NOVEL WEB Chapter 18: Chapter 18: Real Dragon
< Illyrio Mopatis >
(Two-Hours Earlier)
I was about to sip imported Tea from Highgarden, my door was pushed open abruptly, almost causing me to spill the tea on myself.
"What are you doing!" I growl in anger.
"My... My Lord, you told me to tell you when we found the children you were looking for..." he takes a breath. But I already knew what he would say, so I interrupted him.
"Come on, hurry up and show me the way," I lead out the door.
I followed the servant from my study to a shabby hut in the street while six unsullied guards followed me.
I see someone standing outside the home.
"Are you here to buy those two kids? They have silver hair and purple eyes. One is handsome, and the other is a small beauty and will require more money. Don't worry, she is untouched."
I don't even bother to care about his words. I ask the unsullied to arrest him.
"Hey! What are you doing!" He looked on in panic.
"I am not going to do anything. I want to make sure they are who I think they are. If it's true, you shall get your golden dragons in full," I said casually.
Stepping into the house, I saw a young boy about eleven, his short, curly silver hair with purple eyes kicking and beating a young girl much weaker and smaller than him.
She also had that silver hair. I couldn't see her eyes or face because she was holding herself in defence of the beating.
"It's all your fault!... If you just... grabbed... the bread like I said to grab, instead... you wanted the apple, and now we are caught... all thanks to you," he said while out of breath as he continued to beat her.
"Ahem," I coughed.
I saw the young boy startled and turned around in fear. He seemed more relieved to see me than the guy who had captured him.
"Hello, who are you?" He asks with a flattering smile
'First impressions seems he would not be a benevolent king...' As I look towards the girl beaten, I assume this is his sister.
"I am Illyrio Mopatis, the Magister in this city of Pentos, a Targaryen loyalist." As I said the last words, I saw his fear and timidity wipe off his face and turn into an arrogant pride.
"I am Viserys Targaryen, the last male heir to House Targaryen. I demand you free me and my sister and bring us back with you. When I become King, I will make you a member of my small council. Also, kill that man who brought shame to me here."
"Very well," I play into his tune.
I nod to the unsullied, who brings the captured person in and hands a knife to Viserys.
"A true King executes the person he wants dead himself." I watch as Viserys takes the knife but trembles a lot.
'It's easy to bring him into my rhythm. Final test' I calculate.
"But it's also okay for you to be benevolent and let him go, as he brought me to you, who will now give you a life of luxury," I say, even though I wouldn't believe them myself. I hope this is a true fool. His answer made me smile.
"Yes, you are right. I will let him go. Go away," he says in a bit of panic but regains confidence.
'Perfect, I feel confident in controlling this boy into what I want.'
Now, I need to let them meet Daemon. Thinking of that boy, I could not see through, and from what I heard from the servants, I was unsure if any human could fight him one-on-one, a six-year-old... Maybe only the Kingsguards can fight. They are known as the best.
Another way is to overwhelm him with numbers, but with his warlock powers that I still don't know, I am worried that it will only backfire.
'I have one more trick up my sleeve, but it depends on his next action. Otherwise, I will spend a lot of money to bring those warlocks here to take him.'
"I am going to take you back home now. You still have a cousin alive, but he will become part of your new family like a brother. I will take you back to meet him now."
As I was talking, I could see from the start that Viserys went from happy to confused to unhappy, while the little girl on the ground stopped trembling and got up sadly but with a hopeful look in her eyes.
'I may see some sort of miracle... maybe.' My eyes flicker when staring at her.
"Let's go." I take both their hands as we walk back and wait for Daemon to come back.
********************
< Madara POV >
(Current Time)
'How Disappointing'
Since Illyrio claimed these two to become my siblings, was he speaking as a foster? Or that I am also a Targaryen?
This never really crossed my mind, but now all the puzzle pieces have come together.
Why did Illyrio want to keep me? It was a chess piece to fill as the last Targaryen, and because I should feel indebted, if we were to succeed, I would grant him endless riches.
This also explains why it became so deserted after that meeting.
He was probably using the best of his abilities to search for these two, and due to their importance, they must have a considerable claim to the throne. Then, that boy must be the last male heir to House Targaryen.
