-74- The third day

The Challenge Stage, with the red sun rising.

Compared to yesterday, more people gathered around the platform, regardless of their exact mood.

Today's opening had a big change.

More than thirty fully armored warriors first stood on the stage, forming a triangular formation.

Standing alone at the forefront of the formation was a broad, rotund figure.

"OHHHH!"

Suddenly, the platform erupted with synchronized battle cries.

The more than thirty armored warriors on the stage exuded an aura that seemed no less than that of a thousand-man battalion.

...

The noisy crowd froze in place, as if witnessing a dangerous battlefield with flesh and blood flying everywhere.

Attracted by the commotion, the surrounding crowd fell silent.

Music began to play, an unfamiliar tune composed of the commonly heard instruments of the Reach.

Although unfamiliar, the rhythm was highly engaging.

The armored warriors on the platform moved to the rhythm, producing a metallic clanging sound, their powerful and coordinated movements exuding beauty.

Especially the man at the front, whose movements were full of power and yet still agile.

This agile man, standing in the C position by merit, was Mordin Waters.

The fully armed dancers on the stage were Gallen's soldiers.

The dance they performed was the Crabclaw Point Victory Dance, which had recently become popular in their domain.

The entertainment-starved and simple Crabb domain quickly embraced this battle-spirited dance.

Gallen had originally thought that Phillip would earn a title like "Dancer Knight," but the opposite happened.

Because of the dance's name, Knight Phillip earned the title of "Victory Knight."

Upon hearing this privately, Gallen was stunned for a moment, then patted the grateful Phillip on the shoulder.

...

At the end of the group dance, the soldiers let out a roar and uniformly raised their weapons towards the sky.

For a moment, the people of the Reach forgot the conflicts on the platform and cheered for the splendid performance of the soldiers.

The Reach's favorability increased by one.

Gallen nodded slightly with satisfaction; doing things requires both relaxation and tension, which is beneficial for his strategy of extreme pulling.

...

Gallen stood on the platform, holding his sword with one hand.

Today, there was a hint of gentleness on Gallen's face, as if time had returned to the first day of the challenge.

No match would last more than five rounds.

Soon, the first challenger of the third day stepped onto the stage.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

The clash of swords rang out.

The challenger could not even launch an attack, only passively parrying, while Gallen's sword strikes grew stronger with each blow.

With a clang, the challenger's sword fell to the ground.

The challenger stood dazed, staring at the fallen sword, his face ashen.

The surrounding crowd briefly felt sympathy for the challenger who lost in just three strikes.

But this emotion was short-lived; they were more concerned with the next challenger, not continuously sympathizing with a loser. What they anticipated was the victory of the Reach's swordsmen.

...

Having arrived in Highgarden the night before, Samwell Tarly and his siblings secured a good vantage point early in the morning with the help of their guards.

His younger brother Dickon Tarly waved his little fists excitedly: "Oh, what amazing swordsmanship!"

His kind-hearted sister Talla Tarly was more concerned about the defeated and dejected challengers, silently praying for their swift recovery.

Samwell Tarly's mind was preoccupied with thoughts of the fat man. They had similar physiques, but how could that fat man be so agile?

The broad and heavy body seemed not to hinder his flexibility at all.

Dickon excitedly asked Samwell, "Brother, can I invite Lord Gallen to lunch?"

Samwell wanted to say it should be possible.

Because Samwell knew their father, Randyll Tarly, was renowned as one of the greatest general in Westeros, with significant prestige.

Gallen Crabb, also a military noble, would likely be willing to befriend Randyll Tarly's descendants.

...

Samwell's lips moved, but he didn't know how to start.

The current situation was Gallen challenging the swordsmen of the Reach. If he and his brother went to befriend Gallen now, he worried it would provoke public outrage and bring great trouble to their father.

"Brother?"

Dickon urged again as Samwell remained silent for a while.

Samwell finally made up his mind; his brother was still young, and everyone knew their father disliked him.

Although he was the eldest son, he couldn't represent their father or House Tarly.

For his brother, he was willing to take the risk.

Nervous, Samwell had already written a farewell letter to their mother the night before, just in case.

...

For his brother, Samwell summoned his rare courage.

Samwell grinned: "Dickon, let's watch for a bit and then find an opportunity."

Seeing Samwell agree to his request, Dickon couldn't help but cheer.

Seeing this, Talla Tarly smiled slightly.

Samwell wiped his sweat with the back of his hand, meeting Talla's gaze.

Samwell and Talla quickly looked away.

His sister hadn't smiled at him in a long time; though Samwell didn't know why, the sudden good mood eased much of his fear.

...

...

King's Landing, the City Watch.

Dick, though now clad in a gold cloak uniform, still lacked any heroic air.

Hiding in a corner, Dick was in a daze, his trembling body hinting at some deep fear.

Yesterday, he had agreed with his sister, but today, when registering with the City Watch, it was as if he was possessed by White Walkers, using the Crabb surname.

He couldn't remember what he said afterward, but everyone present knew.

His name was Dick Crabb, and he was of noble birth.

"Dick Crabb" was assigned to a relatively safe area and even had a few subordinates, quickly becoming a small leader.

Dick snapped out of it, his throat dry as he swallowed.

He had to seize this opportunity; he had to maintain this hard-won position.

...

"Dick Crabb" decided to keep this from his sister for now.

He would be careful; being cautious should avoid any problems.

He believed he could handle it because everyone called him Nimble Dick.