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Early the next morning, Viserys entered Pentos, accompanied by his guards Argos and Hugo, and one hundred black-armored knights.
Pentos was bustling, truly worthy of being called a prosperous city, the pearl of the harbor.
However, Pentos was also undefendable; apart from its thick, sturdy city walls, it lacked substantial defensive measures.
These Free Cities often consist of one large port city and a great deal of vassal territory, relying on commerce and grain to feed such a large population.
Pentos was not short on assassins and sellswords, but a contingent of elite knights of this size still drew everyone's attention.
They likely guessed that this was a prince or lord from a civilized kingdom.
Some sharp-eyed individuals had already recognized Viserys Targaryen's red dragon surcoat.
Although dothraki Khals were also honored guests, to avoid urban panic, they were usually only allowed to stay in palaces outside the city walls.
The square-brick towers of Pentos appeared even more sacred and magnificent in the rising light of dawn.
Like Braavos, the towers represented power and belonged to the powerful Magisters, wealthy merchants, and ancient nobles.
For example, spice merchants—Pentos's spice vendors sent ships to distant places to trade saffron and chili peppers.
There were also wine merchants; Pentos's agriculture also produced a pale amber wine.
Red Robe Priest lit flames outside the Red Temple and began to pray, while children laughed and played in the streets.
They seemed to be playing a game similar to 'Eagle Catching Chickens,' where the Khal was the catcher.
"The Dothraki are coming!" shouted the boy pretending to be a dothraki horseman.
The other children scattered instantly, afraid of being caught by the dothraki impersonator.
The fear of the dothraki savages' military might had deeply permeated the hearts of the Pentoshi people.
"A weak city," Viserys concluded.
Even though Pentos's economy and population were on the scale of a major city, rich and lavish, it was already a city devoid of courage and spirit.
"A rich yet weak city, occupied by this group of incompetent Magisters—what a pity," Viserys thought. This large, juicy piece of meat was truly tempting.
These Free Cities were all immensely wealthy; Pentos was certainly rich, but Viserys felt that Braavos and Qarth were the most prosperous.
Qarth was an extremely large and wealthy city in the southeast of the Eastern Continent, the city of Warlock and great merchants.
The Qartheen claimed to be located at the center of the world, a gateway connecting north and south, and a bridge linking east and west; their wealth was extraordinary.
Illyrio was completely unaware of Viserys's ambition, as in his mind, he still saw Viserys as an arrogant, unruly adolescent, not a full-fledged schemer.
"His Majesty Viserys," Magister Illyrio said, "I can accompany you anywhere in this great city. The Magister's Manor, those beautiful virgin girls, and Pentos's best Cook and Jewelers."
"No need," Viserys waved his hand. "The place I most want to go is the Pentos marketplace. I have no interest in other places."
Illyrio found it strange that this King disliked feasting, drinking, and seeking women, but preferred strolling through the marketplace.
However, Viserys was looking for Dragon bones and fish bones, which seemed understandable, as the Targaryens were always obsessed with dragons and fire.
Illyrio was also considering whether to present the three fossilized dragon eggs; he decided to deliberate a little longer.
Those three fossil dragon eggs had undergone countless experiments by him and were long proven to be unresponsive, useful only as works of art.
But sending them away so shamelessly still felt a little reluctant; he decided to observe some more.
Viserys naturally had his reasons for choosing the Pentos marketplace first. He had already begun activating the new Class, "Water Channeler," and Talent, "Water Element Affinity."
Now, Viserys finally didn't have to'spend' bones and food one by one, which felt like randomly scratching lottery tickets. Although it was effective, it wasted too much time and energy.
And now, Viserys's Water Element Affinity allowed him to sense places or items where Water Element was concentrated.
Relying on his identity as a Water Channeler, he could find treasures with half the effort, just as he had discovered Greygalis's Holy Relic.
Viserys arrived at the Pentos marketplace, which was a scene of prosperity that Viserysgrad could not currently match.
The Pentoshi citizens dyed, oiled, and split their beards, making them look incredibly greasy.
