Chapter 149 - King's Schedule
One-third of the Stormlands—or perhaps the whole of it.
Joffrey had not personally led this expedition merely to quell Renly's rebellion.
The Stormlands represented the sweetest prize of all.
Great destruction, great construction.
Though the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros endured periodic upheaval, their systems and hierarchies had long remained stable—rigid, even—and could scarcely be described as "greatly destroyed."
Consequently, any "great construction" proved equally difficult to achieve.
Even if Joffrey insisted on reforms, challenged the lords' authority, and overturned centuries of tradition, such actions would inevitably trigger prolonged turmoil and deepen divisions within the realm.
True, the Holy War Army's military might and the illumination of the Divine Grace Aura could ensure the suppression of any rebellion or conspiracy.
But they could not convince every heart.
Should matters progress along such a path, Joffrey's rule would grow ever more troublesome: either beheading malcontents day after day, or engaging in endless battles of wits with courtiers skilled in masking their true thoughts.
Similarly, if power remained dispersed, the path to expansion and conquest would inevitably meet delays—or worse, stagnation.
That would be insufferably tedious.
By fortunate coincidence, the Stormlands and the Reach had launched their rebellion, creating the perfect opportunity to shatter the status quo.
War would bring great chaos.
Great destruction, great construction.
The lords of the Reach would not resist to the bitter end—the region remained, after all, the granary of the Seven Kingdoms—making it ill-suited for wholesale devastation. Joffrey's plan for the Reach involved gradual disintegration and division.
The elevation of House Redwyne and his designs against Houses Tyrell, Hightower, and Rowan served as prime examples.
The Stormlands, however, presented a different case entirely.
Not only did the Stormlands lie closest to the Crownlands, but Joffrey himself stood as rightful heir following Renly's inevitable demise.
With justice on his side and irresistible force at his command, how simple and satisfying would it be to reform these lands? Who could question his authority?
After all, both Lord of the Stormlands and King of the Seven Kingdoms would be one and the same: Joffrey Baratheon.
Though the contracts between lord and vassal still imposed many limitations, allowing lords to maintain considerable independence and resist even powerful overlords...
In name, at least, Joffrey's right to intervene remained significant—and conveniently ambiguous.
Add to this the special conditions of wartime, alongside overwhelming military force and the vast power of divine grace.
Past traditions and systems would prove vulnerable indeed.
Great destruction, great construction.
The future imperial system would first take root in the Stormlands, gradually spreading outward until it encompassed all Seven Kingdoms of Westeros—and perhaps the wider world beyond.
To achieve this grand vision, Joffrey had formulated a comprehensive plan with precise timetables.
Secure the entire Stormlands within a month.
Control every castle and town within two months, establishing a new system of governance.
Before year's end, implant the Divine Grace Core in every soul in the Stormlands, using this to monitor population movements, extend the intelligence network, and eradicate rebels and bandits.
Within a year, transform both Crownlands and Stormlands beyond recognition.
By then, the reborn Stormlands would serve as template and benchmark for all Seven Kingdoms: powerful, prosperous, stable, and harmonious. The lords would bow in fearful respect, while common folk across the realm would yearn for similar transformation, embracing change with open arms.
By then, Joffrey's centralization and reforms would no longer appear as mad fantasies out of step with the times, nor arrogant defiance of fate itself.
They would represent the unstoppable tide of the future—destiny made manifest!
The solid foundation for realizing this vision lay in the rich harvest of magical knowledge and popular support that Joffrey had cultivated these past months.
At present, no fewer than four thousand sorcerers operated within King's Landing. Various departments—the Research Institute, Logistics Bureau, Engineering Bureau, and more—functioned at full capacity, building new fleets, developing equipment, stockpiling materials, implementing projects, and training fresh troops.
The King's Landing that greeted its citizens each morning appeared more magnificent and glorious than the day before. Commerce flourished; food, clothing, shelter, and transport grew ever more abundant and convenient.
Beggars, gangs, bandits, and vagrants had vanished from King's Landing's streets.
Children and youths learned in schools established under the Divine Grace Aura or the Ministry of Education, without payment of tuition. Those who signed contracts to serve the royal family received three meals daily.
People with skills could join various departments or industries under royal authority.
Once selected, they received not only wages but also food and lodging. Meals were unlimited, and accommodations stood tall and spacious as castles, housing thousands.
Those possessing only physical strength could still find places in the Logistics Bureau, Engineering Bureau, or Army Department—guaranteeing, at minimum, basic necessities.
Even the disabled or gravely ill needed only sign a contract, and priests from the palace would heal them completely. None need worry about their future livelihood. Adults received proper placement; they need only obey and set aside their concerns.
People had never beheld such a King's Landing. So long as one worked diligently, starvation became impossible!
The Holy Mother is merciful!
Gods bless us all!
The populace believed wholeheartedly in their God-chosen king, grateful beyond measure.
And yet, such a King's Landing represented merely the beginning.
Construction of the Holy City continued without pause. Magical creations emerged with increasing frequency. Merchants and travelers arriving at the gates found themselves entranced, reluctant to depart for fear of losing such a beautiful dream.
The port outside the city walls stood piled high with timber. In the blink of an eye, exquisite new warships took shape from scattered wood, sliding steadily into waiting waters.
In mere days, a new Royal Fleet had nearly materialized.
Without question, once sufficient sailors could be trained, warships would soon fill the entire Blackwater Rush. Renly's rebels would abandon all thought of crossing—not a single man would dare.
Of course, most believed the new fleet would never see combat.
After all, the God-chosen king himself led the invincible fleet to sea.
Having witnessed the power and magic of Divine Grace, most residents of King's Landing had shed their worries regarding Renly's rebellion, pledging firm support to the Iron Throne and dedicating themselves wholeheartedly to its cause.
The hearts of the people belonged to the royal family.
In matters of magic, though the Holy War Army in King's Landing could not expand further during Joffrey's absence, other developments continued apace.
Ten warships maintained constant connection between King's Landing and the fleet, traveling back and forth daily.
Joffrey received newly created rune energy from the capital in timely fashion, while sending various magical creations in return: Wishing Stones, Monitors, Information Modification Devices, and more.
Thus, the number of those Blessed by Divine Grace in King's Landing grew steadily.
Key equipment for each department remained sufficient.
Broadly speaking, King's Landing thrived: safe, prosperous, powerful, and resolute—more than capable of supporting the transformation of the Stormlands.
Meanwhile, the Royal Fleet would pioneer these changes across Storm's End and its tributary lands.
Three hundred warships, a thousand rune-engraved cannons, nearly twenty thousand crew members, and ten thousand magical guards.
This represented both vast fortune and overwhelming force.
Each day, the rune energy generated by sorcerers aboard the fleet sufficed to create thousands of Wishing Stones, supplying tens of thousands of Divine Grace Cores.
After transforming twenty thousand crew members into Holy War Army soldiers, this number would double.
Such abundant rune energy would more than suffice to provide Divine Grace Core infusions for the millions dwelling in the Stormlands before year's end.
The sole premise: seize and control the Stormlands. Advance, occupy, and complete the conquest.
Joffrey cast his gaze over the assembled crowd below.