Dorne
Oberyn Martell sat on a recliner, looking at the gift before him with a complex gaze; the wrinkles on his forehead and his thin eyebrows were furrowed together.
It was a massive head—the head of Gregor Clegane.
"It was sent by Roman Rivers of Harrenhal, and at the same time, he told the world who was responsible for Elia's death."
Roman had preserved the Mountain's head before sending it to Dorne.
Furthermore, he released news claiming that during his interrogation of the Mountain, he learned that it was indeed the Mountain who had killed Elia.
Roman recounted the details of how the Mountain killed Aegon and how he raped and murdered Elia with hands stained with Aegon's blood, telling the story with complete coherence.
Finally, Roman explicitly stated that it was Tywin who ordered the Mountain to do these things, all to accumulate some merit for himself to avoid being swept out of King's Landing after the War of the Usurper.
Once this news spread, it shook all of Westeros, and many commoners and even nobles gained a new understanding of Tywin and the House Lannister he represented.
The Red Keep and Casterly Rock publicly declared that Roman was spreading rumors, but since the Lannisters themselves had slaughtered King's Landing during the War of the Usurper and had a history of genocide within the Westerlands, everyone naturally believed Roman's words more.
For a time, the name Lannister became notorious throughout Westeros, and even the beggars in King's Landing would curse these lions behind their backs.
Thinking of this, The Red Viper became even more depressed; for so many years, he had been searching for the murderer of his sister.
Now the murderer was dead—or at least that was what Harrenhal claimed—and the mastermind behind it had been exposed.
The Red Viper felt that all his efforts over the years had become futile, and a weight pressed against his chest, making him uncomfortable.
Prince Doran noticed his brother's depression, but he still advised:
"After all, this is only Roman Rivers' side of the story. We must find someone from the Lannisters to ask about the specific situation. Do not let your emotions get the better of you at this time."
Prince Doran patted his brother's shoulder, but then his tone shifted:
"As for the Lannisters and the Baratheons, we have other accounts to settle. Let the wolves, stags, and lions tear each other apart first; we should not enter the fray too early!"
The Red Viper knew the urgency of the situation but was still filled with anger, so he quickly agreed with his brother's suggestion, while Prince Doran began to ponder the plans ahead.
Now that Roman's testimony had spread widely across Westeros and the Lannisters could not produce evidence to refute it, it effectively blocked the path for Dorne to join the Small Council.
If Prince Doran really dared to join the council controlled by the Lannisters, the Dornish people would be the first to cause him trouble.
"That young man, Roman, has given us a difficult problem along with his gift! The situation has already escalated."
The Red Viper could only sigh, bid farewell to his brother, and go out to clear his mind.
As he walked to a balcony to look at the scenery, a wine glass was handed to him. The Red Viper turned his head to look, and the person who had arrived was none other than his paramour: Ellaria Sand.
"You've been wearing a sour face lately. Are you thinking about Roman Rivers and the Lannisters?"
The Red Viper did not answer immediately but drank the fine wine, examining the glass in front of him as he felt the liquid slide down his throat.
"Ellaria, I have plotted for so many years to avenge my sister, exerting so much effort, and now someone tells me the enemy is already dead. Tell me, should I be happy or angry?"
The woman shook her head: "My dear, have you forgotten what you told me? To only kill those who harmed Elia and her children, without expanding the scope. Now our target is clearer, isn't it?"
The Red Viper poured a glass of wine for Ellaria, and after the two toasted, he continued:
"Gregor's matter is over, but Tywin has yet to be punished. We still have a chance!"
Ellaria: "Of course, of course. But I still hope you will be careful. The iron throne is a place that eats people; if we are not careful, we will be left with nothing. One must be alive to enjoy the sweetness of revenge."
The two looked down at the square below, where many Dornish people had already taken to the streets, their mouths filled with curses against the Lannisters.
Some extremists even began to brawl with the more moderate and rational bystanders, and the city guards were struggling to disperse the crowd in the square.
"Roman," The Red Viper said in a low voice, "It seems we need to make contact with him."
The Westerlands, Casterly Rock
Compared to The Red Viper's depression, Tywin was truly at his wit's end this time.
This move by Roman had put Tywin in a passive position; the Mountain, who was originally sent to harass the Riverlands, had been killed by Roman, and the truth of the past had been revealed.
Originally, Tywin did not care about others' disgust or fear; his ability to achieve today's success was inseparable from the stimulation he received in his youth from his weak father, the "Smiling Lion."
He always firmly believed that there was no need to put on a good face for others; everything should be done according to the rules, otherwise, one would be looked down upon just like his father.
Reward loyal subjects, severely punish rebels, and show limited mercy to those who surrender.
For this reason, he could ruthlessly wipe out nobles who did not obey him; as long as he had enough strength, he could ignore many problems.
But now, Roman's appearance was undoubtedly a fierce slap in the face, and it was widely publicized; some nobles who were already dissatisfied with Tywin would now start harboring ulterior motives.
"If that Roman can oppose Tywin, why can't I?"
When the nobles no longer feared Tywin, Tywin would have to spend great effort to maintain his dignity, otherwise, his subordinates would comply in public but oppose in private.
Tywin knew that his vassals were privately discussing whether he had the strength to defeat the Hean Family; at this moment, Jaime had already surrounded Riverrun, and it was time for him to take action as well.
"Pass my order: the army is to march from the south toward the Gods Eye and hold the Trident before the Starks arrive."
————
The Crownlands, Antler Keep
After dealing with the Mountain's affair, Roman immediately returned to Antler Keep, and at the same time, he relocated the Free Folk and the people of the Crabs Claw Peninsula.
"These territories were newly conquered. Your task now is to build high walls, store plenty of grain, and use defensive counterattacks to stall the attacks of other nobles in The Crownlands. Do you understand?"
"Understood!!"
"Long live Lord Roman!!"
Afterward, everyone ran to the construction site, enthusiastically building rammed-earth walls with brick cladding and vigorously constructing iron-smelting blast furnaces, beginning to boost production.
Seeing Roman change his strategy from offense to defense, Fili sensed that something was wrong.
"Lord Roman, is there a problem at home, so you intend to stabilize these new territories first?"
"You are very sharp, Fili!" Roman lowered his head to braid the girl's hair. "I just rubbed the Lannisters' faces into the dirt; it is impossible for Tywin not to show some reaction."
"Moreover, with Riverrun currently under siege, to prevent other lords of the Riverlands from coming to the rescue, Tywin will definitely send troops to strike at our forces. I had the Free Folk build walls to free up my hands to deal with Tywin."
Once explained, Fili immediately understood the logic, though she did not know why Roman was so certain Tywin would attack, as her ravens had not brought any news.
But then the girl shook her head. If she couldn't understand it, she wouldn't dwell on it; she just needed to follow Roman, and she would slowly understand these things.
"Lord Roman, rest assured! I have already coordinated the personnel, supplies, and construction tasks for the Strongholds and cities in each region. The nobles of The Crownlands do not seem to be making any moves; this place will not hold you back!"
Looking at the reassuring Fili, Roman couldn't help but rub her cheeks, causing the girl to exclaim.
"Lord Roman, my face is going to be deformed! Mmm~ stop rubbing it, I'll go get you a bowl of soup, okay?"
"Fili, have you forgotten that we eat from the same pot as the soldiers? It's just afternoon; where are you going to get soup?"
As Roman and Fili played and joked around, the walls and towers in the new territories of The Crownlands were springing up like bamboo shoots after a spring rain.
The main event in the Riverlands was about to unfold.
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