Inside the yacht's cabin, Viserys looked at Orwyl Ferrego, knowing it was time for him to depart.
Although Ferrego appeared ordinary, just a common middle-aged man, he exuded the aura of someone at the pinnacle of power.
"Viserys, you are a genuine troublemaker," the Sea Lord said calmly.
"Because I bear an impossible mission, I often bring trouble to the world."
"A man only chooses one path. Seeing you so vibrant, I truly envy you. If you had no hatred, you could easily become a playboy like the foolish king."
"Without hatred, I wouldn't be myself," Viserys said. "People, like swords, need constant sharpening."
"A sharp-tongued descendant of the dragonlords, you have already caused quite a stir. Your temper is too fiery, and your skills are too dangerous, so I cannot keep you in Braavos. Besides Preston, it would be unwise for you to provoke any other families."
"You don't have to worry about money, His Majesty Viserys. The Iron Bank will not lend you money for now, so as not to offend the iron throne, and they are more interested in Robert Baratheon. But the money Courtesans like Black Pearl lend you has nothing to do with Braavos," the Sea Lord kindly reminded him.
"Then I should be very grateful," Viserys scoffed.
This move was quite clever, essentially creating a firewall between Viserys and Braavos, preventing the Iron Bank from directly getting involved.
As for where the Courtesans' money came from, it was irrelevant to Braavos.
The official channels were not involved; it was all based on Viserys' personal connections.
"It seems the Iron Bank is far more interested in Robert Baratheon than in me," Viserys asked.
"Robert Baratheon, who usurped your father's throne, now has a powerful alliance, and your hope of restoring your kingdom is slim. Secondly, according to our intelligence from King's Landing, this relative of yours has always been a person indulging in material desires. Coupled with wars, the construction of new fleets, and tourneys, money will be spent more and more, and he will eventually become a new client of the Iron Bank."
"I see. It seems there are indeed wise people in the Iron Bank," Viserys nodded.
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The Iron Bank's judgment was basically correct. Robert currently seemed to have the strongest paper strength. And Robert was indeed good at squandering money, hunting, drinking, chasing women, holding tourneys, building fleets, and throwing money around everywhere.
However, Viserys felt that someone might also be fabricating accounts and embezzling funds, such as Littlefinger.
"The moneylenders who seek loans for the Iron Bank face more dangers than knights like you," the Sea Lord said.
"I hope I can also earn the Iron Bank's appreciation soon."
"I hope so too, but certainly not now."
"As the ruler of a vast city-state, none of my orders are arbitrary. I hope you understand," Orwyl Ferrego said.
"Land and manpower."
"I know these are your greatest concerns," Ferrego said. "Following the Rhoyne River south, you will pass through the Andas Hills, the Pentos Plains, and then through the Golden Fields. These vast lands have been laid waste by war and the dothraki invasion. There is also the disputed territory, which is constantly embroiled in conflict."
"As for manpower, the Andals and Rhoynar have left some descendants, but the population is not that large. You should know that the Andals migrated to Westeros in large numbers, and the Rhoynar were destroyed by the Valyrians."
"I know these things," Viserys nodded. This was equivalent to starting from scratch.
The entire continent was currently underdeveloped, so it was like receiving a pioneering order for self-development.
The land was there; the bandits, Horse Riders (Dothraki), and Pentos people were troubles he had to resolve himself.
Although there were still remnants of the Andals and Rhoynar in the Eastern Continent, not many were left.
"Regarding the land, I can only tell you that there are still many bandits in the Andas lands. Although Braavos and Pentos have sent troops to suppress them multiple times, they have never been able to completely eradicate them. There should still be vacant strongholds there that you can use as a foothold."
"Here is a detailed map; take it first. I also have a gift for you: a few good horses from my menagerie, as a farewell gift for you, the troublemaker."
"These gifts are truly precious. I will head south and survey the lands I pass through," Viserys said.
Although he didn't get money, he at least got a map and some good horses.
The territory he envisioned was these southern lands, and Viserys also considered one thing: his "Just Judgment" talent might also be connected to the sword Lady Forlorn.
Viserys might even be able to awaken this sword, which was a weapon comparable to valyrian steel swords.
The Sea Lord's suggestion was just a suggestion, but the mastermind of the entire plan was Viserys himself.
Viserys knew the stories of the bandits in the Andas lands. Back when the Black Dread disappeared with the little girl, the Targaryen Royalists were in a panic.
