"The Iron Islands have submitted. Asha Greyjoy succeeds as Duchess, Victarion Greyjoy is appointed 'Guardian of the Sunset Sea.'"
Theon stared at the message on the god-given light screen, unable to recover for a long while. Asha became the Duchess of Greyjoy?
He knew this was how it should be, yet whenever he recalled that bow-legged, pockmarked, clumsy girl of his childhood, it still seemed absurd and unreal.
It's different now.
Lord Balon is dead. Theon reminded himself again. Now is the time for our generation.
Me.
Asha... Asha, ha.
Theon still found it difficult to completely overturn his perception of his sister.
Compared to Asha's transformation, he could accept the appointment of his uncle Victarion far more readily. Guardian of the Sunset Sea—this position suits my uncle perfectly. Patrolling, fighting, guarding the sea; Victarion was skilled at these tasks and content with them. There was no need to question his loyalty.
Theon still remembered his uncle's imposing figure and steadfast personality. Commander-in-chief of the Iron Fleet, a fearless warrior, a man of serious disposition.
He was also a clumsy grey bull: strong, tireless, loyal to his duties—but one couldn't expect him to win any races of wit. Without doubt, he would serve every lord as dutifully as he had served Theon's father, possessing neither the ability nor the ambition to plot rebellion, just like every younger brother who grew up in the shadow of his elder.
For rulers, the more men who humbly dedicated themselves thus, the better. But whether they wished it or not, younger brothers inevitably became this way in the end.
There was no escaping it—younger sons always received this treatment.
Theon was merely grateful he hadn't spent too long being tormented by his elder brother Rodrik and his second brother Maron. Had he continued to endure Rodrik's drunken slaps and Maron's vicious taunts and endless lies until adulthood, Theon couldn't imagine what manner of man he might have become.
The Starks of Winterfell were far kinder by comparison.
Theon didn't know why his thoughts turned to the brothers in that ice fortress.
Robb, the eldest, maintained his dignity well enough, yet he didn't spend his days beating or scolding Bran—rather, he doted on his younger brother quite fondly. It was Lord and Lady Stark, Old Nan, and Maester Luwin who taught Bran to respect his elder brother and fulfill his responsibilities. Their methods could only be described as gentle and considerate, like soaking in a hot spring, like a warm breeze caressing one's face.
Theon sometimes couldn't help but envy—or even resent—the Starks' familial harmony. The Greyjoys of generations past rarely enjoyed such warmth.
But occasionally he would comfort himself with malicious speculation: at least he could see Rodrik and Maron's ugly faces clearly, and know precisely who stood in the way of his power, honor, and future.
And Bran?
A warm dream, love, affection, and responsibility bound Bran. The boy would likely never see the truth throughout his entire life—he would only smile and assist Robb, who would inherit Winterfell, believing himself happy and content.
How could Bran ever imagine that he might inherit Winterfell and become the next Lord Stark?
They were such a harmonious and happy family. Bran was born to be his elder brother's vassal and assistant, destined to spend his life peacefully under his brother's protection.
Even at Bran's age, with a mind still free to dream, he only aspired to become a member of the Kingsguard.
How much difference was there, truly?
It merely changed the object of his service from Winterfell to the king.
Now, Bran was about to fulfill that dream.
Theon felt both pity and mockery.
Nevertheless, the warm and peaceful daily life of the Stark family had often allowed Theon glimpses of another world—the world of the Green Lands.
Yet the warmth of Winterfell never truly shone upon Theon.
Lord Eddard had allowed him to grow up alongside his children, attempting to play the role of father. The long years spent with Robb had almost made Theon regard him as a younger brother.
But Theon was never one of them.
Everyone in Winterfell, from Lady Stark to the lowest kitchen boy, knew he was a hostage, kept to ensure his father's "good behavior," and they treated him accordingly.
Even the bastard Jon Snow enjoyed better treatment than he did.
This rankled Theon more than anything.
That bastard was gloomy and overly sensitive to any ridicule, particularly jealous of Theon's noble birth and Robb's attention toward him.
Their mutual contempt ensured their relationship remained frigid at best.
In truth, the disputes and competitions with Jon Snow had pervaded Theon's entire time at Winterfell, becoming a peculiar seasoning in his life.
Now the two of us serve in the Kingsguard simultaneously. What strange twist of fate is this?
The thought finally brought a slight smile to Theon's face.
Yet our futures have already diverged completely—one to travel the seas, the other to remain where he stands.
Jon Snow was merely the castellan of the dilapidated Eyrie, and that only temporarily. How could he compare with Theon's entire Iron Islands?
It was already remarkable luck for a bastard to lead the Sixth Regiment of the Kingsguard.
Though Theon's Seventh Regiment was soon to be disbanded, a thousand Holy Warriors would accompany him to the Iron Islands to help him assume his position, assist in controlling the isles, absorb the Iron Fleet, and serve as the backbone of the Sunset Sea Fleet.
When that time came, the Sunset Sea Fleet with its hundreds of warships would make the Seven Kingdoms tremble!
I shall achieve feats the Iron Islands have never dreamed of!
I shall conquer the Stepstones, conquer the Free Cities, conquer Qarth and Asshai, conquer the unknown lands beyond the Sunset Sea!
I shall become the most legendary kraken!
For this.
Even if it meant enduring Asha's inheritance of the Greyjoy name and glory, even staining his hands with the blood of the Ironborn, he would not hesitate!
For this.
He must complete this final mission.
Theon took a deep breath and looked toward the depths of the rainforest ahead—to Mistwood Castle, which seemed to merge with the green forest and misty haze.
Forest and mist—Mistwood Castle was aptly named.
Though it stood mere dozens of paces from the city wall, what Theon saw was still a verdant scene, and he could easily lose sight of his target if he wasn't careful.
Such was the nature of the rainforest.
Theon was no longer surprised by this circumstance.
This vast forest in Cape Wrath was humid and rainy, its soil fertile and soft.
Cedar, hemlock, maple, oak, redwood, sentinel trees, soldier pines, and weirwoods thrived here, and the perennial mist provided excellent cover for the rainforest castle.
The Kingsguard, most of whom were orphans from King's Landing, had initially struggled in this combat environment, nearly suffering casualties.
Fortunately, with intelligence support from the Security Bureau and the treatment provided by the priests, after conquering the fortresses according to plan, the warriors of the Seventh Regiment had gradually adapted and become more than capable.
Mistwood Castle was the last fortress.
After taking it, all of Cape Wrath would be completely secured.
Thereafter, Theon and the Seventh Regiment would take ship to Arbor from Weeping Town, then return to the Iron Islands with the Royal Fleet of Arbor.
Along the way, they would hunt another kraken.
Uncle Euron.
"Ser Theon, look—Mistwood Castle's ravens have been released," Adam Whitehead reminded him softly.
Theon knew that Countess Meriane Mertyns of Mistwood Castle was an elderly woman with many children and grandchildren. It seemed this battle would take a little longer.
He spread his hands, clean and without any blood stains.
"Open fire," Theon commanded, knowing what needed to be done. "There is no need to end the battle in haste. Clean it up carefully—there must be many rebels in Mistwood Castle."
Having completed these tasks...
Winterfell had become completely a thing of the past, and the Starks would only grow more estranged from him, more contemptuous.
Only the Iron Islands remained.