When uttering that name, Corleone showed no reverence or disparagement, as if he were merely analyzing an object.
This aroused Roose Bolton's curiosity.
He sat upright, looking forward to hearing what kind of evaluation this farmer would give his liege lord.
"It must be admitted that he is young and brave. On the battlefield, he is like a direwolf newly ascended to the throne. Since heading south, he has indeed won quite a few victories."
"However, a true king needs more than just martial prowess on the battlefield."
Corleone's voice gradually became low and persuasive.
"Even if he wins every battle, I dare say that the Northerners can never win this war!"
This definitive tone surprised everyone present.
After all, the Northern army was currently aggressive and, with the help of House Tully, occupied more than half of the Riverlands.
It was said that Robb Stark had already begun planning to assemble a large army to launch a general attack on Casterly Rock, the Lannister stronghold.
"Your words make no sense, farmer."
Brienne, who had sworn loyalty to Catelyn, scoffed directly and refuted in front of everyone, "Since heading south, the King in the North has not tasted a single defeat. Everyone knows it is only a matter of time before they defeat the Lannisters!"
Her tone was very blunt, but her logic wasn't flawed. At least so far, most people thought so, including Jaime.
"Calm down."
Seeing Brienne filled with righteous indignation, Jaime hurriedly reached out and pressed her shoulder.
Sometimes, this woman's stubbornness reminded him of Cersei.
After all, knowing is one thing; saying it in front of others is another.
Don't forget, they were negotiating right now.
Reason told Jaime that Brienne's words and actions could ruin the opportunity Corleone had worked hard to secure.
He couldn't help but secretly observe Roose Bolton's expression. However, to Jaime's surprise, the other party raised no objection to this, nor did he even speak to refute.
"I don't say this without reason, everyone."
All this seemed to be within Corleone's expectations. The corners of his mouth turned up slightly, as if he didn't take Brienne's impulsive act to heart at all.
"I have three reasons."
He extended three fingers and continued his serious analysis:
"First, for a woman, he unilaterally tore up the marriage contract with House Frey. This is not only treachery but also personally cutting off his most important logistical lifeline and ally."
"Second, he is currently far from his base in the North, deeply mired in the southern war, yet he leaves the Riverlands, his theoretical ally, ravaged by war, exhausted, and unable to provide stable support."
"His army is now like a rootless arrow. Though sharp, no one knows where it will eventually land. It might even break in his own hands."
"Third... and the most important point."
Corleone leaned forward slightly, his pitch-black eyes exposed in the candlelight, fearlessly looking straight into Roose Bolton's eyes, and said word by word: "Our King in the North seems not as... just as his father."
Hearing this, Roose Bolton's eyelid twitched.
These seemingly disrespectful words actually struck a chord in his heart!
Although House Bolton had submitted to the Starks hundreds of years ago, their ambition had never ceased until Eddard Stark inherited the title of Lord of Winterfell.
No matter how stubborn or even foolish the Warden of the North appeared to Roose, not a single person in the Seven Kingdoms didn't sincerely admire Eddard Stark's justice and character.
Sometimes, Roose had thought more than once that being ruled by such a duke wasn't bad.
At least they didn't have to worry about being exploited or even backstabbed by their liege lord.
So much so that Roose had once devoted himself to raising his eldest son in Eddard Stark's image, but unfortunately...
"You've gone a bit too far, Lord Corleone."
But even if he inwardly agreed with Corleone's statement, he couldn't show it.
After a moment of silence, Roose's rarely expressive face still showed no emotion. He just responded faintly, as if defending a principle unrelated to himself: "We fight for honor."
"Honor?"
Hearing this, Corleone sneered unabashedly. He stopped disguising and stated the facts directly.
"Lord Rickard Karstark."
"He contributed the most in the previous wars. His two sons fought to the death protecting their lord in the crucial Battle of the Whispering Wood."
At this point, Corleone opened his palm and elegantly pointed to Jaime Lannister, who was again concentrating on his beef.
Feeling the gaze, Jaime, who was chewing large mouthfuls, looked up. Seeing Corleone's gesture, he immediately raised an eyebrow triumphantly.
Correct, those two Karstark boys fell under his sword.
Although captured in that battle, Jaime never considered himself defeated because he led his personal guard to display great prowess, personally slaying over ten of Robb Stark's guards in a row.
