597 Chapter 597: The Trial of Tywin

"Bring forth the accused."

There was no need for a lengthy invocation to start the public trial.

With a rustling sound, everyone settled after Viserys took his seat. Only when he gave the nod could the nobles and the two judges on the platform sit.

He gestured for the soldiers to usher Tywin Lannister forward.

To deal with these individuals was merely a formality for Viserys. He might not harbor intense hatred towards them. The leniency he showed during the trials, except for the betraying Targaryens, always leaned towards minimal execution.

Yet, in contrast, Oberyn's massacre in the Westerlands painted Viserys as a merciful ruler.

If this were the Viserys from the original timeline, he'd be thirsting to tear apart people like Tywin, Eddard Stark, and the Kingslayer, finding no punishment severe enough to quench his rage.

Because, after all, he felt no genuine connection to the father he nominally represented.

The once glorious Tywin Lannister, now dressed in prisoner's garb, bound and shackled, was pushed forward. Gone were the brilliant golden armor and crimson cloak; now only an old man, a prisoner, remained.

His forehead, freshly wounded, was hastily bandaged. But he was pushed to the center nonetheless.

The citizens of King's Landing greeted Tywin's appearance with deafening boos. Had it not been for the Kingsguard's presence and the presence of the King himself, they would have thrown whatever they could lay their hands on.

For many, the memory of the Lannister's treachery in King's Landing was still fresh.

"Kneel!"

The Unsullied soldiers pushed Tywin to the ground, forcing him to bow before the assembled lords.

"It's been a long time, Lord Tywin," the silver-haired youth on the dais commented with a calm voice.

When Tywin was first brought to King's Landing, Viserys hadn't bothered to see him. Mocking a defeated enemy felt tasteless.

The last time they had met was during a war council in Riverrun. Then, they had stood side by side, leaders of men, discussing how to save the world.

But how quickly allegiances shift. A united humanity, having just repelled a common threat, was soon embroiled in civil war, only ending today.

"Yes, it has been," Tywin responded from his position on the ground, his voice raspy. "The last time we met, we were allies."

He raised his head, scanning the familiar and unfamiliar faces. Those on the dais were the victors and beneficiaries of the recent war. After the recent power reshuffle, many unfamiliar faces now sat in places of power.

Yet for Tywin, karma had come full circle. Decades ago, he sat in a similar position, reaping the rewards of the Rebellion with minimal effort. Now, it was time for him to pay his dues.

The trial began with testimonies from commoners of King's Landing. A series of witnesses, chosen for their eloquence and representativeness, spoke against the Lannister house.

A fisherman's son, now in his twenties and with a family of his own, tearfully recounted the horrors his family faced during the Lannister sack of King's Landing.

A merchant spoke of his shop being looted, his employees killed, and his subsequent financial ruin.

Alliser Thorne, a knight of the Night's Watch, and once a loyal knight of the Targaryen house, spoke of the Lannister betrayal.

"Yes," Varys, the Spider, interjected, standing in the sun, "Lannister soldiers stormed the Red Keep, killing Princess Elia Martell, and sought to exterminate the entire royal line, including Prince Aegon. If it weren't for me smuggling the young Prince out..."

Varys' voice trailed off as he shared the secrets of that fateful day. Then, with a glance towards Tywin, he concluded, "The Lannister house's intent to wipe out the royal family is clear. As retribution, the house should be removed from history."

Sitting on the dais, Ser Gregor Clegane, the Mountain, looked broken and tormented, a shadow of his former self. His eyes, full of fear, darted towards Oberyn.

Another knight, Sandor Clegane, the Mountain's brother, watched with satisfaction. "This is what you deserve!" he shouted.

In response, the Mountain only managed to glance towards Sandor, his lips trembling, but no words came out.