Chapter 56

In the world of Ice and Fire, is it impossible to survive without noble status? While this notion might be an exaggeration, it holds true for most of Westeros. No one is a protagonist blessed with invincible power. Entering this world means adhering to its rules, but Aegor saw beyond the surface—he understood the deeper essence: noble status was merely the facade of Westeros' rules. Beneath it lay a more fundamental truth: every problem boiled down to resources and power.

Take the envoy of the Iron Bank as an example. He was just an ordinary employee, yet even Cersei Lannister, at the height of her power, ruling over King’s Landing with an iron fist, treated him with utmost courtesy. Was it because of some noble title? No, it was because he represented Braavos across the Narrow Sea. Similarly, the High Sparrow humiliated kings and queens after building his armed Faith Militant—not because of his titles or the Seven, but because he had soldiers and popular support, aided by his enemies’ foolishness. Even Petyr Baelish’s rise to the pinnacle of Westerosi nobility after securing Harrenhal hinged not on the title itself but his alliance with the Lady of the Eyrie. Without her, what was he worth?

At its core, noble status was merely a tool for controlling resources, not the source of power itself. Power lay with those who controlled resources first; noble titles followed.

Once Aegor understood this cause-and-effect relationship, his path became clear. As long as he controlled resources, even if he remained a member of the Night’s Watch for life—his legal status beneath even a common knight—he could still wield power over the world, turning clouds to rain with a mere flick of his hand.

Believing in this principle, Aegor laid his plans.

...

His initial goal was straightforward: use a Ponzi scheme to accumulate wealth, bolster the Night’s Watch with provisions and his own loyal men planted within its ranks, and gradually make the Watch dependent on him both materially and mentally. Like boiling a frog, he would subtly bind the independent armed force to himself, ensuring his safety and freedom.

Next, he would leverage his amassed capital and future knowledge to establish a vast network of shared interests across Westeros. Once the time was right, he would cautiously use his power and resources to enter the game of thrones, seeking a way to free himself from the Night’s Watch oath and explore the possibility of returning to his original world.

...

Aegor had meticulously outlined his plans, brimming with confidence in his wisdom and forethought, ready to outwit his adversaries and reshape this world. But then Melisandre appeared, lifting a corner of the stage’s curtain to reveal a grander and more terrifying truth hidden beneath the chaos.

Over a month ago, Aegor had suspected that key events, like Bran’s fall, were immutable. Yet Tyrion’s safe return to King’s Landing had shattered this notion, leading him to conclude that destiny or some other mystical force didn’t dictate this world. With this realization, he had felt emboldened, letting his imagination run wild as he crafted an ambitious plan to rewrite everything.

But now, Melisandre’s words struck him like a thunderclap: extraordinary powers did exist, and they influenced the mortal world! Tyrion’s return wasn’t a sign of the gods’ indifference—it simply meant they hadn’t bothered to intervene.

Aegor felt like a child sneaking off to play games or watch videos, only to look up and find a camera on the ceiling. His excitement was instantly doused. Under the constant surveillance of god-like entities, how could anyone truly be free?

...

Melisandre misinterpreted Aegor’s long silence as fear. Internally, she sneered. This so-called hardened ranger of the Night’s Watch, slayer of White Walkers, was trembling before the power of the divine.

“Do you have any more questions?” she asked, her voice calm. Though disdainful, she understood that fear of the extraordinary was natural—she herself had once been awed by it. “If not, considering how forthcoming I’ve been, may I ask a few questions of my own?”

Aegor knew he had to adjust his plans. Not only would he need to stay out of the noble houses’ crosshairs, but he also had to remain inconspicuous to the gods and their emissaries. If so, at least half of his grand scheme could be scrapped outright. “Go ahead,” he said flatly. “I’ll answer whatever I can.”

...

Over the next half hour, Aegor, feigning a dazed state, answered Melisandre’s questions, all of which focused on the lands beyond the Wall and the Night’s Watch. This reassured him: she hadn’t questioned his identity as a mere ranger. As long as that remained the case, he could stick to the truth, avoiding the need to fabricate elaborate lies.

By the end of their exchange, Melisandre’s expression had turned grave. Meanwhile, Aegor had managed to quell his initial panic. Reason returned, albeit belatedly, but better late than never.

Conspiracy theories could explain everything, but relying on them entirely was just scaring himself. If he could fool others with half-truths and lies, who’s to say Melisandre’s claims weren’t also riddled with exaggerations?

Moreover, as a devotee of the Lord of Light—a likely brainwashed zealot—her sincerity didn’t guarantee accuracy. Just as the greenseer had fabricated the Old Gods’ faith, who’s to say the Lord of Light wasn’t a similar construct? Could Melisandre simply be another victim, like Jojen Reed, manipulated by her supposed deity?

Even if many events in the original story were orchestrated by supernatural forces, obsessing over which god backed which character or what divine plan drove each plotline would be paralyzing. At that point, he might as well return to the Wall and live out his days hunting wildlings and slaying White Walkers.

Regardless of divine influences, Aegor resolved to stick to his plan, albeit with adjustments to maintain a lower profile. He needed to convincingly portray himself as a loyal member of the Night’s Watch, even in private. Aligning himself against the White Walkers wouldn’t necessarily earn him rewards, but at the very least, it would ensure the Lord of Light and his followers wouldn’t target him.

As a mere mortal, he was far too weak—even to play both sides. How frustrating.

...

“The Cold God’s movements are faster than expected,” Melisandre said, unaware of Aegor’s inner turmoil. She, too, had her concerns. “Fortunately, the Lord of Light has revealed through the flames that the Wall can hold back the Cold God’s power and his servants. We have time to act before winter freezes the seas.” Her tone turned sharp as she faced Aegor. “So, my black-cloaked friend, is there anything I can do to help the Night’s Watch?”

Aegor met her gaze. Despite being labeled a heretic and enduring a series of unexpected events, the conversation had returned to a semblance of normalcy. At least Melisandre’s offer to assist the Night’s Watch seemed genuine. Unfortunately, Dragonstone lacked the grain, weapons, or manpower the Watch desperately needed. Unless the red priestess could convince Stannis to abandon his "reborn Azor Ahai" delusion and march north immediately, she could offer little of practical value.

As he studied her solemn expression, another question surfaced in his mind: was the conflict between these gods a life-and-death struggle or merely a game? Were entities like the White Walkers, the Night’s Watch, and Melisandre pawns in a cosmic chess match, or tools to achieve some grand purpose?

If he could uncover the answer, it would guide his next steps. Unfortunately, even if Melisandre was a true believer, she likely didn’t know such secrets.

“The Wall lacks everything—especially men, food, and equipment,” Aegor admitted with a sigh. “I’ve been sent to secure those. But judging by Dragonstone’s condition, you’re not much better off. If you truly wish to help, focus on the dragonglass mining operation.”

“That can be arranged.”

Speaking of dragonglass, Aegor suddenly remembered something crucial. How could he have overlooked this? “One more question: do you know the principle behind obsidian’s ability to kill White Walkers? If we can figure that out, we might find other ways to fight those creatures.”

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