"Hmm." Eddard Stark nodded steadily, his way of acknowledging greetings. He stayed seated on his horse, reins in hand, as he observed the fledgling Night’s Watch office with mild interest. A faint smile appeared on his usually serious face. “It looks decent enough. When will recruitment begin?”
“In two or three days, at most,” Aegor replied. “This office isn’t just for recruitment. It will also handle the collection, cataloging, and forwarding of donations—supplies, fun...
The sun rose, heralding the start of another day. As usual, Yoren, the wandering crow, headed to Flea Bottom after breakfast to “recruit” new brothers for the Night’s Watch. Tyrion, unusually energetic, left early to seek out collaborators for his much-anticipated “printing press” project. Meanwhile, Aegor allowed himself to sleep in. When the time seemed right, he mounted his horse and lazily made his way toward the street-facing storefront that Eddard Stark had arranged for the Ni...
2025-01-28 21:09:24 +0000 UTC View PostAt night, rest was still out of the question. Aegor and Tyrion crowded into the room, working by the light of a dozen candles to create the first-ever Night’s Watch bonds.
A stack of the finest vellum available in King’s Landing sat on the table. After finalizing the bond’s content, they began their work. Tyrion’s appearance might not inspire confidence, but his handwriting was surprisingly elegant. Aegor, in contrast, had grown reliant on computers in his previous life, making...
Aegor, unfamiliar with King’s Landing’s streets, relied on Tyrion’s knowledge of the city. While Tyrion didn’t know every corner like the back of his hand, he had lived there long enough to find what they needed. The two chatted as they walked, quickly arriving at the only professional seal-making shop in King’s Landing—one of the few across all of Westeros.
Though Westeros was far behind the world Aegor had come from, its unification under the Iron Throne had gradually int...
After a nap and confirming with Yoren that he wouldn’t be leaving for the Wall anytime soon, Aegor set out with Tyrion. Riding through the streets on horseback, they began discussing the details of their plan.
“All fundraising efforts start as building castles in the air,” Aegor began, “but the difference between legitimate finance and a financial scam lies in this: in real finance, raising funds is just a means to an end, not the end itself. What we’re doing—at least what ...
In Winterfell, a steward or servant would undoubtedly have enthusiastically arranged Aegor’s lodging and meals for the night, but this was Dragonstone. Stannis Baratheon’s dictionary likely didn’t include the word "hospitality." Guided by a guard, the Night’s Watch ranger was promptly escorted out of the castle gates into the pitch-black night. A kind soldier handed him a torch, though there were no wolves or White Walkers on the island. For a seasoned ranger, a few miles of night tra...
2025-01-28 21:08:18 +0000 UTC View Post"I don't know, but I can make an educated guess," Melisandre said, her lips curling into a faint smile as she gave Aegor a playful wink. "After all, I'm sitting across from the first White Walker slayer Westeros has seen in centuries, am I not?"
By the end of their discussion, the once-hostile atmosphere had inexplicably warmed into something more amicable. Aegor couldn't help but marvel at the conversational prowess of this ancient sorceress—who knows how long she had lived? Her abi...
In the world of Ice and Fire, is it impossible to survive without noble status? While this notion might be an exaggeration, it holds true for most of Westeros. No one is a protagonist blessed with invincible power. Entering this world means adhering to its rules, but Aegor saw beyond the surface—he understood the deeper essence: noble status was merely the facade of Westeros' rules. Beneath it lay a more fundamental truth: every problem boiled down to resources and power.
Take the en...
Lying is an art, and Aegor had learned a particularly practical technique from discussions in his previous life: to deceive others, you must first deceive yourself. What is the most unassailable truth? Reality itself. When crafting a lie, it’s crucial to immerse yourself fully into the role you’re playing. Everything you say and do must align with this fabricated identity—just like writing a novel. No matter how strange or outlandish the setting, as long as the story remains internally ...
2025-01-28 21:07:28 +0000 UTC View PostPerhaps sensing the murderous intent emanating from the man, or realizing her own overstep, the casual air on Melisandre’s face faded. She locked eyes with Aegor for a long moment before a faint smile tugged at her lips. “Very well.”
The Night’s Watch was a key force against the Lord of Light’s eternal foe, and Aegor was the first black-clad brother she had encountered since coming to Westeros. Despite her disdain for mortals, she ultimately decided it was unwise to immediate...
