"Where is my father?" Robb Stark questioned, looking across the field of the fallen from atop his horse. There were many sullen faces among those who Eddard Stark had led. His face began to drop the longer the silence persisted. "Where… is my father?"
"He fell in battle, m'lord." One of the levies replied, lowering his head. "He was taken down by many arrows from the Lannister men."
"..." Robb Stark took a deep breath.
"The King also fell in battle."
"Retrieve my father's corpse." Robb Stark took a deep breath and glanced back at his men. "He will be buried under the crypt in Winterfell as all the other Lords of Winterfell before him were. Lord Tywin may have escaped in this battle but he won't be able to run forever. He will pay with his life."
"The North remembers."
…
Away from his men, Robb Stark was hacking a tree with his sword until he could barely lift his arms. There were streams of tears falling down his eyes as he knelt down in helplessness. Castelyn Stark approached her son with slow, steady steps as she tried to make herself look strong. She too, was heartbroken.
"Robb…"
Robb Stark stopped, turning to her as he dropped his sword. "I was too late… too slow."
"It's not your fault, you rode as swiftly as you could with enough men to win the battle." Catelyn Stark approached him, embracing her son. She sniffled slightly. "And you won…"
"This victory feels empty…" Robb Stark shook his head, closing his eyes in sorrow. "I failed my father… the King… they died because of me. Even the Lannisters, Lord Tywin and the Kingslayer, got away. They'll run all the way back to the Westerlands and we'll never be able to get our hands on them. They will hide in Casterly Rock as long as it takes."
"That may not be true…" Catelyn Stark stroked the back of his head. "Who is to say that they will be able to cross through the Riverlands unharmed? They might still be caught. They will… even if they hide, they won't be able to hide forever. There will always be a way to catch them."
"..." Robb opened his eyes, nodding slightly. "I'll kill the traitors if there's a way… I swear it. They will pay for everything they did."
…
The next thing Edric Storm had opened his eyes to was a large tent adorned in Baratheon symbols and banners all over. It was lavish, especially for a tent. It even had a whole mini feast presented on the table. Arthur had been waiting for him to wake up and eventually fell asleep himself.
'How long has it been?' Edric Storm sat up and rubbed his eyes. He looked around and saw Arthur sitting at a table to the other side. Shaking his head, he got up and walked to him. "Wake up."
He shook him and Arthur's eyes stormed open. "Ah… you're awake, Edric."
"You'd make a terrible night guard, you know that?" Edric Storm raised an eyebrow. "How long have you been waiting by my side?"
"Too long, I'd say. Many people were starting to get worried that you'd never wake again."
"That… wouldn't be the first. Did we catch them, the Lannisters?"
"No… they managed to slip away with most of their cavalrymen." Arthur sighed, shaking his head. "King Robert fell in battle… so did Lord Eddard Stark. Despite the great victory, the Realm will be in shambles soon. No King, no Hand and you… well, you're the last royal left standing of the Baratheon line. The Lannisters won far more than we did."
'Of course he is… of course Eddard Stark is fucking dead. Fuck's sake, I can't have anything in this world, can I?' Edric Storm sighed, lowering his head slightly. "Sometimes, great sacrifices have to be made so that we might have great victories. I believe my father's death was almost inevitable… but-"
"How could you say that about your own father?" Arthur frowned. "They were not sacrifices. They were losses… losses that didn't need to be made."
"I used the wrong term for it… I didn't want either of them to die but it happened and there's not a thing we could've done about it." Edric Storm shook his head. "You know full well that Robert wanted to be at the front of battle and that no one could change his mind. Eddard Stark was a soldier, too. He didn't hide from battle. When you're so close to death… there's always a chance you'll be touched by it."
"I… did the best I could. It's not my fault that they threw themselves into the fire and got burned."
"Yes… you did. I would've died a hundred times over if it weren't for you watching me from above." Arthur sighed, shaking his head. "I'm sorry… it's just that the losses have taken their toll. I still can't believe that Rolan isn't with us anymore."
"He was a bloody idiot." Edric Storm scoffed. "If he had remained by my side, he wouldn't have died without reason. But noooo… he wanted to be a hero. He wanted all the glory and so, he paid the price. Little good it did him, in the end."
"Well…" Arthur poured himself some wine and drank his entire cup. "I managed to retrieve his corpse. He'll be set to rest at the Stormlands, his home. After this… you'll be crowned King, won't you?"
"Unfortunately." Edric Storm made a slight smile, tilting his head. "This Realm is truly doomed."
