Game of Thrones: The Road to Pirate King

Chapter 367 Summer Islands - Strategy

Dawn tore through the night along the Dorne coastline, and the blazing sun ignited the tops of the crimson cliffs.

Euron Greyjoy stood alone beside the menacing figurehead of the Reach. He didn't look back at the towering Sunspear City behind him, nor at the blurry yet familiar figures on the shore. His gaze, like tempered steel, was steadfastly fixed on the vast blue waves waiting to be conquered.

Euron slowly raised his right arm, paused briefly in mid-air, and then swung it forward with a vengeance. There were no rousing battle cries, no lengthy mobilizations, only a clear, cold, and forceful command that resonated throughout the entire flagship, cleaving the silence like a battle axe: "Move out!"

Target: Midsummer Islands!

The order was like a pebble thrown into a still lake, and the ripples quickly spread throughout the entire fleet.

The creaking of the anchor chain winch, the roar of the sails billowing in the sea breeze, the resounding thud of the oars striking the water's surface in perfect unison —

Countless sounds intertwined to form a magnificent march to war.

The grey behemoth "Zhiyuan" was the first to turn its bow, breaking through the calm surface of the harbor. "Grey Sea King's Wrath" followed closely behind, and together with more than three hundred warships, they moved slowly but unstoppably like a group of awakened giant beasts, leaving countless white trails on the sea surface, which converged into a boundless moving forest as they headed south.

On the rocks by the shore, Ilya and Ashara stood side by side, the sea breeze ruffling their long hair and clothes.

Asara cradled Alexander in her arms, and the little one seemed to sense something, waving his tiny hands and babbling in the direction of the departing fleet. Ilya gently embraced Rhaenys and little Caesar.

They didn't shout, but simply waved quietly, their eyes following the golden sea monster flag as it receded into the distance, until the massive fleet shrank into a blurry shadow where the sky met the sea.

Inside the operations room of the "Zhiyuan," the air was heavy and focused.

On the heavy oak table, a huge nautical chart was fully unfolded, meticulously depicting the outline of the Summer Islands, which resembled a string of emerald-strewn islands. Every bay, reef, waterway, and major town was clearly marked, far exceeding the detail of ordinary nautical charts, thanks to the secret channels of Prince Jalaba Sor of Red Flower Valley.

Euron Greyjoy stood at the head of the table, his figure appearing exceptionally tall in the halo of light cast by the hanging whale oil lamp. His fingertips lightly touched the archipelago on the sea chart, which was about to be engulfed by war, and the light swept over Baron and several key island lords gathered around the table.

Viktorion, Asha, and Floyd sat in the back listening, Euron intending to cultivate their ability to command the fleet.

"Gentlemen," Euron's deep, steady voice clearly reached everyone's ears in the enclosed cabin, "the fleet is in position, the prey is ahead. Now, let's finalize the plan for the conquest of the Summer Islands."

He turned to the prince of Red Flower Valley, Jalaba Sor, who stood quietly to the side, his expression a mixture of tension and anticipation.

"Prince Jalabar," Euron's voice softened slightly, carrying a guiding tone, "No one here knows your homeland better than you. You shall first tell us about the Summer Isles, every landing beach, the weaknesses of every fortress, the key points of troop deployment, and your relatives."

-

All eyes immediately focused on the exiled prince.

Prince Jalaba Sor took a deep breath, stepped forward, and pointed his finger, trembling slightly with a mixture of nostalgia and a thirst for revenge, to the coastline of the largest island on the nautical chart.

"The Summer Islands," Jalaba's voice, carrying an exotic rhythm, echoed in the quiet operations room, "consisting of more than fifty islands of varying sizes, like a string of emeralds scattered by the gods across the summer sea."

Jalaba's finger first pointed to the northernmost island, the one with the largest outline: "The northernmost one is Valano, the largest and most important. Our capital, Lotus Harbor, is located on the eastern coast of this island, the heart and gateway of the archipelago." He continued, tracing the eastern coastline of Valano, "In addition, there are two other important places on the island: the town of Last Elegy at the northern end, and the town of Hightree, located in the lush rainforest inland."

