The Vale, located in the western suburbs of King's Landing, became the Alliance's core security zone after Arya and Illyrio brought back the dragon evolution fluid.
On the volcano rock-stacked valley walls, The Citadel craftsmen newly carved "dragonbreath runes," with dragonglass fragments embedded in the rune crevices, glowing faintly under the sun.
This not only stabilized the geothermal energy within the valley but also prevented the cold god's cold qi from penetrating.
The hot spring pool in the center of the valley emitted white mist, and beside the pool were The Citadel's specially made "dragon energy monitoring equipment"—crystal energy meters and temperature recorders fixed on bronze frames.
Dozens of bags of r'hllor powder and weirwood fiber were also stacked nearby, in case of emergencies during testing.
Daenerys, wearing dragon-patterned leather armor, stood on a high platform beside the hot spring pool, her fingertips unconsciously caressing her dragonblood jade belt.
Drogon and Rhaegal were sprawled on the rocks on the eastern side of the valley, their bronze and amber scales particularly bright under the sun, yet more restless than usual—they could sense the Dragon's Nest energy in the valley air.
They occasionally let out low growls towards the direction where the dragon evolution fluid was stored, their dragon eyes filled with anticipation.
"Dragon Healer, how is the inspection?" Daenerys turned and asked The Citadel Dragon Healer beside her.
The old Dragon Healer, wearing a gray robe stained with dragon scale fragments and holding a scroll of dragon health reports, spoke with a rigorous tone: "Your Majesty, Drogon and Rhaegal are in excellent physical condition, their dragonflame energy is stable, with no signs of external injury or energy disorder, fully meeting the feeding conditions for the evolution fluid.
However…" He paused, looking at the crystal energy meter, "This Dragon's Nest extracted energy is too pure.
For the first feeding, the dosage must be controlled; only half a liter per dragon.
If any abnormality occurs, weirwood fiber must be used immediately to suppress the energy."
Illyrio walked onto the high platform, holding a crystal bottle containing the dragon evolution fluid—the "energy-locking runes" on the bottle wall glowed faint red, and the dark red liquid inside flowed under the sunlight, revealing tiny fire patterns dancing within it.
"This is the first batch of evolution fluid refined from the Western Isles Dragon's Nest, with a purity of 92%.
The Citadel has already tested it with dragon scale samples, and it can perfectly merge with the dragon's energy."
He handed the crystal bottle to the Dragon Healer, "When feeding, the evolution fluid needs to be mixed with a small amount of dragonblood to enhance the dragon's adaptability.
This is the 'Blood Pact Feeding Method' recorded in first men ancient texts, which can reduce energy rejection."
Arya stood below the high platform, holding the dragon-seeking mirror, its surface continuously emitting a steady red light—a signal that the evolution fluid and the dragon's energy were resonating.
She looked at Drogon, recalling the fire lizards she encountered in the Western Isles, and the holy fire and dragonbreath ore of Dragon Sleep Valley, her heart filled with both tension and anticipation: "Drogon, you must succeed."
She whispered, her fingertips unconsciously clutching the valyrian steel dagger at her waist; if the test went awry, she would use holy fire ash to protect the dragon immediately.
Tyrion, leaning on his cane, moved between the monitoring points in the valley, checking the connections of the temperature recorders and energy meters.
"The Citadel's temperature recorders can be accurate to every degree," he told the council secretary beside him, "The base temperature of dragonflame is 1800 degrees; if it can reach 2500 degrees after evolution, it can melt the cold god's ice barrier.
If it exceeds 3000 degrees, it can even directly destroy the ice core.
You must record the data throughout; after the war, all of this will become key material for The Citadel's research on dragon evolution."
The council secretary nodded, his charcoal pen rapidly recording on the parchment, which was already filled with dragon body data and energy fluctuation curves.
Outside the valley, a defensive circle of fifty R'hllor Warriors stood ready, the tips of their holy fire staffs glowing orange.
If Wights or any remaining Others tried to sneak attack, they could form a holy fire barrier instantly.
At three-quarters past Chenshi, the feeding officially began.
