Aegon was indeed exaggerating, but by no means fabricating. Martin once said that the world where the Westeros Continent is located is a planet, it is spherical, slightly larger than Earth, with a vaster land area... personal experience has confirmed this statement.
Judging from the perceived air pressure and gravity, the planetary environment of the Ice and Fire World is extremely similar to Earth. If the original author's setting is indeed effective in this world, that is, "the land area ratio of the Ice and Fire World is greater than Earth," then there might really be land or larger islands in the ocean west of Westeros.
No one would believe the identity of a transmigrator, and knowing the plot and understanding the important characters are his greatest reliance for getting by...
These two major secrets cannot be told to others, so the vast and boundless "Sunset Sea" opposite the West Coast of Westeros, which most native residents know nothing about, became an excellent choice for fabricating his origin.
It must be added that the claim of coming from across the ocean was not Aegon's on-the-spot improvisation. He used this set of words when introducing himself to his Black Brothers. The biggest advantage of this is that no one can expose it. Later, when he wants to add some settings for himself, he can even use customs and cultural differences as excuses, adding whatever comes to mind.
As for the round-the-world trip, that was indeed a concept Aegon came up with during the banquet while eating and drinking. However, although it was impromptu, it was also not fabricated out of thin air—the source of inspiration naturally needs no further explanation, and the purpose of telling this story was also quite clear: to leave an impression on this core member of the Lannister family by catering to his preferences and addressing his specific needs, and to find a breakthrough from him to leave the Night's Watch.
For a Dwarf with a physical disability but great dreams and a desire to understand this world, how many people in the world could be more interesting than an adventurous explorer from across the ocean? And claiming to have funded this round-the-world trip was to make Tyrion feel that this eloquent member of the Night's Watch was not a commoner from the lower class.
More than a year of life after transmigration had already made Aegon understand that in this world, background is one of the most important factors determining others' attitudes. Slightly elevating one's status is a significant bonus point in social interactions. And using the hint of "accidentally letting it slip" to make others involuntarily have the illusion that one is "rich and idle" is much more credible than directly announcing one's upper-class background.
This disguise can not only partially eliminate the sense of distance caused by the difference in status between them, laying a more equal foundation for future interactions, but also incidentally provide a reasonable explanation for his unusual Asian face and his knowledge and upbringing which are clearly far superior to those around him. It can be said to serve multiple purposes.
Aegon was never a person who loved to lie, boast, or act pretentious, but if it was for the sake of his life, and he hadn't lived enough... he wouldn't hesitate to deceive everyone in the world.
***
Someone who wanted to escape the Black Cloaks racked his brain to package himself, while the bastard who wanted to join had already quickly pieced together the broken sword and keenly discovered the problem.
"This sword is broken strangely." Jon Snow looked at the broken sword he had basically restored to its original state, noticing the abnormality, but struggled to find enough words to describe it: "A weapon forged from steel, if it breaks, it shouldn't look like this."
"Exactly, normally, the break would have obvious deformation." Aegon took over the conversation, saying what the young man wanted to say. He had already conveyed the information that needed to be transmitted; some topics couldn't be initiated by himself. "The break is where the sword body collided with the White Walkers' weapon. Under the effect of ice magic, the steel lost its tough properties and became more brittle than cast iron. It couldn't withstand the impact during the collision and shattered into two pieces."
Jon stared blankly at the two swords he had pieced together on the table, finally understanding why Uncle Benjen had said those words.
"This is simply a farce!" Tyrion was not interested in the broken swords on the table. He didn't know and didn't want to know what a steel sword should look like when it breaks normally. He was more concerned about the legendary new continent.
Although he didn't completely believe Aegon's words, he instinctively felt that the other party's explanation of his origin was not false, and subconsciously felt indignant for him: "You come from a continent unknown to us, you should have been the most important guest in Westeros for a thousand years, but as soon as you landed, you were captured by a bunch of Northerners and forced to go to The Wall!? Are you willing to stay in the cold and remote North of the North for a lifetime?"
"I'm not willing, but what can I do?"
"I'll find a way to help you leave."
Big brother, you're too kind. Aegon's breath hitched, almost choking on his own saliva. This was exactly the result he wanted, but it came too easily and too quickly, had he suffered enough and his luck was changing?
"Uh... thank you for your Lordship's kindness, but, in the history of Westeros, are there any examples of someone becoming a member of the Night's Watch and then returning to normal civilian status?"
"Not that I know of." The Dwarf shrugged: "After swearing the oath, you either serve as a member of the Night's Watch for life, or you become a deserter of the Night's Watch. There is no third way. But I said I would help you leave, not help you take off the black clothes..."
"Is there a difference?"
"Let me tell you a story. There was once a noble who chose the wrong side in a political struggle and, after losing power, reluctantly chose to join the Night's Watch. Who knew that a few years later, the person he supported seized an opportunity and ascended to the throne again. Then, this member of the Night's Watch returned to his family castle in the name of raising provisions for his Black Brothers, living a life of eating, drinking, enjoying himself, and being with women like a normal noble, and never returned to The Wall until his death."
"What are you discussing?" Jon had been concentrating on piecing together the broken sword and had only heard the first half of the transmigrator's story. "A member of the Night's Watch who doesn't guard The Wall? Can you just find an excuse and disregard laws and oaths?"
