Chapter 185: Viserys’s Dragon Robe

The Great Hall of Tyrosh had never seen such a mix of subtlety and power. The room was filled with dark-haired nobles, yet the presence of those gathered could only be described as formidable—local giants who wielded considerable influence.

"Prince Viserys is here..." The courtier's announcement at the entrance signaled the arrival of Viserys, flanked by Connington and Regis, as they entered the hall.

Viserys had donned a black robe adorned with a large red three-headed dragon emblem emblazoned across his back. He favored this "dragon robe," finding it both solemn and commanding—a garment fit for someone intent on dominating the world.

Standing nearly 1.9 meters tall in his boots, Viserys wore the robe with ease, his presence commanding the room's attention the moment he appeared. To the Red Viper, Viserys bore some resemblance to Rhaegar, but with a key difference—where Rhaegar had a noble air, Viserys exuded a raw, domineering energy. It was the mark of a true conqueror, the aura of a king in the making.

Denzo, observing Viserys, saw a level of self-confidence that reminded him of Commander Hoyt—a sense of ownership over the space, like a lion king patrolling his domain. Tregar and Feles also noticed the change in Viserys, recognizing a newfound authority in him.

Arianne and Dany were captivated, their gazes fixed on Viserys. Arianne, in particular, found herself increasingly pleased with her "fiancé."

Viserys strode confidently to the throne, taking his seat with the ease of a man born to rule. As Tyrosh's "Archon-to-be," his authority was undisputed; no one dared to speak until he did. He surveyed the room, then raised the goblet before him and declared, "To our victory, everyone!"

"To victory!" the crowd echoed, with Feles's voice ringing out louder than most. The revival of his house was within reach, and his excitement was palpable, drawing the attention of Tregar. But Feles no longer had anything to hide. With the Windblown's support, he was poised to become a dominant force in Lys. Even if others learned of his alliance with Viserys, there was little they could do. In fact, many might follow suit and seek to curry favor with Feles.

Viserys surveyed the room, already aware of what Lys and Myr desired. Lys wanted a return to their pre-war sphere of influence, while Myr sought to station troops on the Stepstones, though their minimum demand was a port. Both knew that Viserys wouldn't immediately concede to their demands, and this moment was about extracting as much as possible from the situation.

"As you all know, Tyrosh, Lys, and Myr once united to form the Triarchy, using the Disputed Lands as their foundation. This alliance lasted for a hundred years."

His words left the room puzzled. What was this young ruler thinking? Was he actually proposing to rebuild the Triarchy? That idea seemed naive, and even if he intended to revive it, how would power be distributed? Who would lead? None of the three cities seemed capable of taking charge.

The original Triarchy had collapsed because the Tyroshi had become notorious for their bribery, which eventually led to its downfall. The idea of a unified kingdom had been abandoned long ago. Few were optimistic about Viserys's proposal.

But his next suggestion caused even more skepticism.

"I propose that we build a Quadarchy on the foundation of the old Triarchy," he said.

"Prince Viserys," Tregar interjected, his tone measured, "you're making some very... 'progressive' suggestions, but I think you may be moving a bit too quickly."

"Please, continue," Tregar added, trying to mask his skepticism with diplomacy. "Your proposal has merit, but I believe we should first address the interests of the Free Cities to reduce any potential hidden dangers."

Tregar understood that a young ruler like Viserys would be cautious about directly opposing a seasoned elder like himself—especially one who had risen so quickly without suffering any major defeats. Tregar's strategy was to go along with Viserys's ideas for now, subtly steering the conversation toward a more practical focus: dividing the spoils first and addressing the concept of a kingdom later. If necessary, they could drag out discussions until the idea faded away.

"Lord Tregar makes a valid point," Viserys continued smoothly. "In fact, my proposal aims to address these very concerns. First, I do not plan to establish a throne above the four Free Cities. Instead, I wish to create a 'confederation.'"

"A confederation?" Tregar and the others mulled over this unfamiliar term.

Denzo, the Red Viper, and Penson—Cassius's son—tried to grasp the concept as Viserys elaborated. "A confederation means that each Free City would retain its autonomy in matters of military, justice, and administration. The confederation would only intervene as an arbitrator in disputes between the cities. Additionally, the confederation would provide mutual military assistance. The three Free Cities in the Disputed Lands have long been threatened by Volantis, while Pentos has faced constant danger from Braavos and the Dothraki. Military support is essential. Think of the confederation as a long-term alliance."

As they listened, the idea began to make more sense. Many in the room found themselves more willing to consider joining such an arrangement.

The Red Viper, however, was quick to realize something deeper. If Viserys's confederation truly took shape, it would not only unify the cities against external threats like Volantis and Braavos but also create a mutual defense pact. In facing the Iron Throne, wouldn't the other Free Cities then be obligated to support Viserys as well?

The Red Viper smiled, realizing that Viserys's ambitions were far greater than he had anticipated. But would the others agree?

Sure enough, someone soon pointed out a potential flaw. The deputy sent by Cassius spoke up, "Prince Viserys, if the Iron Throne invades, would the Confederation be obliged to defend together?"

The Red Viper glanced at the young man who had spoken and then back at Viserys, thinking that Viserys might have overplayed his hand this time. The deputy's question also served as a reminder to the others. The Iron Throne's power was unmatched by any of the scattered Free Cities. Even if all the Free Cities combined could rival the Iron Throne, what would they gain from such an alliance? If unity were so simple, it would have happened long ago. Without a strong leader, why would the other Free Cities agree to such a pact?

Viserys, undeterred, addressed the room, "Ladies and gentlemen, I assure you that I have no intention of taking advantage of your cities or imposing my will upon you. I never believed that a single meeting could unite the four Free Cities. I assure you that the Iron Throne would not be part of a common defense treaty under the Confederation. I encourage you to take my proposal back to your respective cities for further discussion. We can revisit this idea and continue our negotiations after some time."

Viserys's calm and measured response gave the room pause. He wasn't pressing for immediate agreement but rather inviting careful consideration and further dialogue. It was a strategic move, allowing the idea to take root without forcing anyone's hand.