Game of Thrones: The Black Dragon King

That's right, Reed plagiarized the works of Thomas Jefferson, the founding father of the United States, and Abraham Lincoln, the restorer of the nation. He refined and mixed them, deleted and modified the inappropriate parts, added some of his own ideas, and spread them as his own slogan.

Reed's "Declaration of Freedom," which is more commonly referred to as the "Declaration of the Abolition of Slavery" by the Maesters of the Citadel and historians from various places who compiled histories, was published in AC 106. As the most successful pretext for war, it helped "Black Dragon King" Reed wage a series of wars against the slave city-state of Essos.

Although the Abolitionist Declaration nominally championed the liberation of slaves, its true motives were far more complex. Rhett Butler skillfully used this declaration to gain widespread support, especially among the oppressed lower-class slaves and the trading cities opposed to slavery.

The declaration not only gave him the moral high ground but also strategically weakened the internal stability of the enemy. Under the impact of the declaration, the three city-states of Slaver's Bay experienced intensified internal conflicts, rising rebellious sentiments, and frequent slave riots and uprisings, greatly facilitating Rhett's military operations.

At the same time, the dissemination of the manifesto also, to some extent, inspired the public's desire for freedom and equality. This intellectual awakening, although not Rhett's original intention, objectively propelled the trend of social progress. However, the personal agenda mixed into the manifesto, such as the deliberate neglect of certain ethnic groups and the vague definition of the new order, also sowed the seeds for later social unrest.

Although slavery was formally abolished after the war, the profound impact of the Abolitionist Declaration has not faded. It not only became a crucial legal cornerstone of Rhett Butler's rule, but also sparked countless discussions and reflections on freedom and human rights in later generations. Historians often view this historical event as a complex multifaceted entity, possessing both positive historical significance and undeniable elements of political maneuvering and calculation.

Of course, that's a story for later. Right now, the various factions in Essos and Westeros are experiencing the immense power contained within those quiet words.

……

In Meereen, the Great Pyramid.

"Every individual, regardless of race, sex, religion, or social status, should enjoy these inherent rights. They are not only guarantees for the individual's pursuit of a happy life..."

The clerk slave struggled to suppress his emotions, trying to prevent his masters from noticing anything amiss. His unease stemmed from both a yearning for the dreamlike words of the manifesto and a sense of helplessness in the face of reality. As a highly capable individual, he was usually treated with respect by his masters and their children, but the collar around his neck constantly reminded him of his slave status.

Although his heart was filled with identification and longing, the harsh reality made him realize that these words might ignite the flame of hope in countless people, but for himself, once he revealed even a trace of emotion that he should not have, he would never be able to leave this pyramid.

"Who does he think he is! How dare he!" Kratz Daznak cursed in a variant of Valyrian language mixed with Geth, "A mere remnant of the Valyrian Dragon King dares to call himself the liberator of slaves?"

"Why did those dragon riders destroy Old Giss? Why did they turn this place into a colony? Why did they burn our fertile land into scorched wasteland, making it uncultivable? Why is this place called Slave Bay? Why were we forced into the slave trade? Why was Slave Bay made a transit point for the slave trade?"

"Isn't it just that they need slaves themselves? Mines, construction sites, workshops, brothels, blood magic experiments... They torture and kill more people a day under the Fourteen Fire Peaks than the entire newborn population of Essos... Slave liberators! What right do they have?"

Kratz's eyes burned with fury, as if he wanted to incinerate everything in front of him.

"Klatz, calm down," an older lord advised softly, trying to quell his anger.

Klatz didn't calm down; instead, he became even more agitated. "Calm down? How long can we stay calm? Those words, those declarations, are eroding our very foundations! If we don't do something, the entire Slave Bay will be overthrown!" Klatz's voice grew louder and louder. Some slaves in the corners exchanged furtive glances, their expressions unreadable.

"I understand your anger because I feel the same way, but it won't help. Instead of resorting to insults, we need to prepare for the upcoming war."

Kratz, panting, gradually calmed down, but the anger in his eyes remained undisguised. "You're right, we can't just stay in anger. We need strategy, we need action. This war isn't just for our land and wealth, it's for our survival and dignity."

The surrounding slave owners also began to nod in agreement.

"The first priority is to stop these misleading and inflammatory texts from spreading in our city."

