The Glory of the Seven Gods of Ice and Fire

Chapter 189: Submission under the Great Wall

Looking at those holy war knights who stood straight all the time, Jon couldn't help but wonder if their devout belief in the Seven Gods could really support them? It actually made these people stay alert all the time.

Among the reinforcements heading north to the Great Wall, Jon admired these holy war knights the most. Like their captain, they were devout in their faith but not as fanatical as those believers; they were firm in discipline but not as proud as those knights.

This was the kind of team that only appeared in the poems that Sansa liked. Jon had always thought that it only existed in poems, but now he actually saw such a team.

This is a group worth aspiring to, a group that one should really join, Jon always thought so. He couldn't help but imagine that he joined the Knights Crusade instead of the Night's Watch, but he also knew that was absolutely impossible.

In the North, he could only join the Night's Watch.

Jon has been reading the Bible of the Seven Stars recently. He wants to know the source of these knights' power. Although Jon always feels a betrayal of his father's beliefs and even his identity as a Stark when reading the Bible of the Seven Stars, he quickly lets go of this feeling. Jon is a pragmatic person. The most important thing is to figure out what is happening in the present, rather than dwelling on the past.

Bonifur Hastie, the captain of the Knights Crusade, walked out of the tower. Captain Bonifur was so dazzling that Jon even felt that he was a little dazzling when he stood in front of him.

The Crusader Knights on duty immediately saluted him, and the Grand Master came before him.

"Hello, Lord Jon. Did Commander Mormont give any orders?"

As Old Bear's officer, Jon naturally came to convey Old Bear's orders, but when he heard the title "Sir", Jon felt a little ridiculous. He knew that the Grand Master was not laughing at him, but he found it funny to use this title for a bastard.

"Lord Bonifer, Commander Mormont asked me to tell you that the wildlings have sent messengers in response to their demands, and they have agreed to pass through the Wall in exchange for submission."

In the past few months, the wildling raiders have launched an attack on the Great Wall almost across the board, and the main force of the wildlings has also attacked the Great Wall several times. Although they were all resisted by the Night's Watch, everyone was extremely exhausted.

However, war is also the most challenging thing. The new recruits who joined the army with Jon at the same time have now become qualified Night's Watchmen, and the new recruits sent by Andas have also become members of the legion in battle.

"I will meet with Lord Commander Mormont immediately, Lord Jon."

As he spoke, the Grand Master walked towards the Old Bear's tower, and Jon hurriedly followed behind him. The knights and soldiers passing by on the road saluted the Grand Master. These salutes were all from the heart. The Grand Master had already won the respect of everyone with his actions. Even the most unkind Ser Alliser had to admit that the Grand Master was a saint.

Old Bear's room was very simple. Jon had no idea how many times he had seen it. Now, Old Bear was sitting in the main seat. The officers of the Night's Watch were on his left, where there were many familiar faces to Jon. The Southerners were on his right, and Jon saw a thin knight. That man was very famous on the Wall because he always told very negative jokes. Now everyone called him "Melancholy" Eddie.

There was another wildling in the meeting room. His skin was quite dark. Jon understood that since he was standing here, he must be the wildling's messenger.

Jon consciously stood behind Old Bear. He was Old Bear's affairs officer, which was equivalent to Old Bear's attendant, and a potential candidate for the next commander-in-chief.

Jon saw Sam sitting at the desk nearby. Maester Aemon was too old, so he was now the one taking minutes of the meeting. When he saw Jon, he smiled, but then immediately focused his attention on paper and pen.

The minutes of the meeting are a system implemented by Old Bear after the revival of the Night's Watch. It is one of the measures taken to adapt to the management problems after the expansion of the Legion. It is said to be a management technique from the South. Jon doesn't know what effect it has, but judging from Old Bear's reaction, the effect should be very good.

The officer noticed that Old Bear's gaze was drawn to the appearance of a knight, a member of the Holy War Knights wearing a visored helmet.

He knew the man, a knight who had taken a vow of silence. Jon had never seen him without his helmet, but he had saved the Old Bear once in a battle against the wildlings.

However, the old bear did not thank the knight for this, but the relationship between the two sides fell into an awkward situation. Jon felt that there must be something wrong between the two, but neither of them said anything, and the awkward relationship remained.

"Everyone, I'm glad to see you all here, and I'm grateful for your efforts in protecting the Great Wall." Old Xiong made his usual speech, drawing everyone's attention to himself. "Now, I've brought you good news. The wildlings have agreed to surrender. These stubborn people have decided to bend their knees to us in exchange for passing through the Great Wall. Everyone, they have nowhere else to go, and the initiative is now in our hands!"

Old Bear's words caused a burst of whispers. Most people were unaware of the news that the savages agreed to surrender. Only top officers like Bonifer would know it in advance.

"So what are the conditions for the savages?"

A voice asked, causing everyone to quiet down and look towards Old Xiong.

The one who spoke at this time was the young man next to Old Bear. "I am Jarl. I am here on behalf of Mance. Mance's conditions are very simple. We are willing to kneel down, willing to pledge allegiance to the master in the south, and willing to... exchange our freedom for passage."

As the young man said these words, his mouth was full of bitterness, a bitterness that everyone present could feel. Jon felt very sympathetic towards the wildling in front of him. The submission that had to be made in order to survive... Jon still understood some of it.

So he subconsciously shifted his gaze to Sam and found that Sam was writing desperately, all his attention was on recording the speeches of the participants. He was so focused that he didn't notice Jon's gaze at all.

Jon was a little disappointed, but soon he was happy for Sam's present. Sam's concentration made him exude a different kind of charm. Jon felt that his sisters probably liked this kind of Sam.