"I think it needs someone like you during times like these."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Edric stroked his chin.
"It needs a warrior to keep the peace." Arthur replied, standing up. "There are many who already look up to you as someone who cannot be beaten."
"I don't want to be just a warrior. I want to be a gardener as well." Edric shook his head. "A scholar, a wise and powerful King. I want to do the best I can."
"I have faith that you will." Arthur managed a smile, grabbing his shoulder. "You can be the finest King that ever lived."
"So long as I wear that crown… that's what I'll strive to be." Edric chuckled, pouring some wine for himself. "Until then, allow me to still enjoy myself. Looong days await both you and I, Ser Arthur."
"Ser?"
"Soon, my friend. Soon." Edric smiled, raising his cup. "Let's drink away our pain, here and now. Wash it all away!"
"I can't deny your command, Your Grace."
They toasted and both drank up.
Edric put up his index finger. "That… my friend, is too soon. I have barely been a prince."
"Whether you like it or not, that day is fast approaching. Better get used to it."
"King Edric 'Storm' of the House Baratheon wakes!" Dorian walked into the tent. "Must be strange, rising from bastard to one if the most powerful men… well, the most powerful boy in the Seven Kingdoms."
"Aye, it does not feel real sometimes. I never even wanted to rise so high. Knighthood was enough for me." Edric shook his head. "But here I am."
"Aye." Dorian poured himself, Arthur and Edric some wine. "Here we all are, thanks to none other than you."
"I suppose so…"
"You suppose? Hahahaha… you scared those bloody Lannister dogs shitless! Bam… bam… bam, down they all went to your arrows of death! It was among the most terrifying sights I've seen in all my life."
"I… don't remember it too well, if I'm honest. Most of it is a blur."
"You also earned the respect of all the men who stood with you. They sing your praises all day and night." Dorian chuckled. "It has become almost irritating hearing those lads outside glorifying you to no end."
"The way you took control and led the way forward personally… was truly inspiring." Arthur added. "I don't think anyone else could've done what you did defending that ford."
"I failed, in the end. They just rode to the side and crossed the Red Fork regardless." Edric shook his head. "I… could've killed Tywin Lannister right there. I could've ended it all. Yet, I… missed and merely grazed his helmet."
"You shot that arrow across the damn field, across hundreds of paces… grazing his helmet is already an achievement anyone else would consider impossible." Dorian stroked his beard. "While you did not kill him, you gave him reason enough to fear you. He knows what he is against now."
"That just means I won't get a chance like that again…" Edric lowered his head slightly.
"You're too hard on yourself, boy." Dorian pat his shoulder. "Nothing more you could've done. While, yes, Lord Tywin did manage to run away… where to and with how many men? Not enough. We will catch the lions in due time, my prince. For now, celebrate! Not only did you show everyone your prowess in battle, you also led men to victory at such a young age."
"This is a stepping stone to your future victories… and there will be many, I'm sure."
Dorian raised a cup to Edric, drinking it all in one go.
Edric managed a smile.
"As long as Renly followed his part of the strategy… it shouldn't be much longer until this war is brought to an end, I think."
"See? Drink." Dorian nudged Edric. "You've earned it."
"... Some more wine wouldn't hurt."
~
The routing Lannister forces were met with Riverlands resistance along the path to the Golden Tooth, dwindling their numbers further. However, due to Lord Tywin's earlier raiding, there weren't any banners standing in the way. The Riverlords much preferred to defend their keeps and holdfasts from getting burned. Due to their rapid speed, the forces under House Lannister managed to retreat back to the Golden Tooth before anything could be done to stop them.
Jaime Lannister entered the hall alongside his father who had the same… strange expression ever since his defeat. Jaime didn't know what disturbed his father to such a degree. At the high seat of the hall sat Alysanne Lefford, who had been castellan in her father's stead.
"Lord Tywin." She left her seat and bowed. "How was the battle…"
"It would have been worse." Jaime Lannister managed a smile. "Your father, Lord Leo fought with courage in the great battle… alas, I hear that it was Prince Edric who shot him down from afar. He was one amongst many great knights and lords who fell victim to his bow. I believe that would make you Lady of the Golden Tooth."
"... Pardon me but how could it have been worse?" She frowned deeply.
"Well, the King was slain by me and his Hand also fell in battle. I consider those to be greater losses for the Iron Throne than the men we lost." Jaime Lannister stated, glancing at Lord Tywin. "Besides, we can hold off any force from Casterly Rock. It's impenetrable."