The marketplace was bustling with people; merchants traded spices, gems, Dragon bones, dragon eggs, and other goods here.
There were people from all places. Merchants from Myr, with olive skin, long black hair, and eyes, were promoting artwork and handicrafts.
The Tyroshi, with purple or blue hair and brightly colored, luxurious clothing, were promoting strange and wonderful armor, including helmets shaped like the heads of birds and beasts that looked very lifelike.
There were also the Lysene, with charming eyes and fair skin, specializing in Lys's Shortswords and Aphrodisiacs said to make one fall in love quickly.
As for the hairy Ibmen, they sold whale oil products. They looked terrifying but were excellent fishermen.
And the Volantenes, the Qartheen, and so on.
"dragon eggs! dragon eggs from the ancient Valyrian Ruins! Corrupt the Demon Dragon and become the master of the world! Only a hundred gold coins—buy it and you've made a profit!"
"Saffron, Qarth's finest spice, and cloves, cardamom, and pepper."
"Fine wine, the best wine."
"Gems! Blue gems, Cat's eyes, Emeralds, Tiger stones—we have everything!"
Of course, there were no real dragon eggs here. The dragon eggs Viserys saw looked like stones smeared with lacquer, specifically used to deceive foolish outsiders.
Viserys wandered around the marketplace repeatedly, specifically searching for items containing Water Element.
Viserys finally found a stall selling artwork. There were many bone carvings, white Fish bones hairpins, and Bone Carved Swords.
Viserys examined them carefully. The greasy-bearded Pentoshi stall owner naturally recognized Viserys as a major customer and enthusiastically began promoting his goods.
"I want this, this, and this," Viserys pointed with his finger. The stall owner was almost ecstatic; this was a truly big spender.
"Magister," the stall owner recognized Illyrio and became extremely respectful.
"This is my honored guest. Give him a price," Magister Illyrio said.
The trinkets Viserys bought were not valuable. Illyrio was slightly confused, but since he was paying, King Viserys's interests were truly unusual.
Thus, Viserys began a furious shopping spree in Pentos, spending lavishly.
The Pentoshi merchants discovered this 'Money-Scattering Boy' and began frantically promoting their own goods.
Many fish bone sculptures carried Water Element fluctuations. Some high-quality seafood, such as Golden Silk Fish and Yellow-Lipped Fish, also had slight Water Element fluctuations.
Finally, Viserys also selected a broken sword inlaid with Sapphires, seemingly in the rhoynar style, and two ancient sculptures of rhoynar warriors.
This trip was considered a great haul.
The Pentoshi also loved artwork. Ancient statues of the Seven Gods were reportedly sold for good prices in Pentos.
There were remnants of Water Magic on the Sapphires. Based on Viserys's speculation, magic also had carriers.
For example, storing magic inside gems, where the gems automatically absorb elemental power.
Just like the Red Woman's ever-present red gem, the hardness and stability of the gem ensured it could carry and absorb magic fluctuations.
Naturally, all of Viserys's expenses were paid for by Magister Illyrio.
Viserys returned fully loaded this time; all the items he acquired were very helpful for improving his Water Magic.
Just as Viserys and Illyrio were chatting casually, Viserys suddenly heard the sound of the Great Bell of Pentos ringing.
Such a commotion could only mean that a new uninvited guest had arrived.
A Garrison Officer rushed through the crowd and whispered into Magister Illyrio's ear.
Magister Illyrio's expression changed slightly.
"What happened?" Viserys asked.
"A guest, Khal Gilo of the small khalasar from the Dothraki Sea, has come to travel here," Illyrio explained.
When Viserys heard this, there was actually a Khal being delivered right to his door.
It seemed this Khal of a minor tribe was extremely cunning. He resisted the escalating annexation and slaughter in the Dothraki Sea, and in a moment of quick thinking, decided to temporarily hide beneath the walls of Pentos.
"Noble Prince Viserys, I hope you can forgive my abrupt departure. My Unsullied guards will take you back to your palace. As the Magister of this city, I am responsible for these diplomatic affairs, which are truly bothersome," Illyrio apologized.
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