Geek's Guide to Thriving in a Low End Fantasy World ( Robert Baratheon OC SI AU)

[Samael61]

Hello there,

If you enjoy my stories, you can read advanced chapters on my patreon page

Her Eternal Excellency, a Genshin Impact and ASOIAF crossover, Raiden Ei Reborn as Argella Durrandon, is 15 chapters ahead

DCU:Blacklist, a Raymond Reddington-inspired OC SI using his knowledge for his own advantage, as well as the rest of the world, is 15 chapters ahead,

Geek's Guide to Thriving in a Low-End Fantasy World, a Robert Baratheon OC SI in an AU, is 15 chapters ahead,

Commander Shepard, The Greatest to Ever Live, a Mass Effect story where Shepard is greater than ever, is 15 chapters ahead,

Loki: The God of Magic , an OC-SI into Loki who is not aware of the MCU, is 8 chapters ahead.

If you enjoy sci-fi, action, politics, romance with an overpowered protagonist, you can check Arrival, my original story on my Patreon or my pages on the fanfiction sites. I intend to make this a long term project, if you wish to be with me in this journey from the very start, now is the time. Your review and likes are appreciated to keep up with the algorithm.

By supporting me, you can read advanced and special chapters, as well as vote on how you want the fanfiction to proceed.


Note: Apple store payments will be refunded because of the company's 75-day hold policy.

—
​

The Iron Islands

After the verdict had been given and heads rolled, Aeron Greyjoy had been caught and brought before him in chains.

"This bastard won't fucking die." Sandor spat, kicking the bound pirate in the head.

"Explain?"

"I stabbed him in the heart; he fell into water and woke up not long after."

Robert hummed, considering the situation. Something was keeping Aeron alive then. "Then there is a need for extreme violence."

He was just about to crush Aeron's head and have the corpse burned for good measure when the roar of a dragon from the distance stopped him. Since Obelisk and Ra were lounging around, it meant destroying the dragonbinder had freed his golden dragon.

Ra landed like a freight train out of control, barreling towards the kneeling Greyjoy, perhaps confusing him with Euron. Robert raised his hand, and the dragon stopped, leaving skid marks as he sat down on his hind legs.

The golden dragon leaned down, smelling the prisoner, and let out a roar.

"Enough." The dragon stopped once more, choosing to nuzzle Robert while he rubbed the dragon's head.

"That's not the one who tried to use you, buuut, he is going to die anyway, so have at him."

Ra snarled and, as if a child frustrated by a toy, picked Aeron Greyjoy up and slammed him to the ground over and over again, leaving a mess behind, before dropping the mangled human and burning the corpse.

Snarling at the ashes, Ra went to his expectant brothers.

"Let's see if he can come back from that."

—
​

Once the last adult Greyjoy was dealt with, Robert gathered the smallfolk to explain his plans, which concerned their future.

Dragons stood on all three sides of the crowd, with Robert at the front, and it was dead silent before he spoke.

"People of the Iron Islands, I have struck down your oppressors. They no longer rule these islands and are bound for either the Wall, the Faith, or the Citadel. And now, I shall bring you prosperity and turn these barren islands fertile."

"We do not sow!" An old commoner from the crowd shouted in defiance. Robert lowered his hand, smile gone, and took Sandor's helmet since his own was missing, nailing the bastard that had spoken out in the head.

Pointing for the helmet to be handed back, since it was way too valuable, Robert glared at the smallfolk. "Anyone else?"

Feet shuffled, people looked left and right, but no one dared to speak. That old man was a fool anyway.

"If you maggots don't like my kind words, I can be very fucking harsh. Do you want that?" Robert surveyed the crowd, seeking any signs of further defiance.

"Thought so."

Taking a deep breath to calm down, he continued. "Now, I shall make these islands fertile, so you can grow crops for yourselves and not starve to death. Of course, I will be taking six of every ten crops, fruit, and everything else you grow."

The smallfolk faltered in disbelief.

That was actually less than what their overlords took.

"Henceforth, you are under my protection, and as such, will obey my rules. No more reaving and raiding, no more iron price, and the worship of the Drowned God is forbidden." He didn't care who they worshipped, as long as it wasn't the Drowned God or the fucking R'hllor.

A man, who looked like he could play Rasputin in a mummer's show, raised his fist, screaming. "You cannot do this."

"Right, I forgot about you guys," Robert groaned, turning to Sandor. "Gather the men, kill all the priests, and burn down their temples." Sandor nodded, unsheathing his sword, and chased the escaping priests with soldiers right behind him.

The crowd panicked, but Obelisk put them straight with a screech. Waiting for the smallfolk to listen again, Robert continued.

"Anyone who worships the Drowned God will have all their crops, catch, and livestock confiscated. Think of it like the price of going against me."

Henceforth that day, Robert's price would be known as the cost of a person's folly.

—
​

Davos watched the man behead the priest in the distance. "Killing the priests, my lord? That might cause the smallfolk to revolt." Any other holy person, he would be outraged, but they were the priests of the Drowned God, and in his opinion, a good worshipper of that foul god was a dead one.

Robert considered it for a second, shrugging in apathy. "Then I kill them all, and we go home."

Ah well, this was for the best. "I must say, turning the Ironborn smallfolk to farmers must be the greatest insult to their way of life. Not only are they going to sow, but they'll also have to give you a tithe." The Ironborn, who always claimed to be paying the Iron Price, would now be paying the price of attacking Asgard.

Forever, if Lord Robert had anything to say about it.

"And we solve Asgard's food problem for the foreseeable future."

"Indeed."

Robert laid down on his specially made beach chair, arranging the large umbrella for perfect shade in this sun. "I am going to take a nap; you are in charge."

"Aye, my lord."

—
​

Harlaw was not the only island, and Robert would have to repeat his speech several times. There were murmurs and objections, of course, but they were swiftly put down, permanently.

Robert was pleased with the progress.

—-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

King's Landing

Red Keep

"Lord Varys, if it is about him, I don't wish to hear it." Just the implication of Robert gave him a headache these days.

"As you command, Your Grace." Varys bowed, only rising when King Rhaegar left the council room.

Tywin, however, was not willing to ignore the word the spider had brought. "Speak, Lord Varys."

"What of the king, my lord Hand?" He did not care either way and was just acting as the concerned Master of Whispers.

"I will speak to his grace later."

"There are rumors in Asgard that Euron Greyjoy summoned a kraken to fight Robert Baratheon's host, a creature of the sea massive enough to swallow an entire fleet by itself." Varys hoped it wasn't actually true, because at the rate Robert was claiming feats, he would have to stop the attempts to kill him for fear that the Lord of Asgard might come after him.

Screams of denial, that it was just the lies of Asgard to prop up their lords, but deep in their hearts, they knew better.

