Chapter 185

Ignoring Aegor’s suggestion that she take a day or two to rest, Nina insisted on accompanying him to work at the office. Though her movements were slightly awkward and clumsy after recent events, her radiant glow—borne of fulfillment and affection—was impossible to conceal. For days on end, she would inexplicably smile while sitting at her desk, prompting confused looks from the office staff, who wondered if she’d suffered some kind of mental break.

Despite her cheerful demeanor, Nina didn’t let it interfere with her responsibilities. If anything, after their relationship deepened and all barriers between them fell, her efficiency seemed to increase as if she had shed some unspoken burden of being outmatched by Aegor’s intellect.

...

With Arya no longer acting as his invaluable intelligence source, Aegor now had to rely on street rumors and whispers gathered from the "Night’s Watch brothel" girls to stay informed. The only significant news he could glean was that the Westerlands had launched an attack on the Riverlands. If true, Tywin Lannister had decided to face Robert head-on.

The situation was shifting rapidly. This war, a confrontation between the Iron Throne backed by six kingdoms and a single defiant Westerland, was nothing like the Vale’s recent rebellion. The Vale’s strength was middling, and the “Lords Declarant” alliance comprised only a handful of houses. The Westerlands, on the other hand, were powerful, and House Lannister wielded overwhelming dominance. Without natural defenses like the Mountains of the Moon, the coming conflict promised to be a bloodbath.

The political intrigues sparked by the infamous rumors about the royal family had spiraled far beyond what Aegor, as the Night’s Watch Chief Logistics Officer, could influence. Where his earlier meddling with Littlefinger’s schemes merely risked entangling him in trouble, in this grand spectacle of Westeros uniting to besiege the Westerlands, Aegor West was less than a drop in the ocean.

Aegor decided against repeating the mistake of involving himself unnecessarily in matters beyond his control. If the Westerlands lost, he would do no more than travel there personally to secure Tyrion’s life, ensuring the dwarf donned the black of the Night’s Watch.

Meanwhile, the Night’s Watch enterprises faced their own challenges. Chief among them was the issue of bonds: the brewing war had triggered a fresh wave of redemptions. Fortunately, the reputation Aegor had built during the last crisis, combined with the cash influx from his previous sale of patents, allowed him to weather the storm. The only consequence was a noticeable contraction in the company’s cash flow. To his surprise, this loss was partially offset by an unexpected source: the "Night’s Watch donation boxes," which he had set up more as a gesture than with any real expectation. Yet, in recent days, they had been overflowing, with daily contributions reaching dozens of gold dragons.

Initially, Aegor thought this generosity reflected a higher-than-expected sense of civic responsibility and wealth among King’s Landing’s residents. But when Nina looked into it, she delivered a far more amusing explanation: less than 10% of the donations came from ordinary residents. The remainder came entirely from the City Watch.

Specifically, the donations were from the half of the Watch recruited locally, without any noble connections.

...

"The donating City Watch soldiers can be divided into two groups," Nina explained, her bright eyes fixed on Aegor as if channeling the soldiers’ admiration. Since they had become closer, she no longer avoided his gaze. "The first group consists of those who were exploited under Janos Slynt. After he was executed, their pay doubled overnight, and out of gratitude to you, many began donating. Some contribute as much as ten or fifteen days’ wages at a time and even ask the staff managing the donation boxes to pass on their respect and thanks to you."

She paused, a playful smile tugging at her lips. "The second group is the former followers of Slynt from the East Barracks. With their boss gone, they’re terrified of being purged. When you told me to let them know that cooperating with the Hand of the King’s investigation was their only way out, they clung to that lifeline immediately."

Nina chuckled. "As luck would have it, on the very day of your release and Slynt’s trial, a royal pardon was issued. Whether by coincidence or design, they believe it was you who spared them. Some see the Hand’s actions as evidence of his alliance with us. These ‘donations’ are less about gratitude and more like protection money—they’re desperate to meet you, hoping to pledge loyalty and secure peace of mind."

