Chapter 743: Mass Relocation 

Even if Prince Daolong is currently under a form of house arrest in King's Landing, he lacks the power to ensure his granddaughter's ascension to the throne.

After all, Viserys is still young; Daolong knows he won't outlive him.

The only silver lining in this precarious situation is the youth of Emperor Viserys. As long as he lives, the vast empire will not crumble.

But imagine if the founding Emperor of the Valyrian Empire were growing old, without a male heir to succeed him, and with two sisters capable of dragon-riding.

The empire would likely be on the brink of chaos, awaiting Viserys' sudden death to plunge into an endless civil war, leading to the downfall of this great emerging empire.

Therefore, the most straightforward solution to this looming crisis is for Viserys to father a son. While a princess might have a claim, the path is fraught with difficulties. A male heir, however, would make the succession smooth and deny any opportunities to those with ulterior motives.

Those who wish for the betterment of the empire pray for Emperor Viserys to have a son soon.

On the other hand, those who resent the rise of the Valyrian Empire curse day and night.

They hope the gods will punish Viserys, wishing that he never has a son, so that the empire he built crumbles after his death, allowing them to reclaim their lands and power.

While everyone places great importance on the heir to the empire, Viserys himself is quite indifferent.

He doesn't care whether he has a son now or not. Unlike many kings of the past, he doesn't resort to having multiple mistresses in the hope that one might bear him a son.

However, the news of Queen Arianne Martell's second pregnancy has brought joy to King's Landing. Coupled with the submission of Dorne and the continuous expansion of the empire, it's a time of triple happiness.

Yet, at this very moment, Viserys suddenly announces during a royal assembly in the Throne Room that the imperial family will be collectively leaving King's Landing for a vacation in Highgarden, known as the 'Imperial Backyard.'

Highgarden, a beautiful garden city, became an imperial property after the Second Conquest. It has been a traditional vacation spot for emperors, so the nobles at the assembly think nothing of it, considering it a routine royal practice.

However, the number of people going this time is unusually large, drawing more than a few eyes.

This vacation has nearly emptied the Red Keep, including the newly pregnant Queen Arianne Martell, Crown Princess Rhaenys, Princess Daenerys, Princess Diana Targaryen, and so on.

In addition, the handmaidens, servants, royal stewards, Kingsguard, and a portion of the Unsullied are accompanying them, forming a massive caravan of over a thousand people heading to Highgarden.

Anyone can see that the Emperor's sudden decree is out of the ordinary. Some take it lightly, while others are exceedingly cautious.

They believe that a man like Emperor Viserys wouldn't make any move without reason. They hope to find some clues to discern his true intentions.

Some have even boldly speculated that Viserys thinks the population burden in King's Landing is too heavy. Therefore, he plans to move the capital to Highgarden to relieve the pressure on King's Landing, and the royal family's mass relocation is just a preliminary plan.

Their analysis is logical and convincing, but unfortunately, Viserys's thoughts are not as they have guessed. He has other reasons.

Among those attempting to fathom the Emperor's will, there are some clever individuals.

For instance, it's said that Petyr Baelish, the Governor of the Vale, moved a large sum of assets to Pentos across the Narrow Sea shortly after the Emperor announced the royal family's vacation to Highgarden. He also sent an army northward, leaving King's Landing for the North.

"No."

"Of course, that's not the reason."

Viserys, holding the reins, slightly turned his head to look at Rhaenys upon hearing her words, then shook his head in denial.

His eldest daughter, Diana, has already passed her second name day. The fact that Arianne could be pregnant again is good news for both Viserys personally and the royal family, even the entire empire. Viserys is naturally delighted.

However, what concerns him is something else, and perhaps it's this very reason that has made him resolute in having the royal family temporarily relocate from the Red Keep to Highgarden.

"Hmm?"

"Then what is the reason?"

Rhaenys, too, held her reins, her eyes filled with curiosity as she looked at the stoic Viserys.

"My eyes can see things that ordinary people cannot."

Viserys didn't hide anything from Rhaenys, who could be counted among the people he trusted the most.

Many had seen their fates altered due to Viserys's presence, and the first among them was the young woman standing before him, now grown tall and elegant. She tilted her head slightly, her expression a touch endearing, as she waited for Viserys to continue.

"The enemy in the North has grown stronger."

"What I fear is the next invasion of the White Walkers, which we may not be able to withstand."

Viserys was candid. He could see that the darkness in the North had become purer, more terrifying.

Their own strength was increasing; the five young dragons had gradually grown and gained combat capabilities. But the White Walkers were not idle either, amassing some unknown scheme. Even Viserys, with his fragmented prophetic abilities, could not see it; every attempt at foresight yielded only darkness, nothing more.

At this time, Arianne was pregnant again, and Viserys's concerns multiplied. He didn't know what the future held, which is why he decided to move the royal family to Highgarden.

"Is that so?"

Rhaenys was slightly taken aback upon hearing Viserys's words. The entire realm was prospering, and she saw no imminent threats.

She even thought that if the White Walkers were to come again, they would not cause the same level of destruction as before—perhaps they would be defeated right at the Wall.

But little did she know that while humanity was progressing, the White Walkers were not falling behind. And with the resurgence of magic, all manner of demons and spirits were slowly awakening, while humans had long forgotten about magic.