Game of Thrones: The Black Dragon King

Later, Reed hosted a dinner for the Corliss family, the Viserys family, Damon, and Sir Otto, ostensibly to enjoy life one last time before the war.

Corliss knew that the Iron Throne's tacit approval of his attack on the Stepstone Islands was actually intended to weaken the growing power of the Valerian family, and that his ally Damon was certainly aware of this as well. However, the family's lifeline could not be compromised.

Damon understood that even if the Steps Islands were conquered, they would be difficult to rule for long. Corliss needed to remove the thorn in the side of the trade route, not replace it with another. He also knew that his brother just needed an adult playground that wouldn't affect the Seven Kingdoms to get rid of his troublesome younger brother, but having already ruined his reputation in the Council of Kings, he had no choice but to bite the poisoned bait.

Otto, on the other hand, had to shoulder the responsibilities of a maternal relative, balancing powerful ministers and his brother. Inevitably, he would incur resentment, but he resolutely did so in order to ensure the bloodline of the Hightoar family flowed into the Iron Throne.

Viserys knew that this system of checks and balances was not a safe option, but he needed to consolidate his power, pave a smooth path for his daughter, and also yearned for peace. So, for now, he had no choice but to proceed with this plan…

A group of people, each with their own agenda, each with their own pitfalls to fall into or bait to bite into, all knowingly play their roles: you know I'm acting, but I play along; I know you're acting, but I play along; they understand each other implicitly, each putting on a show for the other.

For a moment, the atmosphere was very cheerful and harmonious.

Unlike the formal banquet in the castle hall, Reed chose to prepare the food on the beach.

Meereen's olive oil, as his second most popular product after Gladiator, enjoys a great reputation.

As Reed prepared the day's ingredients, he promoted Meereen's future important trade commodity to Count Corliss: "The plantation slave owners have planted large quantities of olives on the slopes and hills along the banks of the Skazardan River. The altitude here is suitable, and there is high temperature and plenty of sunshine all year round. The only drawback is the lack of water."

"But this wasn't a problem for the slave owners either. During the olive harvest season, they employed a large number of slaves for irrigation and fertilization. The slaves used foot-operated waterwheels, spiral pumps, and even carried water on their shoulders and by hand to irrigate the olive groves three times a day. Dogs were also kept on the plantations to prevent the slaves from slacking off or stealing food. The high temperatures and intense work made the harvest season the most dreaded time for the slaves in the olive groves. Heatstroke, severe weight loss, and even death from exhaustion were common occurrences..."

"But olives that are so carefully tended produce fruit with abundant oil, and the olive oil extracted from them has a captivating aroma. Especially when this cool oil meets the scorching hot iron pan, that enchanting fragrance is instantly released..."

"Yes, I can smell it. Please focus on cooking, dear chef. Don't you think that making this food taste a thousand times better than all your sweet talk?"

Reed shrugged and began to focus on his work. The oil temperature was just right, so he quickly added chopped onions, ginger slices, and garlic slices to sauté until fragrant. Then he added bay leaves, cinnamon, star anise, Sichuan peppercorns, and Dorne peppers. Thanks to the nearby Spice Town, he could find almost any spice he wanted, except for scallions and chili peppers, but there were also corresponding substitutes—onions and Dorne peppers.

With a quick stir-fry, the flavors of the spices are perfectly released through the moistening and frying of the oil. Clams, razor clams, and other small seafood such as shrimp and small crabs, which have been purged of sand and blanched and cooled, are then poured into the pot. The pot is tossed and turned, and with a sizzling sound, the flavors of the seafood are instantly elevated, the hot oil carrying the aroma of spices permeating the entire dish.

Drizzle in about half a bottle of pear brandy and sprinkle with a generous pinch of salt. Now, the most crucial step is to add a large spoonful of sugar to enhance the umami flavor and thicken the sauce. Finally, sprinkle with chopped parsley and cilantro. And there you have it, a delicious and visually appealing stir-fried seafood dish.

The large pot was enough for everyone to enjoy, and Reed didn't prepare any extra tableware. Instead, he used a clean stone slab to spread the steaming hot stir-fry from the pot on it.

No utensils are needed to eat this kind of seafood; just use your hands. Beer is an essential accompaniment, especially when it's chilled. While it's still warm, gently pick it up with your fingertips, first sucking out the delicious juices, then peeling the shell, and then carefully savoring the tender meat. Next, savor the lingering aroma on your fingers, and finally, take a big gulp of ice-cold beer. In this way, you will deeply experience the purest joy of the summer seaside.

At the makeshift outdoor table, under Reed's demonstration, Damon, as the carefree and unrestrained prince, was the first to experience this joy, followed by the poised and generous Lannard, the adventurous Viserys, and then Rhaenyra, Lannino, Rhaenyra, and Corliss.

"Iced?" Damon examined the large, round glass. The once crystal-clear glass was now covered with a layer of condensation due to the coldness. In the midst of the long summer, the icy touch brought an extra sense of coolness.

"How did you do that?" Corliss was very surprised. Iced drinks were nothing new, but the long summer had been going on for many years, and the ice in the Climax City ice cellar had long since melted.

"Have you ever seen the view of lush trees at the foot of a mountain and snow-capped peaks at the summit?"

"I was fortunate enough to see it in the valley."

