Game of Thrones: The Road to Pirate King

Chapter 373 The Conquest of Kagoshima

At the highest point of the blood-soaked castle in Redflower Valley, a brand-new banner fluttered in the gunpowder-scented sea breeze—the ancient sun emblem of the Jalabar family, its edges embroidered with the golden sea monster symbolizing Greyjoy.

Six years ago, the prince, betrayed by his loved ones, burdened with a blood feud, and driven out of the Summer Islands like a stray dog, now stands atop these blood-stained battlements.

Six years of exile, six years of forbearance, six years of torment in hatred and despair. Now, he has returned. He brings back not only his long-suppressed anger, but also his resolute determination to thoroughly cleanse the Summer Islands and end their status quo of enslavement and humiliation, and behind him stands a steel army of tens of thousands from the Iron Islands, as powerful as the raging waves of the sea god.

Revenge is only the first step.

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Jalabar Sor, who had personally plunged the broken spear into his enemy's throat, had shed his last trace of hesitation and gentleness. He looked down at the assembled crowd, their eyes filled with complex emotions, and beyond that, at the boundless archipelago awaiting conquest. His voice, transmitted clearly through some makeshift megaphone, resounded throughout the castle, carrying an undeniable power: "Redflower Valley, today it returns to its master!"

"But this is just the beginning!"

He raised his arm, pointing to the vast sea and sky, his voice like a war drum, striking the hearts of every listener: "I, Jalabar Sol, hereby declare that I shall become the sole king of the Summer Islands! No longer a prince of a certain valley or island, but the sovereign who reigns over all fifty islands!"

"We are not just ending a traitor! We are ending the cowardice that has lingered for too long on these islands."

A fate of division and subjugation! From this day forward, no foreign pirate, slave owner, or so-called merchant shall ever again set foot on our beaches, abduct our sisters, or trample upon our dignity!

His announcement was like a boulder thrown into a calm lake.

With the help of Lisa’s pervasive intelligence network and the mouths of those prisoners who were intentionally released, this earth-shattering news swept across the entire Summer Islands at a speed far exceeding that of a sail, like a tsunami.

From Valano Island in the far north to Zalle Island in the far south, from the bustling Lotus Harbor to the remote fishing villages, everyone was sharing the same message in shock:

The returning prince, Jalabah Thal, killed Diamond and reclaimed Redflower Valley. He impaled Diamond's head on a spear and declared before all the people of Redflower Valley: I shall be King of the Summer Isles!

After Jalabar Sol proclaimed himself king in Red Flower Valley, the Isle of Women, located directly north of Valano Island, became the first force to openly respond.

A jade-green banner, embroidered with the silhouette of the warrior queen Nymeria intertwined with the sunburst crest of the Jalabar family, was raised at the highest point of the Isle of Women, its edges also adorned with the golden sea monster symbolizing Greyjoy.

Queen Alicia declared in a clear and powerful voice to all the islands that could hear her: The Isle of Women and all its warriors would wholeheartedly support Jalabah Thal in becoming the unified and powerful King of the Summer Islands!

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Their declaration was not just empty talk; they immediately demonstrated their determination through action.

Queen Alicia herself donned armor and joined forces with Elin Oakwood of Oak Isle and his Ironborn warriors, forming a special mission that combined local prestige with external military might. Sailing swift ships, they moved like diligent messengers and steadfast persuaders, traversing the scattered islands.

They explained the advantages and disadvantages, and painted a picture of a unified kingdom under the alliance of Jalabar Zol and the Iron Islands, no longer plagued by pirates or looked down upon by foreign enemies. Faced with this force composed of legendary descendants and formidable warriors, most of the rulers or tribal chiefs of the scattered islands, after weighing their options, clearly expressed their support.

Some chose to remain neutral, unwilling to take an immediate stance, but at least promised not to be hostile.

There are always a very few islands that, either out of a desire to protect their old interests or out of blind confidence, have voiced strong opposition.

Queen Alicia and Elin Oakwood did not waste much breath on these few stubborn individuals.