The most interesting thing is still that I am also a Targaryen. This changes quite a bit of my original plans.
I had intended to go alone like I did in the ninja world and be ready to face off against the world.
Now, I don't need to do that. I can openly use my identity to claim the throne. Once I do that, I will have the moral high ground in any decision, plus my strength...
I could already see a future of real-world peace, a peace I can achieve. This won't be an illusionary peace, but real. Hashirama... Is this what you felt like? You who had the light on your side, all those who joined your Senju over my Uchiha.
My body started to shake in excitement. I felt I was going crazy or mad. I also felt a touch of hope. Yes, my old broken heart felt a type of hope.
'Who would want to be in the dark if they can be in the light?' my hand reached towards the sun and grasped it.
'Change of Plans' I could only think firmly, but this was not the time to fully assess it. I should take one step at a time. Inspiration may come to me again, like today.
Realizing my new 'brother and sister' were still looking at me, I adjusted my poster.
"Illyrio." I nodded first to the actual owner of this estate.
"I am Daemon, Daemon Targaryen." I felt I needed to use this name as a new persona. Hopefully, this will bring me closer to them so I can use them.
"You will bow to me as the lord of house Targaryen, you bastard," these words were so shameful that I almost laughed.
'Is this brat so uneducated as to start badmouthing me?' I don't even bother to care about such an insignificant person. Now, my only attention is on the girl.
Seeing me look at her, the girl muttered softly, "Daenarys." But her brother instantly slapped her, and I frowned. Still, I wouldn't say I liked seeing this, especially since we are connected by blood in this world. I felt a real connection.
But those thoughts soon dropped. I will see how they act in the next couple of days regarding how to deal with them.
'Don't let me down, young Targaryen's. Show me your resolve.' Hoping for an unexpected result.
Ignoring this situation, I leave before that angrily fuming boy lashes out.
I also don't want to be seen by outsiders, not because I am scared. But from my Patriarchal thinking, things done inside the clan should stay inside; we shouldn't make our affairs known to the public.
My eyes looked at Illyrio and his guards all around this place.
As I walk past, no one stops me, but I am actively ready for any surprise attacks.
*****************
< Viserys POV >
'Why?! Why does he look at me with disgust and even ignores me... I am a dragon, and why did my sister seem interested in this other brother.'
'Argh.' Screaming internally, I felt jealous of Daemon.
"Brother..." being pulled out of my thoughts to a soft voice.
I saw my sister Daenerys clutching my tunic with her little hands. I took a deep breath. I needed to vent, to release the sleeping dragon within me.
"Dany, let's go back to our room, and we can see Daemon tomorrow," I say with a slightly mocking tone. I intend to have Dany have a bad impression on that bastard.
I saw Dany's face turn from expectation to disappointment to trembling.
'Yes, this is the sister I love dearly, the one that listens to me for everything.' I looked at her bruised arms and felt a little displeased.
Why was she showing off my beatings on her to the outside world? She is simply embarrassing me.
I shake my head in sad disappointment, 'Why can't Dany understand? I am a true dragon. She needs to be obedient to me, and then we can win back the seven kingdoms from that usurper!'
"No..." I heard a faint whisper, almost inaudible
I was shocked, surprised, and angry. 'She actually denied me.'
"What do you mean? No," my tone was threatening.
"I wasn't... I want to see what our new brother is doing." she looked at me pitifully.
'What else is he doing? He is probably sitting around doing nothing. He is only six like you! I was on the run for my life when I was six!' I thought depressed.
"Viserys, why don't you and Dany go see Daemon? He has a talent for fighting." I heard and saw Illyrio wink at me.
At first, I didn't understand, but then it slowly dawned on me: I need a sharp sword when I take back the Seven Kingdoms. Does Illyrio intend to let Daemon be my sword?
The thought of that arrogant look begging me and that I could decide his life and death brought me a satisfied, crazy smile.
"Okay, Dany, let's meet our new Brother," I insinuate the last word heavily.
Illyrio truly supports our Targaryen lineage. He would make a perfect councillor when I rule.
I was touched when he told me he had been searching for me. No one had taken us in, and we were forced to eat bread. Luckily, I was with Dany. So I could use her to vent my anger.
