Capítulo 37: 18
Chapter 18 Conquest
Expanding was easier than I anticipated. Ib Sar, the only city to survive my attacks, ended up joining me. Colonized by banished criminals, they actually seemed happy that I wiped out the rest of their race. I didn't grant them Ib since I was still planning on using it as a giant preserve, but I was more than happy to improve their island.
Far Ib was a rocky island with poor soil and dominated by a few large mountains. With advanced bone golems it was easy enough to start reshaping the island. Slowly they started tearing down the closest mountain even as they used the stone to expand it's shores.
I even granted them a single Valyrian steel hoe to improve their farms. They seemed in awe of it's abilities. Some of them even looked like they were about to kneel and start praying. I have no doubt that it'll become a national treasure.
Like in the rest of my territories I impose a very light tax. So light they have trouble believing it. It's not like I really need the money. I only do that much because I'd like my empire to be self sustaining. It would be a shame if it collapsed as soon as I died.
Far Ib wasn't the only city to join. Poor Saath also petitioned to join. With the loss of Lorath and Ib as trading partners, not to mention the destruction of Morosh, they were starving. Combined with the Dothraki hordes roaming everywhere, fucking Iron Bank, and I was their only chance of survival.
I didn't have any real problems with it. In fact I welcomed them with open arms. The Dothraki were a problem since I was primarily naval. Sure I could find a way to fight them but now I didn't need too.
Saath was all the remained of an entire kingdom that was destroyed by the Dothraki. They hated them and were all too happy with the idea of reconquering their former territory. They loved the literal tons of weapons I provided to help them as well.
Along with the repeating crossbow, which apparently really is being called the Lorathi crossbow, I provided several other items. The Sarnori were famous for fighting from chariots. I intended to restore that tradition. Not only would it provide a mobile armed force, the appeal to their pride would help integrate them in my empire.
I provided hundreds of chariots. Elaborate constructions of bronze, wood and steel they were each works of art. They were the large two person version because I had a Polybolos mounted on a swivel turret on the back of each one.
It wasn't an exact replica. My version was largely steel and incorporated the bow from the Lorathi crossbow. Since no one spoke greek here I renamed it the chain crossbow.
They loved it. The cheers when presented with the first one were deafening. The cheers turned into awe when I kept producing them. Unlike in Ib Sar they didn't waste any time. Muttered prayers rose from the crowds and I could tell I was going to be added to the plethora of gods they worshiped.
I also provided my version of a mantlet that was pretty much only possible due to my powers. Normal mantlets were usually small wooden walls on wheels meant to provide arrow cover. They often had an arrow slit in the center.
Mine were wood, but covered in a layer of steel. It was also three sided and hinged. Sliding bars and hinges allowed the rolling box to unfold into a twenty foot wall. Normally six feet high spikes could be extended an additional three feet.
For temporary walls that might need to be abandoned, they were horribly wasteful. As an investment to allowing my new cavalry to start fighting the Dothraki, they were worth it.
The very last thing I gifted them was a reminder of just who I am any why they should never turn on me. It was also a very public symbol of the fact they had joined my empire. I provided valyrian sphinx golems. Dragon bodies with advanced golem heads enabling them to be trained. Enough to pull every chariot I gave them twice over.
They didn't even seem to mind the fact that I demanded their cities mix populations with mine. I didn't take them away. Instead I moved several other villages over. It didn't take long to rebuild the ruins of Sarys and link them with a valyrian style road.
The two cities seemed a bit bare with the people scattered between them, but they were thoroughly defended. Chain crossbows were set up at in every watch and guard tower. I had also shipped each city literally tons of ammunition.
Morosh wasn't rebuilt. Instead of a single city I moved three of my villages over. They had the same defenses as before with the addition of having a dragon ship stationed just off the coast. Combined with a few barges and they can easily survive any size Dothraki attack.
The last place to join was a complete surprise. I'm not sure how they even got the idea, but it wasn't like I had a reason to refuse them. Two months after I started letting other cities join the island of Skagos petitioned to be included.
Turns out that while they did raid some the North had responded brutally. The fighting was fierce enough that it had done something that had never happened before. It united the island. They had a king for the first time.
Harell the first was intelligent too. He knew where the supplies had come from. He had made a plan and started bribing a few of the ships that were heading to the far north to trade with him. When he heard about Ib he hadn't taken even a week to ask to join.
I of course let them. I definitely approved of him. He was ruthless and intelligent. Perfect to guard against the North. There is also the fact that he's likely to end up on the front against the white walkers.
Because of that I was fairly generous. I used my powers to rebuilt several caverns into indoor gardens. I also created walls and other fortifications. Behind them they could build actual cities if they wanted. Since they were still trading I even built them a few small docks.
Now that they joined I poured food and other supplies to them. No people of mine were going to starve or freeze. I also provided Lorathi crossbows along with mountains of ammunition. I wanted them well able to defend my new territory. I also wanted to make sure they had enough arrows to last them for years.
