Game of Thrones: The Road to Pirate King

Chapter 412 Relaxing and Traveling

Euron Greyjoy was indeed there to "play," just as he claimed when he arrived—or so everyone thought.

While representatives of the Ice and Fire Merchant Guild sat at the negotiating table with officials from the new city of Gith, haggling over tariffs, berths, and commodity quotas, the true mastermind behind everything, the Lord of the Sea Beasts, didn't even bother to show his face. Euron didn't interfere in the guild's affairs, as if that vast commercial empire was merely a die he had casually thrown.

In fact, under the protection of his fearsome reputation and unfathomable military power, the Ice and Fire Merchant Guild easily negotiated all the terms themselves, and the process went remarkably smoothly.

Euron, having shed all his official identities, led the Warrior Queen Alicia to a meticulously planned operation in New Giss.

Wander freely through streets and markets imbued with a military atmosphere.

Like a curious traveler, he immersed himself in experiencing the raw yet vibrant atmosphere of this port city.

Euron and Alicia savored the local spicy and pungent apricot wine in a simple shack by the dock; they peeled salted duck eggs with spices at a stall by the stone steps of the market; they entered a smoke-filled eatery and dipped black bread into a pottery bowl of octopus stewed until thick and flavorful; and even when the shopkeeper served a plate of dog meat whose original flavor was masked by a large amount of garlic and chili, he tasted it without batting an eye.

He would taste all kinds of meat, whether it was ordinary livestock or roasted meat unique to New Gigantomach, known as "rock rats."

Euron wasn't just savoring the food; he was using his taste buds to measure the produce and resources of this land, as well as the customs of the people who lived here. Alicia silently followed beside him, watching him talk to the stall owner, watching him flick a silver coin to the child performing fire-eating, smiling faintly. This was the first time she had seen another side of Euron since they met.

Euron and Alicia's "play" was far more in-depth than the casual strolls of ordinary travelers.

Their footsteps, seemingly random, precisely covered every key area of ​​this military city-state—from the heavily guarded military zones to the bustling residential areas and the port where ships came and went. Their gaze swept past the surface, sharply dissecting the city's layout, its true strength, its proud advantages, and its weaknesses that it tried to hide.

In the military zone, towering black walls completely isolate it from the outside world.

The military camp was built of thick volcanic rock, and the roof was covered with dried seaweed, reflecting a pragmatic approach that adapted to the local conditions.

When the doors of the massive armory were wide open, one could vaguely see mountains of spears, shields, and heavy equipment specially made for war elephants.

The massive war elephant pen, emanating a low neighing and a mingled odor, indicated that it could house fifty war elephants—the city's undisputed "core assault force." At the entrance to the military zone, heavy iron gates and towering guard towers formed a death trap, with fully armed soldiers exuding a chilling aura that kept strangers at bay.

The residential area adjacent to the port is where the so-called "Children of the Harpy" live.

The houses are mostly one- or two-story stone buildings with rough terracotta roofs and simple harpy murals painted on the walls. These ancient cultural symbols are the only remaining spiritual sustenance for these people. The streets are narrow and winding, completely unplanned, littered with garbage and debris. The air is filled with the pungent smell of the sea and the rich aroma emanating from street barbecue stalls, trying to mask everything else.

No matter where you go, the city's foundation exudes a coldness.

The city walls and all important buildings were constructed of black volcanic rock, their thickness almost despairing. They had virtually no windows, save for narrow openings for firing at key locations. Their overall appearance was somber and sturdy, like a crouching behemoth. Ordinary dwellings were even simpler, mostly single-story stone houses with thatched roofs, their walls adorned with dried fish and unidentified herbs. The interiors were remarkably simple, consisting of only a living room and a bedroom, with wooden tables and chairs and earthenware jars and dishes comprising all their possessions.

Euron's gaze lingered longest on the powerful war elephant legion. Each of the fifty colossal beasts was clad in iron-plated armor, and their stilt towers were equipped with spears and shields. Commanded by experienced "war elephant captains," their primary mission was to charge into battle, brute force their way through city gates, or simply intimidate the enemy with their size and roar.

The port was silently anchored with approximately fifty triremes, representing the naval power of Newgis. Each warship was staffed with nearly a hundred soldiers, including rowers and archers, and equipped with catapults and bows. Their purpose was to protect the port from pirates and to facilitate the rapid transport of troops to other city-states in Slaver's Bay.

Beneath this seemingly powerful military veneer, Euron and Alicia clearly saw that the inhabitants who called themselves "Sons of the Harpy" lived in extremely harsh conditions. The ancient symbols of glory could not provide sustenance, and the meticulous military planning did not benefit the people.

A glorious past intertwined with a struggling present, the city's true state is far worse than its outward appearance suggests. All of this is silently etched into the minds of two special "tourists."

Of all the buildings in New Gissoko, only the enormous amphitheater was considered the most magnificent by the benevolent rulers.

My proudest masterpiece.

This colossal beast, built of obsidian and volcanic rock, is now emitting a deafening roar, a high-level welcome for distinguished guests—a bloody feast of death.

Euron Greyjoy and Alicia, along with the six Good Lords, sat on the highest platform overlooking the entire arena. The soft cushions and sunshade could not completely block the fervor emanating from the arena.

This performance, which brought together the city's top fighters, was specially organized for his arrival, and its purpose was self-evident: to demonstrate strength while also catering to his preferences.

On the sand, the competition unfolded in the most direct way.

First came the brutal combat between gladiators, blades slicing through flesh and chains snapping bones, each fatal clash eliciting thunderous cheers from the stands. Then, the cages opened, the deep roars of beasts drowning out the human shouts, escalating the scene into a gladiatorial contest between gladiators and ravenous beasts. Lions, shadow leopards, and even a particularly ferocious spotted beast captured from the Red Wasteland, took turns entering the arena, pushing the bloodshed and cruelty to their extreme.

The yellow sand was constantly soaked and turned dark brown, and mangled limbs and weapons were scattered everywhere. This naked exhibition of death captivated thousands of spectators, who cheered and their faces were contorted with extreme excitement.

Euron leaned back in his seat, calmly watching the carnage below, a faint smile playing on his lips. He seemed to be enjoying an entertaining drama rather than witnessing the end of lives. Beside him, Alicia's back remained straight. Her warrior instincts allowed her to calmly assess the movements and weaknesses of each fighter. The deafening revelry and splattering blood failed to sway her in the slightest, only deepening her contemplation in her eyes.

The benevolent rulers assumed that Euron and Alicia were both valiant warriors and would surely enjoy this kind of "competition," but—this kind of fighting where slaves were forced to participate was not the same as fighting on a real battlefield, and there was absolutely no glory in it.