The Dragonstone guard, holding a knife shorter than his palm, hesitated for a moment, then shrugged apologetically at Aegor as he approached.
Bound at his torso and limbs, Aegor could only manage a token struggle, squirming in place as he watched the guard come closer. His mind raced, desperately trying to make sense of what was happening. What was this all about? Could it be that, as a transmigrator, his blood somehow held the kind of power the Lord of Light, R’hllor, demanded? And ...
Aegor had to admit, Melisandre was an alluring woman. With her striking red hair, piercing crimson eyes, and an undeniably beautiful face, she stood out even more in her vibrant red robes—robes dyed with colors unattainable by the era's ordinary methods. She was breathtaking, radiant beyond compare. Even if the current queen, hailed as the most beautiful woman in the Seven Kingdoms, were ten years younger, she could at best match Melisandre’s allure. If not for knowing her true identity, ...
2025-01-28 21:06:36 +0000 UTC View PostFollowing Tyrion's advice, Aegor sought out a retired mine overseer who had once managed a Lannister gold mine and now lived in King’s Landing with his children. After much persuasion, he managed to convince the old miner and his youngest son to accompany him to Dragonstone to provide expertise on the dragonglass mining operation.
Everything was ready. On the third day after arriving in King’s Landing, close to midday, Aegor boarded the rented ship with the miner and his son. The s...
Following Tyrion's advice, Aegor sought out a retired mine overseer who had once managed a Lannister gold mine and now lived in King’s Landing with his children. After much persuasion, he managed to convince the old miner and his youngest son to accompany him to Dragonstone to provide expertise on the dragonglass mining operation.
Everything was ready. On the third day after arriving in King’s Landing, close to midday, Aegor boarded the rented ship with the miner and his son. The s...
In Aegor's original world, what he was about to attempt would undoubtedly be seen as stepping on the toes of the banks—essentially challenging the machinery of the state. With one accusation of illegal fundraising hanging over his head, he'd be buried under the weight of the system.
But in Westeros, an economic and financial blank slate, there wasn’t even a legal framework to regulate such matters. And even if there were, with Eddard Stark as Hand of the King, the Night’s Watch w...
"That's right. If my shop faces new issues, I'll come back for another loan. As long as the gold I earn eventually ends up back in the Iron Bank, this cycle can go on indefinitely," Aegor said with a sly grin. "With just ten thousand gold dragons, you can accomplish what would normally require twenty thousand, thirty thousand, or even forty thousand dragons. There's only one thing that can break this cycle—if too much money is lost in circulation or leaves Braavos and doesn't flow back. Now...
2025-01-28 21:05:29 +0000 UTC View Post“Heavens, I must apologize for my earlier lack of clarity.” Aegor waved his hand with a casual smile. “Let’s start over. I’ll explain my plan’s feasibility and merits with a game. You’re familiar with the Iron Bank, yes?”
“Of course.”
“How does it operate?”
“It gathers the surplus wealth of Braavosi citizens and loans it to those in need,” Tyrion replied promptly, before adding, “But it’s not run by an individual like your scheme. It’s go...
A mere Night’s Watchman, yet commanding the Hand of the King to draft a formal letter with the direwolf seal. Aegor undoubtedly benefited from the reduced vigilance his black cloak afforded him, but as he walked out of the Tower of the Hand with the signed and sealed letter in hand, he couldn’t help but marvel: once you mastered the right methods, even the most powerful lords and nobles could be deceived as easily as common folk.
No wonder Littlefinger thrived in King’s Landing, ...
"Good afternoon, brothers of the Night’s Watch. How can I assist you?"
Lord Stark, now the Hand of the King, was as courteous as ever. At least Aegor now knew that his courtesy wasn’t an act, and that certainty gave him confidence in what he was about to request.
"My lord, a hundred thousand wildlings are pressing against the Wall, and smaller raiding parties that have already crossed are wreaking havoc across the North. By order of Lord Commander Mormont, we have come to King...
2025-01-28 21:04:38 +0000 UTC View PostBefore transmigrating, Aegor had followed a simple principle in his professional life: do his job diligently, but never take on tasks outside his scope, and certainly never sacrifice his leisure time for overtime or similar demands. He had no need to. His privileged family background, broad knowledge, and diverse income streams—such as gaming and stock trading—far outweighed his modest salary. Work was merely a way to keep himself busy and prevent social isolation, not a means to make end...