The reinforcements were all quiet, but the Night's Watch was in a state of panic. Allowing the wildlings to pass through the Wall was something that had never happened since the birth of the Night's Watch. There was a big disagreement within the Night's Watch on whether to make this decision.

However, Jon noticed that many officers supported allowing the wildlings to pass through the Wall. He was not surprised by this. Ever since the Night's Watch's largest financial backer expressed his preference for negotiating with the wildlings and avoiding providing military forces to the White Walkers, many people tended to prefer this option.

After all, he is the breadwinner of the Night's Watch, and a favored one of the Seven Gods. His words have a huge impact on the Wall. In addition, it has become increasingly difficult for the wildlings to plunder in the North over the years. But psychologically, people don't have such a strong aversion to the wildlings.

The view of those who opposed the entry of the wildlings was simple: if so many wildlings entered the south, the chaos they would create would be too great. Who would feed these people? Who would manage them? The Duke of the North had gone south to rescue his father, and the forces of the North were all in the south.

The Night's Watch exists to defend the kingdom and protect humanity, not to bring chaos to the kingdom. It would be ironic if that were the case.

The reason given by the opposition is so powerful that no matter what reasons the supporters give, they all seem so powerless. No matter how good the idea is, it will fall short when faced with reality.

As a result, the meeting came to a stalemate.

Jon's thoughts drifted away. He really wanted to meet the one favored by God and see who this person was who created so many miracles. However, his heart told him that this was impossible. He was a man in black who would always be guarding the Wall. He was a darling of the gods who lived under the shining of the Seven Gods.

"Wildlings want to go south? Want to get away from the White Walkers and winter?"

Just as the two groups were arguing more and more fiercely, Eddie Tollett's voice interrupted the useless quarrel and focused everyone's attention on him.

"The ships that go south are always empty anyway. So let's use them to carry the wildlings. Let them go south, let them go to Pentos. There is plenty of food and space in the south, and there will be fewer mouths to feed on the Wall. They may even be able to continue their old lives there—without kneeling."

After these words, the entire venue fell silent, because no one here expected to hear such words.

Jon was one of them, but he did not doubt the truthfulness of this man's words, and he believed that others did the same, because everyone knew this man's identity, Eddie Tollett, a relative of Hugo Tollett and his servant - everyone knew that this man was the representative of the God's Chosen Ones on the Wall.

"Master Eddie, can you tell me your thoughts in detail?"

The awkward silence was broken by Old Xiong. It was most appropriate for him to ask the question here, so everyone looked at Eddie, wanting to hear what he would say.

"Lord Hugo's war needs soldiers, a living force to break the impasse." Eddie was far more direct than Jon expected. "In my opinion, the wildlings are just the right force. Their strength is enough to become a weapon, a sword to stab the Confederacy. And under Lord Hugo's leadership, they will surely win. By then, the wildlings will get what they want on the land of the Confederacy."

The Confederation, Jon knew them. After the expedition to Westeros, the remaining free trade cities organized this alliance to fight against the forces of Westeros, but as far as Jon knew, they still had more defeats than wins.

Jon knew a thing or two about the chaos in the East. The orders from the Iron Throne seemed to have plunged the East into chaos, and Hugo Tollett was working hard to put this chaotic situation in order.

These were truly war-torn times, Jon thought. The West was at war, the East was at war, and in the North there was a great enemy from ancient legends. These were truly unstable times...

Then, Jon thought of his father, his whereabouts, and his sister who was still in King's Landing. Jon felt powerless. He is now a Night's Watchman, and he must be loyal to his duty. Since he has chosen responsibility, he must be loyal to it.

Jon put aside the chaotic thoughts in his mind and continued to focus on the current situation. Because of Eddie's opinion, the Night's Watch argued for a while, but soon all the arguments stopped because Eddie's opinion could be said to have blocked all objections.

"Then, do the savages have any objections?" Old Xiong looked at the savage's messenger.

Faced with so many gazes, the young savage was not panicked. He showed a conflicted look, but soon realized that he had no choice. "We have no opinion."

"However, there is another question here." The old bear nodded, and then continued, "Regarding Mance Rayder, the Night's Watch wants to know what the wildlings' attitude is."

Ah, yes, this incident reminded Jon of his identity as a deserter from the Night's Watch of the King Beyond the Wall. He had almost forgotten about it, but it seemed that the old bear had not forgotten it at all.

Jon is curious about Mance Rayder, the wildling chieftain and self-proclaimed king. He wants to see the man who escaped from the Night's Watch and conquered the wildlings.

The Savages showed an embarrassment on their faces, but Eddie spoke up at this time, "Lord Hugo has also expressed his opinion on this man. Lord Hugo wants this self-proclaimed king to pass through the Great Wall and come to the south. The Savage Tribe still needs this man to lead it. Lord Hugo needs an organized army, not refugees who need to be reorganized."

How could the God's favored know so much about what's happening outside the Wall? Jon thought, but the breadwinners of the Night's Watch had spoken, and some things had been decided. No one objected to the words coming from the south, not even the old Night's Watch who adhered most to the traditions of the Night's Watch.

Jon once again realized how much influence he could have on a group after controlling the resources. Then he saw that Old Bear looked unhappy. Few people could make Old Bear like this, but in the end, Old Bear still said reluctantly, "Since this is what Lord Hugo wants, then let it be."

Following these words, the wildlings' faces relaxed, while some of the Night's Watch became unhappy like Old Bear, but that was all.

Jon felt it was absurd. Was this the end? Could the wildlings just pass through the Wall and head south?

Why did Jon feel so fake, so unreal, so unreal even though he was in the middle of an event that was big enough to be recorded in the annals?

However, no matter what Jon thought, he understood that with Sam's records, all of this would become a record circulated in history books, and everything was settled.

(End of this chapter)