Chapter 265: Robert’s Banquet

Ronan really is something. He managed to get Viserys into Robert's grand banquet disguised as a musician. Viserys had already decided that Ronan would become his "chief of special agents" in the future, handling work akin to that of the FBI and KGB.

Robert's banquet was an unprecedented affair. The top aristocrats from all seven kingdoms were in attendance, while those of lesser rank, like knights and barons, didn't even have the privilege to step through the door. The gathering was so illustrious that, as the saying goes, you could kill three lords with one brick.

Originally, the banquet was to be held in the Queen's Ballroom. However, the room couldn't hold the entire Tower of the Hand and could only accommodate a hundred guests.

With nobles, their families, and servants numbering at least three hundred, they decided to hold the feast in the Godswood instead. The setting was high up, with fresh air and an abundance of poplars and elms, offering a view of the Blackwater Rush.

At the head of the table sat Robert and Cersei. On either side were Ned's family and Tywin, followed by Edmure Tully, the Red Viper, the Imp, Mace Tyrell, and others. This seating arrangement deeply displeased Stannis. As Robert's brother, he felt he should be sitting closer to him. While it was one thing for Renly to be seated elsewhere, Stannis was particularly irritated that Renly was seated with Joffrey and his entourage.

Stannis took a sip of his wine, as though he had swallowed his pride along with it. Behind him, the Onion Knight, Davos, looked as though he wanted to speak but held back. Meanwhile, the ladies and lords, despite being significant figures in their own lands, were treated like lackeys here, too intimidated to even speak loudly.

As an adviser of Dragonstone, Ardrian sat in an inconspicuous corner, a nagging feeling that Viserys was nearby still gnawing at him. 'How is that even possible? He wouldn't dare come to a place like this, no matter how bold he is,' Ardrian thought, chastising himself for being paranoid.

Viserys, meanwhile, was playing the harp among the group of musicians. They were performing Robert's favorite tunes, "The Bear and the Maiden Fair" and "Fifty-Four Tuns." The other nobles were abuzz with talk about Viserys.

"Mother, I heard from the sailors in the harbor that Viserys is not only the champion of the tournament but also a sorcerer. They say he's slain pirates all over the world. Is that true?" Arya asked, her interest piqued by the tales of Viserys's exploits.

"Arya!" Sansa whispered, reminding her sister that, despite the rampant gossip about Viserys, it was clearly inappropriate to discuss such matters, especially with her 'would-be father-in-law,' 'would-be mother-in-law,' and Prince Joffrey all nearby.

At that moment, Joffrey was talking to Renly about what to do with Viserys when the time came. "Impale his head on..." Joffrey's voice was not loud, and the surrounding noise made it difficult for Sansa to hear clearly.

Arya, not wanting to be left out, chimed in, "What's wrong? Isn't he also a Prince?"

"Arya!" Sansa clenched her handkerchief and angrily shouted at her sister. She truly despised having such a sister. 'Why were no women allowed on the Wall? Why didn't her bastard brother take her with him!'

Fortunately, Catelyn spoke up in time to prevent further escalation, and Sansa did not continue. This scene made Viserys, who was sitting in the corner, laugh to himself. 'It seems that Sansa still needs some training.'

On the other side of the hall, a group of men were discussing how to attack Tyrosh. After all, they were facing a battle that would determine not only their own fates but the fate of their entire House. In a situation like this, few could relax and simply eat or drink.

"Prince Oberyn, you once entered Tyrosh and even stayed for a while. Do you have any good advice?" Ned asked.

Earlier, to make a show of strength, Viserys had already driven the army of Sunspear out. Prince Oberyn, also known as the Red Viper, looked around at the crowd and saw the gazes of Robert, Stannis, Renly, Tywin, Edmure, Brynden, and others all focused on him. After a moment's thought, he replied, "The main reason we were able to break into Tyrosh at that time was because of a slave uprising."

"A slave uprising? That means there was an insider?" Brynden asked.

Now, with no adult males left in House Arryn, Robert Arryn still nursed at Lysa's breast, even though he was already eight or nine years old.

Lysa couldn't bear to let her son come to King's Landing, so she sent Catelyn's uncle along with the army and advisors from the Vale. Robert didn't expect a child still nursing at his mother's breast to fight for him, so he acquiesced.

"Sort of. I only found out later that it was Viserys who instigated the slave revolt in the first place."

"Hmph! The Targaryens are good for nothing without their dragons, and they're too cowardly to fight," Robert sneered, unintentionally offending Tywin. After all, it was Tywin who tricked his way into the gates of King's Landing and overthrew the Targaryens.

"So, can we also send some people to try to sneak into Tyrosh?" Edmure suggested.

The Red Viper responded without hesitation, "I don't know. I've been in King's Landing for the past two years, and the army stationed in Tyrosh has already been driven out."

Sensing the atmosphere had grown tense and somber, Renly, dressed in brocade, stepped forward and said, "My lords, look out over the sea. We have more than a thousand warships. There are few in the entire world who could command such a fleet. A thousand warships are more than enough to attack the Stepstones, and even blockade the Narrow Sea!"

His words seemed to lift the spirits of those gathered. A thousand warships—an incredible number that many would never even dare to dream of.

'How many people does Tyrosh have?' They wondered. 'Over 300,000? How many soldiers? Over 100,000?'

When compared like this, Viserys' dragons didn't seem so terrifying. After all, they were still young, barely bigger than puppies.

At this point, Grand Maester Pycelle spoke up, "Your Grace, perhaps you could pardon those Westerosi who were forced into exile in the Free Cities. It is said that many of them have joined the mercenaries, and Viserys' army has many mercenaries as well. I hear that many of them long to return to Westeros."

It had to be said, the Grand Maester's suggestion was quite strategic. This could cut off a significant part of Viserys' support.

However, Viserys was not concerned. Though these mercenaries longed to return to their homeland, they weren't foolish. Under Viserys, they had become "contract soldiers," well aware of where their future looked brighter. If they returned to Westeros, just the lack of basic luxuries—like cigarettes—would leave many restless. Not to mention, Robert could never offer the same treatment as Viserys.

Thanks to Viserys's deliberate propaganda, many already knew that Robert was a "king with no money," and even the Iron Bank was unwilling to lend him funds.

But Robert, now backed into a corner, had no choice but to let Varys handle the matter. Word spread through the Free Cities that Robert had decided to pardon all exiled Westerosi.

Yet, it seemed he had forgotten whose territory the Free Cities were in.

Viserys looked up and realized it was getting dark. The time had come to say goodbye to Robert and his fleet.