The headless corpse twitched a few times in the snow, then stilled.
Warm blood gushed from the severed neck.
Staining the white snow a shocking crimson.
The courtyard—silent as death.
Only that severed head lying on the ground, silently testifying to what had just occurred.
Every Night's Watchman held their breath.
They stared at the figure standing with sword in hand, eyes filled with indescribable complexity.
Alliser Thorne.
The master-at-arms who'd lorded over Castle Black. The cruel knight countless recruits had hated.
Just like that... dead.
Dead by the hand of the man he'd despised most.
And clearly, deservedly so.
Lynn slowly sheathed his sword.
Not a drop of blood on Longclaw's blade.
Valyrian steel seems to naturally reject filth.
He glanced at the head with its eyes still open, face expressionless.
[Killed Alliser Thorne. Experience +10]
Damn, only 10 experience?
This bastard's still stingy even in death.
Lynn cursed inwardly.
But he knew—
Killing Thorne's significance wasn't the pitiful experience.
It was proclaiming his authority in the most direct, most Northern way.
From today, Castle Black will have no voice against him.
"Clean this up."
Lynn's voice broke the suffocating silence.
Two Night's Watchmen immediately stepped forward, efficiently dragging away Thorne's body and head.
Soon, a steward covered the bloodstains with snow.
As if nothing had happened.
But everyone knew—everything had changed.
Jeor Mormont walked to Lynn's side.
He looked at Lynn, his aged face showing a gratified smile.
"Well done, Lynn."
He clapped Lynn's shoulder, grip heavy.
"You're more suited to leadership than I imagined."
Lynn bowed slightly.
"You gave me this opportunity, Lord Commander."
"No."
Mormont shook his head.
"You seized it yourself."
He looked at Longclaw at Lynn's waist, carved with a wolf's head, eyes growing distant.
"I'm old."
"The Night's Watch needs a new leader."
"A younger leader."
Mormont's gaze returned to Lynn.
His eyes filled with trust and expectation.
"Lynn, I hope you'll become that man."
Lynn's heart skipped a beat.
He knows what Mormont's words mean.
This is practically naming him heir to the Lord Commander's position!
"My lord, I..."
"You don't need to answer now."
Mormont waved a hand.
"You still have a long road ahead."
"First, go to King's Landing. Complete your expedition."
"This old man can still hold on."
"Go help Eddard Stark. Stabilize the South."
"Then find allies to fight the White Walkers together!"
Lynn took a deep breath and nodded solemnly.
Unite all forces that can be united. He understands.
"Yes, Lord Commander."
News of Thorne's death spread through every corner of Castle Black.
Those who'd once followed Thorne's lead became turtles hiding in their shells.
They stayed in their barracks all day, not daring to emerge.
Meanwhile, the recruits around Jon Snow—Grenn and Pyp—
After witnessing everything, their attitude toward Lynn became fanatical.
They trained harder than ever on the practice grounds, drenched in sweat.
Lynn showed them in the most direct way: in this place, only absolute strength earns respect.
And Lynn was the perfect example.
Jon watched it all, heart filled with mixed feelings.
In just a few months, he'd watched Lynn climb from a prisoner branded "deserter" to this position.
Through wit and strength, he'd won everyone's respect—even controlled Castle Black's power!
And me?
Still the "Lord Snow" who needs guidance and protection.
That vast gap made Jon feel powerless, but also ignited stronger determination.
He would grow stronger too!
Become like Lynn—someone who could stand alone, protect those he wanted to protect!
Lynn's room. The hearth blazed warmly.
He carefully placed the ice-blue dragon egg in the warmest spot before the fire.
He could clearly feel the life force inside growing stronger, the heartbeat more steady and powerful.
It greedily absorbed the flames' heat, thriving.
Lynn sat cross-legged on the bed, opening his attribute panel.
Name: Lynn
Strength: 6 (99%)
Agility: 5 (53%)
Constitution: 5 (25%)
[One-Handed Sword (Expert) 0/1000]
[Light Sword (Proficient) 160/500]
[Riding (Skilled) 1/100]
[Unarmed Combat (Proficient) 0/500]
[Archery (Skilled) 0/100]
[Herbalism (Skilled) 0/100]
[Ice Magic (Beginner) 1/10]
Remaining Experience: 301
Torren's squad had cleared several more wildling groups.
