Chapitre 38: Chapter 37: Iron Bank
(1,200 words)
- MC POV -
- Bravos - Free Cities - Essos - 280 A.D -
After some time, I had finally arrived in Braavos, but only Qyburn knew of my arrival as I had communicated new orders to him. The letter with the notice of my death had arrived, and Qyburn had been notified by the Iron Bank, as they wanted to make an alliance with him. An alliance of which he of course notified me.
But... What is the significance of my death? Well, all the Iron Bank Keyholders had left Braavos, with only one being in the bank itself at the same time. But now, with me dead, they had lost their fear, and had all gathered at the bank. With my animal control magic I had seen them enter, so I had no doubt.
But just in case, I had given some instructions to Qyburn. He had made a deal with one of the Keyholders, and had passed him a poison along with its antidote. He would release the poison into the room after verifying that they were all Keyholders. The deal would be that Iron Bank would be his, while my riches would be Qyburn's.
- Kaoes POV -
"Did he take the deal?" asked Vinyas, the oldest Keyholder of the 13 of us. It was said that we were all equal, but that was false. Vinyas was the most powerful while I was the weakest. That's why I was sent to talk to the guy who could have killed me. Damn bastards!
"He did it, he will leave us alone as well as us him. In return, he will remove the title of Lord of Braavos, as well as return the power to a legitimate Lord Seal. Then order in Braavos will be restored," I said.
"Good boy, you did a good job" Vinyas said to me as laughter could be heard from the rest of Keyholders and I clenched my fist in anger.
"Hohohohoho, you're getting better Kaoes" said another one of the Keyholders. I was still analyzing everyone and trying to verify their identity. And after a long dialogue and plans destined to fail, I could verify that the other 12 were the 12. Whether it was their voice, their gestures or their attitude, everything matched. So I took the sphere Qyburn had handed me and threw it on the ground, earning strange looks from everyone.
"What's that?" asked Vinyas with a frown.
"This is my promotion" I said, and the sphere began to release a gas throughout the room, causing everyone to fall to the floor with blood pouring out of their eyes, mouths and noses. The problem... I had blood coming out of me too!
"Bloody bastard Qyburn!" was the last thing I muttered before falling into eternal sleep.
- Percival Bolton POV -
"It is a pleasure to see you again my Lord. It's been a while" Qyburn said to my side.
"Same here Qyburn. Good to see you again, what are our numbers?"
"Our total army is nearly 73,000 soldiers. But in Braavos we only have 40,000 swords" he told me. To which I nodded with satisfaction. Those numbers are the sum of the Unsullied along with the armies of four Free Cities. Braavos, Pentos, Norvos and Lothor. It may not be much for four Free Cities, but keep in mind that the largest forces in these types of cities are the hired mercenaries. These are just the numbers that already belong to me.
"Then let's get started" I said, and I went with 10,000 Unsullied on my back crossing through the streets of Braavos, while all the people looked out of the window in fear at the sight of my figure. Some others with admiration, for the city had improved under my rule.
"Is that Lord Percival?" people murmured in fear.
"Lord of Braavos!" shouted another with excitement.
"My dear citizens! The high officials of the Iron Bank have tried to assassinate me using the Faceless Man, but fortunately I have survived. So today, as Lord of Braavos, I confiscate the entire Iron Bank, and imprison all those responsible!" I said in a firm tone. "Soldiers!" I shouted, and they all began to crash their spears to the ground. "Go in and kill anyone who resists!" I shouted, and a horde of Unsullied had entered the place. The Iron Bank was now mine.
After that I went to the Faceless Men's home, "House of Black and White," where I knocked loudly on the door and a flat-faced man opened it for me.
"Who would like to meet a man?" he asked calmly.
"If I notice again that you accepted a contract against me or my subordinates or allies. I will burn all the temples of your god," I told him with a serious expression. "Braavos is no longer your playground, it is mine" I repeated. And once again silence filled the place.
"A man understands. As long as Percival Bolton does not harm us, we will not accept contracts against him.If Percival Bolton breaches his contract, one man will finish him and his useful tools" he told me.
"¿Useful tools?"
"You dont have loved ones"
"Fair enough" I said to him after a few seconds of silence, but inside I was thinking of ways to finish him off, as well as a way to get his techniques. Having assassins of his type under my command would be too good. But what was good about him was also unreal. The Faceless Men were not a group that would bend easily. It's far more likely that they would decide to haunt me and my minions for the rest of eternity if I did something really bad to them.
Besides, they're damn creepy. Even creepier than me, which is saying a lot. What is this bullshit about referring to them as "A Man" or "A Woman"? I know they do it to de-identify their members, but it's too disgusting for sensitive people like me. Should I copy their method or something similar? It's not the same as sneaking into their base and learning all their arts, but I guess it's something.
"My Lord, we now have full control of the Iron Bank" Qyburn said to my side, and I replied with a big smile. Finally they were out the pesky guys.
"How much?" I asked.
"We haven't counted it exactly, but considering that, in his personal vaults, he had 30 million gold dragons, and that through his companies, he owns an estate of easily over 150 million. Owning Iron Bank should quadruple his wealth in physical currencies. The value of the bank as a company is incalculable at the moment," Qyburn told me, and I nodded happily. My money was now greater than the money in all of The Seven Kingdoms. Although I couldn't consider myself the richest man in the world without visiting the Yi Ti Empire or whatever it was called. Those guys are dangerous.
"That's good, now all that's left is to stabilize everything and prepare for our expedition. Something many have tried but failed miserably. A journey to the glory of Old Valyria" I murmured with a smile but calculating eyes. I was a little scared, but I was confident in using my spell and saving my life for that of my son whom I didn't even gave him a name. But I guess if he saves my life I could build him a tomb.
Nah, just kidding. What a waste of money.
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone