Chapter 65: Building a New Imperial Palace
As Alex's Silver Moon Legion prepared to march south, he turned to Tyrion and Jaime Lannister. "You'd better hurry and convince Cersei to surrender before we arrive. This is the only chance I can give you, don't waste it," he said flatly.
The march of Alex's army was fast. Rather than exhausting resources on smaller regions, Alex shifted focus to the larger, more powerful houses that resisted him. Smaller territories were left to surrender on their own or face severe consequences later.
At each stronghold they approached, the sight of a hundred dragons circling the skies shattered any remaining will to fight. However, some strongholds dared to resist. At Harrenhal, fanatical defenders ambushed the Legion with wildfire traps, briefly slowing their advance. Alex responded swiftly, using his powers to contain the explosions and extinguish the fires, but the incident left several soldiers injured.
At Riverrun, archers attempted to shoot down the dragons; iron arrows merely bounced off the scales before the defenders were overwhelmed by fire. These moments of defiance, though futile, demonstrated that desperation lingered among the people.
Defenders abandoned their posts in most places, and gates swung open without resistance. Alex's forces marched in unimpeded, seizing control. Lords who refused to submit were dragged before the populace. Alex's avatar addressed the crowd, delivering a stern warning about the cost of disobedience before personally overseeing the public executions.
When the Legion reached the Vale, Alex paused to admire the Eyrie. Its towering peaks and isolation inspired him. "This will be the seat of my empire." Alex's eyes glowed as he analyzes the structure of the entire mountain, he plans to reshape the Eyrie into a grand imperial palace.
Using his energy, Alex stabilized and expanded the mountain's summit. He dismantled the old fortress and rebuilt it entirely from mithril, embellishing it with intricate gold carvings, soaring spires, and elegant designs. The new castle featured vast halls, grand stairways, spacious courtyards, balconies, lush gardens, art galleries, luxurious bedchambers, servant quarters, storerooms, barracks, armories, modern bathrooms, an advanced water system, hidden tunnels, and fortified dungeons.
One of its most remarkable features was a spatially expanded grand library containing all the knowledge known to man, meticulously copied from the universal core. The library was equipped with enchanted pens that continuously recorded and updated new discoveries and information from across the world.
The interior reflected the blue and white Rococo style, characterized by ornate details, curved lines, and elegant embellishments. Walls and ceilings were adorned with elaborate plasterwork, gold-leaf designs, and painted frescoes depicting celestial scenes. Crystal chandeliers hung from domed ceilings, casting a soft, radiant glow across the rooms. Luxurious silk drapes and velvet curtains framed the tall windows, allowing light to filter through Crystal panels adorned with intricate floral patterns.
The furniture featured gilded frames, intricate carvings, and soft upholstery. Each room contained elegant chaise lounges, plush armchairs, marble-topped tables, and gilded mirrors. Hallways were lined with gold-trimmed columns, while private quarters featured canopied beds with silk drapes, jewel-inlaid dressers, and gold-trimmed vanity tables, and decorative vases filled with enchanted flowers that never wilts.
Crowning the structure, the roof was composed of Silmarillion crystals, while its colossal central tower, crafted from a solid mithril and adamantium alloy pierced the clouds. Atop the tower, Alex constructed an all-seeing eye, a massive crystalline orb infused with his energy. He launched a second eye into orbit, creating a satellite visible as a pale star circling the land. Together, these served as both monitoring stations and powerful energy weapons.
At the base of the tower was a wide hall filled with glowing screens displaying parts of the world where the eye focused. This room also functioned as a virtual reality space, with a computer unit capable of simulating the images analyzed by the all-seeing eye. It served as a control station for precise land-based or orbital energy strikes against enemy targets.
When the eye atop the tower lit up, its pale white glow was visible across Westeros and Essos, drawing the attention of people and powerful beings around the world. Alex sensed their gaze but dismissed them. If they showed any hostility, it would be easy for him to obliterate them.
The new castle, known as "Heavenly Castle," gleamed atop the mountain like a radiant beacon. Its central tower, called "The Emperor's Scepter" or "The Eye of the Emperor," stood as a powerful symbol of Alex's dominion. Surrounding peaks were transformed into sanctuaries for dragons and their riders, connected to the castle by bridges forged from adamantium, blending strength and elegance.
The Stark siblings looked at everything in awe, convinced by Alex's power. They may not have believed in God before, but they believe a little now. Even Bran, who could see the past and fragments of the future, had a confused look on his face as he observed Alex's work.
Alex snapped his fingers, and three little elves with badges numbered 8, 9, and 10, similar to those in the Harry Potter world appeared. These were only three of the hundred he had created to maintain the castle, with badges numbered 1 to 100. Alex invited the Stark siblings, Sansa, Arya, and Bran, to settle in the palace, guided by the little elves, while he arranged the commanders' tasks. Soldiers manned the sentries in the castle, and dragons settled on their keeps.
While Alex worked on the new palace, Daenerys led her forces to secure the Reach and Oldtown. Supported by Alex's dragon riders, she swiftly subdued resistance, ensuring the territories' allegiance. Pleased with her efficiency, Alex rewarded her forces with energy beads, reducing their reliance on local resources. They planned to reunite at King's Landing for a final showdown with the Mad Queen Cersei, her bannermen, and her Dornish alliance.
As these events unfolded, Alex's original body sat in a train compartment on the Hogwarts Express, with chibi Lily perched on his shoulder. Beside him, Luna Lovegood gently stroked her two-tailed fox, its shimmering fur faintly glowing in the dim light.
"Did you enjoy Christmas?" Alex asked, breaking the silence.
"I did," Luna replied dreamily. "Father and I went looking for the horned Snorkack. It was an adventure."
"Do you think it exists?" Alex asked, curious.
"I know it does," Luna said with confidence.
Alex smiled. Even if it doesn't, I could always make it real for you, he thought.
"Alex, you should go back to Middle-earth soon," Lily reminded him. "Even though time there is slowed, Arwen might feel upset by your absence."
"I know. After this, I'll go back. With Luna," Alex replied with a smile.
"Oh, just Luna?" Lily asked, looking puzzled.
"Yup, just Luna. From this world, at least."
"I see. Let's bring Maleficent and little Eira too. Gotta go, I need to prepare your gifts with the others. Tell me when you're in Middle-earth, and I'll come out."
With that, Lily dove back into the ring.
Alex was thankful to Lily for promising to prepare his wedding gifts, for Arwen and their guests.
The train pulled into the quiet platform at Hogwarts. The usual bustle was absent, as many students had stayed away, their families fearful of the Chamber of Secrets.
After the welcome feast, Alex met Dumbledore in his office. The room was warm, with Fawkes perched silently nearby.
"I trust your Christmas holiday was productive," Dumbledore said, his blue eyes twinkling.
"You could say that," Alex replied, his tone measured. "But we need to discuss the future. Voldemort remains a threat, but the wizarding world has deeper problems. It's stagnant, isolated from the rest of the world's progress. What's your perspective, Professor?"
Dumbledore leaned back thoughtfully, stroking his beard. "You are not wrong, Alex. But change is rarely welcomed, especially in a world so steeped in tradition. It's not a simple problem to solve."
"Change is never simple," Alex countered. "But stagnation breeds vulnerability. If we don't evolve, Voldemort is only the beginning."
Dumbledore's eyes narrowed. "Evolution often comes at great cost. Honestly, I myself don't know how to start."
"Let me do it, Professor," Alex said firmly. "I'll tell you about my plans when the time comes. I hope you'll support me then."