Game of Thrones: The Road to Pirate King

Chapter 354 Before the Expedition - Final Preparations

Just as Euron uttered the name "Zhiyuan," and the echo still lingered in the sea breeze, a cold yet majestic voice, one that only he could perceive, resounded deep within his mind:

[One Piece System: The host now possesses their own warship, named the "Unanimous Advance." The true path to conquest begins here!]

[One Piece System: Gained 5000 system points.]

This sudden prompt caused Euron to pause slightly as he was about to issue a new instruction.

This was an unexpected delight.

Euron certainly hadn't expected that simply owning and naming a ship of his own would be like triggering a hidden switch, not only opening up this so-called "path of conquest" but also directly bringing him a substantial amount of system points.

This is a clear signal that the function of the "One Piece System" is far more than just extraction, but is closely linked to his actual expansion and domination in this world.

The massive, dark red hull of the "Zhiyuan" resembled a mobile fortress as it sailed around the rugged coastline of Pike Island.

Its white trail lingered on the dark blue sea, as if etching a new mark in the heart of the sea monster's home. The Ironborn on board stood at the edge of the deck, greedily savoring the immense power and unprecedented stability of this behemoth cutting through the waves. The sea breeze caressed their faces, still flushed with excitement, as if they were still savoring the experience.

When the colossal ship finally came to a steady stop at the specially reinforced deep-water pier in Pike Town Harbor, a murmur of mixed admiration and regret rippled through the deck. The Ironborn soldiers ran their fingers over the cold hull, reluctantly stepping ashore along the gangplank, their eyes still lingering on the massive silhouette of the ship.

Euron was among the last to disembark, his boots landing on the solid wooden dock. He had just straightened his robes, ruffled by the sea breeze, when he looked up and saw a young, upright figure standing quietly on the shore, waiting for him—it was his nephew, Baron's eldest son, Rodrik Greyjoy.

Since marrying Jewyn Gubler, the young Greyjoy has officially come of age, spending his days in blissful intimacy with his new wife, almost forgetting everything outside the window.

It wasn't until today that the roar of the "Zhiyuan" being launched and the cheers of the whole island jolted him out of his reverie, and made him suddenly remember something crucial: his uncle, who controlled the deep-sea behemoth, still owed him a generous gift symbolizing his coming of age.

Rodrik stood before Euron, his young eyes gleaming with undisguised longing and anticipation as he gazed at his uncle, saying nothing, yet as if he had said everything.

Youlun's gaze lingered on his face for a moment, and his little thoughts were laid bare before him like pebbles in clear water.

He chuckled softly and said helplessly, "Come with me."

Euron led Rodrik to a secluded beach, his gaze fixed on the deep blue depths of the bay. He gently patted the surface of the water, and an invisible force spread out like ripples.

Moments later, the seawater not far from the dock began to rise and churn unnaturally, and a huge, chilling shadow slowly emerged from the water.

A head of extremely peculiar shape, resembling a giant stone hammer, emerged from the water. Its dark skin was smooth and shiny, and the bony structure at its edges gleamed with a cold, hard rock-like sheen in the sunlight. Even as just a part of the head, it was comparable to a small warship, and the pair of eyes flanking it appeared ancient and indifferent.

The Hammerhead Reef Shark is a 350-meter-long sea king. Its iconic T-shaped head is a natural and terrifying weapon, capable of crushing seabed reefs like biscuits or instantly dismantling any longship that dares to stand in its way.

"It's yours now." Euron's voice was calm, yet it felt like a boulder had been thrown into Rodrik's heart. "Go and get to know your companion, the men of House Greyjoy."

Rodrik looked at the colossal beast exuding a primordial aura before him, so excited he could hardly breathe. He nodded vigorously and rushed to the water's edge to welcome this unique and unimaginable coming-of-age ceremony.

From then on, a violent landscape appeared in the waters surrounding Pike Island. Under the command of its new master, the hammerhead reef shark rampaged through the waves day and night. Its steel-like head slammed against the dark reef time and time again, shattering the rocks with a deafening roar. The spray that flew like shattered jade several meters into the air, then turned into a salty rain that poured down.

Beyond the turbulent sea, Euron's caravans moved about tirelessly like a migrating swarm of ants.

Fully loaded cargo ships shuttled back and forth between High Court and the opposite shore of the Narrow Sea, their sails never ceasing to appear on the sea.

The grain and fodder were piled up like mountains at the dock, barrels of fresh water and fine wine were rolled onto wooden planks, and fresh fruit, still glistening with dew, exuded its last fragrance in baskets.

All these supplies were propelled into Pike Island and then continuously distributed to every longship anchored in the bay.

Those dilapidated ships requisitioned from various places are now undergoing a complete transformation.

They were pushed into the dock one by one, like wounded soldiers lying on an operating table. Craftsmen, armed with axes and saws, carefully examined each plank. Those still usable were reinforced with keels and sails replaced, giving them new life; those completely rotten were dismantled on the spot. The hammers clanged, sawdust flew, and the soul of the old ship seemed to merge into the newly built hull with the sound of hammering.

After this radical transformation, every longship about to set sail was completely renewed.

The slender hull could accommodate fifty to one hundred soldiers, almost twice the carrying capacity of the old-style longships.

Their hulls are more streamlined and have a shallower draft, giving them amazing stability and maneuverability in wind and waves.

Trading in your old car for a new one, and they won't even charge you for the gold dragon – naturally, no one would object to such a good deal.

As these modified longships sailed out of the dock and lined up in formation on the gloomy sea, even the most seasoned Ironborn couldn't help but marvel.

The captains, having been transferred to new ships, couldn't wait to steer them out to sea and get to know their new companions.

On the vast sea, the fleet stretched out like a dense flock of crows, the jagged longships lined up end to end, almost obscuring the ocean currents. The brown sails drank heavily in the wind, and the crisp sound of ropes lashing the hull between masts was like countless bowstrings being taut.

On the beach of Pike Island, more than 10,000 Ironmen warriors are conducting their final drills. The quenched swords gleam in the salty sea breeze, and each clash of their blades sparks. Roars and waves crash against each other, shattering between the headlands.

Day after day, these Iron People from different islands drank under the same roof and fell asleep to the sound of the waves on the same deck. The aroma of ale and the salty smell of grilled fish mingled in the air, not only nourishing their bodies but also melting away the icy barriers that had formed when they first met.

On countless nights with bonfires flickering, rough jokes and island legends were passed around between bowls of wine. It was in these unguarded moments that they were able to glimpse the souls of their companions: who still called out for their homeland in their dreams, whose eyes held an unhealable scar, and whose laughter concealed untold fears.

This understanding, accumulated in daily life, will eventually transform into an unspoken tacit agreement on the battlefield.

Under Eulen's arrangement, the team was intentionally disrupted and reorganized time and time again. The initial awkwardness and chaos were quickly replaced by a new kind of cooperation.

They began to be able to read the intention of an attack from a glance, and discern the gaps in defense from a shout. Shield bearers would instinctively lean towards their partner who habitually charged to the left with a spear, while archers could always find the most suitable openings for flanking fire.

They were no longer a group of brave warriors fighting individually, but were forged in blood and fire into a true sea monster with countless arms and sharp teeth.

All is ready except for the opportunity.