Chapter 490: Unrest in the Vale

This information was provided by Varys, detailing events occurring within the Vale.

The 'League of Righteousness' is a name the nobles who've seized the Eyrie have given themselves.

They've taken control of the Vale, compelling the remaining nobility to join them, executing those who refuse, and destroying their castles and families if resistance continues.

A noble house openly accused the League of Righteousness of treacherous rebellion upon their entry to the Eyrie. They were swiftly besieged and destroyed, their entire family slaughtered.

As order crumbles and hearts change, the blade is naturally raised high. The rest of the Vale's nobility, having seen this example, dare not openly oppose the League and are forced to join them.

The more nobles the League coerces, the more rapidly their power grows, becoming increasingly uncontrollable.

This growth in power brings unparalleled authority, a taste of power that's addictive. They imagine themselves as the real rulers of the Eyrie, and once greed is unleashed, it can never be restrained—unless faced with a wall.

The first to seize power among the Vale's nobles are led by Jon Royce, Count of Runestone.

Also, the Waywood and Hunter families have quickly decayed after taking control of the Vale's ruling Arryn family.

Jon Royce is reasonable, though he's selfishly married off his daughter. He still holds the greater good of uniting all nobles against the young Dragon King. However, the rest of the League of Righteousness is embroiled in a series of power struggles and infighting.

Especially centered around the attractive widow married into the Arryn family and her child, there's jealousy and intrigue.

Everyone wants to possess Lysa and young Duke Robert Arryn's custody, including the just Jon Royce, Count of Runestone.

Lysa Tully's suitors in the Vale are not few.

In her youth, Lysa was a pretty, slender, large-breasted girl, shy and delicate. But after marrying the Vale's decrepit Jon Arryn and experiencing several miscarriages, her figure has become somewhat plump and she looks much more haggard.

Moreover, Lysa Tully's family is formidable. The Tullys have weathered the storm and sided with Viserys.

Although stripped of their dukedom and lordship over the Riverlands, Riverrun still remains in the Tullys' hands, and their decline isn't imminent.

And if the League of Righteousness is defeated one day, they may kneel to the young Dragon King, thanks to the Tully family's relations—a bet on both sides.

Therefore, Lysa Tully is now highly sought after, even more than when she was young and beautiful.

According to information gathered by Varys's little birds, Lysa Tully's room is not locked at night.

Witnesses have seen several Vale nobles enter the widow's room late at night, staying for a long time, and strange noises have been heard.

"This is interesting."

Viserys read this intelligence and couldn't help but laugh and shake his head, while the Spider still stood with crossed arms, bowing slightly, looking utterly humble.

According to the intelligence, those who had entered the Duchess of the Eyrie's bedroom late at night included Jon Royce, Count of Runestone, Littlefinger Petyr Baelish, Ian Hunter, Count older than Jon Arryn, and his son Jeywood Hunter, the Eyrie's chief steward Nestor Royce, and others.

The gentle breeze outside the window is warm, the sun filtering through the white curtains into the bright study of the Red Keep's Maegor's Holdfast.

The silver-haired young man, dressed in black velvet, legs crossed, leans back in his chair, reading the intelligence and revealing a mysterious smile, followed by thoughtful contemplation.

Although Petyr Baelish is just one of those who have entered Lysa Tully's room late at night, based on Viserys's understanding of Littlefinger, the master of intrigue is undoubtedly involved in this matter.

Perhaps the current chaos within the League of Righteousness is Littlefinger's handiwork.

"Hmph, Littlefinger,"

Viserys set down the intelligence and lightly snorted, touching the platinum ring on his finger, closing his eyes.

"Chaos isn't a pit; it's a ladder. Kingdoms, gods, love—all illusions. Only the ladder is real; the climb is all that matters."

When Viserys reopened his eyes, he saw Varys looking dumbfounded, as if he had heard something extraordinary.

"It's nothing, don't be surprised, Varys."

Viserys naturally didn't need to consider what Varys was thinking at that moment. He just casually quoted Littlefinger's famous line.

"It's just something once said by a certain... wise man. I suddenly thought of it."

Varys, hearing Viserys's words, looked confused.

He hadn't read much and wanted to know which 'wise man' would utter such a rebellious statement?

But instinctively, he didn't dare question Viserys's words, only pondering inwardly for a moment, then bowing slightly to take his leave.

"Your Grace."

"Hmm."

Viserys nodded, watching Varys leave and close the door. He silently observed the eunuch's retreating figure, his face expressionless.

He cannot broadly modify the memory of a person. His mental control ability, after reaching thirty, only applies to short-term control of one's mind or minor memory modifications.

Varys is his experiment; he wanted to explore Varys's memory to understand his essence, but the Spider has hidden himself deeply.

Viserys added a keyword called 'loyalty' to Varys's memory.

If this keyword conflicts severely with Varys's nature, he might quickly detect the anomaly.

After all, humans are peculiar beings, intricate instruments with self-checking and rejection functions. The longer the time, the more the implanted memory conflicts, the sooner it might be detected.

The implanted person might not notice someone modified their memory, a fantastical skill, but they might subtly correct their views, realizing they once held an opinion contrary to their nature.