Chapter 175: The True and False Aegon, Remnants of the Blackfyres
Pentos, the Palace of the Prince
The palace of the Prince of Pentos was a tall and majestic fortress-like structure; the Council of Magisters controlled every movement throughout Pentos.
Pentos had once been a highly influential Free City, but after losing to Braavos, its influence had waned significantly, becoming one of the weaker powers among the Free Cities.
The council chamber was especially lively today, with all the magisters gathered together. Besides these Pentoshi magisters, several figures dressed in grayish-brown robes sat within the hall, their attire forming a sharp contrast with the richly dressed magisters.
These gray-robed figures were officials from Braavos. They had come under the orders of the Sealord of Braavos to discuss a matter concerning the fate of the entire continent of Essos.
Illyrio Mopatis looked particularly spirited today, a victorious smile spread across his face. Thanks to his persuasion, Braavos had decided to support his plan. After all these years, his "Prince Aegon Plan" was finally about to succeed.
"Bang, bang, bang..."
After knocking heavily on the table several times and drawing everyone's attention, Illyrio rose from his seat.
"Honored lords, esteemed colleagues, that bastard from the North has brought Myr, Tyrosh, and Lys under his control. This is aggression—outright aggression!"
Illyrio appeared extremely agitated, as though he had suffered some terrible betrayal or threat.
"That man is not of House Targaryen at all. He is merely a bastard of uncertain origins who relies on evil sorcery. Those dragons belong to all of us, not to him alone!"
Magister Illyrio's words were met with approval from everyone present. Faced with the temptation of dragons, many people found it impossible to remain indifferent. If not for the eerie and terrifying nature of blood magic, they might have been tempted to try it themselves.
After Jon captured the Long-Winged Dragon from Sothoryos, news that Long-Winged Dragons could be tamed and used to create giant dragons began spreading throughout Essos.
The first to take action were Volantis and the cities of Slaver's Bay. After investing enormous amounts of manpower and resources, Volantis and Slaver's Bay also placed this matter high on their agendas.
In truth, it was not that no one had attempted such things before. However, because magic had faded from the world, the blood mages and necromancers who once possessed extraordinary powers gradually lost their abilities. Yet with the return of the Star Gods, many individuals regained their powers—or even became stronger than before.
Unfortunately, without any systematic framework of research, their trial-and-error methods would only lead to slow progress.
And this was precisely Jon's objective; he wanted the people of the Free Cities to exhaust themselves on such pursuits so that he could simply harvest the results later.
"Braavos has already expressed its support for us. The purpose of our gathering today is to reclaim the territories that rightfully belong to the Free Cities and restore our allies to their lands."
Illyrio's voice was filled with excitement. The crucial moment had arrived. As long as he pushed his Aegon forward, he would gain even greater influence.
"But we can no longer find the nobles of those three city-states. They have either died or surrendered to that false Targaryen. Furthermore, I heard he has already begun conquering Westeros step by step!"
At Illyrio's signal, a magister friendly to him rose and delivered the prepared cue.
"Honored lords, I wish to inform everyone that the impostor is not a Targaryen at all. He is merely a fraud supported by Westerosi interests. The true Aegon Targaryen has actually been in Essos all along."
"What!?"
"Is that true?"
"Isn't House Targaryen reduced to only the Beggar King and his sister?"
...Amid the crowd's discussions, the great doors of the chamber slowly opened.
A handsome silver-haired youth then appeared before everyone's eyes.
He possessed beautiful long silver hair, and his pale purple eyes appeared especially mysterious beneath the hall's illumination. What shocked everyone most was the Valyrian steel sword hanging at his waist.
The weapon was a bastard sword. Dragon-scale patterns decorated the hilt, while the crossguard featured two dragon heads with open jaws. Red gemstones glittered with an enchanting radiance beneath the surrounding lights.
"Aegon Targaryen is the true and rightful heir to the Iron Throne. His father was Prince Rhaegar Targaryen, and his mother was Princess Elia Martell. When King's Landing fell, our people rescued him. Now we shall support him in reclaiming everything that belongs to him and restoring dragons to the possession of the Valyrian Free Cities."