The Dragon Healer poured half a liter of evolution fluid into a specially made bronze trough, then gently pricked Drogon's dragon claw with a dragonglass dagger—a few drops of golden dragonblood fell into the trough, mixing with the dark red evolution fluid.
The liquid immediately emitted a dazzling golden light, and the geothermal energy in the valley seemed to be activated, making the white mist from the hot spring pool thicker.
Drogon was the first to approach the trough, his steps more solemn than usual, his bronze scales reflecting a faint golden halo in the golden light.
He lowered his head and sniffed the trough, a hint of wariness flashing in his dragon eyes—the unfamiliar energy made him hesitate, but the scent of dragonblood and the Dragon's Nest energy in the evolution fluid made him unable to resist.
"Don't be afraid, Drogon." Daenerys walked down the high platform, gently stroking Drogon's neck.
The temperature of his dragon scales was higher than usual, yet carried a familiar warmth.
"This will make you stronger, help us defeat the cold god, and protect Westeros."
Drogon seemed to understand her words, letting out a low growl, and finally lowered his head to drink the evolution fluid from the trough.
As soon as the evolution fluid entered his mouth, Drogon's body reacted—his scales instantly bristled, his dragon eyes turned crimson, and his body trembled slightly, as if enduring a massive energy impact.
The crystal energy meter in the valley suddenly emitted "beep-beep" sounds, its needle rapidly jumping from "normal energy value" to "high energy fluctuation," and the temperature recorder also rose, making the air in the valley gradually scorching.
"The energy has begun to merge!" Illyrio shouted, directing the R'hllor Warriors to scatter weirwood fiber around Drogon—the fibers, upon contact with the energy in the air, instantly emitted a faint green light, forming an invisible barrier that stabilized the overflowing energy.
The old Dragon Healer, meanwhile, nervously watched Drogon's condition, holding a ceramic bottle containing anti-energy disorder medicine, ready to respond to any emergency.
After a quarter of an hour, Drogon's trembling gradually stopped.
He raised his head and let out an earth-shattering dragon roar towards the sky—this roar was louder than usual, carrying the power to penetrate clouds, and even the rocks on the valley walls vibrated slightly.
His body seemed to have grown a size larger than before, his bronze scales appeared harder, and the patterns on his dragon claws glowed faintly golden, clearly having initially absorbed the evolution fluid's energy.
Rhaegal's feeding process was much smoother.
Perhaps seeing Drogon's safety, he didn't hesitate at all, quickly walking to another trough and finishing half a liter of evolution fluid in a few gulps.
His reaction was gentler than Drogon's; his amber scales glowed orange, and when his dragon wings spread, a few faint golden lines, like traces of energy flow, could be seen on the wing membranes.
"Excellent! No energy rejection occurred!" the old Dragon Healer exclaimed excitedly.
The crystal energy meter's needle had stabilized at "super-normal energy value," but without exceeding the safe range.
"Their bodies are actively absorbing the evolution fluid, which is even better than The Citadel's expectations!"
Arya's dragon-seeking mirror then burst out with a dazzling red light, its surface reflecting the energy flow within Drogon and Rhaegal—the evolution fluid's energy was flowing along the dragons' bloodlines, towards their hearts and dragonbreath sacs, like red streams intertwining into a net within their bodies.
"The energy is converging towards the dragonbreath sacs," she told everyone, "In another hour, we can test the changes in their dragonflame."
At noon, the sun shone directly into The Vale, and the temperature in the valley reached its peak.
Drogon and Rhaegal had completely absorbed the evolution fluid's energy and were now resting on the rocks beside the hot spring pool, occasionally breathing out small bursts of dragonflame—the color of the flames was deeper than usual.
Drogon's dragonflame turned from orange-red to pale gold, while Rhaegal's changed from amber to orange-red, clearly indicating an increase in temperature.
"Prepare to test the dragonflame!" Tyrion shouted.
Two The Citadel craftsmen pushed a large black rock to the center of the valley—this was "fire-resistant rock" transported from the Western Isles, capable of withstanding temperatures above 3000 degrees, making it the best material for testing dragonflame temperature.
Three temperature recorders were fixed on the rock, aimed at different heights, to record the temperature of different parts of the dragonflame.
