Game of Thrones: The Road to Pirate King

Chapter 216 Blood Sails Horn - Kill!

Euron gave a three-day deadline, partly because their location had already been exposed, making a surprise attack no longer feasible; and partly because he was waiting for the arrival of important allies—reinforcements from Dorne and Redwyn.

At this moment, Prince Oberyn of Dorne has arrived with his fleet.

His flagship, the Dorne Cross, led twenty warships through the waves. Dorne's naval strength was indeed limited, with each ship equipped with only thirty men, and the entire fleet consisting of no more than six hundred soldiers.

Each ship's figurehead is sculpted with either Queen Nymeria wielding her spear or the sun spear totem symbolizing House Martell. These statues gleam with the light of bronze and gold leaf, telling the story of the indomitable spirit of the Dornish. A closer look at the interior walls of the ships reveals ancient Rhoynar proverbs: "A grain of sand can sharpen a blade, or fill the lungs of an enemy"—a testament to the wisdom and resilience unique to the Dornish.

Due to the lack of high-quality timber and iron ore, the desert kingdom has fewer than a hundred warships in total, making it impossible for them to directly confront the Redwyn fleet of the Reach or the longships of the Iron Islands. As Prince Doran said, "The sword of Dorne belongs to the desert, not the deep sea." Their navy has always focused on coastal defense, and it is already quite remarkable that they were able to bring twenty ships this time.

Oberyn stood at the bow, his bronze skin gleaming in the sunlight. He gazed at Euron's fleet in the distance, a hopeful smile playing on his lips.

Euron stood on the shore, the sea breeze ruffling his dark robes, and smiled at Oberyn, who had just arrived: "What a pity, you missed the first battle."

Oberyn narrowed his sharp, Dornish eyes and gave Euron a meaningful look: "I'd like to ask you, how did you get here so quickly? This speed is simply illogical."

Euron's lips curled into a deliberately mysterious smile: "Don't forget, I am the son of the Drowning God. The sea is naturally willing to lend me a hand." His gaze swept across the distant horizon, as if responding to some unseen call.

Oberyn scoffed, his silver spear gleaming coldly in the sunlight. "No problem, there are plenty of battles to come." He turned to look at the menacing "Crown of the Sea Bones," his admiration tinged with a hint of warning. "Your idea is indeed impressive. But if you think this alone will deter the pirates of the Stone Steps Islands, it's probably not enough. The ruthlessness of these outlaws can't be frightened away by a few heads."

6

Euron shrugged indifferently and said casually, "It doesn't matter. The Crown of the Sea Skeletons will only grow taller and taller until no one can ignore it anymore." His voice was calm but carried an undeniable determination, "until everyone who sails in these waters can look up and see the warning of the Iron Islands."

66

Three days is enough for the sea to undergo countless changes.

Marin "Bloody Hand," the pirate king of the Pirate Alliance, is a tyrant who enjoys torture and killing. He is infamous for nailing an entire merchant fleet's crew alive to the sails and exposing them to the sun for three days. His right eye has been pierced by an iron hook, his left arm is equipped with a terrifying steel claw, and his bronze skin is covered with crisscrossing whip marks and brands, each scar a cruel memory.

Upon receiving Euron's letter, Marin's single eye flashed with a bloodthirsty light. His response was to immediately dispatch thirty elite longships to garrison the easily defensible Skull Island. At the same time, he swiftly gathered the scattered forces of the pirate alliance, ordering all pirate captains to lead their ships to Bloodstone Island.

In the pirate fortress on Grey Gallows Island, Marin tapped the nautical chart with his steel claws, the sound like sandpaper scraping against rocks: "Let those Iron Islands bastards know who the true masters of this sea are!" At that moment, hundreds of pirate flags fluttered in the sea breeze, like bloodthirsty sharks smelling blood, ready to pounce on their prey at any moment.

The three-day deadline passed in the blink of an eye.

As the last rays of the setting sun sank below the horizon, Oberyn Martell approached Euron, his bronze skin gleaming in the twilight: "Where to attack next?"

Euron's gaze swept across the darkening sea like a hawk's, his voice low and decisive: "Prepare for battle. We'll move out tonight." He slowly drew his long sword from his waist, the blade gleaming coldly in the twilight. "But before we move out, we must first pluck out their eyes."

