The Old Bear watched the brat Roman's maneuvers and knew he couldn't stop the wildlings from entering the Wall.
Roman wanted to see a window; he first proposed opening a door, but Eddard disagreed. Roman then simply threatened to tear off the roof, at which point Eddard agreed to open a window.
These wildlings had become captives; they certainly couldn't be released, nor could they be dumped directly in the North. Currently, being managed by House Stark was the most appropriate solution.
With Eddard's endorsement, the Night's Watch wouldn't have much of an objection.
Roman added from the side, "Lord Eddard, you can give these wildlings a chance and interact with them more. Perhaps you really can find some civilized people among them."
Eddard remained noncommittal, but he still felt uncomfortable in his heart. To the people of the Seven Kingdoms, 'wildling' had always been synonymous with raiders, murderers, and rapists. As the Lord of the North, Eddard naturally felt this more strongly.
Roman didn't have so many concerns. He led the hundreds of recruited wildlings to a wilderness in the New Gift.
The soil here was fertile and the grass lush, making it a rare treasure. However, the North's population was too small, so even good land went unused.
"Free Folk, you chose to follow me. The promises I made will certainly be fulfilled, and you must also fulfill your corresponding duties. From now on, you must learn how to live and work."
Roman had long since asked "Lord Eel" to bring construction materials, farm tools, and oxen. Under direction, the wildlings began building houses and tilling the land, with the auxiliary soldiers from Harrenhal also participating.
These plots were reserved for other wildlings. The current farming was to make Eddard believe that wildlings could also be trusted.
The wildlings had never seen such novel things, especially the various specialties from Harrenhal, which made them cry out that the gods had descended to earth.
At first, the wildlings were very clumsy, but they didn't want to return Beyond the Wall. They were diligent and eager to learn, quickly becoming able to use various tools and assisting the auxiliary soldiers in building the village.
All of this was witnessed by the Northmen. Eddard and the Old Bear watched with their own eyes as the wildlings gradually shed their crude habits and began to look like residents of the Seven Kingdoms.
Of course, there were troublemakers. Some wildlings still couldn't change their backward habits and repeatedly challenged Eddard's authority.
Eddard did not go easy on such fellows, giving them all severe punishment, while those who performed well were rewarded.
Mance gradually discovered that the wildlings were starting to obey Roman and Eddard's orders, throwing their original 'freedom' principles completely away.
"Roman, you certainly have methods, to actually make the Free Folk submit."
"Methods? No, Mance, you're mistaken. I'm just making sure they are fed and clothed. Your freedom isn't necessarily useful, but the bread in my hand can actually be eaten."
Hearing Roman's speech, Mance couldn't help but sneer. "That sounds nice. These things used to belong to the Free Folk. The invaders built a wall to drive them out and then claimed this land was theirs. Now you're actually using the Free Folk's things to reward their original owners?"
"So my purpose in coming this time is to lead the Free Folk back to their ancestral lands. Is there something wrong with that?"
Roman's single sentence choked Mance back.
"Mance, as long as you're not blind, you know what's right. Cooperate with me. Bring the Free Folk south of the Wall, and we will fight the disaster Beyond the Wall together."
Roman stepped in front of Mance. "Only I will give the Free Folk a chance. If you miss this, the Free Folk will have to face the double blow of the Seven Kingdoms and the calamity alone. You are the leader of the Free Folk; I believe you are clear-headed."
After saying this, Roman left Mance without looking back. The King-Beyond-the-Wall knew what to do; he was just resisting it in his heart.
Soon after, Fili sent word that the giants could now move around.
When Roman arrived at Castle Black, a golden shadow crashed directly into his arms.
"Fili, can't you stop being so excited? I almost went flying just now!"
"It's because you were gone for a month, Lord Roman. I haven't seen you in so long."
The girl whimpered while rubbing her head vigorously against Roman's chest.
Roman took quite some effort to pull this 'Golden Retriever' away. "Alright, alright, let's get to business. Can the giants speak now?"
"Of course! The giant named Mag even said he wanted to see you. He's waiting for you right now!"
Roman patted Fili's head, gave some instructions, and then walked into the warehouse.
When the giant Mag saw Roman enter, his body visibly trembled. The other giants hid behind Mag, not daring to look at Roman.
"Roman Rivers, heir to Harrenhal. How should I address you?"
"Mag. The giants elected me as their leader."
Roman:??
Since when could giants speak so fluently?
"Giants shouldn't be able to articulate so clearly. How can you do it?"
"It was Lady Fili who gave me this ability."
Oh, that explains it then.
"In that case, you must have something important to discuss with me. Speak."
Mag looked behind him at his clansmen, who were shivering. He sighed and said:
"Lady Fili said you are a great and benevolent lord. I hope you can take my people away. We will submit to you and obey your commands."
It worked! Roman was overjoyed in his heart, but he forced himself not to laugh out loud.
"As long as you follow the rules, my power will be your protection. But to save your people, you must go and persuade them yourself."
Mag nodded. His current intelligence was enough to understand Roman's meaning.
Afterward, Roman paid a large sum of money to rent a fleet of large ships from "Lord Eel," and then set off for Beyond the Wall with Mag and a few other giants.
At several wildling settlements, Mag used his prestige to recruit other giants to board the ships. The wildlings were shocked by Mag's current intelligent appearance.
