Game of Thrones: The Wrath of the Sleeping Dragon

"They orchestrated several riots, and even burned a statue of the Black Goat God in Kohor, creating a tense atmosphere in the city."

The Kohor people worshipped the Black Goat God, just as the Ries people worshipped the goddess of lust and the Tyrosi people worshipped the Triad. It was an indigenous religion.

However, the Red God Cult has followers all over the Eastern Continent, and even in the strongholds of these native religions, it has many followers.

Viserys turned his head slightly upon hearing this.

"When Norfolk suddenly started expelling Red God Cult members a while ago, did he foresee that they would cause a riot?"

"I think so."

Varys nodded and began to speak.

"The old monk in Norfolk is said to be one of the longest-living people in the world, and his wealth of experience is enough to make him the most correct choice."

"Is it just experience?"

Viserys frowned upon hearing this, his pale purple eyes flickering slightly.

"It seems I'll have the chance to meet him in person."

"However, he is already too old. I just hope he can live to see that day."

...

A light drizzle was falling outside the window.

Valantis occupies the mouth of the Lorne River, extending northward along both banks into the hills and marshes inland, resulting in a consistently hot and humid climate.

Due to its geographical location, when Westeros approaches winter, Volantis is still in the height of summer. But now that Westeros is in the middle of summer, the temperature in Volantis is unbearably high.

Asha sat in her room, gazing at the rain outside the window, feeling slightly uneasy. The beams, steps, walls, vaults, towers, and aerial corridors of the Temple of Laherro were all submerged in the cold rain, and the once blazing flames had all been extinguished, plunging into darkness.

This was the darkest night Asha had ever seen during her time living here. In the past, the Temple of Rahllo would be brightly lit, with torches lit everywhere to dispel the darkness.

However, these things exacerbated Asha's inner unease, because the last time it rained in the city, she was attacked by that half-human, half-fish monster.

The world outside was just as dark that day as it is today.

Will that monster come today?

The woman with short black hair sat by the window, her brows slightly furrowed.

She had been staying at the Temple of Rahllo for some time, and due to the schedule, they would set sail no later than the day after tomorrow for their final destination, the island of Nas, located in the Summer Sea.

If that monster doesn't attack them in the next couple of days, then they'll probably have to rely on themselves once they reach the surface.

Asha's uncle, Victarion, is also currently recovering from an injury. Having a piece of flesh torn off your arm is no small matter, especially with today's medical conditions.

However, Victalion was in good physical condition and, despite having a fever for several days, he eventually pulled through.

He can now walk normally, but he still cannot do heavy physical work or fight, and his arm is wrapped in thick bandages.

"I hope everything goes well."

Asha frowned, looked down at the dagger on the table, and then sighed.

She never expected that this voyage would involve so many things, and she even escaped death twice. She originally thought it would be a mission without any difficulty, but she was actually very worried every step of the way.

However, just as Asha was lost in thought, her ears twitched slightly, and she suddenly heard a faint sound coming from outside the window.

What was that sound?

The woman with short black hair paused for a moment, then quickly realized what was happening.

"It's here!"

Asha shivered and quickly grabbed the dagger on the table.

Then she saw a dark figure outside the window of her room, along with a pair of blood-red eyes pressed against the window.

At this moment, Gillian's mind was in complete chaos. His scarlet eyes spotted Asha's figure and then suddenly condensed into a vertical pupil, filled with a dangerous aura. His voice also became low and hoarse.

"Death!"

He has completely transformed into a demonic monster, just like the one he saw in the Valyrian ruins.

However, killing this woman was Gillian's last goal when he regained his senses, and thus it was deeply imprinted in his chaotic mind, becoming something he had to do after transforming into a monster.

The existence of the Temple of Lahero made it sense the danger, but as Bennero said, the newly born monster was unaware of its own limitations, so in the end, Gillian's figure still appeared here.

This time, however, Gillian was much smarter. Instead of barging in and wreaking havoc, he sneaked in quietly without alerting the enemy, using the gray rain to conceal his figure.

They finally located Asha Greyjoy's location, then suddenly smashed open the window and rushed in, ready to tear her to pieces.

However, at that moment, a furious shout suddenly came from outside the room where Asha was staying.

"Die, you monster!"

A tall monk in a red robe burst through the door. His skin was as black as tar, his belly was round, his beard swayed out, and his cheeks and forehead were covered with tattoos of crimson flames.

He was none other than Machiro, the red-robed monk and right-hand man of the Supreme Priest of the Red God Cult.

He was placed in the room next to Asha Greyjoy by Benello as a sting operation, waiting for the monster called 'Deep Diver' to come to him.

However, a light rain fell today, and the monster, taking advantage of the rain, sneaked into the Temple of Lahero with the intention of committing atrocities, only to be caught red-handed by Machiro.

The monster that had just broken in was originally going to kill Asha, but it was completely distracted by Machiro, and then it roared and pounced on Machiro.

But the red-robed monk, who resembled a black tower, showed no panic in the face of the menacing monster. He grabbed a gourd that looked like a wine jug in one hand, opened the lid and took a big gulp. Then, facing the half-human, half-fish monster that was rushing towards him, he suddenly spat it out.

"Whoo~"

Machiro spewed out blazing, bright flames that instantly illuminated the entire room.

Caught off guard, the monster named Deep One crashed directly into the flames spewing from Machiro's mouth, instantly letting out a shrill scream. This flame seemed to have a great restraining effect on him.

