Game of Thrones: The Road to Pirate King

Chapter 207 After the Martial Arts Tournament – ​​News from All Sides

Under the solemn gaze of everyone, Lisa unfurled the parchment scroll in her hand and began her report in a clear and steady voice: "According to reports from our spies in King's Landing and Harrenhal, the Mad King set off to return to King's Landing the day after the tournament at Harrenhal. However, before leaving, he flew into a rage in public at Harrenhal and urgently sent a raven to deliver a message to King's Landing. Subsequently, the capital's garrison dispatched nearly a hundred elite riders southwards, a formidable force. However—" She paused slightly, emphasizing her words, "...they left the city, but none of them have returned, and their whereabouts remain unknown."

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Euron nodded slightly, a cold smile playing on his lips. "I know that. They were ordered by the Mad King to forcibly bring Princess Elia back to King's Landing." His gaze swept over everyone present. "Now, they are all forever buried in the soil of the Kingswood, and naturally, they can't go back."

King Koren slammed his hand on the armrest of his chair, his voice booming like thunder: "How dare you!"

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Euron remained calm and composed: "Not a single person was left alive, nor was there any evidence. We can't just stand by and watch Princess Elia be dragged back into that mad king's cage." His words were calm yet carried an undeniable determination, and for a moment, only the crackling of the firewood burning in the fireplace could be heard in the Seastone Hall.

King Koren pondered for a moment, then waved his hand: "Things have come to this point, let's wait and see. Continue."

Lisa nodded slightly and began her report: "In King's Landing, Jaime Lannister has officially assumed his post as a Kingsguard since returning from Harrenhal. He is currently stationed at Maegor Tower, protecting Queen Rhaeira Targaryen. It's worth noting," she emphasized, "that Jaime was on duty in King's Landing when the mysterious 'Smiling Tree Knight' appeared at the tournament. Therefore, it can be confirmed that the Smiling Tree Knight was not Jaime Lannister."

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Euron's lips curled into a knowing smile: "The Laughing Tree Knight is Lyanna Stark."

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Baron turned his head sharply, a look of surprise flashing in his eyes: "How can you be so sure?"

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Euron tapped his eye with his fingertip: "I saw it with my own eyes. I was secretly following Rhaegar when I stumbled upon Lyanna changing her armor in the bushes." His tone was calm, yet carried an undeniable certainty.

King Coron waved his hand dismissively: "It doesn't matter, it's just a side story in the tournament. Whether it's a Stark girl or someone else, it has nothing to do with the Iron Islands."

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The sea breeze blew into the hall through the stone windows, fluttering the edges of the parchment, seemingly indifferent to the secret being revealed.

Lisa nodded in agreement, then proceeded to present another intelligence report: "Regarding House Tully, since Jaime Lannister joined the Kingsguard, his engagement to Lysa Tully is naturally null and void. Riverrun has already sent official documents to the major noble families of the Seven Kingdoms to inform them of this."

Lisa paused briefly, then added a detail: "Lord Horst Tully used careful wording in his letter, but his dissatisfaction with the Lannister family was evident between the lines."

Euron's lips curled into a mocking smile as he toyed with his wine glass. "That's interesting," he said. "But this has nothing to do with Tywin. He probably didn't even anticipate this turn of events." His gaze swept over everyone present. "Jaime joining the Kingsguard is a devastating blow to Tywin. The Tullys' anger is misdirected." The flames in the fireplace danced in his eyes. "Tywin Lannister is probably even more furious than Lord Hoster right now. After all, he has lost not only an ally through marriage but also the heir he personally groomed."

“Indeed!” Lisa continued her methodical report of the next intelligence report: “Duke Tywin Lannister left the tournament at Harrenhal two days before it ended. Upon returning to Casterly Rock, he immediately issued two important orders: first, to urgently recall all personnel from the Westerlands stationed in King's Landing; second, to completely halt all aid to King's Landing, including the supply of gold dragons, food, armor, and other materials.” She paused briefly, confirming, “According to reports from our Westerlands spies, personnel and supplies are indeed being withdrawn in stages; the news is accurate. Furthermore, although there is no conclusive evidence, the Westerlands may be secretly contacting other powers.”

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King Coron let out a cold sneer: "The Mad King publicly shoved his eldest son into the Kingsguard—that's a resounding slap in the face. It would be a miracle if Tywin didn't react."

Euron tapped his fingers lightly on the armrest of his chair and pondered, "From what we've seen so far, this is just the withdrawal of personnel and supplies; it hasn't reached the point of causing serious damage yet. However, we should pay close attention to what happens next."

Lisa added, "Reliable reports indicate that Lord Tywin is significantly reinforcing the defenses of the West. The number of troops in the West has increased noticeably, and the fortresses have been reinforced."

