Game of Thrones: The Road to Pirate King

Chapter 423 Elephant Island - The Fall

Taking over Morak Port was not originally part of Euron's plans.

A port that had been voluntarily abandoned was taken over directly by Dono Sucref, the owner of Salt Cliff Island, along with his son Ralph Sucref.

But ever since he touched upon the mysteries of the "Path to Godhood," and ever since he sensed the threads of faith flowing into his body, Euron's thoughts changed. This invisible power had become the resource he craved most, the only ladder to a higher dimension.

Euron eventually went there himself, just to stand on that newly conquered land, to witness his flag being raised, and to personally feel the perhaps clearer echo of faith that would follow.

Euron did not come by boat.

A sharp screech pierced the clouds from the horizon, and a massive shadow suddenly loomed over Port Morakot.

Euron rode the shadowy long-winged dragon he had subdued from the horn of a pterosaur, tearing through the sky and hovering briefly above the kneeling, terrified civilians before falling like a meteor.

The gale whipped up by the dragon's wings carried sulfur and oppressive force. His figure, standing atop the dragon's spine, was in everyone's eyes no different from a legendary god descending to earth.

The instant he landed, an invisible mental storm erupted from him, and he simultaneously unleashed his Conqueror's Haki.

The terrifying pressure, like a tangible tsunami, instantly swept across the entire port, causing the already kneeling civilians to tremble and tremble with fear.

In this extreme fear, Euron clearly sensed a power of faith far more powerful and fervent than ever before surging into his body. This sacrifice born of fear added brick by brick to his long path to godhood.

The newly appointed governor, Ralph Sucliff, remained in Morakot, and the Iron Islands fleet immediately set sail, its sights set on Elephant Island, a giant island whose outline was already faintly visible to the northeast. Their target was Zabada, a port city on the island's northern coast.

Zabada, a city standing on the shores of the Jade Sea, is the most important gateway and hub on Elephant Island. Deeply rooted in a vast maritime trade network, it is an indispensable link in this golden shipping route.

The city's inhabitants are of mixed blood, including Essos merchants who came from across the sea, as well as Elephant Island natives with bronze skin and features of the ancient Gith Empire. Here, the devotion to the "Sea Goddess," the patron goddess of trade, is extremely prevalent, and her temple is always filled with incense, protecting the passing ships and their wealth.

Although its prosperity was far less dazzling than that of Qarth or Braavos, Zabada, with its unique geographical location and solid trading foundation, played an irreplaceable role in the Jade Sea trade circle, a cog in the machine that, though not glittering, was of vital importance.

The Iron Islands fleet was at the city gates, but Elephant Island showed no sign of submission.

Their response was the tightly closed, heavy city gate, and the deep, oppressive roar of elephants coming from behind the wall, a sound that seemed to come from an ancient behemoth, reverberating in the air.

On the city wall, the figure of Anselm Rodriguez, the garrison commander of Zabada, appeared. He stood leaning against the battlements, his voice carrying on the sea breeze: "Honorable Lord of the Sea Beasts, Lord Euron! We of Zabada have no intention of being your enemy; we only wish to live in peace in this corner of the world, maintaining our independence and autonomy!"

On the flagship of the fleet, Euron slowly shook his head. His voice was not loud, but it carried an undeniable resolve as he clearly replied, "We have come from afar only to bring this sea under a unified order. For a future free from pirates and war." He paused, then offered the only choice: "You are presented with only two paths—surrender, or death."

Anselm Rodriguez did not back down. He pointed into the city, demonstrating their confidence: "On the vast ocean, we may not be a match for the Iron Fleet, but behind these walls, we possess the invincible legion of war elephants!"

Upon hearing this, Baron burst into laughter. He cracked his thick neck, then roared excitedly, "Good! I haven't stretched my muscles on the way here, through several islands. My bones are practically rusting! Perfect, I'll use your war elephants to loosen them up!"

The Ironborn behind him were like raging flames, raising their swords and axes high and letting out deafening roars, their wild fighting spirit soaring into the sky.

