Chương 63: Chapter 62: The Water Dancer

In this world, there were all sorts of people.

Farmers, slaves, merchants, mercenaries, and even bandits, thieves, and so on...

And the races were diverse as well.

In Westeros, there were Northerners, Ironborn, Dornishmen, Orphans of the Greenblood, mountain clans of the Vale, hill clans of the North, Crannogmen, Skagosi, and even rumored giants and White Walkers beyond the Wall.

And in Essos, the continent Viserys was about to reach, there were Dothraki, Braavosi, Qohorik, Lhazarene, and many more.

Every race, every profession, had its unique way of life, as without being nobility and possessing vast wealth that required no effort to grasp, one had to struggle to survive.

At first, Viserys didn't have a good impression of mercenaries.

It wasn't because of so-called "honor," but because Viserys thought these people were capable of all sorts of wicked deeds, willing to kill anyone as long as they were paid.

However, now an idea suddenly sprouted in Viserys' mind, a thought about how to establish himself in Essos.

"Can I... make use of these mercenaries?"

After all, mercenaries were prevalent on the continent across the Narrow Sea, and he still had plenty of gold in his hands.

In that case, could he hire an army or buy some Unsullied to help him gain a foothold?

The boy stood in silence for a moment, but this was just a sudden idea that came to him. Whether it could be done or how to do it would require further consideration.

Then Viserys glanced at the retreating figure of the mercenary before turning away.

It was just a small incident that didn't cause much disturbance on the ship.

But how many people had been secretly watching Viserys' figure just now was unknown.

Next, Viserys prepared to leave the deck and return to his cabin, where he encountered the First Swordsman of Braavos practicing his swordsmanship.

"Ser Syrio Forel?"

Viserys stopped in his tracks, curiously watching the sword techniques practiced by the First Swordsman.

The man, without any reservations, practiced openly on the deck, merely exercising his muscles.

After all, swordsmanship was a skill that required constant practice, and even a First Swordsman would become rusty if he didn't draw his sword for an extended period.

However, Syrio Forel's swordsmanship was somewhat unique.

It was as light and graceful as an elegant dance, with the sword's gleam like rain, seemingly able to pierce through an enemy's defenses effortlessly.

Viserys narrowed his eyes, and in the depths of his pale purple irises, an intricate magic circle faintly shone.

Under his extraordinary abilities, the swift and fierce swordsmanship of the Braavosi First Swordsman was fully captured by his eyes, clearly visible.

"Is this the famous Water Dance?"

Viserys looked at Syrio Forel with a touch of surprise.

"It's incredible."

This technique differed from mainstream swordsmanship, utilizing a lightweight rapier, standing sideways to face one's opponent, and appearing exceptionally agile.

The swordsmanship Viserys practiced with his instructor followed the more mainstream techniques in Westeros, focusing on open combat and donning armor for war.

In contrast, the Water Dancers seemed to emphasize agile one-on-one combat. .

"Milord, I am merely a swordsman, not any sort of 'noble.'"

At that moment, Syrio noticed Viserys and slightly sheathed his sword, looking at Viserys as he explained.

Although he was the First Sword of Braavos, he held no title, and the position of First Sword , unlike the Kingsguard, was not for life.

If one day his sword lost its edge or a stronger swordsman defeated him, he would have to hand over his position as the First Sword .

"Since there's not much to do on the ship, could I ask for your guidance in swordsmanship when you have time?"

Viserys didn't hesitate, asking directly.

Indeed, there wasn't much to do on the ship, and Viserys thought he could take this opportunity to learn from a master swordsman.

This was a rare opportunity.

"Hm?"

The somewhat unkempt man in black, hearing Viserys' words, paused for a moment, surprised that Viserys wanted to learn swordsmanship from him.

Then he scratched his head.

"Well..."

Actually, the water dance wasn't some secret technique to be kept hidden. Many practiced it in Braavos, as it was a unique swordsmanship system.

Syrio was simply the most diligent and skillful of those practitioners.

"Alright... if milord has the time, you can always ask me for guidance."

The First Sword hesitated for a moment before agreeing to Viserys' request. Teaching others was no psychological barrier for him, as he had taught others in Braavos before.

However, not far away.

A pair of eyes observed everything through the cracks in the cabin door.

The observer quickly hid before Syrio's gaze swept over them.

Syrio turned his head left and right, glancing around, feeling as if someone had been watching him.

"What's going on?"

Yet he found nothing, the man scratched his head in confusion, then let the matter slide.

...

Time passed in a flash.

After about a week, the merchant ship finally arrived at Pentos, one of the Free Cities.

This wealthy harbor city lay east of an area known as the 'Flatlands.' Following the Valyrian-built road further east, crossing the upper tributaries of the Rhoyne, passing through the Velvet Hills and entering the Andalos Mountains, one would reach Ghoyan Drohe.

Continuing along the road, it connected Ghoyan Drohe with the other two Free Cities of Norvos and Qohor.

Pentos' geographical location was very important.

The merchant ship docked in Pentos' harbor, unloaded some cargo, and rested for a few days. A group of passengers disembarked, while another group bound for Braavos paid their fare and boarded the ship.

Among the bustling crowd, Viserys stayed hidden in his cabin, rarely showing his face outside.

During this time, he either read the books given to him by the clerk of King's Landing or practiced swordsmanship with the First Sword .

Viserys' progress in both reading and practicing swordsmanship was astonishing. His gem-like eyes seemed to see through everything, leaving both Cleon and Syrio dumbfounded.

However, just as the merchant ship was about to leave Pentos and sail towards Braavos...

Something unexpected happened. .