Chapter 233: Undead Gather to Rule King's Landing, Sea Monsters Ravage The Reach

In the Red Keep of King's Landing, the necromancer Ogbeta and Duke Tywin stood on either side of the Iron Throne, waiting.

Jaime and the Kingsguard guarded the entrance to the stairs of the Iron Throne, while Joffrey sat perched upon it; a foul stench emanated from the scalp beneath his golden crown, and pus-filled sores were spreading everywhere.

Cersei sat upon the Skull Throne beside the Iron Throne, a seat built from bleached bones and skulls; each step of the dais was carved with the sigils of the Stark direwolf, the Tully trout, the Tyrell rose, the Baratheon stag, the Dornish spear piercing the sun, and the Arryn moon-falcon, with the highest step belonging to the roaring lion of Lannister.

Because Joffrey insisted on sitting upon the Iron Throne, and the Regent Queen Cersei was unwilling to sit with the high lords in the Throne Room, she had this terrifying Skull Throne constructed.

"If we sit upon such a Skull Throne, the common folk will view us as monsters," Jaime had advised Cersei when she first planned to build it.

Cersei replied with disdain: "We rely on Death Knights, necromancers, and frost dragons to wage war, and the Usurpers across Westeros all call me the Corpse Queen Cersei. Why should a lion fear the opinions of sheep? I am determined to sit upon the Skull Throne!"

Once the Skull Throne was completed, it stood a head taller than the Iron Throne, for Cersei considered herself even greater than Aegon the Conqueror.

"Aegon the Conqueror's Iron Throne was forged from the broken swords of the Seven Kingdoms, while my Skull Throne is made from the bones of the dead across Westeros."

The Skull Throne was placed beside the Iron Throne.

Jaime gazed at King Joffrey upon the Iron Throne and Cersei upon the Skull Throne beside him; this evil mother and son had caused the deaths of countless innocents, and Jaime regretted siring the bastard Joffrey.

If killing Joffrey could end the tyranny of the undead in King's Landing, Jaime would act without hesitation, just as he had in the Throne Room years ago when he slaughtered Aerys II Targaryen with his gilded sword.

Yet, Jaime could not bring himself to kill Cersei. He imagined using his palm to grip Cersei's beautiful neck, pressing down with both hands until she struggled to breathe, her face turning blue, gasping for air as she struggled to her death.

Unfortunately, killing either Cersei or Joffrey would not end the undead, for the real power over the undead army in King's Landing lay in the hands of the necromancer Ogbeta, and Jaime had yet to find a way to kill him.

Jaime had originally held high hopes for his uncle Gillian and the sea witch Grace, wishing they could assist in assassinating the necromancer Ogbeta.

Unfortunately, Gillian seemed to have become a complete sycophant to the necromancer and Cersei. As for the sea witch Grace, she was terrifying.

As Master of Ships, Gillian began rebuilding the fleet for Cersei and advocated for recruiting the undead as crew. As for the witch Grace, she gifted Cersei an expensive glass fish tank filled with crabs, large shrimp, and fish from all over the world, even establishing a fish farm along the banks of the Blackwater River.

Jaime truly could not understand what Gillian and his wife were doing.

The reborn Death Knights Arthur Dayne, Oswell Whent, and the White Bull Gerold Hightower stood guard at the entrance to the steps of the Skull Throne.

Jaime felt a twinge of envy for these former brothers of the Kingsguard who had been reduced to Death Knights; after all, Death Knights were puppets manipulated by dark magic, numb and indifferent, and they did not have to endure the stupidity and cruelty of Cersei and Joffrey.

Cersei sat with her legs crossed, wearing a blood-red silk gown, appearing particularly striking upon the pale Skull Throne.

The necromancer Ogbeta held a skull scepter in his hand.

"Your Grace, King Joffrey, now that our frost dragons and Death Knights are numerous, we no longer need to waste dark magic to resurrect frost dragons in the future. We have more magic that can be used to manipulate and resurrect the undead; winter is coming, and the undead army can launch a massive offensive into enemy territory."

Joffrey sat perched upon the Iron Throne, clenching his fists.

"I want the head of every Stark, I want every direwolf pelt to use as bedding, every giant eagle's feather to make a cloak; I want the heads of Stannis, the Wolf King Eddard, and Daenerys to decorate the walls of the Red Keep!"

Cersei said softly: "Joffrey, rest assured, winter is coming soon, and our enemies will wither like autumn leaves; every one of them will die."

