Along with hearty laughter, a raging flame ignited on the man's body.

The flames are like torches, emitting dazzling light.

When the light faded, the figure burning in flames in the air had disappeared without a trace.

The nobles on the platform looked at each other in bewilderment, and the residents of King's Landing gathered in the square also stared blankly at their fallen new king.

It was not until the Queen Mother Cersei's grief-stricken cries echoed throughout the square that the crowd was awakened from their daze and burst into an even louder noise.

The crowd became more crowded and noisy, everyone was shouting in astonishment or excitement, so much so that the golden robes who were maintaining order were somewhat unable to control the situation.

"What is that?"

"It's thunder and fire!"

"Dragon Queen, Daenerys Targaryen..."

"Targaryen, Targaryen!"

"The Mad King's daughter is coming back!"

The crowd was noisy and chaotic, with all kinds of shouts coming from it.

On the high platform, Finance Minister Baelish, who was sitting in the corner, took a step back and watched coldly.

Cersei held Joffrey's cold body in her arms, her eyes revealing deep hatred and madness.

Her father Tywin is still fighting against Robb Stark, and her brother Jaime Lannister is also on the front line.

With the death of Joffrey, her last support in King's Landing fell, and she was the only one left in the huge capital.

"Tan! G! Li! An!"

Cersei gritted her teeth and uttered the name. She then turned her head sharply and glared at the ministers around her like an angry lioness. Her beautiful eyes, which had always been calm and composed, were now filled with ferocious bloodshot.

"Find Varys for me!"

"I want him to pass on the message for me, to spread Lannister's wanted order to the free cities. Anyone, no matter who it is, who can bring the body of that bitch, I am willing to exchange it for ten times its weight in gold!"

When these words came out, many ministers looked at each other in bewilderment.

Baelish coughed lightly, stepped forward and whispered: "Queen, your intelligence is outdated. As far as I know, all the free cities in Essos, including the three huge cities in Slaver's Bay, have now been taken over by the Dragon Queen. I'm afraid your wanted order cannot be delivered..."

"What?!" Cersei's eyes widened, her face full of shock and anger, "Didn't Varys tell me that—he betrayed us?!"

Baelish glanced around, but there was no sign of Varys, so he shrugged and said, "I'm afraid so."

"Damned eunuch!" Cersei cursed, and then her face changed. She gritted her teeth and said, "Then catch the assassin first. Baelish, pass the order down. Search the whole city for the traitor who assassinated the king. Any resident who dares to hide the traitor will be punished with the same crime!"

"Yes, Queen Mother!"

Baelish bowed and accepted the order, then turned and left.

…

…

Westeros, Dragonstone.

Lord Stannis Baratheon's hall is a large circular room with plain walls of black stone and four tall narrow windows facing north, south, east and west.

In the center of the hall stood a round table carved from a huge wooden board, which was ordered to be built by Aegon Targaryen before the War of Conquest.

Aegon's carpenters carved out bays and peninsulas according to the shape of the continent of Westerlo, and with exquisite carpentry skills, they carved out the seven kingdoms of Aegon's time on this huge round table.

All the rivers, mountains, fortresses, cities, lakes and forests in Westeros are included in it, and everything is visible at a glance.

In the direction corresponding to the Dragon Stone Island in the outer sea, there stands a raised platform, and on the platform is the only seat in the entire hall.

Stannis Baratheon, Lord of Dragonstone, sat on it.

He was wearing a tight leather vest and brown coarse wool trousers. He had broad shoulders, strong limbs, and a tense face. His face, which had been exposed to wind and sun for a long time, was full of determination and seriousness. He exuded a majestic temperament.

At this moment, the majestic king was inspecting the ministers sitting around the round table, with a hint of sarcasm and sneer on his tense face.

"It seems that the lords of Storm's End are unwilling to raise an army for me. I know they have always disliked me. These bastards, the timid ones want to hide behind the city walls and wait until the war is over before changing their minds. The brave ones have already joined Renly's army... Humph, Renly!"

Stannis snorted coldly, with a hint of anger and jealousy in his eyes.

The ministers below the stage looked at each other in bewilderment. An old scholar stepped out and said softly, "Your Majesty, in the past thirteen years, your brother Renly Baratheon has been the Duke of Storm's End, and these lords are all vassals who have sworn allegiance to him..."

"his?!"

Stannis' voice suddenly rose in anger, "That should have been mine!"

"I never asked for Dragonstone. I didn't want this damn place at all. It was Robert. His enemies were entrenched here, so he ordered me to wipe them out. I built a fleet for him, defeated the enemy, and fulfilled all my duties as a brother and a subject. But what about him?"

