Game of Thrones: The Road to Pirate King

Chapter 269 Battle of Censhu Beach

The name Randle Tully is well-deserved.

He was recognized as the most formidable warrior of his time in Westeros, his figure as imposing as a mountain, his sharpness as sharp as a sword. To underestimate him simply because he obeyed orders and remained inactive would be a death sentence. Robert Baratheon himself had the thought of looking down on him.

Landau's "strategy" was not cunning or treachery, but rather a seasoned and composed mastery of military tactics. His ability to manage the Reach army with ease, and to divide and unite in an orderly manner during charges, was the most direct manifestation of his strategy. He was as immovable as a mountain when still, and as powerful as a thunderbolt when in motion.

Landau's "courage" was even more striking. On the battlefield, he always led from the front. The ancestral two-handed greatsword "Heartbreaker" felt weightless in his hands, yet possessed the power to cleave mountains and split rocks with every swing. Wherever his sword winds passed, shields shattered and armor cracked; ordinary knights could hardly withstand a single blow from him. This bravery not only terrified the enemy but also inspired his soldiers to fight to the death.

Even in peacetime tournaments, stripped of his battlefield ferocity, Randy Tarly remains a formidable foe that no knight would want to face prematurely. In lance duels, his impact is unparalleled; in foot combat, his swordsmanship is exquisite and seasoned.

Countless knights who longed for fame have fallen before him; his reputation as "Heartbreaker" was forged in countless battles.

The first clash between Robert Baratheon and Randy Tarly's sword and hammer, the ear-piercing metallic clang and the intense tingling in his arm, were like a bucket of ice water, instantly extinguishing Robert's boiling fighting spirit. All his contempt vanished in an instant—this was no weakling who could be crushed with a few blows; he was a formidable opponent unlike any he had ever faced!

Randyll Tarly's every swing of "Heartbreaker" was powerful, precise, and cunning. The Valyrian steel blade gleamed with a dark sheen in the sunlight, its sharpness far exceeding Robert's expectations. It could not only withstand the heavy blows of warhammers but also always managed to find openings at unpredictable angles, nearly slicing through Robert's armor several times. Robert's ferocious attacks, capable of splitting mountains and shattering rocks, were calmly parried by his opponent, who then countered with even more lethal strikes.

The two locked in combat on horseback, exchanging blows thousands of times, their sweat mingling with the swirling dust. Robert's roars contrasted sharply with Landau's steady breathing. After a single, hard-hitting clash, the tip of Heartbreaker sliced ​​through the hilt of the warhammer at an exquisitely precise angle—

"Snap!"

With a sharp crack, Robert felt a sudden lightness in his hand as his heavy warhammer, the weapon of his fame, was severed in two, its head crashing heavily to the ground. This unexpected turn of events left Robert with a fatal opening.

Randy Tully wasn't about to let such a golden opportunity slip by. With a flick of his wrist, Heartbreaker, accompanied by a piercing shriek that tore through the air, transformed into a streak of cold light and struck Robert squarely between the shoulder and neck!

The giant Duke of Stormland was jolted violently, the powerful impact instantly shattering his balance. He swayed, and finally, with an incredulous look in his eyes, he fell heavily from his horse and crashed to the ground.

The moment Robert Baratheon collapsed to the ground like a mountain, the entire Stormlands army seemed to be suffocated by the heavy blow. The loyal vassals were filled with rage, and the Earl of Cavallon, who was closest, let out a grief-stricken roar and charged forward without hesitation, sword in hand, trying to protect his fallen lord.

"Protect the Duke!"

His courage was commendable, but the difference in strength was insurmountable. His rage and will to protect could not bridge the gap between him and Randyll Tarly. Randyll simply turned away indifferently, his "Heartbreaker" sword flashing out in a blur.

The first sword strike shattered Cavallon's desperate parry, sparks flew, and Cavallon's hand was split open.

The second sword strike, with irresistible force, pressed down on the shield he had barely managed to raise, and the edge of the shield was cleaved open.

