Whoosh~ Whoosh~
The sea breeze poured into the great hall through the gap in the stone wall, cleansing the air of blood, stench, and other foul odors.
The Ironborn's reaction was like that of the mutes, silent.
Osha presented Joffrey with a steel flask containing the Kraken's blue-green blood and two teeth from its tentacles.
Joffrey activated his Rune for reconnaissance.
At this moment, the Kraken was moving west in the deep sea. Fierce jets of water sprayed backward from its body, and under the immense thrust, the Kraken darted forward rapidly, like a giant Crossbow Bolt.
"Crow's Eye" Euron's eyes were tightly closed, tightly wrapped by one of the Kraken's tentacles, as serene as if he were in a dream.
West.
The nearest Port to Pyke, King's Landing Port, was to the west.
Joffrey connected to the Weave.
The Security Bureau was still reporting the movements of the Silence in real-time. It remained quietly docked in King's Landing Port, its hundreds of crew members silent.
However.
Given the current situation, Crow's Eye could reach King's Landing Port in half an hour. The Silence was about to escape.
This was also good.
Joffrey reconsidered. With the Silence as a very conspicuous target, the Security Bureau could achieve full surveillance of Crow's Eye. No matter how far he ran, it would be useless.
As for now.
It was time to wrap up the operation in the Iron Islands.
Joffrey glanced indifferently at the people in the great hall. The Sorcerers began to repair the stone wall, and the bright gap gradually closed.
Witnessing this scene, the Ironborn were uneasy, especially those who had laughed with Crow's Eye.
Who to kill, who to spare?
Joffrey pondered for a moment and found the answer.
He looked at the mutes abandoned by Crow's Eye. "Those who want to live, kneel down immediately. The true god will forgive you and grant you Divine Grace."
"Five, four, three..."
The mutes from all over the world looked at each other, many of them not even understanding the Westeros Common Tongue.
But the first companion to kneel conveyed the meaning with their actions. Several Andals mutes followed suit, and others quickly knelt down, even kowtowing and prostrating themselves.
The countdown ended. Five mutes became Anomalies in the crowd.
Joffrey turned to the Ironborn. "Originally, you were all safe and sound. Now look at this. All of you, step out. Be自觉点, don't make me point you out."
Dozens of Ironborn timidly separated from the crowd.
The Holy Shield Warriors walked among the Ironborn and dragged out everyone who dared not admit it, executing these cowards among cowards on the spot.
"One-on-one or group fight?" Joffrey asked the Ironborn who had stepped out.
"Your opponents are these five mutes. Do you choose to fight one-on-one until one side is completely dead, or a free-for-all?"
"Absolutely not!"
"Wet Hair" Euron suddenly interrupted, "You bastard False King, how dare you make the Ironborn's combat a game for your amusement? The Drowned God's wrath will destroy everything you have!"
"I curse you..."
Joffrey looked at Victarion. "Are you going to stop him, or do you want me to burn him to charcoal?"
Victarion remained silent.
Euron was still cursing, and Asha was getting anxious. She saw clearly that so far, the Greyjoy family had not suffered much damage. At a time like this, they absolutely could not anger King Joffrey.
"Uncle Euron, forgive me."
Asha rushed forward, and the hilt of her knife struck Euron's back of the neck, knocking the Priest unconscious.
Joffrey just urged.
"Hurry up and choose, one-on-one, or a group fight?"
Dozens of Captains looked at each other, confirming each other's intentions.
Crow's Eye's mute crew were not Lambs to be slaughtered, but ferocious beasts who had seen many battles and traveled the world. If they fought one-on-one, no one could guarantee they wouldn't be injured or even killed.
Thus.
The Ironborn swarmed forward...
The rigidly standing Victarion closed his eyes in pain.
The pride and dignity of the Ironborn had been completely trampled by these shameful cowards. Where was the slightest trace of a raider's demeanor?!
The outcome of the battle was not surprising.
The deaths of the five mutes only cost one Ironborn two fingers.
The Ironborn won.
Had this been a real raid and battle, this fight could be considered a beautiful victory.
But in the long hall, before the King, this victory felt more like a humiliating defeat, a failure of the Iron Islands' spirit of resistance and defiance.
What was there to talk about freedom and courage?
Many Ironborn lowered their heads dejectedly, seemingly mourning the passing of something intangible.
"Asha, do you still want to be queen?"
Joffrey sighed with pity. "There was a lot of blood spilled today. Perhaps you don't want to continue?"
The Ironborn looked at Asha with complex emotions.
In that instant, various images flashed through Asha's mind.
Her father's aging and grand pronouncements, battle after battle on the longships, sweet days and nights with her lovers, the infighting among the chieftains, and that chaotic and bleak period of defeat nine years ago.
Theon. Asha recalled her only remaining brother, remembering only Theon's stubborn and panicked little face before he left.
What had Theon become?
Asha raised her head to look at the King on the Seastone Chair, a twelve-year-old King.
Theon was already an adult and should be more mature than King Joffrey. But he certainly wasn't as cunning and ruthless, nor did he possess such terrifying power.
Asha bowed deeply.
"Your Majesty, Asha would never dare to harbor such a delusion again. By all the gods and laws, the Iron Islands shall forever belong to the Iron Throne."
"Kneel," the King said.
Asha respectfully knelt on both knees, lowering her head.
But Joffrey said again, "Asha, in what capacity do you make such a guarantee? Who are you?"
Asha was choked.
Yes, the inheritance hadn't been completely settled yet. What trick did King Joffrey have up his sleeve now?
Joffrey smiled faintly. "The Governor of the Iron Islands will oversee all internal affairs and taxation for the Iron Islands on behalf of the Throne. The Lord Commander of the Sunset Sea Fleet will command the Iron Islands' fleet. These two positions belong to Theon."
The Ironborn stirred slightly but quickly fell silent.
No matter what was said, Theon was still of Greyjoy blood, King Balon's only surviving son. Perhaps, Theon still considered himself one of the Iron Islands people?
Asha remained silent.
The captains of the Iron Fleet looked at the Lord Commander. Iron Captain Victarion was accustomed to silence.
For so many years, he had perfectly fulfilled his duty as a brother and subordinate, following instructions, leading troops into battle, never insisting on his own opinions, and never thinking of independence or claiming kingship.
He was more about execution than contemplation.
And today. Balon was dead, Asha wanted to succeed, Crow's Eye had returned, the Iron Throne was interfering, strange power, giant Krakens!
What should I do?
Should I decide the fate of the Iron Islands?
He could only remain silent.
Joffrey examined the two Krakens. "There are also vacant positions for 'Duke Greyjoy' and 'Guardian of the Sunset Sea'. As a reward, you two may choose freely."
Victarion clearly didn't intend to speak first.
Asha hesitated for a long time before finally tentatively responding, "If Your Majesty does not abandon me, Asha is willing to inherit the title of Duke Greyjoy, to guard the Iron Islands for you, and to appease the millions of Ironborn."
Joffrey ordered, "From now on, you are Duchess Asha Greyjoy."
Asha respectfully prostrated herself. "Serving Your Majesty."
"Maiden" Corl was the first to shout: "Long live Duchess Asha! Long live King Joffrey!"
The other "Black Wind" crew members quickly followed.
The Ironborn gradually joined in, finally merging into a unified shout and declaration.
"...Long live!"
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