Game of Thrones: The Bronze and Fire Lord.

Chapter 272 Splitting Haitar

Vomisol descended slowly, its massive body occupying the entire open space in front of the towering tower.

Aemon looked around and walked down the dragon's wing where it touched the ground.

Count Thaddeus stared at the man and the dragon, his plump face involuntarily tightening.

This was not the first time he had met Prince Aemon.

But every time he met the other person, his demeanor and aura filled him with awe.

"Hiss!"

Suddenly, a second melodious dragon roar rang out, piercing through the thick clouds as it drew nearer.

Earl Donald and Garwin quickly raised their heads.

The former was surprised by the second dragon, while the latter looked delighted.

next moment.

The magnificent Dreamfire plunged into the sky, its light blue wings swirling through the clouds, and gracefully landed atop the towering pagoda.

"Helena!"

Garwin cheered.

With neither of his nephews present, he felt uneasy negotiating with the lords of the Reach.

With the arrival of his niece, who is also a dragon rider, he can finally stand up straight.

Garwin: My backing is one of the strongest in the Seven Kingdoms!

"Slow down, Helena!"

Garwin cupped his hands to his mouth, watching with fear as the silver-haired girl swayed in the wind atop the towering tower.

Helena's face turned pale as she ordered Dreamfire to fly to the wooden bridge on the other side of the Tower of Heaven.

Only after the dragon landed did he slowly climb down from its back.

Flying to the top of the tower is undeniably cool, but getting off the dragon's back is equally difficult.

I won't do it again next time.

...

A towering tower, a grand hall.

"How is Duke Garland's health?"

Aemon sat imposingly on his lord's throne, addressing the loyal Highgarden servants below.

Count Thaddeus stepped forward and said sadly, "Duke Garland is seriously injured. He can only be awake for a short while each day and is given poppy milk every two hours to relieve the pain."

According to the scholar's judgment, we should do our best and leave the rest to fate.

"Your Highness, I wonder if your arrival on your dragon journey carries a royal decree?"

Earl Donald was a man of steel, who got straight to the point.

"Be bold!"

Garwin jumped out, pointed at him, and said, "It's not your place to question His Highness's actions."

"you……"

Earl Donald was furious; he had never seen such a lackey.

Count Thaddeus tugged at his sleeve, giving him a look to stop him from doing anything reckless.

?

Imon slowly frowned.

Garwin has taken the wrong medicine.

"My uncle does have something to say."

"Imon said solemnly."

First of all, on my personal behalf, I would like to express my sincere apologies to the Duke of Garland, who is seriously injured and bedridden, and extend my heartfelt condolences. I hope that the young Duke will recover soon.

Under the leadership of the Targaryen family, the prosperous and open Reach was well-managed.

Secondly, he severely condemned the Hightar family, who led their troops in rebellion.

The Queen and Otto, far away in King's Landing, were completely unaware of this until it was too late.

To ensure the legitimacy of House Tyrell in Highgarden, the government appointed Aemon, the "Regent," to restore order and assist House Tyrell in their victory.

Finally, the two immature sons, after a fit of pique, agreed to make amends for the river bend.

If any noble family has a young lady of marriageable age, please make sure to spend as much time with her as possible.

After listening.

Count Thaddeus: ...

Earl Donald: ...

"what?"

Garwin let out a soft "Huh," feeling an itch on his scalp.

"This is what my uncle meant."

Imon smiled slightly.

My uncle is truly a master of playing dumb, showcasing his excellent habit of using non-stick pans.

"Ok?"

Helena tilted her head.

What are you saying, babbling away?

Aemon got to the point: "Where is Mond Hightower?"

"Locked in the dungeon."

Count Thaddeus said with satisfaction.

"Offending a feudal lord and abducting a prince are unforgivable crimes."

Aemon casually remarked, "Just cut it down!"

"Yes!"

Earl Donald loudly accepted the order and excitedly headed towards the dungeon.

Although the king's verbal decree lacks authority, as long as the princes acknowledge their due rights, everyone can tacitly agree to it.