The third strike, swift as lightning and ruthless as a viper! Taking advantage of Kavren's wide-open defense and loss of balance, the icy blade of "Heartbreaker" drew a perfect arc of death—

A flash of sword light, and a head, with a look of astonishment and lingering courage, flew from the neck. The headless corpse remained frozen on the horse's back for a moment before falling heavily to the ground, splashing up a patch of mud mixed with blood.

Randy Tully stood with his sword drawn, like the Grim Reaper, declaring the fate of any rescue attempt in the most brutal way.

Robert staggered backward, the excruciating pain in his shoulder and neck nearly tearing his will apart. He pressed hard against the horrific wound, warm blood still seeping from between his fingers. This piercing blow, however, was like a bucket of ice water, joltting his mind, clouded by rage.

He looked up and saw Randyll Tarly, now possessed by a god of war, the Valyrian steel sword "Heartbreaker" transformed into a whirlwind of death in his hand. Wherever Randyll went, the soldiers of Stormlands fell like harvested wheat stalks, none able to stop his advance for even a moment.

The front lines are collapsing at a visible rate.

"Withdraw!" Robert roared with all his might, the command mixed with pain and resentment, yet utterly clear.

The bugle sounded sternly, and the already demoralized Stormy Land army instantly lost its last fighting spirit, collapsing like a house of cards and turning to retreat in disarray.

The army in the Reach would not let such a good opportunity pass them by.

The well-trained men, like an open pincer, swiftly surrounded Robert and his army from both sides, attempting to completely encircle them on the blood-stained riverbank.

Robert's eyes were bloodshot. He snatched the battle axe from his guard and, like a wounded lion, charged left and right through the chaos of battle. Each swing of the axe sent up a spray of blood as he tried to carve a bloody path through the enemy lines.

Even wounded, his personal bravery remained awe-inspiring, but his individual prowess could not reverse the tide of the entire battle. The retreating tide was unstoppable; for every place he saved, more soldiers were trapped in the encirclement.

Watching his loyal soldiers fall one after another around him, Robert knew that any further delay would only lead to the annihilation of his entire army. He closed his eyes in anguish and roared once more, this time issuing the final order that would utterly destroy any hope of victory that day: "Retreat!"

Randyll Tarly stood his horse on the blood-stained Champlain, watching the dust rise as Robert's remnants retreated. His Heartbreaker sword still dripped crimson; a single command was all it took for the Reach's iron cavalry to turn this victory into a massacre. Yet, he raised his arm and issued a clear, cold command: "Cease the pursuit. Regroup."

This order surprised some generals eager for military merit, but no one dared to question the commander who had just killed an enemy general and repelled Robert.

Randy's gaze swept across the battlefield, as if he could see the "Thorn Queen" entrenched in the cool halls of Highgarden.

Before he set out, Lady Olenna Redwyn not only warned him not to provoke a conflict, but also gave him a meaningful final instruction: "If war is unavoidable, remember, let the soldiers shed some blood, but whatever you do, don't kill the leaders of the uprising—especially that Baratheon."

Randy instantly understood the lady's deeper meaning. This seemingly detached old laurel had in fact already paved many paths for House Tyrell.

Devastating Robert's army would demonstrate loyalty to the royal family, but killing Robert Baratheon would create a blood feud with Stormlands and all the rebels, completely cutting off any future options for Highgarden.

Just as the dust was settling on the battlefield, an even grander spectacle appeared on the southern horizon—Duke Mace Tyrell, Warden of the South, finally arrived "just in time" with the main force of House Tyrell's army, banners waving and armor gleaming.

The obese Duke of Metz rode up to the front lines with a smug look on his face. Seeing the retreating enemy and the standing Blue Road, he naturally attributed the victory to his "divine intervention."

"Earl Landau! Well done!" Mace's voice boomed, brimming with undisguised smugness. "It seems the sheer force of my army's arrival has terrified these traitors!"

Randyll Tarly glanced at his lord expressionlessly, not bothering to offer a word of explanation or agreement. He simply sheathed his sword silently and turned his gaze back to the north, where the real storm was far from over.

A silent, cold snort seemed to echo in the air.