Chapter Text
It was all for the Absolute Being’s entertainment—that thought was stuck in Jinwoo’s head for a while now. There was something in him that despised it. He supposes that despite the changes that happened to him mentally, physically and even psychologically, there was a part of him that was still human.
Leveling up the way he did, facing the dangers that he did—all his experiences, he had hardened. But the reason why he was doing what he was doing never changed. Everything he did was for his family. He knows that he has to stop the Monarchs for the simple fact that once they take over Earth, his family wouldn’t be safe.
He clears more dungeons to make his army level up while trying to figure out a way to learn more about the Monarchs without making any shady deals with any Monarch. He can pretty much just stand aside now and let his army deal with a dungeon—multiple dungeons even, if he lets Beru and Igris lead. He also knew that aside from leveling up his army, he could also collect crystals that would help his family. Though he isn’t blind from the disadvantages of having to reveal his true strength. Still, he tries to find comfort in the newly achieved freedom of entering higher-level gates.
His mental connection with Beru caught his attention. He got down from the rock formation he was on to approach the human-ant hybrid. He saw that Beru was standing in front of a tree that had a face carved out of it. Above it was a golden lion; from how it was posed, it looked to be roaring.
A side quest, the system shows. It made Jinwoo narrow his eyes at the thing, thinking carefully. He clicked on the side quest to learn more.
‘Discover a world that once had the presence of the Monarchs and unlock a new skill.’
Convenient, he thought to himself. Then again, the system seemed to know what he needed at certain points in time without his prompting. He was also curious about the new skill that he may gain through this side quest.
‘Do you accept the side quest? Yes/No.’
Jinwoo tilted his head to the side and chose the obvious answer to that.
Upon choosing ‘Yes’, Jinwoo felt something inside him push and pull. It was a familiar pushing and pulling. It took him a moment to place why it was familiar to him. The moment he did, though, it got him smiling. He can now open a gate at will, he thought it was interesting.
He raised a hand, and a single gate opened, a black and purple swirl letting him gain access to the world the Monarchs were once in. He collected his army back into his shadow, leaving Igris by his side in case he was entering a hostile territory. He didn’t hesitate taking a step forward.
It was the sound and smell of the ocean that Jinwoo noticed first. The second was the man in red and gold armor holding a strange-looking child. The gate closing behind Jinwoo got him speaking, but the man just stared at him, not comprehending what he said.
A system screen appeared just above his eyesight, informing Jinwoo of what was made obvious. He cleared his throat. He had spoken in English before but he isn’t fluent. “What is the name of this place?”
“Casterly Rock,” the an inclined his golden head ever so slightly. “Stranger.”
“Call me…Jinwoo Sung.” He remembered how westerners arrange their names.
“Of course, Lord Sung. I am Tywin Lannister, Lord of Casterly Rock, Shield of Lannisport, Warden of the West, Paramount of the Westerlands, and Hand of the King.” The main straightened himself as much as he could with the child in his arms. “How may I be of service?”
Jinwoo paused for a moment. He took a quick look around. The sun was setting, and it gave the ocean an orange glow that he had never seen before. It made the castle overhead look like it was made of gold. He looked back at the man; there was a slight tremor in his hands. It was enough for Jinwoo to be clued in that the man was getting cold.
“How about we move somewhere dry?”
Tywin gave him a slight nod. “As you wish, Lord Sung. The walk to the castle wouldn’t be far, and I will have servants ready dry clothes for you as soon as we reach the castle.”
He took another step forward, and Tywin stiffened.
Jinwoo lifted his hands, a movement to let Tywin know he means no harm. “May I?” He gestured towards the child. Jinwoo saw the man hesitate before handing over the child to him. He noticed how thin the blanket was that was wrapped around the child. He took a hoodie from his inventory and wrapped it around the child. He looked at Tywin. The system already has a prompt ready for him. “Please, lead the way.”