It could be said he almost emulated Barristan by taking the enemy commander's head amidst thousands of troops, rewriting the battle situation single-handedly.
But unfortunately, those few steps became his eternal regret.
He sighed inwardly with regret, then lowered his head again, continuing to tear at that poor piece of beef as if venting the depression of failing at the last moment.
Corleone locked his gaze on Roose Bolton again and questioned, "So, Lord Bolton, please tell me, did House Karstark win honor?"
"No!"
He raised his voice slightly, carrying a soul-shaking power.
"Earl Rickard, a father who lost two excellent sons, a vassal who shed his last drop of blood for House Stark, ultimately killed two Lannister prisoners to vent his anger."
"His end was having his head chopped off by the order of our 'just' King in the North himself!"
Saying this, Corleone stared dead at Roose and issued a soul-searching interrogation: "Lord Bolton, you don't want to end up like Rickard Karstark, do you?"
...
As his voice fell, a long silence descended upon the reception room.
The flickering firelight seemed to illuminate an extremely subtle crack on Roose Bolton's face.
Jaime stopped chewing, the tight corners of his mouth revealing his inner tension.
He stared closely at Bolton. Even with extraordinary trust in Corleone, he knew that those words just now were tantamount to questioning and even belittling the other's liege lord to his face. This was touching the most sensitive nerve of a great noble.
How would Bolton react?
Beside him, Brienne's reaction was even more obvious.
When Corleone began dissecting Robb Stark's faults, disgust appeared in her blue eyes.
To her, Lady Catelyn was a beacon of faith, and House Stark represented honor and justice, while Corleone's remarks at this moment were full of blasphemy and disrespect.
She clenched her fists, suppressing the urge to speak up and refute.
What made Brienne even more uneasy was the pure calculation of interest without any moral burden revealed in Corleone's words. It made her instinctively foresee that what he and Bolton were about to discuss might be very...
The tense atmosphere lasted for quite a while.
Finally, Roose spoke, "This is none of your business, Vito Corleone."
"Even if His Grace Robb Stark is biased in some aspects, House Bolton's loyalty is absolutely unshakable."
He first drew a line, emphasizing that this was an internal matter of the North.
At the same time, he stated his position but did not refute Corleone's evaluation of the King in the North.
Hearing this, Corleone remained silent, looking at Roose's seemingly steadfast and loyal face, thinking inwardly, I believe you like hell.
At the same time, he had to lament that this guy's acting skills were truly peak perfection; even [Insight Lv1] couldn't spot a flaw.
If he hadn't read the original work, he probably would have been deceived too.
Sure enough, Roose didn't pursue his disrespectful remarks and leaned back slightly.
"And compared to so-called friendship, I am more keen on the common interests beneficial to both of us that you mentioned."
"Of course, Lord Bolton. As I said before, clear interests maintain long-term relationships better than empty oaths. Similarly, I am also very keen on discussing business with friends."
He deliberately emphasized the word "friends," carrying a tacit understanding.
Extending a finger and tapping lightly in the air: "What we need is simply for you to be magnanimous and provide a pass, ensuring Ser Jaime and I can return safely to King's Landing."
"Then."
Roose Bolton took over the topic immediately, pointing straight to the core: "What do I get?"
"What do you want to get, Lord Bolton?"
Corleone didn't answer directly but asked back implicitly, "You are already the Lord of the Dreadfort, beneath one person, above ten thousand..."
"Heh..."
Hearing Corleone say this, Roose understood immediately, the corner of his mouth twitching almost imperceptibly.
"Your words are bold, Lord Corleone."
"But why should I trust the empty promises of a stranger?"
As Roose's voice fell, Brienne, who had been suppressing her anger, widened her eyes in disbelief.
He... agreed?
But why?
What agreement did they reach?
I clearly didn't hear anything!
"You don't need to trust my promises, Lord Bolton."
Amidst Brienne's bewildered expression, Corleone also revealed a knowing smile. "We both know very well that if I speak irresponsibly, what I face upon reaching King's Landing is the blade of Lord Tywin."
"I wouldn't joke with my own life."
These words were reasonable, laying bare the highest price a "liar" could face, which instead added a degree of credibility.
"I can trust you, Mr. Corleone."
"But... I need a more tangible guarantee."
Saying this, his gaze passed over Jaime and finally landed on the bewildered Brienne of Tarth.
Raising a pale, slender finger, he pointed at her as if identifying an object:
"This woman must stay."