Now we are here, with a proper place to live. Although we were told to live with Daemon, I still like it here.
I take Daenary's hand and walk towards the woods where Daemon left.
Coming into view were blood-red eyes. Looking into these eyes, I felt fear, shaking so much that I plopped to the ground. Dany, following me, looked anxious as she kept shaking me. I slapped her away, sending her to the ground, whimpering.
A shadow loomed over me. I saw Daemon looking at me with those scary red eyes.
"Such a pathetic person, bullying the weak due to your incompetence." I saw him crouch beside Dany and said in a calm voice.
"Will you forever live in his shadow, or do you want to be stronger and live for yourself?" I was confused by why he asked her such a thing, and I think Dany was also confused because she didn't answer but kept whimpering.
Then I saw Daemon's demeanour change, looking at my sister.
"Weakness Disgusts Me," these words seemed to stun Dany, who went from whimpering to balling her eyes out.
"You bastard, how dare you pick on my sister? You just awakened the sleeping dragon!" I felt a rage in my chest, a fire that needed to be unleashed.
**********************
< Madara POV >
Listening to the loud shout from this pathetic 'brother,' I felt amused, someone who just slapped his sister, and connecting the bruising I saw earlier, I can almost confirm it was him too.
I shook my head at this thought, but it probably felt like I was disregarding what he said, and that's also what I meant to do.
I just wanted to stimulate him. He treats his last remaining family like a toy he only plays with.
I truly meant what I said to Daenarys. Her weakness and fragility disgusted me extremely.
I had high hopes for both of them, but now I am just left with these half-willed people.
I don't even bother to waste my time talking to this trash. Looking into Visery's eyes, I weave a genjutsu.
Only a moment later, I see him fall into a scream and then unconscious. I then look at Daenarys and do the same, but instead of screaming, she falls asleep.
"You can come out now." I seemingly speak to the air.
A moment later, I see Illyrio walking out behind the trees with around thirty guards.
"Dae-"
"Madara, my name is Madara Uchiha." I said calmly, neutrally, as if talking to dirt.
"D-Madara, when were you called that?" Illyrio was surprised.
"After reading books and learning. I wanted to create my own house, "Uchiha," and since I am making a new house, I also wanted a new name and chose Madara." I said this lie calmly. I wouldn't just tell everyone I was reborn.
I waited in silence to let Illyrio take it all in. I waited for him to speak next.
"Madara, we can cooperate," Illyrios said calmly.
"This is very unexpected." I was genuinely stunned. This is what they mean: 'There are no eternal enemies, only eternal interests.'
"You must have started to guess something, but I wanted to tell you about your life. You are indeed a Targaryen but born from a bastard. Your father's name was Daeryn Waters, the bastard son of the now-known Mad King Ayres, the Second of his name."
I silently listen and let him continue.
"You were taken from your mother at birth by the master of whisperers, Varys, my good friend. You were originally going to become a chess piece in this game," he says as he looks at Viserys on the floor. No words were spoken by this action, but they were between us.
He took a deep breath and continued to follow up: "I am offering cooperation. I will invest in your potential, giving you resources that make life much easier, sparring partners, and even letting you do what you want with my backing. I am a businessman, after all. In turn, you will give me the city of Pentos as an acting governor when you or someone you put in your place succeeds as King."
If it were me before, I would have declined such an offer. I can do all of this myself without support. Yes, it would be timely, but it is not needed. However, I slowly look at the two siblings, seemingly towards Daenerys.
"I can agree to your offer, but I won't be your subordinate or answer anything. In a sense, you will only lose more than gain, especially since I can always go back on my word," I say in a commanding tone with a childish voice.
I see Illyrio seeming pensive, weighing the pros and cons. Finally, he waves his hands, and the unsullied, prepared for battle, take a neutral stance.
"Happy workings with you... Madara Uchiha," he smiles, but I don't trust him much. Only when I see it will I start to believe it.
"You too, Illyrio Mopatis." I also smile, but I, too, have many hidden thoughts.
"You should take them back to their residence, and I'll send you a paper on what I want renovated around this place. Don't worry. I already have a plan for my future, but now I still need to grow up." I say calmly. My childish voice makes this scene a little creepy.