Tywin gave him a stiff nod before turning and leading the way out of the water, onto the shore, and soon to a flight of stairs that was formed by the cliff. Jinwoo looked up and saw that it was going to be quite the walk. He didn’t mind. He was wondering if Tywin would be fine with it. He was aware that armor isn’t a light thing to wear all around. Though he supposes that it must be normal for people in this dimension to do so if the first person he encounters is wearing one. Then again, Tywin had such a long title. Jinwoo thought that he was probably, definitely, not an average citizen.
Once they reached the top of the stairs, Jinwoo could already see a castle up ahead. They followed a pathway that he could only guess would lead to the castle. The moment Jinwoo saw an entrance way, the two guards guarding it grabbed the hilt of their swords. Igris, next to him, tensed up.
“This is the Stranger.” Tywin’s voice was commanding. Jinwoo took note of the strange way he was introduced—no pun intended. “He shall be welcomed as a guest in Casterly Rock and no harm shall come to him.”
“You have my thanks, Lord Tywin.” He spoke up. He was half aware of how weird he must sound to these people. “I shall not harm you and your people.”
“Then we shall partake in Guests' Right.” Jinwoo knew that Tywin wasn’t requesting it.
Tywin’s grief had overtaken most of his senses. He didn’t know how long he was standing by the shore of the ocean, waist-deep in the salty water, as he held the little monster that took away his love and joy. The quiet and serenity that the child possesses felt like a mockery to him. It stole everything that made him happy in this life. It had no right to live.
Unfortunately, a God intervened. The Stranger took on the form of a Yi-ti man with eyes the wrong shade of violet to be mistaken to be a Targaryen. He stood with a sure poise, almost disinterested with everything around him but his eyes—Tywin can see unbridled intelligence behind them. Next to the God is a shadow-like figure in armor. Tywin doesn’t know why he wasn’t cut down from where he was standing then and there. The God probably didn’t think much of them. His kind are fickle with their wants and who knows what they need.
For a moment, he thought of demanding his wife back. He wanted to rage at the God right before him and demand that Joana be returned to him. He stopped himself. He had heard Gods curse mortals for a lesser offense. Instead, he offered his service to the God.
They partook in Guest Right. It soothed a part of him, even though he wasn’t sure if the Gods even bothered with Guest Right. He didn’t like the pinched expression the Stranger had when he took a sip of the most expensive wine that could be bought in all of Westeros. Tywin could only hope that this would be the last time he would have to entertain a God.
Tywin made sure that Kevan and Genna knew who their guest was for that night. He had given them instructions that he knew were within their capabilities to oversee. If the best wine Westeros can offer didn’t satisfy the Stranger, the kitchen needs to bring out the very best they can.
Tywin got changed as quickly as he could. He wished to see the preparation of the dining room for the Stranger. He noticed how the servants—even Kevan- were nervous and jerky in their movement. He didn’t stop himself from frowning at that. He thought his household knew better than to act this way.
“Brother, are you sure it’s the Stranger?” Kevan asked him in a low tone.
“There is no doubt in my mind.” He answered calmly.
As Kevan took in a deep breath to speak again, the Stranger entered the room. He was wearing the signature Lannister colors, but it seemed like the God had no problem showing skin for the mortals to see. The red doublet was unbuttoned all the way, showing the Stranger’s undergarment and a bit of his collar. A part of Tywin was just glad that the Stranger was wearing the pants properly. He wasn’t sure how else the rest of his household would react to the God.
A woman standing close to the Stranger dropped the silverware she was holding. She shook so hard where she was standing as she stared at the floor—at the shadow of the Stranger. She got down on her knees and started begging.
The Stranger murmured a word that Tywin didn’t understand. The God then did something that Tywin didn’t think a God would do in a million years. He got down on one knee and soothingly spoke to the servant in the common tongue. His words were stilted, but his message was delivered.
“My army would not harm you or anyone in this castle.” The Stranger told her. “You are safe.”
