章 143: Chapter 142: Melisandre
After three months of expedition, the Andalos Legion finally completed their conquest. Numerous lands were divided among the Targaryen forces, with countless Rhoynar villages and towns submitting to the banner of the three-headed dragon.
In the final battle at Ghoyan Drohe, the legion achieved a great victory, albeit suffering heavy losses. Nearly 3,000 soldiers were killed or wounded, and morale nearly crumbled on several occasions. Many soldiers were injured.
However, the spoils of war were also abundant.
The Andalos Legion defeated Khal Drogo's Khalasar, capturing a large number of horses after the battle. Relying on the ruins of a city, the legion killed over 5,000 Dothraki and captured nearly 1,000, along with an astonishing number of horses.
Many of these sturdy steppe horses remained uncastrated and could be used as breeding stock, which was undoubtedly a shot in the arm for Andalos.
The fertile lands of the Andas Plain, surrounded by mountains, contained vast uninhabited areas that could be used to build pastures and breed horses in the future.
Although this was a classic example of winning against the odds, defeating an entirely light cavalry Dothraki force, it was also a victory of civilized people over barbarians.
In addition to their bravery, the Andalos Legion had superior equipment and tactics.
Despite this, Viserys knew that in the era of cold weaponry, swift cavalry remained the ultimate force. It was crucial to build his own cavalry unit.
Gaining these astonishing numbers of horses excited him more than obtaining the Heart of the Red Comet from the Brotherhood.
A single Valyrian steel weapon could only enhance the strength of one individual.
A powerful legion, however, would conquer vast lands in the future, even helping him cross the Narrow Sea and reclaim the Iron Throne that belonged to him.
From a bird's-eye view:
The Andalos army was on its way home, with troops covering the land as far as the eye could see. Cavalry on both sides drove the captured horses.
Fluttering—
In the woods not far from the marching army, a group of ravens took to the sky.
...
Viserys led the army on their journey home.
Meanwhile, in Andalos City:
At dawn.
The wooden wheels of a carriage rumbled as it drove over the uneven ground of the main road.
"Halt!"
The guards at the end of the road conducted a routine inspection of the passing carriage.
Lifting the curtain, they saw a beautiful, perfectly proportioned woman in a red dress and hesitated for a moment.
"This..."
The guard swallowed hard and watched the carriage enter Andalos City.
It wasn't that he had never seen a woman before, but this red-robed woman was truly stunning. Her thin clothing was incredibly tempting, with a glimpse of her fair skin at her chest. Her whole body seemed to radiate heat, causing the guard's temperature to rise and his blood to rush.
"So beautiful," the young guard murmured, watching the carriage disappear into the distance.
The captain beside him, noticing his subordinate's infatuated demeanor, slapped him on the head.
"Look at yourself!"
"Have you never seen a woman before?"
...
However, he couldn't help but cast a curious glance at the departing carriage, having seen nothing earlier. He wondered what this woman looked like and how she could enchant his brother so thoroughly.
In that retreating carriage,
A woman with fiery red hair gently closed her robe, her delicate face exuding serenity and grace.
She hadn't deliberately tried to seduce the guard; it was merely the power of R'hllor radiating from her that irresistibly attracted people.
She believed it to be the people's innate reverence for the Lord of Light, and she was merely helping them better understand the true god.
Then Melisandre slightly lifted the curtain of the carriage, her seductive and careless red eyes glanced back.
"However,"
"A city without walls is truly surprising."
Andaros had no walls.
From a bird's-eye view, the entire city could be seen gathered around the central castle on a small hill. Numerous roads radiated outward in a complex network, forming the urban plan of Andaros.
Taverns, inns, brothels, blacksmiths, and more all huddled beneath the castle.
Perhaps only Andaros Keep was the true city, while the surrounding areas were merely outlying villages.
For this reason, when the castle was built, it was named after the location rather than adopting a more symbolic name.
The full name of Andaros was simply "Andaros," representing this vast region.
"Viserys Targaryen III."
"Son of the 'Mad King' Aerys Targaryen II and Rhaella Targaryen, he is said to be a mere youth now."
"Yet, as a child, he ventured alone to Braavos and, with the help of Braavos and the Martell family, created such a city."
The curtain of the carriage was lowered once more, blocking the light and plunging the interior back into darkness.
In this darkness,
Melisandre's eyes sparkled with curiosity.
It was a miracle that, six years ago, an eight-year-old child had the courage and ability to achieve all this.
Viserys' secret mission to Braavos and alliance with the Martell family had always been highly classified.
Although Oberyn's presence in Andaros was well-known, the Martell family had ostensibly severed ties with him, and Oberyn had not returned to Dorne for many years.
No one knew how Melisandre had discovered these secrets.
"One kingdom, one true god, one ruler."
Accompanied by the sound of carriage wheels outside, the red-robed woman whispered softly.
Melisandre had once suddenly seen Viserys' figure in the flames - a handsome youth with silver-gold hair, roasting a dragon's egg.
She hadn't seen anything in the flames for a long time before that, so she concluded that it was a revelation from the Lord of Light.
As Melisandre journeyed from afar, she learned more about Viserys' actions and his indisputable noble lineage. This further solidified her belief that Viserys was the 'Prince That Was Promised.'
"Your Grace..."
"Will you draw 'Lightbringer' from the flames?"
Then,
Rumble—
The carriage wheels began to roll again.
The carriage carrying the red-robed woman entered the cobblestone path leading to Andaros Keep.
"Halt!"
"Who goes there?"
The castle guards stopped the carriage.
These were elite soldiers, not as easily swayed as the guards outside the city.
Soon after,
The identity of the Lord of Light R'hllor's messenger, the red-robed woman Melisandre, was brought to the attention of Princess Rhaenys.
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