Game of Thrones: The Road to Pirate King

Chapter 117 Iron Islands Specialty - Sea Monster Red Wine

The He'an family's purchasing caravan, filled with trepidation, finally arrived at the heavily guarded city of Pike.

When they arrived at the harbor where the sea breeze was howling, the cold reception or difficulties they had anticipated did not materialize. On the contrary, they received an unexpectedly warm welcome.

Euron Greyjoy appeared on the dock in person, wearing a dark sealskin cloak and a kind, approachable smile on his face: "By the measure of salt, bread, and the rights of guests," his voice carried clearly through the sea breeze, quoting the oldest and most sacred tradition of Westeros, "you who have come from afar will be treated fairly and honorably in the Iron Islands."

This gesture greatly eased the tension among the caravan members.

After eating salt and bread, the purchasing caravan was led to the Sea Stone Palace, where, although the furnishings were simple, a sumptuous meal and a warm fire were prepared.

During the banquet, the family steward cautiously raised their core procurement needs—they hoped to purchase a batch of high-quality Qingting Island red wine for the martial arts tournament in Harrenhal.

Upon hearing this, Youlun's smile deepened, and he readily agreed: "Indeed, I still have quite a few fine wines from Qingting Island stored in my cellar. It would be my honor to add luster to Lord He'an's grand gathering." His straightforwardness almost made one forget the origin of those wines.

However, what happened next was truly surprising.

After the banquet, Euron did not take them directly to the warehouse to check the wine, but instead led them to a stone chamber by the sea. Inside, on a long table, were four decanters of different shapes and their matching crystal glasses.

“Before deciding which batch to purchase,” Euron gestured, his demeanor more elegant than that of a Southern duke than a notorious Ironborn chieftain, “why not first sample some of the options I have for you?”

Euron then did not lead them directly to the cold, dark cellar, but instead waved his hand gracefully, signaling his servants to bring out four exquisitely crafted small oak barrels.

Each barrel bears a clear imprint, not the golden grapes of Green Pavilion Island, but the ferocious sea monster totem of the Greyjoy family, distinguished by different colors, making them both unique and full of the Iron Islands' domineering aura.

"Now that we've come to the home of the seaman, we must try our hospitality." Euron smiled and picked up the wine spoon himself.

He first scooped up the liquor branded with the white sea monster mark. The liquor was a clear, light amber color, and when poured into a glass, its aroma was fresh and sweet. "This is the White Sea Monster," he introduced, his tone relaxed, "It has a mild strength and is quite sweet, like a sea breeze mixed with honey. It's most loved by ladies and children, and even those who don't drink much can enjoy it without worry."

Then he scooped the wine from the Blue Sea Monster's barrel. Its color was a familiar ruby ​​red, exactly like the standard brew of Green Pavilion Island in everyone's memory. "As for this 'Blue Sea Monster'," Euron said, "it's made from the most classic recipe, and its taste, color, and flavor are exactly the same as the finest you've tasted on Green Pavilion Island in the past. It's a reliable old friend, it never fails."

The third barrel was branded with a noble purple sea monster. The wine poured into the glass was even deeper in color, almost as beautiful as a violet.

Before even tasting it, a rich and complex fruity aroma wafted over, possessing both the sweetness of ripe fruit and a subtle hint of spices. "The Purple Sea Monster," Euron's voice carried a hint of pride, "has added several unexpected layers of charm to its ancient roots. The fruity aroma is more layered, and the aftertaste is particularly long-lasting. After drinking it, the lingering aftertaste is like a sea song lingering in your throat."

Finally, he approached the barrel of fine wine branded with a golden sea monster. As the liquid poured, it displayed a flowing, shimmering, liquid gold hue, so rich it was almost impenetrable. The aroma wasn't simply fruit or oak, but an exceptionally harmonious and penetrating complex fragrance, as if it had captured the essence of sunshine, the ripest fruit, and the finest oak barrels.

"And this," Euron's voice became low and solemn, his eyes gleaming with genuine appreciation, "is the 'Golden Sea Monster.' Every drop of it must undergo the most rigorous selection and the most patient waiting."

