Game of Thrones: The Road to Pirate King

Chapter 130 The Mysterious Dragonstone Island

The three months on Dragonstone Island passed amidst howling sea winds and the clanging of swords.

For Euron, Dragonstone was not only a crucible for asceticism, but also a treasure trove containing countless secrets and gifts.

During breaks in training, he would often wander through every corner of this ancient fortress. With each exploration, the mysterious system deep within his consciousness would send out slight fluctuations, giving him more or less "points," as if the island itself was acknowledging his steps.

Stone Drum Tower, the main fortress of Dragonstone Island, stands majestic and solemn on clear days. But whenever storms sweep in from the Narrow Sea, its ancient walls become nature's instrument, echoing with a dull rumble, like a giant beast roaring from the earth.

During the storm, Euren listened to the thunder and nature's accompaniment in the Stone Drum Tower, playing the harp with magnificent power.

Descending the winding stairs, one enters the dungeon beneath the main fortress. The air here is thick and humid, carrying the salty, fishy smell of seawater rubbing against rocks. Behind the cold iron bars of the prison cells, the despair of the former prisoners seems to still linger.

Now the place is empty, but it is said that the passages and hidden staircases here are unfathomable, winding all the way to the heart of Longshan Mountain, which spews steam and sulfur.

A towering arched stone bridge, like a dragon's spine, spans the sky, connecting the Stone Drum Tower and the Dungeon Tower. Walking on it, the sea breeze howls, inspiring awe.

Many stories of Targaryens and the Dragon Family have unfolded on this stone bridge. Euron liked to stand on the bridge with Lisa, gazing at the sea and feeling the sea breeze—it was a unique and memorable experience.

One of the most important discoveries is the Tuzhuo Hall located at the top of the Shigulou (Stone Drum Tower).

This was a magnificent circular room, with four extremely tall, narrow windows cutting across the sky and sea to the east, west, north, and south. The most striking feature of the room was the enormous wooden table—a map table—that occupied most of the space. It was over fifty feet long, and the carvings on its surface were not decorations, but rather detailed maps made by Aegon Targaryen before his conquest of Westeros, with every coastline, river, mountain, and castle clearly discernible.

Running your fingers across the smooth wooden surface feels like you can touch the very fabric of the continent.

The most ingenious part of the design lies in its location, which corresponds perfectly to Dragonstone itself, rising up like a miniature platform, upon which sits a chair. Sitting on it, one can have a panoramic view of Westeros's magnificent landscape, and a sense of overwhelming power arises spontaneously.

The first time I stood in front of this table, the system awarded me a particularly generous amount of points.

Euron also explored those buildings shaped like dragons.

The hall resembles a giant dragon lying prone on the ground, with the entrance being its gaping maw. Stepping inside feels like being swallowed by the dragon. The kitchen, on the other hand, is shaped like a coiled-up, sleeping dragon. Whenever smoke rises, it eerily wafts out from the stone carvings' "nostrils," creating a surreal and fantastical atmosphere.

Aegon's Gardens offers a sense of tranquility. Located near Dragontail Gate, the air is filled with the fresh scent of pine, and tall, dark trees stand like sentinels. Wild roses and thickets of thorns grow tenaciously in the corners, and cranberry berries dot the muddy ground, creating a vibrant yet wildly desolate landscape.

The Tower of the Dragons, its spire seemingly piercing the heavens, its sharp whistling as the wind swept through, truly lived up to its name, defying all forces that sought to conquer it. The Tower of the Sea Dragons, facing the sea, resembled a sea beast lurking on the shore. Beneath the ravens within the towers lay the maesters' quarters, a narrow, twisting staircase spiraling upwards. From here, one traversed a long corridor adorned with portraits of Targaryen ancestors, walked among the shadows of the menacing gargoyles on the central and inner walls, passed through heavy iron gates, and climbed the long staircase before finally reaching the Hall of Diagrams at the highest point.

Finally, there is the sanctuary on Dragonstone.

The statues of the Seven Gods here are unlike any other; they are carved from ancient ship masts—the remains of the vessels that carried the Targaryen ancestors to safety from the Valyrian catastrophe. Time has coated them with layers of paint, gilding, silvering, and jewels. The old woman's eyes are like lustrous pearls, the Father's beard gleams with gold, while the Stranger's form is more like a mysterious beast than a human. Stained glass filters dappled light, casting it upon several cold altars.

Although legend has it that Aegon the Conqueror prayed here for a night before setting off to conquer the continent, Euron believes a different version: the sanctuary was built after Aegon converted to the Seven in Oldtown. However, this does not diminish the heavy sense of history permeating the place, a blend of seafaring, faith, and power, where every breath seems to breathe in and out the past.

Each exploration allowed Euron to gain a deeper understanding of the birthplace of the Targaryen family's power, and the ever-accumulating points were a unique reward known only to him, earned as he traversed between history and reality.

This ancient Targaryen stronghold bears witness to how Euron forged his sweat and determination into the blade.

His strength did not increase suddenly, but his fighting skills had become ingrained in his bones. Every block, dodge, and counterattack was marked by precision and shrewdness honed through countless trials.

If all pretense and limitations were set aside, and a duel to the death were to take place, Euron was confident that he could defeat the three Kingsguard, and even Prince Rhaegar.

That wasn't vain pride, but rather a calm assessment of all one's own strengths: that strength called [Paper Drawing].

His uncanny movement techniques allow him to evade fatal attacks like smoke and mist; he imbues his sword with the power of the Flame Apollo.

Even without causing burns, the terrifying, leaping light is enough to intimidate any opponent; the explosive [Shave] allows him to close the distance with incredible speed; [Iron Block], though extremely powerful, can withstand a fatal blow at a crucial moment; his [Oden Two-Sword Style] is already highly refined, and the [Dragon Slayer], a move he mastered from legend and possesses unparalleled power, though he has only grasped its basics, is already his strongest trump card.

More importantly, in the depths of his consciousness, there lay a [Scapegoat] from the mysterious system—a real, extra life.

However, practical considerations quickly overwhelmed the urge to test the sword.

Prince Rhaegar is about to return to King's Landing, and Ser Arthur Dayne and his two companions will naturally accompany him.

King's Landing, the Red Keep with the Iron Throne, and the "Mad King" Aerys II who reigns there, represent unpredictable dangers for Euron.

Euron had no desire to attract the attention of the extremely suspicious king by being too close to the prince, not even in the slightest. Moreover, one could not judge the "mad king's" every move by common sense; it was not impossible that he might decide to burn Euron on a whim.

So, on a misty morning, Euron sat at the rough stone table and spread out his parchment. He picked up his pen, thought for a moment, and then the ink flowed freely. He wrote to Ashara Dayne, informing her of his journey.

"[—Training at Dragonstone is over," he wrote, his handwriting carrying a certain untamed strength characteristic of the Iron Islands. "The tournament is still three months away, and I wish to go ahead to Dorne to experience the sights and passion of Sunspear. We will meet in Dorne and then head to Harrenhal."

Soon you received a reply from Ashara: "When you receive this letter, I am already on my way to Sunspear City."

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Upon receiving the reply, Euron also set off.