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

Chapter 158: Chapter 157 – The Blood Tears of the Faith of the Seven (III)

The citizens of King’s Landing were surprised to see the wooden platform in the city square abuzz with activity. Another wooden platform had even been erected on the right side, and chairs had been placed atop it.

“What is going on?” A woman, wearing somewhat more elaborate clothing and a headscarf, asked in a curious tone.

The man beside her also showed curiosity. He looked like a notary, with a red-feathered hat on his head. The man stepped closer and saw the notice posted on one of the pillars supporting the wooden platform.

Reading the contents, the man’s expression changed from curious to horrified.

The paper read, “Public execution of the Septons who used the people’s faith and trust to rape, blackmail, and intimidate. The execution will be carried out by Prince Maekar Targaryen.”

There were no pompous or flowery words; it was simple and direct.

The man took a deep breath and returned to his wife’s side. He looked at his wife and said it still in a tone of shock. “There is to be a public execution.”

He hesitated but still spoke in a disbelieving tone. “The criminals are the Septons of the Faith of the Seven.”

The woman’s eyes widened, and her mouth fell open in shock as she failed to even process what she had just heard. The news was so shocking it seemed to defy all the logic her life had been built on.

The church could be punished?

The news spread quickly; in less than two hours, the whole city already knew what was going to happen. In the city square, people were already gathering into an enormous crowd that filled the streets around the square.

As everyone whispered among themselves, a silence spread through the crowd. Everyone’s eyes fixed on the middle-aged man who stood before them, climbing the wooden steps and finally standing before them with a calm, deep gaze.

“People of King’s Landing, this is perhaps the darkest moment I have ever witnessed in my life. Thieves, rapists, and murderers were not hiding in filthy alleys or ruined houses but in the noble and sacred halls where we placed our faith.” The man spoke in a loud voice; the emotion in his voice was so strong it kept everyone entirely fixed on him.

“But the gods are just, and they have given us the chance to put an end to this den of corruption. We had no way to judge these demons wearing human skin, for the church itself covered up these vile and wicked acts to preserve its image.”

“But House Targaryen is just an impartial judge who bows to no law of man or gods!!!”

At that moment, on the other platform, many important lords were already seated in their respective chairs. The most important being Ellard Stark, Lord of Winterfell, Corlys Velaryon, Lord of Driftmark, Tommen, Lord of Casterly Rock, Theo Tyrell, Lord of Highgarden, Jonos Arryn, Lord of the Vale, Veron Greyjoy, Lord of the Iron Islands, and finally, the greatest of all lords, Jaehaerys I Targaryen, the king.

Aside from Mara, who was still in Dorne, every Great Noble House was present. Some having replaced their dead brothers, as was the case with Tommen Lannister and Theo Tyrell, who had replaced Loreon and Matthos, respectively.

Beside the king were six more chairs, in which sat, respectively, Queen Alysanne, Prince Maekar, Princess Gael, Prince Daemon, Prince Viserys, and Lady Aemma Arryn.

However, there was one chair set further apart from all the others; it looked more luxurious and imposing. Yet, it still stood empty.

“Prince Maekar, forgive my indelicacy, but is what I think is happening actually going to happen?” The one who asked the question was none other than the Lord of the Iron Islands, Veron Greyjoy. He was a tall, big man with a thick beard around his face and eyes as blue as the sea. Surprisingly, he seemed quite well mannered.

“Lord Veron is right to assume so,” Maekar said in a calm tone. “As I was walking through the streets of King’s Landing, a woman recognized me and approached me. She explained how she had been raped by Septon Eugene while her own husband watched this inhuman act.”

“Naturally, I did not believe her words. How could beings blessed by the gods commit such terrible acts? But, after seeing the despair in her eyes, I decided to investigate.” At that moment, Maekar let out a sigh full of sorrow with a touch of anger.

“Unfortunately, it was not just that poor woman. After investigating for two weeks, I found dozens of similar cases. Had I searched longer, I certainly would have found many more cases.” Maekar let out a sigh.

