The golden quartered battle flags snapped in the wind, and the soldiers worked with feverish energy.
The three Dragons breathed flame, then bent over the Blood Kraken's roasted flesh and began devouring it in great mouthfuls.
The ten-tentacled Blood Kraken was an awe-inspiring sight. Each tentacle was covered in suckers of varying sizes, and inside those suckers were sharp, keratinized rings lined with serrated teeth.
"Boom!"
"Boom!"
Smoke billowed as flames rose.
Balerion, Vhagar, and Viserion stood beside the Blood Kraken's corpse, breathing Dragonfire while tearing apart its flesh.
The Kraken's meat was soft, but its skin, beak, and internal skeleton were hard, and enormous.
Its blood was red as well, unlike that of ordinary giant squid, whose blood was blue. Giant squid were also limited by their bodily structure and could not appear at the surface. The closer they came to the surface, the less they could endure the change in water pressure.
Krakens were clearly far more adaptable. For short periods, they could rise to the surface and stir up wind and waves.
This was a world of magic to begin with. How could an ordinary squid possibly grow to seventy or eighty meters?
As food, the Blood Kraken and the other Krakens would be enough to feed the Dragons for some time.
The Blood Kraken's body contained higher concentrations of heavy metal ions such as silver, copper, and mercury than fish from the same middle and lower layers of the sea. Humans could not eat it, but once roasted, it caused no harm to Dragons.
Besides, Krakens might not have specialized organs for urination. Their waste was expelled through the surface of their bodies, which made the meat extremely fishy and rank.
After losing the Nagga Throne and the Bloodstone, the Blood Kraken could only be counted as a somewhat extraordinary creature. Its flesh was harmless to the Dragons.
"Crack! Crack!"
Once the Dragons had eaten their fill, some knights used divine weapons to cut up the Blood Kraken's meat so the Dragons could roast it.
To prevent rot and stench, these roasted strips of meat could be used as provisions for the Dragons on the march.
But as the Blood Kraken's flesh was scraped cleaner and cleaner, its enormous internal bones gradually lay exposed.
"The quality is a little like that of Dragons." Gendry looked at the Blood Kraken's corpse. Krakens and Dragons were somewhat similar in that their actual body weight was lighter than it seemed, which ensured their speed.
Two-thirds of the Blood Kraken was tentacles. Only one-third was its main body.
Though it was enormous, it did not actually have that much meat.
If Krakens had one natural enemy, it would be the sperm whale, whose body weight gave it an overwhelming advantage. But a Kraken's tentacles were vicious, and it was not easy to provoke either.
Still, the ocean was vast, and Krakens were the magical subspecies of squid, just as Direwolves were to wolves. There would always be room for them to survive.
"Could Nagga, the so-called sea dragon, actually have been an enormous sea serpent?" Gendry wondered. He felt Nagga might have resembled a squid, but was more likely shaped like a great serpent.
A deep-sea serpent would have a streamlined body, and snakes had ribs. Only that could allow it to grow to such a terrifying size.
"Bring over the Storm's End stone!"
"Bring it over, but keep it away from the Bloodstone!" Lothor Bren ordered.
The soldiers looked fearfully at the ancient Bloodstone being watched by the three mages. Legend said it carried an inexplicable curse.
Marwyn the Mage, the red priestess Melisandre, and the red priest Moqorro observed the Bloodstone from different angles.
Under the sun, the Bloodstone's power to bewitch had weakened.
The stars were in place, and what they prayed to was the black night and the Night Demon.
The Nagga Throne was not quite so strange. Once removed from seawater, it looked simply like a throne.
Although the Ironborn gazed hungrily at the legendary throne left behind by the Grey King, that seat was destined to become King Gendry's spoil of war.
On the square before the Great Starry Sept, soldiers dragged over round stones carved with the "Stony Wall" rune and piled them dozens of paces away from the Bloodstone.
To be honest, only runes that isolated magic could cut off the Bloodstone's radiation and influence.
But if this thing were kept in Storm's End, it would be no different from planting a bomb in his own home.