"That is the only thing that can be done now… the royal force is too large and ours too small to combat it." Lord Tywin nodded. "The Realm lost its two most prominent protectors and its stability will surely be put to question by others outside of the Westerlands. We will find unlikely allies… with a common enemy."
"My lady!" A man burst through the doors of the hall, clutching an unsealed letter. "My lords… Lord Renly alongside many of the Reach lords have rode deep into the Westerlands with twenty thousand or more riders. Tens of thousands of swords are said to be behind them. They may be planning to take Casterly Rock!"
"Take it… no." Jaime Lannister shook his head, making a deep frown. "They plan to keep us away from it. If they've reached Casterly Rock already, we truly are surrounded. This war is at an end."
Lord Tywin sighed, lowering his head. This was the first time he had been cornered like a rat in all his life. The first time there wasn't even a glimmer of victory.
"Surely, surrender would be the only option?" Alysanne questioned.
"We will come to a decision."
Lord Tywin turned to Jaime Lannister who frowned slightly.
"Father…?"
"A decision that seeks the best for House Lannister."
~
After a day of celebrating, Edric Storm woke up the next day somewhat wasted. Though, after a good cold bucket in the face and some early morning training, he was in fine form. Sandor Clegane had accompanied him almost the entire day alongside Dorian. Recently, the Hound had taken his duties more seriously which surprised Edric slightly.
"Ser Hound, you're awfully close today." Edric stated, glancing at him. "Isn't your reason for joining me no longer valid? The Mountain was slain, after all."
"The sole reason why I stand here is because of you." Sandor Clegane spoke in his usual rough, rasping voice. "You saved my life more times than I could count on that field."
"Wouldn't be many, then." Dorian jested, smiling slightly.
"For a man who looked pretty from his horse and seldom drew a blade, you have a sharp tongue." Sandor Clegane glanced at him, frowning slightly. "I almost forgot you were even there."
"I was at the side of the boy whom I've sworn to protect." Dorian countered, shrugging his shoulders. "How can I do that if I rode down and got myself killed? Sure, I may have killed a dozen or so men but in the grand scheme of things, it would have been a great waste of my brilliant talents."
"Dorian isn't a knight…" Edric added, glancing at the two. "Daggers and knives do far better in enclosed areas with fewer opponents rather than fields with thousands. Dorian is not suited to that kind of battle."
Dorian smiled, nodding without saying a word as he glanced at Sandor.
"I am no Ser either."
"I consider you one, Ser Hound." Edric smiled slightly as he turned to him. "You fight with courage and skill that only a select few have. I also know somewhere deep down, beyond that cold exterior, is a man who wants to do good. Though, a guard can only do so much good as their master allows. It's not quite your fault that you got tangled with the Lannisters considering your House's ties with them."
"I don't need your sweet words, Prince." Sandor Clegane scoffed. "Just know that I am willing to give my sword and life to your cause."
"I appreciate your loyalty, Sandor." Edric smiled, turning away. "I swear I won't put your sword to waste."
~
Highgarden.
Margaery Tyrell sat around a beautiful garden of golden roses, eating some of the most exquisite and most extravagant fruits in all of the Seven Kingdoms. Peach, most of all, was her favourite. She looked beautiful in a green dress with golden flower patterns decorating it. Her longer, thick and curly brown hair adorned her appearance perfectly. She looked at her grandmother with her beautiful brown eyes, wondering what she had been reading for so long.
Olenna Tyrell put down the last of her letters and Margaery couldn't help but grow curious.
"So many letters at once… is there news of the battle?"
"King Robert Baratheon and his Lord Hand Eddard Stark both fell in battle. The Lannisters ran with their tails between their legs when the reinforcements from the north arrived." Olenna scoffed, sitting back. "They wrote that Edric Storm fought with great valour and killed hundreds of men across the field with his bow alone. Blessed by the Warrior, so they say…"
"Hundreds?" Margaery raised an eyebrow, smiling slightly. "Mayhaps not hundreds but surely there is a reason why he is the youngest to ever be knighted."
"The Florent bastard will soon enough be King, there is no doubt about that." Olenna took a grape and ate it, shaking her head. "If only that Cersei knew how to spread her legs to someone who wasn't her brother. Now we will have a King with Florent blood… giving more reason for them to believe that they should rule the Reach. This upstart boy may very well favour them and grant this wish."
"Though he has Florent blood, would it be fair to consider them family? Edric was raised by Renly and didn't see his mother past his birth." Margaery questioned, smiling as she reassured her grandmother. "I sincerely doubt he would push their claim and risk instability after barely being crowned. If anything, he likely would appreciate our loyalty for taking the Westerlands in his name."
