Varys had no idea how he had offended the person across the Narrow Sea, nor did he understand why they were targeting him, an old spymaster, so relentlessly.
Out of the entire Seven Kingdoms, was he the only servant of the late King left standing?
At this moment, Varys didn't want to say anything. As the Master of Whisperers, he knew all too well that when a setup was this thorough, words were useless.
"Take him away!"
Seeing Varys speechless, Robert, his face purple with rage, ordered the Red Cloaks to drag him to the dungeons to await judgment.
"Heh. Mud in your pants—even if it's not shit, it looks like shit."
A flicker of amusement crossed the eyes of the Red Cloak escorting Varys.
This guard was none other than the player Iron-Pumping Superman.
Just moments ago, after committing suicide by biting the poison capsule, typical game logic dictated that he should be floating around as a ghost or simply logged out, waiting for his body to be dumped in a ditch before respawning.
He could have even tried to respawn instantly and take a swing at the King.
But after counting the Kingdom Coins he had just earned, Iron-Pumping Superman decided not to be so reckless. Instead, he immediately used the two Silver Loot Boxes he hadn't even warmed up yet.
One box contained a Mimicry Mask. Its function allowed the user to copy the face of anyone they had killed, lasting for 24 in-game hours.
But that wasn't all.
The most overpowered feature of this mask was its secondary ability: it allowed the user to possess the body of anyone they had killed!
Although the possession only lasted for 30 minutes, for Iron-Pumping Superman, that was more than enough time.
The item had pros and cons. While possessed, the item was classified as a "Stealth Tool," meaning the user couldn't use their full player stats or skills. Furthermore, if killed while possessing a body, there was a mandatory 5-minute cooldown before they could respawn at the initial spawn point.
If not for that debuff, Iron-Pumping Superman would have drawn his sword and stabbed Robert right then and there. Unfortunately, two Kingsguard knights were blocking the King, especially that Kingslayer, Jaime Lannister, whose eyes hadn't left him for a second.
It was a pity to waste such a golden opportunity, but Iron-Pumping Superman restrained himself. Quit while you're ahead.
The second Silver Loot Box gave him a One-Time Designated Respawn Point.
Armed with these two items, Iron-Pumping Superman set his respawn point directly inside Varys's chambers, then possessed the corpse of one of the Red Cloaks he had killed earlier.
As for the armor? He was rich now. He bought a full set from the Player Shop for 25 Kingdom Coins without blinking.
Everything went according to plan. He led the other Red Cloaks to search Varys's room, naturally "discovering" the secret passage and the bodies.
As for the letter? He didn't just get lucky and find actual evidence of treason.
He had pulled a Blank Letter from a Bronze Loot Box. For a fee of 20 Kingdom Coins, the little fire creature system would forge a letter in the handwriting of any designated person.
Every piece of evidence had been manufactured and "discovered" by him. You could say he knew better than Varys himself just how innocent the Spider was.
After all, the secret passage was real, and Varys did control it without the crown's knowledge. That part wasn't fake.
"Your Grace!"
Another Red Cloak brushed past Iron-Pumping Superman, carrying a jar of Wildfire.
Seeing the Wildfire, Robert's barely contained rage ignited once more. He stared viciously at the murderer whose lips were already turning purple from the rope, the man who had killed his brother.
"Blood for blood! Fire for fire!"
The Red Cloak understood the King's command.
The courtiers, who had been advising caution just moments ago, were now dead silent. No one dared to speak—not even the Hand, Eddard Stark.
The evidence was overwhelming. The despicable Targaryen remnants had sent assassins, conspired with the Master of Whisperers, and used Wildfire to burn the Master of Laws alive. Even a man as just as Ned Stark could only stand there with a cold face, saying nothing.
Watching the jar of Wildfire getting closer, Moon-Fang was grinning internally. The NPCs couldn't see it, but he and his livestream viewers could clearly see the bright player ID and skill description floating above the Red Cloak's head.
Iron-Pumping Superman's brilliant play to take down the Master of Whisperers had caused the livestream to explode. In just this short time, Moon-Fang estimated he had received at least 700,000 RMB in gifts, and they were still rolling in.
"Long live House Targaryen!"
Whoosh!
The green flames of the Wildfire instantly engulfed Moon-Fang.
By this point, Moon-Fang had already logged off to count his money.
Robert's face was dark. He didn't get the satisfaction he wanted. The damn assassin didn't make a sound as he burned!
Ser Jaime Lannister, who usually acted like none of this concerned him, looked at the figure on the "stake" with a serious expression.
Wildfire doesn't kill instantly.
For a man to burn in silence without screaming... what terrifying willpower must he possess?
Shing!
Ser Barristan Selmy drew his longsword, stepped forward quickly, and ended Moon-Fang's suffering with a single thrust.
He then turned and knelt on one knee before Robert, silent.
Robert looked at him and muttered:
"You did right, Ser Barristan. Say what you will, the man was tough."
Then he looked at Littlefinger.
"Make preparations... for Renly."
He didn't want to say more. After leaving a final order to recall Stannis Baratheon to the capital, he left the Great Hall surrounded by the Kingsguard.
Once the King was gone, everyone's eyes fell on the Hand, Eddard Stark.
The message was clear: Your turn to clean up this mess, Lord Hand.
"What are you all standing around for? Guards, search everywhere! See if there are other secret passages connected to Varys's room! My Lords, get to work. We have lost three members of the Small Council in a single day!"
Eddard ordered grimly.
"Yes, Lord Hand!"
The hall instantly became a hive of activity.
Moon-Fang, who had just finished counting his cash and logged back in, saw that his character had been reduced to ash. The system interface informed him that he could not respawn on the spot. He had to choose between the two initial player spawn points in Pentos.
He sighed with regret.
Reluctantly, he selected the Pentos Barracks.
Damn shame. I was hoping to take out two more ministers in the chaos.
As Moon-Fang lamented his missed opportunities, the busy Red Cloaks and courtiers faded from his vision.
---
Essos.
Unlike the Prince of Pentos, who was merely a figurehead, the Sealord of Braavos wielded immense power once elected for life.
The current Sealord, Ferrego Antaryon, coughed lightly into a handkerchief offered by his protector, the First Sword of Braavos, Qarro Volentin. He wiped his mouth and spoke:
"I have read the letter. I thought the Targaryen boy would be friendly, but it seems that after easily taking Pentos, our Beggar King has forgotten the friendship of Braavos. He seems to forget that his secret alliance with Dorne was witnessed here, in Braavos."
"It is time to punish King Viserys. His appetite is growing too large."
Ferrego spoke softly, his face pale. His protector, Qarro, stood silently by his side, listening without a word.