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34.06% Game of Thrones: Second Son of House Targaryen / Chapter 156: Chapter 156: He Should Thank Us

Chapter 156: Chapter 156: He Should Thank Us

"Quick! Pour water on him!" Viserys shouted.

Several servants immediately rushed over with buckets of water, but they didn't stop there—they also brought sand and mud. The water and sand mixed together, creating a thick slurry that helped to extinguish the flames still clinging to Illyrio's body.

The fire was out, but the damage was done. Illyrio's once-proud blond hair had been singed, and his beloved mustache was completely burned off. His double chin—or rather, his triple chin—was severely scorched, leaving him looking a complete mess. Covered in mud, he resembled nothing more than a pig wallowing in a filthy sty.

When Illyrio saw that Viserys was unharmed, he let out a sigh of relief.

"Uncle Illyrio! Uncle Illyrio!" Aegon, finally freed from Belwas's strong grip, knelt beside Illyrio, his voice trembling with anxiety as he called out to his uncle.

However, there was no response. The Red Viper, watching from the crowd, saw Aegon's anxious little face, and a murderous intent stirred within him. If Aegon ever discovered his true identity, they would inevitably become enemies. To eliminate any future threat, the Blackfyre bloodline had to be eradicated as well.

Viserys then checked Illyrio's breathing, which was faint but present, and reassured Aegon, "Don't worry. Step aside for now."

Though Aegon didn't understand what Viserys intended to do, he trusted him—after all, Viserys had just saved his uncle. No one in the crowd doubted Viserys's motives as they watched him climb onto Illyrio's body and begin pressing on his chest.

The onlookers recognized this method of 'resuscitation.' Living in a coastal city, they had seen it used on drowning victims, some of whom had been brought back to life after their breathing had stopped.

'You better start breathing soon,' Viserys thought, 'because I really don't want to resort to blood magic.' He continued the chest compressions, rhythmically in sync with an intense beat playing in his mind. If he wanted to, he knew he could easily break Illyrio's ribs.

After about two minutes, Illyrio coughed violently, expelling a sour-smelling liquid from his mouth. His eyes fluttered open, dazed and confused, as he realized there was someone sitting on top of him.

"You're awake?" Viserys asked, his tone more matter-of-fact than relieved.

As Illyrio regained consciousness, the servants rushed over, relieved that their jobs—and possibly their lives—were still secure.

"Uncle Illyrio!" Aegon called out, hurrying to his side.

Illyrio tried to reach out and touch Aegon's cheek, but a sharp pain tore through his body, making the effort agonizing. Despite the pain, he managed a smile.

At that moment, the Red Viper approached and saw Illyrio lying in a pitiful state on the ground. "I have medicine here," he said, handing a vial to a nearby servant. The Red Viper and Viserys exchanged a knowing look, understanding each other without a word.

...

The next morning, as Viserys and the Red Viper ate breakfast and chatted, Viserys asked, "Does he suspect us?"

"Why should he suspect you? Why should he suspect me? He should be thanking us," the Red Viper replied with a smirk.

Just as Viserys finished speaking, Belwas entered the room. "Lord Viserys, Lord Oberyn, Master Illyrio wishes to see you later to express his gratitude."

The Red Viper pretended to cough, struggling to contain his laughter. "No problem. How is Master Illyrio doing?"

"It's hard to say," Belwas responded. "Master Illyrio's burns are quite severe, but the healer says he was rescued in time and is not in danger of losing his life."

"That's great. We'll visit him after we finish eating," Viserys said, nodding.

Belwas thought to himself, 'What a kind man', before leaving the room.

As soon as Belwas was out of earshot, the Red Viper nearly burst out laughing, his body shaking as he put a hand on Viserys's shoulder. His laughter came out in stifled gasps, like a kettle on the verge of boiling over.

"Don't laugh, or you might not be able to keep it together when we see him later," Viserys warned, grinning. "We can't afford to reveal the secret."

The Red Viper took a deep breath, trying to calm himself, but his amusement was barely contained.

...

Later that day, when they entered Illyrio's new room, Aegon greeted them politely. Illyrio's original quarters were now uninhabitable, but there were plenty of rooms in his vast mansion. The servants had prepared a new room for him, filled with the strong scent of herbs. Illyrio lay motionless on the bed, wrapped almost entirely in bandages. He looked like a dried persimmon pecked at by birds.

