Chapter 113: King of Lys, Battle against Volantis
Daemon, mounted on Caraxes, slowly descended from the sky.
The nobles, wealthy merchants, and slave owners of Lys knelt on the ground in front of Lys Castle, watching the dragon and the liberated slaves with terrified eyes.
The slaves sang and danced, shouting Daemon's name.
When the dragon landed, Daemon—clad in dark red steel armor, wearing a three-headed dragon helm and a black-and-gold cloak—looked majestic.
The plump and beautiful Priestess of Love, Carol, dressed in an amber silk gown, rustled her skirts as she approached Daemon.
"Prince Daemon, I beg to serve you. Please come with me to the Palace of Love to pray!"
Daemon chuckled. "There will be plenty of time later to learn about you and your god."
The God of Love was worshipped by the prostitutes of Lys, and Daemon greatly appreciated the Priestess of Love's method of prayer.
In Lys, people embraced hedonism and art, with brothels, theaters, and taverns everywhere.
Many residents here had silver hair and purple eyes, indicating strong Valyrian blood, because Lys was an original colony of the Freehold of Valyria.
When the dragonlords arrived in Lys with their armies and dragons, it was still an uninhabited land and was not conquered by force.
Handicrafts and winemaking were well developed here, producing sweet wines, fine daggers, tapestries, carpets, luxurious dresses, and perfumes.
The banking industry flourished, with its turnover once surpassing the Iron Bank of Braavos.
The Alchemists' Guild of Lys was world-renowned, producing medicines and poisons such as Lyseni Tears, Widow's Blood, and the Strangler—masterpieces of Lysene alchemy.
Of course, there was also wildfire.
Trade Prince Manolas of Lys and other governors had tried to use wildfire to kill Daemon and the dragon, but their plot was exposed, and Daemon had them hanged.
Now, a large amount of wildfire might still be hidden within the city.
Wildfire and dragons together could easily cause a catastrophic explosion.
Daemon mused to himself that this wildfire had to be dealt with as soon as possible.
The gray-haired, obese Red Priest Thorin, a high priest of the Red Temple in Lys, excitedly said, "Prince Daemon, R'hllor, the Lord of Light, showed me in the holy fire that you will establish the Three Daughters in Lys.
"You are the destined King of Lys, and you should be crowned immediately."
Daemon replied calmly, "When the time is right, I will naturally be crowned king."
The Lord of Light's Temple in Lys was much larger than the one in Tyrosh, possibly the largest temple in the world—three times the size of the Red Keep.
It stood on a holy volcano by the sea. The temple possessed thirty-three lighthouses, with braziers burning day and night.
There were also many followers of the Lord of Light in Lys, and Daemon would need their help to rule the city in the future.
Raven Greyjoy, Son of the Wind, pushed through the crowd. "Prince Daemon, since the Lyseni have voluntarily asked you to wear the crown, why refuse?
"You are not only qualified to be King of Lys and King of Tyrosh, but even more so, King of the Three Daughters."
Daemon's other confidant, the tall and bald Qidan Massey, echoed, "Prince Daemon, aren't the brothers following you to help you ascend the throne?
"From now on, we will be citizens of your Three Daughters."
Qidan Massey and Raven Greyjoy were both second sons of noble houses, with no inheritance rights in Westeros.
Naturally, they hoped Daemon would become king as soon as possible, so they could seize greater benefits in the game of power.
Daemon revealed a blade-sharp smile. "You all say the Three Daughters.
"Now I have only conquered two daughters—Tyrosh and Lys. I am still missing the last one.
"Do not be impatient. What is meant to be will come."
Now that Daemon had conquered Tyrosh and Lys, only Myr of the Triarchy still resisted.
If Daemon intended to become King of the Three Daughters, he had to conquer Myr and annex all their lands before considering his coronation.
Daemon suddenly remembered the danger posed by wildfire and immediately ordered Qidan Massey and Raven Greyjoy, "You two—take men at once and control every alchemist in Lys. Interrogate them for all wildfire storage locations.
"Move every last jar of wildfire to farms or hill caves outside the city."
Just as with the fall of Tyrosh, the fall of Lys inevitably involved looting, rape, and slaughter.
Many slave owners and wealthy merchants were killed by revolting slaves or Ironborn and the Dragon's Servants Army.
The wives and daughters of some slave owners were violated by soldiers, and banks, taverns, shops, warehouses, brothels, and temples were looted throughout the city.
Daemon executed a group of murderers and rapists, then sent troops to take over temples, brothels, banks, ports, and artisan guilds. Only then did order gradually return to Lys.
The luxurious Palace of Red Dust had once been the residence of the Prince of Lys.
