Chapter 17 – The Monster They Created
By morning, all of King's Landing knew.
The Ghost Prince had survived an assassination attempt.
Not only survived—
He had answered with a dragon.
The city buzzed with fear and fascination. Taverns whispered stories of a silver-haired child standing atop a black dragon in the middle of a storm, daring the crown itself to attack him again.
Some called him cursed.
Others called him a true dragonlord.
A few began calling him something far more dangerous.
A king.
Rumors Spread Like Fire
Aeryn walked through the halls of the Red Keep with calm, measured steps while nobles quickly moved out of his path.
No one stopped him now.
No one dared.
Even the guards avoided eye contact.
The system flickered briefly.
[REPUTATION UPDATED]
The Ghost Prince
Effects:
Fear +20%
Influence +15%
Political Presence Rising
Aeryn almost laughed.
Fear really was the easiest weapon.
The Black Queen's Heir
He found
Rhaenyra Targaryen waiting for him in one of the outer gardens.
"You've caused chaos," she said immediately.
Aeryn shrugged.
"They attacked first."
"You landed a dragon on the Red Keep."
"They noticed."
Rhaenyra pinched the bridge of her nose.
"You terrified half the court."
"Only half?"
Despite herself, she laughed softly.
Then her expression turned serious again.
"The Greens are furious."
"They were already trying to kill me."
"Yes," she replied. "But now they're afraid of you."
Aeryn looked toward the castle towers.
"Good."
Rhaenyra studied him carefully.
"You really don't care what they think."
Aeryn's eyes hardened slightly.
"I care about whether they become threats."
"And?"
He smiled faintly.
"They already are."
The Green Council
Elsewhere inside the Red Keep, the atmosphere was far colder.
Alicent Hightower stood beside the council table while
Otto Hightower spoke quietly.
"He cannot remain unchecked."
Alicent folded her arms.
"He is still a child."
Otto looked directly at her.
"No," he said calmly.
"He is a future war."
Silence filled the room.
One lord finally spoke.
"What exactly is he?"
Otto's eyes darkened.
"A problem."
A New Quest
Later that evening, the system activated again.
[MAIN QUEST]
Secure Long-Term Power Base
Optional Objectives:
- Gain loyal allies
- Expand spy network
- Strengthen dragon bond
- Eliminate political threats
Reward:
Kingmaker Path Unlocked
Aeryn stared at the final words.
Kingmaker.
Interesting.
Very interesting.
Daemon's Warning
That night,
Daemon Targaryen joined him atop the castle walls.
Below them, King's Landing glowed beneath torchlight.
"You scared them," Daemon said.
"That was the point."
Daemon smirked slightly.
"You're learning."
Aeryn leaned against the stone battlements.
"They'll try again."
"Yes."
"Good assassins this time."
Daemon laughed softly.
"There are no good assassins in Westeros."
Aeryn almost smiled at that.
If only you knew.
Daemon's expression slowly became more serious.
"You need to understand something."
Aeryn looked toward him.
"The moment powerful people fear you…"
Daemon's eyes gleamed in the darkness.
"…they stop treating you like family."
A pause.
"They start treating you like a threat."
Aeryn nodded slowly.
"I already noticed."
Blood in the Streets
The next attack came sooner than expected.
Not in the castle.
Not in secret.
In the streets.
Aeryn had gone into the city disguised beneath a dark cloak, moving through Flea Bottom while gathering information from his growing network.
The streets smelled of mud, smoke, and poverty.
Perfect places for hidden conversations.
Perfect places for killers.
Eagle Vision flickered.
Three figures ahead.
Hostile.
Another behind him.
A trap.
Aeryn sighed softly.
"Predictable."
The assassins attacked together.
Fast.
Professional.
One used dual daggers.
Another carried a short sword.
The third aimed a crossbow from a rooftop.
Better trained than the last group.
But still not enough.
Aeryn moved instantly.
He grabbed the nearest attacker and twisted him into the crossbow bolt's path.
The bolt struck clean through the assassin's chest.
Aeryn used the body as cover while throwing a knife upward.
The rooftop sniper screamed and fell.
The remaining two rushed him.
Steel flashed.
Hidden blade met dagger.
Close-range combat.
Fast.
Brutal.
Efficient.
Edward Kenway's instincts returned completely now.
Every movement felt natural.
One assassin lunged.
Aeryn sidestepped and drove the hidden blade into his throat.
The last attacker froze.
Fear burning bright red through Eagle Vision.
"You…"
The assassin backed away slowly.
"…what are you?"
Aeryn stepped forward calmly.
"A warning."
Then he struck.
The Ghost Walks Alone
Later, as rain began falling over the city again, Aeryn stood atop a rooftop overlooking King's Landing.
Below him, the city continued moving.
Unaware.
Fragile.
Temporary.
The system appeared once more.
[MISSION COMPLETE]
+700 XP
+300 Reales
New Passive Skill:
Killer's Instinct
Far above the clouds, Nyxarion roared.
Aeryn looked toward the dark sky.
The Greens feared him.
The city feared him.
And slowly…
The realm would too.
He pulled his hood lower and vanished back into the shadows.
The Ghost Prince was no longer hiding.
Now—
He was hunting.