Hearing the word army come from the Stranger’s mouth alarmed Tywin. He was sure that there was only one shadow figure next to the God when he met him. Then again, looking around, the shadow figure isn’t with the Stranger now. Tywin supposes it makes sense now that the creature looked very shadow-like. Taking a peek at the God’s shadow, he can’t see anything, though. He wondered how his servant could see the Stranger’s army but not him. He already has a plan in mind to speak with the servant.
“Thank you, M’lord. Thank you.” The servant answered shakily. The God gave the woman a kind smile, but there was something about the smile that didn’t sit right with Tywin. Still, the Stranger helped the woman to her feet.
“Lord Sung,” Tywin called out to the God’s attention. He can feel Kevan next to him, trying to stay calm. “Dinner would be served any moment now. The head of the table has been reserved for you.”
“Thank you.” The God moved to sit without hesitation. Tywin would think him arrogant if he were anything but a God.
He turned to also take a seat. He saw his brother’s face and couldn’t help but sternly look at him. For the moment, it was enough to snap Kevan to the present. The servants around them moved faster to prepare everything needed to be prepared for dinner. Tywin is certain that someone had already informed the kitchen of the Stranger’s appearance in the dining room.
Tywin and the Stranger sat in silence. Kevan seemed fidgety in his seat. Tywin didn’t bother with correcting Kevan’s behavior. He instead focused on the Stranger’s. The God stared at the rows of candles and the chandelier hanging overhead, though his expression didn’t give away whether he approved of it or not.
Genna walked in with Jaime and Cersei. Tywin caught the God’s eyes moving to look at the kids. He didn’t find it in himself to worry, though, the God’s eyes softened upon seeing them. The newcomers curtsied. Cersei was graceful for her age, and Tywin approved.
“Are they twins?” Jinwoo asked.
“They are, my Lord,” Genna answered as she got the children seated. Tywin can see the curiosity floating in the children’s eyes but they didn’t say anything out of turn. “The girl is Cersei, and the boy is Jaime. I am Genna Frey, nee Lannister. It is a pleasure to meet you, my lord.”
Jinwoo hummed. “You as well. And please, it’s Jinwoo Sung. How is the little one?” The question got everyone at the table tensing. “Doing the baptism in the ocean must have been cold.”
“Baptism?” Kevan echoed the question in Tywin’s mind.
Jinwoo tilted his head to the side, seemingly trying to find the words that would help mortals understand what the word means. “It is…dedicating the child to…a higher being—a God.”
Kevan and Genna’s heads turned towards Tywin. Before Tywin could open his mouth, Cersei opened hers. “He’s a monster.” She said with vitriol.
“Cersei!” Tywin just realized that in trying to drown the newborn, he had dedicated it to a God, not just any God, but the Stranger. And he does not know how the God would react upon hearing the child that was dedicated to him be called a monster.
Jinwoo’s eyes turned to Cersei. “What do you mean? The baby may look…different, but he is no monster.”
“He killed mother.” Cersei’s eyes were starting to redden with unshed tears.
Jinwoo’s expression reflected the sadness the children were showing. “A mother’s love never ends, it is there from the beginning to the end…and beyond.”
Tywin struggled to breathe. He wondered if the Stranger knows—truly knows, and not just placating the children. He knows Joanna enough for that statement to ring true in his heart.
The Stranger continued. “Your mother wouldn’t want you to see the little one as a monster. She doesn’t blame him for her death. She wouldn’t want you to.”
With shaking hands, Jaime wiped his tears away. “No, she wouldn’t. She said so before she—before she passed. She said…she said to care for Tyrion because no one else will, because the world will be cruel to him.”
Jinwoo nodded. “She’s a smart woman, and it shows how much she loves her children that her last words would be to care for each other.”
“Can you bring her back?” Cersei bravely asked. “Lannisters always pay our debts, we have gold—plenty of it.”