"... That is not enough." Olenna countered, frowning. "With the way matters are, we shouldn't remain idle. Even if the Florents do nothing… we must remain ahead."
"How would we do that?"
"All Kings need a Queen." Olenna Tyrell smiled slightly, turning to her. "You are a little older than him and as beautiful as they come. Gods know you have more wits than the rest and you are a lady of House Tyrell, the most powerful and rich House in the Seven Kingdoms which would ensure the Realm's stability. That is all that this Edric… Baratheon should desire in a lady. If he had any wits about him, that is. These Baratheons are seldom clever."
"I could be Queen…" Margaery's eyes widened slightly as she smiled. Though, she raised an eyebrow as a thought crossed her mind. "Is he not already betrothed to a Stark?"
"Hah… the minds of men are fickle. Boys even more so." Olenna laughed a little. "That arrangement was made by two men who are now dead and I've heard many rumours of how the two who were arranged strongly disagreed with it. When the boy is made King, do you think he is not capable of making his own mind and acting upon it? All that you must do is be a little convincing… and House Tyrell's position will not be put into question by the Florents again. You would be Queen of the Seven Kingdoms, no less."
"A little convincing?" Margaery made a sly smile, tilting her head innocently.
"Oh, you know well enough."
\\\\\
**Blue Star.**
**Xishan Cemetery, Jiangling City.**
A woman stood silently before a newly erected tombstone, mourning in silence and bidding farewell to the deceased one last time.
The tombstone bore the name of the departed: **Lin Jichen, aged 29.**
The woman was **Ren Lan**, Lin Jichen's senior from university.
She stood quietly in front of the tombstone, gazing at the portrait engraved upon it. The man in the picture was strikingly handsome, his eyes as bright as stars.
Ren Lan stared at the photo, lost in thought.
A cemetery worker approached, pushing a cart carrying a dark ebony urn.
"It's time for the burial, ma'am. Would you like to place it yourself, or shall we do it?" the worker reminded her.
"I'll do it."
With a heavy heart, Ren Lan walked forward, took the urn into her arms, and carefully placed it into the small, square grave beneath the tombstone.
"I never thought that after all these years, our reunion would be under such circumstances."
She muttered to herself, her eyes welling up with tears.
Her voice was slightly choked, unable to hide her sorrow.
"If only you had listened to me back then, this wouldn't have happened. You had a limitless future in *Bahuang*, but you chose to trust the wrong people. Even after being deceived, you didn't realize it… Sigh, forget it, it's all in the past now…"
"Ma'am, please place the deceased's belongings inside as well," the worker reminded her again.
Ren Lan nodded, her eyes red as she put the last remnants of Lin Jichen's possessions into the grave.
But suddenly, she remembered something. She hurriedly rummaged through the belongings and pulled out a **voice recorder**.
A small note was attached to it, with a line of tiny words:
*"Ren Lan, play this when I'm buried."*
Ren Lan had kept this in mind, though her grief had nearly made her forget.
Looking at the recorder in her hand, she chose to press play.
A voice recording played.
*"Crazy woman! Long time no see, huh? Haha! Bet you didn't expect this—I've already ascended to immortality and am on my way to the celestial realm! I probably won't have another chance to see you again, so I figured you'd miss me. Here's a little recording for you…"*
The voice in the recording was cheerful, without a hint of solemnity or sorrow, even jokingly comparing his death to achieving immortality.
Ren Lan, however, was not surprised. She had always known Lin Jichen to be this optimistic and full of sunshine.
The recording continued.
*"Actually, I wanted to apologize to you. I should've listened to you earlier. But this was my own blindness, I can't blame anyone else. I'm sorry, my dear senior Ren Lan. If fate allows, let's meet again in the next life. I'll still be your punching bag for taekwondo… hehe… Well… I guess this is goodbye…"*
Hearing this, Ren Lan could no longer hold back her tears. This was only the second time in her life she had ever cried.
The first time was when Lin Jichen had misunderstood her and cut ties with her.
Ren Lan, known as a strong-willed, never-crying tomboy, had broken that claim twice in her life—both times because of Lin Jichen.
However, in the next second, the tone of the recording suddenly shifted.
*"Holy shit! Where am I? Why is it so dark?"*
*"Wasn't I supposed to ascend to immortality? Why am I trapped inside a tiny box? Help! Somebody help me! I'm scared~ Yamete~"*
*"Dame dame! Dame yo~"*
Several cemetery workers nearby couldn't help but chuckle. They had never encountered such an absurd farewell message before.
