House of The Dragon:The Rise of the Emperor of the Seven Kingdoms

Chapter 156: Chapter 155 – The Blood Tears of the Faith of the Seven (I)

Jaehaerys walked slowly; behind him, the entire Kingsguard was following him with cold, cautious gazes. All wore helmets, and their armor was polished to the extreme. Gleaming as befitted the most prestigious order of knights of the present day.

When the king arrived at one of the chambers, he did not even need to ask; a member of the Kingsguard opened the door, revealing a luxurious guest room. Jaehaerys entered the room and saw a dozen septas, women of the faith who had sworn chastity.

However, it was the fat man in dazzling robes and a crystal crown on his head. The High Septon, the supreme leader of the Faith of the Seven in Westeros. Honestly, a man unpleasant to Jaehaerys’s eyes.

Even though he was not one of the worst High Septons in history, he was among the top ten, without a shadow of a doubt. Jaehaerys had heard that there were at least a dozen bastard children in the Sept of Oldtown and several mistresses. No one dared say anything, but the High Septon’s reputation before him was garbage.

Knowing that this man had killed his grandson before he was even born made Jaehaerys’s demeanor grow even colder. Besides that, the man had dared to wear a crown in his presence.

“I see you are enjoying your stay in King’s Landing, Your Holiness.” Jaehaerys spoke, looking at the fat pig before him, and hid his bloodlust. If Vermithor had been behind him, he would probably have swallowed the High Septon whole with the fury Jaehaerys felt.

The High Septon, who had gone by the name Justin before giving it up to become the High Septon, took a small metal vial from his waist and sniffed the delightful fragrance, looking at the king with a smile on his plump, flaccid lips.

“King’s Landing remains as enchanting as ever, Your Grace.” The High Septon said, taking a few more sniffs from his scent vial. “If possible, I would still like to move the center of the faith to the capital; it would be easier to administer the faith here.”

Jaehaerys showed little surprise, but his gaze grew colder. He did not know whether the High Septon was brave or foolish, but, looking at the man’s casual, indifferent expression, the king knew it was the latter; the High Septon was a complete fool.

If the High Septon moved the capital of the Faith to King’s Landing, Jaehaerys could see that these men would become hostages to House Targaryen should a stronger king arise in the years to come.

“Visenya’s Hill is still free, is it not? Perhaps we could build a great Sept for the Faith of the Seven,” Justin said, looking at the king with a kind, gentle gaze. “Imagine creating something so grand and magnificent for the God of the Seven Faces?”

The king remained indifferent to the proposal. If it had been earlier, perhaps he would have been interested, but now, at the end of his reign? He had conquered Dorne, united the realms, under his reign, the Kingdom of the Three Daughters had vanished. He would also win the war against Braavos.

Honestly, Jaehaerys had no lack of prestige. Building a Sept was not so interesting, especially now that he also wanted to kill this fat pig.

“The kingdom’s finances are tight, Your Holiness.” Jaehaerys refused coldly, not even bothering to invent a more elaborate excuse.

“Do not worry about that; my dear lords and ladies will surely be able to provide gold dragons to win the gods’ favor.” Justin did not seem to mind Jaehaerys’s attitude and spoke with a laugh.

Jaehaerys scoffed inwardly. If the lords knew about this, they might not be as pleased as the High Septon seemed to be. Money came easily to House Targaryen, since it received taxes from the whole realm, but that was not the same for other noble houses.

These small noble houses, which had only their land to profit from, did not earn much money. If they knew they were about to bleed in the name of the Faith of the Seven, they would probably be furious. After all, money was essential and involved many of the nobles’ own interests.

Nevertheless, Jaehaerys found this very good. Not only would it weaken these nobles, it would also gradually erode the Church’s prestige over the lords. The High Septon seemed to think he was doing a favor by being so magnanimous in allowing these nobles to help build the Sept, but he was destroying the church’s prestige.

“There is no time.” Jaehaerys refused again, and again the High Septon remained smiling, sniffing his fragrances with a pleasant look.

