, people here have to use human and animal power to produce crops. At the end of the year, a family of several people can't cultivate many acres of land. In addition, the seeds of the crops are poor, and the harvest is pitiful. They can barely sustain themselves. Just enough to have food, clothing and taxes.
But what about their federation?
If you want to engage in agriculture, you might as well just plant them one by one!
Just find a few agricultural planets and let those fully automatic machines plant various high-quality grain seeds with extremely high yields per mu. Nanorobots of all sizes will hunt pests. There will be agricultural irrigation and fertilization systems all over the planet, and there will even be... With the ability to artificially control weather, rain, sunlight, air humidity and other comprehensive factors, agricultural stars will have a bumper harvest basically every year. The output of only one or two planets can almost satisfy the normal life of humans in all star regions. Needed.
And more agricultural planets are growing luxury goods, fruits and vegetables, industrial raw materials, textile raw materials, and other renewable resources.
Therefore, for the federation of the star region, it is really a simple matter to use those supplies that are in excess of demand to unconditionally meet the basic needs of all humans in the star region for food, clothing, housing and transportation, and it is also something that every federal citizen can enjoy. Basic survival benefits, but even so, only a handful of people are willing to apply for subsistence allowances or something like that!
Because, as long as you work a little harder, you can have a better life and get whatever you want. Who would want to live worse than most people?
"Well?!"
Galen, who was deep in thought, suddenly stopped, raised his head suddenly, and looked at the dense forest in the distance that was also covered with heavy snow.
"What's wrong, Mr. Galen Rider..., why did you suddenly stop leaving?!"
Arya, who was just walking with her head buried in thought and digesting the information she had just received, suddenly bumped into Galen who suddenly stood in front of her. His tall and powerful body caught her off guard. He almost fell backwards into the thick snow.
"..."
"We seem to be targeted by the enemy!!"
Galen stopped, looked coldly in one direction, and kept a straight face.
"Being targeted? Who is it?!"
Looking at the vast expanse of white snow around her and the snow-covered wolf forest, Arya didn't know who else would be watching her in this place, because it was still in the wolf forest south of the Long Lake and north of Winterfell. , it’s still far away from Sue of the White Walkers Legion!
"It's those White Walkers!!"
After saying that, Galen took the lead and walked to the left. There was a rocky tidal flat there, probably due to geothermal heat. The snow there was thinner, which was more suitable for them to interact with the White Walkers later. Fight without being hindered by heavy snow.
"White Walker?"
"!!"
"Everyone, prepare to fight!!"
Arya exclaimed, and while signaling the other soldiers to draw their weapons, she also drew her rapier with her right hand and the dagger held in her left hand, and quickly followed Galen who was striding forward in front of him.
If the White Walkers really appeared here, things would be terrible!
Because this place is less than thirty leagues (one hundred miles) away from Winterfell. If all the White Walkers are here, doesn’t it mean that all the places to the north have been occupied? They came so fast. No wonder she and Galen and their group encountered so few people fleeing south on their way north. It turned out that the White Walkers were invading south much faster than everyone imagined? !
"Hurry up and get ready for battle!"
Galen didn't say anything, he just stared at the snow-covered woods around him, then took the lead and walked resolutely toward the open land ahead.
Those staring at them must be the White Walkers!
Because, he, Galen, smelled the breath of evil, so much so that the power of Demacian justice in his body began to scream slightly.
"Hey! Wait for us first!"
…
——————
"..."
Cersei Lannister is standing coldly in the palace in King's Landing that is completely her own. Standing in this hall, standing behind this magnificent and beautifully carved moon-white arched balcony, Through the glass, looking at the extremely rare falling snow outside the window...
According to common sense, it is unlikely to snow in King's Landing, a place close to the harbor and with a hot or warm climate all year round. However, it is still falling now.
It can be seen that the words "winter is coming" that the Stark family in the north often talk about are finally coming true... And those ghosts, those terrifying dead people who can move, the kind that not long ago The existence that those hostile elements captured for her to see and have to believe was finally coming!
At this moment, they should be in the north, in the cold land of the north.
The long winter and the extreme cold...
Here in Westeros, the length of the four seasons is generally very long... Anyway, she, Cersei, has experienced the spring when the plague was prevalent over the years, which even lasted for several years, and then she also experienced ten years. Eight years of hot summers were an extremely long period of good days... Of course, she had also seen several autumns with heavy rains and scattered autumn winds.
Until now, winter is finally coming...
According to the information written in folk legends and the teachings of the Seven Gods, after every long summer, there will be a longer winter... It is a terrible, doomsday-like season. It is said that , is the punishment of the Seven Gods on mankind, and only when mankind's sins are ended can eternal summer be ushered in again?
So, this time, after eighteen years of hot summers, how long will their continent usher in another winter?
It’s twenty years…
Or maybe thirty years….
Or will they never see the next spring and summer? !
Ah!
The Seven Gods' punishment for human sins?
Simply ridiculous!
As the Queen of King's Landing and the guardian of the Seven Kingdoms, Cersei Lannister certainly no longer trusts those gods. Otherwise, she would not have blown up the Great Sept of Baelor with wildfire, killing countless people. The nobles who believe in the Seven Gods and that damn little sparrow!
Therefore, Queen Cersei would not take the Seven Gods seriously.