After thinking it over, Gendry decided to store the Bloodstone in a stone chamber made from a Stony Wall array for now. Later, once the Dragons had grown larger, he would simply throw the Bloodstone into the deep sea or some uninhabited wilderness.
"Your Grace." The lame Willas Tyrell, dressed in a robe of green fields and golden roses, came to Gendry's side. "The stores in the secret vaults across Oldtown and the High Tower are far too abundant. For now, we only have a rough estimate."
A travel-worn Ser Barristan Selmy and Qyburn followed behind Willas. The three of them had worked together to seize the wealth of Oldtown and Hightower, leaving nothing out.
"What are the details?"
Ser Willas cleared his throat. "First, dragon eggs. We found one living dragon egg and one fossilized dragon egg. As for Valyrian steel swords, ever since Vigilance was lost, House Hightower no longer has its ancestral sword, though it does have a few Valyrian steel daggers."
"A living dragon egg?"
"Yes, a living dragon egg."
"Place it in the royal treasury," Gendry instructed. Naturally, he had other living dragon eggs on hand.
Deep within the Dragonpit on Dragonstone, Gendry had found three dragon eggs and had carried them with him ever since.
But it seemed the magical tide had not yet reached its peak, and they had never hatched.
Still, when it came to dragon eggs, who would ever complain about having too many?
The Targaryen dragon egg treasury had never been found. These were the only dragon eggs left.
Based on his own speculation, Gendry suspected the Sealord of Braavos might still have some in reserve.
"I am cataloging and sorting the scrolls and documents from the High Tower," Qyburn said. "Aside from the ordinary books, almost all of them concern prophecies and the like."
"You have worked hard, Master Qyburn."
Such knowledge could not be lightly passed on. Although House Hightower had wanted to meddle in dark magic and runes, they had achieved very little real success. They had never produced a figure with Crow's Eye's destiny and fortune.
"There is a great deal of gold in the cellars of the High Tower in Oldtown, but the total should be no less than seven or eight million golden dragons. Because it includes not only solid gold, but also all kinds of ancient gold coins, gold vessels, and jewelry, it will take time to convert and calculate everything," Willas Tyrell said.
Because the Ironborn had arrived in such haste, and had already nearly stuffed themselves full before they could plunder Hightower, Hightower's treasure had not yet been divided up at the time.
"Seven or eight million..." Gendry was still shocked by the number. It seemed they had emptied out everything House Hightower had stored up over thousands upon thousands of years.
"What kinds of coins are there?" Gendry asked.
"All kinds of gold coins, Your Grace. Gardener kings' gold coins, High Tower gold coins from the era when Hightower ruled as kings, Lysene golden goddess coins, Myrish ship coins, Tyroshi three-headed god coins, Volantene golden honor coins... There are even coins from Qarth, Slaver's Bay, and the Golden Empire."
"In addition, according to Lord Baelor Hightower, House Hightower has deposits of at least more than a million golden dragons in various banks and with moneylenders across the Narrow Sea."
"Truly extravagant."
But that was normal. Oldtown and the High Tower had long been the foremost city and port in Westeros. After saving wealth for thousands of years, even this amount might be considered too little.
House Hightower had long sat upon the richest land of all. Every kind of coin would naturally flow into its hands.
"In addition, there was the Oldtown Bank run by House Hightower, the many inns of Oldtown, the ocean-going fleet, grain merchants, the Vintners' Guild, the Wool Merchants' Company, and so on. But nearly all of them were destroyed in this war."
"Those were all fixed assets."
Everyone understood that the real industries had suffered the worst damage. House Hightower operated all manner of businesses.
House Hightower had always made money breed more money. Besides its savings, it had massive investments and construction projects. Land, fleets, buildings, and workshops were all vast stores of wealth.
"In addition, Oldtown still has three warehouses of quality grain, five warehouses of fine wines, five warehouses of premium spices such as pepper, saffron, cloves, cardamom, and the like, three warehouses of fine Myrish tapestries and quality fabrics from The Reach, and two warehouses of superior weapons and armor. All of these are worth a great deal as well..."
