It was dusk in Seagull Town.
Seagull Town.
The setting sun painted the sky red, and the sea turned pink.
Seabirds flew over the Stone Islands, their cries announcing the end of the day.
"Damn it! Damn it!"
Lord Barkin Graveson, extremely anxious, stepped onto the bench handed to him by the servant to exit the carriage.
The big man had come to Seagull Town and was now in Graveson Castle.
It was said that the visitor had a bad temper and might become furious.
Lord Barkin was middle-aged, and his bloated body did not allow him to run quickly.
As he rushed back to the castle, the red glow of the setting sun shone on the white city wall.
"Hiss—"
Suddenly, a low dragon roar like thunder came from nearby.
Lord Barkin looked up suddenly, and his face changed instantly.
Beside the white city wall lay a bronze dragon the size of a mountain. Its cold, copper-bright, vertical pupils overlooked the castle tower.
The salty sea breeze blew, filling the air with a faint smell of copper rust.
The smell was irritating to the throat, as if it were strangling people.
"May the Seven Gods bless you."
Lord Barkin closed his eyes and prayed silently.
Under the protection of the guards, he walked into Graveson Castle, where he had lived for half his life.
In the hall,
A layer of ink-like shadows covered the gorgeous, white marble hall.
The maids and guards stood on both sides of the hall, heads buried, silent.
The silence, which isolated them from the outside world, formed a terrifying and depressing atmosphere.
"Why don't you light the candles?"
With his poor eyesight, Lord Barkin pushed the door open and complained.
Silence!
Deathly silence.
Everyone trembled and dared not answer.
Someone saw the situation clearly.
Two solemn knights in silver armor and white robes entered with him: Sir Ryan and Sir Harold, the commander of the Iron Guard.
"Prince."
Sir Harold looked solemn as he saw the silver-haired figure standing with his back to everyone in the hall.
He had been ordered to visit Seagull Town and investigate the pirates of the Three Women's Kingdom.
Upon hearing this, Lord Barkin narrowed his eyes and noticed the two knights in the center of the hall.
"Lord Barkin of the Graveson family, I have heard of your great name for a long time."
One of them turned around with a smile on his face.
"Dear Prince."
Barkin saw who was approaching and took a half step back subconsciously.
Aemon crossed his arms and said slowly, "Didn't you see my dragon?"
At that moment, the sun was setting.
His long, silver-gold hair matched his gorgeous black dress, which stood out in the dim hall.
What really couldn't be ignored was her cold face.
Lord Barkin's forehead broke out in a line of sweat. He wiped it with his sleeve and smiled apologetically. "I saw it. The 'Bronze Fury,' left by His Majesty the Centenary King, has visited Seagull Town many times."
"Yes, the old man always visits the nobles' castle with good intentions."
Aemon's eyes were sharp as he said lightly, "I can't do it.
"What can't be done?"
The more Lord Barkin wiped his sweat, the more he sweated. He couldn't stop thinking about it.
"It seems that Lord Barkin doesn't welcome me."
Aemon suddenly laughed and turned to look at the beautiful figure standing a few steps away.
Laena wore a light blue dress and stood a few steps away with her hands hanging down. She always maintained a calm and elegant look.
Like a listener, she didn't attract attention.
Aemon looked her up and down and silently turned his head.
With her quiet, gentle temperament and tall, well-proportioned, plump figure, she attracted everyone's attention wherever she went.
Laena returned his gaze, full of teasing beneath her reserved appearance.
It was as if she were saying, "What are you looking at?"
Aemon saw it all but didn't respond.
By the time the two people's eyes met, the others were already sweating.
Lord Barkin lowered his head and kept muttering.
"Lord Barkin!"
Aemon suddenly called out to him, saying indifferently, "I heard that you seized my cargo ship."
Lord Barkin's face turned pale, and he quickly explained, "No, a spy from the Three Women's Kingdom snuck into the port and temporarily seized all the ships."
"Oh, your statement is very different from what I heard."
Aemon pretended to be confused.
Lord Barkin stammered, "It's definitely a spy from the Three Women's Kingdom. The Graveson family is working hard to investigate."
The real situation is not like this, of course.
The key is to board the cargo ship under the pretext of an investigation to search for the ship's origin.
Goods are constantly coming in and out, and they supposedly come from a free trade city-state.
If Seagull Town opens this route, profits will increase exponentially.
"Barkin Graveson!"
Just when he thought he could deceive it, a loud shout suddenly rang out.
Lord Barkin was startled and looked up.
"You seized my cargo ship!"
Aemon asked fiercely. "What price are you going to pay for being exposed at this moment?"
"No, I swear I didn't lie to you."
Lord Barkin forced a smile to hide his guilt.
Aemon saw everything. He reached to his waist and swung out a Valyrian steel dagger as sharp as a dragon's tooth.
"Which hand touched my cargo ship?"
How could he believe it? He sneered. "Which do you want to leave behind: a lying tongue or an uncontrollable hand?"
Targaryen kept his word.
If you dare stretch out your claws to him, you must leave something behind.
Lord Barkin's mind went blank. He opened his mouth but couldn't remember how to speak.
He listened to the crisp sound of the Valyrian steel dagger falling to the ground.
Not only he, but also the guards and the people accompanying him turned pale.
Aemon was generous, saying, "Tongue or palm, it's fine."
He took a step forward, and the sound of his boots hitting the ground was clearly audible.
Casually, in front of everyone, he said, "I will take it back to River Valley Town and hang it on the city wall to warn the people of the fate that awaits thieves and liars."