Before the fortress of the opponents, they quickly tasted the unparalleled sharpness of Alicia's spear, inherited from ancient bloodlines, and witnessed the Ironborn warriors' relentless, demonic fighting frenzy. After several brief but intense "persuasion" operations, those scattered but resolute voices of opposition vanished completely, like sandcastles washed away by the tide.

The Isle of Women, with its flags, words, and even more so with its sharp spears and resolute actions, adorned Jalabar Sor's crown with its first string of solid and dazzling pearls.

Lord Dunstan Zoko of Old Wick Island, Kagoshima, stood at the bow of his flagship. He dismounted his two thousand Ironborn warriors, who, like a pack of bloodthirsty sharks lurking in the longship, fixed their gazes on the crescent-shaped coastline to the east of Kagoshima—Turtle Bay.

The garrison commander of Turtle Bay, "Salt Tongue" Aurelio de los Santos, was no ordinary man. He had already received warnings and had meticulously arranged two rows of sharp barricades behind the pristine white sand beach. Three hundred "Salt Guards" clad in gleaming silver armor, each wielding a large shield, formed a formidable shield wall that reflected a blinding white light under the blazing sun.

Dunstan launched his attack at the most unexpected moment: fifty new longships, carrying two thousand Ironmen warriors, took advantage of the morning high tide and, like deadly arrows released from a bow, silently and swiftly rushed toward the beach.

"Clang! Clang!"

Just as the guards on the cliff watchtower in Kagoshima rang the warning bell, a dark gray figure leaped onto the beach like a ghost.

Before the echoes of the first chime had faded, the sharp iron spear had already pierced the sentry's throat with precision and ruthlessness, silencing any further alarms in suffocating blood.

"Dedicated to the God of Drowning!"

The deafening battle roar shattered the tranquility of the coast as the Iron People warriors charged onto the beach with a roar.

Short spears and heavy javelins rained down like a deadly storm, clashing with the light javelins thrown from behind the shields by the Salt Guards. People fell to the ground, their blood instantly staining the white sand red.

Aurelius gripped his sword tightly and sternly commanded the Salt Guards to hold the line.

As the shield wall and the charging Ironmen locked in a fierce battle, a sudden change occurred!

Suddenly, terrified screams and the sounds of fierce clashes of weapons erupted from the flanks and rear of the Turtle Bay garrison!

The shipwrights on the island, who had already been contacted and supported by Eli Sanders and others, along with hundreds of noble soldiers cleverly turned by Edwin Ramirez, led by a pirate captain, stabbed the defenders in the back like a plague that broke out from within!

Besieged on both sides, the Salt Guard's shield formation crumbled instantly.

Dunstan Zoguru seized the opportunity and let out a thunderous roar, as his massive battle axe cleaved down with the force to split mountains and shatter rocks!

"Boom!"

A heavy salt guard shield shattered with a crash, scattering wood chips and metal fragments everywhere. The battle axe, its momentum undiminished, cleaved into the neck of the soldier behind the shield, nearly severing half of his shoulder.

Dunstan stepped over the corpses of his enemies, his bloodshot eyes fixed on Aurelio, who was desperately trying to rally his troops.

"Salt Tongue! Your salt is salty enough, but the iron of Old Wake Island is harder!" His voice boomed, and his battle axe swept across the room, a flash of cold light!

"Snap!"

Aurelius's wrist, which was holding the sword, was severed cleanly, and the sword and the severed hand fell to the ground. He let out a piercing scream and staggered backward, but was immediately overwhelmed by the surging Ironborn warriors with countless battle axes, and was instantly hacked into a bloody mess.

Without command and attacked from both inside and outside, the resistance of the Turtle Bay defenders quickly collapsed.

When Dunstan Zodoo, radiating a bloodthirsty aura, stepped into the renowned Pearl Palace, he found it deserted. Prince Seneca Newman of Kagoshima had vanished without a trace, leaving only the open palace gates, a symbol of his escape without a fight.

Dunstan Zoglu successfully captured this strategic location that controlled the shipbuilding lifeline of the Midsummer Islands.