Chapter 575: Asha Greyjoy

As he turned, Viserys looked at the girl in black and gray armor following him. Her calm lavender eyes met his, her voice steady, "Why don't you leave?"

Viserys' earlier words had frightened the villagers away, and his intense gaze made even the girl, who had conquered the seas, slightly retract her neck.

But being of fiery temperament, proud and willing to challenge conventions, she retorted, "You haven't answered my question."

But that was an obvious question, and Viserys didn't need to reply.

"Are you from the Iron Islands?"

Clang.

Viserys sheathed his sword, Twilight, then asked. The girl's eyes filled with admiration upon seeing the legendary blade, thinking: What warrior wouldn't desire such a weapon?

"Is that the famous 'Twilight'?"

"Yes."

When she heard Viserys' question, she didn't hide the truth and nodded openly.

"How did you know?"

"Your accent."

"Only Ironborn have that gritty, hoarse voice, as if they're always clearing their throat."

"You..."

The girl choked on her retort, her smile vanished, and she glared at him. The climate of the Iron Islands was responsible for their rough, reddened skin and affected voice. Had anyone else spoken thus, she'd have slashed them. But she could only swallow her anger because of Viserys' status.

She gripped her blade, not responding to Viserys, and looked up at the moonlit night sky, the abandoned castle illuminated by fires.

"You saved my life, Viserys."

"If you hadn't been passing by, those scoundrels would have violated me and slit my throat."

She candidly admitted she'd prepared for the worst. Earlier, she'd led a few men out of the mountains to raid for food but ran into an ambush. Her comrades were killed, and she survived only because the attackers had other intentions for her. But she knew that even if she surrendered herself to them, they'd eventually kill her.

To her surprise, the King of the Seven Kingdoms was not on his Iron Throne but happened to be riding his dragon nearby and rescued her. Yet, she chose to stay by Viserys' side and warned him seriously.

"You shouldn't have let your black dragon leave. Who knows if those damned men will return?"

"I stayed to help you out of gratitude for saving me. Otherwise, regardless of your royal status, I'd have left."

The dragon had suddenly flown away, and she was worried the attackers might return. It would be dangerous for Viserys to be alone, so she decided to stay and warn him.

"Who are you?"

Upon hearing her, Viserys, the silver-haired young man, turned to her and asked. Initially, he didn't pay much attention to her, but her words piqued his interest.

"Asha."

"Asha Greyjoy, daughter of Balon Greyjoy, the Kraken's daughter."

At her response, Viserys raised an eyebrow. He'd heard of her, an esteemed female captain and fleet commander. He thought she'd died on the Iron Islands but was surprised to learn she'd been hiding in the mountains of the Westerlands.

"Where's your father?"

"Dead."

Asha's relationship with her father was strained due to his strict upbringing. After his only son was taken away, Balon placed all his hopes on Asha, treating her like a son. This approach led to her becoming the famed captain of the 'Black Wind,' but at the cost of their relationship.

She then recounted the fall of the Iron Islands, a mystery to most. The undead army unexpectedly appeared behind the united forces, almost annihilating them. King Robert was shot off his horse. If not for Viserys defeating the Night King, the outcome would've been disastrous.

Suddenly, screams echoed from outside the Twins. Some fleeing villagers were killed by members of the Warrior's Band.

"They're here."

Viserys looked sideways.

Upon realizing the dragon was gone, the Blood Theater mercenaries grew bolder. Even their maester couldn't oppose them. They returned, hoping to kidnap Viserys and demand a ransom.

Asha, hearing the commotion, exclaimed, "I knew it! They've returned!"

"Run!"

"Can you call back your dragon?"

Sitting calmly, Viserys shook his head.

"I didn't plan to bother killing them... but if they dare to return, they seek their own doom."

He threw a log into the roaring fire, distorting his silhouette. Another scream, closer this time, and the mercenaries' twisted faces became visible.

"Damn it!"

The fire's glow blurred the view, and Asha drew her curved blade. But, to her shock, a Blood Theater mercenary had just stabbed his own comrade, his face equally brutal.

"Die!"

"What the hell are you doing?"

The remaining mercenaries were horrified, then plunged into infighting, their eyes bloodshot, blood and flesh flying everywhere, right in front of Viserys.

And the silver-haired young man remained seated by the fire, tossing another log into it.

Asha Greyjoy watched in disbelief, trembling slightly.