Game of Thrones: The Road to Pirate King

Chapter 455 Four Illusions

When Euron emerged from the sprawling gray ruins, his face showed no trace of the fantasy or adventure he had just experienced; his expression was as calm as if he had just finished an ordinary walk.

Euron walked toward Lisa, who was waiting outside the palace, his gaze falling on her calm yet undeniably serious face. Without a word, he naturally leaned down and gently kissed Lisa's forehead.

"Go in," Euron's voice was deep and steady, possessing a reassuring magic, and he smiled, "There's nothing to worry about, I'll be outside."

These words acted like an invisible barrier, dispelling the gloom in Lisa's heart. She nodded, no longer hesitating, and turned with Salome, stepping into the ancient ruins.

Lisa's time inside seemed to drag on much longer. The darkness and whispers within the hall seemed to favor her more, as if time itself was stretched and distorted.

In the interplay of silence and illusion, Lisa saw four vivid visions, as if four acts of a drama were unfolding before her eyes:

Crowned Queen, she saw herself standing atop the highest white jade terrace of Qarth, a crown forged from star-black iron and fiery rubies, dazzling and radiant. Below her, a vast and jubilant populace roared, the thirteen rulers and members of the royal family bowing respectfully before her. Sunlight streamed down, draping her in golden robes, the reality of her power so palpable.

Sons and daughters around my knees

The scene shifts to a sun-drenched, opulent courtyard where two young children—a dark-haired boy with the arrogant gaze of Euron and a silver-haired girl who inherited her emerald eyes—run and play around her knees, their laughter ringing out.

The warm, ethereal scene of night vanished abruptly, replaced by an endless expanse of darkness. This darkness was not the night sky, but something far deeper and more despairing, like a heavy velvet blanket enveloping the entire world, swallowing all light and hope. A chilling cold pierced through the illusion, reaching the very depths of the soul.

The final scene of blood and smoke was shattered and intense. As far as the eye could see, there was only a surging sea of ​​blood and billowing smoke. Banners burned in the flames, indistinct figures fought, and the roars of dragons and cries of agony intertwined. This scene coincided with the prophecy her husband had been told, as if foreshadowing a tragic and inescapable end.

When Lisa finally emerged from the Temple of Immortality, she appeared composed, but her azure eyes were even more profound, as if she had already incorporated these fragments of foresight into her future game.

Youlun stepped forward, raised his hand to brush away the strands of hair damp with a thin layer of sweat from her forehead, and asked calmly, "What did you see?"

'

A genuine smile appeared on Lisa's pale face, as if the ice and snow had just melted: "I saw our son and daughter." She paused, a gentle glint of mischief in her eyes, "But I didn't see you."

The sorcerer Paiya Puli, who had been standing by, stepped forward at the opportune moment. His voice, like a dreamlike murmur, carried awe for a higher power as he explained, "Lady Lisa, the power of the Lord of the Sea Beasts has transcended the scope of prophecy." He raised a withered finger and pointed it into the empty air. "We who peer into destiny are like fish in the sea. We must exert all our strength, and occasionally, with a leap, break the surface, in order to glimpse a corner of the future for a fleeting moment."

His gaze shifted to Euron, filled with deep apprehension and admiration: "But Lord Euron, he has always been above the sea, above the sky. He is not an observer of fate, but—the being who controls the wind and thunder. He can control his own direction, so naturally he does not need to be defined by his reflection underwater."

Euron chuckled softly, his fingertips lightly brushing against the snake-shaped brooch Lisa wore: "Thank you for your kind words." These four words sounded both like accepting praise and like a matter-of-fact confirmation.

Lisa's ascension to the throne and all matters concerning her as queen have been smoothly arranged, like a finely tuned machine, from top to bottom.

The royal family's approval, the support of the Temple of Immortality, the loyalty of the Regretful Guest, and even the common people's adoration constitute an unbreakable foundation of power.

The original power holders of the city, the powerful Thirteen Merchant Guilds, the Tourmaline Brotherhood, and the Spice Guild, all expressed their intention to integrate into Qarth and become part of the Queen's new regime.

The eight hundred elite Ironborn who had come with Euron had already taken over the city's core defenses. They silently guarded key positions on the triple walls, replacing the original guards, their cold gazes scrutinizing the city now under their mistress's control, ensuring that no unexpected events would occur at the final moment of the power transfer.

Through repeated deductions by learned scholars and cautious priests, the time for the coronation has been chosen based on calculations derived from the movements of the stars.

An auspicious day signifies that the beginning of a new era will be blessed by fate.

Messengers carrying the Queen's decree have already set sail in all directions, sending announcements to all the city-states of the known world.

Whether it be the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros, the Free Cities of Essos, or even the more distant ports and settlements, all will know one thing: the Queen of Qarth—a title once held by the rulers of Qarth in the distant past—is about to reappear after nearly a thousand years of silence.

The one who inherits this title and power is Lisa Garfield. She will, nearly a thousand years later, once again place the crown symbolizing supreme power on her head, relying on the royal bloodline of the Garfield family.

When news of Lisa Garfield's impending coronation as Queen of Qarth spread like wildfire throughout the known world, it sparked a heated discussion.

In the disputed territory, Oberyn Martell, the "Red Viper," slammed his glass on the table in anger, complaining to his companion, "That bastard Euron! What happened to being King of the Stone Steps? He keeps putting it off, and he even has time to help his salt concubine with Queen Qarth?! Next time we meet, I'll make him explain himself!"

Inside the Red Keep in King's Landing, King Robert, sitting on the Iron Throne with his beer belly, gruffly asked Jon Arryn, the Hand of the King, beside him, "Is that Lisa Garfield really Euron Greyjoy's former salt concubine?"

Duke Jon Snow nodded solemnly, "Of course. Our informants report that Duke Euron himself has not returned and is currently in Qarth. He is clearly in control of the entire situation."

A rare hint of worry crossed Robert's rugged face. He lowered his voice, as if asking Jon, or perhaps himself, "That bastard, he said it was just the Summer Isles, but he's fought his way all the way to Assassin's Lair—from the Basilisk Islands to Thunder Isle, and then..."

Now, Qarth has conquered quite a few cities and territories. Do you think he will ever return? This question weighed heavily on the throne room.

Jon's voice carried an undeniable certainty: "He will return, Your Majesty." He raised his eyelids, his gaze sharp. "After all, he is from the Iron Islands of Westeros; his roots are here."

In the exquisite courtyard of the Water Gardens in Dorne, Princess Arianne Martell irritably put down the letter in her hand and said to her two companions, "Hey, it's dangerous. That Lisa really did it, she became Queen of Qarth."

Asara, however, remained unusually calm. She lazily adjusted her reclining position, already knowing everything: "I knew a long time ago that Euron had made this promise to Lisa. It was part of a pre-arranged plan, so it's not surprising." She countered, "What danger?"

Arianne was exasperated by her two companions' obliviousness: "You two, how can you have no sense of crisis at all!" Her voice rose several decibels, "Her status is completely different now! She's no longer just a merchant's daughter or a lord's partner, but a queen! A queen with immense wealth, a fleet, an army, status, and power!!!!"

Unwittingly caught in the crossfire, Ilya frowned slightly and retorted softly, "Don't drag me into this. What does this have to do with me? I have my son and daughter by my side, that's enough. I wouldn't be jealous of someone else!"

On the Isle of Women, Queen Alicia gently stroked her belly, gazing at the sea. On the other side of the sea lay Qarth, where Euron resided.

The Iron Islands, Slaver's Bay, the Summer Isles, the Westerlands, House Tyrell—similar discussions continue to unfold.