Jaime's threat was like the final straw that completely broke Walton.
As the saying goes, only the person framing you knows exactly how wronged you are.
If this guy were allowed to run to his ducal father and pin everything that happened in the Riverlands on Walton's head with vivid embellishments, the consequences would be unimaginable.
Given the power of House Lannister, even if Lord Tywin had no evidence—or rather, didn't need any, simply wanting to vent anger for his eldest son—the consequences were beyond what Walton could bear.
Damn Kingslayer, a devil full of lies!
Thinking of the situation he might face, Walton's face instantly turned pale. His body trembled uncontrollably, cold sweat streaming down.
He stared at Jaime, stubbornly refuting, "This... is Harrenhal. You are... challenging Lord Bolton's... authority!"
Although he tried to make his tone tougher, his chattering teeth made his threat lack any momentum.
Instead, his lack of confidence made him appear very guilty.
Corleone sensed the collapse of his psychological defense and quietly patted Jaime's thigh, signaling him not to pour oil on the fire anymore.
The effect was almost achieved. Pushing too hard might backfire and cause a rebound from the opponent.
He took two steps forward, softened his tone, and comforted, "Captain Walton, I think we are all decent people. There's no need to make things end badly over a worthless guy and some petty grudge that can't be put on the table."
"Lord Bolton's authority is used to eliminate hidden dangers and maintain order, not for you to settle private scores and fight in the castle over a whore."
"Wells is a male whore."
Before Corleone could finish, Iggo couldn't help but bluntly remind him from the side.
Hearing this, Corleone looked up at Walton in surprise. Seeing the other's expression remain unchanged and natural, he shrugged.
After all, in Westeros, this preference wasn't rare.
And this world had no AIDS... safer than his previous life... probably.
Without dwelling on this matter, Corleone just shook his head and continued to reason with the shaken Walton emotionally and logically.
"Think about it, Walton."
He continued to step forward slowly, naturally extending his hand to rest on Walton's shoulder, speaking in a tone entirely considerate of the other:
"If this matter reaches Earl Bolton, do you think he will appreciate your behavior, or blame you for losing face in front of a distinguished guest like the eldest son of House Lannister?"
These words were like a precise scalpel, thoroughly dissecting Walton's psychology.
He lowered his head in silence for a moment, looked at his subordinates around him, and took a deep breath: "I only know loyalty to Lord Bolton and doing my best for him. As for the rest... I haven't considered it!"
Hey!
This kid isn't stupid!
Seeing Walton straighten his chest and put on a righteous appearance, Corleone looked at him with new respect.
He had some brains, knowing that if he suddenly relented, as a captain, he would lose face and have no way out. So he made a stance in front of his subordinate soldiers.
But... he just lacked a step down.
Then I'll use money to pave the way for you!
"As I said before, Captain Walton, we are all decent people."
Corleone exerted slight force with his right hand on Walton's shoulder, maximizing the aura of [Majesty Lv2].
His tone softened, but the oppressive feeling of controlling the situation didn't disappear; instead, it intensified: "How about this? I'll give you a decent solution."
He pointed to Rorge on the ground: "I must take this man."
"He offended you. I will make him pay a price you can't imagine, and from now on he will fear you and dare not touch anyone or anything you fancy."
Corleone's voice was powerful, clearly heard by everyone present. This feeling instinctively inclined people to believe everything he promised.
Then, he changed the subject and pointed to the horse under Jaime: "As for this horse, it is completely a misunderstanding."
"Perhaps Lord Bolton didn't specify which one when gifting the horse, or maybe the stable hands made a mistake. But in any case, continuing to argue over the ownership of an animal is too undignified for your status and mine."
Corleone repeated the word "undignified," constantly imprinting it into Walton's mind.
Immediately after, without waiting for the other to react, he pulled out a coin purse from his tunic.
He weighed it in his hand. The crisp and tempting sound of colliding Gold Dragons made the eyes of the Northern soldiers from the bitter cold lands go straight.
"There are thirty Gold Dragons here."
Corleone unceremoniously stuffed the purse into Walton's arms. "Consider it my personal compensation to you, and the cost of purchasing this warhorse."
"Take it, forget all this unpleasantness. Take your men to the best tavern in the city for a big meal and some fine strong wine."
"Please don't think it's too little."
Gulp~~~~
As Corleone's voice fell, Walton looked at the heavy purse in his hand and couldn't help swallowing.
Too little?
Thirty Gold Dragons, and you tell me not to think it's too little?
In the South, the purchasing power of a Gold Dragon was already ridiculously strong, even in wartime with soaring prices.
In the resource-scarce North where people were generally poor as church mice, these thirty Gold Dragons were almost equivalent to a month's expenses for the entire Dreadfort!
"Lord Corleone... you... I... I really am..."
Looking up at Corleone's sincere face, Walton was somewhat incoherent for a moment.
Although they looted a lot of wealth under Roose Bolton's private instructions while fighting in the South, most of the spoils belonged to the Earl.
Now holding such a large sum of money, how could he not be excited?
"Don't cry, Captain Walton."
Corleone patted his back heartily, took a step back, calmly scanned all the Northern soldiers, and laughed: "I know you suffered a loss, but sometimes, both sides taking a small loss often means... everyone wins."
"See, handling it this way, although both of us made insignificant concessions, isn't solving the dispute peacefully and decently the wisest choice compared to potentially worse outcomes?"
Walton swallowed again: "How can I accept this... that horse only cost ten Gold Dragons when bought."
He said so, but his hands were not slow at all, directly stuffing the Gold Dragons into his tunic as if afraid Corleone would regret it.
I believe you like hell.
Watching his actions, Corleone thought to himself. Although this horse is indeed tall and sturdy, it wouldn't cost ten Gold Dragons. At most one or two Gold Dragons tops.
However, his expression remained unchanged as he elegantly nodded to Walton: "I told you, we are all decent people."
"Ah, yes yes yes!!!"
With the Gold Dragons in hand, all of Walton's anger and dissatisfaction were instantly thrown to the back of his mind. His smile was brighter than ever.
Looking at Corleone's attitude now was like seeing his own father. He approached enthusiastically, imitating Corleone's manner and patting his shoulder.
"We are all decent people, Lord Corleone. From now on, you are my, 'Steelshanks' Walton's, best friend!"
"Forget a mere Rorge, even if you want my wife, I'll wash her clean and put her on your bed!"
"That won't be necessary..." Corleone quickly declined politely.
"Anyway, tell me anytime if you need anything. Everyone in the Dreadfort knows I, 'Steelshanks' Walton, value loyalty the most!"
"Let's go, let's go drinking!"
Shaking the Gold Dragons in his tunic again, Walton waved his hand heartily, shouting to his soldiers to leave in big strides.
From the looks of it, he had no intention of inviting Corleone, the "patron," to the feast.
"Blood of my blood."
Watching the other leave, Corleone instructed Iggo, "Take the man. We must leave here as soon as possible."
"Roose Bolton isn't exactly a man of his word. We must depart before he changes his mind."
Hearing this, Jaime nodded in full agreement.
Glancing at Rorge being carried by Iggo, he couldn't help leaning in and teasing in a low voice, "You made a losing trade, Vito. This man isn't worth thirty Gold Dragons."
"Is that so?"
Hearing him say this, the corner of Corleone's mouth curved up meaningfully.
"Your family isn't the only one in this world who knows how to do business, Jaime."
"Just watch. I, Vito Corleone, never make a losing trade."