Game of Thrones: Rise of the Supreme Dragon Queen

Seeing the black-sailed, red-hulled swift ship chasing like a sea serpent, Grole's face turned pale. He said to Dany with utter certainty, "The Serenity's speed must exceed 20 knots!"

For a merchant ship with a speed of only 7 or 8 knots, escape seemed almost impossible.

"I get it now," Grole muttered, wiping the cold sweat from his forehead, gritting his teeth. "The 'Red Devil' rumored in the eastern waters of the Summer Sea lately—it's this ship, the Serenity. No wonder the New Ghisian sailors say no ship has ever escaped it. It's just too fast."

The old man, Whitebeard, didn't want to engage in battle. He even had the sailors hoist Dany's banner atop the mast: a black three-headed dragon on a red field.

Any Westerosi would recognize its significance.

"Perhaps he'll pledge loyalty to Her Majesty the Queen," the old man said disdainfully.

Even Jorah Mormont, a disgraced knight, was beneath Whitebeard's regard, let alone a pirate who plundered and killed. However, the old man still hoped to avoid heavy casualties, though the pursuing ship seemed fearless.

Unfortunately, the ship behind them didn't respond to their signal. Instead, it chased them with even greater vigor.

Through the eyes of her black dragon, Dany could even see the smirk on Euron's lips.

Yes, Euron, known as "Crow's Eye," was easily identifiable by his missing eye. He stood on the ship's bridge, using a spyglass to scrutinize his "prey."

Upon closer observation, Dany noted that he wasn't unattractive. In his early thirties, he had black hair and a beard, and wore smoke-black full armor similar to Jorah's, though he didn't wear a helmet. His pale skin contrasted with his strikingly handsome features. His left eye was covered by an eyepatch, while his right eye, a brilliant blue, glowed with an extraordinary charm, as if smiling tenderly at its observer.

Beside this dangerously charismatic man stood a massive black man, over two meters tall, his muscular body glistening with oil under the sun. The giant carried an enormous horn that resembled a saxophone.

No, the horn was smoother in its curve than a saxophone, resembling an enlarged ram's horn, about 1.8 meters long from end to end. It was jet black, with swirling red and gold patterns etched into its polished surface, gleaming with an otherworldly shine.

By now, Grole had maneuvered the three ships into a triangular formation, with sails furled to minimize fire risk during combat.

When two rowboats launched burning projectiles toward the Serenity, Euron ordered his own sails furled as well, relying entirely on rowers to propel his warship.

At a distance of 500 meters from the Sedurion, the Serenity altered its course, circling rather than charging straight in, like a lion hunting for its prey's weakness.

"Is that Lord Euron Greyjoy of the Ironborn?" Whitebeard shouted toward the crimson pirate ship.

He spoke in the Common Tongue, his voice booming over the waves toward the Serenity.

Dany smirked. "I didn't expect such a powerful voice from someone your age, Arstan."

"Your Highness, the knight I once served taught me that a loud voice is as important as sharp command skills on the battlefield," Whitebeard replied proudly.

Dany thought about it and found his words quite reasonable.

A loud voice not only conveyed commands effectively during battle but also boosted morale.

At the very least, in the chaos of combat, it assured your troops that their leader was still alive.

"Whose squire were you in Westeros?" Jorah asked with a flicker of curiosity, his expression amused.

"A knight far greater than you," Whitebeard snorted coldly.

"I am Euron Greyjoy. Is that King Viserys on the other side?" Euron's voice boomed as well, revealing his potential as a famous commander.

His information, however, was woefully outdated. He didn't even know that Viserys was long dead.

So, he was also unaware that Dany had hatched dragons?

"Euron, this is the fleet of Her Majesty Daenerys Targaryen, Queen of Westeros. Are you here to demand iron price from us?" Whitebeard asked loudly.

Twelve thousand years ago, the First Men invaded Westeros, establishing kingdoms across the continent. Some of them occupied a central bay along the western coast, known as Ironman's Bay.

The Ironborn of this bay developed a unique culture and religion, calling themselves the Ironborn.

In their culture, warriors took spoils from their defeated enemies, calling it paying the "iron price."

The Dothraki, infamous as they were, still exchanged gifts for what they needed. The Ironborn, however, never used money for trade.

Consider the Greyjoy family's words: We Do Not Sow.

The Ironborn lived by raiding and plundering, taking resources, slaves, and "salt wives" (concubines). They considered this lifestyle an honor, calling it the "Old Way."

Over time, as civilizations advanced, particularly the wealthy Westerlands and Reach building stronger fleets, the "Old Way" became unsustainable.