The Dowager Queen raised her hands in prayer. "Seven protect us. How?" Dragons were one thing, but first demons, and now a kraken, a creature that should have been nothing more than a legend?

How in the name of all that was good did Euron Greyjoy summon a kraken to do his bidding?

"None knows, except that it is dead now and lies on Harlaw's shore."

"Let me guess, Robert did it?"

"Indeed, by leaping into the creature's mouth, fighting through an army of monsters that were living inside the kraken, and carving its heart."

"He gets exiled to Essos and comes back with dragons. He goes to Valyria, comes back with the corpse of a demon and the entire wealth of the ancient dragonlords. He flies beyond the Wall and returns with giants and the Children of the Forest under his command, not to mention the fucking White Walker. And now, this." Daeron was about to lose his sanity.

Melisandre's offer became more and more enticing each day.

"What does he intend to do with the Ironborn?" Tywin asked, weary. He was getting truly and utterly tired with Robert Baratheon.

Could they not conduct a single Small Council meeting without his name passing around?

It burned his insides, swallowing the bitterness of the fact that they had to let Robert do as he wished, or face certain death.

Varys smiled. He knew Tywin would be interested in knowing the fate of the Ironborn. "The men are to be sent to Wall, and the boys either to the Citadel or the Faith. The women are to be kept in the islands, living their days imprisoned to their keeps." Robert's plans regarding the Ironborn were simple to learn, solely because the Asgardians were celebrating it.

"Lord Varys, are you telling us he is destroying the nobleborn of the Iron Islands?" Mace tried to hold his smile in.

The Ironborn targeted the North and Westerlands more than the Reach, but they plagued his lands too. Hearing that the Ironborn were to be history? That pleased him, just as it did the rest of the court.

They all agreed that the Ironborn were useless, and if Robert wished to eradicate them, no one was going to raise their voices.

Prince Aegon, silent until now, raised a point they were all missing. "How did word reach you so quickly?"

If Robert reached the Iron Islands in the expected time, it would have been mere days ago, not nearly long enough for Varys to know the happenings in the isles.

"Due to something that is just as impressive as the existence of the kraken, my prince. An archmaester named Marwyn, called Mage by his fellows in the Citadel, has lit up a Valyrian glass candle and spoken to Robert Baratheon all the way from Asgard." It was definitely worse for Varys, because you could not track the glass candles like you might do to a letter, and it gave Robert a leverage unmatched by anyone.

He could command men across the battlefield instantly and learn what was happening across the Seven Kingdoms and Essos in the blink of an eye. Just knowing how the markets moved would make him a fortune.

"Could this get any worse?" Daeron broke through the shocked silence.

Too bad for the Targaryen prince; he wasn't aware of Murphy's law.

—
​

Iron Islands

Harlaw

Weeks after Marwyn had contacted them first, Robert and his army were busy asserting their control over the islands and destroying the worshippers of the Drowned God. With several days between, Marwyn had used the candles three times, and Asgard had learned of what had transpired in the Iron Islands and Robert's plan to punish the Ironborn.

Right now, however, they were sitting around the campfire, eating luncheon.

"Then, he took one of the priests and began to beat the rest of them to death with him. That grown man screamed like a little girl the entire time before he fainted." Sandor regaled him with the tale of the attack on the last temple, where the priests had dumped scalding water on the giant to deter him from attacking.

Good thing he had a tower shield.

Robert's laughter was a booming roar, slapping his knee as the giant grinned in satisfaction.

"Well done." Robert praised the giant. It was so funny watching him slap the unruly Ironborn around like toys.

A soldier ran up to him, kneeling. "My lord."

"What is it?"

"Two ships, my lord, carrying the trading company's sigil." Goddamnit, he should definitely get a sigil for himself one of these days.

The trade company's logo wouldn't do.

"Must be Leaf and the others. Bring them here once they land."

—
​

Leaf and the children, once they landed, made a beeline for the kraken, ignoring Robert and the others. They first watched the kraken's still form, speaking in their mother tongue, and Leaf eventually moved.

She touched the corpse, eyes closed in concentration, before shuddering and letting go.

"This one is old, as old as the seas. How did you slay it?" Leaf's words made Robert feel bad.

He just killed a living relic, one that deserved to be in a museum.

Hmmmmm.

If it was that old, could there be more out there? Maybe he could keep one as a pet?

Shrugging, Robert pointed at the hole he had carved to leave the kraken's insides. "I jumped in its mouth and went for the heart."

Leaf bent her head, considering. "I suppose that would do it." She understood that it was vital to not think too much about Robert's way of doing things, lest they go mad.

"Can you use it to make these islands into farmland?" Otherwise, he was just going to burn the corpse and take the bones to Asgard.

Somehow.

"Not us, but this can." She brought out a seed, carefully wrapped in a piece of cloth.

Robert scratched his head, looking at the white seed. "Weirwood tree?" Didn't they grow with saplings?

Leaf shook her head. "Nay. This is something older, its name lost to time, but we can feel the life in it. If this seed blooms, then so will the Iron Islands." The seed was a leftoverfrom their ancestors, and all its knowledge, except how to bloom it, was lost to them when the men began to slaughter the Children of the Forest.

And now, it was the act of a man who would allow the seed to bloom.

"My lord, perhaps this could be used elsewhere?" Davos cautioned. The distance between the Iron Islands and Asgard was not short, and something this valuable would make the islands a target.

"Any idea how to move the kraken?" Robert asked the captain because he did not have any idea.

Davos looked at the corpse. "None."

That was that. "Then we are doing it here."

"We must prepare first." Leaf said, and Robert left them to it.

—
​

Watching the children prepare for whatever it was they were about to do was an educating affair. They first requested that one of the tentacles be moved inland as far as possible so the seed could bloom away from the sea.

It was tough, but doable. Securing one tentacle with ropes and chains, men, dragons, and a single giant pulled it inland, Robert leading them by pulling a rope at the front.

Then, they carved some sort of ritual circle on the flesh of the kraken, using an obsidian knife with runes on it, and finally, put the seed in the middle, with each Child of the Forest cutting their finger, allowing a single drop of blood to drop on the seed.

The men, disturbed by the sight, were glad to pull back once Robert ordered them so, standing at the front to watch the children in wonder.

They knelt before the circle, singing a song that set the air alight with life.

The seed began to glow with a kaleidoscope of colors, eventually settling on white, and it shot up to the sky.

—
​

Across Westeros, the godswood began to experience a sudden growth, with weirwood trees affected the most, sprouting new, glowing branches that eventually died down, scaring the daylight out of the poor sods who witnessed it.

Brandon Stark, who was just trying to get away from his father's demands for a while, was wounded on the head when a new tree shot out of the ground like a spear, throwing him away.