"We must be on high alert and conduct thorough searches. Any suspicious content must be destroyed immediately. As for those who spread it, foreigners should be repatriated, and slaves should be killed!" Kratz's gaze swept over everyone present, his tone firm and ruthless. "Strengthen patrols and surveillance within the city to prevent those instigators from operating in secret. We need more informants and spies to ensure that any disturbance is detected promptly."

"Those slaves who have already been affected, screen them out and dispose of them!" Kratz paused, took a deep breath, and continued, "We need more troops and allies. Send envoys to contact Yunkai, Astapo, and New Giscali, as well as all the city-states established by the descendants of Giscali. We need to deal with this crisis together. Only by uniting can we consolidate our rule and resist external threats."

"I'm not trying to discourage you, but please don't forget he has a dragon!" Hizdala said with a complicated expression. "Three thousand Unsullied are a force that can roam freely anywhere, yet that black dragon burned nearly a thousand of them in less than half a day. Blindly piling up the number of troops is useless; we need effective means to counter the dragon."

"Scorpion crossbows from Mill and Braavos, buy them! Sell as many as you can! Be quick, we're not afraid to spend the money!"

"Perhaps we can ask other dragon kings for help. Prince Daemon of the Targaryens often visits Pentos and sends messengers."

"Assassination! Whether it's a Faceless One or a Regretful Guest, money isn't an issue. If we don't spend it now, are we saving it for compensation?"

"Your wisdom is our greatest asset," Clattenton's voice was firm and powerful. "We must make full use of every feasible solution..."

……

Braavos, Neptune's Palace.

"Any act that deprives or infringes upon these rights is a trampling on human dignity and must be punished by law and condemned by morality. Therefore, defending these inalienable rights is the common responsibility of every person with a sense of justice..."

"What seductive words." Neptune took a sip of his drink to calm his pounding heart.

"But undeniably, these words have indeed touched people's hearts," the strategist beside the Sea King said softly, a thoughtful look in his eyes. "What we need to consider is, what is the true purpose of this dragon knight in sending such a message to Braavos?"

"Money!" the Iron Treasury keeper said with a look of disdain. "In the attached letter, he blatantly stated his intention to beg. 'As pioneers of the cause of the emancipation of slaves, beacons of the free world, I believe His Highness the Sea King of Braavos and the Iron Treasury will wholeheartedly support this just cause, blah blah blah...' Listen to that beggar's tone!"

Neptune slowly put down his wine glass: "It's more of a test of our attitude. If Braavos, as a free trading city-state, publicly supports his propositions, it may trigger a chain reaction and affect the entire situation of Essos."

"So, how should we respond?" The strategist frowned slightly, clearly weighing the pros and cons.

"Let's wait and see," Aquaman said in a deep voice. "Maintain Braavos' neutrality and don't let it be easily won over by either side."

"Understood," the strategist nodded in agreement, "I will make the arrangements immediately."

"Wait!"

"?"

"A symbolic gesture, this open letter is clearly not just for us to see, others are reading it too," Aquaman said with a sigh, as if he'd just swallowed a fly. "We can't appear too stingy, nor too generous. Braavos is a city founded by runaway slaves, that fact cannot be forgotten."

The strategist nodded thoughtfully, rose and left the hall to begin arranging everything.

……

The Kingdom of Three Daughters, a supreme council composed of 33 governors.

"Have you seen everything?" Grand Speaker Plessy of Mil broke the silence.

"This is utterly incomprehensible!"

"Arrogant!"

"It is utterly absurd for an unknown and insignificant person to dare to provoke the entire slave-owning city-state of Essos."

"He has a dragon, I remind everyone here."

"What I'm more concerned about is whether this will affect our plans on the Time Islands," asked Kristoff, a member of the Mill team.

"Isn't it too early to say such things now? The Stone Steps Islands and Meereen are thousands of leagues apart. Isn't your thinking a bit too far-fetched, Lord Kristoff?"

"Speaking of which, there's another situation we need to discuss," said Councilor Lisandro Roger of Rees. "The recent raiding on the Steppes has shown signs of getting out of control. I've even received reports of local merchant ships disappearing there. Our original plan was to keep our own shipping lanes open while simultaneously cracking down on the trade of rival city-states. What we want is a sustainable model of trade and raiding that isn't excessive, but now that disobedient pirate captain, Krajas, is engaging in short-sighted practices."

"We need more detailed information regarding whether to restrict his actions and whether the current strategy needs to be adjusted. Let's put this proposal at the next Supreme Council meeting."

……

Valantis, within the Black Walls.