When someone discovered traces of Balerion, the Black Dread, in the Velvet Hills north of Pentos, the Archon immediately dispatched William the Wasp with a team of twelve to investigate.
A local guide claimed to know the dragon's whereabouts and led William and his men there. In fact, the local bandits had only fabricated the story of a dragon being there to scare away others. These Westerosi vanguard forces were surrounded and annihilated.
"Well, Viserys, I wish you a pleasant journey."
"I also believe it will be a pleasant journey," Viserys carefully put away the map given by the Sea Lord.
According to the Sea Lord's suggestion, the abandoned bandit strongholds in the Velvet Hills or the plains were places where he could try his luck directly.
Viserys left the Sea Lord's barge. With the map and clues, the next step was to recruit more manpower.
Braavos did not allow slave trading, so there were no Unsullied guards here. The closest Unsullied were only in Pentos and Qohor.
Although Pentos had abolished slavery, in reality, their nobles still found various ways to acquire slaves, and the lords used Unsullied to protect their lives.
Stepping out of the Sea Lord's barge, Viserys already felt a sense of "the sky is high, and the fish leap," embarking on his new journey, a new adventure.
"Your Majesty," Ser Roland whispered.
As time passed, most of the onlookers had left.
Viserys saw those who were waiting for him: his relatives, Ser Roland, the Courtesans Black Pearl, Nightingale, Daughter of Darkness, Moonshadow, and others, Lingo, Syrio, Xisa.
Viserys felt he might have a reputation as a ladies' man.
"Gathering here today, I thank you all for your support," Viserys said.
"By your tone, it seems you're saying goodbye," Black Pearl was indeed clever.
"That's about it. The Sea Lord is driving me away."
"You came a bit early," Black Pearl smiled with a hint of regret.
Everyone exchanged glances. Viserys had clearly won, but with great fame came great trouble, and Viserys was being driven away as a troublemaker.
Some people remained by the Moon Pool, seemingly wanting to pledge allegiance to Viserys, as their accents were also in the Common Tongue of Westeros.
"Dragon King."
"Dragon King."
"I once fought alongside your brother." Many people were still emotional when they saw Viserys.
Some, though leaning towards the conservative Royalists, would never have come to pledge allegiance if they hadn't seen Viserys's fighting prowess.
While gaining fame had its drawbacks, if one couldn't prove their abilities, even fewer people would surrender.
"What's the situation with these people?" Viserys asked.
"They are adventurers from Westeros who came here to seek fortune and make a living. They are not formally knighted and wish to pledge allegiance to Your Majesty," Ser Roland said with a hint of joy.
This was also a result of Viserys making a name for himself; at least some people were pledging allegiance.
"Are they people who offended their former lords?" Viserys asked.
"Yes," Ser Roland nodded. "Most of them are."
Many lords in Westeros were tyrannical, and under such circumstances, naturally, poor people or outlaws would come to the other side to seek fortune.
"Are you willing to pledge allegiance to the true king, His Majesty Viserys?" Ser Roland asked.
"Yes, we are willing!" These people answered eagerly.
"Those fluent in the Common Tongue, originally from a farming background, not necessarily knights, preferably from the Crownlands, King's Landing, or Dragonstone. They must swear fealty to me," Viserys said.
"We once swore to serve the true king."
"We are willing to go, as long as you let me go back and kill a few more lords."
"Good, we'll pack up and then we must leave," Viserys ordered Ser Roland.
To streamline the manpower, Viserys would still need to personally screen them.
"Why haven't you left yet?" Viserys saw that the Second Sons were still there.
"I am as eager for talent as a man dying of thirst," the man from the Second Sons said.
"As you can see, I don't have time for the Second Sons right now, but we can keep in touch; perhaps we can cooperate," Viserys said.
"That's not impossible."
"Do you still need manpower here?" Lingo asked in a low voice.
Viserys nodded. "The Sea Lord has already expelled me."
"That's easy to arrange. I'll ask those former Westerosi fishermen who are willing to go with you and select them for you."
"That would be excellent!" Viserys was overjoyed.
With these connections, the Westerosi wanderers who voluntarily pledged allegiance after watching the battle, the fishermen Lingo found for him, and Black Pearl's network, the people he gathered would be his first contingent.
All the manpower gathered, their temporary destination was the abandoned bandit strongholds in the Velvet Hills.
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