Game of Thrones: The Road to Pirate King

Chapter 411 A Gift—Friendship!

As Euron's merchant ships slowly approached the black rock-built dock, the rulers of New Gith were already on high alert. They did not greet them with humility, but rather with a silent show of force.

The six benevolent figures were clad in the magnificent traditional robes of the Neogis—robe woven from the most expensive Tyros scarlet silk, Lyskin thread, and peacock feathers from the Summer Islands. Against the deathly gray backdrop, they shone like blood and jewels spilled on a coal heap. Intricate Gis crests were embroidered on the robes with gold and silver threads, each line symbolizing power and wealth.

Even more oppressive than their glamorous attire was the wall of steel and flesh erected in front of them.

At the front stood the war elephant regiment, colossal beasts clad in bronze and wrought iron plate armor, like moving hills. Their mere presence cast shadows that swallowed the sunlight. Their thick legs were like stone pillars, and their long trunks occasionally swung uneasily, producing a dull whistling sound. Inside the towers carried on their backs, warriors wielding spears and bows had cold, icy eyes, as if they might unleash a torrential downpour of death at any moment.

Behind the war elephants stood the iron-willed army, solemn as an iron wall.

The soldiers were dressed in uniform, gleaming black iron armor, and beneath their helmets were expressionless faces.

Faces deeply marked by their Giese bloodline. The halberds in their hands stood like a forest, reflecting a dangerous, cold light in the sweltering air, like a metallic jungle capable of tearing any intruder apart in an instant. The entire army was silent, save for the soft, icy scraping sound of the sea breeze rustling through their armor.

Behind the benevolent lords, submissive servants held aloft enormous harpy banners.

The banshee's claws and fangs were grotesquely exposed on the faded red cloth, and countless flags fluttered in the sea breeze, like a group of insatiable ghosts hovering above the rotting flesh, proclaiming the ancient and cruel laws of this land.

The rough stone pier was ignited by a splash of red—a thick red carpet stretched out from the depths of the pier, like flowing blood, leading straight to Euron's feet. In this cold military fortress dominated by black, white, and gray, this splash of red stood out so abruptly and ostentatiously, carrying an almost defiant luxury.

Euron Greyjoy did not walk the red carpet alone. Alicia was by his side, never lagging behind. She walked alongside him, her arm naturally linked with his, a gesture that showed both intimacy and support.

Alicia's appearance instantly drew many eyes. Although Alicia rarely attended such occasions filled with insincere etiquette and gorgeous robes, the warrior queen's charm was still dazzling.

Alicia didn't wear the dazzling robes of the New Gith lords, but instead appeared in a dark gray, form-fitting hunting suit, the leather and chainmail outlining her well-trained, lithe figure. Her long hair was simply draped behind her head, revealing her smooth forehead and her sharp, eagle-like eyes, devoid of any awkwardness or obsequiousness, only a calmness born from the crucible of iron and fire. She walked beside Euron, her steps steady, her back straight, displaying not the elegance of a noblewoman, but the composure of a battlefield commander, rooted in strength.

Euron was unaware of the grand welcome from New Gissouks. But Euron was not surprised; he simply stepped onto the red carpet without hesitation, as it was the courtesy he deserved.

The moment that truly elevated the welcoming ceremony beyond the mundane and into the realm of the bizarre occurred when he walked past the enormous herd of elephants.

Those colossal beasts, resembling small mountains draped in bronze and clad in multicolored silk, should have been terrifying beings capable of crushing everything on the battlefield. But just as Euron's figure approached, the lead war elephant let out a low, guttural roar...

With a sound almost like a sob, it suddenly bent its thick, pillar-like forelimbs and knelt down with a thud.

Like the first domino falling, then the second, the third—the entire line of war elephants successively adopted this posture of submission, their heavy knees pounding the ground with a chilling thud. At the same time, their thick trunks were raised high, like a procession paying homage to a deity, piercing the sky.

A roar, a mixture of awe and wildness, rose into the sky, tearing through the air of the harbor, like an ancient and savage hymn.

This was the highest level of etiquette the New Githians used to welcome distinguished guests, and it was also a way for them to demonstrate to Euron that they had complete control over war elephants.

As Euron Greyjoy and Alicia traversed the formidable barrier of war elephants and iron legions and stepped onto the platform at the end of the dock, six benevolent figures clad in magnificent robes stood solemnly before a colossal harpy statue, awaiting their arrival.

The statue, ten feet tall, was carved from a single block of obsidian, the same material as the island's foundation. The polished rock reflected an unsettling glow under the blazing sun, and the harpy's outstretched wings seemed to blot out the sky. Its female face held a cold and arrogant expression, carrying the awe-inspiring majesty of the ancient Ghis Empire.

Euron stopped in front of the good lords and calmly swept his gaze over them.

Without a word, the six benevolent rulers who held the power of the new Gith, as if they had practiced countless times, clenched their right fists and placed them on their left chests above their hearts, then bowed their heads deeply—this was the ancient Gith ritual, a gesture originating from the heyday of the Gith Empire.