Garwin looked reluctant, raised his hand slightly, and then lowered it again.

He can't control this matter.

It's alright if some soldiers die; given the size of the Hightoar family, it won't be difficult to get forgiveness.

However, crippling the Duke of Highgarden was a serious breach of the bottom line among the nobility.

"The Duke of Garland has lost his ability to govern, and some things still need to be done by someone."

Aemon interrupted mid-sentence, calling out by name: "Count Thaddeus!"

"exist."

Upon hearing this, Count Thaddeus shuddered.

Just then, hurried yet slow footsteps came from upstairs.

"Your Highness, it's a pleasure to have you here."

Lin Man, panting, carefully made her way up the stairs.

"Are you alright, Lady Linman?"

"Imon asked with a smile."

"Thanks to the King and you, I can eat and drink well, but I need a glass of brandy before bed to help me sleep."

Lin Man smoothly expressed that she had a difficult time.

Imon didn't expose the old man's little scheme.

Following Lin Man, Larris, leaning on his scepter, followed closely down the stairs.

The two exchanged a glance across the distance.

Larry smiled, as if he were asking for credit.

See? Not bad, right?

Imon remained calm, but in his heart he sentenced him to death.

Let him sow discord between High Court and Old Town, and take the opportunity to create conflict.

That's well done.

He could secretly bewitch Aegon, causing him to participate in the war, and even had Garland Tyrell burned alive by riding a dragon.

It's blatantly a case of ulterior motives and hidden agendas.

I'll kill him when I have the chance. "Count Thaddeus, take me to explore the old town and see the warriors in action."

Aemon rose and called to Count Thaddeus, who was filled with trepidation.

Count Thaddeus, hands clasped behind his back, indulged in a fantasy about what His Highness the Prince had said.

Highgarden's reputation was severely damaged, and the Duke of Garland was unable to govern.

So, is he...?

Yes!
Aemon, accompanied by Helena, toured the old town under the guidance of Count Thaddeus.

On the way back to the Tower of Triumph.

The two reached an agreement privately.

The Tyrells of Highgarden's inadequate governance of their vassals led to the rebellion of the old town of Hightoar, causing irreparable damage to the Reach.

In recognition of the Duke of Garland Tyrell's valiant fighting, his title of Duke shall be retained.

However, the title of "Guardian of the Southern Border" was revoked.

Count Thaddeus Rowan of Goldentree City was awarded the title of "Guardian of the South" for his outstanding ability in quelling the rebellion.

"Your Highness, won't the nobles who are loyal to High Court be unhappy with what we're doing?"

Count Thaddeus feigned humility, but inwardly he was overjoyed.

House Rowan received the title of "Warden of the South," which nominally put them on equal footing with House Tyrell, the Lords.

Imon smiled and said, "There will be changes to the seating arrangement at the Imperial Council soon, and I will reserve a place for you."

"Really?"

Count Thaddeus was overjoyed.

The Royal Council is ostensibly the king's advisory group, but it wields enormous power.

He had also wanted to be selected for the Imperial Council, but the requirements of the Imperial Council were constantly changing.

Since Otto Hightoar of the Old Town is already on the Reach, no further appointments will be made from among the Reach nobles.

"Rest assured, your talent and loyalty are beyond question."

Aemon looked at him with admiration and patted him on the shoulder.

He flattered the obese, bald, middle-aged man until he grinned broadly and kept talking to him to express his loyalty.

Aemon was not surprised by this.

Count Thaddeus was a man obsessed with power.

After the Dance of the Dragons ended, he was first selected as one of the seven regents, and later served as the King's Hand.

During the chaotic period of Ulwin Baker's usurpation of power, he was wrongfully imprisoned and subjected to torture and interrogation.

When Urwin fell from power and Count Thaddeus was exonerated.

The person has been crippled and has mental disabilities.

Anyone who reprimands him in an interrogative tone will frighten him into tears.

On one occasion, the jester Mushroom deliberately frightened him by asking if he had burned Harrenhal, to which he loudly admitted it.

And so, he was sent back to Golden Tree City to recuperate.