Beyond the Wall, in the Land of Always Winter, the sound of the howling winds was drowned out by the scream of outrage.

—
​

In the next chapter:

The glowing seed began to suck the kraken up like a really long and thick noodle, leaving behind only the horns and rows of teeth.

The eerie white glow intensified, and the seed burrowed itself into the ground, guided by the magic it was exhibiting, no doubt, and the ground shook.

As the whole crowd jiggled on their feet, trying not to fall down, the earth split open, and a tree taller than Wun Weg grew up in an instant.

Its shimmering green bark and golden leaves definitely gave it a magical appearance.

"Good show, jolly good show." Robert praised, awed, and clapped at the sight of magic.



Curious about the next chapter? Please consider supporting me on Patreon.

 

[Samael61]

Hello there,

If you enjoy my stories, you can read advanced chapters on my patreon page

Her Eternal Excellency, a Genshin Impact and ASOIAF crossover, Raiden Ei Reborn as Argella Durrandon, is 15 chapters ahead

DCU:Blacklist, a Raymond Reddington-inspired OC SI using his knowledge for his own advantage, as well as the rest of the world, is 15 chapters ahead,

Geek's Guide to Thriving in a Low-End Fantasy World, a Robert Baratheon OC SI in an AU, is 15 chapters ahead,

Commander Shepard, The Greatest to Ever Live, a Mass Effect story where Shepard is greater than ever, is 15 chapters ahead,

Loki: The God of Magic , an OC-SI into Loki who is not aware of the MCU, is 9 chapters ahead.

If you enjoy sci-fi, action, politics, romance with an overpowered protagonist, you can check Arrival, my original story on my Patreon or my pages on the fanfiction sites. I intend to make this a long term project, if you wish to be with me in this journey from the very start, now is the time. Your review and likes are appreciated to keep up with the algorithm.

By supporting me, you can read advanced and special chapters, as well as vote on how you want the fanfiction to proceed.


Note: Apple store payments will be refunded because of the company's 75-day hold policy.

—
​

Iron Islands

Harlaw

The glowing seed began to suck the kraken up like a really long and thick noodle, leaving behind only the horns and rows of teeth.

The eerie white glow intensified, and the seed burrowed itself into the ground, guided by the magic it was exhibiting, no doubt, and the ground shook.

As the whole crowd jiggled on their feet, trying not to fall down, the earth split open, and a tree taller than Wun Weg grew up in an instant.

Its shimmering green bark and golden leaves definitely gave it a magical appearance.

"Good show, jolly good show." Robert praised, awed, and clapped at the sight of magic.

The men had found it more unsettling than impressive, sending prayers to the Seven.

Leaf approached the tree, kneeling at its base, head touching the trunk, and her sisters joined her soon, gathering around the tree. Robert waited to see what they were doing, but something more interesting happened.

A daisy grew in front of his right foot, and patches of grass began to brighten the dreary and barren land of Harlaw.

Beneath the land, the rocks were crushed to dirt, and the roots of the tree turned the steep, rocky coasts flat, thickening the soil. The tree itself even controlled the air, making it slightly more pleasant.

It all happened too slowly, of course, for the tree had just grown, but in time, the Iron Islands would be a paradise.

—
​

"It is both unsettling and comforting to watch." Davos touched one of the flower beds, still in disbelief that the brown and gray islands were slowly becoming a verdant green.

The tree responsible for this miracle was there, glowing when you gazed at it for long, with a comforting beauty.

The Children of the Forest were still gathered around the tree, undisturbed by the men.

"If there is an attack on the islands, what will we do? Asgard is too far away."

"Good question." He could station a dragon on the Iron Islands, but keeping the brothers away did not sit well with him.

Training the natives of the island was one idea, but they could not be trusted yet.

Leaf had finally left the tree, looking serene and at peace. "You do not have to worry. The mother tree will protect herself."

That earned her a round of disbelieving looks. "How exactly?"

"Her roots are strong, and the power of the kraken is at her command." Leaf seemed sure, and he would take her word for it.

"Good enough for me." Robert shrugged. He would still deploy men to the island as a precaution, but it saved him the trouble.

Davos cleared his throat. "Shall we send ships to bring farmers here?" Even their words showed that the Ironborn had no knowledge of how to farm.

"Good idea, we'll get families, pay them good gold, give them homes, and have them teach these fools how to farm." Gold was the best incentive to convince anyone to settle in these islands.

—
​

"The mother tree wishes to speak to you."

"She can speak?" He had heard back on Earth that talking to plants could help them grow better, but nothing about the plants talking back.

This ought to be fun.

Leaf, however, found it insulting.

"Give me a break; how am I supposed to know she was a magical tree that can talk?"

—
​

Touching Leaf's hand while she touched the bark, it did not take long before Robert found himself floating in a golden space, with only a bright, rainbow-colored orb in front of him.

Putting his right hand over his heart, Robert spoke with an exaggerated tone. "Ooooh, magical tree, what is thy wisdom?"

"What?" The voice was melodious, taken aback by the weirdness of the man.

"Are there any blue alien chicks out there?" Preferably ones that were hot.

"I… don't understand?" What was an alien? Why were they blue? What did the man mean?

Dropping the act now that he had confused the tree spirit, Robert was ready to talk business. "I'll take that as a no. What did you want to speak about?"

The spirit was silent, believing it was for the best to ignore the previous words. "I wished to thank you. My children tell me that it was your deeds that led to my blooming."

"You're welcome."

The mother tree, one without a name because she did not need it in her words, spoke of her own mother, cut down and destroyed by the creatures of cold as a part of their desire to destroy the Children.

Her kind had existed as long as magic had, mostly in the North, but after the pact between the men and the Children was broken and so many of them were dead, there was no way for the last seed to bloom.

Until now.

Now that she had bloomed, the spirit would keep the Iron Islands verdant and fertile, the perfect farm field, in return for the protection Robert would offer the Children.

A simple transaction where both sides won.

She, because Robert was going with that for the sake of avoiding complications, spoke of how her mother had made the frigid and cold North into a heaven for all—the children, the men, and the animals. The coming of the Andals and the war between the Northmen and the Children had reduced the North back to the frozen wasteland it was, and over time, snow had covered everything.

Now, she would make these islands the same, as long as they had peace.

This was history not mentioned anywhere else, and the chances are, none of these existed in the universe of the books he read. This world was becoming more and more fascinating with each day.

Too bad for those dumbasses, it was all left to Robert, and unlike them, he had the common sense to not let religious zealots destroy his hard work.

—
​

"Enjoy the North, maggots, and do tell Arthur Dayne that I said to go fuck himself with a rusty sword." Robert waved after the first ship heading to the Wall. The Iron Islands were so close to the North, yet the safest way to send the Ironborn to the Wall was to have them sail to Eastwatch-by-the-Sea.

