Game of Thrones: Dance of the Dragons

"You've always surprised me, Your Highness." The sea serpent turned to the side and respectfully gestured for me to enter.

"Then I shall respectfully accept your offer, Lord Sea Serpent." Baylor admired Sea Serpent's abilities.

He knows when to advance and retreat, is ambitious, decisive, and highly capable. If he weren't overstepping his bounds and trying to completely bind the Valerian and Targaryen factions, Baelor wouldn't mind deepening their cooperation.

……

The next morning, the nobles who had come to attend the name day departed one after another, and the troupe in the town of Chaotou Island began to perform the great journey of the seven voyages of the sea serpent.

Baylor got up early, ate some seafood and bread, and then went to a tea shop next to the theater to listen to the actors' exaggerated descriptions of the sea serpent's sailing experience.

"Brother, why did we come here to listen to a play? Wouldn't it be better to go riding a dragon?" Renilla really had no interest in hearing about the sea serpent's rise to power.

In her eyes, soaring through the skies on Syracuse was what Targaryens were meant to do.

"I agree, and the bread here is so hard, it's not tasty at all." Aegon rarely agreed, eating and drinking at the same time.

"Wait a minute, this scene will be over soon."

Beller was sitting here, not to hear about the Sea Serpent's glorious exploits, but to learn about the history of ancient Valyria.

He remembered that the Sea Serpent's seven great voyages were all headed towards the abandoned ancient Valyria.

Although the actors' performances have been exaggerated, the underlying themes remain unchanged.

"I can't argue with you." Renilla ignored him and turned to order another dessert.

In no time, the paper in front of Baylor was filled with various notes, along with some rumors and stories he had seen in the ancient books in the old town.

Beller was somewhat confident that once he came of age, he could ride the Glutton to explore the borders of the ancient Valyrian ruins and escape unscathed.

"Kids, so you're here." Renis, dressed in simple clothes, walked over with a smile.

"Aunt, what brings you here?" Prince was the first to stand up and greet her.

Rhaenyra and Aegon followed closely behind, politely greeting Rhaenyra.

"I apologize for the poor hospitality yesterday. Today, as your elder, I would like to show you around Chaotou Island."

Renis gave Baylor a wink, letting him see the sea serpent standing not far away.

"Thank you, Auntie." Beller nodded knowingly.

"Silly boy, we're family, there's no need for thanks." Renis smiled and patted his shoulder.

Then, he invited Rhaenyra and Aegon to go to the dragon's lair, ride the dragon around Tidehead Island, and sent Baelor to talk to the sea serpent.

"Little brother, you have a good chat with Lord Sea Serpent by yourself. We're leaving now." Renilla waved to Beller with a smile.

Even Aegon couldn't help but excitedly run ahead.

Baylor waved goodbye to them. Then, he walked toward the sea serpent that had been waiting for him.

"Your Highness, I will now introduce you to the features and scenery of Chaotou Island." Corliss spoke respectfully, gesturing for you to proceed.

"Alright, I'm ready to accompany you anytime, Lord Sea Serpent." Baylor said without any hesitation, walking at the front.

They first arrived in Shell Town, a town that was thriving thanks to trade.

The sea serpent said, "This is jade; slave owners in the free trade city-states love to wear it."

"The only drawback is that the production process is very complicated. The slaves must first dig out the jadeite, and then the carvers will carve it."

Prince held the jade in his hand, his eyes filled with approval of the craftsman. "It is indeed a remarkable work of art."

Beller could tell that the sea serpent was indirectly telling him, through the emerald, that the free trade city-state was very powerful.

"There are some matters that are not for Lord Sea Serpent to interfere with. If you are truly worried that the Free Trade City-States will invade the Kingdom, you should return to the Emperor and make the suggestion to my father."

Baylor could tell that the Sea Serpent was trying to use the same tactic to drag him into the endless abyss of war.

He did not deny that one day in the future, the free trade city-states would be incorporated into the Targaryen dynasty, but not now.

Therefore, even if Baylor had this idea, he would not tell anyone, much less let anyone know his thoughts.

The sea serpent spoke angrily, "Do you really think the king will agree?"

"He has always been a peace-loving man, prioritizing negotiation in all matters, which allowed the Free Trade City-States and Dorne to gradually exert pressure, leading to the current situation!"

"Lord Corliss, based solely on those words, I could send you to the capital's prison and punish you for speaking ill of others!" Baylor would never allow anyone to criticize his father.

His father always believed he could recover and shielded him from repeated criticisms from noble ministers.

"roar--"

Above Shell Town, a dragon's roar, as loud as a bell, resounded. The Glutton's swift figure swooped down from above, passing over the heads of Beller and the Sea Serpent.

"alert!"

"Protect the Prince and Lord Corliss!"

The knights who were waiting nearby instantly formed a circle, protecting Baylor and the sea serpent in the center of the crowd, trying to use this to block the dangerous dragon.

Beller chuckled, pushed aside the knights' protection, and stood alone in the open space.

The sea serpent's face was extremely ugly, its eyes fixed on the glutton rushing past.

He knew how powerful this wild dragon was.

Unexpectedly, the pressure and sense of crisis it evoked were no less than that of the most powerful dragon of the Targaryen family—Vaghar.

Sea serpents both love and fear dragons.

As a renowned navigator who had made nine voyages, his extensive experience taught Sea Serpent that when encountering danger at sea, one could choose to avoid it.

But dragons are beings beyond experience, and are unpredictable dangers.

"Beile, he had no intention of offending the royal family; he simply did not want the kingdom to remain in a passive position."

Rhaenys saw through her husband's ambition and also hated the cowardice of the Tanglian royal family.

She hoped that her cousin Viserys would demonstrate the power of dragons to all invaders, just as Aegon the Conqueror and Jaehaerys the Elder King had done.

"Yes, Your Highness."

"Having grown up in the old town, you must know that offense is the best defense!"

With his wife's explanation, Corliss immediately hardened his stance, making it clear that his purpose was absolutely to be loyal to the royal family, and not for personal gain.

Baylor certainly understood this principle.

If we don't completely suppress the arrogance of your Valerian family, who knows what trouble might arise when war breaks out.

"Aunt, please come back to King's Landing with me, Lord Sea Serpent."

"Whether it's an opinion or a dispute, it must be discussed or resolved at the Imperial Council meeting."

"Secondly, the Valerian family has been away from the royal family for too long, and it needs a safe haven."