611 Chapter 611: Golden Flames

The rebellion at Stonehelm was but a minor episode for the new dynasty, barely causing ripples beyond its vicinity. However, it showcased the dire state the nobility found itself in under the new regime.

Even in King's Landing, only Jon Connington offered apologies to Viserys, for his lax governance of the Stormlands had let this minor mishap occur.

Yet, the effortless quelling of this rebellion was, strictly speaking, a fluke. The nobility, albeit suppressed, was not so weakened as to be bested by roaming bandits or the Brotherhood. The real reason behind the ease of this suppression was that the newly recruited soldiers at Stonehelm lacked battle prowess. Most had been dispatched to assault nearby castles, leaving Stonehelm significantly undermanned.

Moreover, with the awakening of national consciousness and the suppression of noble power, even the common soldiers knew about the Iron Throne, the Young Dragon, Viserys I, and the dragons. They were reluctant to follow Gullian Swann in rebellion, yet, the shift in allegiance wasn't something that could occur overnight. Following one's liege lord into battle was a tradition upheld for thousands of years. Although they were unwilling to follow Gullian Swann in rebellion, they dared not openly defy him either.

"Kill!"

So, when the Onion Knight, with a menacing expression, led his men into the city, they found little resistance.

Everyone just stood there, watching as a few dozen men stormed into the city, ended the life of their noble lord, and scattered thereafter, marking the end of this affair.

Viserys, upon hearing Yara's words, hesitated for a moment before shaking his head.

"No, not that."

"I was thinking about other matters."

He then looked at his fingertip where a translucent, ethereal golden flame burned. However, Yara paid it no mind. The flame illuminated nothing around it, and Viserys had discovered it could not even light a candle.

This small flame seemed to be isolated from this world, burning serenely, unaffected by any breeze. Nothing in this world could affect it, save for Viserys.

It seemed as though Viserys was the sole medium connecting this flame to the world.

Witnessing the small flame burning at his fingertip, Viserys felt a hint of astonishment in his heart, though his face betrayed nothing. Being a king for so many years, countless eyes scrutinized even the subtlest expressions on his face, hence Viserys had long learned to keep a stoic visage.

"What is this thing?"

Viserys furrowed his brow, pondering deeply. He had no idea where it came from or what its purpose was.

This flame appeared while Viserys was in the Red Keep's garden, meeting envoys from Naath. They were strolling when suddenly, Viserys perceived the existence of this flame.

The Naathi, having heard of a great empire rising in the distant west and especially who ruled it, had sent envoys across vast distances to King's Landing.

Naathi were the most peace-loving race in the world. Their kindness earned them the title of 'People of Peace' among sailors.

They cherished music, detested war, and bloodshed, extending their compassion even to animals and trees, subsisting only on fruits and vegetables. Yet, their benign nature had become a curse, attracting numerous slavers and robbers to Naath.

For a brief period, they were under the protection of the Valyrian Freehold. But with its collapse, they once again became a hub for slave trade, exporting unique spices, exquisite wines, handcrafted goods, and silk.

So, when they learned of the resurgence of a Valyrian descendant, they rushed to seek protection once more.

They had sought aid from House Targaryen before, but sadly, Maegor Targaryen offered them nothing substantial, merely gifting them some gold and silver before sending them away.

Yet, after hundreds of years, they returned, seeking aid from the new king, Viserys.

Unfortunately, due to the inherent 'Butterfly Fever' on Naath, Viserys was unable to assist them, even though he wished to.

It was a vile disease, believed to be propagated by the butterflies, revered by the Naathi as emissaries of the 'God of Harmony' to protect the island's inhabitants. Any foreigners on the island would succumb to the disease within a year, a grim protection that had kept the Naathi from being exterminated.

Though he had to decline their plea, Viserys left them with a glimmer of hope, stating he'd consider dispatching fleets to nearby islands once the wars in the Seven Kingdoms ceased.

The young Naathi envoy was immensely grateful, offering profuse thanks before departing the Red Keep.

He and his siblings had arrived for this purpose, and now they took the opportunity to explore King's Landing. Naath had nothing comparable to such grand cities, only the Dragonglass remnants left by the Valyrians.

The Naathi's situation was a convenient matter for Viserys. In that moment, he saw it as an opportunity to extend his influence beyond the shores, hence he didn't outright refuse them, leaving them with some hope.

But what concerned Viserys the most was his own dilemma. The burden of a great kingdom rested on his shoulders. If anything were to happen to him, who knew how long the realm would stand?

He hadn't forgotten the dark mist that had escaped from the Valyrian ruins, the transformed ancient humans and various creatures, including the transformed dragons.

The bottomless pit beneath the remains of the old gods beyond the Wall, where he had grasped an obsidian spearhead to travel back to an unknown epoch, witnessing the ancient Children of the Forest and now-extinct creatures battling colossal fire-spewing worms.

The mystical veil of this world was yet to be lifted, including the dark mist within him that aided his growth. He knew not its true purpose, whether someday it might reveal its fangs. All these remained mysteries.

His gaze returned to the ethereal golden flame that had suddenly awakened.

"What exactly is it?"

Viserys couldn't figure it out for the moment. Having no mentors, he was like a blind man crossing a river, feeling his way through stones. These secrets awaited his gradual exploration.