Forcing thousands to march through the North would definitely end with most escaping without dragons to watch them, and sailing to the western part of the Wall would not be any better.

"I heard that it was actually you whom the Sword of the Morning tried to kill that day." These were rumors, of course, after Arthur Dayne had confessed to killing the king because he was mad and weak.

Most did not care enough to question, but there were some who insisted that Arthur Dayne had been forced to say it to not meet his end at the headsman's block.

Robert grinned. That was always fun to remember. "You heard right; I just turned the tables on them."

Sandor sniggered. "Making a kingslayer out of the greatest knight in the realm? Fucking hilarious." He never liked knighthood to begin with, and seeing someone like Arthur Dayne get humiliated was satisfying.

"Eh, I always preferred Barristan; he didn't need a fancy sword to kill all the people he killed." Then again, he didn't like anyone serving the Targaryens.

"I heard Ser Hasty is a rather experienced knight as well." Davos had heard the deeds of the man, perhaps not as great as Barristan Selmy, Gerold Hightower, or Oswell Whent, but he was pious.

"If Rhaegar didn't bring him to the Kingsguard because Bonifer Hasty and the Dowager Queen Rhaella were in love before, then my name isn't Robert." After a husband like Aerys, Rhaella must be happy to have her old flame back with her.

That startled Davos, whose eyes widened. "Kingsguard are sworn to not take wives or sire children; surely they cannot?" Those kinds of rumors would hurt the Targaryens, especially since Lord Robert was fond of humiliating them.

"Of course not; that doesn't mean they aren't sweethearts."

"What of you, my lord? Who will inherit Asgard when the time comes? Still wish to leave it to a nephew of yours?" Davos asked. Lord Robert flirted with females, sometimes even taking one to bed, but none of the ladies that sought him out had found success.

It left Asgard's future uncertain.

"Eh, I am not dying anytime soon, and the world is a big place. I might just find the kind of woman I seek." If not, he could always marry Rhaella Targaryen, just to make Rhaegar call him good-father.

That would be hilarious, no matter how unlikely.

"My lord, can you hear us?" Robert rubbed his palms together. He was really starting to enjoy having long-range comms in a fantasy world.

Especially when you were the only one with it.

"There you guys are. How is it going back at home?"

"Same as always."

"I need you to find farmers willing to settle in the Iron Islands and teach the shits over here how to farm." He got straight to the point. The sooner these islands were on a track to be Robert's breadbasket, the better.

Another smoky visage appeared next to Tyrion. "Grandson, I assume your plan to make those dreary rocks arable worked?"

"Of course it did."

—
​

The North

Eastwatch by the Sea

A Month Later

Ser Maron Swann, the youngest son of Lord Swann, who had decided to serve Robert after leaving home, left the ship to speak to the man in charge.

"I am Commander of Eastwatch, Cotter Pyke. You brought men to the Watch?" Cotter looked at the ship, seeing hundreds of men chained with iron balls at their feet.

"That we did. By the orders of Lord Robert Baratheon, I am to have these Ironborn take the black." Cotter blinked, remembering the rumors of how Robert fucking Baratheon had slain a kraken and brought the Iron Islands down.

Hearing about nobles killing each other was Cotter's favorite rumor.

"How many do you have?"

"Over a thousand, with more to come." They were only constrained by the number of ships available, and as the Iron Islands settled, more would be shipped at once.

That was the greatest number of men he had ever seen come to take the black at once. "How many more?"

"Around ten thousand." But that was just too fucking many.

"What? We cannot take that many; we do not have the fucking supplies."

Maron pointed at the vessels at the back, acting as supply ships to keep the crews and the prisoners fed. "Lord Robert has sent goods seized from the Ironborn: food, clothing, fabric, weapons, drinks, and medicine. He has also sent a letter to the Crown for the same purpose."

—
​

King's Landing

Red Keep

The Small Council Chambers

Tywin put the letter back on the table, trying to reign in the fury swelling up inside him.

"He wants us to fund ten thousand Ironborn bound for the Wall? Is he mad? Why does he think we would agree because of our queen?" To Jon, if Robert wanted to send the Ironborn to the Wall, he should do it himself.

Tywin, already fuming inside due to Robert's outrageous letter, wondered for the thousandth time which part of his body Jon Connington used to think with. "Nay, because "one of you morons is responsible for sending word to the Ironborn, and if you don't want me to kill you all because I am too lazy to find the bastard, begin sending supplies to the Wall. Not that I should have to threaten you for it, because everyone knows I am the only defense line against the Night King and the Others." He read the part of the letter, the only one to see it after the king.

Rhaegar massaged his head, the mere mention of that accursed name setting his blood on fire. "Lord Varys, have you still not discovered who it was?" Whoever had flown word to the Ironborn, he would have him drawn and quartered.

"Unfortunately not, Your Grace." It was satisfying to deceive the Crown and the Small Council so thoroughly.

"Have supplies sent to the Wall. I am sure I can count on your generosity, my lords, to join House Targaryen in this endeavor." Rhaegar's eyes lingered on Tywin Lannister and Mace Tyrell longer than any other. With the gold mines of Casterly Rock and the fields of the Reach, they were the ones that could supply the most.

"House Tyrell will more than do its part in protecting the realm, Your Grace." Mace knew it was not a request but an order veiled as one.

Tywin, not to be outdone, pledged his support as well, spurring the rest of the Council to do the same.

—
​

The North

Winterfell

"Gods grant me patience." Rickard prayed, whispering to not be heard. The tidings brought by Robert's knight were ones that meant trouble for the North.

Brandon slammed his hand on the table, rising with a vengeance. "Ten thousand more men? If the Ironborn mutiny and take the Wall, we will be defenseless." Those bastards would let the Wildlings pass the Wall out of spite, and the North would be at war.

"Lord Robert has warned that he will burn down every single keep in the Iron Islands, with all the women and children inside, if the Ironborn at the Wall rebel or cause trouble." The knight said,

"That is cold comfort to the North if we have more than ten thousand outlaws." No man would wish to risk his wife and daughters that way, but the Ironborn were mad, and you couldn't predict what madmen would do.

The knight looked uncomfortable. "I have nothing else to say, Lord Stark; I am merely carrying Lord Robert's words."

"You may leave."

"Fucking bastard. I hope he falls off his dragon and dies." Brandon cursed, the only thing he could do against Robert.

"At least he sent supplies." Robert may hate the North, but he still knew that men would need to fill their bellies and keep warm to not rise in mutiny.

—
​

Stormlands

Asgard

After hearing Robert's orders, Tyrion had spoken to the men of several farmers waiting for housing in Asgard, offering to settle them in the Iron Islands, with homes, gold, and workers, in return for teaching the Ironborn how to farm.

