Game of Thrones: The Road to Pirate King

Chapter 414 Coronation—King of the Serpent Islands

As dawn breaks, departing from the cursed white coast of New Gissna, the familiar outline of Teardrop Island pierces the night mist and comes into view amidst the starlight and moonlight.

On this voyage, the Centipede of the Bone Sea cut through the waves, several times faster than the fastest sailboat, easily turning the vast sea into a thoroughfare.

After reaching the shore, the enormous sea monster slowly sank into the deep waters near Teardrop Island, and Euron and Alicia stepped onto the shore.

On the quiet beach on the way to his home, Euron stopped and turned to the silent warrior queen beside him.

Euron spoke up, "Alicia, will you still be traveling with me from here on out?" He paused, then smiled, "This road is getting longer and longer. We won't be staying here for long; we'll be setting sail again soon."

Alicia met his gaze, and instead of answering immediately, asked, "Where are we going this time?"

Euron made no attempt to conceal anything, the names he uttered unfolding like an ancient and distant sea chart: "Eastward. Little Morak, Valhalla, Great Morak, Elephant Island—" Each name represented a longer voyage, more unknown dangers, and a greater ambition.

Alicia was silent for a moment, the sea breeze ruffling her hair.

She looked up, her gaze sharp as she watched him casually recount those distant islands, and sighed, "Your ambition is truly too great—" Her voice was soft, teasing, "Are you aiming to become the king of the Summer Sea and the Jade Sea?"

Upon hearing this, Euron first let out a low chuckle, as if she had come up with a very interesting idea.

He gazed at the dark sea in the east that had swallowed countless stars. "I never thought about it before, but now that I think about it, this title sounds—quite good."

That's neither an admission nor a denial, but a kind of acceptance that takes grand goals for granted, as if they were already within one's grasp.

Alicia did not hesitate at all, her conviction unwavering: "I will continue eastward with you."

Euron turned his head and deliberately drew out his words, "Oh? Aren't you worried about your Island of Women, our esteemed Queen?"

"No worries," Alicia replied crisply, offering a rational analysis: "The Summer Islands are now unified, more so than ever before. Besides, your Golden Sea Monster flag flies high on the seas, and you've wiped out those annoying pirates from the Stepstone Islands and the Serpent Lizard Islands. With your rear as solid as a rock, what do I have to worry about?"

Euron chuckled softly, "Does this mean you, my queen, truly intend to stay with me until the end of the world?"

Alicia raised an eyebrow, a bright, almost arrogant smile blooming on her face, and turned the tables on him: "Is that not allowed?" She took a half step forward, looked up at Euron, and said with a sly accusation in her tone, "Blame yourself!"

"My fault?" Euron was clearly not prepared for this answer.

"Is it your fault that you're no good?" Alicia drawled out the last syllable, her gaze sweeping over him meaningfully, her tone undisguisedly mocking.

Euron didn't understand for a moment:

Before he could react, Alicia leaned close to his ear and whispered in a voice only the two of them could hear, her words incredibly bold: "I told you, I'd go back if I got pregnant. But you—it seems you really can't—"

This statement was like lighting a powder keg.

Euron's initial surprise was instantly replaced by burning anger and a desire to conquer. He abruptly grabbed her waist, pulled her closer, and almost gritted his teeth as he growled in her ear, "Fine! Today I'll take you—"

The moonlight, like a ribbon, poured down on the quiet bay of Teardrop Island.

The fine waves repeatedly licked the black sand, as if repeating some ancient secret.

Euron grabbed the edge of her leather armor with both hands, and with a sharp sound of fabric tearing through leather, he ripped open Alicia's leather armor.

The leather armor fell away with a snap, revealing the firm muscles and undulating curves beneath, which gleamed like ivory in the cool moonlight.

Until the moon rises and dawn breaks —

Inside the cold, dark stone hall of Teardrop Island.

"I once said that I would make you, Edwin Ramirez, the King of the Lizard Islands." Euron's voice echoed clearly between the stone walls: "Now, the islands have been cleansed, the heads of rebels adorn the harbors, and the Lizard Islands are unified. It is time to fulfill my promise."

Edwin Ramirez, standing below, did not show any joy or longing. He remained silent for a moment, a clear-headed understanding of reality flashing across his face.

Edwin raised his head, his gaze honest yet tinged with caution, and replied in a steady voice, "My lord, the honor you bestow upon me fills me with trepidation. But this land is a chaotic place that has been barely held together by your name and iron fist. The island lords fear the shadow of the Lord of the Sea Beasts, the behemoths of the deep sea that obey your commands, not the name of me, Edwin Ramirez." He shook his head slightly, his tone firm, "My reputation cannot quell the undercurrents that still stir beneath it."

Edwin Ramirez made his decision: "The title of King of the Basilisk Islands should still belong to..."

"You, and only you." Then, with a chuckle, he added, "As for me, managing the daily administration, taxation, and security of this archipelago—I'll just be the 'General Manager of the Serpent Lizard Islands.'"

This title signifies responsibility and toil, not supreme power and glory. He chose to remain in the background, acting as a figurehead, leaving the crown of kingship and potential challenges to those who could suppress everything with their terrifying power.

After a moment, Euron did not force him.

"As you wish, Edwin," Euron finally said. "Be the steward, it's just a title. You'll have full authority over the affairs of the island, unless it's something you can't handle or that threatens your rule, then don't tell me."

Edwin Ramirez raised his glass in one hand, took a small sip, and stroked his beard with the other, chuckling, "Don't worry, I value my life a lot. By the way, Euron, King of the Lizard Islands, you are a king after all, a coronation ceremony is still necessary, you know~~~"

Euron Greyjoy was not particularly concerned with whether he would be given the title "King of the Lizard Islands." For him, empty titles were far less important than actual control. But political wisdom told him that now that the islands were unified, the order built of steel and blood needed a formal recognition to solidify it. This title had to be announced to the known world, letting everyone know—sovereignty over these waters had changed hands, and he had set the new rules.

Euron did not choose to hold a grand and extravagant coronation ceremony, as that was not in the style of the Ironborn and would be too much of a waste of time. Instead, he summoned all the Ironborn captains who had participated in the conquest and the newly subjugated pirate leaders to the natural circular bay facing the sea on the Isle of Tears in a manner very characteristic of the Iron Islands.

There was no elaborate throne, no elaborate ceremony. Euron stood atop a towering black reef, looking down at the rough, untamed sailors below, their bodies bearing various scars and trophies. His voice carried clearly through the crashing waves as he simply announced the matter: "From this day forward, the Serpent Islands belong to me! I, Euron Greyjoy, am their king!"

Without seeking consent, he simply declared a fact. His response was a deafening clatter of weapons against shields and wild cheers from below.

After the announcement, the Ironborn and the pirates celebrated in a way that was most understandable to them—a grand carnival with plenty of food and drink.

Huge bonfires blazed on the beach, whole roasted cows and suckling pigs sizzled over the flames, and barrels of ale and rum were pried open, their murky liquids spilling freely. The air was thick with the aroma of meat, the scent of alcohol, and the rough songs and shouts of the men. This was the conquerors' night, rewarding their followers in the most primal way, and with this pure, powerful clamor, announcing the arrival of a new era to the entire Narrow Sea.