Game of Thrones: The Road to Pirate King

Chapter 342 Viserys Targaryen III

Having the Door-Door Fruit means that the ends of the earth can instantly become within reach.

Those distant places that used to take days by sea and days by land can now be reached in a single thought, by simply opening up space.

In Euron's eyes, this seemingly unremarkable Devil Fruit possessed a strategic value akin to a spatial artifact severely underestimated by the world. He often pondered that if he were to rank the many unpredictable Devil Fruits, he would undoubtedly place the Door-Door Fruit, which allowed him to ignore geographical barriers and appear anywhere at will, at the very top.

As night deepened, Euron's thoughts had already traveled a thousand miles as soon as he returned to his room in Harrenhal.

The ring on his left ring finger glowed faintly. Euron raised his hand and casually drew a line in the air, silently opening a rift with an edge flowing with a ghostly light. Stepping into it, he reappeared, the salty and familiar sea breeze rushing towards him. He had quietly returned to Ironwind Island.

This incredible feat was witnessed by Asara, who was still awake at night.

Her violet eyes widened slightly in astonishment. Only now did she truly understand the spatial magic her husband had recently acquired, a magic that was enough to defy all reason.

During Euron's absence, the three sisters Rachel, Nydeel, and Zoea stayed by Ashara's side, just as they said, to protect Ashara in Euron's absence.

Upon seeing Youlun appear out of thin air, they immediately gathered around him in unison. Three pairs of identical, clear eyes curiously examined him, as if studying an incredible treasure that had suddenly appeared. Their synchronized tilting of their heads was full of innocent wonder.

The three sisters, Rachel, Nydia, and Zoia, had their clear eyes sparkling with surprise and longing. One after another, they asked in a seamless succession: "That door just now..."

"What kind of magical spatial magic is this?"

"Can you teach us?"

Euron laughed heartily upon hearing this: "It is magic, that's true, but it's not that I'm stingy." He shrugged, his tone tinged with helplessness: "This is something I really can't teach you."

The three sisters simultaneously pouted slightly, their faces full of disbelief: "If you won't, then you won't."

"Still making excuses"

"Hmph hmph hmph"

They said in unison, "We're going to have your babies!"

Euron was speechless after the three sisters' unrestrained words.

Euron's primary reason for returning was his wife Asara, who was pregnant, and the child growing in her womb that belonged to both of them. He ignored the three sisters' antics and went straight to Asara's side, gently stroking his wife's slightly tired but radiantly maternal face with tenderness.

The three sisters stood firmly in place like three nails, showing no intention of leaving. Euren sighed inwardly, thinking that they still didn't understand what it meant to avoid suspicion.

Euron could only smile helplessly. Under the gaze of those three clear yet stubborn eyes, he put his arm around Asara and began to recount the journey to King's Landing—the grand yet exhausting coronation, the turbulent wedding, and all that happened in between—of course, the part about the dragon's lair would be skipped!

Late at night, after Ashara had fallen asleep.

Euron walked through the familiar corridor and went straight to Lisa.

Lisa had already fallen asleep and was unprepared for Euron's sudden return. She was only jolted awake when Euron lay down beside her and embraced her body.

"You scared me to death! You bastard!" Lisa pounded on Euron's chest, but was quickly subdued by Euron and forcibly hugged.

Although Lisa was happy about their tender moment, she still said somewhat uneasily, "Lady Ashara has been vomiting a lot because of her pregnancy, and she hasn't been feeling well these past few days. You should spend more time with her now that you're back."

"You're always so considerate of others, don't you want me to be with you?" Euron whispered in her ear. "Don't worry, I've already seen Ashara. I came to see you mainly because I missed you, but there are also a few things I need to tell you that need to be done as soon as possible."

"First, those two prime ministers currently wandering across the Narrow Sea—Owen Marie Weiss and Jon Clinton—must be invited to Harrenhal. An invitation, not kidnapping, but they must come. Without a manager at Harrenhal, I'm afraid I'll be constantly busy. If they really refuse, they'll have to be kidnapped."

"Second, immediately send a message to Ironsmoke Island, ordering all the stonemasons and craftsmen stationed there to be transferred to Harrenhal. Prepare one million gold dragons; let them spend them however they see fit. We need that ruin to regain its glory as quickly as possible."

"Third, recruit experienced bankers from Pentos, Braavos, Valentis, and Telos across the Narrow Sea, offering them hefty rewards. I need people who are experts in this field to build the framework of our bank. Of course, if they are unwilling for the time being, then follow the Iron Citizens' method."

