Chapter 135: A Relationship on the Brink of Rupture
Westeros, the Stormlands, Storm's End
"Wait a moment!"
Just as Stannis's guards were about to step forward and drag Ser Cortnay Penrose away for execution, Roy's voice rang out at the perfect moment.
"Your Majesty Stannis! You are currently short of capable generals. There is absolutely no need to kill this knight. Please hand him over to me! I will make him understand that you are the true king of this realm!"
"Yes! Your Majesty—"
"Your Grace—"
...
As Roy spoke, many people around began pleading on behalf of Ser Cortnay Penrose. Among them were even several of Stannis's own bannermen. What surprised Stannis the most was that even the usually arrogant Monford Velaryon had joined in the plea.
For a brief moment, Stannis felt something deeply unsettling—as if Roy were the true commander of this army, and he himself merely an outsider.
Stannis Baratheon had always been a proud and rigid man. He believed his lifelong service had earned him far more than Dragonstone—his brother had wronged him.
And now, that same dissatisfaction rose again.
Clearly, he was the king, the commander of this army—yet his own followers were siding with an outsider.
"So be it!"
Just as Stannis was about to enter the great hall of Storm's End, the maester hurried in.
Maester Pylos, clutching a scroll, rushed forward anxiously.
"Your Grace Stannis! Please—read this message at once!"
From the urgency in the maester's voice, Stannis immediately sensed that something had gone terribly wrong.
"What is the meaning of this?!"
After quickly reading the raven's message, Stannis turned toward Black Fox Letho with a face filled with fury—his eyes looked ready to devour him whole.
Meanwhile, Letho remained calm and composed, as though the king's rage had nothing to do with him.
"What?!"
After taking the message from Stannis, Roy also read it—and his expression shifted as well.
"I am here attacking Storm's End, yet your forces have seized Estermont? What exactly are you trying to do?"
"We are simply handling our own affairs," Letho replied casually. "Our agreement was to assist you in your war in Westeros. It did not forbid us from conducting operations of our own, did it?"
That indifferent tone only fueled Stannis's anger further.
"What exactly is your intention?"
By now, Stannis was on the verge of exploding. His hand had already moved to the hilt of his sword—one wrong answer, and he would strike.
"Our Lord Aegon requires a rainforest environment to cultivate dragons. The Lysene recommended this region. In truth, the leading force behind this operation is the Free City of Lys. We are merely assisting."
"You mean to say this has nothing to do with you?"
Stannis almost laughed from anger.
"The rainforest is vast. We are merely making use of it. If that displeases you—there is little we can do."
Letho's words put Stannis in a difficult position.
The Seven Kingdoms were already in chaos. The North had sealed Moat Cailin and isolated itself. Worse still, Eddard Stark had publicly declared support for Aegon.
Now Estermont had fallen as well.
Stannis could kill Letho. He could seize the Tyroshi fleet.
But doing so would mean an immediate break with Aegon—and at his current strength, that would be suicide.
He had no choice but to endure.
"Then tell me this—does the agreement between your Prince Aegon and me still stand?"
"As long as you do not violate the contract, we will honor it fully. We will continue assisting you in taking King's Landing, and supplies will be provided as agreed."
The agreement Davos had made with Aegon was essentially a lease.
In exchange for military aid, Dragonstone and the port of King's Landing would be granted as a free trade zone under Aegon's control.
Within that zone, the laws of the Chainbreakers would apply exclusively.
Since Stannis lacked funds, repayment would come through trade taxes.
It was a carefully designed arrangement—one Aegon had planned long in advance.
At present, King's Landing was vulnerable. Without Tyrion Lannister, its defenses would falter. Meanwhile, Renly's forces were preparing to march.
This chaos created opportunity.
Aegon had no intention of swallowing the Seven Kingdoms outright—not yet. The nobility was too entrenched.
Instead, he intended to create a balance of power between multiple factions… and take control gradually.
"Although our Prince Aegon holds the strongest claim to the Iron Throne, he is currently occupied in Tyrosh. For now, there is no direct conflict between us. You may cooperate fully with us to claim the throne."
Seeing Stannis still hesitant, Letho continued:
"We have also opened negotiations with Dorne. With their support, your chances of taking King's Landing will increase significantly."
"Is that true?"
That final point caught Stannis's full attention.
Since Melisandre's disappearance, the Florents—his queen's kin—had abandoned him and fled.
If not for Roy and his companions, he might have already lost everything.
"What is your true objective?"
Just as Stannis began to lean toward agreement, Roy spoke again—his tone sharp and questioning.
"Lord Roy?"
Stannis's voice now carried clear irritation.
"Your Grace, you once said Aegon Targaryen seeks to reclaim the throne. But I cannot understand—why would he go to such lengths to help you? Does he truly have no ulterior motive?"
The words struck like cold water, instantly clearing Stannis's mind.
Seeing the tension, Letho quickly intervened.
"Our lord cannot tolerate the suffering of slaves. In Essos, he nearly fell victim to slavers himself. Only by the grace of fate did he survive."
His expression turned somber.
"From that day forward, he swore to end slavery. Nearly all of Essos practices it—except Braavos. Do you truly think we have the resources to conquer Westeros as well?"
That explanation eased Stannis's doubts.
He understood Essos well. Any attempt to abolish slavery would provoke massive resistance.
(If I claim the Seven Kingdoms first… then I can deal with Aegon later.)
A plan began to form in his mind.
"Enough, Lord Roy."
Stannis's voice turned firm once more.
"I am the king. I will decide what must be done."
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