Even the most ignorant of the smallfolk knew that you could not grow crops in the Iron Islands, which was the reason the Ironborn were reavers and pirates.

It took great effort and promises that if they could not grow crops in the Iron Islands after Lord Robert had promised so, they would be given housing in Asgard, all at the cost of the lord's coffers.

Tyrion made the promise, knowing it would be unnecessary.

Several families, desperate for a better life, took the offer, and with Asgard's new ships ready, they were loaded into them with livestock, horses, supplies, and everything needed to turn arable land to farms.

—
​

In the next chapter:


Robert whistled, enjoying the sight before him.

With hair like fire, a toned body, a lovely but cold face, and deep brown eyes, the woman before him, dressed in a black robe with thick fur around her neck, was definitely one of the most gorgeous ones he had ever seen before.

"Tell me, my lady, what brings a beauty like you to Asgard?" He asked, holding out his hand. Reserved, the red headed beauty gave her hand as well, and Robert pressed a light kiss on her knuckles.


Curious about the next chapter? Please consider supporting me on Patreon.

 

[Samael61]

Hello there,

If you enjoy my stories, you can read advanced chapters on my patreon page

Her Eternal Excellency, a Genshin Impact and ASOIAF crossover, Raiden Ei Reborn as Argella Durrandon, is 15 chapters ahead

DCU:Blacklist, a Raymond Reddington-inspired OC SI using his knowledge for his own advantage, as well as the rest of the world, is 15 chapters ahead,

Geek's Guide to Thriving in a Low-End Fantasy World, a Robert Baratheon OC SI in an AU, is 15 chapters ahead,

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—
​

The Iron Islands

Harlaw

The more time they spent on the Iron Islands, the more pleasant time passed, thanks to the mother tree. The weather warmed up, the winds slowed down, and the greenery spread.

Not only on Harlaw, but on the other islands too. The people were restless but too scared to do anything drastic.

That was before Robert ordered the recently arrived farmers to start working immediately. The smallfolk were clueless and hesitant to start farming before Robert slapped the belligerence out of a young man, and then they were all too willing.

All those people, however, could not just survive on farming alone, but fortunately, the mother tree would increase the yield of the sea as well.

More taxes for Asgard.

The smallfolk were also capable shipbuilders, which Robert would take advantage of by bringing shipwrights from Asgard to have more Pioneers built for his fleets.

Now, he just needed a capable governor for the Iron Islands. Preferably, someone with knowledge in farming and capable of holding the smallfolk in line.

—
​

It turned out to be two people. One, an old captain who knew his letters; the other, another old man, a farmer who had toiled in the fields of Reach. The captain was known for keeping even the unruliest of crewmembers in line, and the farmer was something of a go-to man for younger farmers whenever they faced a difficulty in the field.

The newly appointed Governor Stenmar and the Chief Farmer Alderys would work together, covering each other's weaknesses, while Robert would send more learned men to manage the islands.

Overall, it was an excellent campaign.

—
​

Finally done with the preparations, he was ready to return home, leaving most of the children to tend to the tree as they desired.

The horns of the kraken were loaded onto two ships bound together with chains and rope, dragged by several more ships as a trophy of his victory.

Which made two, and at this rate, he considered opening a gallery, displaying his trophies.

Robert's Gallery of Awesomeness sounded nice to the ear.

—
​

Having left Obelisk to protect the fleet, Robert made a beeline for Asgard, because he couldn't handle another three weeks of trailing the fleet.

Through the Riverlands, he flew over Hayford and King's Landing before heading to Asgard.

The reason he was over King's Landing was to leave an impression, more so than he already had.

Flipping the Targaryens while they watched from the ground, he went home.

—
​

Asgard

Ra was landing on the square when the excited citizens rushed to greet him.

Chants of "Robert! Robert!" were quickly getting louder, and he stood atop the dragon, raising both hands to the air, basking in the glory of the moment.

"People of Asgard. I have, once again, returned victorious in my greatness. The Ironborn shall no longer trouble anyone, for I have either killed or sent them all to the Wall, which is just as bad if you ask me."

The crowd laughed at his small joke before they continued cheering.

—
​

"My lord, welcome back. We wanted to greet you, but the people were too eager." Tyrion bowed his head, while Rhaelle fussed over Robert, checking him for any injuries.

"Can you blame them for having a lord like me?" Robert winked with a cocky smile.

His grandmother looked ready to twist his ear off but did not do it out of propriety. "You jumped into a kraken's maw, Robert?"

"And fought through an army of lobster monsters; let's not forget that part." Robert corrected Rhaelle, knowing he was on dangerous territory as it is.

"Of course, how could we?" She muttered, leaving him be. Her eldest grandson was incorrigible as always.

Pinching his grandmother's cheeks, Robert went to hug his brother after the old woman slapped his hands away. "Stannis and Delena, how are you two doing?"

"Good. Certainly nothing as interesting as your campaign has been." Stannis grunted as his brother finally released him.

Robert put Stannis in a headlock, giving him a gentle noogie. "Don't pout, Stannis, I'll take you with me next time."

Trying to wrench out of Robert's hold was impossible, even though Stannis was stronger than most men, but mercifully, he let go. "I would rather not."

"Brother, I hope you like the garden. I thought the keep could use it." Delena smiled.

"Oh, thank you for that. I wanted to actually make this place look better, but you saved me the work."

—
​

A feast would be customary, but Robert wanted to wait until the fleet returned. His first business back home was to visit the families of the dead men, those that had families at least, and relay his condolences.

Empty words weren't all he was going to offer, but also stipends for the wives and children if they had any, or for the parents. It would be until the children grew up and wed, and they would also be granted priority should they wish to work directly for Asgard, such as enlisting as soldiers or as clerks.

Provided they had the necessary qualifications, of course.

Victory was sweet, but meeting all those people and being unable to even give them bodies for burial? That was more bitter than anything else.

—
​

There was so much work to do, Robert dreaded to begin. Without him and Davos there, the work eventually piled up, and now, he had to make up for it.

Construction plans for neighborhoods for the waiting citizens, the fleet management, from the shipbuilding efforts to deciding the routes of the trade fleets, and the revenues from all his ventures.

The last part made him smile.

It wasn't a fortune by any means, since Asgard wasn't producing much yet, but it was the rate of growth that was impressive. The first trade voyage, which had barely made a five thousand gold profit, was doubled in the second and tripled in the third.

This exponential growth wouldn't continue, but the profits flowed straight into propping up the production centers and the guilds, and eventually, Robert would have Asgard where he wanted it.

And he didn't have to pay taxes, which was a bonus.

Calculating routes on the map, Robert slapped his forehead, remembering something. "Tyrion, send a letter to Harroway; I promised Rhydan Roote a bridge."

"A bridge?" Tyrion had heard rumors along those lines going around but was too busy with work, and none had brought it to his attention.

