Your Highness, great news, great news!"
Magister Illyrio ran in, holding a battle report, his face beaming with joy.
A while ago, Varys, the Master of Whisperers, had advised him to lead the City-State of Pentos to pledge allegiance to Viserys Targaryen, but he had been hesitant.
If it weren't for the increasing demands for tribute from the nearby Dothraki tribes and slave city-states on Pentos, he would never have considered allying with this new power.
Unexpectedly, just a month after the army moved to Pentos, Viserys Targaryen successfully dismantled the opponent's seemingly unbreakable alliance.
"The Iron Fleet attacked Blackwater Bay in King's Landing, annihilating the usurper's fleet!"
At these words, everyone's eyes widened, and then they became ecstatic.
The three-year defense of Dragonstone didn't yield a result as striking as this battle.
No one expected that with just a slight move, Viserys Targaryen would deliver a fatal blow!
"Your Majesty, they are fighting among themselves! Once they are both weakened, we will strike back!"
Ser Willem Darry was incredibly excited.
At this moment, he wished he could slap himself several times.
How dare he question the decisions of the wise and mighty King? He was utterly ignorant!
Next time, no matter what incomprehensible decision Viserys Targaryen made, he was determined to follow!
He was now completely convinced by the Dreamwalker's wisdom.
Seeing the excited, gleaming eyes of everyone, Viserys Targaryen found it difficult to offer further explanations.
He did indeed intend to sow discord between the Iron Islands and the Stormlands.
After all, in the original story, after Robert Baratheon completely defeated the Targaryen Family and ascended the iron throne, King Balon of the Iron Islands did indeed rebel.
The lure of the Driftwood Crown was so great that every man on the Iron Islands constantly dreamed of plundering salt wives and treasures from the continent!
If not for the overwhelming power of the Targaryen Family, constantly suppressing their ambitions, the Iron Islands would have rebelled long ago!
However, the swift action of the Iron Fleet still genuinely surprised Viserys.
"Let them kill each other!"
Hearing this, Viserys Targaryen sneered.
Compared to the absolute power of the Targaryen royal family, the Seven Kingdoms on the continent of Westeros were evenly matched; none could subdue the others.
Ever since Viserys Targaryen led his army away, a huge power vacuum had appeared in Westeros.
The usurper's situation had not improved; instead, it had become even more perilous.
He faced rebellion from the Iron Islands externally, the Lannister Family coveting power internally, and was burdened with a mountain of Iron Bank debts.
His stronghold, Storm's End, was even still in the hands of the Greyjoy Family.
Moreover, what they didn't know was that his Hatchling Dragon had already passed its three-year infancy and entered a rapid growth phase!
His Merias had only crossed the Narrow Sea three months ago, and its size had already doubled.
Now, it could hunt for food in the sea on its own.
"In another two years, I will make you taste the true wrath of the Dragon!"
Viserys Targaryen's eyes narrowed, and a cruel smile appeared on his face.
Dragons were the greatest treasure of the Targaryen Family.
Compared to Daenerys Targaryen in the original story, who knew nothing about dragons, Viserys Targaryen at this time possessed the dragon-taming techniques passed down through generations of the Targaryen Family.
The first step in a Hatchling Dragon's healthy growth was to be near volcanic rock, absorbing the magic of the earth's core fire to strengthen itself and the Dragonrider's mental link.
This was also why successive Valyria Dragon Kings insisted on stationing their base in a volcanic crater!
It was precisely for this reason that, no matter how difficult, Viserys Targaryen held steadfast to Dragonstone.
What he wanted was a group of perfect dragon companions!
He didn't want to be like Daenerys Targaryen in the original story, where the Hatchling Dragons she had hatched from infancy became so uncontrollable that she couldn't command them!
One should know that even a fool like Aegon II, who couldn't even speak Valyrian language, found it as easy as eating and drinking to control his dragon.
"They grow so fast!"
Varys watched the two Hatchling Dragons fighting for food in the sea, utterly astonished.
In just a few months, Viserys's Merias and Daenerys's Merias had grown to the size of small horses.
This was an incredible transformation!
At this growth rate, they would probably be able to carry riders in a few more months!
"Varys, how are the negotiations with the Iron Bank going?"
Viserys Targaryen turned his head and asked the Master of Whisperers, who was observing from a distance.
At this moment, Viserys's situation was not optimistic.
The City-State of Pentos, where his army was located, was no safer than Robert Baratheon's King's Landing.
Ever since Viserys Targaryen, with his Royal Navy Fleet, forcefully took up residence in Pentos, it immediately alarmed all the surrounding powers.
Even the Iron Bank in far-off Braavos repeatedly sent envoys to inquire about Viserys's movements.
After all, the dragons of Valyria had once brought a deeply ingrained catastrophe to the Essos Continent.
Now, Viserys Targaryen's return to Essos with several Hatchling Dragons was practically dancing on their sensitive nerves!
"Your Majesty, the Iron Bank wants you to go back where you came from!"
Varys said awkwardly.
As Robert Baratheon's biggest creditor at the time, the Sealord would absolutely not support Viserys!
Moreover, no power in the world wanted to see a Dragonrider family return strong!
"Your Majesty, our warships are dilapidated. The Royal Navy is absolutely no match for the Dothraki tribes in a land battle!"
Ser Joffrey said with concern.
Although Viserys Targaryen had reappointed him as Master of War, he was indeed very troubled, having no experience in land warfare.
Ever since Viserys led his troops into the City-State of Pentos, Pentos, having refused to continue paying tribute, had obviously offended all the surrounding horse tribes.
In recent days, Dothraki scouts had repeatedly appeared near Pentos.
A major battle over the sovereignty of the City-State of Pentos was about to begin.
"It is said that a new horse tribe power, Khal Drogo, has emerged in the west. His strength is unstoppable!"
Magister Illyrio, the Master of Coin, said with a solemn expression, "They are marching here, and most likely the other horse tribes are waiting for their arrival!"
He had trusted Varys's words and gambled everything he had!
Looking at the dilapidated Royal Navy Fleet before him, Magister Illyrio became even more worried.
Even if Ser Arthur Dayne were alive, Magister Illyrio saw no hope of victory.
As he was thinking, an envoy claiming to be from the Iron Bank of Braavos walked in.
"Your Majesty, this is a personal letter from the Sealord!"
Syrio Forel, the swordsman, handed over a wax-sealed envelope, his face openly mocking everyone.
Seeing Brienne still carefully checking the letter for safety, Syrio Forel let out a snicker.
"A woman as the Captain of the Kingsguard? Has the Targaryen Family run out of successors?"
At these words, everyone frowned.
With a major battle imminent, if Viserys didn't need the Iron Bank's money to buy weapons and food at this moment, this tactless man would surely be beaten until he was spitting teeth!
Listening to Syrio Forel's verbal taunts, Viserys Targaryen looked at the presumptuous swordsman before him with a fake smile.
His actions were clearly orchestrated by the Sealord.
As the chief swordsman of Braavos and a successor of the "Water Dancer," he naturally wanted to represent the Iron Bank to show off his strength and test Viserys Targaryen's measure.
"Brienne, give him a lesson. Remember, don't kill him!"
Viserys Targaryen took the envelope from Brienne's hand.
Without even looking at it, he tore it into pieces directly in front of Syrio Forel and threw them aside.
Syrio Forel stared at the shredded letter on the ground, bewildered and at a loss.
He never imagined that anyone in the world would dare to treat the Sealord with such disrespect.
However, the next moment, he had no time to think as a fist the size of a sandbag slammed into his chest like a meteor.