iron throne of ice and fire

Chapter 469: Battle of the Cathedral

"I believe Margaery is innocent. Oh, Sir Osney must be crazy. She is so beautiful and kind. How could I harm her?"

Cersei's voice trembled slightly, and the crystal tears overflowed from the corners of her eyes, as if carrying her grievances and unwillingness.

There was a hint of pleading in Cersei's tone: "Gods, have mercy, please interrogate him properly..."

"I will, Your Majesty."

The High Sparrow's eyes were deep. "You have another charge. You plotted and murdered your own husband, King Robert."

Hearing this, Cersei's eyes trembled suddenly. Lancel really betrayed her!
Cersei lowered her eyes, staring at the High Sparrow's ugly feet with nausea, and a feeling of disgust welled up in her heart.

But she knew that now was not the time to vent her emotions, she had to find a way to get rid of this crime.

"No, this is slander again!"

Cersei denied it firmly at first, then looked back at the High Sparrow, her eyes filled with anger.

"My husband was killed by a wild boar. It gored him to death. This is a tragic story known throughout the Seven Kingdoms."

Then, her expression was extremely sad, her tears burst out again, and her voice was full of pain: "Will anyone accuse me of murdering Joffrey? How could a mother hurt her own child? My kind Lord High Septon, I am just a helpless woman who lost her husband. I love my child, I love him very much."

"…No one has accused you of murdering King Joffrey." The High Sparrow's voice remained steady, but Cersei could see a hint of doubt in his eyes.

After a pause, the High Sparrow asked her, "So, you deny the murder of your husband?"

Cersei nodded quickly: "Yes, I deny it. This is absolutely slander. I can swear before the gods!"

Cersei's eyes were firm and pious, as if she was really praying to the gods to prove her innocence.

The two looked at each other for a while, and the High Sparrow nodded slowly. "Finally... and worst of all, some say that the child you gave birth to is not King Robert's bloodline, but a bastard born of adultery."

"It's a lie, it's obviously a lie!"

Cersei's fingers bent slightly, and she said loudly, "This is absurd. This is Stannis's conspiracy. As soon as Robert died, he wanted to seize the Iron Throne, but his brother's children stood in his way, so he wrote letters to the lords of the Seven Kingdoms to slander Joffrey and say that they were not Robert's blood... Fortunately, every good person in the Seven Kingdoms did not believe his lies."

She seemed extremely angry: "Stannis is a madman too!"

"That's right!"

The High Sparrow's expression finally changed a little: "Stannis Baratheon has abandoned the Seven Gods and turned to worship an evil false god."

Cersei's eyes moved slightly, she nodded, and agreed: "Yes, he chose the wrong faith. He tried to deceive everyone in the world and bring disaster to the world."

The High Sparrow stood up from his chair. He looked down at the Queen Regent who was kneeling at his feet and said, "Evil people have also appeared in the Church of the Seven Gods. The evil believers are trying to divide the pious brothers and sisters."

After a pause, he continued, "Your Majesty, when you were cleansing your soul in the Great Sept of Baelor, a traitor appeared in the Church of the Seven Gods. He was the former Archbishop of the Church, Zari. He declared Harrenhal the Great Sept of Harren and called himself the High Bishop."

Cersei avoided the High Sparrow's gaze. Her eyes turned darkly and she said, "Oh, Lord High Septon, he is indeed a traitor to the Seven Gods, and his actions have not been recognized by me and the Council."

She raised her head, looked up at the High Sparrow, and continued, "When I return to the Red Keep, I will declare to the Seven Kingdoms that Zari, who calls himself the Archbishop of the Great Sept of Harron, is a guilty man in accordance with the laws of the kingdom. I will hand him over to you for disposal. I promise."

The High Sparrow's eyes softened. "If what your majesty says is true, a trial will undoubtedly clear your name. The people must know the truth."

"Your Excellency the Archbishop is wise."

Cersei slowly stood up: "I will prove my innocence in the trial of the church, but before that... I beg the Holy Mother (one of the Seven Gods) for a little mercy. I haven't seen Tommen for a long time. He is still young and he needs his mother. And..."

She looked at the High Sparrow cautiously, her eyes full of anticipation and desire.