“Yes, it shall be for the next king to decide,” the High Septon said with a laugh. “Who do you think will win, Your Grace?”

Jaehaerys looked at the fat pig and wanted to say Maekar, for he wanted to see his reaction, but he held back and appeared indifferent. “Anyone will be a good king.”

“That is not true, Your Grace.” The High Septon shook his head and spoke in a tone full of regret. “The royal bastard cannot be king; he is an abomination born of lust. Who knows what demons whisper in his ear when he lays his head on the pillow? Look at his titles, all representing death and carnage.”

The king knew this man was a hypocrite of the highest order, but hearing those words left him stunned for a brief moment. How many bastards have you sired with novices and septas? How many mistresses do you keep in your chambers?

If there was anyone who was a lustful demon, it was precisely the High Septon.

“Should the noble lords decide that the royal bastard was fit to be king, Your Grace must think of the greater good. How could such an important throne be handed to someone with such dishonorable blood?” Justin spoke again, the smile never leaving his lips.

At that moment, Jaehaerys felt a line in his mind snap. How dared he try to influence House Targaryen’s choice of king?!

Clenching his fists, the king looked at the High Septon with a cold, deep gaze. “Remember your place, Your Holiness; my family’s throne is none of your concern. Be it Maekar or Viserys, both are fit to be king.”

“Do not be angry, my dear king.” The High Septon seemed indifferent to the king’s imminent fury. He took a long sniff from his fragrance vial and continued speaking. “I will not crown the bastard should he be chosen as king. No one will accept his rule, and rebellions will break out across the realm.”

Hearing those words, Jaehaerys abandoned any notion of letting this man leave King’s Landing alive. The High Septon was not only a fool; he was incredibly arrogant. Did he truly believe himself a god after so much flattery?

Not only that, Jaehaerys felt it was truly time to show who was the real master of this continent. The Faith of the Seven seemed to see reconciliation with House Targaryen and House Targaryen’s own weakness.

“By the way, Your Grace.” Apparently remembering something, the High Septon looked at Jaehaerys and spoke calmly. “I heard that one of the chief Red Priestesses is on Dragonstone. I must say it was a surprise when I received the news. I presume Your Grace is merely conversing.”

Jaehaerys narrowed his eyes and did not hide the murderous intent in them. He looked at the High Septon as though he were a snake ready to strike the next moment.

“Do you dare place spies on Dragonstone?” Jaehaerys spoke in an icy tone. Ryam, behind the king, drew his sword, staring coldly at the High Septon. Others might fear the High Septon, but not him.

Everyone in the room froze, terrified; Septon Martin only wanted to cry and flee that place. Since the start of the conversation, he had not wanted to be in the room. It was more than obvious what would happen if the High Septon kept opening his mouth.

Yet, in the face of the king’s fury, the High Septon seemed indifferent. “Why are you so furious? Did you not do the same at the Sept of Oldtown?”

It was different. Jaehaerys was the king; the High Septon was someone inferior to the king. Placing spies on the island that represented House Targaryen was so grave a provocation that Jaehaerys wanted to order Ryam to cut off the High Septon’s head that very moment.

However, remembering Maekar’s words, Jaehaerys smiled coldly. He recalled the weapon Maekar had shown him and then remembered the wooden platform erected in the city square. He knew the boy was up to something and now wanted to watch from the sidelines what would happen.

Jaehaerys looked at the man and left the room. He did not even bother to say anything more. Ryam glared icily at the High Septon and followed the king.

Seeing this, Martin felt relieved and wiped the sweat running down his face. The High Septon might be safe from the king’s fury, but he, a mere septon, would probably end up committing suicide with seven stab wounds in his back if he angered the Old King.

“Hmmm.” The High Septon ate a grape and narrowed his eyes with pleasure. He murmured with a smile on his lips. “It seems that is the limit I should not cross. Surprisingly high.”

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Read my other books:

House of The Dragon:The Rise of the Emperor of the Seven Kingdoms

Game Of Thrones: The God-Emperor of Planetos

Percy Jackson: Godwyn the Golden.

Game Of Thrones: The King’s Court Wizard