When the Targaryens united the Seven Kingdoms, the Old Way was abolished entirely, and the Ironborn became more like ordinary sailors.

However, the Ironborn, led by House Greyjoy, always sought to restore the Old Way—most recently, Balon Greyjoy's rebellion a decade ago.

That rebellion cost Balon his eldest and second sons, and his third son, Theon Greyjoy, became a hostage under the Stark family's control.

Yes, a hostage in all but name.

Now, with Robert dead, the War of the Four Kings raging, and Balon rising in rebellion again, he aimed to restore the old ways.

This time, however, King Balon had grown wiser. He avoided provoking the southern Lannisters and Tyrells, choosing instead to target the vulnerable and poorly defended North.

"Will Her Majesty Daenerys return to Westeros?"

The old man deliberately used "iron coin" to provoke Euron. It took Euron some time to process the implication of his words.

"No, we are heading to Slaver's Bay." The elder stopped short, deliberately withholding Daenerys's plan to purchase the Unsullied.

"Since Her Majesty the Queen is present, I naturally dare not offend the might of her dragons," Euron said, turning to shout at the pirates on Silence's deck, "Throw all your weapons into the hold, raise your hands, and stand by the railing."

"I've already disarmed. May we cease the attack so I can approach and have a word with Her Majesty?" Euron raised his empty sword scabbard high as he shouted.

Even as Silence drew closer, the ballistae and catapults continued their assault. When Euron spoke with Barristan, the catapults stopped, but the Dothraki and sailors still aimed their bows at the men on Silence's deck.

"Let him row over in a small boat," Daenerys said quietly.

Barristan hesitated. "He might refuse. Even if his exploration of Valyria failed, his ship is laden with plundered treasures."

"If he refuses, let him leave. I have no interest in harboring a pirate," Daenerys replied decisively.

To everyone's surprise, Euron showed no hesitation. He immediately agreed to the condition.

Ten minutes later, Silence halted 300 meters away. A small boat carried Euron and a servant slowly toward the Saduleon.

Euron had even removed his armor and sword, wearing a black silk robe embroidered with golden patterns, understated yet luxurious.

Daenerys met him on the upper deck.

When Euron saw Daenerys at the center of the crowd, his blue eye flashed with awe and delight. "Your Majesty, the moon in the sky pales compared to your beauty. Even the Winter Rose of Winterfell would wither in your presence. The nobles and common folk of the Seven Kingdoms would, like me, fall to their knees at the first sight of you."

Saying this, he knelt on one knee, raising a finely crafted jade box with both hands.

The box, no larger than a palm, was entirely carved from jade, hinting at the priceless treasure it held.

Jorah stepped forward, took the box, and opened it. His pupils shrank, and his breathing grew heavier.

"Wow, is this really a diamond? It's enormous!" Daenerys exclaimed as she took the box from Jorah, unable to suppress her amazement.

An egg-sized smoky purple diamond—who had ever seen such a thing?

In modern times, Daenerys might have suspected it was fake. But in this era, forging such an object would be far more challenging than finding a real diamond.

"Only you are worthy of this Valyrian gem," Euron said passionately, gazing at Daenerys as if she were his first love.

Daenerys's excitement at the diamond vanished instantly.

—This man, just like in the stories, sees me as an object to conquer.

"Euron, you truly went to the ruins of Valyria?" Jorah couldn't help but ask.

"You... you look familiar!" Euron stood, staring at Jorah for a while before exclaiming, "I never expected it—meeting Jorah Mormont of Bear Island here at the Sea of Sorrow."

"Yes, I went to Valyria," Euron continued. "From the Jade Sea to the Summer Sea, my reputation precedes me. I am now the first man to conquer the Smoking Sea and the Storm Walls."

Euron laughed heartily, overflowing with pride.

"The Smoking Sea?" Daenerys was intrigued. "You entered through the Smoking Sea and crossed the islands of Old Valyria from north to south?"

Euron's smile faltered. He scratched his nose awkwardly. "In the presence of a true dragon, I dare not lie. Initially, I had no intention of traversing that broken peninsula. Returning through the Smoking Sea would've been safer. But... it was strange. The storms confused my bearings, and somehow, I found myself thousands of miles away."

What? How lucky can this man be?

"What did you see on the islands of Valyria?" Daenerys's question caught everyone's attention—from Jorah and Grey Worm to the sailors nearby. All eyes focused on Euron, brimming with curiosity.

"Curses!" Euron's face turned pale as if recalling something terrifying. "I set out with three ships, including Silence, accompanied by two other infamous pirates. But aside from myself, everyone who set foot on that land perished."

Euron's voice trembled as he spoke.

(End of Chapter)

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