After the ceremony, the leading benevolent ruler, Hitzdalla zo Lorak, stepped forward and said in a steady voice, "Great Lord of the Sea Beasts, Euron Greyjoy, Neogis welcomes you. Please follow me." As his representative, he led Euron and Alicia to the ceremonial platform specially erected beside the port.

This makeshift altar, also constructed of rough obsidian, features a smaller harpy statue that mirrors the colossus behind it, serving as a microcosm and projection of immense power.

A priest, clad in a long black robe and with a golden harpy mask covering his face, emerged silently from the shadows to the front of the platform. He held in his hands an ancient-looking bronze goblet filled with a thick, blood-like liquid that gleamed a dark red in the sunlight. The priest offered the goblet to Euron, his voice, distorted by the metal beneath his mask, sounding hollow and solemn: "Drink this blood wine. In the name of salt, blood, and ancient oaths, you will become New Gith's most honored friend, and our ports and markets will be open to you."

The air seemed to freeze at that moment. All eyes were fixed on that glass of wine. This glass of wine was an ancient ritual, a bridge of trust.

If a guest accepts this "friendship," he must drink the wine. This action symbolizes that the outsider voluntarily integrates into the deeply rooted power and belief system of New Gisso and acknowledges the constraints of its rules.

Euron did not hesitate, reached out and took the wine glass, and drank it all in one gulp.

As the welcoming remarks faded into the solemn air, the moment of gift-giving arrived. The leading philanthropists stepped forward one by one, their words and gestures carefully chosen.

Benevolent Master Max Mo Cantak nodded slightly, his voice loud and ceremonial: "Welcome, distinguished guest from the Iron Islands, Lord Euron, the Lord of the Sea Beasts who shakes the four seas. Your arrival has given new luster to the ancient port of Newgis."

The benevolent ruler, Sizidala Zo Lorak, stepped forward, his demeanor more composed and reserved, representing the will of the entire city-state: "On behalf of New Gis, we welcome your arrival! May the memories and friendship of this land leave a deep impression on you."

The obese benevolent patron, Robert na Gissen, wore a perfectly measured smile. He clapped his hands lightly, signaling his attendant to present the gift box, and said in a smooth voice, "As a sign of respect, please allow us to offer our small gift, a token of our appreciation from New Gis, which we hope will not disappoint you."

Euron Greyjoy's one eye swept over the group of well-dressed rulers before him, and he replied in a low voice, "Thank you for your gracious hospitality."

The gift that followed, personally delivered by Sizidala Zo Lorak, immediately demonstrated the sincerity and prestige of the new Gis.

The first thing that catches the eye is a longsword set on black velvet. Its blade is long and narrow, displaying a dark, water-like texture—a material forged only in the volcanoes and magic of Valyria. "This sword is forged from true Valyrian steel," Hizdal's voice held the solemnity of displaying a treasure, "It is as light as a feather, incomparably sharp, and never dulls. It is the gift a warrior desires most; only the truly strong are worthy of possessing and wielding it."

This is not just a weapon, but a symbol of status, a legendary item that any lord or king would dream of.

Another "gift" was presented silently. On the other side of the dock, a group of slaves were brought forward. They were quite different from ordinary slaves; their skin was a delicate honey color, their faces were exquisite, and most remarkably, each of them had golden curly hair and amber-like eyes.

"These are over three hundred slaves from Nas Island," Hitzdala said calmly. "They are renowned for their beauty, docility, and artistic talent, and are the favorite bed partners, musicians, and servants of the lords of various city-states. Lord Euron is now the protector of Nas Island, and their fate belongs to you. We, the New Gith, promise never to purchase Nas Islanders as slaves again through any means."

This "gift" was indeed unexpected for Euron.

Euron had envisioned gold, jewels, and even warships, but he never imagined it would be living people with the blood of Nath flowing through their veins.

Hizdalla Zollarak was indeed very clever. He skillfully bypassed the vulgar treasures and directly touched upon the deeper desires of those in power—not to be flattered, but to be deeply understood and respected. He knew how to truly "please" someone like Euron, not by piling up material possessions, but by precisely feeding him with symbolic meaning.

Of all the lavish gifts presented, it was the Nath Islanders with their golden curly hair and amber eyes who truly gave Euron a sense of being respected.

This gift represents recognition of Euron-Nath's status as the ruler of Euron-Nath.

“Good Lord Sizdala,” Euron’s voice boomed, loud enough for everyone around to hear, “to me they are not a gift in themselves.”

"They are the bridge, the token! They represent the unbreakable friendship that has just been forged between us!" Euron chuckled. "On their behalf, I thank you for your kindness! Thank you for rescuing them from their wandering fate and leading them to the wider world of the Iron Islands!"

Sizdala Zo Lorak bowed slightly, responding politely and humbly, "It is my great honor, Lord Euron. May this friendship, like the bronze of ancient Valyria, remain ever new."

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