Coincidentally, Jason felt that Stannis, as the patriarch of the Baratheon family in the Stormlands, would be useful for taking the Stormlands later. He was willing to receive Stannis. After all, at this moment, Stannis was merely a defeated remnant. Since he had come to the North, wasn't this like a sheep entering a tiger's mouth? Jason laughed into the storm.
With joy in his heart, Jason showed a smile on his face. "Regardless of his purpose, I want to make it clear that the North no longer pledges allegiance to any king. His Majesty Stannis wanting us to surrender is impossible."
"That's right!" another noble roared. "We have our own King in the North!"
"Those Southerners won't make us kneel to them again," someone else shouted. "Not to his Iron Throne, not to his king!"
The nobles present struck the table and shouted loudly.
Suddenly, a Viscount of Seven City, who had close business ties with Starfire City, shouted, "Lord Jason is our King in the North, and we don't need a King from the South!"
In an instant, the Northern lords who had been shouting were silenced, as if strangled. Their mouths were wide open, their eyes wide, and their faces were a little overwhelmed.
Although Jason was married to Sansa, the eldest daughter of the Stark family, Bran and Rickon of the Stark family were still alive. In theory, Bran was the most legitimate successor to King Robb of the North. Now, someone was suddenly clamoring for Jason to be king, which was quite unexpected for the Northern lords. Many people kept their mouths shut, daring not to talk nonsense on this matter.
After all, Lord Jason commanded the most elite and powerful army in the entire North, tens of thousands strong.
Jason observed the expressions of the nobles present. Seeing that no one dared to question the proposal for him to be king, he paused, then smiled slightly. "The most important thing right now is to completely eliminate the ghouls. The rest will be discussed later."
Hearing that Lord Jason did not expressly object to the proposal just now, the expressions of the Northern nobles became complicated. Did Lord Jason truly intend to replace the Stark family and become the King of the North?
As Jason spoke, he ordered, "Jon, you go to Seal Bay to meet Lord Stannis—"
Jason emphasized the word "Lord," clearly showing his determination not to honor Stannis Baratheon as a king.
"Yes, Lord Jason!" Jon bowed his head, saluted, and left the conference room.
The King's Arrival
At Seal Bay, Stannis's fleet was anchored. The Night's Watch patrol from Greywater Watch had received the news and rushed over. The Commander of Greywater Watch wasn't interested in the fugitive Baratheon; he simply sent a raven to report to Castle Black and sent a few random men to Stannis.
Stannis met with the few representatives of the Greywater Watch Night's Watch. However, given the humble status of these Watchmen, Stannis merely gave a few words of encouragement and dismissed them.
"It seems the North doesn't welcome me much," Stannis gritted his teeth, his cold face full of anger. "They just sent a few Night's Watchmen. This is contempt for me."
Davos secretly rubbed his broken hand and said cautiously, "Your Majesty, Lord Jason and the Northern lords are both at Castle Black. They must be preoccupied with military matters to fight the ghoul army, so it's excusable that they can't come to see you personally."
Melisandre didn't share Stannis's anger. Since arriving in the North, the beautiful and unusual woman's face had become serious and solemn. "Your Majesty, Lord Davos is right. The dark and cold evil force is attacking us. That force is very strong, very terrible."
Stannis looked at the Witch with suspicion. "Woman, I came here as you instructed. I'm willing to bring my soldiers to fight for the North against these—whatever they are—ghouls. But these Northerners are neglecting me so much, and now I have some doubts about whether my decision to come North was correct!"
"You need not doubt, Your Majesty!" Melisandre looked at the dissatisfied Stannis. "Please be patient. The people of the North will need us."
Jon's Cold Reception
Two days later, Jon entered Stannis's camp with a group of cavalry.
Seeing the Northerners arrive, the Stormlanders in the camp walked out of their tents, looking at Jon and his men with confusion and curiosity. Jon was on horseback, dressed in camouflage green and wearing a black stab-proof suit—completely different from what was worn in Westeros—which greatly puzzled the Southern soldiers.
Davos stood outside Stannis's large, but not luxurious, tent, waiting for Jon and his party.
Jon dismounted and looked at the weather-beaten man with short white hair and a sturdy face in front of him. "Are you Lord Davos?"
With a smile, Davos said enthusiastically, "Yes, I am Davos, a vassal of His Majesty Stannis! And you must be Ser Jon Snow?"
As Stannis's former Prime Minister, Davos certainly had information on most people in Westeros, including the bastard Jon.
Jon nodded, his serious face relaxing slightly. He acknowledged, "Lord Jason sent me to welcome Lord Stannis to Castle Black. The ghoul army is marching toward Castle Black, and Lord Jason is commanding the fight, so he couldn't come in person."
Hearing Jon's address, Lord Davos frowned and reminded him unhappily, "Your Majesty! It's Your Majesty Stannis. Please pay attention to your address, Ser Jon!"
Jon simply looked at him, gave no answer, and urged, "Please take me to meet him!"
Davos secretly gritted his teeth, feeling uneasy, but still led Jon into Stannis's camp.
Jon walked into the camp and saw a man in a military uniform sitting in the main seat. Looking at the man's cold face, combined with the legends about Stannis circulating in Westeros, it was easy to figure out his identity.
"Lord Stannis—" Jon bowed his head slightly.
Stannis's face darkened. "What did you call me?"
Facing Stannis's demanding gaze, Jon met his eyes without fear and repeated, "Lord!"
Stannis smashed his right fist onto the table in front of him, furious as a lion. He glared at Jon. "I am the rightful heir of the Seven Kingdoms, the King of the Iron Throne! Even your late Lord Eddard admitted it. You're just a bastard, how dare you be rude to me?"
Jon was not frightened by the furious Stannis. The North already knew all the information about the King very clearly.
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