Game of Thrones: The Road to Pirate King

Chapter 453 Before the Coronation - Final Preparations

The massive "Zhiyuan" resembles a silent bronze behemoth, quietly moored in the deep waters of Qarth Harbor, its enormous hull proclaiming the power of the Iron Islands.

As the battle flag embroidered with a golden sea monster fluttered atop the mast, Qarth's world-famous triple gates opened.

The outer door, inlaid with copper, the middle door, inlaid with iron, and the inner door, studded with gold eyes, opened slowly in sequence.

There was no discussion, no hesitation.

On the city walls, guards gripped their spears tightly, their eyes lowered; in the marketplace, vendors and residents held their breath in concentration.

No one dared to propose refusing entry to the Iron Islands, whether out of fear of the dragons' might or caution about the impending power shift.

In an almost frozen silence, 800 fully armed Iron Citizens, with orderly and heavy steps, smoothly entered this city renowned for its wealth and miracles. Their leather boots clattered on the stone slabs inlaid with colorful stained glass, producing a dull yet rhythmic echo that clashed sharply with the city's otherwise extravagant and languid atmosphere.

They marched through the spice-scented streets, their eyes sharp and focused, like steel seeping into a magnificent torrent, to join forces with their commander Euron and prepare for the final coronation of Lisa Garfield, the wife of their Lord of the Seas.

Over the next month, Qarth’s power center witnessed an unstoppable tide.

Euron and Lisa, this couple who are about to ascend to the pinnacle of power, are like conjoined twins, appearing hand in hand at every important occasion.

They frequented various banquets adorned with gold and spices, outshining all the spice princes and noble families present.

They visited one by one the tycoons who occupied the top of wealth and power, and the royal family members who had long since faded but still held symbolic significance.

In every instance, their stance was clear and direct. Euron no longer remained hidden behind the scenes; he stood in the light as Lisa's husband, expressing in his Valyrian language with an Iron Islands accent the undeniable fact that Lisa would ascend the throne as queen, and that he, as her husband, would be the king who would share power with her.

This was not a discussion, but a declaration. Every appearance and every conversation they made was a direct demand, forcing all the powerful figures in Qarth to take a stand on this impending new order.

The air seemed to freeze, thick with the weight of choice and pressure. Would they board this colossal ship of power about to set sail, or be mercilessly cast ashore on the shores of history? No one could afford to remain a bystander or sit on the sidelines any longer.

The couple used a month of intensive public appearances to shatter all ambiguity and hesitation.

While working tirelessly to secure support from the higher-ups, Euron and Lisa did not forget the ordinary people and small vendors of Qarth. They knew that the support of these people, who formed the cornerstone of the city, was equally crucial.

A plan that would benefit the city's most disadvantaged residents was quickly launched.

Multiple distribution points were set up in major squares and at the entrances to slums, offering free, fragrant baked bread, plump wheat grains, and enough drinks for everyone to enjoy.

Grand operas were staged one after another in open-air theaters, and street performers received generous remuneration, offering acrobatics, song and dance and drama in every neighborhood. Various festivals emerged one after another, bringing ordinary people who used to struggle for a living into an unprecedented carnival.

These measures are straightforward and effective.

The common people of Qarth do not understand complex power struggles, nor do they care about noble lineage; they only want to see...

Tangible benefits.

The abundant food, fine wine, and free entertainment were enough to make them cheer from the bottom of their hearts. In a state of pleasant intoxication and satisfaction, they waved their arms and shouted excitedly to the name that had bestowed all these blessings: "Long live Queen Lisa!"

The cheers, like rolling spring thunder, gathered from squares and streets, resounding throughout Qarth, becoming the most powerful and genuine foundation of public opinion for Lisa's coronation.

In Qarth, a city that gathers all the wonders of the world, there are two places that stand apart from worldly power and extravagance, holding a special place.

They were neither palaces nor markets, yet they were like the beating heart of the city's dark side, radiating an awe-inspiring and irresistible allure. For Euron and Lisa, who intended to truly control Qarth, even though victory was already assured, a visit was still necessary.

First, there is the Hall of Immortality.

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There dwell the legendary immortals. They are not gods, yet they seem to have broken free from the shackles of time, whispering in the eternal twilight. The palace itself is constructed of black stone and dreams; its walls breathe, its staircases move. To step inside is to step into a labyrinth of time, where whispers of the past and the future intertwine in one's ears. There is no wealth there, but it holds forbidden knowledge concerning destiny and origins—knowledge that perhaps even the Shadowbinders of Assassin yearn for.

Secondly, there is the Tower of Sighs.

That was the heart of the Regretful One, the elite assassin organization whose death warrant was "I regret to inform you." The tower itself was unassuming, yet it deterred all those in the know from venturing out. It represented an extreme, ruthless, precise, and emotionless power. It cared not for the succession of kings, but only for the cost and the consequence. Anyone who crossed paths with this tower was essentially making a deal with death itself.

Visiting the former is to uncover secrets that may affect the future; visiting the latter is to ensure that there will be no "unexpected" obstacles on the road to the throne.

These two visits were necessary supplements to the display of power, and were the final, coolly-to-the-point-cold steps to ensure the absolute security of the foundation of rule.

In an inconspicuous corner of Qarth stands the Tower of Sighs.

It was a three-story stone tower, its exterior so ancient it was almost dilapidated, its walls covered with dense ivy, as if forgotten by time. All the windows were completely sealed off with heavy wooden planks, cutting off the view between the inside and outside.

At the sole entrance hangs a brass "Swordsman's Farewell" sign—a swordsman bows his head in respect, sheathing his longsword. This is the symbol of the Regretful Traveler, elegantly announcing the end of his mission.

Inside and outside the tower, the organization strictly adheres to its three core tenets: "Absolute Obedience"—unconditional execution of contracts and instructions; "Absolute Secrecy"—all actions and employer information are kept as secret as a boulder sunk into the deep sea; and "Absolute Elegance"—from demeanor to methods, no rudeness is tolerated.

These tenets ensured that the organization's operations remained undetected, while meticulously maintaining the "Regretful Ones'" unique and aloof "aristocratic image."

The core philosophy of the Regretful Organization is "to die gracefully."

Its member selection, internal composition, operating rules, and every detail of its location are all designed around this core principle.

They styled themselves and strived to present themselves as "killers serving interests" rather than "mob thugs indiscriminately slaughtering the innocent." By concluding their operations with the famous "regret" ritual, they consistently maintained their "aristocratic image," packaging the killing as a cold art.

Their existence, like an undercurrent beneath the foundation, ensured that behind Qarth's ultimate "prosperity" lay an ever-present "shadow of death."

Wealth and life can be exchanged for equal value here, and the Tower of Sighs is the silent scale.

When the seemingly ordinary wooden door, half-hidden by ivy, silently opened before them, revealing the deep entrance behind it, Euron naturally and firmly took Lisa's hand.

Before stepping into that unknown shadow, Euron gently grasped her cool, slender fingers with his hand. The gesture was brief but firm, not out of worry, but a silent reassurance and comfort, telling her, "I'm here for you!"

In that brief touch, an unwavering belief was conveyed.

Euron was confident that he could, and would, protect his woman, no matter what dangers lurked within the tower or all the conspiracies brewing in the city.

This confidence stemmed from the dragon he rode, from the fleet behind him, and even more so from his own immense and unparalleled power, capable of tearing apart any obstacle.

Euron took her hand and stepped calmly into the darkness of the Tower of Sighs.