The night before, Illyrio had lost something he cherished deeply—Serra's hand. Not only had he lost her hand, but much of her clothing had also been destroyed in the fire. His heart felt hollow, and the melancholy in his eyes made him appear even more pitiful.

Fortunately, Aegon was there to keep him company, offering comfort as Illyrio coped with his grief. Without Aegon, he might have felt as if he had already been buried alive.

"Master Illyrio!" The Red Viper was the first to reach Illyrio's bedside, but the moment he did, Illyrio let out a scream.

"My hand! My hand!" Illyrio cried out in pain.

It turned out that the Red Viper had accidentally sat on Illyrio's injured arm. "I'm sorry, Master Illyrio. I'm so sorry," he apologized quickly, realizing his mistake.

Illyrio winced, not only from the pain but also from the realization that the bottle of poison the Red Viper had given him earlier had been lost in the fire. Aegon glanced at the Red Viper with a hint of resentment but held his tongue. After all, Illyrio was still relying on the medicine the Red Viper had provided.

"No... it's okay," Illyrio said, his voice tinged with sadness. The bandages around his face obscured most of his expression, but his eyes betrayed his misery. The Red Viper and Viserys exchanged a quick, knowing glance; both understood that their "plan" was in jeopardy.

Illyrio, meanwhile, was feeling a pang of guilt. He had just been plotting Viserys's death, and now, ironically, Viserys had saved his life. But his alliance with Varys compelled him to continue with their plan. After all, while Viserys had saved him, he hadn't saved Varys or Connington. And if Connington ever learned the truth, Illyrio knew his own life would be in grave danger.

Deciding to make amends in another way, Illyrio spoke up. "Prince Viserys, I know you're interested in the dragon eggs. My fleet has just sent word that they've found three dragon eggs in the Shadow Lands of Asshai. I've already ordered their purchase. They should be in my possession within six months."

Viserys's eyes lit up at the news. 'These must be the three eggs that originally belonged to the Mother of Dragons', he thought—Drogon, the black dragon; Rhaegal, the bronze green one; and Viserion, the cream white one.

But with Dany not destined to marry the Horselord or bear his children, these dragons would likely have new names. 'I'll let Dany choose them', he decided.

"I'm grateful," Viserys said with a smile. "I'll raise the money I need. Of course, if you'll allow me to pay in installments," he added jokingly.

Illyrio quickly shook his head. "No, no, no. You deserve them. If it weren't for you, I'd have been burned to death. What good is money compared to that?"

Their conversation caught the attention of the Red Viper. 'Viserys is collecting dragon eggs', he thought, puzzled. 'What is he planning?' As far as the Red Viper knew, Viserys already possessed one dragon egg. If he added these three, he would have four. 'Is he trying to hatch dragons?' The Red Viper was stunned. If anyone else had such a plan, he would dismiss it as a joke. But with Viserys, it seemed entirely possible.

Illyrio had, of course, intended more than just expressing his gratitude with this meeting.

Although the plan to poison them had failed, Illyrio quickly devised another strategy. He turned to the young Aegon standing beside him and said, "Young Griff, I need to speak privately with the two princes. You can leave now."

"Okay, Uncle. Let me know if you need anything," Aegon replied before leaving the room.

Once Aegon was gone, Illyrio addressed Viserys and Oberyn. "Prince Viserys, Prince Oberyn, I have a secret to share with you."

Viserys and Oberyn exchanged a glance, each thinking, 'This man still believes he has secrets to reveal?'

"Young Griff is actually Jon Connington's son," Illyrio continued, revealing Aegon's true parentage. He explained that the coalition intended to bring Connington into their fold to assist them. On the surface, Connington had been the Hand of the King under Aerys, a man skilled in both governance and warfare. But secretly, Illyrio's true aim was to place Connington close to Viserys as a watchful eye.

As the saying goes, 'If the mountain won't come to me, I'll go to the mountain.' Since Connington was reluctant to join the Golden Company, I'll find a way to have him join the Windblown instead,' Illyrio thought with a sly smile.

Viserys, though inwardly unsurprised, feigned astonishment. "Really? That's unexpected," he replied, playing along. After confirming that Illyrio was out of immediate danger, the two princes left him to rest.

