Game of Thrones: The Road to Pirate King

Chapter 209 The Past of the Stone Steps Islands

King Corinth ultimately handed the decision to Euron, his eyes, weathered by many storms, filled with both worry and a rare sense of trust.

Euron needed a few days to think alone. He stood in the chart room of Pike City, his finger slowly tracing the line marked with the date—Summer of 281 AC.

If everything unfolds as expected, the war of the usurpers will spread across the Seven Kingdoms in less than a year, around 282 AC.

Euron's gaze swept across the nautical chart, as if piercing through the mists of time and returning to that magnificent period of history.

In 106 AC, Prince Damon Targaryen, a dragon descendant known as the "Wandering Prince," allied with the legendary "Sea Serpent" Corlys Valerian, embarking on the great undertaking of unifying the Steppes.

The war reached its climax in 108 AC, with the allied forces winning battle after battle and seizing most of the islands with unstoppable momentum. The most glorious moment arrived when Prince Damon, in a one-on-one duel, personally beheaded Krajas Dahal of Myr, the fearsome "Crab Feeder," the military commander of the "Three Daughters Kingdom," with his ancestral Valyrian steel sword "Dark Sisters."

In 109 AC, Damon Targaryen was crowned "King of the Stepstone Isles and the Narrow Sea" amidst blood and fire, and the dragon banner flew over the islands. However, the joy of victory was as fleeting as summer dew.

110AC, the "Three Daughters Kingdom" makes a comeback, and an even more ferocious counterattack surges towards this sea like a tidal wave.

In 111 AC, Prince Damon was forced to leave the lands he had conquered and return to King's Landing to handle family affairs.

By 115 AC, when he completely abandoned this sea area, it marked the end of this nearly ten-year attempt at unification.

The candlelight flickered on Euron's face, reflecting the lessons and opportunities of history. He gently stroked the sea on the map that had once been ruled by dragons, his eyes gleaming with a light similar to, yet different from, that of Prince Damon.

Euron was convinced that a year would be enough for him to tear apart the existing order of the Iron Islands with his longships and Dorne's spears, and to plant his own flag on that land of betrayal and bloodshed. But truly eradicating the long-standing pirate forces, establishing a firm rule over these intricate islands, and becoming the true "King of the Steps" would be no easy task.

The example of Prince Damon Targaryen serves as a cautionary tale. Moreover, Prince Damon Targaryen also possessed a dragon—the "bloodthirsty behemoth" Korakshyu.

The Steps Islands—a strategic point in this narrow sea, like the throat connecting Westeros and Essos—have historically been a haven for pirates, smugglers, and mercenaries.

The intricate network of caves, the numerous hidden reefs, the elusive privateer fleets, and the Ismon Islands inhabitants who have lived there for generations and are hostile to outsiders all pose significant obstacles.

The most troublesome is the "Three Daughters Kingdom," formed by the three free trading city-states of Lys, Myr, and Tyros. Although they are divided, they have reached a consensus on this point: no one will be allowed to control the Stepstone Islands alone. The fleets and wealth of these three city-states will be the greatest obstacle to the Iron Islands.

What's more troublesome is that the terrain of the Stone Steps Islands is fragmented, making them easy to defend and difficult to attack, and the war is very likely to get bogged down in a protracted conflict.

The only way to truly become the master of this sea is to completely conquer those three free trade city-states.

They still had to fight. A year was enough time for Euron to drive a nail into this strategic location—a very deep one.

Extremely strong nails.

The candlelight flickered on the nautical chart, reflecting the resolute light in Euron's eyes. He could already see the nail driven deep into the heart of the Steps Islands.

For the next two days, candlelight burned constantly in the chart room of Pike City. Euron, along with Baron, the veteran Balf, the valiant Dagmore, and several other experienced captains, sat around the huge chart table, discussing in detail every aspect of conquering the Stepstone Islands.

The Ironborn have been children of the sea since ancient times. Wherever the sea reaches, there are traces and legends of the Ironborn. In that chaotic sea area of ​​the Stone Steps Islands, there has never been a shortage of Ironborn figures. Some travel there as merchant sailors, while others have become members of the pirates.

The Iron Islands know far more about the Stepstone Islands than any other power in the Seven Kingdoms, not only because of the Ironborn who make their living among the islands, but also because Euron had long set his sights on that strategic location. For years, his intelligence network, like an invisible current, has quietly infiltrated every corner of the islands.

Floyd Parker, the illegitimate son of his uncle Balf Greyjoy, is a key figure in this.

On the surface, he was just a free-spirited pirate captain occupying a small island, no different from countless other outlaws making a living on the Steps Islands. But his true identity was a hidden pawn carefully laid out by Euron and Balf many years ago.

This young "pirate" shoulders a dual mission: on the one hand, to secretly protect Iron Islands merchant ships from plunder; on the other hand, to continuously gather intelligence on the political trends, pirate factions, and shipping routes of the Stone Steps Islands. His presence is like an eye planted in the chaotic seas, constantly transmitting valuable information to Pike City.

As Euron's finger traced the small island on the nautical chart, he exchanged a knowing glance with Balf. This piece, placed years ago, was about to play a crucial role in a much larger game.

"We have more informants in that sea than anyone imagines," said an old captain with a scar on his face, pointing to the nautical chart. "We have people on almost every island."

Dagmore added in a gruff voice, "Many pirate leaders are from the Iron Islands, and they know the waterways and hiding places there like the back of their hand."

Balf stroked his graying beard and pondered, "The key is how to get these people to work for us, not to be our enemies."

Euron's finger moved slowly across the nautical chart. He knew that the conquest of this sea area would require not only swords and longships, but also wisdom and strategy.

Euron tapped his fingers lightly on the edge of the nautical chart, his gaze sweeping over each captain present.

"The Iron Islands' status alone isn't enough to make our comrades, who have taken root in the Steppes, wholeheartedly serve us." His voice was calm and clear. "The Sea Wolves have always only recognized strength and profit." Euron straightened up and continued, "But the initial contact and groundwork are crucial. We must maintain the relationship, the Golden Dragon must be in place, and we will give them whatever they desire—whether it's better ships, sharper weapons, or permission to plunder."

The candlelight flickered in Euron's deep eyes: "Let every Ironborn on the Steps Islands understand that loyalty to Pike City is far more promising than their current piecemeal livelihood. We want them to see that by following us, they will gain not just an island, but an entire sea."

Euron's voice suddenly turned cold, like a winter sea breeze sweeping through the hall: "But at the same time, we must make them clearly understand—" His fingertip tapped heavily on the nautical chart, "Not helping is fine, but if anyone dares to oppose the Iron Islands—"

'

He slowly raised his head, his gaze sweeping over everyone present like a blade: "Their fate will be more tragic than the corpses fed to crabs. I want every Ironborn on the Stone Steps Islands to know that the price of betrayal is the wrath of the entire fleet, the pursuit of every island, and a curse that will haunt their descendants forever."

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The candlelight flickered in his eyes, reflecting an undeniable killing intent: "Kindness can be given to friends, but to enemies," his voice was deep and thunderous, "only utter destruction."

The hall was silent, save for the distant sound of waves crashing on the shore, as if echoing this cold vow.