Duke Tywin said: "Your Grace, please grant me the frost dragon Balerion the Black Dread, the Mountain, the Goat Vargo Hoat's Brave Companions, and the Lannister red-cloaked lion-helm guard; the Westerlands are the Lannister stronghold, and I will win back the Westerlands for Your Grace."

Joffrey wore a mocking expression.

"Grandfather, back when you were in the Westerlands, you lost to Robb and the Blackfish Brynden, losing Casterly Rock, Lannisport, and all the lands within; you were defeated time and again, and even if I gave you more frost dragons, you could not win back the Westerlands."

Tywin's gaze seemed capable of freezing everyone present, and he said coldly: "The Wolf King Eddard and Daenerys are gathering their armies at Harrenhal, and Stannis sits at Storm's End, commanding an army of fire demons and fire slaves. King's Landing is surrounded by powerful enemies; if we do not open a new front in the Westerlands, how can we defeat them?"

The necromancer Ogbeta said: "Duke Tywin, the undead army possesses frost dragons such as Balerion the Black Dread, Meraxes, the Dragon of Bronze Vermithor, and Silverwing; the Mother of Dragons and the Wolf King's magic dragons cannot contend with us."

"The undead will launch an all-out offensive. Duke Tywin may attempt to attack the Westerlands, but first, we must turn the Riverlands into a cursed land. Now that dark magic is abundant, the undead army will strike from all sides."

"Prince Rhaegar will lead the army to take the town of Harroway; the Horse Lord Drogo will lead the army to attack Fairmarket; Bittersteel Aegor Rivers will lead the army to attack the House Blackwood's Raventree Hall; the Sword of the Morning Arthur Dayne's undead legion will strike at Stoneway; the White Bull Gerold Hightower will lead the undead to strike at The Reach, taking Tumbleton and Bitterbridge."

"The Death Storm will continue to lead the Kingswood Brotherhood, the undead army, and the frost dragons Seasmoke and the Blue Queen to ravage the Stormlands."

Cersei revealed an evil smile.

"With the undead army striking from multiple fronts, eroding The Reach, the Riverlands, and the Stormlands, the Wolf King Eddard is holed up in Harrenhal, destined to be unable to save the other castles and towns."

"Father, you can follow Arthur Dayne to attack Stoneway, threaten the House Piper's Pinkmaiden, the House Vance's Wayfarer's Rest, and the territory of the Riverlands to open a path to the Westerlands."

Tywin said worriedly: "With the undead moving out in force, the defenses of King's Landing will inevitably be empty; if Stannis defeats the Death Storm in the Stormlands, he could soon threaten King's Landing."

Master of Ships Gillian said: "Do not forget, Stannis still has the Royal Fleet; his naval power at Dragonstone and Driftmark is formidable."

The necromancer Ogbeta said: "Stannis's Royal Fleet would not dare provoke King's Landing, which is guarded by frost dragons and giant bats."

"The real threat is the Wolf King Eddard's fleet. The Wolf King Eddard has shipyards in White Harbor, Gulltown, Lannisport, Seagard, Fairmarket, Dawn Watch, and Blacksmith City. If the Wolf King's warships are all equipped with cannons, then the Wolf King's Vale Fleet, North Fleet, Westerlands Fleet, and Riverlands Fleet are clearly the greatest threat."

The sea witch Grace smiled and said: "Necromancer, even if the Wolf King's fleet is equipped with cannons, his fleet is not the most powerful."

"The most powerful fleet belongs to Euron Greyjoy's Iron Islands fleet; this man is as powerful and evil as the Storm God."

The Honeywine flowed into Whispering Sound, and Euron Greyjoy's Silence cut through the waves in Whispering Sound, heading toward Crown Town.

Asha Greyjoy's Grey Wind, Victarion's Iron Victory, and dozens of other longships followed the Silence to attack the Bulwer family's fleet.

The Bulwer family had fewer than ten ships; they met the attack in haste and were no match for the Iron Fleet.

After destroying the enemy fleet, the Ironborn easily captured the docks and streets of Crown Town, climbed the lord's castle with grappling hooks, and after a brief and intense melee, the golden kraken banner was raised over the castle and walls of Crown Town.

After Euron donned the Driftwood Crown and sat upon the Seastone Chair, he appointed his eldest brother Balon as Warden of the Iron Islands to manage them while Euron was away on campaign.

Balon, Victarion, Asha, and Aeron Greyjoy were all forced by Euron to swallow crabs; if they defied Euron's will even slightly, the crabs would attack their internal organs, a feeling so agonizing that Balon had no choice but to submit.

