GOT : Battle Royale[ An ASOIAF Fanfiction]

"I am a generous person, very generous." Ian was quite pleased with Martha's performance. "From the moment we came in, you've been calling us three knights. I didn't correct you then, but actually, these two are merely my attendants."

"Squires?!" Martha's head snapped up, her gaze darting between Rohr and Case as if hoping they'd contradict him. But disappointment quickly settled in. The two men, whether knights or squires, sat respectfully on Ian's bed, showing no hint of displeasure.

"These are rewards for loyalty and hard work." Ian withdrew his hands, placing one on each of Rohr's and Keith's shoulders. "I told you I am very generous, and I am also very rich."

This time, the golden dragons were fully exposed to Martha's view. She stared at the gleaming coins, so close, but she didn't dare reach out this time.

"My father owns twenty ocean-going ships. Our family's trading fleet returns from Volantis, Qarth, and even Yi Ti every year, bringing back tens of thousands of golden dragons."

"And I, who will inherit all of this in the future, am being questioned."

"They said I had no ability, that I lacked wisdom and courage. But I told them none of that was necessary, because I had money—enough money to have the wisest and most courageous people serve me, which would make me invincible."

"Finally, I made a bet with Uncle Jaime. He asked me to take my two squires to hunt down this group of fugitives who committed crimes in King's Landing. And I want to prove my ability to him through this action." Ian picked up a golden dragon and placed it directly into Martha's palm.

"If things go well and I'm pleased, I can even give you all the bounty the queen offers for this. But if things go wrong, I might become a very difficult person to talk to. Now, you should know how important this matter is to me, right?"

"Yes."

"So, can you convince Black Falcon to do something for me?" Ian asked with a smile.

The story he had just told wasn't really for Martha. For a commoner like her, the mere sight of twenty gold dragons was enough to win her over.

The main reason Ian spent time narrating his tale was so she could tell more stories to Black Falcon.

Based on Ian's understanding of a commoner like Martha, he could easily imagine how she'd recount this story to her old acquaintance after meeting such a "cool" person.

After all, he was the one who wanted to cooperate directly with Black Falcon. It would seem a bit beneath him to personally boast about his own power, so letting Martha be the mouthpiece was just right.

"Of course, Ser. If it's you, I think Boss Morgan would show you favor," Martha nodded tremblingly.

Everyone knows how to show favor for money. "By the way, are all the mercenaries in your inn right now from Black Falcon's group?"

"Ah, no, only half. There are a total of seventeen people," Martha paused for a few seconds, seemingly recalling. "Six of them belong to the 'Sword Face' mercenary team. He's a subordinate of Black Falcon. The other ten came to the inn with Black Falcon this afternoon."

"Do you know everyone inside?"

"Why do you ask?"

"Because of this." Ian tapped the golden dragon on the table.

"Oh, I'm sorry, I'm too talkative. Well, everyone Boss Morgan brought today should be all..." Martha recalled for a moment, then changed her tone to one of affirmation, "Yes, I know them all."

"So among the guests staying today, are there any you don't recognize?" Ian asked again.

"Oh, Seven Hells!" Martha cursed in her mind. "This is a crossroads, Ser. It's impossible for a stranger to know all the guests here."

"I don't expect you to know all the guests. I just need to know how many first-time guests have checked in after eight o'clock this morning. One by one, I want to know all their information."

Although the probability of a player actually appearing among these people was low, what if it happened? It never hurt to be cautious.

"I'm not always in the hall, and I may have some oversights in my grasp of the situation. I need to confirm this with Jenny and the others."

"You can ask her, but you can't tell her why. I don't want the news that I came here to catch fugitives to get out."

"But without Jenny's help, many things would be difficult to do. Most of the time I'm in the kitchen, and I'd warn her not to—"

"No, when one person tells another person a secret that doesn't belong to him, it's not convincing to ask the other person to keep it secret. If you strongly ask her to join in, then you can only tell her after I personally warn her. She's everything."

"Okay, Ser."

"Before breakfast tomorrow morning, I want to get the specific list of the unfamiliar guests who arrived here yesterday."

"List?"

"Not by name. Just tell me who they are."

"Okay, Ser."

"Besides, you said that only half of the mercenaries living in this inn are Black Falcon's men?"

"Right."

"Then hire your other half too. I want to have absolute control over this place." Ian paused. "Of course, except for the unfamiliar mercenaries who just arrived today. The mercenaries who arrived today, ignore them. Just note those people."

"Except for the unfamiliar mercenaries who arrived today," Martha knew enough not to question the strange conditions, "Are there any other mercenaries required? Including teams and individuals?"

"Are there many single ones?"

"Not many, just a few. I didn't count them in detail."

"Where are the mercenary teams?"

"Two mercenary teams. The captains are Denzel 'Spiky' and Ser Grantham."

"A hedge knight?"

"He said so himself."

"Okay, like this: for those scattered mercenaries, first assign them any tasks and send them out."

"What mission?"

"It doesn't matter what the task is—delivering letters, delivering wine, anything. Just let them get as far away from here as possible."

"Then they definitely won't complete your mission faithfully. They'll just take your money and find a place far away to enjoy themselves."

"So what was my original purpose?"

"To let them get out of here." Martha stopped mid-sentence. "Forgive my stupidity, Ser."

"As for those two mercenary teams, I can hire them at three times the market price, provided they are absolutely obedient to me. Can I do that?"

"Of course, if it's that price." You can ask them to stick their butts up, but Martha didn't dare to say the second part aloud.

"When discussing with them, don't reveal my purpose. Just mention the reward, and then arrange for the two captains to meet me when I think it's appropriate."

Martha nodded again.

"Are you sure you remember everything?"

"Um," Martha was stunned for a moment, then quickly shook her head. "You just ordered too many things, and I'm worried that I might have missed something."

"Are you literate?"

"Sorry, Ser."

"In that case, you'd better memorize my instructions, especially the details. I won't allow any negligence or omission." Ian said, repeating his previous instructions to Martha.

It was a hassle, but it was nothing compared to the hassle of screwing up.

It took a full ten minutes for Ian to get this old woman, with her mediocre memory, to write down all the details.

"Then," Ian pointed to the golden dragons on the table until he was sure that Martha had remembered all his instructions, "take them away. This is your deposit. If things go well, I will pay your final payment of the same amount after everything is over."

"The Seven Gods bless you, generous lord," Martha beamed, eagerly sweeping all the remaining golden dragons into her bag.

"Have someone clear the things on this table. I'm going to get ready to rest."

Only then did Martha notice that, just when the knight was handing over the task to her, the table full of food had been completely wiped out by the two attendants who had never spoken a word.

Martha left the room in a hurry, and soon two young men came up and tidied the room.

Out of the habit from his previous life, Ian also asked the waiter to bring him a basin, rinsed his mouth, and washed his face and feet before extinguishing the oil lamp and lying down on a three-layer straw mat.

The prototype of the big net was basically in place. He just had to wait until tomorrow to finish talking with Black Falcon and the two mercenary captains, and then it would be time to hunt.