Game of Thrones: The Road to Pirate King

Chapter 397 Your conditions—I won't agree to any of them!

In the dawn fog, a ship flying a white flag drifted like a withered leaf toward the black silhouette of the Iron Islands fleet.

Hawkeye Coz stood alone at the bow of the ship, the white flag in his hand trembling in the salty sea breeze, just like his state of mind at that moment.

As he was led onto the broad deck of the Zhiyuan, the sound of his iron boots on the wooden planks seemed particularly hollow. Euron Greyjoy, with his back to him, gazed into the distance at the gradually clearing outline of Fly Island. The sea breeze ruffled his long, dark hair, and his figure seemed to blend into the ship itself.

King Baron, like a crouching bear, leaned against the mainmast with his arms crossed, his thick fingers unconsciously stroking the axe handle. The other six island lords stood on either side, like sea eagles perched on reefs, their silent and sharp gazes fixed on the envoy.

Koz felt a tightness in his throat. In the suffocating silence, the white flag in his hand fell limp.

Lord Harlo of Ten Towers City stepped forward, his iron boots striking the deck. His gaze, like two icy spikes, pierced the messenger holding the white flag: "Messenger from Fly Island, state your purpose."

Hawkeye Coz's Adam's apple bobbed, the edge of the white flag trembling slightly between his fingers. He forced himself to raise his head to meet the figure who had always kept his back to him: "Lord of the Sea Beasts, Lord Euron—we are willing to submit."

King Baron let out a sneer, his massive body leaning forward slightly, casting a shadow that almost completely enveloped Koz: "Submit? Can you, one person, represent all those bone-gnawing wild dogs on Fly Island?"

"Before coming here," Koz deliberately ignored the adjective "wild dogs," and hurriedly explained, his voice slightly hoarse with tension, "the island's leaders have reached a consensus. However—we still need some security guarantees—"

The patriarch of the Stonehouse family on Old Wake Island strode forward, his weathered face contorted with rage, and his voice boomed like thunder: "So, you're trying to negotiate with me?!"

Forced back half a step by this imposing aura, Koz nearly dropped the white flag: "No—we wouldn't dare. We just want to know, after submitting to the Iron Islands, what fate awaits us—what destiny will we face?"

Lord Guberle of Warhammerhorn tapped his knuckles against the battle axe at his waist, producing a dull thud, his voice as cold as polar ice: "Speak, what conditions do you want?"

Hawkeye Koz's eyes twitched uncontrollably, but he forced himself to remain calm as he spoke: "We—we hope to continue our presence on Fly Island and retain the Brotherhood's existing members. As for Nash Island," he swallowed hard, "now that we are under the protection of the Master, we are willing to relinquish our business there."

Euron, who had been facing away from him, suddenly chuckled softly. He slowly turned around, his heterochromatic eyes devoid of any warmth: "Same territory, same crew, same business—except we abandoned a business that should never have existed in the first place. So, tell me," his voice was as gentle as a blade grazing leather, "what is the purpose of our large-scale mobilization?"

"We wish to plant the golden sea monster flag on our islands," Hawkeye Coz hurriedly added, "and declare ourselves part of the Iron Islands—"

"Become one of us?!" King Baron's roar exploded like thunder, his massive hand slamming against the ship's gunwale, shaking the entire vessel. "This is your reward to us? This is the Iron Islands' honor bestowed upon you scum!"

Koz trembled in fright and bowed repeatedly: "Of course, of course it is a great honor—but our submission will also allow the Iron Islands' fame to spread more quickly throughout the Summer Sea—"

The patriarch of the Drum family on Old Wake Island burst into thunderous laughter, his voice dripping with sarcasm: "When has the prestige of the Iron Islands ever needed you gutter rats to promote it for us!"

Euron raised his hand, a simple gesture, and all the laughter and shouting on the deck came to an abrupt halt.

The sea breeze swept through the sudden silence, ruffling the black hair on his forehead.

Euron's gaze fell on "Hawkeye" Coz, his voice calm yet carrying an undeniable decisiveness, each word striking the other's heart: "All the conditions you just proposed—" He paused deliberately, watching the faint flame of hope begin to flicker in the messenger's eyes, and coldly said, "I—reject all of them!"

Koz's face turned deathly pale instantly.

"Fly Island, flies, flies—it sounds filthy!" Euron said with disgust. "That name is awful. It will be renamed, and who will be qualified to be stationed there after that is up to the Iron Islands. It's none of your business."

"Since you have chosen to submit to the Iron Islands, the Brotherhood of Bones will naturally cease to exist and will be disbanded effective immediately. The fate of all former members of the Brotherhood of Bones is my decision. If, as you say, your entire force is preserved intact, then that is not true incorporation."

"That's called condoning! Waiting for you all to gather and rebel at any time, then stab us in the back!"

Euron declared resolutely, his voice clearly reaching Hawkeye Coz's ears: "The final point, and not just on Nath. On all the islands under our Iron Islands' rule, the slave trade will be uprooted and completely banned!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the only sounds on the deck of the Zhiyuan were the sound of waves crashing against the hull and Coz's heavy, desperate breathing.

Euron's voice was not loud, but calm as always: "Go back and tell Old Bones" Colin, tell every one of you Brotherhood members who call yourselves tough bones—" He leaned forward slightly, his shadow pressing down on Coz like a cliff, "Everyone in the Brotherhood of Bones must be standing on the beach of Fly Island when the first rays of sunlight pierce the sea tomorrow."

He raised a finger: "To welcome the arrival of our fleet, kneel down, bow your heads, and raise your swords high. This is the submission I acknowledge."

Euron's heterochromatic pupils suddenly contracted, and a deep-sea-like killing intent surged in his voice: "Don't try to bargain with me."

You have only two choices: accept it, or die.

Just as Coz froze, stunned by this terrifying aura, Euron suddenly swung his sleeves, creating a sharp whistling sound: "Now."

The sound was like a thunderclap, causing Coz to stagger backward.

"roll!"

The white flag fell to the ground, swirled in the salty sea breeze, and drifted down onto the dark green sea.

Hawkeye Coz practically stumbled back to the small boat, completely unaware that he had left the white flag on the deck of the Zhiyuan.

The small boat turned around hastily amidst the waves, fleeing towards Fly Island like a startled water strider.

Euron turned and looked at the three Lonely Lantern Island sisters standing quietly to the side. He said softly, "Let your crow companions go and take a look." Euron looked in the direction of Fly Island and smiled, "Keep an eye on Fly Island and see what choice these trapped beasts will make."

The three sisters bowed in unison, their dark gray cloaks billowing in unison in the wind.

They didn't even need to exchange words. One of them simply raised her hand, and three jet-black crows silently slipped out from the shadow of the mast, like drops of ink blending into the gloomy sky, heading straight for the distant, indistinct island.

"As you wish, sir."

Their voices overlapped, carrying a kind of inhuman rhythm, like whispers coming from the sea mist.