Chapter 51: Interrogation

"A qualified king should not personally deal with such a lowly criminal."

"Your Majesty."

However, when the old knight standing in front of the map table heard Viserys' request, his brow furrowed slightly before he spoke up.

"He will sully your hands."

He didn't know why Viserys wanted to personally deal with this traitor, but such an act would be acceptable for anyone else but a king.

It could even affect the king's honor.

And after all, Viserys was only an eight-year-old child at this point.

At what age did Ser Joffrey kill someone?

He couldn't remember.

But it seemed like it was during his teenage years, around sixteen or seventeen.

He impulsively drew his sword and killed a man in the street, his chest stained with blood. His palms were trembling, and even though he had practiced swordsmanship diligently, he couldn't hold onto the sword after the actual kill.

Since then, Ser Joffrey had left his family, his hometown, and even the land. He didn't want to return to Westeros, nor did he want to bring up his past.

And how old was Viserys when he achieved all this?

Now, although the boy still panicked when faced with the threat of death, he could already take an enemy's life without a change in his expression, sentencing someone to death without blinking an eye.

Maturity is a good thing for a young king with a troubled fate.

After all, Viserys bore a heavy burden on his shoulders, carrying the responsibility of restoring his country and his family. He didn't even have the luxury of being kind to his enemies, as that would be cruel to himself.

However, Ser Joffrey was still afraid that Viserys would become a bloodthirsty tyrant in the future.

Just like his father, the "Mad King", few monarchs in history have been given such a title.

The young king was actually quite fortunate. In addition to leaving him a stunning amount of tangible wealth on Dragonstone, the Targaryen name had also accumulated a priceless intangible spiritual treasure for him.

Queen Rhaella, Maester Aemon, Master-at-Arms Ser Willem Darry at the Red Keep, and even the current Fleet Commander Ser Joffrey, among many others, remained loyal to the Targaryens...

These people would help and guide Viserys at critical moments, help him overcome difficulties, and prevent him from straying.

Viserys, standing in front of the seat, listened to the old knight's words and fell silent for a moment.

Although he deeply trusted the old man, he felt it was more appropriate to keep some things hidden in his heart for now.

He couldn't explain to Ser Joffrey the matters of the black mist and Valyrian text, and he couldn't explain them clearly at the moment.

After all, Viserys hadn't figured out what the black mist was or the unclear relationship between it and the Valyrian civilization.

However, there was one thing he knew for sure.

That was "it" needed life. It required Viserys to personally end lives, and there had to be a medium to connect them. Using long-range weapons like crossbows and indirectly killing enemies would not work.

Then it would draw something from the body of the person killed, turning it into black mist and merging it into the whole mass of black mist, which would be used to strengthen him.

"Ser."

After some hesitation, Viserys looked up and spoke again, having organized his thoughts.

"I don't want to personally execute a criminal, nor am I indulging in the thrill of killing."

Viserys looked at the old man in front of the map table, his beautiful pale purple eyes calm.

"Instead, I am seeking justice for Maester Aemon, and for the many innocent soldiers who lost their lives in this rebellion."

...

"They all died to protect me, and I must seek justice for them."

Viserys started his lie with some uncertainty, but as he continued, he grew more confident and even looked straight into the eyes of the old knight.

It wasn't that he was becoming better at lying, but rather that he accepted the reasoning he'd found for himself.

He ought to seek justice for those who had died innocent deaths.

Since the poisoning of the old maester a few months ago, the mercenaries from Essos who had infiltrated the castle, and the two guards who had just died at the gate, including the loyal guards who had never faltered by his side.

Viserys felt he should indeed do something.

Upon hearing Viserys' words, Ser Joffrey hesitated slightly. He could sense the falsehood in the young king's words, but the final conviction in his voice made him waver.

Queen Rhaella was dead, and the maester had died even earlier.

The old knight felt he should act as a 'strict father', and he absolutely couldn't let Viserys go down the wrong path.

Such a failure would not only be a betrayal of the Queen and the maester's trust but also of the prince he had once followed, Rhaegar Targaryen, the Duke of Dragonstone.

The Dragonstone fleet and the old knight still remained loyal to the Targaryen banner because of the prince's exceptional personal charisma.

Now, however, it seemed they had one more reason, at least for the old knight.

That reason was to nurture Viserys' growth.

The decisiveness, courage, wisdom, and remarkable progress shown by Rhaegar's younger brother since his acquaintance with the second prince inspired hope in Ser Joffrey.

The hope for a future where the Targaryens could regroup, lead an army across the sea to conquer the Seven Kingdoms, and trample Westeros beneath their feet.

"In that case..."

The old knight stood before the map table, looking at Viserys, and removed his helmet, which shimmered with a metallic luster and was speckled with blood.

Though nearing sixty, the old knight's muscles beneath his armor remained strong, and he had even personally killed a rebel just moments ago.

Ser Joffrey removed his helmet, revealing his grizzled head, and with a single hand holding the helmet against his chest plate, he nodded slightly.

"I am willing to perform this duty on your behalf, Your Grace."

After saluting, Ser Joffrey gestured to the soldiers to drag away the Dragonstone castellan, who was now barely breathing.

He ordered someone to treat the castellan and keep him alive, as they still needed the information from the Dornishman.

Then, he left without looking back.

Viserys, standing in front of the throne, watched the old knight's actions, hesitated for a moment, then took a deep breath. He wanted to say something but couldn't bring himself to speak.

Once, the most pressing issue before Viserys was how to accept the 'legacy' left behind by his older brother Rhaegar.

For though he bore the Targaryen name, he was just an eight-year-old child.

His age alone made it difficult for him to gain respect and be taken seriously.

He wondered how he could persuade these soldiers who had once followed his brother to obey his commands.

But now, it seemed that this problem had been resolved.

Ser Joffrey had just expressed his willingness to support him.

...