Its brilliance, elegance, and rich, complex flavor far surpass those of the "Purple Sea Monster." It is a treasure bestowed by the sea god, rare in quantity, prepared only for those who truly understand and deserve it.

Four distinct glasses of fine wine are laid out in succession, ranging from refreshing to mellow, from familiar to extraordinary, silently narrating the Iron Islands' formidable heritage and ambition.

The members of the purchasing caravan exchanged glances, their expressions a mixture of caution and professional skepticism, before accepting the crystal glass from Euron. They were all seasoned veterans, well-traveled and knowledgeable, having dealt with all sorts of goods for years, honing their keen eye and precise "golden tongue"—a talent for instantly assessing the true value of goods.

They tasted it one by one. When the clear "white sea monster" glided across their tongues, a hint of surprise flashed in the eyes of the experienced stewards. The wine was indeed as Euron had said, mild in strength, with a perfect balance of sweet fruit aromas and smooth texture, without the cloying savory feeling of inferior sweet wines. Even the most discerning ladies or children would surely enjoy this elegant drink.

Next up was the "Blue Sea Monster." As the wine touched their throats, the managers nodded slightly in unison. This was exactly the familiar and classic flavor they remembered from Qingting Island's top-tier red wines: a full body, balanced acidity, and...

And the rich finish from oak barrel aging. This wine perfectly replicates the glory of Qingting Island, its quality is impeccable, and it is a reliable choice that will never go wrong at a grand feast.

However, as the deep liquid of the "Purple Sea Monster" swirled in the glass, its rich, complex fruity aroma filling their nostrils, their expressions shifted from approval to genuine appreciation. A light sip revealed an even richer, more layered flavor that instantly blossomed in their mouths, as if imbuing the solid framework of the "Blue Sea Monster" with more magnificent flesh and soul. The aftertaste became even longer and more complex, carrying a hint of alluring mystery, making them want to savor it again and again.

Finally, all eyes were focused on the "Golden Sea Monster," a drink that resembled liquid gold. Even without tasting it, its dazzling color and intensely luxurious aroma proclaimed its extraordinary nature. The moment the nectar touched the taste buds, the experienced buyers almost held their breath. It possessed all the virtues of the "Purple Sea Monster," yet elevated it to a whole new level: its texture was velvety smooth, its flavor so rich it seemed to melt in the mouth, every aroma element achieving perfect harmony and peak, and its lingering aftertaste seemed to remain forever in one's memory.

After the tasting was finished, a near-stagnant silence fell over the stone room. The only sounds were the soft crackling of the burning wood in the fireplace and the eternal murmur of the waves outside the window.

These seasoned buyers exchanged glances, each seeing incredulous shock and barely suppressed excitement in the other's eyes. They knew perfectly well that Euron Greyjoy was showing them far more than just spoils from Greentree Island. He possessed a complete, sophisticated, and astonishingly high-quality brewing system—a formidable asset capable of disrupting and even redefining the landscape of Seven Kingdoms wines.

Euron broke the silence, his voice steady yet carrying a knowing wisdom: "How is it?"

The family steward slowly opened his eyes, which had been tightly closed in savoring the memory. His face was devoid of any doubt or disdain, replaced by an almost reverent awe. He took a deep breath, as if to forever imprint the lingering echo of the "golden sea monster" in his lungs, his voice slightly hoarse with excitement:

"Compared to the best red wine Qingting Island once had," he paused, then uttered two words with absolute certainty, "far surpasses it!"

He looked intently at Euron, his tone becoming incredibly solemn, as if announcing an imminent fact: "In my humble opinion, my lord, each of your four 'Kraken' series of red wines is precisely tailored to a different need and status. Their superior quality—no, their timeless quality—will undoubtedly replace Greentree Island as the only truly top-tier brand worthy of praise at Westeros banquets and on the tables of nobles. A new era is dawning."

These words were no longer merely an assessment, but more like a prophecy. They heralded that the throne of the Seven Kingdoms' finest wines was about to change hands.