Game of Thrones: The Road to Pirate King

Chapter 283 The Iron Vault "Key Keeper"

The servant responded and left, and the heavy atmosphere in the hall seemed to be stretched taut like a bowstring.

All eyes were on the entrance, awaiting the appearance of the messenger who could turn gold into shackles.

Tychu Nestors entered slowly, his tall, slender figure appearing even more imposing in the torchlight. He was composed, giving a slight nod to the assembled lords, his manners impeccable, yet carrying an air of cold detachment. A delicate gold key around his neck swayed slightly with his movement, immediately catching Euron Greyjoy's sharp gaze.

Euron knew the symbolic meaning of the key.

It represents the prestigious status of the "Key Keepers," descendants of the twenty-three founders of the Iron Vault. Although the founders' bloodline has now multiplied to over a thousand, and these sixteen male keys and seven female keys are no longer actually used to open the massive vault buried deep underground, but have evolved into ceremonial ornaments, they still silently proclaim the unparalleled power and status of the wearer in Braavos.

Today, the Iron Vault is no longer entirely controlled by these "key keepers," but is managed by a much larger professional bureaucratic system. However, the tradition and authority represented by this key remain undiminished.

Tychu's gaze swept calmly across the room, finally settling on Robert Baratheon in the main seat, as if all the nobles and warriors around him were merely assets or liabilities awaiting evaluation.

Tychu Nestorth's voice was calm as still water, yet carried a metallic chill as he clearly articulated the Iron Bank's proposal: "Lord Baratheon, the Iron Bank is willing to provide you with all the funds needed to seize the Iron Throne. The condition is simple: after your coronation, you must also repay all the debts owed to the Iron Bank by Aerys II."

Upon hearing this, Robert burst into thunderous laughter, his voice filled with sarcasm: "Hahaha! Why should I pay the debts owed by that madman? What kind of logic is that!"

Taichu remained unmoved and calmly replied, "The Iron Treasury's support will greatly increase your chances of sitting on the Iron Throne."

This is an investment; a return is expected.

Robert's smile vanished abruptly, replaced by a warrior's arrogance: "The Iron Throne? I don't care! Even if I were to sit on it, it would be through the blood and sweat of my brothers and the unwavering support of my allies! Do you think I could crush Aerys with a golden dragon?"

Taichu leaned forward slightly, his narrow eyes gleaming with a sharp light, and began to list the true power of the Iron Treasury: "The Golden Dragon itself cannot kill, but it can hire the most elite mercenary groups for you, purchase mountains of food and weaponry, pry open city gates guarded by enemy generals, and sustain the expenses of a long-term army campaign. And this is just the beginning."

His voice was lower, yet more penetrating: "Once we reach an agreement, the Iron Bank will immediately sever all financial ties with Aerys II: relentlessly collect old debts, freeze royal credit, and refuse any new loans. This will quickly trigger a financial collapse in King's Landing, leaving the army unable to pay its soldiers, the fleet unable to leave port, and even causing hyperinflation and popular uprisings."

"At the same time, we will imply to all the nobles who may support Aerys that supporting a king abandoned by the Iron Bank is a risky and hopeless investment, thereby turning the nobles of the Seven Kingdoms to your side."

Finally, he offered his most significant bargaining chip: "Furthermore, leveraging our influence in Braavos, we can connect you with the Faceless Ones."

The moment the word "Faceless" was uttered, Robert's usual rage and contempt froze. He didn't respond immediately, but a sharp glint flashed in his eyes. He instinctively glanced at Jon Arryn and Eddard Stark beside him; the leaders exchanged meaningful glances. The hall fell silent, save for Tychu Nestorth, who stood calmly, as if he had anticipated this silence.

Euron Greyjoy's voice, like a dark tide, suddenly broke the rhythm of the negotiation. He stared at the golden key on Tychu's chest and asked with interest, "Tychu Nestos, if I'm not mistaken, you must be a member of the esteemed 'Key Keeper' family, right?"

Upon hearing this, Tychu was indeed taken aback for a moment. The hierarchy within Braavos wasn't widely known, and he hadn't expected this Iron Islands captain to possess such insight. However, he quickly regained his composure, nodding slightly with his innate pride: "Your insight is astonishing, Lord Greyjoy. Indeed."

Euron got the answer he wanted, a cryptic smile playing on his lips. He casually waved his hand. Several burly Ironborn obeyed, carrying out dozens of heavy wooden crates from the back of the hall. Before everyone's eyes, they abruptly ripped open the lids, and in an instant, the entire hall was engulfed in a dazzling golden light! The crates were neatly stacked with exquisitely crafted golden dragons, their sheer number astonishing. This was the immense wealth seized from the Frey family's treasury in Lihe City.

"My lord, you see," Euron's voice was languid like a sea breeze, yet full of power, "we don't seem to lack golden dragons that much."

Tetsu Nestorus's pupils contracted slightly, but he remained calm: "Then, the enormous debt of King Iris II—"

Before he could finish, Euron interrupted him, his logic as sharp as a cold dagger: "If we don't accept your loan, and Lord Robert ultimately ascends the Iron Throne through the might of his warriors, then what makes you think he will acknowledge and repay Aerys's debt?"

"Excellent!" Robert's maniacal laughter exploded like thunder. He seemed to have heard the most absurd joke in the world, slamming his massive hand heavily on the table. "I won't borrow money from you. After I smash your mad king to pieces, you still want to force me to pay it back?! Keep dreaming! Take your terms and get the hell out of here!"

Faced with this merciless mockery and the undeniable mountain of gold before him, Tetsu Nestorth fell into complete silence for the first time. His meticulously prepared financial leverage seemed to have lost its magic in the face of naked gold and an even more naked threat of force.

Euron's smile deepened, tinged with a cat-and-mouse playfulness: "Honorable Key Keeper, before stepping into this hall, you should perhaps investigate more carefully what kind of people you are dealing with and what their temperaments are."

Techo Nestos's expression remained calm, but his eyes flickered slightly: "We naturally have a basic understanding of this."

"Oh? Is that so?" Euron stepped forward, his voice low but sharp as a dagger piercing to the heart of the matter. "Then you should understand that trying to threaten Robert Baratheon with inheritance debts is the most foolish idea in the world. He will never acknowledge it, and any threats you make will be utterly ineffective against his storm-like temper."

Taichu was silent for a moment, then finally admitted, "—Yes."

Euron's smile suddenly turned cold and cruel, his words like a final judgment: "Then, please consider this: if this enormous loan, which you personally handled and on which you placed such high hopes, ultimately results in a complete loss—can your position within the Iron Vault still be preserved? The key around your neck, the family you are so proud of—will likely pay a heavy price for it, won't they?"

Tetsu Nestorth took a deep breath, looked Euron in the eye for the first time, and said slowly, "Captain Greyjoy—your understanding of the Iron Vault's inner workings is beyond my comprehension."

The air in the hall was almost frozen; everyone believed that the negotiations had broken down.

However, in the midst of this deathly silence, Euron abruptly changed the subject, speaking in a casual tone as if discussing the weather, "So—"

"How many golden dragons do you plan to lend us? How will you repay them? And what will the interest be?"

This sudden turn of events caught everyone present off guard.

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