I even provided them with windlances. Not many and all in very defensible locations. I really didn't want anyone capturing one. Still they were able to cover most of the island from their vantage points. And if an ice dragon appeared they would be available.
The ammunition for the weapons were all tipped with obsidian reinforced with fine steel wire. A bit extravagant, but they'll need them when the Long Night comes. Maybe with them they'll have a chance.
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With a still limited population I wasn't able to start seeding villages everywhere like I wanted. I couldn't even expand and colonize the way I wanted too. What I could do was to capture territory.
I dislike doing so unless I see a real need. I don't gain anything from it. All that happens is someone else is denied some assets. It also creates it's own problems later on. The island of Ib for example.
Sometimes though, it's the best route. There is a target that is just too tempting. One that will hurt my enemies and won't require massive amounts of time and effort. It needs to be highly visible. Some place that with a high enough profile that they are forced to respond. It works best if it's a place of pride, so much so that losing it is a mortal insult.
Not everyone has something like that. Most places in Essos don't. The city states just aren't large enough. Both the Dothraki and Westeros do.
For the Dothraki it's their only city and capital, Vaes Dothrak. It's large and unfortified. It's not normally an easy target except spilling blood is illegal according to their religion there.
I don't even have to think about it. I set off immediately using an elytra and rockets to make may over. Getting there is agony. The Dothraki sea is flat. Endless seas of grass without anything to break up the view. Even with rockets it takes forever to cross.
Thankfully they have roads. Or at least haven't destroyed all the roads. I manage to follow them until I finally find the city. Once nearby I drop down and set up.
I don't bother hiding. I've easy to spot in the sky. The only reason I don't have an enormous crowd behind me is that they can't match my pace. Besides the land is flat, there isn't anywhere to hide.
It doesn't matter. I land well clear of anyone and in the few minutes it takes people to arrive I'm protected. A thirteen foot wall surrounds me as I continue setting up. By the time they bring over ladders I've ready for them.
A massive central tower rises from behind the wall. As I build it I make sure to stud it with cubby holes. Each one has a skeleton archer protected by an arrow slit. Underneath me arrows are already seeking out targets. Once I'm high enough I set up the real attack.
A team of advanced golems along with chests full of supplies lies at the top. Thank goodness I can make shulker boxes. More than enough to spawn harpy golems for quite a long time. The tower itself is high enough to allow the golems to glide all the way into the heart of their city.
When the first golem makes it into their city they panic and chase after it. Before they get back I quickly make a few extra towers. They can't make golems, but the extra firepower should keep them from overrunning the one that does.
Not like that will do them any good. If anyone makes it past the guard towers and behind the wall everything gets destroyed. The entire compound is filled with TNT.
As I leave I can see hundreds of Dothraki arguing at the edges of the city. A few fights have even broken out. I laugh as I fly off.
No one notices me land just a little ways back. I've roughly measured as closely as possible, but it's still an estimate. I'm just glad the city is such a large target.
I burrow down and quickly set up the second part of my plan. A quick portal and I'm in the Nether. Just as I thought. A Nether fortress. I run through it ignoring the inhabitants. I'm now wearing four layers of armor, leather, chain, and two types of plate. There is no chance of any of them significantly damaging me.
I quickly find both Blaze spawners and grab them. Then, still ignore everything else, run away. I fill in the portal behind me. Don't need anything following and messing up my set up.
I place the blaze spawner at the top of the room and build single gate pointed into the heart of Vaes Dothrak. They're not dragons, but they're close enough. When I burrow out I see that already parts of the city are burning. It's beautiful.
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The Dothraki aren't my only enemies. Westeros has clearly demonstrated they are as well. Better yet they have two targets for me to hit.
The first is the Wall. It's probably the most defensible location in the world right now. It's also one of the least guarded. Along it's three hundred mile length there are only a few castles that are manned. There are also only around a thousand men total manning the wall.
I make sure to land while it's dark. Quietly I set up a golem assembling set up. I want everyone to know it was me so I go with obsidian dragon golems. Making it blatantly obvious it was me. Or at least a Targaryen. Or someone framing us.
Maybe I should leave a note? I think the long hours spent flying have gotten to me more than I realize if I'm joking.
Once I can't hear anymore screaming I start securing the Wall for myself. It's really quite simple. I start manufacturing thousands of advanced bone golems. They each have an enchanted bow grafted on along with a quiver with the infinity enchantment. The quivers all hold the same arrows I gave the Skagosi.
I have the golems smash almost everything on top of the wall. Cranes, siege engines, supplies everything is destroyed. I then have them burn down everything in range of their bows.
I have to drop some TNT to clear out the castles at the base. I don't want any structures except my own present or even nearby. My structures consist of over thirty small fortresses actually on top of the wall.
Each fortress extended past the edge of the wall. From the bottom two iron ladders extend all the way to the base of the Wall. One on each side. Multiple murder holes guard the ladders. The ladders are actually only for use by golems. Everything else gets attacked.
