Chương 750: Chapter 750: The Monster
Owing to historical reasons, the city-states of Slaver's Bay, the closest to the newly reestablished Valyrian Empire, are now compelled to consider the impact of the empire on them.
For the Valyrian Freehold had once turned the lands of the Ghiscari Empire, now known as Slaver's Bay, into scorched earth. Cities like Meereen and Yunkai were once Valyrian colonies, much like the current Summer Isles.
Rumor has it that a fleet laden with gifts has already set sail from Meereen, heading for the distant West, preparing to establish diplomatic relations with the empire.
In her letter, Asha also made a request: she wants a woman.
That woman is none other than Brienne of Tarth, the 'Beauty' with whom she had a brawl in a tavern in King's Landing.
Now, Countess Brienne Tarth has graduated from the military academy and is serving in the Riverlands, as a high-ranking officer in the legion, commanding a thousand elite imperial soldiers.
Asha wants Brienne to come to the Summer Isles to assist her, even promising her high rank and generous rewards.
Of course, Viserys would not force this; it's up to Brienne. If she wishes to venture into the outside world, then she should. If she prefers to stay home, there will undoubtedly be opportunities for her martial skills in the future.
The empire's military has been expanding for several consecutive years, primarily to guard against threats from the North.
According to data provided by the Oldtown Academy, the last summer lasted from 289 to 292 AC, which was the year before the new era. The current period from 293 to 299 AC almost matches the seven-year-long summer of 223 to 230 AC.
However, neither the earlier requests for rewards nor the later request for a person are of great importance. The main purpose of Asha's letter is saved for last, and it's the reason why Viserys remained silent for a long while after reading the entire letter.
"Has it arrived?"
Viserys then stands up from his chair to ask.
"Yes, Your Grace."
The Ironborn bastard couldn't help but tense up at the mention of this 'thing,' for their primary objective for this journey is actually to escort 'it.'
Anyone could falter, but 'it' must not.
For 'it' is none other than Asha Greyjoy, or rather, now known as the Lady Paramount. He is her uncle, Victarion.
Yet, Victarion has now fully transformed into a terrifying creature known as the 'Drowned One,' making Viserys' eyes narrow in seriousness.
Having personally encountered such horrific, magical creatures, anything related to Valyria naturally puts him on high alert. Especially this half-man, half-fish monstrosity, which he had read about in Gillian's journal.
"Take me to see it."
The crate and carriage transporting Victarion were unloaded from the port and brought into King's Landing but were not allowed into the Red Keep.
After all, such a large object that couldn't be disassembled was naturally not permitted entry by Grey Worm, the Commander of the Unsullied.
However, with the Emperor's permission, this specially designed carriage and its mysterious large crate could naturally enter the Red Keep.
Grey Worm, his eyes cold and hands clasped behind his back, watched as the carriage passed through the gates and into the Red Keep. He then gave a curt nod to the soldiers beside him.
"Follow."
He was still uneasy about this large crate, especially given the occasional sounds emanating from within.
Was there a... living creature inside?
Yet, what kind of living creature could be confined in such a mobile prison cart? The exterior was wooden, but the interior was lined with iron bars as thick as a baby's arm. What could possibly require such a cage?
Fortunately, the royal family had been residing in Highgarden for years, leaving the Red Keep, the traditional palace, vacant for four years. Only Viserys occasionally traveled between the two locations for brief overnight stays.
Even most of the time, any important decisions by the Small Council required sending a raven to Highgarden for consultation.
However, now that the empire was running smoothly, there weren't many matters requiring the Emperor's approval, affording him more leisure time.
Soon, the wheels groaned under the weight, and the carriage entered the Red Keep, heading straight for the most secluded godswood in the back, where it came to a halt.
Grey Worm led a dozen Unsullied soldiers, flanking the carriage on both sides. The soldiers from the Summer Isles, responsible for transporting the large crate, carefully unloaded it from the carriage.
At that moment, a woman in a red robe swiftly walked through the corridor. However, when she saw the large crate, she abruptly stopped, her red eyes widening in clear astonishment.
"This is... the power of destruction."
She is none other than Melisandre, the Vice-Chancellor of the Theological Academy and the leader of the Red God faith across Westeros.
Four years ago, the headquarters of the Red God faith had sent the red-robed monk Maqorro across the sea to King's Landing for 'advisory work.' Unfortunately, after a series of palace intrigues, Maqorro gained no advantage. After all, Melisandre was one of the earliest followers of Viserys and would not be easily ousted.
So, Maqorro left King's Landing and reportedly ventured alone to the North, where he then disappeared.
What Melisandre now senses is the 'darkness and destruction' she once felt on a wall in the Red Temple of Volantis—specifically, the destruction.
"What on earth is happening?"
"Have the demons of the underworld begun to awaken?"
Melisandre's expression turned unprecedentedly grim.
With a formidable enemy still unresolved at the edge of the eternal ice plains, more trouble has come knocking. Is this the rhythm of the apocalypse?
In fact, the underworld demons have not been very active in human history for thousands or even tens of thousands of years, so many people are completely unaware of them.
However, if one were to delve into human history, they would find that tales of underworld demons, White Walkers, and the Long Night exist in every corner of the world, such as Valyria's Fourteen Flames, the Queen of the Iron Islands, and subterranean deities, among others.
Melisandre looked down from the second-floor corridor, her face changing abruptly. She then gathered her robe and quickly descended.
On the other side, Viserys, along with his squire Robb Stark and the Ironborn bastard, had also arrived.
Viserys then gave a slight nod, signaling them to dismantle all the wooden boards around the crate. The soldiers exchanged glances before cautiously stepping forward.
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