Chapter 15. The Boring Banquet

In the Winter Market, a certain silk district.

"See you before dinner; I need to enjoy my appetizer first!"

"Tyrion, I suggest you come with me now. Cersei has had an extremely unfortunate day, so let's not provoke her any further."

"How unfortunate… My little beauty, wait for me tonight, and I'll shower you with affection. This silver stag will serve as a deposit."

"I will be waiting, Lord Tyrion!"

Having disrupted his brother's fun, Jaime, wearing a mischievous grin, led the disheveled, small-statured Tyrion out of a house in the silk district.

Tyrion, looking displeased as he adjusted his expensive clothing made of a wool, silk, and linen blend, asked Jaime, "Who made our 'beautiful sister' angry? Was it that big fat stag who shares my interests?"

"Hmm, he's one reason. On the other hand, I suspect it was Robb Stark's humility that really annoyed her."

Upon hearing Tyrion's question, Jaime's smile faded as he reflected on the earlier events during the reception.

"Aha! So it was that Young Wolf, whose modesty made my ears feel like they were developing calluses? The famous young man turned out to be utterly humble and polite, making her think her son is worthless?"

With his clever mind, Tyrion blurted out the answer without a second thought.

"Could you phrase that a little more nicely? That's your own nephew."

Jaime frowned slightly at his words, raising an eyebrow and glaring at Tyrion.

"Fine, always sticking up for her. Humph, I still remember how you both used to tease me when we were young.

You made a hole in my mattress, threw in a pile of fresh sheep dung, and then sewed it back up nicely. I kept smelling something foul for a while without knowing where it was coming from!"

Tyrion jumped over a puddle in the road and replied irritably.

"Hahahaha! In the end, I did tell you!"

Hearing his brother bring up old stories, Jaime couldn't help but break into a radiant smile.

At that moment, Jaime looked handsome, his smile bright. He was completely different from how he appeared in front of Robert.

Perhaps he only showed his true self in front of trusted family.

Hmm?

Jaime's laughter abruptly stopped. He paused, glancing back over his shoulder.

"What's wrong? Is someone following us?"

Tyrion, familiar with his brother, instantly guessed the general reason.

Jaime didn't speak but simply nodded in response.

"Let's go! As the youngest member of the Kingsguards, it's normal for you to be reminded not to cause trouble."

Tyrion casually patted Jaime's backside and continued walking ahead.

Jaime smiled at a dilapidated house behind him and turned to follow.

When the two Lannister lions disappeared around the corner, Theon emerged from behind the shabby building with a serious expression.

***

Robb watched somewhat bored as Jon and Owen competed in drinking, while many of the Wolfguards were cheering them on.

After Theon's enthusiastic persuasion, all the guards requested Robb to officially name them the Wolfguards.

Robb didn't mind this trivial matter and agreed, happy to see his men enjoy themselves.

He turned to look at the high platform where the honored guests sat in the banquet hall. Robert was still happily encouraging people to drink.

Robb had started to admire this rotund king, as he had managed to drink from the afternoon until the evening.

Eddard and Catelyn, along with Cersei, sat beside him, creating a warm and harmonious atmosphere in the banquet hall.

The person Robb was most interested in, Tyrion Lannister, mingled effortlessly among the ordinary soldiers, sharing various amusing stories.

Robb actually had a good impression of Tyrion, but at that moment, they were on different sides, so he refrained from approaching him.

Crack! Crack!

Bloodwind laid beside Robb, putting all his effort into gnawing on a large pig's hind leg bone.

As Robb's gaze fixed, current data appeared on Bloodwind.

[Name: Bloodwind, Contractor: Robb Stark]

[Constitution: 11, Speed: 10, Strength: 10]

[Species: Spirit-linked Direwolf (6)]

[Blood Pact Points: 1]

During the previous hunt for Wildlings, Robb had killed four enemies, and Bloodwind had killed three, earning a total of 14 Blood Pact Points.

That's right, Robb could also earn Blood Pact Points for enemies killed by Bloodwind.

Over the past 10 days, by diligently training daily, Robb had earned an additional 4 Blood Pact Points through his efforts, bringing his total to 18 points.

When Bloodwind's attributes exceeded 10 points, Robb discovered that it required 2 Blood Pact Points to increase one attribute. So, he immediately maximized the benefits of the Blood Pact Points by evenly distributing them between speed and strength.

Now, Bloodwind had balanced attributes, making its combat power quite terrifying.

However, Robb usually forced Bloodwind to remain low-key, treating it as his hidden ace.

He also confirmed that hunting animals didn't yield Blood Pact Points. As for extraordinary creatures, he had not encountered any yet, so he was unsure of the specifics.

In truth, if Robb wanted to quickly gain Blood Pact Points, he could take Bloodwind to slaughter villages in other territories.

But the reason people were considered human was because of their moral boundaries.

A normal person from modern Earth would never commit mass murder for personal gain.

Thus, in Robb's view, harvesting the lives of enemies for Blood Pact Points was acceptable, but slaughtering innocent civilians was not!

Feeling utterly bored, Robb quietly stood up and slipped out of the banquet hall. He worried that Bloodwind might attract too much attention, so he mentally ordered it to continue happily gnawing on its bone.

***

Phew!

Stepping out of the banquet hall and taking a deep breath, Robb spotted his lean uncle, Benjen Stark, with his gray-blue eyes, engaged in conversation with Jon.

"Uncle!"

Rob smiled and approached to greet him.

After a brief exchange, Benjen left the two of them and stepped back into the banquet hall.

With rare time alone with Robb, Jon spoke first, "Robb, you've changed a lot lately."

"Ha, really? It must be the price of growing up!"

Seeing Jon observe him for so long, Robb couldn't help but chuckle and respond.

"Do you know? I've noticed that many of the guards and servants in the keep have become part of your Wolfguards.

Robb… what you're doing right now is very dangerous!"

Jon looked at Robb seriously, hesitating for a moment before continuing, "If the Lord finds out, he'll definitely stop you."

Robb wasn't sure how much Jon actually knew, but this kid certainly had a keen sense and had caught onto some of his secret actions.

But Jon definitely couldn't guess what he wanted to do!

With a shift in thought, Robb said, "Jon, do you know? You're the child who resembles father the most. Honest, brave, and quiet."

He paused slightly, raised his right hand, and pointed at the dark night as he continued,

"However, you are even more outstanding than he is!

Go! Follow your heart and don the Black!

Your world is not within this narrow Winterfell, but beyond the vast Wall."

Jon listened quietly to Robb's words, looking up to the north where he pointed, as if he could see a bird flying out of its cage.

Robb continued, "All I want to do is protect my family, protect Winterfell, protect the North, and nothing more!"

Seeing the sincere and heartfelt gaze from Robb, Jon nodded and didn't say anything further, his own eyes filled with determination and passion.