"They want to make me their new boss? How imaginative of them," Aegor said with a wry smile. Slynt’s execution had not been overturned, and Eddard Stark had made no attempt to reach out after Aegor declined to join the Watch. It seemed the Hand was far too busy to care about Slynt’s fate. His orders of clemency had clearly been genuine, not some elaborate ruse.

But the officers of the City Watch couldn’t possibly know that. Paralyzed by guilt and fear, they likely overthought every detail, turning shadows into monsters. "What do you suggest?"

"You could meet them," Nina suggested. "Give them a mix of warning and reassurance. If you can bring them under your wing, they could be a great asset. The Night’s Watch enterprise is expanding in King’s Landing, and having the City Watch’s cooperation would make everything far smoother."

...

Nina’s idea lit a spark in Aegor’s mind. In a city like King’s Landing, where the City Watch served as defenders, enforcers, firefighters, and even tax collectors, wielding influence over them could open endless doors. Gaining sway over the other half of the Watch—those unaffiliated with the lords of the Crownlands—would be like having a modern businessman with connections across every level of local government.

Then there was Yalar Dim, a former Slynt loyalist who had testified against his old boss. Yalar had ties to King’s Landing’s criminal underworld, commanding the loyalty of numerous thugs and gang leaders. In a world where nobles often ignored the power of the lower classes, Aegor’s modern sensibilities told him that controlling public opinion and having capable “dirty hands” could be crucial. The Night’s Watch enterprise already held the backing of several Crownlands houses. If he could add Yalar Dim and portions of the City Watch to his network, he would effectively become the "godfather" of King’s Landing, ruling both the light and shadowed corners of the city.

...

In whispered rumors, Aegor West had already become a polarizing figure. To the uninformed commoners, he was an adventurer from across the Sunset Sea, a senior officer of the Night’s Watch, a slayer of White Walkers, and a fearless champion who had dared to stand against the infamous Janos Slynt. To his employees and soldiers, he was a brilliant, resourceful, and approachable leader. To those impacted by the Night’s Watch enterprise’s operations, he was a rare combination of commercial genius, formidable warrior, and political powerhouse—a fiercely loyal ally and a dangerous foe.

Faced with the City Watch’s overtures, Aegor hesitated. He knew his own limitations—his victory over Slynt had been his first real foray into power struggles, and he had won only by keeping his cool and relying on allies. Yet, as he reminded himself, none of Westeros’s legendary figures or institutions—be it the Iron Bank, the Faceless Men, or Tywin Lannister—were as invincible as their reputations suggested. Victory created legends; nothing more.

Power resided where people believed it did. If Aegor could maintain the illusion while strengthening his real capabilities, he could play this role. If he had manipulated men like Robert, Eddard, and Renly, surely he could handle someone like Yalar Dim.

"Schedule a meeting with Yalar Dim," Aegor instructed. "Whether he can be brought into the fold or not, I’d rather have him as an ally than an enemy. And review the list Tyrion left behind—I want to personally visit every investor and supporter of our enterprise over the next few days."

...

To Aegor’s surprise, when word of his request to meet reached Yalar Dim, the man wasted no time. Rather than setting up a formal dinner, Yalar—a captain commanding two hundred men in the East Barracks—practically ran to the office, his deference so extreme that he skipped past any process of negotiation. Addressing Aegor with unwavering respect, Yalar asked only for orders, fully submitting himself before the meeting had truly begun.

Staring at Yalar’s retreating figure, Aegor couldn’t help but reflect on the power of reputation. Though he had played only a minor role in the game of thrones, the myths surrounding him had turned him into a larger-than-life figure. For now, he would wield that perception wisely, always striving to ensure his growing legend didn’t outpace his actual strength.

...

Meanwhile, the Night’s Watch enterprise navigated the shifting tides of war with careful precision, ultimately weathering the storm. As Aegor solidified his position, the Crownlands received a peculiar order from Eddard Stark: the wights stored in the Red Keep were to be turned over to the Night’s Watch. When Aegor inquired about the reasoning, the response was equal parts absurd and telling: the Grand Maester believed Robert’s slow-healing wounds were caused by "evil energy" lingering in the Red Keep. Removing the wights was a superstitious bid to rid the castle of its “uncleanliness.”

It seemed even the mundane could turn bizarre in times of crisis.