Moreover, she also knew that winter was coming, and the most terrifying thing was not the severe cold, the extreme night, or the strange ghosts, but the extremely long time.
It is said...
There is almost no daylight in winter, and food production will definitely drop sharply. Cereals, vegetables and fruits will definitely not be grown. People can only eat reserves or fish and hunt... But now, not to mention the whole country, King's Landing alone has millions of people. In this most populous city, after experiencing the Seven Kings Rebellion and endless battles, King Lin still had nearly half of the granaries unfilled...
Food is not important in normal times, but during the long winter nights, it is the key to survival!
From this, Cersei Lannister can now foresee that in the future, before the end of the long winter, King's Landing, and even the entire continent of Westeros, in addition to the threat of the White Walkers, the most important thing is to shroud everything. The great famine will be inevitable for no one.
By then, whoever has food in his hands will be able to persevere to the end!
Winter has arrived...
For a long time in the future, there will be countless children, including those in Cersei's own belly. They will be born in the dark night and grow up in the dark night... most of them may not survive until their death. Know what sunshine is, what warmth is...
Thinking of this, she couldn't help but feel a trace of vicious resentment flashing at the corner of her mouth, and even gritted her teeth!
Originally, she had two sons and a daughter, but now...
Hum!
She would definitely get back everything she lost, everything, she would definitely, she swore!
And now, if we count the time, those White Walkers should have already started, or are starting to attack the Great Wall, right? I don’t know if those bastards in the north, those remnants of the Stark family, can hold on?
It would be best to let the Dragon Mother and more people go to the north and fight against the White Walkers at the foot of the Great Wall. She, Cersei, can just hoard food desperately and continue to expand her troops.
But actually, none of that matters now...
What Cersei Lannister is now concerned about is not the cold winter that is about to envelope the entire continent of Westeros, nor the food reserves in King's Landing, nor the White Walkers in the north, but something else. She is waiting now. one person.
Tuk Tuk!
Suddenly, there were two knocks on the door, and then the old Prime Minister Coburn walked in.
"He...really left?"
But by the sound of footsteps, Cersei knew who the person was, so she continued to stand in front of the window and asked directly without looking back.
"Yes, Lord Jaime Lannister just braved the cold wind and light snow and rode alone out of the city to the north."
The Queen's Hand, the Queen's Prime Minister Qyburn's hand, answered in a low voice with lowered eyebrows and eyes, because he knew that Queen Cersei would definitely not be in a good mood now, and it was better for him not to get into trouble.
"Yeah……"
With a cold snort in her heart, Cersei knew that that bastard James was just that kind of person! He kept saying that it was for the sake of living people and for the entire continent of Westeros... As a Lannister, how could that guy still have such stupid ideas?
It’s simply unreasonable! !
"The barbarian cavalry of Daenerys Targaryen, the Mother of Dragons, the Dothraki army and the Unsullied Legion have now retreated and are preparing to take the ship to the north."
"According to the information sent back by the spies, the garrison on Dragonstone Island is getting smaller day by day. After they collected enough dragon crystal ore, they took a boat to go to sea. The remaining logistics troops are also packing their bags. I believe it will be Soon, there won't be many people left on Dragonstone... Those two dragons should also follow the Mother of Dragons north to fight against the White Walkers."
When the Queen's Prime Minister Coburn saw that the Queen had no comment, he told all the information he knew.
"..."
"Our Golden Group, where are they now?"
Cersei suddenly turned around and asked her Queen Hand Qyburn about the Golden Company of Highgarden, the most outstanding army in Essos.
She took a large amount of money from the Iron Treasury and hired a total of 20,000 Golden Regiment soldiers, cavalry, and even elephants! And those will be her capital for planning the entire Westeros continent.
"They should already be at sea and are expected to arrive in King's Landing next week..."
"What do you need me to do?"
After Prime Minister Coburn finished speaking, he looked at the elusive Queen again.
"..."
"You don't have to do anything!"
With a sneer, Cersei raised her hand and waved, indicating that the other party could leave first.
"..."
"Why, Prime Minister, do you have anything else to say?"
Seeing that the other party was standing there obediently and did not leave immediately, Cersei couldn't help but asked curiously.
"Her Majesty the Queen..."
"If those people to the north fail, we may not be able to fight the White Walkers going south independently, because by then, there will be more of them..."
"more and more……"
White Walkers can be killed with special weapons made of dragon crystal!
At the same time, every living person who dies at the hands of a White Walker will increase the number of White Walkers. The more people die, the more White Walkers there will be! But now further north, in the northern border, there are still hundreds of thousands of people, plus there may be more and more soldiers! If they fail, King's Landing will face millions of White Walkers!
"..."
"White Walkers can't swim, can they, my Lord Hand?"
"..."
"It is said that..."
"Then what are you worried about?"
"If we can't hold on, we can just cross the sea!"
Winter is coming?
It's so ridiculous! !
Now, Cersei has quietly launched a colonization plan, and the Braavos across the sea will soon belong to her, Queen Cersei!
If the people in the north win, she will naturally have a way to deal with it. But if the people in the north lose, then if necessary, they can directly cross the sea to the east and completely escape this West that may be destroyed. Luo Continent!
At that time, the winner will still be her, Cersei! !