2025-01-28 21:04:20 +0000 UTC View PostThe two black-cloaked men fell silent. Since the Lannister had spoken, there was no need to argue further. They followed the trio of Lannister master and servants along the main roads of King’s Landing. Passing Shoemaker’s Square and the Central Plaza, they veered left, making their way uphill along the gentle slope of Septa Street. The road led them higher, bringing them closer to the summit of the lowest of the three hills enclosed within the city walls.
As the elevation increased...
2025-01-28 21:04:04 +0000 UTC View PostWith Eddard Stark's steadfast example over the past decade, respect and goodwill toward the Night's Watch had become a tradition in the North. However, as the journey south continued, Aegor experienced a stark contrast.
The farther south they traveled, the warmer the climate grew, but the colder the attitudes became. Passing through the villages and manors near the Neck, the locals displayed indifference. By the time they reached the Riverlands, no one even acknowledged the black-cloak...
At Robb Stark’s gesture, the guard turned and left, shutting the door behind him. The room fell silent, leaving just Aegor and the young Lord of Winterfell. The one-on-one situation made Aegor slightly more at ease—whatever Robb wanted to discuss, it didn’t seem to be against him.
Robb motioned for Aegor to sit. “Friend, you’re the one who found my brother when he fell?”
That single word—friend—immediately dispelled Aegor’s fears. The Starks weren’t ones to h...
The stark contrast to the grand banquet hall during the king’s feast was striking. With many of the long tables and benches removed, the previously crowded hall now felt spacious and empty. When Aegor entered under the escort of a guard, the room was already filled with people.
A row of guards lined the walls. At the high seat once occupied by Eddard Stark now sat Robb Stark, flanked by Maester Luwin and his mother, Catelyn Stark. The young lord’s boyish face carried an air of auth...
"Aegor, why aren’t you going?" Will grabbed his arm in panic, his voice trembling. "Is it because everyone on this patrol is going to die? Is it?!"
The first light of dawn crept over the horizon, and most of the Night’s Watch brothers were still fast asleep. Aegor had risen early, wanting to see off the patrol he was supposed to be part of—Benjen Stark's group venturing beyond the Wall in search of White Walkers.
Will’s blunt question hit too close to the truth, leaving ...
Tyrion wasn’t wrong—Aegor couldn’t muster any joy. His earlier excitement at finally leaving the Wall had been doused by the deluge of tasks awaiting him. The weight of these responsibilities drained the humor and banter from his interactions. Walking back to his quarters alongside Tyrion, their conversation centered on planning his departure, and even his footsteps seemed heavier.
As they turned a corner, a hulking, rough-looking brother of the Night’s Watch carrying a large s...
Aegor raised an eyebrow. "Not good news? I can't imagine anything worse than what I've already heard."
"Not necessarily bad news," Tyrion said with a sly grin. "I did manage to convince the Night's Watch leadership to send you with me to King's Landing as a 'recruitment officer,' but I may have, shall we say, embellished your qualifications a bit. As a result, Maester Aemon decided to give you a chance to prove yourself capable... which means, in addition to the task we just discussed,...
"What?" Jon couldn't follow Aegor's train of thought.
"We of the Night's Watch exist to fend off wildling raids and the threat of the White Walkers. Tell me, which is better: tirelessly keeping enemies outside the Wall or destroying them outright?"
Jon's eyes widened as the meaning of Aegor's words sank in.
"Imagine this," Aegor continued. "If someone could lead the Watch to eliminate both the living and undead threats once and for all, leaving no danger north of the Wall...
Benjen left, and Aegor walked out of the room with a spring in his step, intending to find Tyrion.
From the beginning, Tyrion Lannister had taken the initiative to help. Aegor, however, wasn’t naïve; he knew that his carefully crafted lies—half-truths spiced with imagination—had caught Tyrion’s interest. It was a calculated performance, one he considered a success. But the swiftness with which Tyrion had proposed a solution, marched straight to the Lord Commander, and effortle...
The air was thick with tension, but Tyrion was no warrior, and no matter how heated their argument, Benjen Stark wasn’t about to physically clash with him. After some deliberation, Maester Aemon raised a frail hand to silence the growing disagreement between the Stark and the Lannister. With a slow turn of his head toward Lord Commander Jeor Mormont, he spoke in his measured, raspy tone:
“Lord Commander, Dragonstone has replied to our request. They’ve agreed to allow us to mine d...