"As the Queen Regent, I cannot tolerate the Church of the Seven Gods being divided. Before the situation changes further, I need to convene a royal meeting as soon as possible to call on the Seven Kingdoms to oppose the illegal Great Sept of Harren and offer a reward for the traitor of the Seven Gods - Zari."

"Your Majesty is wise."

The room was dim, and the High Sparrow's eyes could not be seen clearly. "But it is not right for you to approach the King until you have cleansed yourself of the sins that have been committed."

Cersei clenched her fingers: "My Lord High Septon, I am not only angry for my son, I am also very angry about Zari's betrayal..."

The High Sparrow hesitated for a moment, nodded, and said, "Your Majesty, you have taken the first step towards repentance, so... I will allow others to visit."

As soon as her fingers loosened, Cersei said with tears in her eyes: "You are so kind, thank you!"

"You should thank the Virgin Mary for her mercy. Please go back and rest. I will ask someone to move you to another place, Your Majesty."

…………

The moment she walked out of the room, Cersei seemed to have broken free from the cage of darkness and bathed in an illusory light.

Seeing Cersei, the old nuns gathered around her. Their faces were filled with piety and kindness, and the words they spoke were like a warm spring breeze.

"We all pray for you day and night, and the gods will forgive everyone who repents."

"The mercy of the gods is like a bright lamp that will illuminate your path and lead you out of darkness and into a new life."

"Gods are merciful. Now that you have unloaded this heavy burden, you will surely have a bright future."

"Your every step will be under the protection of the gods."

"The gods will protect you and allow you to shine most brilliantly in this world."

“You will feel incredibly bright.”

"You are now as pure as a girl on the morning of her wedding day."

On the morning of her wedding, she went to bed with James...

As Cersei recalled the past, she glanced at the "sisters" who were chirping like hens with gratitude, and said: "Thank you, I feel like I have cut off a boil and removed a heavy shackle. I feel so relaxed, a feeling I have never had before."

She grabbed the hands of the two nuns, one in each hand, and said, "Thank you again."

Cersei had the warmest smile of her life on her face, and she was imagining the wonderful scene of slapping these nuns in the face. Soon, when she returned to the Red Keep, she would hang them all, Gods have mercy!

The septa whose hand Cersei held put her other hand on the back of the queen's hand and said with unusual excitement, "It is so good to see your smile again, may the gods be merciful."

Amid the low laughter, Sister Unia's voice rang out: "Your Majesty, the Archbishop asked me to find you a new residence where you can receive visitors."

Cersei turned her head, and their eyes met. After a slight pause, she smiled softly at the old nun.

"Thank you for your help, Sister Unia."

Cersei's voice was gentle as water, as if she was talking to a close friend.

…………

Cersei proved to be an excellent penitent, and Septa Unia led her to a large cell with a large window overlooking the marble square and a bed covered with soft blankets.

At dinner time, Cersei devoured a whole roast chicken and a bowl of fresh vegetables sprinkled with chopped walnuts.

Then the lioness fell into a deep sleep under the gaze of the eyes of night.

The next day.

Breakfast was honey milk, soft white bread and boiled eggs.

After Cersei finished her meal, she welcomed the first visitor she invited—her chief of intelligence, Qyburn.

After closing the cell door, Qyburn took a quick look at Cersei who was sitting beside the bed. A smile appeared on his lips, and he stroked his chest and said, "Your Majesty, it seems that your plan has been half successful. Congratulations."

Cersei frowned slightly and said, "Half?"

Qyburn moved to stand in front of Cersei, bowed, and continued, "Since the day before yesterday, there has been a sudden rumor in King's Landing that Lord Green will lead 100,000 troops from the Vale, the Riverlands, and the Crabclaw Peninsula back to King's Landing to restore order here."

He smiled gently: "Duke Green seems to be very angry about what happened to you."

"One hundred thousand?"

Cersei was stunned for a moment, then her face showed surprise and...happiness.

"One by one... all of them..."

She suddenly gritted her teeth and said angrily, "That villain, the High Sparrow, deliberately concealed this news from me! When Green comes back, I will give him the most painful death."

