Game of Thrones: The Black Dragon King

After a good night's sleep, Reed learned of Lannino's collapse the next morning and was carrying a basket of fruit through the camp to visit him.

Along the way, Rhett was forced to shatter the illusion that Westeros's medical technology was far more advanced; top-tier technology did not represent the average level. In the camps of the lower-ranking soldiers, he also saw barbers who used scissors to amputate limbs, blacksmiths who used hot irons to iron wounds, priests who used the Seven Crosses to bleed people, and even witch doctors dressed in bizarre clothes who solemnly performed shamanistic rituals.

As for the plump and fair-skinned Maester Bandaron, he didn't appear in the scene where he was clearly needed more, but instead sat in Lannino's tent, intently tinkering with a bunch of potions.

Corliss, one hand covering his eyes, leaned back in his chair, watching over his son. Hearing Reed enter, he heavily rose to greet him.

"How is it?" Reed handed over the fruit basket.

"She's feeling better, but she still has a fever." Corliss reached out and took the chair, then pulled up a chair for her.

"A cold?"

"No, it's more likely that they were psychologically traumatized."

"I told you, premature exposure to the brutality of war will damage one's soul."

"But this is a necessary part of growth. I went through many hardships to rebuild my family business, and his mother was an uncrowned queen who was fearless, shrewd and capable. This child's personality is completely opposite to ours; he is gentle. The family's wealth and status have made his life too smooth. I'm afraid he won't be able to withstand the storms in the future."

"Parents who love their children plan far ahead for them. They can understand this, but they don't necessarily agree with it."

"Bachelor Bandarun told me about what you and Damon did."

The scribe who was fiddling with the herbs looked up, his smug smile meeting Reid's slightly cold gaze.

"The third time was not long ago, when Viserys preferred the daughter of Hightoar's second son to the eldest daughter of the Valerian family, who possessed a powerful fleet and immense wealth."

"And the fourth time, I set my sights on Renilla's marriage. Lannino's personality may not be the best for leading a family, but he is an extremely suitable candidate for a future queen. Your appearance has disrupted my marriage plans."

"Over the years, the Valerian Empire has been like a giant beast bound by chains, possessing immense wealth and a prestigious position, yet always unable to reach the center of power. At crucial moments, it is always blocked by an invisible hand..."

Reed had no interest in listening to the old man's long-winded rant and interrupted him directly: "For you, I'm not a very good listener. After all, at my age, I only have patience for the innermost thoughts of pretty girls. Of course, most of my attention is focused on the parts that interest me."

Reed munched on his apple, a little bored, the chewing making his voice slightly muffled: "If you can't accurately articulate the main points you want to make within fifteen minutes, I might forget what you said before, right?"

"Those who travel with tigers and wolves must be fierce beasts themselves, because they can smell the familiar scent on each other."

"So you smelled the dragon stench on me?"

"It's the scent of ambition," the sea serpent emphasized, then slowly continued, "If you merely desire contested lands, my daughter Lana'er is your best choice. She is exceptionally beautiful, possesses dragon blood, and is a rider of Varghar. The golden dragons of Valerian can support your conquests, and a vast fleet of merchant ships and thriving maritime trade can effectively solidify your subsequent rule."

"But you chose Rhaenyra, a little girl who has almost nothing except the right to inherit. You'd rather fight against the xenophobia and deep-rooted traditions of Westeros for a hollow legal code of rule. To do this, you're either a madman or a beast truly worthy of tearing flesh!"

"If you are the latter, your ambitions and desires go far beyond this. The controversial land is merely a piece of food to barely satisfy your insatiable hunger."

Reed tossed the apple core precisely into a copper basin in the corner of the tent, making a crisp sound, then looked directly into Corliss's deep eyes: "Lord Corliss, you certainly have a keen sense of smell, but what does this have to do with your current predicament of being short of troops and caught in a dilemma?"

The sea serpent didn't rush to answer. Instead, he ate the apple, savoring it slowly, letting the sweet and sour taste of the fruit melt on his tongue. After a while, he slowly raised his eyelids. In those eyes that had seen countless storms, a complex emotion flashed—anger at being exposed, appreciation for the young man before him, and perhaps even a hint of helplessness at being forced into a corner.

"You still need Valerian's support," Corliss said thoughtfully.

"Cattle and sheep roam in herds, but wild beasts roam alone." Reed continued to press, now that negotiations had begun, he would keep applying pressure until the other side revealed its hand.

"But you've made a marriage agreement for the next generation, and Lannar wears her steel sword 'Sea Breeze' on her waist every day." Corliss began to appeal to emotions.

"There are only three of us in the family who carry dragon blood, so I don't have a choice." Reed used his dodge ability.

"Right now, we're in the same boat," Corliss began, emphasizing sunk costs.

"A qualified politician should strive for future returns, rather than trying to make up for past losses," Reed threatened with withdrawal of investment.

"Do you really want to force an old man like me to lower myself and beg you?" Corliss used moral blackmail.

"Substance and appearance are one; without substance, there is no appearance. I don't know what I did wrong to make you disrespect me so much. You always have to beat around the bush when negotiating terms. From the first day I arrived at Chaotou Island, you haven't even looked at me properly. You're using me to appease the Sea King's stupid son. Don't tell me that you didn't send that clumsy, laughable assassin, or that maid who knocked on the door in the middle of the night to deliver fruit!" Reid emphasized who was in the wrong.

