Game of Thrones: I Created the Magic Web

Chapter 249 Loss and Gain

Garlan scrutinized this so-called “Central Province.”

The Ring City of the Roxton family, the Teng Stone Town of the Footly family, the Blacksmiths' Hamlet of the Shermer family, the Evergreen Hall of the Caswell family, the Bitterbridge of the Caswell family, the Greendale of the Meadows family…

It almost took away a quarter of the Reach!

And that's not all.

Garlan continued to search the map and discovered even more differences from the future kingdom planned by the king.

Cenford family's Ashford and the Peake family's Starpike were assigned to Summerhall in the Marches, and Dorne's northern fortress was also incorporated into the Marches.

Old Oak was dyed red, representing the Westerlands, and the northern border of the Reach was also eroded by a bit of red.

The Shield Islands turned gold.

The light curtain gave a timely reminder: The Shield Islands have been listed as directly-administered areas, and a lower-level "Second-Class Governor" will be established, but they will not be under the jurisdiction of the First-Class Governor, and will only be subject to the orders of the king and the court.

Directly administered…

Garlan scanned the entire map and sure enough, he saw several more prominent golden areas: the Westerlands' Fair Isle, the Crownlands' Dragonstone, the Stormlands' Tarth, the Riverlands' Harrenhal, the Vale's Three Sisters, and Dorne's Godsgrace.

All of them were strategic locations and transportation hubs.

With just one map, Garlan clearly saw King Joffrey's great ambition.

The entire Seven Kingdoms!

Leaving aside other places for the moment, were the fortresses and cities of Dorne so easy to take?

There would be a battle!

But he quickly woke up. Maybe this battle was exactly what King Joffrey wanted! To defeat Dorne! To flaunt his force with a greater victory!

Was he still not satisfied even now?!

Garlan's heart churned violently, and when he thought of the huge losses that Highgarden would suffer in the map, he was about to question it.

But noticing that his grandmother was still silent, Garlan had to suppress his impulse.

Calming down, Garlan also remembered the current situation.

Highgarden had no room for choice. Garlan had to recognize reality.

Now the lives of the entire family depended on King Joffrey's whim, so how could he still care about what losses to grieve over?

Besides, the king only asked Loras, Highgarden's current "Governor."

So Garlan silently observed.

His younger brother Loras's face changed uncertainly, and he opened his mouth several times, but still didn't make a sound. In any case, Garlan didn't blame him.

His elder brother Willas kept his eyes closed along with his grandmother.

His youngest sister Margaery, who was most aggrieved at the moment, leaned in that person's arms, her eyes blank, her face expressionless, as if her soul had left her body and was wandering elsewhere. Garlan looked away, stunned.

In this way, the silence lasted for a full quarter of an hour.

King Joffrey finally broke the deadlock with a smile: "Really no objections?" The king was still looking at Loras.

Loras stiffly shook his head.

The king turned to this side, and Garlan felt agitated by the almost substantial gaze, so he had to grit his teeth and remain silent.

"Worthy of being the Golden Rose that has dominated Highgarden for three hundred years, with such great wisdom and a leader who knows how to make trade-offs, why worry about not being able to prosper?" The king seemed to be sincerely praising.

Then the king reached out and pointed at the map.

Garlan stared intently, and there was a slight change on the map: most of the existing Reach area had lost the names and introductions of the fiefdom families.

"No punishment is too severe for traitors. These lands can all be stripped away, whether they are granted or not, and to whom they are granted, as long as Highgarden speaks, I will never refuse," the king said generously.

Garlan couldn't help but look at the map.

Even if the vassal lords who have always been close to the family are removed, the land that can be selected is almost the same as the area of Highgarden's existing fief.

Good opportunity!

At the very least, it can make up for some losses!

Garlan looked at his elder brother Willas, who was looking at his grandmother, and his grandmother also opened her eyes.

"If Highgarden offers the right to dispose of these traitors' lands, can Your Majesty take back the re-division of Bitterbridge, Horn Hill, and the Shield Islands?" Grandmother Olenna asked in a deep voice.

Garlan was immediately shocked. Was his grandmother angry? How could he agree?!

The king shook his head as expected: "One thing is one thing. The kingdom's regional re-division plan is a matter of great importance and cannot be easily changed. Moreover, this is not a punishment for Highgarden, so there is no question of pardon or exchange."

Isn't this still a punishment? Garlan thought to himself.

"Why should Lady Olenna be so entangled?" The king persuaded again: "They betrayed their liege, and Highgarden is no longer obliged to maintain these guys everywhere. Compared to this, Highgarden's own safety and interests are the most important thing."

Indeed, the land is right in front of you.

Grandmother Olenna didn't insist any further: "Willas, you choose."

Grandmother closed her eyes again.

Elder brother Willas thought quietly for a long time before finally reporting his opinion to the king.

Then words appeared on the map.

Garlan saw many familiar names again: Bethany Redwyne of Ryamsport, Alys Graceford of Holyhall, Earl of Crane of Red Lake…

Most importantly, Ser Jon Fossoway of New Barrel, his fiefdom has not changed.

Garlan was still relieved. At least his wife's family was preserved. As for the other lords, he could only say sorry.

He continued to observe.

There was more than one name forgotten by the new map: Lord Orton Merryweather of Longtable, Earl of Appleton of Appleton, Earl Fossoway of Cider Hall, Lady Webber of Coldmoat, Earl Osgrey of Standfast…

Hmm? The Webber family?

Garlan still had some impression. Rohanne Webber, the Lady of Coldmoat known as the "Red Widow" a few decades ago, seemed to be King Joffrey's great-great-grandmother.

Did Grandmother and Willas forget? Or was it intentional?

Garlan glanced at King Joffrey and didn't find anything unusual. Maybe the king had forgotten about this relationship, or maybe he had never remembered it.

In short, the Webber family disappeared from the map, along with many other families.

Garlan looked at the map carefully again.

The grass green representing Highgarden expanded a lot to the east and north.

The Rowans, the overlords of the northern Reach, were left with only a small piece of land near Goldengrove, and most of the other lands were dyed in the colors of Tyrell.

The green areas added up finally became more than the land of House Hightower.

Although it relied on annexing vassals.

For a moment, Garlan didn't know whether he was more happy or more sad in his heart.

Highgarden lost a lot.

Highgarden also gained a lot, even more than it had gained in a great victory in the past.

The fief of the Rowan family alone was enough to make Highgarden deeply moved and take risks for it, not to mention that it can now be done almost effortlessly.

As long as you bear some notoriety.

Garlan looked at his elder brother and then at his grandmother, and seemed to understand something.

Since you can't resist, then do your best to do what you should do and strive for the best result, and you will be worthy of your heart in the end.

Woo—~~

The whistle stopped abruptly, and the lingering sound slowly dissipated.

Garlan looked up at the shore, and the soldiers of the Kingsguard were lined up and advancing towards the barracks in order.

"Governor Garlan," Robar Royce, who had finished saying goodbye to Count Valerian, walked towards Garlan, "We should go ashore. Lord Tywin has ordered a military conference at the camp to determine the attack plan."

Garlan smiled relievedly: "I can't wait either…"

Duke Tywin's camp…