Chapter 453: The Siege Begins

While chaos consumed King's Landing, Samwell remained by the banks of the Blackwater River, overseeing the crossing of his army.

The number of troops that had already crossed to the northern shore had exceeded 100,000, but critical supplies and logistics were only halfway transported.

Relying on pontoon bridges for transport was proving slower than expected.

Fortunately, Samwell wasn't in any rush.

With over 100,000 troops already on the north bank, even if the Lannisters regrouped and launched a counterattack, they had no chance of victory on land.

The only potential risk lay at sea.

Since receiving the last report from DriftMark about the naval battle between the Stormlands fleet, the Iron Fleet, and Braavosi ships, there had been no further updates.

Based on the timeline, the battle should have concluded by now.

Even if the Stormlands fleet had suffered a defeat, it wouldn't significantly affect the current situation.

While waiting, Samwell didn't remain idle.

He dispatched troops to occupy nearby villages and secured both the Gold Road and the Kingsroad, the two main routes leading to King's Landing.

Apart from King's Landing itself, there were no other fortified strongholds in the area. The only notable obstacle, Castle Hayford, surrendered without much resistance when a smaller contingent of the Stormlands army arrived.

As victories continued to roll in, the atmosphere in the camp grew electric with anticipation.

Nobles and soldiers alike were eager to march on King's Landing, conquer the city, and usher in a new dynasty.

In contrast, Samwell remained calm and composed, withholding the final order to advance.

The initial fervor among the nobles eventually subsided into admiration for the Storm King's measured approach.

In fact, Samwell was not really seeking stability, but he himself was overwhelmed by a complex emotion at the moment, and was even a little worried about gains and losses.

Though he had already declared himself king, it had been as the ruler of the Stormlands, confined to a single region. Now, with King's Landing within reach and the Lannisters at their breaking point, he was on the verge of fulfilling a lifelong dream: to claim the Iron Throne and unite the Seven Kingdoms.

It was a desire rooted deep in his heart since his unexpected journey into this world.

Amid the euphoria of nearing his goal, Samwell also felt a hint of unease and apprehension.

He understood that seizing the throne would only be the beginning of his true challenges.

Winter was coming, and the enemy beyond the Wall posed a far greater threat than the Lannisters ever could.

These doubts came and went quickly, however. Samwell soon regained his composure and issued the long-awaited order to march on King's Landing.

The announcement was met with cheers and excitement throughout the camp. Soldiers packed up their gear, and the massive army began its march, leaving behind a small contingent to guard the crossing. The 100,000-strong force moved like a colossal, awakening beast toward its destination.

The Blackwater's banks were not far from King's Landing. By the end of the day, the grand city, standing proud by the shores of Blackwater Bay, came into view.

The sunlight bathed its imposing walls in a golden hue, giving the fortress an almost otherworldly glow.

This wasn't Samwell's first time in King's Landing, but his mindset now was entirely different from his previous visit.

To be honest, even with an army of 100,000, King's Landing's sheer scale made it seem an insufficient force for a siege.

But Samwell knew the city was not built for prolonged defense, especially now that he had cut off its supply routes. Starvation within the city was only a matter of time.

Thus, he didn't order an immediate assault. Instead, he had his army establish a camp outside the city walls and sent troops to capture surrounding territories, further tightening the noose around the capital.

On the evening of his arrival, one of Varys's "little birds," Mario, appeared in the camp.

The news Mario brought left Samwell stunned for a long moment.

After confirming Varys's loyalty, Samwell had tasked him with assisting Loras Tyrell in assassinating Tywin Lannister.

To Samwell, the plan had been more of a contingency—a side move rather than the main focus. As a competent commander, he understood that decisive battles on the field, with overwhelming force, were the surest path to victory.

The assassination was a gamble. If it succeeded, it could destabilize the northern alliance and reduce resistance. If it failed, little would be lost.

Now, hearing that the plan had succeeded, Samwell wasn't overjoyed—he was more intrigued by the dramatic twists and turns in the plot.

"So, Tywin was killed by Tyrion, but Loras took the blame?" Samwell asked, summarizing Mario's report.

"Correct," Mario confirmed with a nod. "Tyrion has assumed temporary control of King's Landing as Tywin's heir, but the northern lords don't respect him. The throne room has become a cacophony of arguments. Meanwhile, the city's order continues to deteriorate, with riots breaking out among the starving populace. Varys instructed me to tell you that while Tyrion wishes to negotiate peace, he lacks the authority to unify the Lannisters or sway the northern lords."

Samwell immediately saw how Tyrion's position could work in his favor.

Compared to Tywin, Tyrion was milder and lacked ambition, posing little threat to Samwell.

More importantly, though Loras had taken the blame for Tywin's death, Samwell held irrefutable evidence of Tyrion's role in the murder.

With this leverage, Samwell could easily manipulate the so-called "Lord of Casterly Rock."

Rubbing his chin, he asked, "What divisions exist within the Lannister ranks?"

"The primary opposition comes from Queen Cersei, who refuses to acknowledge Tyrion's inheritance and insists on continuing the fight. However, she doesn't have much support. Most of the Lannisters are tired of the war and want peace."

"That's because the Lannisters willing to fight are mostly dead," Samwell scoffed. "And the northern lords? What's their stance?"

"They're more concerned about their titles. For example, Roose Bolton, who holds the title of Warden of the North thanks to the Lannisters, fears losing his position if you take King's Landing. Other families, like the Waynwoods in the Vale and the Freys in the Riverlands, share similar concerns."

Samwell's lips curled into a slight sneer.

"They want to negotiate terms with me?"

"Yes," Mario said. "With your army now outside King's Landing and Tywin dead, the northern lords know they can't resist your forces. If you send a representative into the city with assurances, they might agree to surrender."

"Fine," Samwell said. He summoned a messenger and instructed, "Go into the city and tell the nobles this: if they lay down their arms and surrender, I will pardon all their past crimes. But they have no right to negotiate titles or lands with me.

"I'll give them three days to consider. After that, we attack."

"Understood, Your Grace."

(End of Chapter)