Everyone suspected that Euron used the crabs to control the mute crew of the Silence.

Euron did not care in the slightest about the potential threat of Balon; he did not worry that Balon would win back the support of the Ironborn and the captains while he was away from the Iron Islands. After all, Balon was old, and in the Grey King's Hall, before the captains and leaders of the Iron Islands, he had knelt before Euron and pledged his loyalty.

The Ironborn only followed the strong and despised the weak; since Balon had shown weakness before Euron, just as he had lost to Robert Baratheon years ago, he could never win back the support of the Ironborn.

Euron resurrected Nagga in the Grey King's Hall and could summon sea monsters from the ocean; he displayed miracles before the leaders and captains of the Iron Islands, and from the Drowned Men priests to the salt wives, slave laborers, farming commoners, and fishing folk, all supported Euron as King. Balon's era had passed.

Aeron Greyjoy still hated Euron; he had once tried to incite his Drowned Men and followers to resist Euron, but Euron's crabs soon taught Aeron to submit. Moreover, many respected Drowned Men priests, including the three-drowned Taf, had declared their support for Euron, so no matter how much Aeron incited, he was destined to fail to stir up any great waves.

Euron set out with the Iron Islands fleet, ordering Victarion and Asha to serve as the vanguard.

"Conquer for me; once I win the Iron Throne, the Seastone Chair and the Driftwood Crown will be left to one of you."

Although Littlefinger strongly suggested that Euron attack the Wolf King Eddard's territory, he was flatly refused by Euron, who set his target for conquest on The Reach.

"Littlefinger, I know Stark stole your beloved dream lover, and you crave revenge against Eddard, but unfortunately, my goal is to conquer a place of wealth and knowledge; the place in Westeros that possesses both wealth and knowledge is Oldtown."

Asha said: "Even if you are unwilling to attack the North, you should negotiate with Stark to return my uncle, the leader and Reader Rodrik Harlaw."

"You want knowledge; among the Ironborn, whose knowledge could exceed that of the Reader Rodrik?"

Euron hummed dismissively, "The Reader is nothing but a bookworm; the knowledge I want is the mysterious books and ancient scrolls of Oldtown. Besides, once I capture Oldtown, I can harvest countless Readers."

Victarion objected, "The Reach is wealthy and powerful, and the Arbor Fleet is no less capable than the Iron Fleet; the Reach is not so easily conquered."

Euron's eyes were full of laughter.

"The Arbor Fleet cannot contend with Sea Monsters and Nagas, let alone storms."

Aeron Greyjoy frowned, "Do you truly possess the Magic to control storms? The Storm God is the sworn enemy of the Drowned God."

Euron smirked: "Aeron, the reason I have conquered all the way during my great voyages is because I am as powerful as the Drowned God and the Storm God. Pray to me! You can be my priest, my follower."

Euron led the Iron Islands fleet away from the land, heading south all the way with favorable winds. He dispatched the leaders Zhu Gu and Gu Bole with a fleet of Longships to bypass the Shield Islands and sail up the Mander River with great fanfare.

In ancient times, Ironborn raiders occupied the Shield Islands and the mouth of the Mander River. At that time, the Ironborn could pilot Longships up the Mander River, reaching as far as Bitterbridge, plundering along the Mander River and its tributaries.

This lasted until the King of the Reach expelled the Ironborn near the mouth of the Mander River, reclaimed the Shield Islands, and stationed brave sailors and soldiers on the Shield Islands.

The Shield Islands are the sturdy shield guarding the Reach, protecting the Mander River basin and the hinterlands of the Reach. When the Arrow Towers on the Shield Islands see enemies approaching, they immediately light the beacon towers to warn of the Ironborn invasion and dispatch the fleet to pursue enemies entering the Mander River.

At this moment, Euron led his great army, singing the songs of ancient Conquerors, and easily captured the poorly defended Shield Islands. The Shield Islands fleet that had entered the Mander River was overtaken by Victarion's Iron Fleet; the Shield Islands fleet had no choice but to turn back and engage the Iron Fleet. The upstream Zhu Gu and Gu Bole fleets launched a pincer attack, and over forty ships of the Shield Islands were captured.

Euron enjoyed the cheers of the Ironborn leaders on the Shield Islands. Euron ordered the women and children of the Shield Islands to be taken as Bondmen and Salt Wives and shipped back to the Iron Islands, while all the men were driven into the sea to drown as a blood sacrifice to the Drowned God.