Drogon rose first, and under Daenerys's guidance, breathed a stream of dragonflame towards the fire-resistant rock.
The pale golden dragonflame poured down like a waterfall, instantly enveloping the rock.
The black outer shell of the rock began to melt, turning into dark red magma that flowed along the rock's crevices.
The temperature recorder needles jumped wildly; the first one (closest to the dragonflame core) broke through 2500 degrees, the second (middle layer) reached 2200 degrees, and the third (outer layer) also hit 1800 degrees—an increase of nearly 700 degrees from the base temperature before evolution!
"2500 degrees! Exceeding expectations!" Tyrion excitedly waved his cane.
"the cold god's ice barrier melts above 2000 degrees; Drogon's current dragonflame can easily break through the barrier!"
Rhaegal then breathed dragonflame.
Although the orange-red flames were not as dazzling as Drogon's pale gold, they were more penetrating.
The flames shot into the rock's cracks, instantly melting the internal ice shards (ice core fragment of the cold god specially embedded by The Citadel).
White steam, carrying a chilling aura, emerged from the rock's cracks.
The temperature recorder showed that Rhaegal's dragonflame core temperature also reached 2300 degrees, fully meeting the requirement to break through the ice barrier.
To test the practical effect of the dragonflame, Illyrio had the R'hllor Warriors set up a "Wights simulation target" beside the fire-resistant rock—made of dry ice and a wooden frame, covered with a layer of "ice armor" identical to that of Wights.
Drogon breathed dragonflame towards the target stand.
The moment the pale golden flames touched the ice armor, the ice armor emitted a "sizzling" corrosive sound, completely melting in less than ten seconds, and the wooden frame also ignited, burning to ashes.
Even more surprisingly, the energy in the dragonflame was able to purify the cold qi within the ice armor, leaving no cold qi residue on the rock, something the dragonflame before evolution could not do.
"This is the prototype of 'Holy Fire dragonflame'!" Melisandre, who had come to observe, suddenly exclaimed.
The tip of her holy fire staff glowed golden, resonating with Drogon's dragonflame.
"The Dragon's Nest energy in the evolution fluid, combined with the dragon's bloodline, has endowed the dragonflame with a purifying effect similar to holy fire.
Not only can it melt the ice armor, but it can also completely destroy the residual energy of the ice core—this is crucial for combating the cold god's Wights army!"
Daenerys, riding Drogon, circled over The Vale, and had Drogon breathe a stream of dragonflame at the valley wall.
The pale golden dragonflame left a deep mark on the wall, and the magma formed from the melted rock flowed down the wall, solidifying into a black, glassy substance after cooling.
"How do you feel, Drogon?" Daenerys asked softly.
Drogon let out a low growl and nudged her arm with his head, as if responding, "Very relaxed."
Under Illyrio's guidance, Rhaegal tested the range of his dragonflame—he spread his dragon wings and unleashed dragonflame towards the open ground outside the valley.
The orange-red flames covered an area of nearly fifty meters, instantly incinerating the weeds on the ground, and even the hard earth cracked from the heat.
"The range of the dragonflame has increased by thirty percent," Illyrio noted, recording the data.
"This means that on the battlefield, Rhaegal can clear large numbers of Wights at once, paving the way for the allied forces."
After the test, Daenerys convened an emergency meeting in The Vale.
Core members and representatives from various territories gathered on a high platform, their faces filled with excitement as they looked at the final data on the crystal energy meter.
"The dragon evolution fluid test far exceeded expectations," Daenerys's voice carried an irrepressible joy.
"Drogon's dragonflame core temperature is 2500 degrees, possessing a purifying effect; Rhaegal's temperature is 2300 degrees, and its range has increased by thirty percent.
This means we can not only break through the cold god's ice barrier but also effectively suppress Wights on the battlefield, reducing casualties for the allied forces."
Tyrion, leaning on his cane, walked to the tactical sand table, which showed the terrain of the Wall and the Arctic Ice Field.
"Based on the new dragonflame data, we need to adjust our northern strategy.