Combined with previous gains from killing White Walkers, wights, and Thorne, plus 64 leftover experience, he now had 301 points.
Through constant training these past days, Lynn's strength was about to break through to 7, with agility and constitution also improving.
Once strength hits 7, I can return to Winterfell to visit Bran.
And ask Ser Rodrik about two-handed greatsword techniques. Another weapon in my arsenal.
But right now, the greatest gain was that brand-new [Ice Magic] skill on his panel!
Magic!
Mastering magic means mastering supernatural power!
Though only beginner level now, with enough experience, reaching max level was just a matter of time.
"System, put all experience into Ice Magic."
[Experience -301]
[Ice Magic (Proficient) 192/500]
A cold, pure energy instantly flooded Lynn's limbs.
His perception and control of ice elements jumped several levels.
He could even clearly feel the moisture in the air condensing slightly at his will.
Lynn extended his palm.
With a thought—
An ice-crystal rose bloomed in his hand.
Petals crystalline and transparent, refracting dreamlike light in the firelight.
Just basic shaping. Easy with practice.
Lynn's eyes narrowed. The rose instantly transformed into three slender ice needles hovering at his fingertips.
"Go!"
THUNK. THUNK. THUNK.
The needles pierced the wooden wall opposite, leaving three nearly invisible holes rimmed with white frost.
Good power. Perfect for ambushes.
Lynn had another idea. He channeled that cold power into his left arm.
"Crack..."
A layer of ice-thin crystal rapidly emerged from beneath his skin, covering his entire arm, gleaming like diamond in the firelight.
He made a fist with his right hand and struck his left arm hard.
BANG!
A dull thud.
The arm—hard as steel. His fist hurt from the impact.
Such strong defense!
If I could cover my whole body—wouldn't that be mobile ice-crystal armor?
Lynn grew more excited.
An even bolder thought emerged.
The Night King can turn wights. Now that I've mastered Ice Magic... can I?
He'd requested Thorne's corpse from Mormont under the pretext of studying wights.
Right now, Thorne's headless body lay in the room's corner.
Lynn walked over, took a deep breath, and pressed his hand against the cold chest.
He slowly channeled Ice Magic's power into it.
Thorne's corpse stiffly rose from the ground.
Then... stood motionless like an obedient puppet.
Lynn tested a few simple commands.
Despite lacking a head—
Walk. Turn. Punch. It executed everything precisely.
Success!
Lynn felt pleased, but then frowned.
This wight looks dumb. Combat ability probably questionable.
More importantly...
Can it generate experience?
Lynn drew Longclaw and struck without hesitation.
Thorne offered no resistance. As the body crashed down, Lynn checked his system panel.
Experience—unchanged.
"So wights count as allies. Killing them gives no experience."
Lynn cursed under his breath.
That path's blocked.
System won't let me exploit bugs.
Still, using these untraceable "servants" for dirty work could be useful.
After casting several spells, deep fatigue washed over Lynn.
Like pulling several all-nighters.
Magic's powerful, but drains heavily.
For now, only usable as a trump card.
Lynn stood, pushing open the window.
Cold night wind rushed in, clearing his head.
He gazed at the Wall in the distance—like a silver dragon under moonlight—then at the dragon egg radiating faint warmth by the hearth.
He possessed this world's most extreme, most powerful forces.
Who in this world could stop him?
Lynn's eyes burned with unprecedented fire.
Lord Commander of the Night's Watch?
King in the North?
No.
He wanted that throne forged from a thousand swords—the supreme Iron Throne!
He would become this continent's sole master!
"My lord."
Torren's voice from outside interrupted his thoughts.
"Preparations complete."
"We can head south anytime."
Lynn withdrew his gaze, casually crushing the ice-crystal rose into glittering fragments that vanished into air.
"Good."
"Torren, spread word—while I'm away from the Wall, have the brothers collect blessed items for me."
"I only need one of each type. They can keep the rest to improve their strength."
Shortly after Torren left, blind Maester Aemon gently knocked on Lynn's door.
Lynn opened it, helping Aemon inside.
No other brothers with him. He'd come alone.
"Lynn..."
"I've come about that dragon egg."
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
Read up to (30+ ) advanced chapters on Patre\on
Visit us here: patreon.com/DarkGolds
Happy reading, everyone!