Chapter 774: The Siege of King's Landing

Dong—

Dong—

Dong—

Following these resonant beats, the bells of the Great Sept of Baelor began to toll, echoing throughout the entire King's Landing.

These bells only rang on occasions like royal weddings, funerals, and other significant events involving the imperial family.

As the High Septon, Aegon, adorned with a crystal crown and wielding a scepter, felt a sense of bewilderment in his heart at this moment.

He didn't know what he should do, but being the High Septon, considered the earthly representative of the gods, all the monks and clergy in the Sept turned their gaze to him.

Aegon had to do something at this moment.

"Tell everyone not to panic."

"The Seven will bless us all."

So, Aegon had to speak, his throat making a rolling motion.

He placed all his hopes in the gods above, ordering the tolling of the ancient bells, hoping to draw the attention of the divine to the mortal realm and recover the lost sun.

In the streets of King's Landing, the continuous ringing of the bells of the Great Sept of Baelor led some to find hope. Kneeling, they began fervently praying.

Some started, and other devout followers of the Seven joined them, kneeling and praying, unsure of what else to do at this moment, hoping the gods would bless them.

"Attention!"

"The King has commanded!"

"Close the city gates!"

On the other side, the Commander of the City Watch, Ser Brynden "Blackfish" Tully, armored and armed, ascended the walls of the Iron Gate of King's Landing, then gave a stern command.

He had received orders from the Red Keep, and the Emperor commanded him to dispatch all City Watch soldiers to maintain order in the city and prevent any chaos or disturbances.

Simultaneously, the seven gates of King's Landing were sealed off, preventing the commoners outside from surging into the inner city, safeguarding the city's security.

With King's Landing's status rising and its size expanding beyond the city walls, an outer city had gradually formed outside.

"Close the gates!"

"Close the gates!"

Brynden Tully's orders continuously passed down the ranks. Lower-ranking City Watch soldiers, armed with spears and shields, drove away the people near the gates while simultaneously closing them, producing a harsh metallic friction sound.

"Fall back!"

"Fall back!"

"Those who assault the gates, die!"

However, many people were already in a state of panic. Some wanted to rush into the city, and others wanted to escape outside. It was only after witnessing bloodshed that they calmed down.

Thunderous roars—

Subsequently, all seven gates of King's Landing closed heavily.

The sun had completely disappeared.

The entire world plunged into a dim and lightless darkness.

And the Imperial City of Valyria, under the suppression of soldiers, forcibly returned to calmness.

All citizens were ordered to return to their homes, closing their doors. Soldiers guarded every street intersection, dispersing darkness with torches, bringing a faint glimmer of light.

Yet, despite the rigorous training of the Imperial soldiers, they still followed orders, suppressing all resistance and unrest. But on their faces was an expression of bewilderment.

Because they, too, didn't know what had happened.

The sun had been gone for several hours, with no sign of returning.

"Is the end of the world coming?"

Every person's heart was restless, even questioning themselves in this way.

But fortunately, when the sky falls, there are tall people to support it.

Especially the surviving veterans who had participated in the war against the White Walkers thought so.

They could never forget that scene—a person riding a dragon, charging alone into the undead army.

"Your Majesty!"

A military officer in the City Watch, missing a hand, pursed his lips slightly, then turned his head with fanaticism, looking towards the distant Aegon's High Hill, where the lights of the Red Keep were still shining brightly.

He believed that even if it was the end of the world, His Majesty, the Emperor, would be the only beacon for all humanity.

Leading the whole world out of this crisis.

It was clear that Viserys's limited power of faith was contributed by these surviving warriors.

Meanwhile, in the Red Keep.

Viserys, still wearing his sleeping robe with a simple coat over it, walked back and forth in his room.

Even the messy feather bed where he had tangled with Margaery Tyrell had not been tidied up.

He stood in his chamber, wearing the Valyrian steel crown, and his sword, Dawn, hung on the nearby wall. Then, he turned around and spoke.

"So, the situation now is."

"Has the Long Night truly arrived?"

Viserys's Small Council ministers were all gathered in his bedroom.

Outside, the Red Keep's throne room was similarly overcrowded with noble refugees and their families. When a crisis occurred, these people's first thought was to seek refuge in the Red Keep.

With nowhere else to go outside, and now in the dim, lightless world, they dared not leave the city, preferring to stay in the castle where many others sought solace.

After all, humans were social creatures, and the more people there were, the safer they felt.

And where in King's Landing was the safest?

Certainly in the Red Keep.

However, Viserys currently had no time to console the frightened nobles in the throne room. Thus, in his bedroom, he convened all the Small Council ministers.

This included the ailing Hand of the King, Myles Toyne, and Willas Tyrell, who had not yet taken over as the acting Master of Coin.

When the sun gradually disappeared, Willas was still anxiously searching for his sister.

Because King's Landing had fallen into turmoil, he feared that his sister might be in danger. However, it turned out that the agents of the Ministry of Internal Affairs had escorted Margaery Tyrell back.

Now, Willas, standing here, had no idea that his sister had just had a tumultuous three-hundred-round battle with the Emperor on the bed next to him.

Illyrio Mopatis, the former Governor of Andalos, did not appear here because, unfortunately, he had left by boat yesterday.

He might be drifting on the dark, sunless sea now.

"Can it be confirmed?"

Emperor Viserys, in his sleeping robe with a coat, had a solemn expression.

"No concrete evidence, Your Majesty."

On the other side, Dr. Marwyn, the current Grand Maester, sat in the Emperor's chair, looking haggard.

He was continuously perusing books while shaking his head, speaking.