Slender white towers guarded the palace, and the marble corridors were paved with Myrish carpets.
Emerald-green halls were hung with exquisite tapestries.
The palace contained fountains, gardens, training grounds, armories, and a stargazing tower. Daemon chose it as his residence.
That night, Daemon hosted a banquet in the main hall of the Palace of Red Dust for Lord Corlys Velaryon, Princess Rhaenys Targaryen, Lord Dustin—the Tomb Wolf—and the captains of the fleets, the commander of the Kingsguard, and the commander of the Dragon's Servants Army.
Princess Saera Targaryen and her bastards were also permitted to attend.
The guests feasted on baked lobster, oysters, garlic cod, stewed tripe, and honey-roasted beef, washing it down with Lysene wine and Myrish firewine.
After eating his fill, Lord Dustin said with emotion, "I never imagined such a place existed in the world.
"While the North still suffers blizzards, Lys enjoys sunshine and fine food."
In the North during winter, food was scarce, and even nobles rarely enjoyed such delicacies.
The Winter Wolves who had followed Daemon south feasted freely and hunted pleasure in the brothels of Lys.
Daemon smiled. "In the future, grain from here can be shipped north.
"The North's timber, hides, and wool can be sold here.
"If the soldiers of the North are willing, they may settle in Lys permanently.
"There are vast fertile lands in the Disputed Lands, awaiting our conquest."
The Winter Wolves were the backbone of Daemon's army, and under the Tomb Wolf's command they had earned great merit.
Naturally, Daemon intended to reward them well.
Lord Corlys frowned. "Prince Daemon, we have already taken Lys and Tyrosh. It is time to deal with Dorne.
"Once Dorne is conquered, the Reach and the Stormlands can send troops here continuously, helping us fully conquer the Three Daughters."
Lord Corlys had long hoped Daemon would advance into Dorne.
Daemon sipped his wine, the sweet fruit aroma filling his mouth and throat. "Only Myr remains of the Three Daughters.
"We must deal with Myr first."
Dorne was surrounded by the Reach, the Stormlands, and the Stepstones.
Once dragons arrived, conquering Dorne would only be a matter of time.
Lord Corlys was clearly disappointed.
He glanced at Princess Rhaenys beside him.
Rhaenys immediately understood and said, "Prince Daemon, if we march on Myr, the Dothraki cavalry, the Volantis army, and the sellsword companies hired by the Triarchy may already be gathered there.
"Myr is different from island cities like Lys and Tyrosh.
"It borders the mainland of Essos, protected by the Myrish coast and reinforced by land.
"Dothraki cavalry are extremely mobile. Even dragons would struggle to destroy them all at once."
"Dorne is different.
"The Stormlands and the Reach have been facing the Dornish for years.
"If we strike now, Dorne will surely fall, accomplishing a feat even Aegon the Conqueror never achieved."
Daemon replied calmly, "You speak well.
"But precisely because reinforcements are gathering at Myr, we must strike Myr now.
"If we leave Myr intact while we march on Dorne, they will counterattack our rear.
"We have only just taken Lys and Tyrosh. Loyalty has not yet taken root.
"If Myr and its allies arrive, Lys and Tyrosh could fall."
"Do not forget the Valyrian Fleet, nor the fleet of the Sea Lord of Braavos.
"At this moment, the Valyrian Fleet sails toward Lys, while the Braavosi and Pentoshi fleets approach Tyrosh and the northern Stepstones.
"We must hold what we have taken and destroy Myr before turning to Dorne."
There was another reason Daemon was in no hurry to attack Dorne.
Dorne would, in the future, belong to the Iron Throne.
Though House Targaryen never conquered Dorne, the royal title remained King of the Seven Kingdoms.
Everything Daemon took in the Stepstones and the Three Daughters would one day be his, but Dorne was uncertain.
After the banquet, Princess Saera Targaryen, accompanied by her bastards, surrounded Daemon.
When Saera was young, she had worked in a Lysene brothel. According to her, the fathers of her children were all powerful figures.
Green, with green hair, was said to be the son of the Grand Prince of Tyrosh.
The silver-haired, violet-eyed Campos was said to be the son of Trade Prince Manolas of Lys.
Tonali's father was said to be Governor Borathi of Myr.
All these princes and governors had already been hanged by Daemon upon the walls of Lys.
Yet the bastards shed no tears for their supposed fathers and instead smiled brightly, clearly not believing Saera's claims themselves.
Saera said eagerly, "Daemon, Campos is the son of the Prince of Lys. When you become king, you must enfeoff him as Lord of Lys.
"And Green's father was the Grand Prince of Tyrosh. Tyrosh should belong to him."