Once they had exited the room, the Red Viper wasted no time and turned to Viserys, eager to ask about the dragon eggs. "Tell me, are you planning to hatch a dragon?"

"Of course I want to hatch a dragon," Viserys admitted. "If I had a dragon, reclaiming the Iron Throne would be much easier! But where can I find a real dragon egg? Most of them have turned to stone by now. My main interest in the dragon eggs is to enhance my magic."

Viserys was as candid as he could be, though he withheld certain details. His apparent honesty made the Red Viper believe that this explanation was plausible. 'How powerful must the magic be to turn a fossilized egg into a living dragon?' he mused.

Later that afternoon, a messenger from Volantis arrived with news that the alliance had been finalized. Pentos would also send an envoy to accompany them to Myr. With everything settled, they decided to set sail for Myr as soon as possible.


CREATORS' THOUGHTS
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Hello everyone!

First of all, thank you so much for joining on reading this novel!

If you enjoy what I do and want to support my work, you’re welcome to do so on P@treon, the same username: BlurryDream.

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Important Note: Please keep in mind that I am not the owner of the original story. My goal is to translate it as cleanly and accurately as possible while ensuring that your reading experience is as enjoyable as it can be. The chapters will eventually be released to the public with only a 5-day delay, so please do not consider this a paywall. Patreon is simply a way for those who wish to support the translations and help me invest in improving the quality even further.

For those who can't or aren't interested in joining Patreon, I sincerely thank you for your support and for enjoying this novel alongside me. Your comments, reviews, and even just your presence is enough. If you'd like, feel free to leave a review, drop a comment, or give me your stones.

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Chapter 157: Chapter 157: Viserys’s Paramour

Although they had not yet met Prince Pentos, the alliance had already been sealed. Kurland had sent his third son, Lightnere, and his fourth son, Dotnere, as envoys—a clear sign of good faith. The brothers did not sail with Viserys on the same ship but traveled instead on a merchant vessel belonging to the House Kurland, which followed the swan ship.

As they watched Viserys's ship ahead, they said to each other:

"That Viserys is something. He seems to have gotten the old man to agree to an alliance without even having to offer anything."

Lightnere had small eyes and a fondness for the color purple, so he always dressed in purple garments. He spoke without the slightest respect for his father. Dotnere, sitting next to him, remained silent, leaning over the railing and letting the sea breeze blow his long hair over his shoulders. He didn't care and had no desire to speak to his brother.

When it became clear that Dotnere wasn't going to respond, Lightnere asked, "Brother, what did you do when the old man sent you to Braavos six months ago?"

Dotnere glanced at him and replied, "Why do you think Father didn't tell you?"

"You must have gone to the Iron Bank," Lightnere said with a wicked smile.

Dotnere finally spoke: "I went to Volantis and got a lot of weapons. I don't know what the old man is planning."

The seagull perched on the mast behind them heard the conversation clearly, but Viserys had no time to figure it out.

...

"Right! The hardest time I had making money was when I was a hitman. Now, I get to travel around, not only with a ship, fifty Unsullied, but also with so much treasure."

When Viserys and the others left, Illyrio sent over another large pile of goods. The total value exceeded fifty thousand gold dragons. He also provided Viserys with twenty sailors to strengthen his defenses.

"Right, so you see, most do not venture out. Not even to places where they were born. They live and die in the same house, on the same plot of land, sometimes never going so far as to cross the nearest river. I really don't understand the point of it."

'The Red Viper,' Viserys thought, feeling a sense of familiarity. On second thought, he remembered that in the original story, the Red Viper had said something similar to the little imp. At that time, the little imp had remarked that the reason most people never venture out is because most people are "Fools".

Viserys didn't have the habit of ruining people's fun, so he just laughed it off.

"Well... maybe...," Feles hesitated, aware that he was merely a 'playmate,' so he didn't play his king's trump card. However, a large hand reached out from behind him, and the king's trump card was thrown onto the table. "Haha! The king's trump card!" Regis said proudly.

"I'm not going to play... anymore," Feles responded with some resentment.

Viserys knew what he was thinking, but chose not to expose him.

"We're almost at Myr. Are you ready to talk to the Magister of Myr?"

"Don't worry, my lord. I'll make sure Myr joins our alliance."

"Bring lots of gifts. Don't worry about the money. "

'I'll ask Tregar to reimburse me when we get back,' Viserys added to himself.