In their profession, they were trained to remain solemn and professional at all times.
But now, even they couldn't hold back their laughter.
"Pfft."
Ren Lan laughed too, wiping away her tears as she cursed at the tombstone.
*"Lin Jichen, you bastard!"*
---
**Ding ding dong dong…**
A phone ringtone jolted Lin Jichen awake from his sleep.
"Ugh, my head hurts…"
He groaned, clutching his aching head as he opened his eyes.
The pungent stench of alcohol and the acidic taste of vomit lingered on his body and in his breath.
As he looked around, he saw a room that felt strangely familiar, yet oddly distant.
"Wait, where the hell am I? This looks just like my old university dormitory."
"Wasn't I fatally wounded by the Ascension Realm boss *Zhu Jiuyin*? Weren't my injuries beyond saving? How am I still alive?"
"Wait! Where's my storage ring? My elixir chamber? Why is everything gone?!"
---
**Ten minutes later.**
After triple-checking his situation, Lin Jichen finally understood.
He had **been reborn.**
Back to ten years ago!
This year, he had just finished his college entrance exams and was a freshman in university.
At **nineteen years old**, he was young and full of life.
As for why he had been reborn, Lin Jichen thought carefully.
If his guess was correct, it had something to do with the **jade pendant** he had snatched from Zhu Jiuyin's cave.
The moment he took that pendant, it vanished. But just before his death, he vaguely remembered seeing it again, glowing brilliantly.
And then, he had woken up **ten years in the past.**
After a moment of contemplation, everything clicked.
Before *Bahuang* merged with the real world, there had always been a rumor.
The **strongest beast in the Ascension Realm, Zhu Jiuyin**, possessed a **supreme divine artifact**, known as the **Twin Fish Pendant**, capable of comprehending the laws of the universe.
No one had ever obtained it.
After being betrayed, Lin Jichen had accidentally fallen into Zhu Jiuyin's lair… and the jade pendant he had grabbed **was most likely that legendary Twin Fish Pendant.**
Who would have thought… this mythical artifact had **granted him a second chance at life.**
*"Since the heavens have spared me, then Xu Zhihui, Guo Jie—you two traitors! This time, I'll make sure you suffer the pain of betrayal and despair!"*
Lin Jichen stood before the dormitory mirror, his eyes gleaming with an icy, bone-chilling light.
Before his rebirth, he had endured the **most miserable and hopeless** period of his life.
The woman he had **loved for ten years, Guo Jie**, had **betrayed him**, running off with his most trusted brother, **Xu Zhihui**.
The two had even **schemed together to steal all his wealth, elixirs, and treasures** accumulated over ten years.
In the end, they had lured him into Zhu Jiuyin's abyss to die.
Even as a **Dao Comprehension Realm cultivator** and the world's top spellcaster, he had **stood no chance** against the monstrous entity.
Mortally wounded, with no cure for his injuries, Lin Jichen had **perished soon after.**
Looking back, his past life was nothing but **a complete tragedy.**
He had been dealt **a winning hand, only to play it all wrong.**
Despite having **so many better choices** and **people who truly cared for him**, he had foolishly clung to a toxic love, ignoring those who were genuinely good to him.
Now, the heavens had granted him another chance—**the year was 2040.**
And on **August 8, 2040**, an era-defining **virtual game** would launch—*Bahuang*.
A game that would soon prove to be more than just a game.
This time, Lin Jichen **would start over from scratch.**
This time, **he would seize every opportunity, take revenge, and rewrite his fate!**
**Ding ding dong dong…**
His phone rang again.
It was his ten-year-old **Huawei Tianwen**, displaying an incoming call:
**[Crazy Woman]**
Seeing the name, Lin Jichen couldn't help but grin and immediately picked up.
*"Xiao Linzi! What took you so long to answer? Something huge just happened—I have breaking news for you, brace yourself!"*
On the other end of the call was the youthful, energetic voice of a girl.
Lin Jichen, however, barely registered her words.
He was simply relishing the sound of her voice.
It had been **ten years** since he last heard it.
And yet, it was still so familiar, so dear.
*"I'm sorry, Crazy Woman,"* Lin Jichen murmured softly.
*"Huh? What are you apologizing for?"* she asked, confused.
*"Nothing… Just something I felt like saying."*
Lin Jichen chuckled, brushing it off.
In his past life, he had **let down two women the most.**
And **Ren Lan was one of them.**