A Song of Ice and Fire: Wrath of the Sleeping Dragon

Sir Joffrey wore a bitter smile as he spoke sarcastically, then his expression turned serious, and he spoke earnestly.

"But, Your Grace."

"This is indeed a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

The white-haired old man sat in his chair, holding the letter as he looked at Viserys standing in the spacious hall.

"As you have said before, Dragonstone has no resources, no population."

"Our presence here now is solely due to the defeat of the usurper's newly built navy."

The king sitting on the Iron Throne in King's Landing would like nothing more than to tear Viserys to pieces, but he could only rage impotently.

Without ships, even a vast army cannot swim across the sea. Robert Baratheon, though fearless on land, could not find his footing on a ship and would even get seasick, like a clumsy bear.

Naval and land battles are entirely different systems.

"However..."

"We cannot just sit and wait for death."

After all, the continent of Westeros is rich in resources and abundant in population. Not to mention the fertile Crownlands, King's Landing alone is a city of more than half a million people. The filth produced daily makes the city reek.

The Iron Throne's potential for waging war is not something a small Dragonstone can rival.

Although it has been hit this time, in just a few years, the Iron Throne will be able to raise a large sum of money and build another fleet.

The Dragonstone fleet, on the other hand, not only has old ships but also loses one every time one is damaged.

After all, there are hardly any trees on the barren Dragonstone; even repairing ships is troublesome and requires buying materials from the eastern continent.

Fortunately, the Targaryens accumulated nearly three centuries of astonishing wealth on Dragonstone, enough to support Viserys's extravagance.

Even so, Viserys has begun to economize, saving every gold dragon he can and anticipating a crisis.

"But..."

At this point, the old man hesitated slightly as well.

He shared Viserys's concerns about whether Braavos would honor their word.

If they were to bind Viserys and deliver him to King's Landing, would this trip not be like walking into the lion's den?

Viserys stood before the throne in silence, with only the faint sound of the young king's heavy breathing after the old lord hesitated.

The golden crown above his head glittered, and the small hand beneath his robe clenched slightly, pursing his cracked lips.

This decision was difficult for Viserys because it involved considerable risk.

"I understand your concerns, Ser."

After a long silence,

Viserys finally raised his head and spoke, the fiery red gemstone burning like a blazing flame, symbolizing the boy's heart and blood also aflame.

The boy's melodious voice echoed through the silent hall like a clear spring.

"But we have no choice at the moment, do we?"

"We can't stay on Dragonstone and wait to die."

"And such an opportunity, if missed, may never come again."

Viserys seemed to have made up his mind, and making this decision was somewhat difficult for him.

But his calm mind told him that this was the most advantageous course of action.

Not just because of the foresight advantage, but also because, according to the original trajectory, no one on the eastern continent would persecute Viserys.

.

Even the Targaryen siblings had once been fostered among the noble families of Braavos and Pentos.

However, Viserys had to consider that the situation had changed from the original course of events.

The Targaryen fleet hadn't sunk in a storm, Dragonstone hadn't fallen to betrayal, and he and his sister hadn't escaped to the eastern continent under the protection of Ser Willem.

Their current situation was much better than the original course, but Viserys always had a deep sense of anxiety.

Despite making small strides, true breakthroughs were still far away.

"Child..."

Upon hearing Viserys' words, the old knight seemed slightly lost in thought.

As if he could see the courageous, silver-haired youth with a strong charisma in every movement.

His greatest charm was the ability to influence those around him, keeping their hearts tightly connected to him.

"In truth, I'm afraid of death."

Viserys interrupted the old knight's words, turning his gaze towards the direction of the great hall doors as he continued to speak.

"I'm more afraid of death than anyone."

Viserys wanted to say that it was because he had already died once, and that experience had been terrible, so he didn't want to go through it again.

But as the words reached his lips, his brain's strong survival instinct muffled them, preventing him from speaking.

"Yet in this matter, no one can take my place."

He had to personally travel to Braavos and meet with his Dornish relatives.

More importantly, he needed to meet the Sea Lord of Braavos, as it was necessary for Viserys to achieve his goals.

"And I believe that a living me, posing a threat to the Iron Throne, would be more valuable to Braavos."

It was highly unlikely that Braavos would choose a shortsighted path, but this was still a gamble.

Even if the danger was only ten percent, it meant there was still risk.

"I... should go."

Viserys hesitated for a moment, but exhaled softly and spoke.

"Then I shall accompany Your Grace."

The old knight actually supported Viserys' decision and stood up decisively in response.

He admired the boy's courage – this was, after all, just an eight-year-old child.

If placed in an ordinary family, a child might be scared to tears just being in a strange environment.

But Viserys had already weathered many storms and had the courage to leave the protection of his companions and venture alone to Braavos.

"There's no need."

However, Ser Joffrey's request was refused by Viserys after a moment of contemplation.

"If Braavos truly has ill intentions... Ser Joffrey, your presence alone wouldn't change the situation."

Viserys sighed and continued to speak.

"It's better for me to go alone, and keep my movements hidden."

"If something unexpected does happen..."

Viserys wasn't as calm as he appeared, but his brain clearly told him this was a good opportunity, and he mustered the courage to make this decision.

In the current situation, breaking through required a do-or-die spirit.

Otherwise, even if they survived on Dragonstone for a few more years, it wouldn't change the ultimate outcome.

"I hope you…"

Viserys hesitated slightly at this point because the next words were crucial.

It concerned who he would appoint as his lawful heir.

Rhaenys.

Or Daenerys.