Tywin doesn’t know if it was a good thing that it was the children who asked. He knew that he wouldn’t have the strength in him to. He is too afraid of what it would entail—if he were to be honest, he is still afraid of what it would entail now. But he does want to know if the Stranger can.
Jinwoo looked to be seriously considering Cersei’s words. Tywin tried not to hope. “I can, but not the way you would want.”
“Pardon me, my Lord.” Kevan piped up. “But what do you mean?”
“She would have her memories of the life that she had, but…her…loyalty would only be for me,” Jinwoo said with a sad expression on his face. “All of my shadows, fallen souls that I have awakened, all of them are only loyal to me and only carry affections for me.” He stared directly at Tywin. “If I awaken her, she will answer only to me.”
Having served the king as the hand, Tywin knows a warning when he hears one.
When Kevan first heard the servant, he couldn’t believe his ears. While Tywin has appreciation for the Gods due to the cruel justice they serve, Kevan was certain that his brother was not a person who would turn to any form of Magic to summon any demon, much less a God. Especially after his Good-sister’s passing, he was half certain Tywin called the Gods cunts, but he wouldn’t share that bit to anyone—not even under torture.
Still, he had a servant prepare what was needed for the Guest Right and had another servant call Genna in a hurry. He was, after all, his brother’s right-hand man. He was the one who made sure that Tywin’s will would be followed in Casterly Rock even when he was in King’s Landing. With Genna’s help, of course.
Kevan and Genna, both suspicious of the man Tywin claimed to be a God, still followed their brother’s clear instructions. They gave each other a look of uncertainty and assurance that they will do their part, and once they have an audience with Tywin, away from the God, they will talk to their brother. Tywin does not tolerate disrespect, but he listens to them if they present their worry logically enough.
He could only have Tywin’s ear for but a moment, though. The moment the Stranger walked in, Kevan felt nervous. If he was going to be honest, he was nervous even before the Stranger walked in.
He had heard of Priests and Priestesses, of people claiming they have magic, and of people who say they can perform miracles no one else can. He knows that even if those people can’t truly do any of the things they say they can, their willingness to do questionable things to keep delusion alive makes them nervous. He knows of some people who make child sacrifices, and he knows that before Tywin came back with a man claiming to be the Stranger, he had his youngest with him.
He had heard that a wet nurse had taken Tyrion to the nursery, but he was also informed that some guards had seen the Stranger holding Tyrion on their way to the castle. The knowledge that the babe was alive should be enough to let Kevan breathe a little lighter. But could it be that the Stranger was testing them before accepting Tyrion? What would even happen if the Stranger accepts Tyrion?
Kevan shook his head from side to side. He wasn’t even sure if Tywin did do something that led the self-proclaimed Stranger to them. He needs to calm himself down.
But the Stranger gave interest to Cersei and Jaime. Then, proceeded to tell them of ‘baptism’ after he asked dumbly. From Tywin’s expression, though, it seems that he has fallen for a God’s trick.
Kevan doesn’t know what to think about that, much less what to feel. Tywin is a hard man to trick. There was no doubt that Tywin is smart, but this is a God they are facing. Kevan wonders what happened that made the God pay attention to them.
Then Cersei opened her mouth. The Stranger was kind to the children. He talked to them with careful words and a soft tone. For a moment, it lessened the fear inside Kevan’s chest.
Then the demand to bring Joanna back. Kevan’s heart almost gave out. Still, the Stranger gave the children an explanation of why he couldn’t do it.
The God seemed to explain it so simply but it didn’t completely carry the message of the explanation. Though Kevan supposed the God didn’t want to scare the children. From the look on Tywin and Genna’s faces, though, the adults received the message loud and clear.
Any soul the Stranger brings back would know no peace. They will be part of his army. Kevan doesn’t know what use a God would have for an army, but he knows that it wouldn’t be a good place to be in after death. He half-wonders if hell would be better than being part of the Stranger’s army or vice versa.
It was a no-brainer, though, that Tywin wouldn’t ask for Joanna to be brought back if it would mean she would find no peace.