Anyone who has heard of digital currency likely knows this story. A programmer once bought two pizzas with ten thousand Bitcoins and ate them all in one sitting. Those ten thousand digital tokens, which were nearly worthless at the time, later rose to twenty thousand dollars each.
Yes, I know what you are thinking. If he had not eaten those two pizzas, he would now be lying back on hundreds of millions.
From a simple mathematical perspective, this idea holds. But if we extend this line of thought all the way to its limit...
If Satoshi Nakamoto, the creator of Bitcoin, had not published his ideas and rules but instead secretly mined until he had almost all the coins before announcing them, could he have become a billionaire many times over?
The answer is no.
Bitcoin, held only by Satoshi himself, would have been worthless. It could not even buy a single pizza. Only by releasing this new idea to enough people, getting clever and ordinary folks alike to participate, letting some profit and others appear to profit, could the concept take root. Once enough people believe in something, they will promote it with all their strength, and intangible tokens gain value.
Lightbringer is similar in this regard. With the Night's Watch defeating the White Walkers, the myths and embellishments Aegor attached to these seventy-seven legendary arrows would spread across the Seven Kingdoms and even the entire known world.
But if no one carries the tale forward, even the most magnificent story becomes nothing more than self-satisfaction. If nothing is done, the heat cools, the memory fades. In time, this war between humans and the dead becomes nothing more than "a questionable legend said to have happened in the far North." And lightbringer becomes merely "a rumored magical weapon the men in black supposedly used to shoot White Walkers."
Without constant visibility, both the Night's Watch and these seventy-seven arrows would soon vanish from public sight.
Would Aegor tolerate that?
Absolutely not.
He melted down dark sister, the legendary sword of the first Targaryen queen, worth hundreds of thousands of gold dragons, and reforged it into dozens of arrowheads. He would not allow such mobile treasure to gather dust after boosting morale and killing White Walkers once. He had invested tremendous resources and effort into giving these arrows a legendary aura. Now, it was time to convert that influence into something useful.
...
If someone thinks Aegor's plan to "monetize" lightbringer means simply forging fake arrowheads, labeling them as lightbringer, and selling them for gold, then they underestimate him completely.
The "profit" he wants is not gold. It is influence.
Each lightbringer has a unique number and story. These limited-edition legendary objects, made of rare Valyrian steel and proven effective against White Walkers, would indeed tempt many wealthy collectors. Selling them for hundreds or thousands of gold dragons each would not be difficult. Seventy-seven of them could fetch tens of thousands of dragons, which would certainly help the Night's Watch treasury.
But for a military power preparing to contest the realm, finances are no longer the priority.
Grain? The one hundred thousand gold dragons' worth purchased on loan from Braavos had not yet entirely arrived, but what had arrived already could feed The Gift for a year, even without accounting for casualties before the war. Weapons? Thanks to the metallurgical industry in Crown Town, The Gift was nearly self-sufficient. Not everyone was armed to the teeth, but they were at least on par with most armies in the Seven Kingdoms. As for miscellaneous expenses, Aegor could simply ask Daenerys.
Conquering the realm should naturally be funded by the one who will sit on the Iron Throne. Given the Queen's rapid seizure of most of the Crownlands, and her Unsullied needing no pay, she would not be lacking money.
The Night's Watch was not a rabble of peasant rebels. What Aegor needed now was soft power, legitimacy in declaring war on the Seven Kingdoms, a way to weaken internal opposition in The Gift, to improve acceptance of the Southward campaign, and to ensure that public opinion after the war would not be filled with resentment.
His public opinion push had already captured the North, making saltpeter collection proceed smoothly. But defeating the White Walkers was a great feat only to Northmen. South of the Neck, where cultural ties were different, the impact was far weaker. To change this, Aegor intended to let the seventy-seven arrows fulfill their symbolic purpose, serving as silent messengers.
He would scatter them across the world, each one becoming a seed that spread the legend, each one a beacon amplifying the glory of the Night's Watch victory, ultimately converting fame into legitimacy and support for placing Daenerys on the Iron Throne.
How much influence and goodwill would help the Night's Watch or the Queen in the coming war? No one could say. But given the power inherent in the throne, and Aegor's intention not only to conquer but to rule for years to come, the investment was certainly worth it.
And the fastest and simplest way to spread these seventy-seven arrows across the world?
Give them away.
Give them to people everywhere, from all walks of life.
---
After speaking with Tobho Mott and confirming the plan to forge the missing forty arrows, Aegor rose and bade him farewell.
He was not worried that Tobho would reveal the secret. With fifteen arrows, Tobho held more lightbringers than anyone except the Night's Watch itself. Revealing that the arrows were a hoax would hurt him more than anyone. Besides, being unable to distinguish dragonsteel from Valyrian steel, Tobho saw these "forgeries" as true, since he himself was the one making them with Aegor's blessing.
"Humfrey," Aegor called after estimating that Tobho had gone far enough. "Here is a list. Distribute and package the lightbringers according to the names and numbers."
"Yes." Humfrey Hissan accepted the list and skimmed through it.
A long list, full of names and notes.
(Tobho Mott receiving fifteen... fair enough, though one extra is surprising. The Lord Commander is generous.)
(Heroes of the battle between humans and the dead get one each. Necessary.)