Upon hearing Illyrio's words, the youth known as Aegon Targaryen could not help but tremble slightly.
After receiving Illyrio's signal, this Aegon Targaryen addressed the gathering:
"Honored lords, the Golden Company has sworn loyalty to me because of my noble bloodline. With your support and the strength of the Golden Company, I believe I can reclaim the Three Daughters for everyone. As for the bastard who stole my name, he shall be completely destroyed."
"The Golden Company!?"
"No wonder we haven't heard news of them lately. So they've already sworn allegiance to someone!"
...Amid the discussion, Illyrio enthusiastically brought forward a chair for Aegon Targaryen, allowing the young claimant to sit among the assembly.
"As long as everyone is willing to support me, I guarantee that I will not occupy the Three Daughters. I only seek to reclaim the lands that belonged to my ancestors."
"I think this is feasible. For the sake of justice and legitimacy, we should aid Aegon Targaryen!"
"The man who seized the Three Daughters is an impostor. He should be overthrown."
"The people of those cities are suffering. We must help them regardless!"
...Substantial benefits always moved people's hearts. After Aegon Targaryen offered such terms, many magisters present immediately expressed their willingness to support him.
"Very well, my lords. Since everyone is willing to aid Prince Aegon Targaryen, let us establish the 'True Dragon Alliance' here and now."
Under Illyrio's guidance, both Braavos and Pentos reached an agreement to form the True Dragon Alliance, providing aid to Aegon Targaryen and helping reclaim the Three Daughters.
That night, within Illyrio's manse, the core members of the Golden Company and Aegon Targaryen happily held a celebratory feast.
Under Illyrio's arrangements, a mercenary force exceeding ten thousand men and a powerful fleet were being assembled in an orderly fashion. In roughly another month, the Aegon Targaryen supported by Illyrio would lead his army in an assault against Myr.
"Hahaha! I am truly grateful to Magister Illyrio. With the support of Braavos and Pentos, our army will be unstoppable. Those people can only tremble before our might!"
The somewhat thin Captain-General of the Golden Company, Harry Strickland, raised his wine cup and loudly addressed those around him.
Upon hearing their commander's declaration, the other captains of the Golden Company also raised their cups.
"This victory belongs to all of us and marks the beginning of our recovery of everything that was lost. Once we seize the Three Daughters, we shall also gain immense wealth!"
Aegon Targaryen, dressed in splendid leather armor, likewise shouted loudly. He seemed never to have considered the possibility of failure. Having been indoctrinated since childhood, he had always regarded himself as the rightful heir to the Iron Throne.
Yet this young man did not know that the blood flowing through his veins was actually Blackfyre blood.
After the death of the last Blackfyre pretender, Maelys the Monstrous Blackfyre...
...the surviving descendants of House Blackfyre had been abandoned by the Golden Company. Later, after a certain female Blackfyre fell in love with Illyrio, Illyrio devoted himself wholeheartedly to the cause of House Blackfyre.
He first sought out his good friend Varys. From that moment onward, Illyrio began planning for the future of his descendants. This so-called Aegon Targaryen was actually his grandson—the product of a marriage between his children according to family tradition.
In a corner of the hall, Illyrio was conversing with Varys. The bald eunuch had appeared here after mysteriously disappearing from King's Landing.
"Our Queen of Slaver's Bay has successfully taken control of everything. Before long, I will lead several nobles in swearing fealty to her."
Varys's voice remained gentle, though it still carried an unsettling quality.
"Do not worry, my old friend. I shall help Aegon seize the Kingdom of the Three Daughters and ensure that impostor loses everything."
"That alone will not be enough. The Imp of House Lannister also appears to be in the Disputed Lands. If forces from there come to assist, your campaign may encounter difficulties."
After Varys revealed this intelligence, Illyrio's expression remained unchanged.
"I have already negotiated with the Dothraki. In exchange, I will hand over everyone in the city of Myr to them."
"Is it Khal Moro?"
Upon hearing Illyrio's answer, Varys's eyebrows twitched slightly as he spoke the name directly.
"Yes. He is one of the few powerful khals who was not swallowed up by Khal Drogo. Sigh... if that fool had not died, I would not have needed to spend so much effort winning over someone like Khal Moro!"
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