Robert tapped twice on where the Twins, the keep of House Frey, was. "To break the power of the Freys."

No one liked the Freys, and it wouldn't be outlandish to say Walder Frey was despised by a lot of nobles. "What shall I say?"

"Ask him how the preparations go; he was the one who had to gather the workers and the stone necessary. Have him send me the complete costs for now." Robert would calculate the costs to ensure there was no foul play, not that Rhydan struck him as the type.

Tyrion pulled out an empty parchment to pen the letter. "As you wish. But may I ask, why take such a stand against the Freys? Have they done something to displease you?"

"They are vultures; that is good enough for me. And we get to irritate your father since Genna Lannister is wed to a Frey." Tyrion smiled at the last part. While Tywin Lannister never liked his sister being wed to a Frey, the merchants of the Westerlands enjoyed free passage through the Twins.

This would definitely irritate his father.

—
​

The work was alleviated a bit, enough for him to dispense rewards and hear petitions. First in line was the resident mage, who earned his title now since he did something that had not been seen in centuries.

"Marwyn the Mage, I commend you on managing to use a Valyrian glass candle. This alone is an unmatched boon to Asgard. Now, I want you to find and teach acolytes how to do the same. In the meantime, I'll grant you a wish, as long as it isn't unreasonable." He offered, while two servants brought forward a staff with a body of Valyrian steel entwined around a white crystal at the top.

Marwyn rose, taking the staff with reverence. "You have already given me more than I hoped to ever find in life, my lord. My only wish is to continue my studies."

Oh well. "Very well, if you think of anything, you may ask again."

—
​

Once the theatrics were out of the way, Robert held in his hand the report of Marwyn's experiments on the White Walker.

She was weak to sounds too low for human ears to hear, and they could shatter the skin, leaving deep, painful wounds.

Dragonglass and Valyrian steel were already known weaknesses, but it turns out anything related to the fire affected them as well. If charcoal and ash touched the skin, they burned the White Walker, not enough to kill, but enough to weaken them.

To that end, Marwyn suggested gathering charcoal dust and ash to spread over the monsters should they attack the Wall.

Hundreds of substances, claimed to be magical one way or the other, were tried as well, but none had done any harm.

Except for the dragonbinder. Whatever magic the dragonlords of old imbued on it, just bringing it close to the White Walker caused her to contract in pain. Encouraged by this, Marwyn had exposed her to the dragonscales left behind by the siblings, and while her ice and cold could not harm them, the scales did nothing to her either.

Resorting to more holy means, the seven-pointed star had not produced any results, nor had the holy scriptures when held or read by common men.

When it was a septon, however, the White Walker was uncomfortable, even if she was unharmed.

Marwyn wished to test how she would do before the priest of R'hllor, but they were forbidden from entering Asgard.

Overall, the questions answered shed more light on the Faith of the Seven and the dragonlords than they did on the White Walkers.

Still, Robert was pleased.

—
​

Three days had passed since his arrival, and the bards of Valhalla, whom he usually kept around to play relaxing music, had brought him a song written for his latest victory.

"O slayer, o slayer,

Of monsters, of demons,

On the wings of dragons, he glided to the Doom.

Found a demon so foul, so cursed,

Its spawn puppeteered the dead.

Yet they fell once the strings were cut.

From the sky, he dove like an arrow.

Plunging his spear deep in the demon's chest,

Sailed against the reavers,

He found a beast so foul, so cursed,

A kraken of myth and tale,

Dove into its maw to save his faithful subjects

An army of monsters, he put to sword.

Deep in the belly of the beast,

He found its beating heart.

With a swing of his sword,

Vanquished it like shadows in the sun,

O slayer, O slayer

Long live Robert the Slayer."

Robert clapped loudly, very pleased with the results.

—
​

Tyrion slammed his hand on the table, breaking Robert out of his musings over the papers before him.

"What happened?"

"Cersei has escaped from the Silent Sisters, along with Lysa Tully."

"Huh, what are the chances she goes to the Free Cities and becomes a whore?" Cersei Lannister, the second coming of Saera Targaryen.

Then again, Cersei wasn't as smart as she thought, and Lysa, less so. The runaway ladies might just get themselves killed.

Either way, Tywin Lannister must be furious.

"Don't be so angry now. Cersei is sheltered. She has no way of earning coin, except for selling herself, and if she is stupid enough to not run away from Westeros, Tywin will find her."

"Even the Silent Sisters are too good for her."

"You know what, send out orders; if they are ever seen around here, have both of them hanged like common brigands."

"Gladly, my lord."

—
​

Robert whistled, enjoying the sight before him.

With hair like fire, a toned body, a lovely but cold face, and deep brown eyes, the woman before him, dressed in a black robe with thick fur around her neck, was definitely one of the most gorgeous ones he had ever seen before.

"Tell me, my lady, what brings a beauty like you to Asgard?" He asked, holding out his hand. Reserved, the red headed beauty gave her hand as well, and Robert pressed a light kiss on her knuckles.

"Trade." Her accent was rough, almost like Russian, and colder than her face.

He had no idea where it was from. "Your accent is unfamiliar."

"I come from Moraq." Robert racked his brain, remembering the maps, and knew Moraq was distant.

Really distant.

Perhaps a visit to the island nation was in order. "Ah, that is certainly unexpected."

"Everyone has heard of your deeds. Even Yi-Ti speaks of you, mostly to laugh." The woman did not seem to be warming up to him at all, and Robert took his seat again.

Robert covered his mockingly shocked mouth with his hand. "They laugh at me? My, I wish they were here to do it to my face."

"They don't believe your deeds are real, but I see they are." The woman admitted begrudgingly, and Robert knew this would go nowhere.

Still, it wouldn't do if he did not take the shot. "Would you like to hear it in private? I am even having the horns of a kraken brought to Asgard."

"My ship departs soon; I must leave." The woman bowed, and Robert shrugged. Ah well, nothing to do about it now.

"Great, Robert Baratheon, spurned by a woman. This is the second time, I believe?" Tyrion coughed to hide his laughter as he entered the room. He knew Robert wasn't the type to make an issue out of jests like these.

"And I actually liked her. This sucks." This woman blew any he had seen before out of the water, and in the meantime, he threw a jab at Lyanna Stark too.

The first time his handsome face failed him.

"What did they come to trade?" What did Moraq have to offer?

Tyrion searched through the papers in his arms. "Furs, trinkets, weapons, and silk."

So nothing out of the ordinary.

"Speaking of silk, how do our trees fare?" They kept the business itself secret; there was no need for competition in Westeros.

"We are having mulberry trees dug out and moved carefully to Asgard, but it costs great coin. The saplings will take years to grow, and the workers are waiting for the moths to lay eggs." Tyrion reported, keeping a close eye on the groove, under the guise that Robert Baratheon liked mulberries too much.

