"How many people are there in Pentos?"
Joffrey suddenly asked Tyrion, who was on the Snow Bear beside him.
Tyrion looked out at the faintly visible Wall in the distance, not understanding why Joffrey was thinking about Pentos at a time like this.
"Four or five hundred thousand, perhaps, with another million or two outside the city, maybe more."
Joffrey nodded without speaking, but in his heart, he marveled at Elin's significant actions. Pentos had truly suffered this time.
He had seen the Bloody Night of Pentos.
Although he had obtained the Location, Scout, and Recall Runes after Elin had set sail, he hadn't prepared the mediums in advance, so he couldn't observe Elin's every word and action.
But there were many mediums targeting the city-state of Pentos: Pentos gold coins, Amber Wine, Saffron, Dragon Eggs, and so on.
Through these mediums, he could use the Location Rune to determine Pentos's location information, and then input that information into the Scout Rune. This allowed him to see Pentos from The North.
From then on, Joffrey observed the situation in Pentos at regular intervals every day.
Last night's blood and fire declared victory to him.
Daenerys and Viserion were about to fall into his hands, Pentos had been severely wounded, and the relationship between the Dothraki and the Free Cities would inevitably deteriorate. The two sides would likely return to a state of opposition.
In such a situation, would the Dothraki cavalry still cross the Narrow Sea by ship?
Varys and Illyrio's conspiracy had been reduced to nothing.
Without the Beggar King and Daenerys as shields, the Young Aegon, whom they truly supported for restoration, had lost a major helper and would find it difficult to hide on Essos and silently build up strength.
He wondered how Varys would react?
Joffrey knew that Varys would learn the news from Pentos within a few days. By then, would The Spider of the Red Keep flee or kill?
He chose to trust Hannah's resolve and the Lannister forces remaining in King's Landing.
"Your Highness," Benjen reminded him, "It's only half a day's journey to Castle Black. It's the largest of the three remaining operational fortresses among the nineteen on The Wall, the headquarters of The Night's Watch."
Joffrey glanced at him. "Now is not the time. After I ascend the throne, I will work to improve the situation of The Night's Watch."
Benjen almost couldn't help but ask "How long will that take?", but thankfully he didn't speak.
Benjen was not the only one heartbroken by the current decline of The Night's Watch. The Lord Commander, "Old Bear" Jeor Mormont, the hundred-year-old Maester Aemon, and all the brothers who felt a sense of belonging to The Night's Watch could only watch as The Night's Watch declined day by day.
The Night's Watch was once the hero guarding the safety of the Seven Kingdoms, now merely a motley crew defending against Wildlings;
The Night's Watch was once seen as a symbol of honor and dedication, with many Knights, nobles, and good families joining voluntarily. Now, only criminals and disfavored noble children were willing to serve reluctantly;
The Night's Watch once had tens of thousands of brothers, stationed in nineteen strong fortresses, enough to resist all foreign enemies. Now, less than a thousand people guarded The Wall, which stretched for hundreds of kilometers.
Benjen believed what the Wildling woman said was true.
Why wouldn't he believe it? Thinking about it carefully, there were too many abandoned places on The Wall. What was one secret passage?
He could lead men to seal this one, but if The Night's Watch continued to decline, who would be sent to seal the next secret passage? Furthermore, would the Wildlings still need to sneak across the border then?
Benjen silently watched Joffrey's back.
Besides The North, the only important person who still believed in the value of The Night's Watch was the Crown Prince.
The image of King Robert's sudden death flashed in his mind. Benjen quickly shook his head vigorously, shaking away that wicked thought.
The Gods forgive me, that was not my intention, never.
Beyond Benjen's sight.
A hidden smile flickered across Joffrey's lips.
It was afternoon, and the cold wind howled.
The Wall grew larger and taller in their eyes, gradually filling the entire world.
The sunlight shone directly on this giant blue and white serpent stretching across the end of the world. As the giant serpent breathed in and out, the crystal blue light in their eyes flickered accordingly.
The Gods.
Its boundless body seemed to hold all the Ice in the world.
Tyrion was silent and solemn. Having witnessed the existence of magic, how could he still doubt the great mystery of The Wall?
To be able to keep the terrifying Others out, The Wall must possess vast power.
They approached a little closer.
They saw Castle Black below The Wall, but even though it could accommodate thousands of people, it was just an insignificant corner at the foot of The Wall.
More than a dozen people in black cloaks rode horses to greet them.
"Your Royal Highness, all the brothers of The Night's Watch have been waiting for a long time. It is a great honor for everyone at Castle Black to serve you."
The speaker was a bald old man with a long beard.
Joffrey smiled and nodded.
Benjen stepped forward a few steps and embraced the old man. "Lord Commander, I'm back."
The Lord Commander patted his back hard. "Benjen, you're finally back. My hair has all fallen out waiting for you. The Wall truly cannot be without you for a single day."
Even Benjen rarely smiled. "Lord Commander's hair was gone long ago, how can you blame me?"
Everyone immediately burst into laughter.
The Lord Commander, "Old Bear," exchanged greetings with Yoren and the others one by one, chatting warmly and incessantly.
As Joffrey listened to their conversation, he gradually matched the names he remembered with these faces.
Beside the Old Bear was his attendant, the steward Eddison Tollett, "Dolorous" Edd;
The ruddy fat man was the chief steward of The Night's Watch, Bowen Marsh;
The stern-faced man seemed incapable of smiling, he was the master-at-arms of The Night's Watch, Alliser Thorne;
The one with the protruding chin was the chief builder, Othell Yarwyck;
The strong one-armed man with a big belly was Donal Noye. He had been the smith for the Baratheon family, personally forging Robert's Warhammer and Stannis's first sword.
The assertion that "Robert is True Steel, Stannis is Pure Iron, and Renly is pretty but worthless Bright Copper" came from his mouth.
Stannis did seem like Pure Iron, and Renly...
Joffrey really wanted to believe the part about Renly, but as long as Renly was alive, he wouldn't underestimate this great enemy.
Lord Commander Old Bear came before Joffrey again.
"Your Highness, Castle Black is quite dilapidated. We have done our best to clean up the King's Tower. We hope you will not find it too unsatisfactory."
Joffrey waved his hand at the Old Bear, "You have gone to so much trouble, Lord Commander. How could I be picky?"
His gaze was firm, and facing the gathered members of The Night's Watch, he encouraged them loudly, "You are all brave and valiant men. The kingdom will not forget your contributions. I promise you, as the Crown Prince, that The Night's Watch will regain its former glory, in just a year or two!"
Everyone cheered and thanked him gratefully.
But Joffrey knew in his heart that perhaps only Tyrion, the inexperienced Jon, and half of Benjen and Yoren truly believed his words.
Regardless, the secrets of The Wall were beckoning to him.
The party entered Castle Black.
Joffrey smelled the ancient, powerful, and sweet scent of magic.
Oh, how he wanted it.
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