"Things are not that simple, of course. As long as the Night's Watch Commander publicly declares him a deserter, he will immediately be automatically put on the wanted list by all the Lords and nobles on the continent... whether they are his family's vassals or liege Lord." The Dwarf said with a slight hint of smugness, keeping him in suspense: "The reason this person could remain free from punishment was that the Night's Watch always recognized his identity as a 'Provisions Officer', and he did indeed 'raise' provisions for the Night's Watch as both sides announced."
...
"I see. If the political enemies who forced him to join the Night's Watch are defeated, and the benefits he can bring to the Night's Watch are greater than staying at The Wall, the high-ranking officials of the Black Cloaks will not risk offending the King by tearing off the pretense and forcibly recalling him or declaring him a deserter!" Aegon suddenly understood. He hadn't thought of this method, but after thinking it over, he quickly found the key: "I'm afraid the noble Lord mentioned didn't rely on raising provisions at all."
"Of course, this plan requires solving two major problems. The first is to have a thick skin, and the second is—to continuously provide resources that satisfy the appetite of the Night's Watch... to make the Night's Watch officially recognize that he is not a deserter." Tyrion continued, "A solid family fortune is the most fundamental reason. I ask you, between provisions and resources sufficient to feed hundreds of soldiers and a soldier who has no heart for this, which will the Night's Watch choose?"
Aegon rubbed his chin, lost in thought.
Having faced White Walkers, Aegon believed having a thick skin was absolutely no problem, but the latter... he truly had nothing in this world, his net worth was barely not negative, even any random handmaiden or servant in Winterfell was richer than him. How could he afford the high "ransom"?
There was indeed someone in front of him who could afford such a price—the Lord of the Westerlands, Duke of Casterly Rock, Tywin Lannister, the son of the "richest man in Westeros". If he was willing to help, everything would be no problem. But this was only their first meeting today, how could he possibly ask for such help right away?
...
"Why haven't I heard of this person?" Jon came back to his senses. "And the Night's Watch is an organization independent of the Seven Kingdoms; even the King has no authority to interfere in its internal affairs."
"You haven't heard this story, firstly because this person was not born in the North, and secondly because he and the Night's Watch parted amicably, there were no disputes or controversies, and he wasn't a particularly important character anyway." Tyrion snorted: "As for the King having no right to interfere in the internal affairs of the Night's Watch? You are still too young now. When you grow up, you will understand that if you are strong enough, you can interfere in whatever you want."
Jon was speechless for a moment. He wanted to refute, but couldn't find any arguments, and knew in his heart that the other party was right, so he could only blush and remain silent.
"I can help you sort out the initial series of problems and help you get the first ransom." The Dwarf stopped talking much with the young man and looked at Aegon instead, "But you'll have to figure out the rest yourself. Also, I have a condition: you have to tell me more about China's advanced technology and the local customs and culture there."
"Thank you, Lord!" Regardless, Aegon's joy at this moment was heartfelt—although everything was going a bit unrealistically smoothly, he had gambled correctly after all.
"But he is a sworn member of the Night's Watch." Jon, who was next to them, also temporarily forgot about the broken swords on the table and mumbled: "How can he..."
"Well, child, you tell me, is it reasonable for this explorer from across the Sunset Sea, possibly the first person from China to set foot on the land of Westeros, to be forced to guard The Wall for the rest of his life just because he took a few potatoes to survive after being shipwrecked?" Tyrion smiled, interrupting the young man's words: "You know, he is not a bastard; he is not without a place to go."
"In my hometown, forcing someone to swear an oath is illegal, and the oath sworn is also invalid." Aegon interjected, "The customs of Westeros seem not to be like this, but I have already served for a year for those few potatoes, and even risked my life to kill a White Walker. By any reckoning, I no longer owe you anything... I have family waiting for me at home, and I cannot and should not stay here forever."
Jon sighed: "Okay, do as you please, I'll pretend I didn't hear what you discussed."
"Thank you for your kindness, but we are not discussing how to be a deserter." Tyrion shrugged: "Even if you tell your Father or the Night's Watch Commander about our conversation, they can't do anything to me. This is an open scheme; you will understand when you grow up."
Being treated like a child made Jon look a bit sulky. He looked at the broken swords on the table with a serious expression, and suddenly spoke: "I have decided to join the Night's Watch."
"It's best to calm down before making an important decision." Tyrion looked up again at the bastard, "However, I somewhat understand your thinking now—the Wildlings are gathered under the King-Beyond-the-Wall, and the White Walkers with ice magic are lurking in the woods. While others are trying to stay away from dangerous places, only by actively going into danger can one achieve merit, gain fame, and honor."
"I'm not after fame and honor! I just..." The young man stared at the two strange broken swords on the table, and suddenly straightened his back, "I just want to protect my family and the millions of residents of the North from the terrifying threat from the Far North."
"Is that so? Touching." Tyrion nodded, stopped joking with the bastard, and exchanged glances with Aegon: "Conveniently, I have also decided to visit The Wall. As the foremost of the nine man-made wonders, it would be a pity not to see it with my own eyes. I can also confirm whether what my new friend from China said is true. Perhaps we will travel together then."
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