First, Drogon and Rhaegal will form an 'aerial assault team' to destroy the Wights' vanguard, especially the Ice Field Beast and Ice Dragon remnants, before the allied forces reach the Wall.
Second, the R'hllor Warriors will coordinate with the dragonflame; the R'hllor Warriors will trap the Wights on the ground with the Holy Fire Formation, while the dragonflame attacks from the air, creating a 'ground-air pincer movement'.
Third, The Citadel must accelerate the mass production of the evolution fluid, feeding the dragons the second and third batches while the allied forces advance north, striving to increase the dragonflame temperature beyond 3000 degrees, giving it the ability to directly destroy the ice core."
Illyrio added, "Dragon training also needs to be adjusted.
For the next ten days, Drogon and Rhaegal will undergo two dragonflame training sessions daily: one targeting single-point breakthroughs (simulating the ice barrier), and one targeting area clearance (simulating Wight clusters).
At the same time, the dragons need to become familiar with the energy of holy fire to avoid repulsion with the R'hllor Warriors' holy fire on the battlefield—Melisandre's priests can assist in training, guiding the direction of the dragonflame with holy fire."
Melisandre nodded, "Holy fire and dragonflame share the same origin.
The priests can bless the dragons' scales with wildfire runes to enhance the purifying effect of the dragonflame.
Additionally, The Citadel's holy fire long-lasting coating can be applied to the dragons' claws, allowing their claws to also possess the ability to purify cold energy during ground combat."
Sansa then suggested, "The allied forces of the North have already gathered in White Harbor.
If the dragon training can be completed in ten days, we can advance north three days early to rendezvous with Jon's Night's Watch.
Bran's Greensight warned that the cold god's Wight army is accelerating its movement towards the Wall, so departing early will buy us more preparation time."
Yara also agreed, "The Iron Islands' warships are already on standby in Blackwater Bay, ready to escort the allied forces' supply ships at any time.
With the dragons evolved, the aerial threat is reduced, so we can open a 'fast sea route' to shorten the supply transport time by two days."
The meeting reached a consensus: within ten days, the dragons would be fed the second batch of evolution fluid and undergo targeted training.
After ten days, the allied forces would advance north in three routes—the main land force, led by Jon and Illyrio, would depart from King's Landing towards Eastwatch-by-the-Sea; the sea supply team, led by Yara, would take the fast sea route; and the aerial assault team, led by Daenerys, with Drogon and Rhaegal as escort, would provide support to both forces as needed.
After the meeting, each member immediately took action: Tyrion coordinated The Citadel to mass-produce the evolution fluid; Illyrio and Melisandre formulated the dragon training plan; Sansa contacted the Northern allied forces to adjust the assembly time; Arya, along with the R'hllor Warriors, prepared for the dragons' "wildfire runes blessing"—she mixed r'hllor powder with dragonblood and drew simple wildfire runes on Drogon's scales, which glowed with a faint golden light and perfectly merged with the dragon's scales.
Illyrio walked up to Arya, looking at her focused profile, and said softly, "We did it.
The adventure in the Western Isles was not in vain; Drogon and Rhaegal's current power can help us win this war."
Arya looked up, her eyes full of smiles: "We did it together.
Once we go north, I want to watch Drogon's dragonflame and personally destroy the cold god's ice core to avenge my father and Robb."
Illyrio held her hand, his gaze directed towards the Wall: "We will.
We will see that day together, and see Westeros usher in peace."
Just as the alliance cheered for the successful dragon evolution, beside The Cold God's Altar in the Arctic Ice Field, the cold god's ice barrier suddenly glowed with an intense blue light—it sensed the dragons' evolution.
The energy of the ice core fragment began to fluctuate wildly, and the Wight army's movement speed accelerated again; what was originally a ten-day journey would now only take seven days to reach Eastwatch-by-the-Sea.
Bran's Greensight captured this scene.
In the temporary Godswood in King's Landing, he said to Lyra with a pale face, "the cold god… is accelerating.
His Wight army is moving faster than expected; we only have seven days left to prepare, so the allied forces must depart early."
Lyra immediately took Bran's warning letter and ran towards The Vale, knowing that this concerned the life and death of the entire alliance.
