There were only the three of them in the quiet woods.
"Sandor, magic is real. I have gained this power, and now it's your turn."
Joffrey was direct, making the best choice for the Hound.
The day before yesterday, after he absorbed the Solid Rune represented by Blacklight, the speed of Rune Energy accumulation became four times what it was initially.
Although it was still not quite enough, King's Landing was not far, and he needed to start preparing.
The Runes on the Glass Candle were likely auxiliary and wouldn't be of much help in the current situation. He decided to use the Rune Energy on his trusted followers first.
Hannah, standing beside him, also spoke up to persuade, "By His Highness's grace, I have gained the power of magic. Look."
Hannah extended her right hand and pressed it against the tree trunk beside her, activating her Fire Magic Energy. In just a few breaths, the vibrant tree showed scorched marks, and then fiery tongues with bared fangs and brandished claws reached out towards the three of them.
The Hound's hair instantly stood on end, and he couldn't help but retreat several steps.
Fire, his lingering nightmare.
Joffrey swore to solve this fatal weakness of the Hound.
"Sandor, there's nothing to fear about fire! Magic will make fire embrace you, like protective swords and armor."
The Crown Prince pressed firmly on the Hound's shoulders. "Don't move. This is my command, do not disobey. Accept the power of the raging fire, you will like it."
The Hound ultimately didn't move again.
A scorching energy enveloped him, a familiar yet strange sensation, mysterious and wondrous, as if even his soul trembled because of it.
Then came another energy, seemingly without any clear sensation, yet appearing somewhat warm and gentle.
Joffrey was very satisfied with his new creation.
The Hound using fire as a weapon, just thinking about it was interesting. He wondered if the Recovery Rune could heal burn scars?
The Fire Rune Mirror Image and Recovery Rune Mirror Image each consumed 3 units of Rune Energy. He had also given Hannah a Fire Rune Mirror Image yesterday, so Joffrey had less than 1 unit of Rune Energy remaining.
The Hound gradually came to his senses.
His body was getting hotter and hotter, as if he had been thrown into boiling lava, yet there was not the slightest pain.
Fire!
He remembered the brazier Gregor had pressed him into when he was a child. The bright red charcoal roasted his skin and flesh. Amidst the sizzling sounds, he smelled the scent of fire and burning meat. Hell could be no worse than that.
The Crown Prince patted his shoulder.
"Fire is no longer your enemy. Master this power as soon as possible."
"After returning to King's Landing, you will accompany me north to Winterfell. Do not expose the existence of magic during this time."
Joffrey added with deep meaning, "After returning to King's Landing from the North, there will be a time when you will need to use this power."
The Hound nodded silently.
The changes these past few days had been too great. He was still used to the previous way of interacting, where the Crown Prince gave orders and he followed them, everything so straightforward and simple.
When you're a dog, don't think too much. It's not good for anyone.
Roar~
A low, majestic beast's roar suddenly echoed throughout the woods.
The Hound immediately became alert.
He stared intently in the direction the sound came from, holding his sword in both hands in a defensive posture.
"Be careful, Your Highness."
Joffrey placed his right hand on "Dragonflame," which was worn at his waist, and wasn't too nervous.
How could there be fierce beasts in a place like this?
He just found it strange.
The Goldroad connected the wealthy Westerlands to King's Landing, the capital of the Seven Kingdoms. There was a constant flow of people every day. What kind of wild beast would be so foolish as to dwell here?
He quickly saw the answer.
It was indeed a fierce beast.
Hannah gasped in surprise, and the pink cracked scar on the Hound's left face was stretched so taut it looked like it would tear.
Its head was as tall as a person, and its body length was equal to two people. It was entirely brown-yellow, with smooth and shiny fur. Its well-defined muscles seemed to radiate heat, and the gaze from its golden eyes was as sharp as needles.
What Joffrey saw was a beautiful, majestic, and unyielding Mountain Giant Lion.
His expression became serious.
A lion larger than a polar bear, a lion that had never been discovered despite operating in the heart of the Seven Kingdoms, was this scientific?
Perhaps not scientific, but Joffrey knew that this world had mysterious powers, and there had indeed been giant lions in the mountains of the Westerlands in the past.