A few days later, Crown Town became the next stop of Euron's conquest.

The entire Reach was trembling. Killing the men of the enemy, abducting the women and children, seizing the gold plates, gemstone rings, and ivory chopsticks of the nobles, and paying the Iron Price—this is the Old Way that the Ironborn revere.

The news reached Highgarden. Duke Mace was greatly alarmed and immediately summoned Margaery, the Queen of Thorns Lady Olenna Tyrell, the steward Jiaersi, the heir to Highgarden Willas Tyrell the cripple, and others to gather in the Highgarden council chamber to discuss countermeasures.

Duke Mace's face flushed red, "The Ironborn have changed their king to Euron, and the enemy has occupied the Shield Islands. We must make the Ironborn pay the price! I want to summon the Redwyne Fleet of the Arbor to crush the Ironborn!"

Lady Olenna Tyrell said: "Going head-to-head with the Ironborn at sea is too foolish. With the resurgence of Qi, Euron is far more dangerous than King Balon. This Euron can summon Sea Monsters from the seabed and has resurrected the Nagas. May I ask how the Arbor Fleet is to contend with the Iron Fleet, the Sea Monsters, and the Nagas?"

"The Redwyne are my kin, and I will never allow the Redwyne Fleet of the Arbor to go and die in vain before the Sea Monsters."

Willas Tyrell the cripple said: "Grandmother, if we do not send the Arbor Fleet, then the Reach has no power to contend with the Iron Fleet at sea, not to mention that this time Euron has brought the Iron Islands fleet."

"With the fall of the Shield Islands, the gateway to the Mander River is wide open, and the Ironborn can sail up the Mander River to easily threaten Highgarden."

"We must mobilize the Arbor Fleet to have any chance of reclaiming the Shield Islands."

Margaery wore a crystal gown adorned with roses carved from blue jade, her brown curly hair falling to her waist, and her doe-like eyes were filled with worry.

"With the Shield Islands as a base, the Ironborn may also threaten Oldtown."

Duke Mace's wife, Lady Alerie, was the daughter of Lord Leyton Hightower of Oldtown. She said fearfully: "Oldtown is the center of the Faith of the Seven and the location of the Citadel, the largest port in Westeros. If Euron captures Oldtown, tens of thousands of men, women, and children will be reduced to Bondmen and Salt Wives, and the Hightower that House Hightower is so proud of may also be destroyed by the flames of war."

"Let the Arbor Fleet be used to protect Oldtown instead!"

Lady Olenna Tyrell pondered for a long time.

"Euron has mastered Dark Magic and can control storms and Sea Monsters. In my view, it would be good enough if the Arbor Fleet can just hold the Arbor itself."

"To defeat the Sea Monsters and Euron, we can only seek help from the Wolf King Eddard and Daenerys. Only Magic Dragons can defeat Sea Monsters."

"The stout" Jiaersi said: "Fortunately, we have already allied with the Starks, and Loras has been serving the Wolf King. As for Queen Daenerys, back then, House Hightower fought to the last moment for the Targaryen Dynasty."

"They will be willing to send Magic Dragons to help us deal with the Ironborn and the pirates."

Lady Olenna Tyrell said gloomily: "Not necessarily. I heard that the necromancer Ogbeta has resurrected many Frost Dragons in King's Landing. There are six Magic Dragons in total at Harrenhal, and they need the Magic Dragons to guard the Riverlands and defend Harrenhal."

Duke Mace said urgently: "Even if the Wolf King Eddard is unwilling to send Magic Dragons, if he sends the fleets from the Riverlands, the Westerlands, and the West Coast of the North to attack the Iron Islands proper, once the Iron Islands proper are attacked, Euron will surely withdraw his troops and return to the Iron Islands."

Lady Olenna Tyrell rolled her eyes at Duke Mace, as if he were a complete idiot.

"At sea, no matter how many ships the Riverlands, the Westerlands, and the North have, can they beat Sea Monsters? The Wolf King Eddard certainly won't be as stupid as you. Besides, Duke Tywin and the Kingslayer have fled to King's Landing; the undead army in King's Landing is strong, and the Lannisters returning to the Westerlands is only a matter of time. The Wolf King Eddard would never rashly attack the Iron Islands."

"To persuade the Wolf King Eddard to send troops, we need an excellent envoy."

Margaery said: "I will go!"

Thanks to Polar Wolf Fang z and Spring Light Sheng Ji Cun for the monthly tickets, thank you for your support!

(End of this chapter)