At the same time, in Casterly Rock in the Westerlands, Jason Lannister received news of the dragons' successful evolution.
He sat in the castle's council chamber, clutching the intelligence, his face terribly grim.
"I didn't expect those two brats to actually succeed," he told his confidant.
"With the dragonflame strengthened, the allied forces' chances against the cold god have increased, and our plan to coerce the alliance with food supplies will likely fall through."
The confidant suggested, "My lord, why not abandon the schemes and send troops as per the conscription order?
If the allied forces defeat the cold god, the Westerlands can still receive a five-year tax exemption, which would benefit us too."
"Benefit?" Jason sneered.
"Benefits without power are all meaningless."
He pulled a secret letter from his in arms: "This is news from the radical faction in Qarth.
They are willing to provide a 'dragon-controlling scroll.'
As long as we secretly sprinkle the scroll's powder into the hot springs of The Vale after the allied forces head north, it will temporarily weaken the dragons' power.
At that time, with the allied forces bogged down in a bitter struggle at the Wall, they will still have to rely on Westerlands' support, and we can seize the opportunity to demand control of the dragonglass ore."
Hesitation flashed in the confidant's eyes: "Are the Qartheen's scrolls reliable?
What if the alliance finds out…"
"As long as it's done covertly, who would suspect the Westerlands?" Jason tossed the secret letter into the brazier.
"Proceed as planned.
Have our people quietly infiltrate The Vale after the allied forces depart.
Remember, it must be done at night; don't let the R'hllor Warriors discover you."
The secret letter turned to ash in the brazier, and a sinister glint flashed in Jason's eyes—he would never let the alliance easily win the war, nor would he let Daenerys and Tyrion control the power of Westeros.
Even if the dragons successfully evolved, he would find an opportunity to ensure the Westerlands emerged as the ultimate winner.
Seven days later, the training in The Vale was completed as scheduled.
Drogon and Rhaegal had been fed the second batch of evolution fluid; their dragonflame core temperatures reached 2800 degrees and 2500 degrees respectively.
The span of their dragon wings had increased by nearly ten meters, and the wildfire runes on their scales glowed golden in the sunlight, appearing exceptionally majestic.
The Dragon Healer from The Citadel announced after inspection: "Both dragons are in excellent condition, with stable energy, fully capable of combat, and ready to accompany the allied forces north."
At the docks and in the streets of King's Landing, the allied forces had assembled.
The soldiers of the main land force, clad in neat armor and carrying holy fire dragonglass weapons, stretched for miles; the Iron Islands warships at sea hoisted their sails, and the supply ships were piled high with flour, cured meat, and anti-cold medicine.
In the sky, Drogon and Rhaegal circled above the Red Keep, their dragon roars echoing through the heavens, as if bidding farewell to the allied forces.
Daenerys, riding Drogon, circled once over the allied forces, her voice amplified by a horn, resounding throughout King's Landing: "Warriors, guardians of Westeros!
The dragonflame is strong, the holy fire is lit, and our allied forces are ready!
Today, we march north to the Wall, to fight the cold god, to protect our homes, to protect our loved ones!
I believe that as long as we are united, as long as dragonflame and holy fire are together, there is no enemy we cannot defeat, no difficulty we cannot overcome!"
The soldiers cheered in unison, their voices shaking the heavens, interweaving with the roars of Drogon and Rhaegal, forming a powerful force.
Tyrion stood on the high platform at the dock, watching the allied forces slowly depart, his eyes filled with relief—from the maneuvering of the conscription order to the success of the dragon evolution fluid, the alliance had finally taken a crucial step in confronting the cold god.
Arya and Illyrio walked side by side within the allied forces' ranks, holding each other's hands.
Arya looked towards the Wall in the distance, her heart filled with determination: "Father, Robb, I am coming.
I will use Drogon's dragonflame, and the dagger in my hand, to avenge you, and to avenge all those harmed by the cold god."
Illyrio squeezed her hand, his gaze directed towards the Arctic: "We will win.
No matter how thick the cold god's ice mist, it cannot block the light of the dragonflame; no matter how numerous the Wights, they cannot stop the courage of the allied forces.
Peace is ahead, and we will see it together."