Game of Thrones: The Wrath of the Sleeping Dragon

In addition, he is getting older and his energy is gradually not keeping up with the pace of young people.

He had a good grasp of the overall strategic situation and knew that the kingdom's next goal would definitely be to attack Westeros and reclaim the Iron Throne.

He longed to shine on the battlefield, to burn his last bit of light, so the old count, after much painful reflection, decided to relinquish the position of Prime Minister and return power to Viserys.

Let him find a more suitable candidate.

He, on the other hand, focused all his energy on training the new naval forces.

After all, new warships are gradually being put in place, and with the support of Pentos' powerful shipbuilding industry, the Dragonstone fleet is now even larger than it was at its peak.

Moreover, since the kingdom's next goal is to attack Westeros, the navy will inevitably undertake an extremely important task.

Earl Jeffrey also did not want the troops he had personally trained to underperform on the battlefield, leading to the defeat in the war.

Viserys was still somewhat bewildered after receiving the old count's resignation.

The old man had been the Hand of the King for so many years, and Viserys had gotten used to having such a reliable steward, but he never expected him to suddenly resign at this time.

However, the old man's reasons were also quite valid. He said that he was not cut out to be the King's Hand and that he would rather return to his original job of training the navy for the kingdom.

Since Viserys understood the other party's thoughts, he didn't bother with the usual three requests and three refusals.

People in this world value honor and have a straightforward mindset. If Viserys refuses the old count's offer of resignation, the count might very well think that Viserys really needs him as Hand of the King.

Even if you feel bad, you have to persevere in this position.

Viserys accepted the old Earl's resignation and reinstated him as the Lord of the Sea and Commander-in-Chief of the Dragonstone Fleet.

The medal of the King's Hand was not taken back, but left to the old count as a keepsake.

With the position of Prime Minister now vacant, a person of matching status and ability is needed to fill the vacancy.

Who should we choose?

The gray-haired old man proposed a candidate for his successor.

However, Viserys had already thought of this person even before Jeffrey suggested it.

That was Oberyn Martell, Prince of Dorne.

Dorne, as the Targaryens' most important ally, without exception, has always received strong support from Prince Doran, and Oberyn, who has remained on Essos for so many years without even returning home, has naturally contributed a great deal as well.

Furthermore, Oberyn had obtained six mathematician's chains in the Citadel, and if he had focused solely on the mathematician's path, he might have become the youngest doctor in the Citadel.

His mentor was also very sorry when he left the university.

This is enough to demonstrate that Oberyn was quick-witted and extremely knowledgeable.

As Jeffrey's successor, Oberyn possesses the status, prestige, achievements, and intellect to be the best candidate for the position of Hand of the King.

Now that the candidate has been chosen.

A few days later, right now, after installing the armor on the dragon, Viserys set off for the desolate mountain camp.

However, Viserys did not take the connecting flight this time.

Oberon's Second Legion was stationed very close to Andalus; it could be reached by horseback in less than half a day.

Viserys arrived at the desolate mountain camp with only a few guards and rode a fast horse.

This place is located in a narrow passage between two mountain ranges. It appears to be a narrow passage on the map, but in reality, it is also a wide plain.

This is an ancient Valyrian road that runs along the Upper Loren River and leads directly to the Bay of Loras. From there, one can take a boat out to sea to Loras, making it the main trade route between Loras and Andalus.

Continuing along this ancient road, you can reach as far as Tomahawk Point, and if you turn into the mountain road along the way, you can reach Norfolk.

Therefore, this place is extremely important. By controlling this pass, no large army could attack Andalus from here, which can be considered as protecting the face of Andalus.

Viserys had visited the site once when the construction of the camp was approved, and he left the specific location to Oberyn.

This semi-permanent camp is almost like a castle, allowing for long-term stays.

Viserys's sudden visit caught Oberyn somewhat off guard.

Viserys then explained his intentions, while Oberyn hesitated for a moment.

Then, unexpectedly, Oberyn declined, as he did not want to be the Chancellor.

“Your Majesty, I am not suited to be the King’s Hand.”

The Hand of the King is the king's right-hand man and the face of the nation. Oberyn believes that someone like him is not suitable for such an important position.

However, he also heard Viserys's idea, and the silver-haired young man decided to travel far away for a while.

Oberyn also agreed to temporarily assume the role of Hand of the King during Viserys's absence.

He will personally travel to Pentos to help his niece, Rene, manage the country's affairs.

The Legion is left to Sir Evan to manage.

Viserys and Oberyn then returned to Andalus and rode a dragon to Pentos.

That night.

Viserys summoned the Royal Council in Pentos and explained the whole situation, stating that he would be leaving for a while, but he did not specify where he was going.