This operation not only recruited the remaining giants but also incorporated many wildlings who surrendered for the sake of survival.
These giants and wildlings worked and studied together in Labor camps in the south until they learned basic etiquette. This way, Roman would have a way to fool the people of the Seven Kingdoms.
While Roman was in the midst of recruiting the Free Folk, Mance was struggling with himself in prison. Ultimately, he succumbed to reality.
The Free Folk truly had no more blood to shed. If they didn't seize this opportunity, the next time would be their end.
Over this period of time, Mance had seen Roman's true character.
Roman was willing to go through fire and water for his soldiers and people, but if one became his enemy, Roman's wrath and Harrenhal's military might would crush all obstacles.
Mance came to the cell door and knocked. "Tell Roman for me that I accept his proposal!"
Later, Roman and Mance appeared together at Hardhome, where Mance began to persuade the wildlings to follow Roman south.
The accompanying Mag and other assimilated wildlings also tried to pull their compatriots over.
Roman stood to the side, silently watching the numerous wildlings. The White Flame covering his body made them not dare to act rashly.
In the end, three-quarters of the wildlings agreed to follow Mance south. Roman didn't bother to persuade the remaining ones.
Under the joint supervision of the Northmen and Harrenhal men, the group of wildlings gradually began to learn techniques such as farming, animal husbandry, and weaving. They also forced themselves to accept social etiquette. Although they still refused to kneel, it was much better than before.
With everything ready, Roman officially bid farewell to Eddard and the Old Bear.
"Lord Eddard, Commander Mormont, I said wildlings could be civilized. Do you believe it now?"
Even though Eddard and the Old Bear still had reservations, they both knew the current situation was the best outcome for the North and the Night's Watch.
With the wildlings joining, the Night's Watch land had people to tend it, the defensive pressure on the Wall was greatly reduced, and the wildlings could also serve as garrison troops for the Wall.
Roman selected tens of thousands of compliant wildlings and several hundred giants. The remaining wildlings and giants stayed south of the Wall. Compared to Harrenhal, this place needed manpower more.
"Lord Eddard, I have already sent a request to Lady Helaena for the relevant farm tools and daily necessities. They will be shipped here soon. By then, the Wall will be completely self-sufficient. However, until then, I will need you to maintain order."
Eddard looked at the orderly wildlings and remarked with emotion:
"King Robert told me that you always bring new surprises and changes. I don't even know if this is good or bad now. You're too conspicuous; the nobles of the Seven Kingdoms might not tolerate you."
Roman shrugged. "If I had followed the rules, Harrenhal would still be in ruins. How could the local residents live the lives they do now? Lord Eddard, times are changing after all. We cannot always stick to old ways."
Eddard was speechless. The shock this junior had brought him over the past few years was too great. He now wondered if Roman was really a child of the same generation as Robb and the others.
The Old Bear remained silent. Roman had solved the wildling problem in such an absurd yet practical way that he, as Commander, felt a bit lost for a moment.
"Commander Mormont, the wildlings are no longer an issue, but there are still tall troubles in the north. You've seen those monsters. The Wall will only become more important in the future. I will also do my best to help the Night's Watch so that you all can have no worries."
After bidding farewell to the North, Roman officially set off. Along the way, he saw all kinds of reactions.
Roman didn't find Wun Wun among his giants, but these giants were even more exceptional. For some unknown reason, the giants who were originally of low intelligence could now understand and execute Roman's orders.
These hundreds of giants were quite docile, with the intelligence of about a twelve-year-old child, which was considered decent in Westeros. Moreover, they were primarily vegetarian.
Wyman Manderly even commented that Roman was someone who brought stories into reality.
Because the Free Folk and giants Roman selected were exceptional enough, people in Maidenpool were talking about the giants after they returned, but hardly noticed the Free Folk.
Because in the eyes of the locals, those people from the Crabs Claw Peninsula looked more like wildlings.
Lady Helaena originally didn't want Roman to bring the Free Folk into the territory, but after she actually saw them, she had no more objections.
"Lady Helaena, I said they weren't wildlings. You should believe me now, right?"
The matter of the Wall and the wildlings came to a close. The people of Harrenhal finally returned to their familiar home and could finally have a good rest.
At night, Fili, dressed in a nightgown, was wiping Roman's tail.
Roman looked at Fili and suddenly remembered that she was also a great contributor to this operation. Without Fili acting as a bridge, Roman estimated he would have had to fight a few more battles.
Roman wrapped his tail around Fili's arm and, amidst the girl's exclamation, pulled her into his embrace.
"Fili, your abilities have improved during this trip to the Wall. I really need to thank you. Without you, I'm afraid we would have had to stay in the North for a while longer."
"Hehe, I'm just happy to be able to help Lord Roman. It's just that I don't know why I can communicate with giants and even see through the eyes of animals. It just suddenly happened."
Roman knew this was likely because his own power increase had made Fili stronger as well, but none of that was important now.
Roman scraped Fili's cheek with his finger, his eyes scanning over her graceful body, and said with a smile:
"So, what gift does my good girl want this time?"
Fili's face suddenly turned flushed. "Lord Roman, you clearly know, yet you still ask me..."
Roman took the opportunity to press Fili onto the bed, looking down at her from above.
"Fili, you should rest for a few days."
...
more chapter available in p@tréøñ(Atoki_29)