Game of Thrones: The Road to Pirate King

Chapter 320 Invitation - The Emperor's Arrival

283AC, year-end.

With the full support of the Redwyn and Stannis fleets, the Lannister fleet finally breached Dragonstone, the last stronghold of the Targaryen dynasty. In the fierce battle, former Admiral Luthris Valerian, stained the stone steps with blood, and died a heroic death for his lord.

The good news reached King's Landing, but it did not bring joy to the new king, Robert Baratheon.

Robert heard news that enraged him even more: although Queen Rhaela, wife of the Mad King Aerys, had indeed died in childbirth, her seven-year-old son Viserys and her infant daughter Daenerys had been secretly escorted away from Dragonstone by Ser William Darryl, the Red Keep's headmaster, and some other loyalists, at great personal risk, during the chaos before the fall of the city.

They braved the raging waves and eventually disappeared into the mists of the free city of Braavos. The continuation of these two Targaryen bloodlines was like a thorn in Robert's side, foreshadowing future troubles and anxieties.

But for the continent of Westeros, with the fall of Dragonstone, this nearly two-year-long War of the Usurpers finally came to a regretful and unsettling end on the Westeros map. However, everyone knew that the end of a war often only marked the beginning of another power struggle.

(The maesters of the Citadel named Robert's rebellion against the Targaryens the War of the Usurper, and they documented it in their books. King Robert was so enraged by this that he almost launched a direct attack on the Citadel, threatening to hang up all those brainless maesters, give them a good beating, and then cut open their skulls to see if they were filled with dog shit or brains. In the end, he was dissuaded by the Hand of the King.)

Life in the Iron Islands, after two years of war from 282 AC to 283 AC, finally returned to a peaceful state, tinged with the salty smell of blood.

At dawn, Euron's figure often appears on the training grounds. He stands side by side with Ashara, instructing the Ironborn warriors in the cold sea breeze of Pike Island, and then has lunch with the Greyjoys.

When the sun grew intense, Euron would return to Ironwind Isle. Lisa would often be waiting there, the table covered with letters and intelligence from all over the world. The two would sometimes talk in hushed tones, sometimes fall into deep thought, unraveling the intricate web of information, adding crucial details to that grand blueprint for the future.

Occasionally, in the dead of night, in the dark depths unknown to outsiders, accompanied by faint magical fluctuations and indescribable whispers, Euron would conduct experiments and research with Qyburn and two female sorceresses that could never be spoken aloud, exploring the boundaries of power and taboo.

No matter how busy he was during the day, or how engrossed in his research, Euron would always be at the head of the long table when night fell and a warm fire burned in the hall. Dining with Ashara, Lisa, and the rest of his family was an unwavering tradition. At this moment, there were no lords, no advisors, no explorers, only his family gathered around the table, enjoying the most ordinary yet precious warmth of the day amidst the aroma of food and relaxed conversation.

This tranquility, like the seemingly serene sea surrounding the Iron Islands, conceals beneath the surface the sweat of training grounds, the undercurrents of intelligence networks, and the hidden forces deep underground, all forming the foundation upon which Euron Greyjoy stands in the world.

In their first letter, the scholars of the Citadel informed the Seven Kingdoms that the long summer was approaching.

-

A month later, news arrived from the Citadel that was even more precise. When this news reached the Iron Islands on the wings of ravens, it brought not joy, but widespread doubt. The maesters solemnly declared that from 284 AC, after the end of the War of the Usurpers, until 297 AC, Westeros would experience a long summer that would last for thirteen years.

News of the City of Learning spread like a pebble thrown into a still lake, creating ripples in the taverns, docks, and markets.

"A summer that's been over ten years long?" The old sailor squinted his wrinkled eyes in the sunlight, his rough hands unconsciously rubbing his arms. "I've lived for sixty years, and I've never seen a summer this long. Have the men of the university city lost their minds?"

The housewives, hanging out their perpetually damp laundry to dry, whispered among themselves: "Summer is nice, but it's too long! The crops in the fields will probably dry out, and the rivers might run dry. This isn't right, just like that disastrous spring of that year," a bad omen.

The voices of doubt spread like sea fog, with most people questioning whether the scholars' calculations, like the famous "false spring," were yet another collective misjudgment.

Behind the high window of Ironwind Keep, Euron Greyjoy stood by the sea, holding the parchment from the Citadel in his hand. He heard snippets of fishermen's conversation in the distance, but only a faint smile played on his lips.

The sea breeze, carrying the almost stagnant warmth unique to midsummer, brushed against his cheek. He knew better than anyone that the Academy City had not made a mistake this time. As a transmigrator who had read the original novel, Euron naturally knew that this continent was about to usher in a summer that was longer than anyone could imagine, and this was merely the prelude to even greater waves to come.

The King's Landing envoys ascended Pike City, their steps treading on the rugged rocks unique to the Iron Islands, the sea breeze seemingly carrying the atmosphere of the southern capital.

Before King Corinth, the messenger read aloud Robert Baratheon's decree: the new king would be crowned the following spring at the Red Keep, and would marry Cersei, daughter of Tywin Lannister, Warden of the West. The decree specifically requested the attendance of King Corinth and House Greyjoy, as there were important matters to discuss.

After the ceremonial audience, the messenger wearing the Baratheon coat of arms took the opportunity of presenting the gift list to subtly approach Euron, who was standing to the side.

"Lord Euren," he said in a low, earnest voice, "before his departure, His Majesty specifically called me aside and repeatedly instructed that others could do as well, but you must come in person."

Euron played with the exquisitely carved sea monster badge in his hand, a knowing glint in his eyes. He raised his head, a meaningful smile playing on his lips: "Please tell His Majesty that Euron Greyjoy will be there on time."

This promise was not entirely out of obedience to the king's command.

Even without this special instruction, Euron had already included King's Landing in his itinerary. He needed to meet with Tywin Lannister, Warden of the Westerlands, and Olenna Redwynn, the Wise Woman of the Reach, to discuss the important matter of establishing a bank. This highly anticipated coronation ceremony provided the perfect opportunity for the three parties to discuss this matter.

Furthermore, the Dornish prisoners who have been mining in the mines will also need to travel with Euron to the Wall.

For Euron and the Iron Islands, the greatest joy in those three months was that Ashara became pregnant!