(Northern houses who aided at Long Lake, including House Stark. Smart choice. It softens tensions with the North and weakens their motivation to oppose us.)
(Beric Dondarrion and nobles from the Crownlands and Narrow Sea. Logical, they helped during the Lord Commander election and with daily administration.)
(The Iron Bank... as the Night's Watch's largest creditor, they count as having rendered service.)
(Royce of the Vale? This is the Lord's political rival...)
Humfrey paused at the sixth line, confused. But he was not Aegor's confidant merely due to shared imprisonment in King's Landing. His sharp mind quickly caught up.
Of course.
Though Aegor and the Royces had longstanding tension, there was no irreconcilable hatred. By posthumously honoring Yohn Royce as a hero who fought the White Walkers, they were extending goodwill. If the Royces had any sense, they would accept the gesture, reconcile, and ensure the Vale did not stand against The Gift.
Unless, of course, Yohn's surviving sons insisted their father was murdered. That would require delicate handling. This arrow must be delivered by a Vale noble who trusted Aegor, to make sure the explanation was clear.
Humfrey continued reading.
Tywin Lannister.
(The Westerlands donated supplies and gave loans during the currency crisis. Their contribution was indeed considerable. But what are these last two notes... "Seventy-seven" and "Night King"?)
If you do not understand, ask. That had always been Humfrey's principle.
"Lightbringer Seventy-seven is not lost, is it?" Even without being asked, Aegor explained. "Find it, package it well, and send someone to deliver it to Lord Tywin. Also, officially declare that this arrow was the one I used to kill the Night King during the Crown Town defense."
"What?" Humfrey could not hide his shock.
The arrow that killed the Night King. Something that should be guarded on the Wall as a sacred relic. And Aegor wanted to give it away?
To someone who had not even fought in the war?
"Forgive my boldness, Lord... I am not saying this honor should not be given. But... the Westerlands' contribution does not merit something so priceless. Giving it to the Queen would be more fitting."
"The Queen does not care for a full set of lightbringers. What she wants is the Iron Throne, and the Night's Watch's public support, and my counsel." Aegor shook his head. "As for Lord Tywin, does he care for an ordinary Valyrian steel arrow? He could order a hundred of them forged. What he lacks is a heirloom worthy of House Lannister."
In the original tale, Tywin waited years to melt down Ice and recast it into two swords. Why? Because scraps were unworthy of House Lannister. Only the trophy of a great foe was fitting.
"If a gift cannot be useful or surprising, it is worthless. Whether it is the lightbringer legend, the auspicious number seventy-seven, or the honor of killing the Night King, all serve one purpose, to make this arrow meaningful to Tywin."
Humfrey reluctantly nodded. "That makes sense. But why curry favor with the Lannisters? You serve the Queen now. The Lannisters betrayed King Aerys. Won't the Queen disapprove?"
"You think I am currying favor." Aegor chuckled. "Not entirely wrong. But I work by one principle. Small favors are for greater returns. After the Kingslayer stabbed King Robert, the Westerlands were briefly besieged. That appeared disastrous, yet it allowed them to avoid the wars between the Baratheons and the three Kings. They consolidated wealth, centralized gold, and strengthened their position. Aside from the unwieldy Reach, the Westerlands now possess the most intact military and economic strength. If we fight while they watch, they may become the final victors."
"So... you want to lull them into complacency?"
"Hardly. Tywin cannot be lulled. To handle such a man, you either kill him outright or confront him openly. Your question is good. Since I pledged to the Queen, why send such a gift to the Lannisters? Think. How will Tywin interpret it? The real message behind lightbringer Seventy-seven is that I have persuaded the Queen not to fixate on past grudges. With that groundwork, when my army marches South, I can negotiate with them and try to turn their accumulated strength to our side."
"But the hatred between them is so deep. And if Tywin accepts the gift but stays neutral, what then?"
Aegor coughed. "These are not matters for you to worry about. Handle your tasks. I have the rest under control."
He had indeed considered both issues.
Daenerys was young, idealistic, eager to break the wheel. As long as Aegor presented himself as a loyal ally who shared her ideals, she was open to persuasion.
As for Tywin, he knew well there were only two paths. Either wage total war against the Queen or support her and atone. Remaining neutral was an illusion. If the Westerlands would not choose a side, Aegor would insist the Queen deal with them before advancing on King's Landing.
"Yes, Lord." Humfrey realized he had overstepped. He studied the list again... then frowned.
"Lord, there are only thirty or so arrows left. That is nowhere near enough to satisfy this list."
"The last entry on the first line has a cross. Tobho's fifteen are only placeholders. He will not take them immediately. Handle the six entries below first."
Aegor had persuaded Tobho to allow the Night's Watch to use the remaining thirty arrows first, while the smith reclaimed forty vacant slots to forge the full seventy-seven. He would keep fifteen for himself and return the rest afterward.
Aegor intended to keep the remaining twenty-plus as personal property, to sell when their value peaked and fund the army or his own retirement.
Humfrey continued asking clarifying questions. As he wrote down the answers, a commotion erupted outside the door.
"Move aside, I will see the Commander!"
"Lord is busy. Let me announce you... hey, what are you doing?"
After shouts, pushing, and struggling, the doors slammed open and Jaime Lannister stormed inside.
(To be continued.)
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