Chương 71: Chapter 70: Signing the Pact

The Sea Lord of Braavos was open about his current health, admitting that he was seriously ill and needed to use perfume to mask the smell of medicinal herbs in the room.

Perhaps for this reason, the Sea Lord's 'reception room' was actually his bedroom.

However, his demeanor was positive, showing no signs of severe illness other than a slightly sallow complexion. He then smiled apologetically, saying, "I hope you both can forgive my discourtesy of not being able to greet you personally."

As a figure theoretically at the top of the world's power pyramid, the Sea Lord's attitude was very humble, reflecting his good upbringing. Also, Viserys and Oberyn were of potential benefit to him.

Just as the Iron Bank valued numbers and believed that math would never deceive, they held a similar view.

"Sea Lord," Oberyn said, now with a serious expression and impeccable manners, as he slightly bowed and took a seat beside the Sea Lord. He had once been a mercenary in Essos, serving in the Second Sons before forming his own team, so he naturally understood the Valyrian language.

"Sea Lord," Viserys greeted, following Oberyn's example and taking a seat in front of the Sea Lord.

The round table before Ferrego Antaryon had only two chairs, evidently prepared for the two guests.

Outside the door, the First Sword , Syrio Forel, had just greeted Viserys. Now, seeing that the guests and host were about to discuss serious matters, he pulled the door shut and guarded it.

As the bedroom door closed, the atmosphere inside became slightly tense.

"Your Grace," the Sea Lord began, setting the tone for the conversation. "The usurper's war in Westeros is a deplorable act of betrayal. I personally regret the fate that has befallen your father and brother."

Viserys nodded in appreciation, knowing these were merely courtesies.

However, he didn't angrily question the Sea Lord about why the Iron Bank would lend massive amounts of gold dragons to the usurper if they condemned the betrayal.

"Nevertheless, a Westeros in turmoil does not serve our interests," the Sea Lord continued, looking at the young man seated before him.

Viserys had grown taller over the past year, no longer needing to jump off the chair as he did before. Now, he could just stand on tiptoe to get off the chair.

Viserys now looked at the Sea Lord of Braavos, waiting for him to continue speaking.

And at that moment,

Oberyn, who was sitting off to the side, was the first to raise his hand and interrupt the conversation. Among the three forces at the table, the Targaryens were undoubtedly the weakest, and Dorne might not necessarily fear Braavos.

"There's really no need for pleasantries, Lord of the Sea, and Viserys."

The Prince of Dorne looked at the young king and then at the Sea Lord of Braavos, nodding slightly with a sincere, candid demeanor.

"Why not get straight to the point?"

...

A secret discussion involving the whole of Westeros was unfolding in the Sea Lord's bedroom in Braavos.

The three parties sitting there represented three major interest groups, and Viserys had the least say among them.

It wasn't because his youth made it hard for him to be taken seriously; it was because the remnants of the Targaryen power he represented were so weak that it was difficult for him to gain much respect from the Prince of Dorne and the Sea Lord of Braavos.

But Viserys did not give up trying to gain some benefits.

The young king made a request at the negotiating table, hoping to gain Braavos' support. In exchange for that support, he was willing to cede some of his interests to them.

The sun was setting.

Unknowingly, half a day had passed, and the glow of the setting sun cast long shadows on the figures on the half-open balcony.

The Sea Lord's First Sword was still standing outside the bedroom door, and children were playing in the garden below. He had heard the conversations inside the room but remained silent.

As the personal guard of the Sea Lord, Syrio Forel knew too many secrets and shocking conspiracies.

He knew how to live longer.

The scope of this conspiracy was actually quite broad, involving the Golden Company, a former Hand of the King who had been exiled across the Narrow Sea, an informant hidden in King's Landing, a governor in Pentos, and more...

Together, they conspired to overthrow Robert Baratheon's rule of the Iron Throne.

The red clouds of the setting sun illuminated the First Sword 's armor, his messy hair, and his straight posture. His eyes blinked and then squinted, seemingly a bit tired.

It was then that the Sea Lord's voice came from inside the bedroom.

"Syrio."

The First Sword , who had been about to yawn, was startled by the sudden voice and lost all traces of fatigue.

He hurriedly adjusted the hilt of the sword at his waist and slapped his cheeks to wake himself up, fearing that the Sea Lord would notice his drowsiness. Then, he finally entered the room.

"My lord."

Syrio entered the room after pushing open the door.

"Syrio, instruct the servants to prepare a family feast in the ballroom."

The Sea Lord remained seated behind the table, looking a bit pale and tired from the long conversation. Ferrego Antaryon rubbed his nose and spoke.

The good news was that the outcome of the secret talks had been decided.

Young King Viserys Targaryen, representing his family and Dragonstone, signed his name on the document.

The Sea Lord of Braavos also stamped his seal, and Prince Oberyn signed as well, but he only wrote his own name, not that of House Martell.

Even if the plan went awry and was exposed in the future, Oberyn would not fear retribution from the Iron Throne. Since he was not the ruler of Sunspear, he could claim to be opposing the Iron Throne in his own name, seeking vengeance for his sister.

Such events were common in the history of Westeros, and the separation of family and individual was not unusual.

Without sufficient evidence, whether the Iron Throne would blame and implicate his family depended on the strength of his family.

Coincidentally, the power of House Martell was enough to make the Iron Throne relent on Oberyn's 'stubborn character' in this matter.

After the three parties signed the 'pact,' the document was carefully collected by the Sea Lord of Braavos himself and stored in Braavos' most top-secret archive, where the defense forces were second only to the Iron Bank.