Daemon barely concealed his disdain. "The freed slaves of Lys and Tyrosh hate their former rulers.
"Many lost entire families.
"If they knew your children were the offspring of those men, they would be torn apart."
Saera turned pale. "Is it truly that dangerous? Would they dare kill the blood of a dragon?"
Daemon replied coldly, "After the Doom, there were still dragonlords alive in Lys.
"The Lyseni slaughtered both dragonlords and dragons.
"If they could do that, why would they spare dragon kin?"
Saera trembled. "I thought my children could be lords… if it is so dangerous, then forget it."
Daemon smiled faintly. "Aunt, even if they never become lords, they may still serve me.
"I guarantee they will never lack food or clothing."
At that moment, Qidan Massey approached quickly. "Prince Daemon, an envoy from Volantis requests an audience and brings terms of peace."
Volantis had already declared war on Daemon and the Iron Throne.
Daemon had no illusions about peace. "Entertain him well. I will see him tomorrow."
The next day, Daemon received Louis, the Volantene envoy, in the main hall of the Red Palace.
Louis was tall and handsome, with sandy-brown hair and blue eyes, dressed in ivory silk. "Prince Daemon, House Targaryen, Volantis, and the Three Daughters all descend from Valyria.
"Your invasion will only provoke resentment across Essos."
Daemon replied sternly, "The Three Daughters murdered my father, Prince Baelon. I will repay them with fire and blood."
Louis smiled. "You may always find reasons for conquest.
"But you cannot defeat the Three Daughters.
"Volantis has allied with the Triarchy.
"We possess more than twenty sellsword companies and a mighty fleet.
"Braavos, Pentos, and several Dothraki khalasars are advancing.
"Envoys already court Qohor and Norvos."
"Even Meereen, Astapor, and Qarth prepare to send sellswords against you."
Daemon smiled thinly. "Why would slave cities oppose me?"
Louis laughed. "Because you have destroyed the slave trade.
"Lys, Tyrosh, and Myr were pillars of it.
"Qarth supplies bed-slaves, Astapor provides Unsullied, Meereen sends gladiators."
"With Volantis and Braavos at sea, sellswords on land, and Dothraki cavalry, how can you win?"
"In the Century of Blood, even Volantis failed to conquer the Disputed Lands."
Daemon said proudly, "I have dragons. How many dragons does Volantis possess?"
Louis's smile faltered. "Dragons can die.
"Volantis understands them well.
"If you are wise, withdraw from Lys and Tyrosh.
"Otherwise, Volantis will slay your dragons and enslave your wives and children."
Daemon drew his Valyrian steel sword and severed Louis's head in a single stroke.
Blood sprayed across the hall.
Lord Corlys, Princess Rhaenys, and Lord Dustin were stunned.
Daemon said calmly, "This fool dared threaten me.
"I knew negotiations were pointless."
The body was dragged away, the floor washed clean.
Daemon immediately convened his council to discuss Myr.
Lord Corlys said, "The Volantene fleet approaches Lys.
"If we divide our strength, our defenses weaken.
"Lys's walls are weaker than Tyrosh's.
"I suggest sending sellsword companies to Myr while we hold Lys with dragons and fleet."
Daemon replied, "Lys has only just submitted.
"If the enemy reaches the walls, unrest may erupt.
"I will strike first.
"Caraxes and Meleys, with the fleet, are enough to destroy Volantis."
Lord Corlys smiled. "Bold—but if both dragons engage Volantis, what of Tyrosh?
"Braavos and Pentos threaten the Stepstones."
Daemon replied, "Tyrosh has strong walls and dragons.
"Braavos fears dragons, and Pentos lacks courage.
"They seek profit, not death."
The Bee Company, Elephant Company, other sellsword companies, the Winter Wolves, knights of the Vale and Westerlands, and the Dragon's Servants Army crossed the sea toward the Disputed Lands and advanced on Myr.
That evening, the Ironborn Fleet, Valyrian Fleet, and Sistermen Fleet sailed with the tide, following Caraxes and Meleys eastward.
Several nights later, Daemon and Princess Rhaenys met the Volantene fleet near the mouth of the river of the Three Daughters.
The dragons roared, unleashing orange-yellow dragonfire.
Warships, oars, sails, and decks ignited.
Sailors screamed, leaping into the sea, burning or drowning.
The Volantene fleet, manned largely by slaves, broke almost instantly.
Some captains fled west—straight into the Westerosi fleets.
The Ironborn, Sistermen, and Velaryon ships welcomed them with bolts, axes, and wildfire.
Dragonfire lit the night sky.
The Volantene fleet was annihilated.
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