"Another Dragon King?" Ponsettis Visama, the Elephant Party's governing official, subtly observed the expression on the face of another Tiger Party governing official.

That person's expression was clearly not much better.

As a city founded by the Valyrian Freehold, even the city's upper class and ruling party are composed of Valyrian descendants with silver hair and purple eyes.

Valantis should have had close ties with the Dragon King's family, but Valantis's path to hegemony was interrupted by the founding monarch of that Dragon family across the sea.

……

Westeros, King's Landing, the Red Keep.

"These rights not only form the cornerstone of the human kingdom, but are also the fundamental guarantees that every person is born with. Whether royalty or commoner, all should enjoy these rights equally on this land. It is these inalienable rights..."

"I never expected there to be such a discerning person in the Narrow Sea." Viserys accepted the wine glass handed to him by Princess Renella, his expression unreadable.

To prevent dragons from falling into the wrong hands and forming new dragon families, the Targaryen people have always maintained strict control over dragons and their eggs. Of course, the one across the Narrow Sea is an exception; that adult black dragon, measuring over a hundred meters, is clearly not of Targaryen origin. But since its appearance, it has been a focus of attention for the Council.

"Forgive my bluntness, Your Majesty, but the writing is indeed beautiful, though the man's actions are extremely arrogant," Sir Otto Hightower, the Prime Minister, commented expressionlessly.

"That sounds very much in line with the chivalrous spirit: to have justice in one's heart, to have compassion for the weak, and to be unafraid of the powerful," said Ser Harold Westerling, captain of the Kingsguard.

"He has a dragon, and although the power of dragonfire is unmatched, it is indeed somewhat arrogant to conquer a city-state, or even the entire Slave Bay, with just one dragon," said Grand Master Runetel.

"I know the emergence of a new Dragon King family will attract attention," said Earl Linman Bisbury, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, wearily. "But right now, besides gathering information and monitoring developments, we don't have much usable power to project onto that distant place thousands of miles away across the Narrow Sea. Are you sure you want to continue wasting the Imperial Council's time on matters that have little to do with us?"

"Linman is right." King Viserys smiled and accepted the advice. "What we need to focus on more is the stability of King's Landing and the peace of the Seven Kingdoms. As for that self-proclaimed Dragon King, let him do what he wants. As long as he doesn't cross the Narrow Sea, he doesn't seem to have much of an impact on us, does he?"

They are concerned, but no action has been taken because the Targaryen family currently has only two dragon riders: one is nine years old, and the other lives with his mistress on Dragonstone and has not returned.

Sir Harold Westerling frowned slightly, seemingly displeased with this indifferent attitude, but ultimately remained silent.

Grand Preceptor Runetel gently stroked his chin, a thoughtful glint in his eyes.

"Then, the next topic is about Prince Damon..." Otto said somewhat awkwardly.

Viserys: "What's wrong with Damon now?"

"His Majesty······"

"Otto?"

"Prince Damon left a letter that may explain the situation, Your Majesty." Grand Tutor Runetel slowly unrolled a scroll of parchment.

"Daemon Targaryen, Prince of Dragonstone and rightful heir to the Iron Throne, is pleased to announce that, in accordance with Valyrian tradition, he will soon marry his second wife, who will receive the title of Lady Messaria of Dragonstone. She is pregnant, and according to Targaryen tradition, a dragon egg must be placed in the child's cradle..."

Earl Linman Bisbury: "What a joke!"

"Who is Mesalia?" Corliss Valerian asked, puzzled.

"Damon's whore."

"This is clearly a rebellion, Your Majesty!" Otto concluded.

"I wholeheartedly agree, Sir," Sir Tyrann Lannister echoed.

"My brother is trying to provoke me, so be it." Viserys gripped his wine glass tightly, suppressing his anger.

"The whole world is watching, Your Majesty," Corliss reminded him, for the monarch's majesty cannot be challenged.

"So what do you want me to do? Put him in black? Banish him to the Wall? Or put his head on a spear?"

Otto stated, "You have established Princess Rhaenyra as Crown Princess, yet Damon claims ownership of Dragonstone and his right to the Iron Throne, and now he has stolen the dragon eggs."

"Which egg did Damon steal?" Princess Rhaenyra, who had been silent all along, asked in High Valyrian.

"It's the Dreamfire one, chosen personally by the princess half a year ago, the one intended to be placed in Prince Belon's cradle," the old Dragon Guard leader replied cautiously, bowing and drooping his head.