Varon wanted to laugh at the prince’s performance, but he held back the curses toward the Septons and spoke in a tone full of regret. “Who could have imagined that Septons were doing all this right under the king’s eyes? How bold can they be?”

Jaehaerys narrowed his eyes, sensing that the Lord of the Iron Islands was subtly attacking him, but he himself remained silent after Maekar’s account. He could not imagine that the Septons had been committing this kind of atrocity right under his eyes.

“However, should they not be judged by the Faith of the Seven?” At that moment, the new Lord Paramount of the Mander, Theo, spoke in a hesitant tone. He was young, very young. Perhaps fifteen or sixteen years old. Aside from Maekar, he was the second youngest lord present.

“Fuck the Faith of the Seven; those vile fools deserve to die.” Ellard simply scoffed at the young lord paramount’s words. He looked at Varon beside him and said in a tone full of sarcasm. “Filthy rapists, just like certain salt squids.”

Every realm had its conflicts, the Reach with the Stormlands, the Vale with the Riverlands, and the North with the Iron Islands. The Ironborn had raided the shores of the North for thousands of years; there was a deep, bloody feud between the two.

Varon merely smiled at Lord Stark’s words. The angrier the Lord of Winterfell grew, the happier and more delighted he became. It showed that the old man truly hated him.

“As the herald said, Lord Tyrell. House Targaryen bows to no law of man or gods. We are judges against injustice; how could I stand idle and do nothing before monsters hiding within holy houses?” Maekar looked at the young man and spoke with a gentle smile. He felt nothing in greeting the brother of the man he had killed.

“But, Maekar, this could cause conflict with the Faith of the Seven.” Viserys spoke at that moment, his expression full of concern. How could the Faith of the Seven stand idle and watch its septons be killed before the entire capital?

“Brother, you must remember that the people deserve justice, regardless of who their aggressors are.” Maekar answered in a calm tone, looking at Viserys with a slightly cold gaze. Seeing Viserys try to help the Faith of the Seven only showed that this man had already been in contact with the church.

Viserys and Daemon naturally wanted to stop what was happening, but, faced with the king’s cold gaze, they merely stood there imposingly and could not even manage to interfere. Believe it, they tried, but under the king’s gaze they could not do anything at all.

The lords merely watched the scene with thoughtful looks. Aside from Theo, who had never been trained to be a lord, any fool could see that Maekar was attacking the Faith of the Seven and Prince Viserys was defending the Faith of the Seven.

“Enough, Viserys.” Jaehaerys, already finding Viserys’s voice increasingly irritating, spoke in a cold tone. Viserys shut his mouth at once, while a feeling of helplessness bubbled in his chest. He truly tried to do something, but the king gave him no chance to do anything.

Maekar smiled. Apparently, the conversation with the High Septon had truly angered Jaehaerys to the point of deciding to support him at such a delicate moment.

Maekar stood up, smiled at Gael, and then looked at Viserys and Daemon with a smile, though that smile was quite sarcastic and indifferent.

“Bring the prisoners,” Maekar said to Clarisse, who stood behind Maekar, just as the Kingsguard stood behind Jaehaerys.

Clarisse nodded and descended the steps.

Moments later, the sound of iron chains rattling drew everyone’s attention.

Fourteen septons appeared before everyone, all of them bound at the wrists by thick chains. They were led by the City Watch, their gold cloaks gleaming.

Maekar then switched platforms; he gestured for the herald to step away and stood beside the guillotine, which was three meters tall and entirely black, with its blade painted blood red.

———

The closer I get to the end of this book, the more indecisive I become about how to continue. The end is near, about 30 or 50 chapters, maybe a little more.

Another important update: the next book is already being written.

It will be a mix of Game of Thrones and The Lord of the Rings. You might ask how that’s possible, but just keep in mind that there’s a portal between two worlds, and the One Ring will end up in the hands of Aerys II, setting the plot in motion.

Of course, to stand up to Sauron and Morgoth, the dragons will be different. I won’t give away any more spoilers.

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