Before returning to Castle Black, Aedric asked the three surviving Children of the Forest to find a nearby cave and set up defensive wards. He needed to rest and heal his internal injuries first.
That brutal thrust from the Night King's ice sword hadn't pierced his Valyrian steel armor, but Valyrian steel wasn't vibranium — it couldn't block the transmission of energy. A surge of icy power had still slipped through, invading his body.
Though Aedric had wrapped that cold energy in dragonfire immediately, he still needed to purge it completely to prevent future trouble.
Once again, he marveled at the brilliance of his Postnatal Inner Core Art — the system's recommended divine cultivation method. After three days of meditation and energy circulation, not only did he eliminate all remnants of the cold, but he also absorbed it into his core, breaking through to the eighth level of his cultivation.
Previously, his power had been overwhelmingly yang in nature — blazing, pure, and fierce — but lacking balance. Ever since he'd absorbed vast amounts of dragonfire, the excess yang energy had grown almost unstable.
Were it not for the incredibly strong foundation of the Postnatal Core Art, and his "Unburnt" physique granted by dragon's blood, his body might have suffered from his own inner fire long ago.
He hadn't burned himself to death — but such unbalanced yang energy still hindered further advancement.
Now, with the Night King's extreme yin energy infused into his core, the two forces of yin and yang finally reached perfect harmony — cycling endlessly, nourishing each other.
The breakthrough came naturally.
Not bad at all — a battle full of surprises.
Not only had he gained the final legendary blade, Dark Sister, but he had also obtained a portion of the Night King's power — pushing his cultivation to new heights.
The Three-Eyed Raven and the Night King — both had turned out to be rather helpful in their own ways.
Once his injuries were fully healed, Aedric returned to Castle Black with Bran and the three Children of the Forest to meet the waiting Lord Commander, Jeor Mormont.
He didn't mention the Night King or the wights. After returning the sword Longclaw to its rightful owner, Aedric simply reported that the wildlings were massing and likely preparing to attack the Wall. He advised the Night's Watch to ready themselves for war.
As for the three Children of the Forest, he introduced them plainly. Mormont had heard of their ancient race, and since they had sworn allegiance to Bran Stark, the commander treated them as Stark retainers — no issue there.
When the group returned to Winterfell, Aedric and Bran told Lord Eddard Stark everything in detail.
When Bran demonstrated his newfound powers as the Three-Eyed Raven, Ned could no longer cling to any hope that this was all fantasy. The White Walkers — gone for a thousand years — had truly returned.
Trouble. Great, terrible trouble.
The entire continent — not just the North — was in danger.
"What should we do?" Ned muttered anxiously, pacing like a trapped beast.
Aedric calmly laid out the plan he had been formulating all along.
When he finished, Ned Stark looked at him in utter disbelief. "Are you insane?!" he finally managed. "If this gets out, your name will be cursed for a thousand years!"
Aedric only smirked. "I'm a bastard, remember? I don't have a name worth keeping. If infamy can save the realm, then let the bards sing their curses."
Seeing his resolve, and realizing the stakes, Ned finally nodded — reluctantly but firmly.
Still, this plan couldn't be executed by Ned alone. One other person's cooperation was crucial: Tywin Lannister, Lord of Casterly Rock and the true ruler of King's Landing.
Without delay, Aedric rode south and secured an audience with the Lion of the West himself.
As Aedric laid out his proposal, both Tywin and his son Jaime stared at him with identical dumbfounded looks — as if he'd lost his mind.
After a long pause, Tywin asked, "You can't be serious. You've come all this way just to… joke with me?"
Aedric's voice was calm but laced with dry amusement. "Yes, of course. I rode thousands of miles, risked my life and reputation, spent hours convincing you — all for the sake of a good laugh. Clearly, I have too much free time."
That killed any remaining doubt. Even the ever-composed Tywin Lannister rose to his feet and began pacing in deep thought.
After a long silence, he turned back. "Why? Why would you do this? You gain nothing from it. You'd become the greatest criminal in Westerosi history — hated for millennia."
"Only if the White Walkers don't break through the Wall," Aedric replied with a shrug. "If sacrificing my name can minimize that risk, I'd call it a fair trade. Your son understands that, don't you, Ser Jaime — the Kingslayer?"
Jaime froze, his expression unreadable.
Aedric looked at him and said sincerely, "To defy your oath to save lives — that's true knighthood. People call you a Kingslayer as if it's shameful, but I see it as honor."
"When the lives of millions hang in the balance, you do what must be done. Even the gods would avert their eyes rather than condemn you."
At those words, Jaime trembled. For a moment, tears welled in his eyes.
After years of ridicule and contempt, it was a bastard — and his own son-in-law — who finally understood him.
What a cruel joke.
Tywin, glancing between the two men, sighed deeply. "It seems my granddaughter Myrcella will have to endure hardship with you after all."
"I've never touched her," Aedric said flatly. "She's still pure. If you think she's suffering, we can end the marriage — give her freedom."
"What did you just say, you brat?!" Jaime exploded. "Are you saying my daughter isn't good enough for you?!"
Aedric raised a brow. "Your daughter? If I recall, her last name is Baratheon. That would make King Robert my father-in-law. So… who exactly are you again, brother-in-law?"
"Enough! Both of you!" Tywin snapped, rubbing his temples. The room fell silent again. He exhaled slowly and asked, "Does Lord Eddard know about this?"
"Of course not," Aedric answered firmly. "Just like you — he knows nothing. None of this conversation ever happened. You never heard me speak. I never came here."
After a long moment, Tywin sank back into his chair, his golden eyes heavy with thought. "Very well," he said at last. "I'll do what I can within my power. But don't expect miracles."
"That's all I ask," Aedric said, smiling faintly. "But one last thing — if, despite all preparations, the White Walkers cannot be stopped, you'll need to consider what you can offer the Dragon Queen across the Narrow Sea."
"After all, nothing in this world comes free."
He paused, then added with a sly grin, "If it comes to that, perhaps have Tommen reclaim the Lannister name and inherit Casterly Rock. That, too, might buy her favor."
"It all depends," he said quietly, turning to leave, "on what you're willing to sacrifice when the Long Night comes."
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