"Yes, my lord."

Soon after, everyone arrived at Myr. The ratio of free men to slaves in the Seven Kingdoms was about one to three, and Myr was no exception. Compared to the other two Free Cities, it was neither as noisy as Tyrosh nor as full of remnants from the Valyrian era as Lys. As the slave-trading center of the Seven Kingdoms, the Sea of Myrth was teeming with ships transporting slaves. Some came from Beyond the Wall in Westeros, and others from Slaver's Bay. Viserys saw several ships full of Unsullied, sitting like puppets at the bow of the ship. The man in blue and yellow robes was clearly a slave owner from Astapor.

In addition to the Unsullied, there were also gladiators from Meereen and bed slaves from Yunkai. However, these slaves with special skills were obviously more expensive and weren't shipped like common cargo. The ships carrying slaves invariably entered Myr, while Myr exported high-end handicrafts.

Soon, they docked at the pier. Viserys turned to Red Viper and Feles and said, "Okay, you two, take care of the alliance. Myr's spies are everywhere, so I can't be seen."

"Don't worry, Prince," Feles promised.

"Then be careful," Red Viper cautioned.

As she watched the two leave, Shinelli knew she would be left behind again, but she wanted to fight for herself. During the journey, Viserys had undoubtedly been the core of the team. In addition, Feles had been praising Viserys in her ear, and Shinelli had developed a lot of goodwill towards him.

Of course, the most important reason was that she, too, had to contribute to the revitalization of her house. She learned from Feles that from Sunspear to Pentos, everyone desired to marry the Prince. 

Feles and Shinelli, knowing they lacked the status to compete, considered settling for a lesser role as his paramour. After all, if you capture a man's heart, you won't be treated any worse than the main wife.

As Viserys prepared to leave with Regis, Shinelli quickly said, "Prince, let me serve you."

Seeing this, Regis made a knowing smile, his expression playful.

To be honest, he really liked this girl who resembled Jennifer Connelly, especially today. Shinelli had carefully dressed for the occasion, her crystal-clear collarbone exposed like a masterpiece. But Viserys had already rejected Arianne, and if he didn't treat her fairly, it would create a rift with House Martell. Moreover, she was Feles' sister.

Viserys and Feles. Daenerys and Shinelli. The fates of these two sets of siblings were strikingly similar.

When Viserys sent Regis away, Shinelli suddenly became nervous, thinking he was about to make a move on her. However, Viserys stopped three steps away from her.

"Lady Shinelli, please convey the following to Feles."

"Prince, please speak." Shinelli squeezed her fingers and stood at attention, not daring to miss a word.

"Viserys II's wife came from House Rogare, and I am Viserys III. Isn't it interesting that we are destined to form an alliance?"

Shinelli felt her heart race and her ears burn. The sound of the waves, the bells on the docks, the cries of the seagulls—all the noises of the world seemed to fade away. She didn't even dare to look into Viserys' eyes and instead focused on his mouth, waiting for his words.

However, what came out of that mouth was not what she had expected.

"Lady Shinelli, I don't think I can ask you to be my wife, but our houses will remain allies. Tell Feles that I swear on my life and Dany's that I will always consider him my right hand, as long as House Rogare remains loyal."

Shinelli's eyes flashed with disappointment, but she still bowed slightly in response.

"Prince, don't worry. I will definitely convey your words to my brother."


CREATORS' THOUGHTS
BlurryDream BlurryDream

Hello everyone!

First of all, thank you so much for joining on reading this novel!

If you enjoy what I do and want to support my work, you’re welcome to do so on P@treon, the same username: BlurryDream.

For $1, you can get early access to 20 chapters ahead of the public release.

Important Note: Please keep in mind that I am not the owner of the original story. My goal is to translate it as cleanly and accurately as possible while ensuring that your reading experience is as enjoyable as it can be. The chapters will eventually be released to the public with only a 5-day delay, so please do not consider this a paywall. Patreon is simply a way for those who wish to support the translations and help me invest in improving the quality even further.

For those who can't or aren't interested in joining Patreon, I sincerely thank you for your support and for enjoying this novel alongside me. Your comments, reviews, and even just your presence is enough. If you'd like, feel free to leave a review, drop a comment, or give me your stones.

Again, thank you very much for your support!

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