Euron gently patted the hard neck scales of the Shadow Wyvern and ordered the crowd, "I will ride the Flying Shadow into the city from the air and open the gates for you."

Upon hearing this, Baron immediately frowned, his rugged face filled with disapproval: "While 'Flying Shadow' is indeed formidable, the city is heavily guarded, and there are also those thick-skinned war elephants! Taking the risk personally is simply unwise!"

Euron simply smiled, turning his gaze to the three sisters standing quietly to the side: "It's alright. Rachel, Neytil, and Zoea, you ride Halsien and use a few cans of 'Wildfire' in the air to block the main road and intercept the war elephants' charge."

He looked at Baron and said, "I will wait until you launch a strong attack from the front and attract the attention of all the defenders before taking advantage of the chaos to enter the city."

The Iron Islands' warships stopped some distance from the shore, and the fierce Ironborn waded through waist-deep water and roared ashore.

They unloaded the heavy battering rams that had been prepared beforehand from the large ship, and dozens of people worked together to lift them up, making them like a moving steel behemoth, steadily advancing towards the tightly closed city gates of Zabada.

On the city wall, the defending troops responded.

In an instant, arrows rained down from the city walls like a dense downpour, accompanied by the shrill screams of death.

The Ironborn below were prepared. They swiftly raised their sturdy wooden shields, forming a continuous protective barrier above their heads. Arrows thrashed against the shields, yet failed to penetrate. Under the cover of this moving shield formation, the Ironborn fiercely protected the massive battering ram, marching with unified, heavy steps, like vengeful sea gods, launching a ferocious assault on the city gate!

The real fatal blow came from the sky.

Just as the defenders on the city walls were doing their best to deal with the attack from below, Euron rode "Flying Shadow" down from the clouds. His huge dragon wings tore through the air, carrying a suffocating pressure. His target was clear: the inside of the city gate!

The hundreds of soldiers who were originally standing guard at the city gate were terrified when they saw the enormous beast descending with its shadow. They scattered in panic and fled.

When Fei Ying landed with a thud and landed steadily in front of You Lun, there were only a few dozen guards still holding their ground at the city gate.

Feiying bared its massive jaws, filled with sharp teeth, and unleashed a deafening roar, the sound waves carrying the primal savagery of the pterosaur's horns. The war elephants that were about to charge in the distance, intimidated by this terrifying dragon's might, let out uneasy mournful cries and hesitated to advance.

The archers on the city wall reacted quickly and aimed, and a few arrows came flying from all directions.

To protect Euren, Feiying had to spread its huge wings as a human shield. In an instant, dozens of arrows were deeply embedded in its wing membranes and body, but it still stood as tall as a mountain.

Under this brief cover, Euron had already pounced like a ghost into the midst of the dozens of city gate guards.

He drew his twin swords, their cold light gleaming like wheels, each strike precise and deadly. Facing these ordinary soldiers, he didn't need a second strike; one sword per person, and he slicing through them like vegetables, completely wiping out the resistance below the city gate.

The three sisters of Lonely Lantern Island stood steadily on the broad back of the thousand-year-old dragon Halsien, calmly estimating their location, and precisely threw dozens of ceramic fire pots in their hands toward the main road of the city and the area where the war elephants were gathered.

The earthenware jar shattered upon touching the ground, and a thick, emerald-colored liquid suddenly surged forth, bursting into eerie and scorching seas of fire.

The flames did not directly engulf a large number of enemy troops, but their inability to be extinguished with water and their ability to burn even on stone walls instantly caused immense panic and chaos behind the defenders. Troops attempting to reinforce the city gates were blocked by the wall of fire, and war elephants hesitated in fear before the towering flames—this perfectly timed aerial fire attack became the final straw that broke the morale of the Zabada defenders.

With a heavy creaking sound, the city gate, which had been repeatedly struck by battering rams and had its obstacles cleared from the inside by Euron, finally burst open.

The Iron People, who had been waiting outside the city, surged into the city like a black tide, accompanied by wild shouts and the cold glint of their weapons.

The fall of the city gates officially signaled the end of organized resistance in Zabada, and what followed was an inevitable crushing and conquest.