Otherwise, even with how discreet they were, there would be questions about why Asgard needed so many mulberry trees.

Robert leaned back. "Ah, time, one of the few things I can't buy with coin."

He didn't have time to think much about the woman, busy as he was.

—
​

Notes: I decided to write a song this time, rather than just mentioning it. Hope you guys like it.

—
​

In the next chapter:

Tyrion was puzzled.

"What exactly is an advancement fair, my lord?" Robert's explanation for his next task left him confused, because it was common for half of his words to not make sense.

Robert brought his fingers together, tapping them in a rhythm, looking at the ceiling as he thought about how best to explain this. "Tell me a tool that would make your tasks easier."

Curious to see where this was going, Tyrion considered his options. "Perhaps a quill that did not run out of ink so quickly?" When you had to work as much as him, constantly filling your quill began to grate on his patience.



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[Samael61]

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—
​

Asgard

Robert waited in the docks as the fleet approached, having been slowed down by the special cargo.

Obelisk, on the other hand, landed next to him, scaring the people away, nuzzling Robert with his head before he sent him off to his brothers.

"Davos, Sandor, and Wun Weg, welcome back."

"My lord. I hope you are well."

"Meh, it's the same. Go find your families and rest; don't forget to bring them to the feast."

—
​

Sandor, having no family and no desire to rest since he has been on a ship for so long, stuck with Robert while the singular, crown-like horns were carried from the ships by dragons.

Manpower would work too, but it would take too long. Instead, the horns were chained from three places, allowing the dragons to lift and fly it all the way to the top of the cliff where the demon's corpse hung.

—
​

Generous as he was, Robert spared no expense for the feast. This one wasn't for the nobles, but for the families of the dead and the men who had gone to the Iron Islands with him.

Chicken, duck, goose, lamb, beef, exotic fruits and all kinds of vegetables, bread, chocolate cakes, which were quickly becoming a signature dish of Asgard, and different kinds of wine from all across the Seven Kingdoms were served.

The giants and the Children of the Forest, at least the ones that remained in Asgard, were in attendance too.

Foodstuffs were distributed all across the city, because tonight, everyone would eat like kings.

Demolishing his roasted duck, Robert cleaned his hands and mouth, rising with the wine glass in his hand. Dressed in his regal attire with a clean-shaven face, he, as always, cut an extremely dashing figure.

The hall fell silent; the people put down their utensils and stopped eating, listening to their lord with rapt attention.

"People of Asgard. Tonight, we celebrate our victory over the Ironborn filth. Not only are they not going to scourge the seas ever again, but they are now the North's problem."

"And from this day onward, the smallfolk of the Iron Islands will turn to farming as the Children of the Forest, our allies and a part of Asgard, turn those dreary islands into a liveable place." He announced, emphasizing the children's part in the Iron Islands and their place in Asgard.

The applause was loud, and Robert let it continue for a minute before stopping it.

"Now, eat and drink to your heart's content, and enjoy the feast." The people dove back into the food with gusto while Robert had the time to talk with his family. His father, mother, Tali, and Renly could not be here, but he would go see them soon.

—
​

Tyrion was puzzled.

"What exactly is an advancement fair, my lord?" Robert's explanation for his next task left him confused, because it was common for half of his words to not make sense.

Robert brought his fingers together, tapping them in a rhythm, looking at the ceiling as he thought about how best to explain this. "Tell me a tool that would make your tasks easier."

Curious to see where this was going, Tyrion considered his options. "Perhaps a quill that did not run out of ink so quickly?" When you had to work as much as him, constantly filling your quill began to grate on his patience.

"Now, imagine this. You make a list of tools like that, ones that would make your, my, and everyone's tasks easier. And you give them to scholars, to master builders, to blacksmiths, and offer a fat reward to anyone who makes it happen." Robert explained in the most practical way.

Slowly, Tyrion connected the dots.

"We can work faster, solve more issues, and sell those tools."

Robert snapped his finger and pointed at Tyrion. "That's it. Think about it, you wanted a quill that did not run out of ink so easily; how many others would want it as well?"

"Anyone who had to write something." And as the sole provider of that kind of quill, Asgard would decide the price.

And everything else that came out of the city.

"Exactly."

The possibilities of this idea were endless to him. "My lord, this might just be your most brilliant idea ever."

"Why do you think I brought all those artisans and scholars to Asgard?" Tyrion's eyes widened, not expecting a plan this long in the making.

Now, there was only one thing left for him to do.

"How do we make this list of yours?"

Tyrion would visit the workers of all kinds: farmers, blacksmiths, glassblowers, fishermen, dockworkers, and masons. He would ask them what they desired to make their work easier, make a list out of it with what each device should do, and offer a reward to the makers of the tools that show the most promise.

Most people did not have the coin to spend on making those tools, and as such, would be provided a stipend for that purpose, with severe punishment should it be misused.

If there was more than one tool that did the same thing, the reward would be split between them, provided there was no theft involved.

Every year, the tools would be presented to the people and Robert in the square during the Advancement Fair Week.

—
​

When the city hall workers began to nail papers across the city on boards, those who knew their letters took a look.

The rewards offered were mind-boggling to the people, who only saw the gold dragons offered in tourneys.

A thousand gold for a writing utensil that did not spill ink nor run out so quickly, two thousand for a farming tool that could thresh wheat faster, and another two thousand for one that could sow seeds faster than a man could, five thousand for a cheap and quick way of making paper, and ten thousand gold dragons for a loom that would work using a water wheel.

The list went on, offering countless gold coins for fanciful tools. Most who knew how to read found the rewards enticing but did not think they could deliver what was demanded.

Those that did, however, were the ones Asgard needed.

—
​

"Welcome to our first meeting after the mess with the Ironborn."

"Davos, let's start with you. How are the ships that are left doing?"

They had lost twenty ships out of the eighty at the start, and currently, forty were left behind to ferry the Ironborn to the Wall and would eventually return.

Close to eight hundred men were dead, most lost to the sea.

Cone, the Child of the Forest left behind to speak in Asgard's council, spoke of how their stay in Asgard was peaceful so far, the same with the giants.

The construction efforts in the city were going well, and most importantly, in a planned manner, and that way, the city would not turn into a dump like King's Landing.

Now, if he could only figure out the secrets of making dragonstone, but he had to wait for Leaf to return so she could take him to these underdwellers.

—
​

The North

Winterfell

Rickard hated his life.

The Ironborn in the Wall were being belligerent, as he knew they would be, refusing to follow orders, only eating, drinking, and wasting their days.

At least the Watch was supplied better now that their allies, the Crown, the Westerlands, the Reach, and even the Riverlands, were sending food, clothing, and such to the Wall.