Gillian let out a scream, terrified, and fled frantically towards the window. However, at that moment, the window was already surrounded by countless Holy Hands from the temple, led by none other than Beneiro, the High Priest of the Crimson God Cult.

Chapter 732 Sacrifice

"Clearly perceive the true nature of the world, truth surrounds you, and all things are clear at a glance."

"The long night is dark and treacherous, but the day is bright and prosperous."

Night falls, and all is quiet.

However, the Temple of Laherlo was brightly lit, and the Hands of the Holy Fire, who guarded the temple, knelt on the ground, chanting songs of truth in unison.

Gillian fell into a trap during this attack, was severely wounded and captured alive. Now he is chained to a makeshift stake and is still roaring. He seems to have completely lost his mind and has become a monster.

The High Priest Benello of the Cult of the Red God personally presided over this sacrifice. He led the believers in chanting, and then, using some kind of magic, he pointed a single finger at the moon, then clenched his fist. When his voice reached its highest point, flames shot directly from his palm.

This sudden display of skill startled Asha Greyjoy, who was watching from the sidelines, as well as the bandaged Victarion and the Ironborn who lived with them in the temple.

They used to live on the dull and boring Iron Island, where, apart from cheap iron ore, it was difficult to grow even food. It was a truly desolate place. Where had these iron-producing people ever seen such fancy tricks?

If they were to stay at the Temple of Laherlo for a longer period, it's hard to say what would happen to Asha and Victarion, but the Ironborn behind them would probably be tempted to convert to the Red God.

After all, the priests of the Red God Cult are exceptionally skilled at recruiting followers; otherwise, they wouldn't have been able to spread all over the world.

Benello unleashed a fireball from his palm, igniting the firewood beneath the altar. The flames then began to burn slowly, while the chanting of the believers below grew even more fervent.

However, Benello was not satisfied with such speed. He then fired two more fireballs with both hands at the same time, completely igniting all the firewood under the altar, and a great fire broke out.

Although Gillian, trapped on the altar and the stake, had a completely chaotic mind and had turned into a monster, losing his human will, he still retained the instincts of a primitive animal.

It seemed to sense the danger and began to struggle frantically, letting out a sharp howl that almost drowned out the chanting of the Holy Fire Hands with flames tattooed on their cheeks below, but to no avail.

The High Priest stood before the altar, his eyes fixed intently on the raging flames that gradually consumed the monster. His gaze remained unwavering, and he continued chanting incantations.

The red-robed monks standing behind him remained calm and composed until Gillian's screams reached their peak.

"Roar--"

The half-human, half-fish shadowy figure struggled in the flames before finally collapsing, its screams gradually fading away. Only then did the red-robed monks breathe a slight sigh of relief.

The capture of this crazed monster came at a heavy price; several Hands of the Holy Fire were torn apart during the siege. The Hands of the Holy Fire guarding the Temple of Laherlo are always maintained at a strength of one thousand, no more, no less, and for every one that dies, a replacement must be brought in.

The flames eventually died down, the altar was reduced to ruins, and the demon in the flames was burned to ashes, leaving only some broken bones that were collected by the red-robed monks who arrived later, carrying wooden boxes.

Its remains will later become props for believers to visit. After all, the red-robed monks burned a real demon alive. With such evidence, how could they not attract more believers?

"The demon has been sacrificed to the true god, so it should no longer attack the messenger."

At this moment, Bennero, who had finished presiding over the sacrificial ceremony, walked over to Asha and Victalion, who were still somewhat shaken, and then spoke.

"Was he really burned to death?"

"That was..."

Upon hearing Asha's question, Benello tilted his head slightly and looked at the red-robed monks who were picking up the demon's bones. Asha also looked up. The monster had been burned to such an extent that it would be too incredible if it were still alive.

"It's just a trivial means bestowed by the true god."

"Flame is power."

Benello then spoke casually.

Asha had never felt such a strong urge to convert to Rahlo if believing in the Red God would grant her magic.

When the White Walkers and the Legion of the Dead landed on Pyke, Asha, her father Balon, and countless Ironborn had no means to fight back against the White Walkers. In the end, the Iron Islands completely fell and became a paradise for the dead.

In particular, Benello's words, "Fire is power," resonated deeply with Asha, because she had seen dragons and strongly agreed with this statement.

Perhaps if there were no magic or dragons in this world, more weapons relying on fire would have been created?

However, at this moment, the red-robed monk Machiro, who had saved Asha's life not long ago, also came over. The demon's remains had already been collected.

"Supreme Pastor".

"Your Excellency, the Envoy."

"Priest Machiro, thank you for your help just now."

Asha Greyjoy nodded slightly in thanks. If Machiro hadn't intervened, Asha might not have escaped the monster's attack. Machiro didn't say anything more, but simply returned the greeting in silence.

"Next, I will send Machir to King's Landing to meet His Majesty the Emperor."

Benello turned to look at Marchiro, then turned back and spoke.

This matter had been agreed upon beforehand. Asha was unaware of any internal conflicts within their Red God Cult, but it was clear that the High Priest Bennello, the headquarters of the Red God Cult in Volantis, and Melisandre, the priestess who was a confidante of His Majesty the Emperor and now served as the Vice Dean of the Theological Seminary, overseeing the Red God faith throughout Westeros, did not seem to belong to the same faction.

Recently, every time Melisandre is mentioned, Bennero seems somewhat wary. It seems that although she is not a high priest, but just an ordinary priestess, she is not someone to be trifled with.

Benello sent Machir to King's Landing to meet the Emperor partly to uncover the truth, but also for a purpose: to seize power.