The fortress is hollow, essentially just space to house hundreds of obsidian harpy golems. The top of each fortress holds six windlances. If an ice dragon does appear, hopefully they'll be enough to stop it.
I plug all the tunnels with solid stone. My Wall will be impenetrable. Any members of the Night's Watch who surrendered I release. Don't need them and they'll be better than a note to spread the news.
When they're all assembled the golems will line the Wall. They'll guard the Wall from both directions, literally raining down obsidian and fire on everything that approaches. Even armor won't protect anyone since the bows all have Power II added to them.
It took much longer than I anticipated but I'm satisfied with the results. I fly a few miles out to sea and rejoin the fleet I had assembled. We then head south towards my second target.
Dragonstone Island. The ancestral home of the Targaryens. It's also perfectly positioned, being clearly visible from King's Landing and more importantly visible to King Robert.
He might be able to ignore my taking of the Wall. It's isolated and only really important as a politically symbol and to the north kingdom. I doubt it'll happen, but he could easily write off the Wall. There is no way he'll be able to ignore my taking of Dragonstone.
Sadly it was a little too visible. Trying to take it subtly was too likely to fail. So I didn't try. A massive fleet of fire ships led my assault.
It was clear I caught them by surprise. Barely half the royal fleet had left the docks. My fire ships tore through them all. For a while it looked like the sea itself was burning.
That was distinctively underwhelming. I was prepared for kind of massive epic naval battle. Something to make Tyrosh look mild. Instead I face over a hundred or so galleys with only thirty fire ships and some of them survived.
I order to remaining few fire ships to attack King's Landing. No point letting him try and organize well, anything. In the meantime I lead the charge as the three dragon ships start unloading samurai.
The samurai carried my banner of course. I was making a political statement. That's when things went odd.
There was fierce fighting along the docks of course. Royal soldiers and sailors were present in large numbers. They were also bolstered by Stannis's bannermen. My samurai mowed them all down. I didn't even fight. I stood on top of one of the buildings and watched. I was so proud of my people.
That part was expected. The crazy part was what happened afterwards. The commoners all poured out to watch the fighting. I figured they would run. Instead they started cheering. I don't even know where they hid them but Targaryen banners and flags were being hung up.
The people there were so happy to see me. They cheered madly when I took off my helmet. It was actually nice. I did notice a lot of the people there had valyrian features. Clearly they 'loved' my family in more than once sense.
I was touched. I also felt slightly bad since I had planned on leaving again. They changed my mind though. No, I wasn't going to disappoint my subjects. I was going to keep them safe.
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I was a good thing I had caught Westeros completely by surprise. I wasn't prepared to actually hold Dragonstone. Sure I could flood it with golems and traps, but now I intended to protect it.
The first thing I did was head back. I did so alone, leaving everyone else behind to guard the island. I was just glad I'm paranoid enough to always take a chest full of rockets on every trip. I broke my blockade to send several of the floating fortresses south.
Sure a few pirates might make it over, but I never removed any defenses. Besides the hole won't be there for long. It's just much faster to send new fortresses over to the blockade than all the way to Dragonstone. I also send a few dragon ships to run patrols in the area.
That's not nearly enough for me though so I load up another dragon ship with supplies. I intend to clearly make Dragonstone mine. I also pick up my dragon. He's only the size of a horse, but I'm sure they'll get a thrill out of seeing him. All my other subjects do.
I make good time. I'm back well within two weeks. As expected I'm greeted with deafening cheers. It was nice to see how much they missed me. It'd probably have been worse if I brought Smaug. Sadly my dragon did not like sea travel.
The samurai were happy to report they stopped the few minor attacks that occurred. They were more probes than assaults. The dragon ships were busy raiding up and down the coast. Mostly they kept burning down every ship they tried to build at King's Landing.
The first few days were busy. The people barely saw me. Meanwhile I was busy tearing up the island. I mined deep and started setting up underground farms. Enough to feed the entire population easily. Lastly I set up an underground lake. Between the lights and magma sea weed should flourish. It should also provide fish, clams and other sea food even if the seas nearby freeze over.
I can't stay here though. It's too isolated and the rest of my empire needs me. So I arm them. First Lorathi crossbows were given to every adult. I place windlances on every guard tower in the castle as well. Armor and other weapons were also given to anyone who asked.
Sadly very few people ask. Not many here were fighters. They were mostly servants and fisherman. While many were willing to try, I wasn't willing to just throw their lives away. Besides, they don't need to fight. That's what my samurai are for.
It only takes another week for the floating fortresses to arrive. During that time we're only attacked twice. Although I hesitate to label them as actual attacks.
The first was from the Redwyne fleet. They didn't even get to try to land troops. When my dragon ships went out to meet them the whole fleet panicked. It seems they still remember me. Several ran into each other in their attempts to flee.
The second attempt was with wildfire. I actually was happy when they did that. I didn't even mind the ship I lost since I managed to collect a sample.
Then the floating fortresses arrived. Positioned to slaughter any invasion I withdrew along with all but a very small garrison.
Status de energia semanal
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