Game of Thrones: The Road to Pirate King

Chapter 284 Borrowing, the More the Better

Tetsu Nestorus was caught off guard by this sudden turn of events. His sharp mind raced as he tried to decipher the deeper meaning behind Euron's abrupt change—was it genuine interest, or a more complex trap? He found himself unable to see through this man from the Iron Islands.

Not only him, but also the leaders on the allied side, Robert, Jon, Eddard, and others, exchanged puzzled glances. They, too, didn't understand why Euron, having almost forced the other side back, suddenly brought the topic back to the loan itself.

But their long years of fighting side by side had given them a helpless trust in Euron's unpredictable ways.

Euron gave them a very subtle "stay put, keep quiet" look. Despite their many doubts, they chose to suppress the urge to ask questions, sitting still like silent mountains, handing the stage entirely over to Euron.

Euron spoke casually to Taichu as if he had just discussed a trivial matter, saying, "Loans are, after all, a significant matter. Envoy, you might as well return to your room and carefully consider the terms. As for us," he glanced at his allies, "we also need to discuss this internally. We can talk about it tomorrow."

These words both gave the other side a way out and bought valuable time for their own side. Knowing that further words would be futile at this moment, Techo Nestos regained his composure and bowed respectfully: "Then, I look forward to seeing you all again tomorrow."

Having said that, he maintained the dignity of a Braavos envoy, turned and slowly left the hall, leaving behind the doubts and calculations that filled the room.

After Tychu Nestors disappeared through the doorway, the pent-up questions in the hall finally erupted. Robert turned to Euron first, and though impatient, gave his ally a chance to explain: "Euron, you'd better explain yourself. What exactly are you plotting?"

Euron turned around, his face showing no remorse, but rather the excited gleam of a pirate who had discovered a treasure: "Forgive me, everyone, I took the liberty of making this decision. However, the reason is simple—I want to use someone else's resources to my advantage."

He surveyed the leaders present, his voice brimming with ambition: "I've long coveted the vast wealth of the Iron Treasury, but I've never had the chance to get involved. This time, they've come to me willingly, and I want to use their golden dragon as a bargaining chip to play a grand game."

Robert frowned. He understood each word individually, but the words together were incomprehensible. He muttered, "Speak human language!"

Lord Jon Arryn, standing nearby, seemed thoughtful, vaguely grasping Euron's intention: "You mean—you don't really need this money to fight the war? Then how do you plan to use this huge sum?"

"To establish banks," Euron answered succinctly. "The Free Cities have so many banks, but Westeros, the vast Seven Kingdoms, doesn't have a single decent one. My lords, don't you think this is a huge void?"

Duke Horst Tully paused for a moment, his fingertips lightly tapping the armrest of his chair. This Riverlands ruler, known for his pragmatism, calmly poured cold water on the idea: "That's true, Lord Euron, but opening a bank is as risky as walking on the edge of a cliff. Leaving aside the Iron Treasury's countermeasures, the operation of a bank itself is no easy task. Do you remember the Hightower family of Oldtown, so wealthy and deeply rooted, who also attempted to establish a bank in their early years, only to end up failing miserably?"

His words carried a weight of history, reminding everyone present that in Westeros, finance is no child's play.

Euron Greyjoy, far from being deterred, instead smiled knowingly and with a hint of arrogance. He had clearly done in-depth research: "You're right, Your Grace. I've studied the Hightoar family's attempt in detail." His eyes gleamed with determination. "There were many reasons for their failure: over-reliance on the single trade route of Oldtown, over-concentration of lending clients, and, more importantly, their attempt to manage money—a fickle commodity requiring liquidity and foresight—like managing territories."

He straightened his back and said confidently, "Therefore, I will never repeat their mistakes. My approach will be completely different."

Prince Oberyn of Dorne astutely pressed, "Is your ambition merely to open a bank in Westeros?"

Euron Greyjoy shook his head, and for the first time, his shadowy eyes revealed an undisguised ambition to devour everything: "That's just the beginning. If possible—I want to surpass the Iron Bank and take its place."

These words struck like a thunderbolt through the hall, plunging everyone into a stunned silence. Euron's scheme was far more ambitious and far more insane than they had imagined.

Euron let out a deep, magnetic laugh, his eyes gleaming with an unstoppable, surging light: "So, Robert, when you get back, just relax and boldly set the loan amount—the more the better."

He then turned to the coalition leaders present, his tone becoming highly inflammatory, as if sharing a brilliant secret: "Gentlemen, if this bank really goes up and running, would you like to invest? This is a golden opportunity to make the golden dragon lay its own eggs."

Eddard Stark slowly shook his head. The inherent caution of the North and his conservatism towards unfamiliar territory made him instinctively keep his distance from such financial ventures.

Robert Baratheon's eyes lit up. He wasn't interested in the proliferation of the golden dragons, but rather in Euron's arrogant words about surpassing the Iron Bank, which greatly satisfied his warlike nature.

Duke Horst Tully shrugged helplessly; the Riverlands had been ravaged by war, and he simply didn't have much spare money for such risky investments.

Prince Oberyn of Dorne smiled broadly: "I will consider it, but we'll discuss the specific amount later."

The experienced Lord Jon Arryn spoke up at the opportune moment, steer the conversation back to reality: "Euron, these grand ambitions can wait until we join forces to overthrow the Mad King on the Iron Throne. Right now, war is the priority."

Youlun nodded in agreement.

However, Robert could no longer contain his impulsive nature. With a wave of his hand, he shouted in a tone as if buying wine at a market, "Alright! It's settled then! We'll borrow five million gold dragons from the Iron Bank! Haha, once you really bankrupt the Iron Bank, won't this debt be wiped clean? Wouldn't I be making a fortune for free!"

Behind his seemingly reckless joke lies a startling, robber-like logic that gambles with the credibility of the future empire.

Euron didn't want to surpass the Iron Bank; he wanted to replace it. If he couldn't replace it, then he would destroy it...