Among the reefs and caves surrounding the island, the pirate alliance set up countless reconnaissance outposts—these were "eyes" sent by Marin, constantly monitoring the alliance's every move and ready to report their movements to the alliance leader at any time.

To ensure the surprise of tonight's operation, these spies lurking in the shadows must first be eliminated. Euron's orders were simple and brutal: any ship not belonging to the Ironborn and Dornish allies was to be killed without mercy. Their heads would be cut off and used to raise the terrifying "Crown of the Sea Skeletons."

As dusk fell, dozens of nimble small boats silently set off, swooping down on the various reconnaissance points like cheetahs. The cold glint of drawn steel blades flashed on the darkening sea, each strike carrying deadly efficiency. Screams were swallowed by the roar of the waves, and blood stained patches of the reefs crimson.

Before the moon rose, all the pirates' "eyes" had been completely gouged out.

Euron's strategic gaze was not on the heavily guarded Skull Island—which was currently on high alert and teeming with thousands of bloodthirsty pirates—but rather on the other two strongholds of the pirate alliance: Bloodsail Point and Serpent Fang Island.

These two islands, together with Skull Island, form a precise three-legged stand, like the two claws of a crab. If Skull Island is attacked directly, the defenders on these two islands can launch a pincer attack at any time, leaving the attackers vulnerable to attacks from both sides.

"Let them guard the empty city." Euron's fingertips traced across the sea chart, landing on Bloodsail Point. "We will break these two claws and turn Skull Island into an isolated island."

Under the moonlight, the fleet quietly adjusted its course, like a wolf pack changing its hunting target, and pounced towards Bloodsail Cape and Serpent Fang Island.

The sea breeze carries the clamor of distant Skull Island, but it cannot dispel the silent killing intent brought by this fleet of death.

The dark night at Bloodsail Cape was shrouded in the salty sea breeze and the heavy smell of blood.

Floyd Pike—Commander Balf's illegitimate son and a long-time mole in the Iron Islands—was leading an elite squad in stealth. They moved like phantoms through the shadows, daggers and short swords gleaming coldly, each strike precise and deadly. The patrolling pirates didn't even have time to raise the alarm before falling one by one, their throats slit, their blood silently seeping into the earth.

As the last sentry fell, Floyd sent the agreed-upon signal towards the sea.

Moments later, the Iron Islands warships silently approached the shore like black sea monsters, and warriors surged onto the beach like a tide. Swords reflected the sparse moonlight, and the shouts of battle finally tore through the silence of the night. Caught off guard, the pirates awoke from their sleep and hastily engaged in battle, only to see flashes of blades before falling one after another.

The deafening sounds of battle alarmed Thor Bonecrusher, the island's ruler.

The giant captain from Skaggs Island in the North rose in fury, his three-meter-tall frame resembling a mobile fortress. His deformed spine protruded from his back like a mast, causing the ground to tremble slightly with each step. The bronze anchor hammer he carried on his shoulder was powerful enough to shatter any armor, and the mermaid totem on his chest, which seemed to devour the sun and moon, flickered in the firelight, adding to his terrifying aura.

"Who dares to run wild on Thor's Boneshatter Island!" he roared as he charged into the fray, his anchor hammer swinging and sending up gusts of bloody wind. Two Ironborn warriors, unable to dodge in time, were instantly reduced to mangled corpses.

However, when he faced Euron, the situation suddenly reversed.

Euron moved with the agility of a sea serpent, dodging the heavy, deadly anchor hammer. In the instant the giant's powerful swing missed, Euron's twin blades struck like venomous snakes, precisely severing the tendons of the giant's two pillar-thick feet.

Thor Bonecrusher let out a deafening wail and collapsed to the ground like a landslide. Before he could even struggle, Euron's blade was already coldly pressed against his neck.

Surprisingly, this pirate, known for devouring the entrails of enemy generals, began to tremble. "I submit!" his voice, hoarse with fear, a stark contrast to his previous arrogance. "I am willing to serve you, Lord Greyjoy!"

Prince Oberon, standing to the side, raised an eyebrow slightly, seemingly somewhat interested in the suggestion.

Euron simply shook his head, his eyes devoid of any emotion. "My men can be cruel, but they cannot eat people." His voice was calm yet chillingly cold. "Besides, you have already betrayed two leaders you swore allegiance to. I do not want to be the third."

With a flash of light, the giant's head fell to the ground, rolling several times before coming to a stop, its face frozen in an expression of unbelievable terror.