Game of Thrones: The Road to Pirate King

Chapter 426 Military Command - Thunder Island

Rai Island is situated in the three core cities of Rai-i, Rai-ma, and Turani.

Lei Yi, Lei Ma, and Tulani are located on the north, central, and south shores of Lei Island, respectively, and serve different functions:

Lei Yi, as the kingdom's main trading port, relies on the excellent natural harbor on the north coast, attracting numerous merchant ships.

It primarily engages in the export trade of precious spices such as black pepper and cinnamon, dazzling gemstones such as diamonds and jade, and exquisite handicrafts, serving as the lifeline for the kingdom's wealth flow.

Ray-Ma is the true heart and center of power of the Ray Island government. The Queen's palace, "Ceremonium," is located here, overlooking the entire country. Here, unique traditions are embodied in a concrete power structure: the "Military Council," established specifically for the Queen, and the "Fleet Command," set up for the concubines, stand side by side, respectively controlling land and sea power, ensuring a delicate balance and generational continuity of military and maritime power on Ray Island.

Tulani is an ancient masterpiece of the indigenous people of Rei Island, a land also known for its fragrant spices and dazzling gems.

A strange sense of déjà vu swept through Chang Zai Youlun's mind regarding Yidi and Leidao.

This transmigrator, deep within his soul, came from a country called China. Now, every time he saw a foreigner whose face resembled that of his homeland in his memory, an indescribable sense of familiarity quietly emerged.

In Euren's eyes, the Yi lands seemed to be a projection of ancient China in this alien world.

Apart from the language difference, the Yi people's surnames come before their given names, and their clothing, food culture, etiquette, and even the everyday life of the people are almost identical to those of ancient China.

The island of Rai before us has a very deep connection with the Yi region.

Historically, Rai Island was long ruled by the Yi people. During that long period, tens of thousands of Yi soldiers, merchants, adventurers, and mercenaries migrated from the Celestial Empire to this place like a tide, settling and multiplying. As a result, the residents of the northern part of Rai Island today are almost entirely descendants of those Yi immigrants.

Even though Lei Island gained independence four hundred years ago and established its own dynasty, to all outsiders, they were almost indistinguishable from the native inhabitants of Yi Land: they spoke the same language, worshipped the same gods, ate the same food, followed the same customs and festivals, and even revered the supreme Azure Sky Emperor of Yi Capital.

The only, and crucial, difference is this: the people of Thunder Island kneel before their Queen in the Star Crown Palace. This loyalty has remained unchanged for four hundred years.

On the way from Mora Island to Rey Island.

Inside the operations room.

Euron's deep and clear voice reached the ears of the surrounding core island lords: "Thunder Island will be the toughest nut to crack in our eastern expedition so far."

He pointed towards the depths of the island, to the city that symbolized the core of power: "We must strike at the heart of the matter, directly attacking its strongest fortress—Irema. The empress residing deep within the Star Crown Palace is our only chance to open the door to victory."

Euron knew that the enemy he was about to face was no ordinary foe.

The inhabitants of southern Rae Island are purebred natives, a race renowned throughout the known world for their towering stature. Most stand between seven and eight feet tall, resembling moving bronze towers. Their skin resembles finely polished, oiled dark teak, its sheen subtle and restrained. Most unforgettable are their golden eyes, said to possess a vision far surpassing that of other races, clearer and sharper, especially adept at seeing in the dark.

The Creator is wondrous. Despite their towering stature, the women of Rai Island are renowned for their delicate beauty and captivating charm. A unique harmony of strength and grace is found within them.

Euron's tone was unusually grave. "Their army is nothing like the rabble we encountered before. They are well-trained, disciplined, and their fighting strength should not be underestimated. Moreover, their army is quite large."

What I'm most worried about —

"Raiden Island and the Yi region have many ties; it's hard to say whether the Yi region will provide support!"

This means that this will be a tough battle, and we must fight it quickly and strike at the heart of the enemy.

While the Iron Islands fleet was still sailing two days' journey from Thunder Island, an invisible war had already quietly begun.

Euron understood that "knowing yourself and your enemy" was the most solid foundation for winning any war, and he never fought an unprepared battle.

Under his command, the crows driven by the three sisters of Lonely Lantern Island, like invisible ghosts, had quietly arrived at the heart of Thunder Island—the city of Rema—days before the fleet. These black messengers traversed the streets and palaces, transforming the most subtle pulse of this city, soon to face war, into intelligence, and sending it back continuously.

Deeper, darker waters lie dormant, four colossal sea monsters driven by Euron's will, like moving underwater mountains, silently lurking in the key shipping lanes surrounding Thunder Island. They are hidden, deadly shackles, waiting only for their master's command to drag any enemy who dares to venture out to sea into the abyss.