Then his finger moved south, landing on the island in the middle: "This is Obernough Island, located in the middle of the three islands, like a bridge connecting the north and south, its geographical location is of vital importance."

His fingertips lingered on the southernmost island, his voice carrying a deep personal emotion: "The southernmost one is Zhal Island, my hometown." He stroked two distinct depressions on the island and said, "There are two valleys here: the Red Flower Valley in the north, which is the land my family has ruled for generations; and the Sweet Lotus Valley in the south, which is famous for producing the most fragrant lotus flowers and spices."

Tantou Town is located on the west coast of Zhale Island, guarding a crucial passage to the two canyons.

Jalaba said with a focused expression, "Besides the three main islands, there are some smaller islands that also need our attention, and may even become crucial."

"Take this place, Kagoshima," Jalaba said, looking around to make sure everyone understood the significance of the island before continuing, "Although it's not one of the three major islands and isn't large, it's renowned for having the best and most efficient shipyard in the entire Midsummer Islands."

Prince Jalaba emphasized, "Our archipelago's pride, the Swan Ship, with its streamlined hull and pristine white sails, is the subject of more than seven out of ten ships, all of which were built in the shipyards of Kagoshima. It can be said that it holds the maritime lifeline of our archipelago."

"The prince who ruled this island had a residence called Pearl Palace," situated in the best sunset-facing bay in Kagoshima. It was not only his palace, but in a sense, the heart of this island of artisans.

The island lords of the Iron Islands remained expressionless and unmoved.

Prince Jalabar added, "He and I have a blood feud!"

The island lords all nodded in agreement. They immediately understood! They would either eliminate him first or hand him over to the prince to slowly kill him.

Euron asked softly, "How are the troops in the Summer Islands allocated?"

Prince Jalabar composed himself and pointed to several key locations: "Troop deployment—the most concentrated area is naturally Lotus Harbor, the capital of Valano Island, where the main force of the standing army is stationed. Next are Last Song Town in the north and High Tree Town in the interior, which are like the two wings of Lotus Harbor, each heavily guarded." He moved his finger south to Zal Island, "The entrance to Sweet Lotus Valley, Tantou Town, is like a gateway, and its military strength should not be underestimated."

Prince Jalaba sighed, with a hint of helplessness, "As for the other islands, although there are no regular troops stationed there, almost every island has a population that is familiar with the terrain and can be conscripted to resist when necessary."

Euron listened patiently, then suddenly changed the subject, asking a more probing question: "Although you've been away from Red Flower Valley for a long time, you were once a prince there—in your family's old territory, are there still any capable people left? Even just a few brothers who remember you and are willing to risk their lives for you?"

A glimmer of hope flashed in Prince Jalabar's eyes, only to be covered by the dust of time: "Indeed, there are still a few brothers who fought alongside me, sworn to serve my father's bloodline to the death. But—" He shook his head, his voice bitter: "We haven't been in touch for many years. The world has changed, and I don't know where they are now, whether they are alive or dead."

Upon hearing this, Euron smiled and said, "It's alright."

"Tell me their names, addresses, and what they look like and what their features are, and then give me a keepsake they can recognize."

"I will find them."

Prince Jalabar looked up abruptly, his eyes filled with disbelief. He opened his mouth, but was momentarily speechless: ...

'

Unbeknownst to him, after Lisa took over and greatly expanded Varys's "Little Birds" network, this invisible web had already covered many corners of the known world, and Euron had been eyeing the Summer Isles as a springboard for a long time.

Even the seemingly remote Summer Islands, plagued by pirates and slave owners, had long been infiltrated by Lisa.

Euron's suggestion to find people at this moment was both a genuine need for internal support to reduce resistance and casualties in the conquest, and a subtle hint and deterrent. He was clearly telling Prince Jalabar that no matter where you are, no matter how secretive you think people and things are, they are all within my control.

These seemingly casual words sent a chill down Prince Jalaba’s spine and filled him with awe more deeply than any stern warning.