But the Ironborn had to be brought to heel, and for that reason, the banners were called. There would be more to join the Watch soon, bringing the numbers beyond what it had been for centuries, and if this issue was not resolved, the Wall would be in danger.

Damn Robert for not killing them all.

They couldn't even refuse to take the Ironborn since the Slayer of Monsters and Demons, which was a new title for the man after killing a god-damned kraken of all things, had said he would just leave them on the shores of the North.

Every day, he hated Robert more.

But there were good tidings from the Crown, at least.

Lyanna, his daughter, the Queen of the Seven Kingdoms, was with child, the future king if it was a boy, a princess if it was a girl.

The child would secure his daughter's position while strengthening the ties between the North and the Crown.

—
​

Two thousand men from the neighboring lords had gathered near Last Heart before heading to the Wall.

Lord Commander Jeor Mormont would bring the Ironborn for a hunt, which was the only good thing they did for the Watch, because it was an act they enjoyed.

Punishing them in the Wall itself would lead to fighting, which they could not afford, and the men Rickard had brought with him would surround the Ironborn and hang as many as needed for the reavers to understand something.

The Night's Watch would not tolerate their acts.

—
​

Victarion let the arrow loose, and it pierced right through the chest of the deer. The creature thrashed on the ground for a couple of seconds before lying still.

Hunting was just about the only thing they could enjoy in this damned wasteland. Ready to skin the deer, he stopped when an arrow fell next to his feet, stabbed into the ground.

Raising his bow and notching another arrow, Victarion looked around for the attacker, and a dozen men wearing the Stark sigil came out of the trees, pointing arrows and crossbows at him.

"What are you doing? I am a man of the Watch." He shouted, searching for the leader.

Who came out from behind the archers, and Victarion recognized the Stark heir. "You are nothing but pirate filth that should have been hanged, if only that Baratheon had the courage for it."

"Lower your bow and surrender. Your defiance in following orders will not go unpunished any longer." Brandon warned him.

Considering his options, Victarion lowered his bow. Even if he took one of them out, the rest would kill him.

—
​

Hundreds of Ironborn were brought to their knees before Lord Rickard Stark. Some had chosen to fight and were killed, but most had chosen to lay down their weapons.

"The Watch has stood for thousands of years, protecting the Seven Kingdoms from the horrors that lie beyond. Yet, you, as brothers of the Night's Watch, have refused to follow orders and carry out your duties." Rickard raised his voice to be heard clearly by everyone.

"Piss on that. We never had a choice." Someone among the Ironborn shouted back, and Rickard didn't even try to see who it was.

"True. You were foolish enough to attack Asgard, and look how it ended for you. You chose to join the Watch, fearing death, but your little rebellion will end here. Commander, who were the ones most defiant?" He asked, ready to crush the spirit of the Ironborn.

Jeor Mormont named each and every one, with Victarion Greyjoy at the head, who had emboldened the Ironborn.

Rather than the headsman's block, Rickard ordered them all to be hanged like pirates, a fitting punishment for the Ironborn.

The corpses would be left there, and every new Ironborn to join the Watch would be made to walk through the woods to see the price of their defiance. The sight of it already had the remaining reavers obey the orders.

—
​

Asgard

Valhalla

Robert, as usual, was sitting in his office, or solar in the local terms, working, when someone knocked on the door. It was Sandor, dragging three men covered in dust inside, and the smell made him gag.

"Why did you bring them here?" Robert waved his hand in front of his nose, trying to dispel the smell, and gestured to one of the men to open the windows.

Sandor, disgusted by the smell as well, smacked one of the criminals with the handle of his sword. "These bastards were caught trying to dig a tunnel to the vaults."

"And they dug into the sewers?" The smell made sense now and only made Robert more disgusted.

Sandor grunted, affirming his inference. "First, have them dipped into the sea until they don't smell, and bring them back when they are dry." Robert dismissed them.

—
​

While the robbers were being taken away, Robert listened to how they were discovered. Their neighbors, suspicious of the noise and the dirt around the house, had reported them to the city guards. Searching the house, they came across a hatch by chance, leading to a tunnel.

The owners of the house were found at the end, having accidentally dug their way into the sewers.

And we were brought to Robert.

Cleaned in the sea, the robbers looked like cats with ruffled fur.

He rose, slow and deliberate, taking his hammer in hand. "Trying to steal from me, eh? Who put you up to this?"

Wiping the glinting double-sided hook, Robert waited for an answer.

"Not going to talk? That's alright." He swung the hammer, the hooks going uncomfortably close to their eyes, scaring the shit out of them.

Robert shook his head. They weren't brave enough to keep a secret.

"Tyrion, how much do we pay the sewer cleaners?" He put the hammer down, sitting back and propping his legs on the desk.

"A lot, since no one wants to do it, and even then, it is hard to find enough men."

Robert clapped his hands. "Here we have three hale and strong workers already acquainted closely with the sewers."

Sandor sniggered.

"It is my belief that they should pay for their crimes by cleaning the sewers of Asgard as a constructive punishment." The men raised their heads, looking ready to beg, but Sandor pulled his sword out.

Feeling the sharpness of the greatsword touching their neck, the criminals did not make a peep.

"After a year, we might just send them to the Wall." If they were good in their work, Robert would name them the eternal sewer cleaners and keep them in Asgard.

"Take them away." He ordered with a wave of his hand, and the trio was dragged out.

"Cleaning the sewer pipes? I must admit, that is a brilliant idea." Even with its pay, dealing with the sewers was not well-liked work.

"Better than just turning them to corpses. Why hang a criminal when you can work them to the bone?"

That got a good laugh out of them.

—
​

After a thorough investigation, Robert came to the conclusion that those morons weren't ordered by anyone to do this. Their equipment was shoddy, and the plans were crudely drawn, without even an idea where the vaults were or the depth.

They were just three idiots hoping to find his vaults by digging a tunnel. Their first job was to fix the broken sewer walls, fill the tunnel back, and rebuild the torn floor before being taken to their new job.

—
​

In the next chapter:

"Well, well, I never expected to see you here, my lord. Why the secrecy?" Chataya was surprised to see Robert visit her establishment.

If she could hook him, his endless purse could be opened for her girls.

"I am not here to indulge. I just need two girls to help me with something." Robert asked, grinning. The girls were fine, nothing like that redhead from Morocco, but he was in the city for another kind of thrill.

Such a pity. "What would that be?"

Still, this wasn't a total loss, as Robert pulled out a fat sack of coin, handing it to Chataya.

"Ask no questions. Just know that it is dangerous, but I'll offer to pay the debt of the girls."



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In addition, if you enjoy the premise of a genius protagonist, you can check Arrival : Ruptures, my original story for much of the same in sci-fi, action, technological wonders and romance.