During this period, Princess Renis served as regent, while her uncle Oberyn temporarily assumed the position of Hand of the King, assisting the princess in governing.

Then, a few days later.

Viserys rode the dragon and disappeared above the sea of ​​clouds.

The cold wind of winter

Chapter 309 Mia

Valantis is a coastal city on the southern coast of the continent of Essos, and is the southeasternmost of the many free trading city-states.

It is a deltaic area located at the four mouths of the Lorne River.

Because Valantis was the first colony established by the Valyrian Freehold, it has a long history and great power.

Therefore, she was known by titles such as 'Valeria's eldest daughter', 'Queen of the Rhones', and 'Mistress of the Summer Sea'.

Looking down from above the clouds, she sits beside a huge bay, with the Valanna River, a tributary of the Lorne River, to her north.

The surrounding towns, Seholus, Valisa, and Veronsis, are all under the jurisdiction of Valantis.

There is also a road that leads from Volantis directly to Meereen in Slaver's Bay; however, the environment between the two places is harsh and too dangerous, so people call this road the 'Devil's Road'.

"Valantis is very large, I told you that."

“Imon”.

A red-haired girl sat directly opposite Viserys, gently wiping the dagger in her hand, and then spoke.

The name Aemon was an alias that Viserys came up with on the spur of the moment, mainly because it was simple and easy to pronounce. When asked, this was the first name that came to mind, and he then casually referred to himself as Aemon.

Furthermore, Prince Aemon, the 'Dragon Knight,' is widely regarded as the noblest knight to date.

As the girl wiping her dagger spoke, she was also secretly and attentively observing Viserys's expression.

Her face wasn't particularly beautiful, just average, but she had a great figure and looked very healthy and fit.

The girl sat directly opposite Viserys, surrounded by a bustling crowd, a noisy and chaotic scene of people playing drinking games, shouting, and the creaking of the floorboards overhead, along with the faint, undisguised moans of women.

This is a tavern in Valantis, situated on a long bridge that spans the mouth of the Lorne River, linking the two districts of Valantis together.

The long bridge has an extremely long span, is supported by huge piers, and is as flat as a road. It was built by the Valyrians during their heyday.

The entrances at both ends of the long bridge are archways built of black stone, carved with sphinxes, griffins, dragons, and other monsters. The bridge is wide enough for two four-wheeled carriages to pass side by side.

All sorts of buildings have been built on both sides of the long bridge, and you can buy almost anything here.

Right now, Viserys and the mercenary-dressed girl named Mia are having dinner on the second floor of a tavern on the long bridge.

The cost of living here is low, so it is a melting pot of all sorts of people, including a large number of poor people, mercenaries, prostitutes, slaves, and sailors who have come from afar.

From the angle from which Viserys is now sitting, one can also see the hands of thieves and the heads of prisoners impaled on spears on the long bridge below.

“You’re right, Mia.”

"Valantis is indeed very large."

Viserys looked down at the severed head, still dripping blood, being impaled on a spear, while cheers erupted around him.

Then he turned around and said jokingly.

"And the local people are also known for their fierce and unruly nature."

The person who was just executed down there was not a heinous criminal, but an escaped slave.

His master executed him as a warning to the other slaves.

Meanwhile, the guards of Valantis, the Tiger Robe Army with tiger stripes tattooed on their cheeks, seemed not to see it at all, letting the slave owner throw away his own 'property'.

“Slaves were part of the Valantis culture.”

Mia had also just witnessed what was happening below, and spoke up without hesitation.

“This has been the case since the time of Valyrian Freehold, when almost every free citizen owned more than five slaves on average.”

Of course, the average has always been a misleading method.

Impoverished free citizens couldn't even afford food, let alone slaves, while large slave owners owned enough slaves to form a small mercenary band.

"Oh."

"Mia, why do you want to explore the Valyrian ruins?"

Viserys didn't continue the previous topic. Instead, he picked up a piece of food from the table, looked up, and asked.

Viserys had met this girl a few days earlier when he arrived in Valantis.

She is a member of a mercenary group, codenamed 'Hunter'. Her specialty is to silently approach the enemy from behind and then slit their throats.

The recent riots in the Sea of ​​Smoke are the hottest topic in Valentis. Some claim that the Valyrian ruins have become more dangerous, while others see it as the best opportunity to make a fortune.

The secrets and riches buried in those Freedom Fortresses will all emerge from the ground, and you can make a fortune just by picking up a few items.

Mia saw this as a chance to make a fortune, so she joined an expedition heading to Valyria. When the expedition held a public recruitment drive, Viserys also volunteered to join.