"The Iron Islands have submitted. Asha Greyjoy has succeeded as Duke, and Victarion Greyjoy has been appointed 'Guardian of the Sunset Sea'."
Theon stared at the message on the Divine Grace Light Screen, unable to recover for a long time.
Asha became the Greyjoy Duke?
Theon knew it should be so, but whenever he recalled that bow-legged, pockmarked, stupid girl from the past, he always felt it was absurd and unreal.
It's different now.
King Balon is dead. Theon told himself again, now it's our generation's time.
Me.
Asha... Asha, hah.
Theon still found it difficult to completely change his perception for a while.
Compared to Asha's transformation, he found his uncle Victarion's appointment much more acceptable.
Guardian of the Sunset Sea, this position couldn't be more suitable for his uncle. Patrolling, fighting, guarding the sea – Victarion was skilled and content, and there was no need to worry about his loyalty.
Theon still remembered his build and personality.
He was the Lord Commander of the Iron Islands Fleet, a fearless warrior, a serious warrior.
He was also a clumsy grey bull, strong, tireless, and loyal to his duty, but you wouldn't expect him to win any race with him.
Without a doubt, he would serve every liege lord as he served his father, with neither the ability nor the ambition to plot rebellion, just like every younger brother who grew up in the shadow of his elder brother.
For others, the more such humble and devoted people, the better, and younger brothers, whether willing or not, could only become such people in the end.
There was no way around it, second sons always received this kind of treatment.
Theon was only grateful that he hadn't spent too long enduring the torment of his eldest brother Rodrik and second brother Maron.
If he had continued to endure Rodrik's drunken slaps and Maron's malicious mockery and endless lies until adulthood, Theon couldn't imagine what he would have become.
The Starks of Winterfell were much better.
Theon somehow thought of the brothers in that ice and snow fortress.
Robb, the eldest brother, maintained his authority well, but he didn't beat and scold Bran all day; instead, he was quite fond of his younger brother.
It was Lord and Lady Eddard, the old wet nurse, and old Maester Luwin who taught Bran to respect his elder brother and fulfill his responsibilities, using methods that could be described as gentle and considerate, like soaking in a hot spring, like a warm breeze blowing across one's face.
Theon sometimes couldn't help but envy and even resent the Starks' relationship.
Generations of Greyjoys had rarely been so harmonious.
But he occasionally used malicious speculation to comfort himself: at least he could see the ugly faces of Rodrik and Maron clearly, knowing who were the obstacles and enemies to his realization of power, glory, and the future.
And Bran?
A sweet dream, love, kinship, and responsibility bound Bran.
That kid probably wouldn't see the truth his whole life, only smilingly assisting Robb who inherited Winterfell, probably thinking how happy and content he was.
How could Bran imagine that he himself could also inherit Winterfell and become the next Stark Duke?
They were such a harmonious and happy family. Bran was born to be his elder brother's vassal and assistant, spending his life safely under his elder brother's protection.
Even at Bran's age, with his wandering thoughts, he only dared to dream of being a Kingsguard.
How much difference was there?
It was just changing the object of service from Winterfell to the King.
Now, Bran was about to realize his dream.
Theon felt pity and mockery.
Despite this, the warm and peaceful daily life of House Stark often made Theon experience another kind of world, the world of the Green Lands.
However, the warmth of Winterfell did not shine upon Theon.
Although Lord Eddard let Theon grow up with his children, trying to play the role of a father. His long time spent with Robb almost made Theon regard him as a younger brother.
But Theon was never one of them.
Everyone in the city, from Lady Stark to the lowest kitchen boy, knew he was a hostage used to ensure his father "behaved well," and they treated him as such.
Even the bastard Jon Snow was treated better than him.
Theon was most annoyed by this.
That bastard was sullen and sensitive to any mockery, especially jealous of Theon's noble birth and Robb's regard for him.
With mutual contempt, their relationship was obviously not good.
In fact, arguments and contests with Jon Snow ran through Theon's entire time in Winterfell, becoming a kind of seasoning for life.
Now they were even serving in the Royal Guard at the same time, truly a stroke of bad luck.
Thinking of this, Theon finally smiled slightly.
The futures of the two were already completely different, one roaming the seas, the other treading water.
Jon Snow was just the Governor of the dilapidated Crow's Nest, and a temporary one at that. How could he be compared to his entire Iron Islands?
It was already a great stroke of luck that a bastard could command the Sixth Regiment of the Royal Guard.
Although Theon's Seventh Regiment was about to be disbanded, a thousand Holy War Army soldiers would go with him to the Iron Islands to take up his post, assist him in controlling the Iron Islands, absorb the Iron Fleet, and serve as the backbone of the Sunset Sea Fleet.
By then, the Sunset Sea Fleet, with its hundreds of warships, would make the Seven Kingdoms tremble!
I will achieve deeds the Iron Islands have never touched!
I will conquer the Stepstones, conquer the Free Cities, conquer Qarth and Asshai, conquer the unknown other side of the Sunset Sea!
I will become the most legendary Kraken!
For this.
Even enduring Asha's inheritance of the Greyjoy honor and title, and even personally staining my hands with Ironborn blood, is not too much to ask!
For this.
I just need to complete the last mission.
Theon took a deep breath and looked up at Mistwood Castle, which was integrated with the emerald green forest and ethereal mist in the depths of the rainforest ahead.
Forest and mist, Mistwood Castle got its name from this.
Although only a few dozen steps from the city wall, what Theon saw was still a lush green, and he would easily lose sight of his target if he wasn't careful.
The rainforest was just like this.
Theon was already used to this situation.
This vast forest at Cape Wrath was humid and rainy, with fertile and soft soil.
Cedar, hemlock, maple, oak, redwood, sentinel trees, soldier pines, and worm trees thrived here, and the perennial mist provided excellent cover for the castles in the rainforest.
The Royal Guard, who were mostly orphans from King's Landing, were initially very unaccustomed to this combat environment and even nearly suffered casualties.
Fortunately, with the intelligence support from the Security Bureau and the healing from the priests, after capturing one fortress after another according to the plan, the warriors of the Seventh Regiment gradually adapted, to the point of being at ease.
Mistwood Castle was the last fortress.
After taking Mistwood Castle, the entire Cape Wrath would be fully recovered.
Afterward, Theon and the Seventh Regiment would sail from Weeping Town to The Arbor, and then return to the Iron Islands with the Royal Fleet from The Arbor.
They also had to hunt another Kraken on the way.
Uncle Euron.
"Ser Theon, look, the raven from Mistwood Castle has been released," Adam Whitehead reminded softly.
Theon knew that the Countess of Mistwood Castle, Mary Mertyns, was an old woman with many children and grandchildren, so it seemed this battle would be prolonged.
He spread his hands, clean and without a trace of blood.
"Fire."
Theon understood what to do.
"No need to end the battle in a hurry, clean up thoroughly, there must be many rebels in Mistwood Castle."
Having completed these missions now.
Winterfell was completely in the past; the Starks would only be more distant and disdainful of him.
Only the Iron Islands remained.
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