Within the majestic Star Crown Palace, the core of power on Thunder Island was jointly constructed by three individuals.

The history and prestige of Raiden Island began with its founding empress—Garoya, who was later revered as a "great woman" and was a pure-blooded Raiden Islander.

In order to consolidate the nascent dynasty and integrate various forces, Galoya innovatively married two husbands: one from Lei Island and one from Yi Land.

This was not a simple marriage, but a well-thought-out political design. This unique tradition of having two husbands was thus passed down by later empresses and became the cornerstone of the power structure on Rai Island.

Under this tradition, the Empress's principal wife controlled the army, while her concubines commanded the fleet, forming a stable system of separation of power between the land and sea, with each side checking and balancing the other.

Queen Nuya Remus sat regally on her throne. Approaching forty, time had not diminished her beauty; rather, it had added to her mature majesty. Her appearance was a delicate blend of Eastern and Western features, possessing both the refined contours of the East and the profound elegance of the West. Beautiful and regal, her every smile and gesture exuded a captivating charm.

Standing to her right on her throne was her husband, Cicero Arnold. This giant from the Isle of Rhae was seven feet five inches tall and as imposing as a mountain.

His muscles were bulging and knotted, like the roots of an old oak tree weathered by time; his shoulders were so broad they almost completely obscured the back of the throne behind the Queen. His skin was as dark as scorched earth, and on his bronze chest, a gruesome old scar ran diagonally from his collarbone down to his abdominal muscles, silently telling the story of his valiant past. He had shaved his head, leaving only long hair at his temples, which he braided into thick, tough "battle ropes" that hung down beside his ears, adding to his fierce appearance.

Half a step to the left of the throne was her husband, Luo Xiong, a concubine from Yi territory.

He wore a monkey-tail hat, a distinctive feature of the barbarian lands, and beneath the brim, his eyes shone brightly, gleaming with wisdom and shrewdness. His appearance and skin were exactly the same as those of the ancient Chinese people in Euron's memory, making him seem both familiar and out of place in this exotic court.

The atmosphere inside the main hall of the Star Crown Palace was as heavy as iron.

Queen Nuya Remus sat on her throne, her fingertips lightly tapping the ivory armrests, her voice tinged with barely perceptible worry: "Euron Greyjoy's Iron Islands fleet, Lord of the Sea Beasts, has already razed Elephant Isle and is still sailing eastward." She raised her eyes, her gaze sweeping over her two husbands: "Do you think their next target might be us?"

Luo Xiong, the concubine's husband, stroked his chin calmly and replied, "Your Majesty, we cannot completely rule out this possibility. We must prepare in advance; only by being prepared can we avoid trouble."

Upon hearing this, Cicero Arnold, the husband of the first wife, let out a deep, rumbling groan, like the beating of a war drum. His massive frame radiated the excitement of a warmonger: "I've heard of him since the Battle of the Stepstones! I heard he even won the tournament of single combat in Westeros. Haha, perfect timing! I was just about to personally entertain him, to have a good match and see if his blade is faster or my axe is sharper!"

The Queen frowned slightly, her voice becoming more serious: "Cicero, do not underestimate your enemy. War is not a one-on-one duel. He has successively conquered the Steppe Islands, the Summer Islands, Nas Island, and the Serpent Islands—his eastward expedition is aimed directly at us. His strength should not be underestimated."

Luo Xiong took over the conversation, offering a more calm and specific analysis: "The battle at the Stone Steps Islands is old news from many years ago."

The only truly tough battle recently was the one at the Lizard Islands. According to reliable intelligence, their core fighting force numbers around 14,000 to 15,000 men. In terms of sheer numbers, this isn't a major issue; our forces far outnumber theirs, and we also have fortified walls.

He abruptly changed the subject, his tone becoming extremely solemn: "The real key and variable lies with Euron, the Lord of the Sea Beasts himself."

Luo Xiong looked up at the Queen and delivered the most unsettling intelligence: "We received information that he subdued a ferocious Shadow Wyvern while passing by the Wyvern Horn. Most terrifying of all are the deep-sea monsters he controls—the Sea Kings—whose true power is immeasurable and capable of turning the tide of battle."

Luo Xiong's eyes were filled with worry: "With those Sea Kings around, the naval fleet—is doomed!"

Cicero Arnold sneered, "Your navy is utter garbage! Even without Sea Kings, they're still trash!"

Luo Xiong: "You pig-brain—shut your stinking mouth!"

Luo Xiong and Cicero Arnold glared at each other, while Empress Nuya Remus sighed inwardly and tried to appease them.

No matter the world, palace intrigue is inevitable.