Chapter 33

"I see. So they finally know about my identity, huh?"

"Yes, My Lord. They are about to attack us, but the Ironborn decide to burn the Lannisport."

Oh? That is a new one. I know that the Ironborn will attack sooner or later. But this is great timing.

"My lord, is this the reason why you let Varys' spies inform the Usurper of your real identity? Does the Lord R'hllor show you a vision?"

I look at Melisandre and say.

"No, Melisandre. It is just a prediction. Our merchant sails past their islands, and they see the Ironborn focusing on gathering woods and food rather than reading them."

"Isn't that because of the amount of ships sailing there?"

"That is also it, but some of them will try to raid our ships even with those odds. There is a reason why the Ironborn is known as the most reckless pirate in the entire world. They did not see being drowned as something to be feared. They see it as a blessing as they will return their Drowned God embrace."

"T-that is true. However, not all of them are like that."

"That is true. However, the pirates who truly believe in their so-called God usually take a high risk to get a high return. That is why I know that they are preparing something. Those fanatics do not do anything when our merchants sail past their islands."

I bullshit my way through this conversation. Jaqen might not believe me, but Melisandre will believe me because, in her eyes, I am always right because I am the Chosen One or some shit. That is a little bit annoying because I cannot make any jokes around her as she takes them as real.

"I see. As expected of you, my lord."

See?

"Right. Anyway, I am gambling that they will rebel or at least cause enough problems to give us enough time to build our strength."

"However, it will cut our trade with the North and Dorne."

"The north? Yes. Dorne… Not so much. With my identity spread, I have a feeling that they will come to us and ask for an alliance."

Dorne will come here and ask for an alliance between our two houses to get revenge on the Lannister. They will not blatantly create this alliance but will not reject our merchant just because the king forbids it.

"That is true. Should we focus on Dorne now?"

I think for a second before shaking my head.

"No. Instead, we will focus on further South."

She frowns at my answer and says,

"Summer Islands?"

"Aye. We will let Dorne approach us first. We do not want to look like someone desperate for customers. We will let them approach us and focus on expanding our trading route. Not only that, but I think it is time for us to destroy the Stepstones—at least their pirate group."

"What do you want to do, my lord?"

I lean forward and say.

"We need to create a better trade route between Braavos and Solaris. To do that, we must destroy the Stepstones pirates or at least make them migrate to Tyrosh. With them migrating to the east side, it will let us take care of the west side of Stepstones and make it a great trade route between Braavos and Solaris."

She nods and says.

"However, it will take time and possibly a lot of casualties, my lord."

"That is true. However, we can reduce that number of casualties by providing them with health potions. The diluted version will do."

We found that adding water could create a weaker version of the health potion. One bucket of water per bottle will create healing potions that will heal a small wound rather quickly but cannot heal a major wound with only one bottle of minor health potion. However, drinking two to three of them will heal the wound slowly.

This is great news for us because, with this, we can give two potions to each soldier who joins the military.

"That means we need to recruit more people to our military."

"You are right. Tell Ser Willem to send someone to do some recruitment."

I look at Jaqen and say.

"Make sure no spies can enter our military, Jaqen."

The faceless man smiles and says.

"Of course. I shall not let any rats enter our house, my lord."

"Good."

I lean over my chair and say.

"Is there anything else I should know?"

Jaqen nods his head and says.

"Yes, my lord. Do you know that Illyrio Mopatis wants to meet you?"

I frowned at that name because it sounded very familiar.

"Who is that?"

"He is one of the most powerful Magisters of Pentos, my lord. He is known as Cheesemonger."

Ah, him. He is the one who made canon Viserys to sell his sister to the Dothraki.

"What does he want from me?"

"We do not know at the moment. However, we know that he wants to search for dragon eggs that he can use as a gift to bind you to his bidding."

Yeah. He has three dragon eggs, right? No. He has yet to get those eggs. I wonder where he got those eggs so I can take them for myself.

"Can you watch over him, Jaqen? If he manages to get any dragon eggs, steal the eggs. Can you do that?"

"Of course, my lord."

"Good. Anything else?"

Seeing no one speak, I nod and get up from my chair.

"I will leave the rest to you guys for now."

"Are you doing some exploration once again, my lord?"

"Yes. I want to explore the End."

Melisandre frowns at my words and says.

"Is there anything to explore in that place? There is nothing but nothingness in that place."

"Ah, you did not know it, but there is a section that we can explore. Don't worry. I will be alright."

I think it is time for me to explore the End and get Elytra to let me fly. After getting that thing, I only need to get the Totem of the Undying, and everything will be perfect.