"The higher you go, the lower the temperature gets," Reed pointed to the sky. "Have a dragon carry a net bag filled with barrels of wine and fly it at an altitude of more than a league for a while, and the contents of the container will become chilled."

"Don't you feel like you can't breathe?" Damon asked. As an experienced dragon rider, he understood all too well what was going on. Being pressed against the dragon's burning body heat, the cold wasn't a problem, but the thin, frigid air was a major issue for a dragon rider.

"It goes, but I don't," Reed said, pointing at Night Fury.

"Okay~!" Damon pouted.

"Oh~!" Reed suddenly remembered something, got up and took out a small copper soup bowl from the net bag.

It's not easy for any of us to fly, so we should cherish and make the most of our hard work. Ice cream, a perfect way to beat the heat, is an essential treat. Simply mix whipped egg yolks, sugar, and boiled and cooled milk in the correct proportions, pour the mixture into a container, and freeze. Although the freezing process doesn't involve stirring, resulting in some small ice crystals inside the ice cream, this doesn't significantly affect its wonderfully melt-in-your-mouth texture.

Scoop out a ball of milky white ice cream with a spoon, place it on a small tray for desserts, garnish with a few rosemary leaves, and attach a small spoon. He then handed it to Renilla first.

"Why did you give it to me first?" Renilla said unhappily. She hadn't even had a chance to show off her newly acquired Wagner sword when she suddenly saw Lannar also carrying one at her waist, looking completely nonchalant. This immediately made the princess with her princess complex lose her temper. She either glared angrily at Lannar or gave Reid a hard time.

"According to our local custom, food is served first to the eldest person of the highest status. But desserts are an exception; they are given to the youngest and cutest girl."

Renilla's pouty lips instantly perked up. She took the small tray, scooped up a little with a small silver spoon, and put it in her mouth. The cool, sweet taste spread on her tongue, and her eyes sparkled. Her mood, which had been low because of the cold war, vanished in an instant.

The second serving was given to Lannar, whose expressive purple eyes narrowed into crescents at the first bite; Lannino, like her sister, showed great interest in this novel dessert; Rhaenys, on the other hand, was poised and elegant, but ate more frequently. Viserys, like Rhaenys, had a sweet tooth and ordered an extra serving after finishing his. Corliss and Damon, however, only took a small bite, showing little interest in the dessert; instead, the spicy stir-fried seafood suited their tastes better.

"To the beauty of life!" Reed raised his glass and said.

"To the beauty of life!" Everyone was very grateful to the chef for his thoughtful service today.

Having eaten and drunk his fill, Reed, slightly tipsy, slumped down under the sky in a rather unladylike manner, staring blankly at the brightly lit Chaotou Island dock, busily loading and unloading war supplies.

"I can tell you're enjoying the peace and tranquility, which is quite different from the ambitious Black Dragon King you were before," Otto remarked casually.

"When you get tired of bland food, you naturally crave strong flavors; and after a long time of working on the edge, you'll yearn for a peaceful life," Reed replied in a languid tone.

"Why do I sense that a middle-aged soul resides within your youthful body?" Corliss interjected.

"The age of the body is determined by the years, but the age of the soul is shaped by experience."

Damon timely reminded him, "The Earl of Corliss isn't concerned about your age; he's worried about your fighting spirit. The battle starts tomorrow, so don't lose heart, lad!"

"I know. My war experience is no less than yours. Only by maintaining a balance between tension and relaxation can I deal with the upcoming battles more calmly."

In his voice, still trembling with puberty, Lannino exclaimed excitedly, "We will defeat those evil pirates, bringing lasting peace and tranquility to Tidehead Island and to the merchant ships sailing the seas. With our swords and courage, we will defend our honor..."

The young man's yearning for war and thirst for honor made Reed, a seasoned veteran, frown. "He's not even thirteen yet. Are you sure you want to send him to the battlefield?"

"Didn't you also become a mercenary when you were fifteen?" Damon said irritably.

"Did I have no choice? Did he have no choice either?"

"Lanino has already honed his skills as a servant, and besides, he can control the sea smoke."

"The darkness and brutality of war touch the soul directly, and this is something that a suit of armor or a dragon cannot protect against."

Count Corliss patted Renis's hand, who seemed hesitant to speak, his tone leaving no room for argument: "We've all been that age, yearning to prove ourselves, yearning for glory. Lannino is a Valerian! A warrior of Tidehead Island! This is his war."

"But it's not a good thing to experience the cruelty of the battlefield too early."

"Boys from noble families are all like this; from a young age, they are instilled with the honor and responsibility of knighthood, harboring in their hearts the dream of one day wielding a sharp blade, protecting their homeland, and earning the respect of the world. From childhood, the first wooden sword they play with marks the beginning of their knightly journey, until they complete rigorous knightly training, and finally achieve great feats in a fierce battle, winning glory and recognition, and being knighted..."

"Since this is your choice, I've said all I have to say." Reed's tone shifted abruptly, and he said to Renilla in a flippant tone, "Hey, girl! I've heard that warriors blessed by beautiful girls are invincible on the battlefield. I wonder if I could have that honor?"

Renilla replied calmly, "How do you want to be blessed?"

Reed chuckled and continued teasing, "How about a kiss?"

He was met with a straight punch from Renilla.