As he spoke, he laughed.
"Gululu~"
Lord Barkin swallowed and refused subconsciously. "No, you can't do this to me."
Aemon's smile faded. "Then you are not only a thief and a liar, but also a coward."
"Prince."
Sir Harold looked around and saw that things were not good.
Lord Barkin was sweating profusely and staring at the young prince.
He suddenly thought of a title: "Dragon Slayer Aemon."
As soon as the thought came to him,
Aemon took action instantly. He stepped forward quickly to pick up the "Dragon Tooth" dagger and said frostily: "If you don't give it to me, then I will come and take it myself."
The Valyrian dagger shone coldly, illuminating the dim hall.
Lord Barkin's face turned pale, and he retreated in fear.
The guard immediately drew his sword and blocked the lord.
Aemon did not stop, his eyes full of cold light.
"No! No!"
Earl Barkin didn't dare gamble and admitted his mistake: "Your Highness, I confess my crime, and the Graveson family will compensate you for your losses."
His voice was sharp and piercing, not at all like that of a famous nobleman.
He was almost kneeling on the ground, terrified, begging for mercy.
At that moment, the young prince stopped and looked at him coldly.
"Huff, huff, huff."
Lord Barkin panted violently; his heart felt like it was going to jump out of his throat.
"Don't be afraid. It's just a joke."
Aemon's cold face melted like snow. He said kindly, "I believe you. Just open my cargo ship."
His smile showed no trace of the coldness he had displayed when he drew his sword.
Lord Barkin stood stunned, his whole body trembling.
The other party's erratic character broke his psychological defense line inch by inch.
"My cargo ship has landed. You delayed me for a few days, so I will compensate you with goods worth several times the value of this batch."
Aemon spoke freely, revealing a playful smile.
With a flip of his wrist, the "Dragon Tooth" dagger emerged and was sheathed at his waist.
No one doubted that it could pierce someone's forehead in the next second.
Sir Harold quietly walked out of the crowd and stood alone.
Lord Barkin had made a big mistake, and he was afraid that His Royal Highness would misunderstand.
Boom!
There was a roar over the castle as if the wind had been torn apart by a giant.
Everyone looked up and, through the vibrating glass windows, saw a bronze dragon spread its wings and soar in the sunset.
Aemon remained calm and walked slowly back to the silver-haired beauty.
"You grown up."
Laena looked out the window.
Aemon said meaningfully, "I'm not the only one that has grown up."
This sentence dispelled the other party's questions about why Vermithor had suddenly grown so large, making his beautiful face even more charming.
Laena looked at him and said in a magnetic voice, "Well, it has grown up. The little guy has become a big hero."
She had just turned twenty, the best age for a woman.
A mere glance has the power to seduce the soul.
"Haha, the dragon slayer will eventually become a dragon."
Aemon smiled and said wisely.
No one will be happy to see him rise to power.
The first group of troublemakers is coming.
Lord Barkin approached with trembling legs, bowed his head, and said, "Your Highness, your cargo will be unloaded soon, and the Graveson family will compensate you for the delay."
The cargo ship had been blocked for a total of four days, so the compensation should be four times the value of the cargo.
However, when he thought of the "Bronze Fury" guarding outside, he had to bite his tongue.
Aemon glanced at him sideways without looking him in the eye.
"Prince, the pirates of the Three Women's Kingdom are in turmoil, and His Majesty the King is very worried."
Sir Harold stepped forward at the right time and explained the purpose of his visit.
The closure of the Seagull Town port proves that the area is not safe either.
The Velaryon family is unreliable; they must find allies who share their hatred and enemies.
Aemon raised his eyebrows. "Where is my father?"
"Prince Daemon is stationed in the Stepstones. However, I recently heard that he traveled around the free trade cities, which gave the pirates of the Three Women's Kingdom an opportunity to take advantage of the situation."
Sir Harold said tactfully.
Aemon laughed after hearing this.
The Stepstones are not part of the kingdom's territory, but they are a vital sea route.
His uncle ignored it, and the sea snakes did not send reinforcements.
Daemon has grown tired of being the "King of the Gorge," so he can't address the situation.
This mess should have been given to people who really deserved it.
Laena heard the sneer and calmly stepped out, her long legs visible beneath her skirt. She walked toward a blonde girl under the protection of the guards.
"Miss Laena."
The blonde girl was terrified, holding a tray of bread and salt.
She is the youngest and most beautiful daughter of Lord Barkin.
There were many little calculations behind letting her serve bread and salt to the young prince with the blood of a true dragon.
"Thank you for the hospitality. Send it to him, too."
Laena picked up a piece of bread, dipped it in salt, and ate it, speaking gently.
The blonde girl's face turned pale, and she stole a glance at the young prince. Her legs were weak.
"Don't be afraid. He won't eat people."
Laena smiled knowingly.
The blonde girl gritted her teeth and took the bread and salt.
"Thank you for your hard work."
Aemon took a look, picked up a piece of bread, dipped it in salt, and put it in his mouth.
Lord Barkin's eyes lit up, and he breathed a sigh of relief. Finally, he wouldn't have to worry.
Hearing the polite words, the blonde girl unexpectedly raised her head, and her face flushed.
His Royal Highness has a nice voice and is polite.
Maybe he isn't a bad person after all.
Aemon didn't pay attention and looked up to meet Laena's gaze.
"Your Highness, Seagull Town will never let you down again."
Lord Barkin restored the merchant's enthusiasm and asked the maid to prepare dinner.
He planned to curry favor with the prince.
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