"I am still taking inventory of these physical goods," Willas said.
"Much of these golden dragons will go toward the repair and reconstruction of Oldtown, and some will be used as rewards for the soldiers. In addition, we must prevent a run on Oldtown Bank. Once matters settle down, they can be redistributed."
"As you command, Your Grace."
With Oldtown, Tyrosh, and Myr under his control, the great bankers under Gendry had all urged him to establish a large, comprehensive bank.
But now was not the time to anger the Iron Bank, so the matter could only be set aside for the moment.
To establish a bank, one needed a gold standard and gold reserves. This pure gold, together with what had been seized from Gulltown last time, would serve as a solid foundation.
"Ser Willas." Gendry looked first at Willas.
"Your Grace," Willas Tyrell replied respectfully, dressed in his robe of green fields and golden roses.
"Oldtown has suffered a great calamity. The work of pacifying it must not fail. The most important thing is grain. The Long Night remains uncertain, and grain is indispensable. It must no longer be exported."
"I understand." Willas nodded.
Besides Willas Tyrell, House Florent and Lord Gulian Swann were also brought in to inspect and manage Oldtown's affairs.
The Maesters of Oldtown would be directed by Maesters loyal to the Iron Throne, led by the Tyrells.
There was immense wealth beneath the High Tower. Aside from rebuilding Oldtown, it also had to supply the royal family.
...
Before the square of the Great Starry Sept, a temporary high platform had been built from logs.
Upon the platform stood King Gendry and his queen, along with the high advisers, lords, knights, and noble ladies.
"Wooooo."
The sound of war horns rang out, bringing a killing chill colder than autumn itself.
At the very front, Gendry wore the royal crown, a yellow quartered cloak draped over his shoulders, and the Dragonkeeper scale armor on his body. The black Valyrian steel scales were dark as smoke, yet as light to wear as silk.
Five white knights in milk-white cloaks, white shields strapped to their arms, stood in a line beside the king. They were the Kingsguard.
The most venerable Ser Barristan stood together with the king, like legends of old and new knighthood side by side.
The two female guards, Dacey and Brienne, accompanied Daenerys, along with Daenerys's two companions, Sansa and Margaery.
Daenerys wore a purple dress, Sansa wore a gray-white dress, and Margaery wore green. They were like flowers competing in beauty, but the most breathtaking of them all was still Daenerys, like a violet in bloom.
Below the platform, the different forces prepared for the war against the Westerlands were already assembled.
The noblewomen and young girls gazed at Gendry's golden figure from behind, as if he were a god standing under the sun in a hazy ring of gold, leaving them dazed and entranced.
The strength of a superhuman warrior. A handsome young stag.
Sansa Stark and Margaery Tyrell also seemed to be sinking deeper and deeper.
Sansa was purely taken by looks, a girl given to fantasies. Margaery, however, was thinking far more.
"Crow's Eye. Even Crow's Eye Euron, terrifying as he was, was no match for the king. Krakens, summoning wind and rain, the Dragonhorn, Skinchanger. And yet Crow's Eye lasted less than a day before losing his head. It seems King Gendry's power is already close to that of a god."
Margaery Tyrell's thoughts turned again and again. From her brother Garlan, who had witnessed it firsthand, she had learned all the facts. Dragonlord, Storm, Pyromancer, magic-breaker, unmatched divine sword.
Beyond his looks, charm, and power, the king had already gained the blessing of several kinds of divine power. With such godly blood, how could Margaery not be even more tempted?
For the rise of House Tyrell and for her own future, becoming a mistress would be shameful for a great noblewoman. But being the woman of a "god" was a very different matter.
"I still have to take the queen's path." After thinking it over, Margaery glanced at the gentle, stunning Daenerys, then fixed on a roundabout way forward.
Gendry stood above countless men, the youngest and most exceptional male heartthrob in Westeros.
Gendry had black hair and blue eyes, a clean, handsome face, and a tall, powerful build. His blue eyes carried a warm smile, but also the confidence and toughness unique to a knight's soul.