Euron's lips curled into a cold smile: "Finally, find Tychu Nestos of the Iron Bank. Find him, and bring him back. If he's sensible and willing to serve me, treat him with the utmost respect; if not—" He paused, his voice calm yet tinged with bloodlust, "then hand him over to the interrogator, Lloyd Hutchinson. I need everything in his head."

Lisa nodded gently. "Yes. I understand."

Someone was wiggling their hips restlessly.

Euron asked curiously, "Huh—didn't you say you wouldn't let me stay with you? Why are you all wet?"

Lisa blushed and said, "Pah!"

On the continent of Essos, across the Narrow Sea.

Sir William Darryl, with young Viserys and the infant Daenerys, drifted like rootless duckweed from one free city to another.

They are nominally guests of certain powerful figures, but in reality, they are merely struggling to survive in the cracks of power, relying on meager assistance.

Following closely behind their small group of exiles was Saladossan, the leader of a mercenary group from Ries. His weathered face always wore a shrewd smile, as if he were interested in everything, yet also indifferent to everything.

Sir William Darryl was grateful to Salado for saving his life, but never truly trusted the mercenary leader.

Salado Sun didn't care. He wasn't doing it out of boredom, nor was he attracted by Viserys's empty title of "Wandering Prince." The reason he was willing to expend manpower, resources, and precious time patiently protecting this brother and sister whose lives were hanging by a thread was solely because of an order from Euron Greyjoy.

Back on the Stepstone Isles, Salador and Davos answered Euron's tempting and opportunistic call to arms, joining his ranks. His first and most secretive long-term mission was to rescue Viserys and Daenerys amidst the chaos before the fall of Dragonstone and safely escort them to the continent of Essos.

Euron's orders were simple and clear: do not interfere with their freedom of movement, allow Ser Darryl to lead them on their wanderings, but ensure their safety like a shadow. Salado Thorn, the cunning Reese mercenary, thus became Euron's most inconspicuous yet most crucial pawn placed beside the Targaryen orphan.

Rhaegar is dead, King's Landing has fallen, the Mad King is dead.

Upon learning the news, Queen Leila, on Dragonstone, used her remaining dignity to hold a coronation for her son Viserys, adhering to ancient rituals.

She placed a coarse crown made of wire and cheap gems on his head and proclaimed him Viserys Targaryen III, King of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men, Ruler of the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm.

From then on, Viserys etched this long list of titles into his mind, and every time he spoke, he would refer to himself by it.

When they first arrived in the free trade city-states, the governors, kings, and wealthy merchants were able to receive these "descendants of the dragon" with curiosity and even a little pity.

As the years passed, news continued to arrive from across the Narrow Sea—Robert Baratheon, the "usurper," held the Iron Throne more firmly, the Seven Kingdoms submitted, and peace reigned throughout the land. And so, one by one, the magnificent doors that had once been open to them closed before them.

Their lives quickly slid from a dignified exile to a state of dire poverty, barely surviving by selling Queen Leila's remaining jewelry and receiving meager assistance.

Viserys continued to paint a rosy picture of the post-liberation era to Salado Sun, the only mercenary leader still by his side, promising him high-ranking positions and lucrative rewards, including Admiral, Chancellor of the Exchequer, and Hand of the King.

Salado Sun simply grinned, revealing wine-stained teeth, and let out a meaningless laugh. He didn't care about these unrealistic promises; what truly kept him there was the heavy golden dragon that Euron Greyjoy regularly paid him. Whether Viserys could contribute a single penny was of no concern to him.

Euron's instructions to the two Targaryen orphans were simple yet peculiar: keep them alive, but not to provide any substantial support, but simply to stand by and watch.

In Salado Sann's view, this was completely illogical. If he feared them, he should simply kill them to eliminate any future trouble.

If they have value, keep them firmly in your grasp, invest in them, or squeeze every last drop of value out of them. But Euron's approach is more like that of a detached observer, patiently waiting for some change or opportunity that only he knows.

Although Salado Sun couldn't understand the deeper meaning, he strictly followed Euron's every instruction.

Because he knew all too well that a man with the imposing presence and unfathomable ambition of Euron Greyjoy would never do anything meaningless.

The current indifference is undoubtedly a prelude to a larger scheme in the future.

Euron was indeed waiting, waiting for the destined moment to arrive, waiting for the beautiful mother dragon to grow up so that he could ride her around.

Who hasn't dreamed of being a "dragon knight"?

Euron didn't know if changing his and his sister's current lives would cause unforeseen changes, so letting them grow up on their original path was perhaps the best approach.

Everything is normal so far, but the future remains shrouded in mystery.

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