"The maids were arranged by Renis; it's a common form of hospitality for noblemen," Corliss said, downplaying the issue.

"Please face the facts like a man, old man. Is it really appropriate to use your wife as a shield?" Reed directly mocked.

"I apologize, please forgive my arrogance and rudeness." Corliss began to use sincerity.

"Do you know where you fall short compared to my future in-laws? He's sincere enough! Now you can try him out."

"Valerian's army can no longer afford losses. Our attack on Myr will be a feint, and you can take the disputed territory yourself. We can provide you with golden dragons, provisions, and supplies, but we will not commit any more troops."

"agree."

"I know your strength is far greater than what you have shown. I need an army of 5000 men. When you return to Meereen, a Valerian fleet of ships, fully loaded with supplies and military pay, will accompany you as compensation for our inability to fulfill our obligations and as payment for the 5000 men. I hope these ships can carry the army I need back."

"An army of this size goes beyond the realm of commercial interests. You think you can repay expensive military support and political favors with cheap gold?"

"But this is all the bargaining chip I have left, I'm being honest with you."

Please remember that you owe me a favor.

"What's free is the most expensive. You forgot that besides being a competent lord, I'm also an excellent merchant. I won't sign a blank contract without specifying the conditions."

"When I seize the Iron Throne in the future, the Valerian will give me their full support."

"This premium is too much. In exchange, I demand a marriage to the future rightful heir to the Iron Throne."

"Didn't I agree to be Lannar's daughter?"

"Why isn't it Lannino's son?"

"Let him give birth to a son first."

"Lanino hasn't had a wet dream yet, what's your rush?"

Reed's words puzzled Corliss, who couldn't quite grasp their deeper meaning.

Just then, a voice came from outside the tent: "My lord! May I enter?"

"Enter!"

A handsome young man with long, flowing flaxen hair, red lips, and white teeth, whose appearance was so delicate that it was difficult to tell whether he was male or female, entered carrying a basket of dried willow branches. He bowed and greeted the two men, saying, "Lord Kolis. His Excellency the Black Dragon King."

"This is Joffrey, the young lad from the Stormlands' Rommus family, a servant on Tidehead Island, and one of Lannino's playmates," Corliss introduced.

Reid nodded subtly in acknowledgment.

Joffrey seemed to sense the heavy atmosphere inside the tent, and stood to the side with his head down, his fingers unconsciously twisting the leather belt around his waist.

"Don't just stand there. Take the herbs to the maester and then get out of here." Corliss noticed Reed's expression and waved Joffrey away. "Lannino is always surrounded by these flashy lads, yet you pay special attention to him."

Reed's gaze lingered for a moment on Joffrey's powerful gait, a slight smile playing on his lips as he spoke in riddles: "Before long, you'll probably have to watch out too."

Corliss frowned and said, "What are you really up to? Just a servant."

Reed didn't reply, but instead got up, poured two glasses of light wine, and handed one to Corliss.

Corliss took the glass and clinked it with Reed's.

"It's a pleasure working with you."

"It's a pleasure working with you."

The two drank it all in one gulp.

"By the way, along the way, I've seen quite a few non-professionals like barbers and priests playing the role of doctors. Forgive my bluntness, but these half-baked doctors have killed more soldiers than the enemy has killed on the battlefield. I think you could assign Scholar Bandaron to a scenario where he can better utilize his abilities. After all, veterans who have recovered from their injuries and returned to their posts are a valuable asset that can greatly enhance the army's combat effectiveness." As he spoke, Reed's gaze swept over Scholar Bandaron, who was fiddling with potions, once again.

"I'll consider it."

Goodbye.

……

Damon entered Reed's tent without even saying hello, simply lifting the curtain to enter.

"So, your objective from the beginning wasn't a feint attack, but the disputed territory itself!"

"You're quite well-informed. Corliss said you went back to Westeros to recruit soldiers?"

"I rode a dragon and took a trip around the main island of Bloodstone Island."

"Compared to you, our commander, who is all flesh and blood, we are truly heartless."

"Stop talking nonsense and answer my first question."

"It was originally a feint attack, but I later discovered that the disputed territory was very lucrative, enough to support three powerful maritime city-states, which could also support my army."

"Little liar," Damon said irritably.

"Same to you."

"I've come to claim my payment."

"I will make a feint attack on Mil as agreed, to relieve the pressure on the Bloodstone Island battlefield for you."

"You know what I mean."

"We can play some tricks before an agreement is reached, but once an agreement is reached, we should faithfully fulfill it. You know I'm a man of my word."

"So this is what your 'words are gold' really meant!"

"You didn't come here just to mock me, did you?"

"Lend me twenty of your assassins, the kind who can climb buildings and hide in the shadows."

"Even if you really want to marry the sea serpent's daughter, there's no need to be in such a hurry, is there? I remind you, patricide will bring a curse."

"You're very well-informed, aren't you?"

"We sent a clerk to sit in on the proceedings last night."

"I have no blood relation with the bronze-colored woman."

"Relatives by marriage are also relatives."

"I used it on Bloodstone Island."

"There are only about ten left. I'm not taking any with me. Just tell them what to do if you need anything!"