Thinking of the humiliation she suffered kneeling under those dirty feet yesterday, the lioness's teeth could not help but creak. "No, I want him to live and live in the seven levels of hell every day."

Looking at the furious lioness, Qyburn said gently: "Your Majesty, I have to remind you that the High Sparrow still controls your freedom. Your compromise is a wise choice."

Hearing this, Cersei was immediately furious: "What kind of wisdom is this? I was fooled by an old man. I should have waited for him to kneel at my feet, confess and beg for mercy."

After the lioness vented her anger for a while, Qyburn spoke slowly: "Excuse me, but before Duke Green arrives in King's Landing, your situation is still dangerous."

Meeting Cersei's gaze, he continued, "That man was once known as the 'Bloody Lord'. No one is not afraid of him, not to mention those who have offended you, including the High Sparrow himself."

"you mean………"

Qyburn nodded his chin and responded to Cersei's guess: "Yes, if they knew their inevitable end, your situation would become more dangerous. Many times...fear can make people do crazy things that they can't even imagine."

After thinking for a while, Cersei agreed with Qyburn's speculation. She clenched her fist and said, "Green should have come here in secret. Didn't he think about the consequences? Men will become extremely stupid for women. They are all fools!"

As she spoke, she reached out and grabbed Coben tightly. "I can't just sit there and wait to die. Go quietly to find the red robe captain in the Red Castle, and bring them in tonight... tonight. I have to save myself."

Qyburn sighed softly, "Your Majesty, the Red Robes of King's Landing are now under the control of Prime Minister Harys (Kevan's father-in-law), and he is one of those who do not want you to return to the Red Keep. Only by meeting you will the Lannister Red Robes obey you again, not Harys Swyft."

He patted Cersei's hand and added, "Your enemy is not just the High Sparrow. I think... Lord Green did not conceal the purpose of the army's action because he was worried about this."

He paused for a moment, then continued, "Perhaps, in order to save their lives, those people will try every possible means to protect your safety. As long as those people are not really stupid, they will reach a private deal with the devout High Sparrow before Duke Green's army arrives in King's Landing."

Thinking of the High Sparrow, Cersei nodded and said, "Yes, Qyburn, only when I am free from the High Sparrow's captivity can I wait for Green's troops with peace of mind."

Her face twisted, and her clear green eyes turned to Coben. She said in a cold voice, "Tell Pycelle, Harris, and Gales for me that as long as they can find a way to get me back to the Red Keep, I will pardon all their crimes and let them continue to serve as chancellors in the Royal Court. Also tell them that I will be in..."

She gritted her teeth and said, "I guarantee this promise under the witness of the gods."

"As you command, my queen."

Cersei did not sleep well that night. She saw Green riding his horse, and then... when she was about to speak, the High Sparrow suddenly appeared beside her, holding an axe covered in bright red in his withered hands.

…………

…………

On the shore of God's Eye Lake near the Great Cathedral of Heron, there were hundreds of people bathing.

Archbishop Zari specially led Duke Green to a high place with a better view and said, "According to your suggestion... uh... following the guidance of the Seven Gods, today is the day for the Seven Gods' followers to bathe once every seven days... to honor the gods."

Zari was wearing a gorgeous silver robe and a crystal crown of the Archbishop, and the smile on his fat face was a little obscene.

Feeling the cool breeze, Green retracted his gaze and said, "Archbishop Zari, please take your time. I heard that the long summer is about to end."

Archbishop Zari looked at the shore and smiled: "When the long winter comes, the mercy of the gods in heaven will have mercy on the mortals on earth."

Green glanced at Archbishop Zari, who was becoming more and more "devout". He moved his feet and said as he walked, "I have to leave tomorrow. Is there anything I can help you with?"

As they walked together, Archbishop Zari glanced at Green secretly and said, "Lord Green, I have received intelligence that the Warrior Sons of King's Landing (one of the religious armed forces of the Church of the Seven Gods, an organization of knights who believe in the Seven Gods) are planning to...attack the Great Sept of Harren. It is said that they have gathered hundreds of downtrodden knights."

Green turned his head to look at the worried Archbishop Zari, raised his eyebrows slightly, and said, "Is the High Sparrow trying to provoke a civil war in the Church of the Seven?"

(End of this chapter)