Lisa gently unrolled another roll of parchment and continued her report: "During the tournament at Harrenhal, the Mad King publicly declared Eschenba Arryn as the rightful heir to the Vale. Upon Jon Arryn, Duke of the Eyrie,'s return to the Vale, he immediately declared his nephew, Albert Arryn, as his successor."

Upon hearing this, King Koren burst into a loud laugh: "Interesting! Very interesting! So what is the situation in the valley now?"

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Lisa's lips curled into a knowing smile: "The head of the Erin family in Seagull Town, Essenba Erin, is naturally unwilling to back down and has publicly declared in Seagull Town that he is the rightful heir to the Vale, appointed by the King. Now the Vale is divided, with everyone speaking their own mind, creating a stalemate—" She paused briefly, then added, "However, it seems that only the Seagull Town area supports Essenba Erin, while most of the other vassals remain loyal to the Eyrie."

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Lisa's voice grew somber as she continued her report: "In the North, since returning to Winterfell, Lady Lyanna Stark has been strictly confined to the city by Duke Rickard and is not permitted to leave."

King Coron snorted coldly: "As expected."

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"King's Landing was in even greater turmoil," Lisa's tone grew serious. "When news of Princess Elia's return to Dorne reached us, the Mad King flew into a rage that very night, storming into Maegor Tower and whipping Queen Rhaela." She paused, lowering her voice, "It is said that Jaime Lannister was on duty that night, and he clearly heard the Queen's anguished cries. The new Kingsguard tried to break in to stop him, but Jonas Darryl held him back."

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The parchment trembled slightly in her hand: "The next morning, the maids found the Queen covered in red, swollen, bitten, and scratched marks."

Jaime angrily questioned, "We swore to protect her from harm." Jonas simply replied, "Yes, but the King is an exception."

Baron slammed his fist on the table, his anger blazing: "Taking his anger out on his own woman?! This madman!"

Lisa gently unrolled another roll of parchment, her expression grave as she continued her report: "The next news also comes from King's Landing. Because the Lannisters have stopped providing financial subsidies to the royal family, the Mad King has ordered a significant increase in taxes, especially port duties, in an attempt to fill the financial hole."

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She looked up and surveyed the crowd, her tone growing increasingly somber: "The king's attempt to increase revenue by raising tariffs and relying on corrupt tax farmers has resulted in a sharp decline in King's Landing's commerce, severe shortages of goods, and soaring prices. The variety of goods in the market is less than 30% of what it used to be, and the price of flour has more than doubled."

"We have withdrawn all our economic investments from King's Landing," Lisa added, with a hint of relief in her voice, "avoiding even greater losses."

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She paused briefly before continuing her report: "Another noteworthy piece of news: the King's Hand recently traveled secretly to Highgarden, though the specifics of their discussions remain unknown. However, Highgarden did indeed provide King's Landing with substantial food aid afterward."

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King Coron scoffed, "The Tyrells certainly know how to pick their moments to do favors."

Lisa turned her gaze to another scroll of parchment marked with the Stormlands emblem and continued her report in a clear voice: "In Stormlands, Robert Baratheon has been frequently summoning his vassals lately, often publicly berating the Mad King and Prince Rhaegar at banquets with vehement words. At the same time, he is purchasing large quantities of weapons and equipment, showing clear signs of expanding his army."

Euron tapped the back of his chair with his fingertips and pondered, "This move might be for self-preservation. When the Kingsguard ambushed the King's Landing garrison, soldiers from Storm's End were also involved."

A rare smile appeared on Lisa's lips as she unrolled the last scroll, her voice carrying a rare hint of relaxation: "This last piece of news may ease the tension of the moment. Because of Euron's outstanding performance at the Harrenhal Tournament, the entire Seven Kingdoms are now praising your new title: 'Blade of Justice'."

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She paused deliberately, letting the title echo in the stone hall: "It is said that this title first came from the mouths of the commoners you saved from Gregor the Mountain. Your heroic act of judging and slaying that demon has made countless people regard you as the embodiment of justice."

King Coron let out a meaningful chuckle, while Baron scoffed dismissively. Euron himself, however, wore a playful expression, his fingertips lightly tracing the hilt of his sword, as if savoring the unexpected nickname—who the hell gave him that? I want to chop him down!?

Lisa unfolded the last scroll of parchment bearing the Citadel's chain emblem, her voice echoing clearly in the hall: "The final intelligence comes from the Citadel. The maesters have confirmed that the so-called 'False Spring' is coming to an end, and the year-end winter will return, expected to last for three years—from the end of 281 AC to the spring of 284 AC."

She paused briefly, letting the important news settle in everyone's minds, before adding, "However, the Academy specifically pointed out that compared to the previous three-year-long winter that caused many people to freeze and starve to death, this winter will be much milder."

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King Coron scoffed, "A mild winter is still a winter. Notify all islands to stockpile food and firewood."

The sea breeze rushed in through the window, carrying a subtle chill, as if it had already brought the message of winter ahead of time.