Eddard Stark got nothing useful from Grand Maester Pycelle, who had long since coordinated with Lancelot. Eddard didn't even know of the existence of the book The Lineages and Histories of the Great Houses of the Seven Kingdoms.
He was even less aware that Robert had a bastard son named Gendry.
Gendry, wearing a bull-horned helm, was currently on horseback, practicing with a lance against Lancelot.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The two clashed fiercely.
Lancelot could see all of Gendry's stats.
> Name: Gendry Waters
> Identity: Bastard son of King Robert
> Class: Blacksmith
> Strength: 19
> Speed: 16
> Intelligence: 11
> Spirit: 12
> Mana: 9
> Talent: Ox-like Strength. Can wield heavy hammers to kill enemies.
"Robert's bloodline really is like a bull! Gendry hasn't undergone formal knightly training, but his strength is a level above most people," Lancelot thought.
"This must come from blacksmithing. Pumping iron feels good!"
Although Gendry was very strong, Lancelot's stats were no longer what they were a year ago.
> Name: Lancelot Lannister
> Identity: First Heir to Casterly Rock
> Class: Knight
> Strength: 21
> Speed: 21
> Intelligence: 21
> Spirit: 21
> Mana: 21
> Talent: Skinchanger, Mage
Even Gendry's greatest asset, his strength, was two points lower than Lancelot's.
However, the longer they fought, the more Lancelot felt something was off. It felt less like fighting a person and more like fighting a bull.
"Is this the talent 'Ox-like Strength'? You can't tell his strength is only 19 points. My strength stats are clearly higher, yet in a pure contest of power, I seem to be losing ground," Lancelot mused.
After ten fierce rounds, Lancelot finally knocked Gendry off his horse.
Lancelot then dismounted and removed his helmet.
Revealing a face covered in sweat.
"Gendry, you truly are a born warrior!"
"But you are still stronger, Ser Lancelot!" Gendry said, panting heavily inside his bull-horned helm.
"Alright, let's go check on the North Sea Kindergarten! The results of the competition should be out!"
Lancelot led Gendry to the North Sea Kindergarten.
The final results for the written exam and physical tests were in.
First place in the written exam was a little girl named Cosette. She was quite cute.
Lancelot, knowing her details, discovered she was actually the niece of Jean, the Night's Watch brother he had met at the Wall.
Lancelot patted Cosette's head and said to her,
"Your uncle is now a man of the Night's Watch on the Wall. You must become a useful person in the future, just like him."
"Director Lancelot, is my uncle okay?"
"I don't know. Life in the Night's Watch is hard. But if he knew you were still alive, he would surely be very happy! Since you have learned to write many words, write him a letter yourself!" Lancelot said.
"Mm!" Cosette nodded.
The physical tests measured strength, speed, and jumping ability—who was strongest, fastest, jumped highest, and jumped farthest.
The four winners were:
Babalu, Hales, Mendel, and Frank.
"Gendry, these four are your subordinates now, and they will also be members of my guard. You are responsible for training them," Lancelot said.
"Yes, Ser Lancelot. I will train them into the strongest soldiers! Just like me," Gendry replied.
Over the next few days, Lancelot borrowed some money from Cersei, Tyrion, and Jaime to continue his alchemy.
However, eventually, they only had gold left and no silver, so Lancelot temporarily stopped transmuting.
"It seems I still need to exchange gold for silver! According to the current currency exchange in Westeros, one Gold Dragon can be exchanged for two hundred Silver Stags." (Note: The text says 200 here, but later Lancelot proposes 1:100 as a "sweetener," which implies the market rate is actually higher than 100, perhaps 210 as Tyrion mentions later. Let's assume the market rate fluctuates or is around 200-210).
"But to make people with Silver Stags willing to exchange, I need to concede some profit. I'll exchange one Gold Dragon for one hundred Silver Stags. Benefiting the people will make them willing to swap," Lancelot thought.
Lancelot went to find Tyrion. Tyrion now owned not only a brothel in King's Landing but also a casino.
Additionally, he had several high-end card rooms for nobles to entertain themselves.
Lancelot found Tyrion in one of the card rooms. He wasn't alone; someone else was there.
"Ser Kevan!"
Lancelot recognized the man. He was Tywin's younger brother, the only living one, as the others had died—some from pox, others from shipwrecks, including the one who went treasure hunting in the ruins of Valyria.
"Lancelot, long time no see! Hahaha!" Kevan smiled.
"I didn't know you had arrived in King's Landing. Where is my grandfather? Is he here?" Lancelot asked.
"He is the Warden of the West, after all; he has many matters to attend to! He will arrive in a few days," Kevan said.
"I came ahead to scout the path for him! It seems something big is about to happen in King's Landing!" he added.
"Indeed, something that concerns all of Westeros is about to happen!" Lancelot confirmed.
"Is the thing inside that black coffin really so terrifying?" Kevan asked.
"To ordinary people, that thing is unkillable. It's very hard to destroy, except with fire, dragonglass, and magical items!" Lancelot said.
"If that's the case, then Stannis, the Lord of Dragonstone, can name his price! He could sell a single dragonglass dagger for ten Gold Dragons," Kevan remarked.
"We can also use Wildfire!"
Hearing Lancelot mention Wildfire, both Tyrion and Kevan's expressions changed.
"There is no Wildfire left in King's Landing! After Robert became King, he already..."
"No, beneath King's Landing, everywhere is filled with Wildfire, including under the Great Sept of Baelor. These are leftovers from Aerys," Lancelot stated.
"How do you know this?" Tyrion asked.
"Jaime told me! He was Aerys's Kingsguard," Lancelot replied.
"I came to find you to continue my alchemy!" Lancelot looked at Tyrion.
"You've already turned all your silver into gold so quickly? Aren't you the richest man in King's Landing now?" Tyrion made an exaggerated face.
"Hahaha! Look at this."
Lancelot took out two Golden Lion coins to show them.
"First I transmute silver into gold, then mint it into the new currency, the Golden Lion."
"From now on, Golden Lions and Gold Dragons will exchange one-to-one. The era of House Lannister is coming," Lancelot declared.
"So, what do you need from me?" Tyrion asked.
"Let me exchange money with the guests in your casino and brothel."
"One gold coin for one hundred silver coins."
"Isn't that a huge loss? You know a gold coin can exchange for two hundred and ten silver coins!" Tyrion said.
"Give them a little sweetness, otherwise, they won't be willing to exchange!" Lancelot said.
"I understand. Lancelot, you really are clever! Hahaha! Truly my nephew," Tyrion laughed.