The giant lion looked at them, then took a step forward.
All three were startled at the same time.
Joffrey quickly drew "Dragonflame," while simultaneously communicating with the Fire Rune and Solid Rune within his body.
The magic energy accumulated over several days was considerable, but looking at the giant lion opposite, he didn't know if he could successfully hit this agile big cat in combat.
He suddenly realized his fragility.
The power of magic was still in its infancy, and he hadn't grown into a warrior. He was no more likely to survive than anyone else.
I got too carried away.
The smooth progress of his magic research over the past few days had made him forget the cruelty of this world. Now, with this lesson, he probably wouldn't forget again.
"Sandor, try to control that power. The flames will help us survive."
"Hannah, ignite the surrounding trees."
"I'll keep an eye on it."
Could flames scare away such a fierce beast?
Joffrey's gaze was fixed on the giant lion, injecting fire magic energy into Dragonflame in his hand. The sword's blade gradually turned red.
The giant lion didn't come any closer.
In a skirmish in this environment, the defending side had fewer weaknesses and more reaction time.
Both sides were in a stalemate.
Hannah seized the opportunity to fully drive her fire magic energy.
The surrounding flames gradually intensified, the air grew hotter and hotter, and light and shadow began to slightly distort.
The giant lion shook its head, its thick mane dancing with the movement.
From those golden beast eyes, Joffrey seemed to see its comfort and even enjoyment.
The Hound's sword ignited with flames.
In the face of immense danger, he finally cast aside his fear of fire.
The Hound stepped forward, shielding the Crown Prince behind him.
"Your Highness, in the name of House Clegane, I will fight to the death."
He remembered the old stories his grandfather told him over and over.
As the dog trainer of Casterly Rock, his grandfather was fortunate enough to save Lord Tytos Lannister, who was being chased by a lion one autumn, losing a leg and three hounds in the process.
House Clegane, with three dogs as its sigil, was born from this.
The Hound grinned.
This lion should be bigger than that one, and there are no dogs this time.
No, I am The Hound.
He raised the flaming sword, calculating the direction and angle of his charge.
The Crown Prince's hand stopped him.
"No, wait. Time is on our side."
The unusual climate of Westeros had nurtured special vegetation.
Summers would last for several years, and winters were just as long. Trees had long learned to metabolize according to years rather than seasons.
Summer in the Seven Kingdoms had now lasted for nine years, and the forest floor was covered with dry leaves.
Once the fire started, no one could stop it.
Those with fire runes, however, could use fire magic energy to resist the damage of flames, undoubtedly giving them an advantage.
Fire snakes slowly crawled along the layer of fallen leaves towards the giant lion.
I don't believe you still won't move this time.
Joffrey watched expectantly.
But when the flames reached the giant lion's feet, he saw a familiar red glow enveloping its body.
How is this possible?!
He saw the light of fire magic energy and felt the unique sensation of magic energy.
A magic creature?
The curiosity and desire in his heart were canceling out his fear of death.
Not only did it have fire runes, but this lion could also conceal its magic aura, only revealing a hint when using magic energy.
Could it be aware of the existence and function of runes?
Could it wield rune energy?
Would it actively seek the power of new runes? No, it shouldn't be able to see the patterns, so it's impossible for it to do that.
A thought suddenly popped into Joffrey's mind: Perhaps the appearance of this giant lion was because it sensed the aura of my fire magic here and came from its hidden, unknown territory to take a look? Is it looking for its kind?
The raging flames devoured everything in sight.
The hot, thin air, mixed with scattered ashes, showed malice equally to all living creatures.
The Mountain Giant Lion shook its body, then turned and trotted away leisurely.
Watching the giant lion's figure disappear, they immediately fled this desolate land in the opposite direction.
A few hundred meters away, the three of them stopped.
The Lannister soldiers arrived late, and leading the reconnaissance was none other than "Kingslayer" Jaime Lannister.
"Joffrey, what happened? Why did it suddenly catch fire?"
Joffrey glanced at his nominal uncle, then turned his head to gaze in the direction the giant lion had left.
"A wonderful accident."
Since we met, it seems you are destined to be my mount.
He was very curious.
Just how many Direwolves could a fire-breathing Mountain Giant Lion defeat?
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