Lord Thaddeus was reluctant to part, promising to return to King's Landing as Hand of the King as soon as he recovered.

What a character!
Imon didn't care; on the contrary, he preferred people like that.

Pure and easily fooled.

Everyone at my uncle's imperial council was talented, but each of them was too self-serving and had become a seasoned veteran in the workplace.

The Grand Secretary must be replaced.

If that old dog Melos is pretending to have dementia, then he should hurry up and step down.

Such an important position should not be controlled by the Hightower family.

Otto has been causing trouble time and time again.

Now that the Hightoar family has become fish on the chopping block, it's time to strip him completely.

And Lin Man.

If nothing goes wrong, things are fine; I just diligently manage my finances.

When faced with a problem, they just panic and run around in circles.

He performed terribly in this war between Oldtown and Highgarden, failing to even keep an eye on Aegon, who was right beside him.

This led to Larry seducing him and causing him to commit a terrible crime.

As people grow old, Amon shows them great understanding.

However, the Imperial Council is not a retirement home, and it's time for this loyal and shrewd old man to enjoy his retirement.

"Thank you, Your Highness. The nobles of the Reach will always remember your great kindness in coming to our aid on your dragon."

Count Thaddeus, his face flushed, took his hand and thanked him.

Amon's smile faltered, somewhat overwhelmed by his enthusiasm.

The two entered the tower to discuss the Hightower family's verdict and the future of the Reach.

……

The next day.

Old town, on the city wall.

"In the name of Viserys I of the Targaryens, I sentence you to death!"

puff!
With a swift stroke, Mond Hightower's head fell to the ground.

The body was collected, and its head was impaled on the city wall with a spear.

A towering pagoda.

Aemon, in concert with Count Thaddeus, announced the punishment of the Hightoar family in front of a host of Reach nobles.

“Take away the Tower of the Nation’s castle and give it to Aegon Targaryen.”

As soon as he finished speaking, the whole place was in an uproar.

Taking away the Tower of Babel is one thing, but on what grounds should it be given to Prince Aegon?

Aemon did so intentionally, completely disregarding the nobles' objections.

"Quiet down, let the prince finish speaking!"

Count Thaddeus stepped forward, using the strength of the Rowan family and the achievements of the commander in this battle to suppress the nobles.

Aemon calmly said, "Among the vassals of House Hightower, the Cottoin family of Three Towers and the Bisbury family of Hive City will henceforth pledge allegiance to House Tyrell of Highgarden."

"Yes, Your Highness!"

"Yes, Your Highness."

Count Cortoine and Linman stepped forward and bowed respectfully.

Of the six vassals of the Hightower family, these two are the most powerful and staunch supporters of the royal family.

Not finished yet.

"The Kuy family of Sunflower Hall and the Mullendale family of Highland City shall henceforth pledge allegiance to Aegon, the Targaryen of Skytower."

These two companies are slightly weaker, but they should not be underestimated.

Two vassals were enough to compensate House Tyrell; this was to be left to Aegon to manage.

Don't ask Aegon why he was granted the title of Tower of Hell and why he has two vassals.

If Aemon says yes, then yes.

The Targaryen bloodline needs to be spread throughout the Reach.

Similarly, the blood ties between Aegon and House Hightower must be completely severed.

Aegon's taking the Tower of Hell and the original vassals of House Hightower was the best way to sow discord.

Of the six major vassals, four are gone, leaving only the Rockton family of Rockton and the Bulway family of Blackcrown.

These two Imon families remained unmoved and continued to pledge allegiance to the Hightar family.

Lord Rockton was captured during the Battle of Highgarden.

After the fall of Oldtown, Earl Bulwer was imprisoned.

The two were present, their faces showing resentment at their defeat, but even more so, shock at Aemon's splitting of House Hightower and his support of Prince Aegon, who had caused their defeat.

"The selection of the Earl of the Old Town will be left to the Imperial Council for discussion."

After saying his last point, Aemon glanced at the dejected Garwin.

Garwin noticed this and stood frozen in place.

(End of this chapter)