Besides his golden crown, golden cloak, and Dragonkeeper armor, Gendry wore black riding breeches and a pair of black calfskin boots.
On the king's sword belt hung a dagger named Glory, a longsword named Supreme, and the longsword Just Maid.
Sunlight fell across Gendry's handsome face and upright figure, making the king look even more like a beautiful god, the Warrior and the Smith in one, a symbol of victory and strength.
"Long live the king!"
"Long live King Gendry!"
"Victory!"
"Victory!"
The knights and soldiers could not help shouting. Their morale soared, not only because of the Storm's unbeaten glory across a hundred battles, but also because of the very real rewards they had received from the Ironborn.
The king's generosity was another source of the soldiers' cheers.
Moreover, everyone knew the Westerlands were the richest place in Westeros.
Gendry's gaze swept across the different formations.
"Only the Storm."
The battle flags snapped in the wind, and the tallest among them was Gendry's golden quartered banner.
The first column was led by Randyll Tarly and Garlan Tyrell, who would lead The Reach's allied army north from Old Oak. The second column was led by Paxter Redwyne, who would take the fleet and the Iron Islands guides to wipe out the remnants of Crow's Eye, then encircle the Westerlands.
The third column was the strike force, personally led by King Gendry and made up of guard knights, knights from the Vale and the Stormlands, and the Unsullied.
This force also included Dornishmen, one thousand spearmen led by the Red Viper, as well as Dornish light cavalry.
Gendry had originally wanted to throw them into The Reach army, but after thinking it over, he decided to use them as assault troops.
The sharpest elites were Gendry's own guard knights, one thousand heavy knights in black armor and gold cloaks, led by Lothor, Anguy, and Harrold.
The knights looked at the king with worship in their eyes, as if he were the embodiment of the Warrior and the Smith, victorious in every battle.
There was also a strange army, the Order of the Mind, made up of Archmaesters, Maesters, and apprentices.
Led by Archmaester Perestan and the other two, they would head for the Wall. In any case, the Wall needed Maesters too, so this group would still have some use.
"My knights! The time has come for the decisive battle against the Westerlands."
Gendry drew Just Maid, its blue blade pure and clear as if freshly washed.
The warriors below fell into silence, like a tall, soundless forest.
"Since I sent troops into Westeros, I have won countless small victories and three great ones.
"Through the Battle of the Whispering Wood, the Battle of the Camps, and then the campaigns at the Twins, the Eyrie, Storm's End, the Battle of the Blackwater, and now Oldtown.
"I have only one belief. I will win in the name of the Warrior, and I will hear the roar of justice.
"For the people of King's Landing and the innocent women and children who died at the hands of Tywin Lannister more than ten years ago, whether they were royalty, nobles, or commoners.
"For justice for my father, Robert Baratheon, and for my brothers and sisters who were murdered in secret. For justice for the people who died miserably at the hands of the Westerlands' violent soldiers."
"Justice will prevail!"
"Justice will prevail!"
"Long live the king!"
Gendry clenched his fist again, and the shouts of all the warriors died down.
"For justice! For victory! For the people! I demand courage from you, and I demand fairness. I also demand compassion and mercy.
"A knight without conviction is no different from Tywin's beasts, from Tywin's killers. You are warriors of the Storm, and warriors of justice. We serve the people of the Seven Kingdoms. The Long Night is our far more terrible enemy."
Gendry's gaze was sharp as an eagle's, filled with resolve, bright as a newly forged sword.
"Break the lion's den. Slay Tywin!"
Gendry pointed his sword west, as if the blade were about to pierce straight to the walls of Casterly Rock.
But the knights and warriors did not doubt him at all, because no one could stop the Storm.
"Long live the Storm!"
"Long live the Storm!"
"The warriors of the Seven Kingdoms are as countless as sand, yet only this one stands above them all."
"Pig Herder" Pate looked at the king on the high platform and could not help sighing inwardly.
Pate had already seen the books in the cellar, and his mission was complete. But the new situation after the Battle of Oldtown made him decide to wait a little longer.