The journey of film and television world is endless

#499 - Chapter 231: Dying Resistance

The Imperial army rampaged through the Westerlands, seemingly sensing the Lannister family's decline. Within days, the Banefort, Brax, Crakehall, Estren, Falwell, Jast, Kenning, Plumm, Stackspear, and Westerling families chose to surrender, submitting to the Imperial Empress.

Of course, some chose to resist to the end. The Lefford, Marbrand, Moreland, Lydden, Prester, and Swyft families were all exterminated in the ensuing battles.

The entire Westerlands had been ravaged beyond recognition by the war. Once-prosperous cities were now reduced to ruins and wreckage. Amidst this desolation, only Casterly Rock and the distant Fair Isle still stood firm. Within the Rock, nineteen thousand remaining soldiers held the last line of defense, the final hope of this land.

Meanwhile, the Imperial army defeated the Ironborn entrenched in the Kingswood. Bran's Fiery Heart army, like a burning flood, surged irresistibly into the Stormlands. What lay before them was desolation and ruin. Ever since Renly Baratheon declared himself king in 298 AC, the Stormlands had been trapped in endless warfare. Stannis's army, the Reach's army, the Lannister army, and Viserys's army had engaged in fierce battles here, causing immense destruction to the land. The common people lived in misery, and the lords also faced hardship, with over forty percent of the nobility having disappeared in the war.

A few days later, Bran's Fiery Heart army successfully entered the undefended Storm's End. Davos knelt before the city gate, tears streaming down his face. His heart was filled with longing and sorrow for Stannis. The Baratheon crowned stag banner flew high above Storm's End once more, alongside the Targaryen three-headed dragon banner, symbolizing the rise of a new ruling power.

Next, Bran dispatched soldiers to escort Davos to King's Landing. This mission was crucial, as Davos needed to deliver two key pieces of information to the Empress: first, that Storm's End and the Stormlands had been successfully reclaimed; and second, to retrieve Shireen Baratheon and ensure her safety. This task was not only vital to military strategy but also involved political tactics, with profound implications for the entire situation.

Concurrently, after the Stormlands and the Westerlands were pacified, the Imperial army began a three-pronged attack on the Reach. First, Tumbleton and Goldengrove quickly fell, becoming spoils of war for the Imperial army. Then, the central army surged like an unstoppable torrent towards Highgarden. This city was defended by three thousand soldiers led by Lord Lorent Caswell, with the assistance of over twenty thousand armed forces of the Faith of the Seven. However, they faced thirty thousand elite Imperial soldiers, the vast majority of whom were reorganized from the troops stationed in the Arbor, making them powerful and experienced.

The Imperial Western Army, approximately twenty thousand strong and mainly composed of cavalry, set out from the Westerlands and headed south along the Mander River. In the vast plains, this cavalry force was able to fully utilize its advantages, greatly enhancing its combat power. They advanced rapidly, directly targeting Old Oak and Red Lake, bringing tremendous pressure to the Reach.

After the Imperial army reclaimed the Brownhollow, the Eastern Army was not to be outdone, advancing into the Dornish Marches and further expanding the battle lines. The Dornish Marches generally refer to the vast area located southwest of the Stormlands and adjacent to Dorne. The terrain here is diverse, with hundreds of miles of grasslands, plains, wilderness, and swamps. This complex terrain prevented the Imperial army from continuing its advance. The Eastern Army commander ordered the control of Harvest Hall and Summerhall, temporarily blocking the Boneway leading south into Dorne, while also posing a continuous threat to Stonebridge and Longtable in the Cockleswhent.

Currently, Blackhaven and Nightsong are still under the control of Aegon VI. Jon Connington transferred all the supplies and valuables from Storm's End, scavenging almost everything that could be taken from the Stormlands. In addition, he has the last six thousand troops, but others are fleeing along the way.

All of Dorne has been fully mobilized. The harsh living environment has cultivated the Dornish people's indomitable character. They long to compete with the Northern Dynasty, just like their ancestors, using scimitars and spears to win glory. Faced with such fervent fighting spirit, even Prince Doran Martell could hardly stop it, and ultimately had to agree to fight with all their might. Moreover, his current physical condition is far from what it used to be, and his heir, Arianne, has become Aegon's queen, which makes the relationship between the two sides deeply intertwined.

Looking at the highly motivated soldiers under the city walls, Prince Doran said with a helpless expression to his brother beside him, "I hope we have made the right decision this time, but I wonder how many of these brave and fearless warriors below will eventually return safely. How much will we have to pay for this victory?"

Oberyn replied firmly, "Brother, Daenerys is very different from any previous king. She is a leader who dares to innovate. If we surrender to her now, the Martell family's status will plummet. At that time, House Yronwood will not miss this great opportunity. Therefore, I agreed with Arianne's plan to use this opportunity to let the Dragon Queen see our determination and strength, and also to weaken the power of other families. Even if we unfortunately fail in the end, those families will no longer pose a threat to us."

Prince Doran sighed, "I hope so! Nowadays, the waves on the Summer Sea are endless, which has a great impact on our overseas trade. If this continues, how long can Dorne last without the necessary supplies?"

Oberyn said, "If it is a war as intense as that of Aegon the Conqueror, it can last up to two years."

Prince Doran: "May the ancestors bless Dorne to survive this disaster..."

In the Westerlands, outside Casterly Rock, besieging army camps stretched as far as the eye could see, and many troops were stationed in nearby Lannisport.

Robb had arranged nearly forty thousand soldiers to besiege the last resistance force in the Westerlands. Casterly Rock had more than twenty thousand people, including soldiers and residents, and the daily consumption of food was not a small number. He believed that Jaime could not last long, and the city would run out of food in at most three months.

On this day, a convoy came from King's Landing. The convoy drove directly into the camp without hindrance, and the soldiers along the way did not stop them.