Capítulo 622: Chapter 622: Confrontation
The matter of dispatching troops to Naath Island was more a demonstration of power than a declaration of war or protection. Naturally, the kingdom's progress was not directed in one single avenue.
For instance, engaging in war required economic considerations, and economic reforms required diplomatic considerations.
A nation cannot remain isolated; it must exhibit its strength to the outside world, sending a message.
Of course, although this expedition resembled more of a world-tour envoy, it did not imply an absence of conflict.
After all, the world was vast, and the journey long and arduous. The soldiers had to be self-sufficient, and there would always be some reckless individuals aiming to attack the kingdom's fleet for their selfish purposes.
Moreover, as a fleet representing the kingdom's might, its composition could not be compromised.
Thus, a naval general adept at naval warfare and sharp-witted was essential to lead this far-reaching expedition.
This journey was not a matter of months but likely several years.
Ideally, it should be someone unattached, without significant familial ties in Westeros, willing to venture into the unknown for monumental accolades.
With such stringent conditions, the choices available to Viserys were quite limited.
"How about the Kraken's Daughter, Asha Greyjoy?"
"She should be unoccupied for now."
Ever since Asha led the Ironborn loyal to her father to submit to the Iron Throne, she had come to King's Landing. However, during these peaceful times, there wasn't much suitable work for someone like Asha.
The Iron Islands were occupied by her uncle Euron Greyjoy, who was yet to eliminate the heirs of her two elder brothers, making Asha essentially homeless, idling in King's Landing, occasionally helping with naval training.
The Kraken's Daughter was proficient in naval warfare, once a captain of the Black Wind, commanded large fleets in battle, was experienced, sharp, and apart from her brother Theon, had no other concerns in the Seven Kingdoms.
Therefore, when Viserys proposed Asha's name, the council looked at one another, finding no other opinions opposing the choice.
Meanwhile, in the gardens of the Red Keep,
Missandei was playing with her two brothers while their cousin Milaz sat in the reception room, awaiting an audience with the king.
A golden-haired boy with fair skin and green eyes also arrived in the garden. He was Joffrey, stripped of his surname and the title of prince, now reduced to a bastard.
Though deprived of everything, Joffrey had yet to receive the chance to leave the Red Keep due to his tender age. He remained confined to prevent misuse by individuals with ulterior motives.
His mother, the former Queen Cersei, now served as a laundry maid within the Red Keep.
They, the mother and her three children, still resided in Maiden's Keep, confined to a small area.
The farthest they could go was this garden, hence it became Joffrey's usual retreat, his only sanctuary.
Due to the unique location of Maiden's Keep, it was seldom frequented, allowing Joffrey to indulge in fantasies of still being a prince, issuing commands to the plants and chasing the old black cat that once scratched his face.
However, today, uninvited guests intruded into Joffrey's secret garden. At least in his eyes, they were intruders.
They were children like him, led by two boys who appeared only a few years younger.
Yet Joffrey was much taller and stronger. The three Naathi children seemed malnourished, skinny, dark-skinned, resembling small monkeys.
"Are they foreigners?"
Joffrey hid in the shadows, observing the three dark-skinned Naathi children play, his past arrogance now replaced by self-loathing due to the series of devastating events he had endured.
His father was ousted from the throne, he went from prince to bastard, the offspring of his mother's illicit affair with her brother.
These brutal realities twisted Joffrey's psyche, rendering him extremely insecure, hence the frequent retreats to this deserted garden to play by himself, hiding whenever someone passed by, fearful of being seen.
For the mocking, ridiculing, and pitying gazes felt like knives stabbing into his soul. He feared being looked at with such eyes, thus became extremely self-conscious.
Yet now, as Joffrey hid in the shadows, he saw younger, skinny, weak foreigners trespassing into his territory, meddling with his plants.
That was his 'General Dagger Leaf.'
Stop!
Bastards!
The blonde boy's heart roared, his handsome face twisted with rage as he clenched his fists.
"Damn barbarians!"
He might not dare to provoke others, but he could surely handle a few savages, right?
The pent-up frustration and rage within Joffrey erupted unexpectedly at this moment, unchallenged.
Perhaps everyone had moments of anger and fury, yet Joffrey was different from the ordinary.
He struggled to control his emotions, exhibiting pathological tendencies, becoming irrationally agitated with minor triggers, inclined to inflict violence on the weak while displaying exaggerated weakness towards the strong.
It was an extremely abnormal state, either brutally cruel or insanely weak.
And once his fury ignited, nobody could stop him.
"Stop! Shitty bastard!"
Joffrey yelled, charging from behind the tree like a furious young bull, his fair cheeks flushed red, seemingly ready to pounce.
The three Naathi children playing in the garden were utterly terrified. They never expected to be suddenly attacked within the king's palace.
Missandei's brother, Missandor, was punched in the face by Joffrey before he could react, falling to the ground with a thud.
Her older brother, Missanlo, reacted quickly, shielding Missandei behind his arms, urging her to flee in Valyrian.
But Missandei seemed paralyzed, tears welling up in her eyes, her feet rooted to the ground. With no other option, Missanlo reluctantly faced the much taller and stronger Joffrey.
"Die!"
Joffrey swung his fist again at Missanlo, who dodged nimbly. Yet, Joffrey lunged once more...
Status de energia semanal
-- Ranking de
Poder 
-- Pedra de
Poder