"He made me the Lord of Dragonstone, but gave all of Storm's End, which should have belonged to me, to Renly!"

"That brat is just a kid who wants to steal the crown from my head. Tell me, Cressen, why does he want the throne?"

"Just based on his poor martial arts, his lack of military achievements, and his shameful name Long Yang that spread throughout Westeros?!"

Angry roars echoed in the round table hall, and the ministers trembled in fear.

The old maester Cressen bowed his head slightly and said, "I'm sorry, Your Majesty, I can't answer for the gods, but your real enemy is the Lannisters. If you two brothers can fight side by side..."

"I will never compromise with Renly!" Stannis said, "not until he gives up his claim to the throne."

Maester Cressen sighed and said, "Well, then don't form an alliance with him. Others can also help you."

Stannis sneered. "You mean Robb Stark, Eddard Stark's eldest son?"

Maester Cressen nodded and said, "That's right. Although he has declared himself the King of the North, as long as you are willing to help him rescue his father..."

Stannis interrupted him again with a sneer: "Why should I rescue Eddard Stark? He means nothing to me!"

Davos couldn't help but step out and ask, "So you plan to fight alone without forming an alliance with anyone?"

Stannis frowned and remained silent.

Davos said sincerely, "Your Majesty, with all due respect, you are hosting a banquet for the lords today, but only Celtigar, Velaryon, and Baal Aemon have come. Even if you add Lady Selyse's brothers, uncles, and cousins, they are not enough to fight against the army of the lords of Storm's End."

"Your Majesty, you need allies!"

Davos said in a decisive tone.

Lady Selyse, standing beside Stannis, sneered. "So the rightful ruler of the Seven Kingdoms, the heir to the Iron Throne, must fawn on widows, infant sons, and usurpers?"

Stannis frowned. "My lady, when did I ever beg for mercy?"

Lady Selyse smiled and said, "Your Majesty, I am very pleased that you can say that. Look at the sun hanging high in the sky outside the window. It is as bright as fire, just like the flaming heart of God. It is His symbol and also your flag!"

Lady Selyse was talking about Allah, not the gods, which shows that she has abandoned the belief in the old and new gods and turned to believe in the deity called the King of Light.

Stannis was a stubborn man. He was not fanatical about religion and faith. Hearing this, he just said calmly: "Madam, your God's will should be kept for yourself. What I need is an army, not a blessing. Does your God have an army to give me?"

Madam Selyse laughed and clapped her hands softly, and suddenly there were soft footsteps outside the hall.

Stannis and his ministers turned around and saw a red-robed witch walking in from outside the hall.

She was wearing a silk dress that was as bright as flames, and a golden-red necklace with a red gem inlaid on her white and smooth chest. Her waist-length hair was like polished copper, shining brightly in the light of the torches.

But compared to her fiery red outfit, the most eye-catching thing is her exquisite and beautiful face. The skin on her chest and neck is white and smooth, like the finest fresh cream in King's Landing. Her plump breasts and slender waist combined together are an eye-catcher.

Once a man's eyes rested on her, it was difficult for them to move away, even old Maester Cressen was no exception.

Seeing all the ministers in the hall were fascinated, Lady Selyse showed a contemptuous look and said lightly: "This is the red witch, Melisandre."

Melisandre bowed slightly and said, "Greetings, my Lords."

Stannis frowned and said calmly, "Do you have a way to send me an army?"

Melisandre smiled slightly, took a step, walked up to the platform in full view of everyone, and leaned over to whisper in Stannis's ear.

The fragrance blew towards him, and Stannis' heart was moved, and his body reacted unconsciously.

The next second, a magnetic and pleasant sound like a kitten scratching rang in Stannis' ears.

"Melisandre, my Lord Daenerys Targaryen sends you my warmest regards!"

Before she finished her words, Melisandre's arm suddenly burst into flames.

The scorching flames condensed into a blade and instantly pierced Stannis' chest.

Stannis' eyes suddenly widened with anger, and he roared and kicked the beautiful witch in front of him.

But Melisandre flew away before the other party could make a move, avoiding Stannis' counterattack like a flaming red butterfly.

The flames were raging, instantly igniting all of Stannis's clothes, turning him into a human-shaped fireball on the throne. He staggered to his feet, letting out a heart-wrenching scream.

"His Majesty!"

The ministers around the round table exclaimed in surprise.

Mrs. Celis beside her also widened her eyes and looked at the scene in disbelief.

Onion Knight Davos angrily drew the sword from his waist, strode forward and slashed at the red witch Melisandre.

Melisandre stepped back slightly to avoid the blow, and then said calmly: "My lord has ordered that the Targaryens will return soon. Any traitor who dares to usurp the throne will not escape the fate of being burned by flames!"