Oberyn nodded, finally agreeing with Mellario's reasoning. If Viserys did not want the throne, there would always be others who did.
Robert Baratheon was the man who had killed the father of Aegon and Aemon.
Oberyn had even personally taught the two boys martial skills.
If House Martell wanted to strengthen its position by overthrowing House Baratheon, then Aegon, who carried half Dornish blood, was undoubtedly the better candidate.
As for Aemon, he would also one day hold lands in Westeros, perhaps even a kingdom.
The more they thought about it, the more likely it seemed.
Most importantly, if Viserys intended to establish a kingdom in Essos, then bloodline would become an extremely sensitive matter.
In that regard, there were almost no candidates besides Daenerys Targaryen and Rhaenys Targaryen.
"If we choose to support Aegon, we may not even need a marriage alliance," Mellario said.
"Of course we support Aegon," Oberyn replied without hesitation.
"Even though Rhaegar—" Oberyn was about to continue when a servant's voice rang out from outside.
"His Grace Viserys III has arrived. The Queen Mother Rhaella has arrived. Princess Daenerys has arrived. Princess Rhaenys—"
The long string of announcements nearly left the young servant out of breath.
The arrival of Viserys and Rhaella instantly heightened the atmosphere in the garden.
Viserys and Rhaella walked at the front.
Daenerys and Rhaenys followed closely behind. Elia and Lyanna came after them with their sons.
Behind them were Gerold, Arthur, the recently surrendered Khal Ogo, and Harry Strickland.
Some of the more observant guests noticed that, at some point, the outer perimeter of the garden had been filled with Dragonriders.
Only after becoming king did Viserys realize that it was not he who liked displays of grandeur.
It was those around him who needed him to have them.
Just like now.
The dignitaries from across the city-states all rose to their feet.
Blonde hair, black hair, green hair, golden hair—every one of them wore a perfectly practiced smile.
For some reason, Viserys was reminded of the ship of the Sea Lord of Braavos, its deck covered in smiling masks.
So they just stand there like fools? Not even clapping?
He exchanged a glance with Rhaella, silently mocking the scene.
Fortunately, musicians were already playing, otherwise the atmosphere would have turned awkward.
"Victory! Long live King Viserys! Long live House Targaryen!"
At that moment, a group of young officers suddenly stepped forward and saluted in unison, their voices powerful and unified.
These were the children Viserys had brought from Crackclaw Point years ago.
Many of them were also children of the Rhoynar. They were the first batch of students from the Royal Academy.
Now, they had all entered the army.
Their quality far surpassed that of this era.
Viserys had summoned the leaders of the Free Cities not only to discuss a long-term solution to the Dothraki problem, but also to display his military strength.
In truth, he had already been quite restrained. He had not even held a military parade.
Even so, the effect was obvious.
"That man—that man is the captain of the Golden Company!"
The green-haired Archon of Tyrosh recognized Harry Strickland.
Seeing him standing behind Viserys, he immediately realized that the Golden Company had most likely pledged allegiance to the Targaryens.
Between Tyrosh, Myr, and Lys lay a fertile and resource-rich disputed region.
They had fought over it for years.
They had always wanted to hire the Golden Company.
But now that the Golden Company had turned toward the Targaryens, the Three Daughters would have to set aside their conflicts.
In truth, the Archon of Tyrosh and the governors of Myr and Lys had come to Gohor specifically to assess the true strength of the Targaryens.
Now, it was clear.
Gohor's power far exceeded their expectations.
The reason the Three Daughters constantly fought each other was the lack of external pressure.
When Volantis had once tried to revive Valyria's glory, the three cities had united into the so-called Kingdom of the Three Daughters.
But after Aegon the Conqueror and his dragon Balerion drove Volantis back, they quickly fell into infighting again.
They had even turned against their former ally, House Targaryen.
There was even the infamous incident where Viserys II had nearly been sold into a Lysene pleasure house.
A dark chapter in Targaryen history.
And now, near them once more, a powerful force had risen.
The Archons and governors suddenly felt that their past grievances were not so important after all.
"Thankfully, the Targaryens intend to reclaim the Iron Throne. If they truly meant to root themselves in Essos, we would be in serious trouble," the Archon of Tyrosh muttered to his attendant.
If Viserys laid claim to the Disputed Lands, then judging by his past victories, there would be nothing left to dispute.
Aeshirio, representing Volantis, felt the same unease.
Yet he could not deny the Targaryens' current strength and status.
"How ironic," he said quietly. "The purest blood of Valyria stands there, yet he rose in a city once belonging to the Rhoynar."
Viserys's existence had stripped Volantis of its claim as the "Mistress of the Rhoyne."
As the procession reached the center, Elia and Lyanna took their seats with their children.
Viserys and Rhaella sat upon twin thrones of nearly equal height.
The music stopped.
Viserys rose to address the assembly.
"Since the fall of Valyria, the Dothraki have ravaged and plagued our world."
"These barbarians have destroyed our lands, enslaved our people, and accumulated countless blood debts against the descendants of Valyria."
"If dragons still soared across the skies, such savages would never dare act so freely."
Whether the others agreed or scoffed inwardly, none showed it on their faces.
Even Khal Ogo, who had recently surrendered, remained composed.
He ignored the word "barbarians."
For one simple reason—he did not understand Valyrian. And even if he did, he would not react.
Sometimes, one did not need to feel the blade to understand the strength of an opponent.
The loss of his son had already taught him enough.
Ogo believed the Targaryens could never permanently control the grasslands. As long as he endured, there would always be another chance.
Since submitting to Viserys, his khalasar had not diminished, but grown.
That alone proved his decision had been correct.
"Regarding the recent battle, I believe all of you are already aware," Viserys continued.
"The Forest of Heads at Goose Mountains is merely a small interest payment I have collected from the Dothraki."
"For the sake of our descendants, so they may farm and live in peace upon this land, I propose the formation of a Free Cities Allied Army."
"This army will become thunder. It will sweep away the storm cloud that has loomed over us for centuries."
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