Chapter 18: The Prince in the Prophecy

"I swear, one day, I will personally slay those murderers."

"Mother."

A few days ago.

The silver-haired boy made a solemn promise to his mother with one hand on his sword. In the future, he would seek retribution on behalf of House Targaryen.

Viserys hoped that his words could bring some comfort to his grief-stricken mother.

However, despite the boy's ambitious aspirations, evading the pursuit of House Baratheon and surviving were the most important matters at hand.

After enduring more than half a month of torment, Viserys finally accepted that he had arrived in a strange world. No... this world was not entirely unfamiliar.

Once, he had merely observed the unfolding events as a passerby. But now, the silver-haired boy understood that the sense of danger was all too real.

His tragic fate, as dictated by the original course of events, was like a rope tied around Viserys's neck.

It constantly reminded him that if he didn't work hard and make some changes, he would be left with only one path when fate finally caught up with him: death.

His very existence ensured that even if he did nothing, House Baratheon would not let him be.

After promising his mother that he would seek vengeance on their enemies, Viserys began training like a madman in the following days.

People who've just found their purpose are often highly motivated, and a knight's training involves more than just swordsmanship. It includes horsemanship, spear-fighting, archery, curved blade combat, and more...

However, Viserys overexerted himself, successfully injuring himself in the process.

"Ouch, ouch, ouch..."

The silver-haired boy grimaced as he sat in the chair.

The old maester smiled kindly, having seen such overzealous children before. Viserys's grandfather, Jaehaerys, had done similar foolish things in his time.

Due to his frail health, Jaehaerys had once sought to improve his physical condition through rigorous exercise, but he ended up hurting himself instead.

"I know you're eager for vengeance, child, and there's nothing wrong with that," the old maester said as he applied ice to the injured area on the silver-haired boy for pain relief. He then gently dried the area with a towel.

"But remember not to let hatred blind you. It's only a small part of your life."

"You are a Targaryen, the future 'true dragon.' You should have a more noble and important mission..."

Viserys sat on the bench, looking at the white-haired, wrinkled-faced old maester before him, listening to his words.

Although he could understand every word, when they were put together, he felt as if the old maester was hinting at something deeper.

A more noble, more important mission?

With his molten-silver hair draped over his young shoulders, Viserys tilted his head in confusion. His pale purple eyes reflected the old maester's face.

But the old man seemed not to notice his curious gaze. His words stopped abruptly, and he didn't explain what this more noble and important mission was. Instead, he subtly changed the subject.

"While the knight's code is an ancient noble tradition, knowledge is even more important for an outstanding noble."

The old maester changed the subject and offered earnest advice.

He had seen Viserys working hard to undergo knightly training recently.

Hard work and dedication were good things, but he worried that Viserys might neglect the importance of knowledge and become a brute who only knew how to fight.

Compared to charging into battle, the destructive power of using one's mind was undoubtedly much stronger.

He did not want Viserys to become entirely like a ranger, for he might never become the 'prince in the prophecy.'

Maester Daniel was also one of those who knew about the prophecy. Having personally taught Rhaegar, he naturally earned the prince's trust.

The prophecy stated that King Aerys II and Queen Rhaella would give birth to the prince in the prophecy. The source of this prophecy was a witch, but its origin traced back to an ancient book from Asshai written 5,000 years ago.

A legendary hero who lived about 8,000 years ago, Azor Ahai, would be reborn. The prophesied prince would battle the White Walkers.

All this would happen after the long summer when darkness falls. The 'prince' would summon the Lightbringer to fight the White Walkers. If he were to fail, the entire world would never recover.

"After the long summer, the stars will weep, and the cold darkness will cover the world. In this terrifying moment, a warrior will pull a burning sword from the fire – the Lightbringer, the red sword of heroes. The bearer of this sword is the reincarnation of Azor Ahai, and he will drive away the darkness."

Initially, all those who knew the prophecy believed Rhaegar would be the 'prince in the prophecy,' for he was near perfect. Almost everyone who saw the prince would praise him without hesitation.

However, from the moment Robert Baratheon's hammer struck Rhaegar's chest at the Battle of the Trident, everyone realized that Rhaegar was not the prince in the prophecy.

Then, attention turned to Rhaegar's younger brother – the silver-haired boy standing before them – Viserys Targaryen, for he too was the child of Aerys and Rhaella...

But he was not born in the 'land of smoke and salt.'

"Perhaps."

Maester Daniel sighed inexplicably.

Viserys did not understand the old maester's gaze, only hearing what he had just said.

He knew the importance of knowledge, but he also understood the desperate need for self-preservation at present. After all, he was destined to wander for a long time in the future.

"I understand."

Viserys obediently nodded slightly.

Inside the tower.

The bright sunlight shone through the window, filling the entire room. An old and a young sat at a table, the atmosphere unexpectedly harmonious. Since coming to this world, Viserys had lived under immense pressure, followed by constant flight.

Now, on Dragonstone, beside this old man, he felt a rare respite.

"My child."

"Are you beginning to feel anxious about the future?"

Maester Daniel's back was slightly hunched, but he appeared healthy. Dressed in a gray robe, his piercing eyes seemed to see through the boy's thoughts.

The fate of House Targaryen was clear to all. King's Landing had been breached, and the remaining royalists had no reason to continue fighting.

The reason there was no ceasefire yet was to gain a better bargaining chip at the negotiation table – to obtain more benefits, or at least not lose too badly and recover some ground.

Viserys, however, remained silent for a long time.

In the end, he nodded.