Game of Thrones: The Road to Pirate King

Chapter 315 The Future Queen of Qarth

Lisa shifted her gaze from the dossier concerning the Narrow Sea to another ledger bound in the Iron Islands' hardcover. Her voice regained the clarity and precision she used when reporting specific matters: "Regarding the Stone Steps," she began, her fingertips lightly tracing lines of numbers as she reported, "the taxes collected over the past year, the customs fees levied on various merchant ships," and other illicit profits, according to the 60/20 split agreed upon with the Redwyn and Dorne Martell families, totaled over one million gold dragons. As per your instructions, the remainder has been left locally, managed by Balf, for maintaining daily operations and cultivating relationships. The full one million gold dragons has now been safely transported to Pyke City and stored away."

She paused briefly before adding necessary analysis: "Due to the recent turmoil in the Narrow Sea, trade routes have been significantly affected, and the number of merchant ships has decreased, resulting in slightly lower-than-expected revenue. However, I believe that once the situation becomes clearer and trade resumes, this revenue will return to a growth trajectory."

She closed the ledger and mentioned the plans for the more distant East.

"In Qarth, my uncle Sisyphus Garfield is making extremely good progress." Lisa's tone held a barely perceptible hint of approval as she mentioned the name. "Thanks to the crucial intelligence continuously provided by our Iron Islands, ample financial support, and the precise elimination of several major competitors," she said, "he has, in just two years, skillfully navigated between the Spice Ancient Guild and the Tourmaline Brotherhood, successfully joining the ranks of the Thirteen Giants."

Her gaze deepened: "He has now established himself and wields considerable power. But his next move requires more careful and long-term planning."

These two pieces of news, one concerning immediate wealth and the other concerning Qarth's future, both foreshadow Euron Greyjoy's power, like the tentacles of a sea monster, seizing every opportunity to expand in all directions.

After Lisa finished reporting on the chaotic situation across the Narrow Sea, Euron Greyjoy, far from becoming somber, was instead filled with the excitement of discovering a treasure. He slowly walked to the window, gazing at the gloomy sea of ​​the Iron Islands, as if he could already see countless opportunities floating and sinking in that turbulent sea.

"They need swords, so we'll sell them swords; they need poison, so we'll provide poison; they need grain to sustain the war, so we'll sell grain at unprecedented prices." Euron's voice carried a hint of amusement. "The iron ore of the Iron Islands, the metal from the Lannisters, and all the war materials we can gather from across Westeros, can be traded through the ports we control in the contested lands or in the neutral waters. We'll sell weapons to both Lys and Tyrosh simultaneously, letting them bleed to their last drop, and every drop of blood will be exchanged for golden dragons."

"Tyrossi plundered the Red Coral?" Excellent, this gives us the perfect excuse. Euron's gaze was sharp as a knife. "Our fleet can impersonate either side—flying the Rhys flag to attack Tyrossi merchant ships, or posing as Tyrossi to plunder Rhyssi cargo ships. In these chaotic waters, no one can tell the difference. The key is to precisely target ships laden with truly valuable goods, such as Tyrossi dyes and gold and silver, or Rhys wine and amber gold. Let those two city-states blame each other; the real beneficiaries will be us."

"When they are all exhausted from fighting, when their finances are crippled by war and our trade," Euron turned, a thoughtful look on his face, "perhaps that will be the time for us to step in and mediate. Not as conquerors, but as a just naval force. We can facilitate peace talks, but only if the terms are favorable to us—for example, demanding they open certain ports to duty-free trade, or recognizing our protection of certain key shipping lanes. Even—we can use this opportunity to get one of the city-states, such as the relatively weaker Tyrese, to borrow from our banks in the future, thus bringing their future revenues under our control."

"Lisa, your people must keep a close watch," Euron emphasized. "We need to know before anyone else which side has achieved a crucial victory and which side is about to collapse. We are on the side of justice; we must support the weak and strike down the strong."

Lisa was amused by this so-called justice.

"This chaos is not a disaster, but a gift," Euron concluded, his eyes gleaming with ambition. "It gives us the opportunity to break the old order and establish new rules. We will make the Narrow Sea no longer a barrier separating Westeros and Essos, but a lake flowing with golden dragons, under our control. Arms, plunder, mediation, finance—all these means will ultimately serve one goal: to make the Iron Islands' kraken flag the most fearsome and inescapable symbol of this sea."

He looked at Lisa and ordered, "Mobilize our merchant ships and fast ships, and begin acquiring all available steel, timber, and saltpeter. Meanwhile, have our friends in the contested lands" ready to receive the goods. This feast will be a grand one for the Greyjoy family."

Lisa smiled and said, "These things happened a few months ago. If we were to get involved now, it would be too late. We did it a long time ago, my lord. At that time, you were displaying your might in the Seven Kingdoms, but the opportunity was lost forever. I reported the plan to the King, and he let me make the decision myself."

Euron let out a low, possessive chuckle, his rough fingers gently pinching Lisa's smooth cheek with a hint of intimacy. "My Lisa, you're so beautiful and intelligent. Let me think of how to reward you properly."

His hands began to roam restlessly over her shoulders and back, burning hot. Two blushes rose on Lisa's face. She didn't resist, but merely turned her head slightly, her voice almost inaudible: "Aren't you—aren't you afraid of Lady Ashara finding out?"

"She knows you are my most capable arm, knows that I trust you more than anyone else," Euron's voice was filled with unwavering certainty, his movements continuing. "She's a smart woman, of course she understood long ago that you are also my woman, from the very beginning."

Lisa fell silent, obediently leaning against his broad shoulder, letting him embrace her. However, deep within her lowered eyes, a fleeting, elusive sadness flickered—not shyness, but a more complex emotion, interwoven with loyalty, helplessness, and a touch of melancholy.

Euron seemed to sense her momentary slump, pulling her closer, his chin resting on the top of her head, his voice deep and resonant with a promise: "Rest assured," he said, each word like a brand, utterly solemn: "What I, Euron Greyjoy, have promised, I will keep. I will make you Queen of Qarth, you will rightfully become my wife, and in the future, you will bear me a brood of children who can gallop across the sands and battle the waves."

This promise was like the finest liquor, both alluringly dizzying and intensely hot. Lisa closed her eyes, burying her face deeper into the crook of his neck, as if drawing strength from this fleeting tenderness to face the long and uncertain future.