Joffrey's eyes held the glimmer of satisfaction.
The beautiful, auburn-haired girl approached with swift steps, her gaze filled with ardent sincerity, her expression both charming and eager for royal favor.
Below lay the grim execution ground, still reeking of blood and suffering.
On either side stood hundreds of richly dressed, armored subjects, countless eyes fixed upon Joffrey—conveying emotions of bewilderment, conviction, apprehension, anticipation, hesitation, and grim determination.
Yet ultimately, silence held dominion over all.
Joffrey felt no surprise at this reception. Having witnessed the "Divine War" upon the seas, even were he to strip the Shield Islands of all titles and holdings while implementing sweeping new policies, few would dare stand in opposition.
Though he would not pursue such extremes, he intended swift action—resolving the Shield Islands' governance in one decisive stroke at today's assembly, ensuring a decade's stability.
Originally, such haste had been unnecessary.
Renly's rebellion lay completely crushed, and the remaining cleanup work was limited to scattered pockets throughout the Reach—tasks that could be handled with deliberate care.
Yet now, such minor affairs should no longer consume precious effort. Far more crucial matters demanded his attention.
Break through to become a Great Hero. Advance beyond mortal limitations.
Joffrey silently contemplated the invaluable knowledge he had recently obtained. Though only one-third of the complete methodology, it sufficed for him to grasp the essential principles.
Surprisingly, the advancement process proved quite extraordinary—arduous and obscure in its requirements.
For Joffrey in his current state, however, the path remained achievable.
His existing conditions happened to overcome most limitations, with only a few prerequisites still requiring dedicated effort.
Yet effort would indeed be necessary.
Beyond these technical factors, the greater impact involved a complete subversion of his understanding of the world.
The kraken's arrival had become a unique turning point in his comprehension.
Suddenly, he no longer recognized this realm. "Game of Thrones," "A Song of Ice and Fire"—these were merely the visible surface of the world's true nature! Beneath lay terrifying unknowns that dwarfed his previous understanding!
It transpired that not only did aloof, merciless gods exist, but many other extraordinary beings walked hidden paths!
Compared to the ancient deities, these entities proved more likely to delve into mortal affairs, directly interfere with mundane events, and pose immediate threats to Joffrey's survival as potential enemies!
Yet Joffrey knew nothing of their nature, capabilities, or intentions.
The world had fundamentally changed.
The transmigrator's advantage of knowing future events was rapidly diminishing, even becoming a source of dangerous misinformation. Joffrey could not suppress a mounting sense of crisis.
His original plans required massive acceleration!
Not only must he cultivate sufficient "Heroes" for His mysterious ally as swiftly as possible—thereby obtaining complete advancement knowledge—but he must also adjust the magic net's deployment and expand his sphere of influence.
He had to seize the Seven Kingdoms in an iron grip with utmost speed.
Then, using Westeros as his foundation, he would advance into the wider world! Launch conquests! Claim glory and power beyond imagination!
Compared to these far-reaching strategies that concerned his very survival, what did the Shield Islands' feelings matter? Time had become Joffrey's most precious resource.
The faster he moved, the better. The shorter the timeline, the safer his position.
Semi-independent Dorne, the magic net's expansion, the Seven Kingdoms' transformation and reconstruction, the Free Cities, the Others beyond the Wall...
"Your Grace, please give your commands," a soft, melodious voice broke through his contemplation.
Joffrey studied the girl's features with calculating eyes.
Faria Flowers, seventeen years of age, bastard daughter of Lord Humphrey Hewett.
Joffrey "knew" her fate from the original timeline.
In a sense, Mia had become a substitute who suffered in Faria's place, while the Shield Islands were the lands that should have been ravaged by Euron Greyjoy—not Fair Isle.
In the original story, Euron had never troubled the Westerlands.
After claiming the Iron Islands, his target had been the Reach and Daenerys's dragons.
The Shield Islands had thus become his first prize. Faria Flowers would have been made into a "figurehead," her fate sealed in agony.
Yet in this altered timeline, everything had shifted.
Euron had fled the Iron Islands in disgrace, commanding only a handful of longships and mere hundreds of followers. But he had gained a terrifying kraken as compensation.
His targets had also changed. First, he had wreaked havoc upon Fair Isle, then approached the Shield Islands.
Unfortunately for the Crow's Eye, he had encountered the most formidable enemy imaginable.
The Shield Islands had avoided catastrophic ruin. Faria Flowers's destiny had been reversed—at minimum, she would live far longer than fate had originally decreed.
Provided she remained obedient to her new sovereign's will.
Joffrey smiled slightly, his gaze sweeping the assembled crowd before settling on Faria Flowers. "Punishment and sorrow have ended. From this moment forward, there shall be only joy and royal grace."
The people exchanged glances, then raised their voices in unison: "Long live! Long live! Long live..."
Joffrey raised his hand for silence.
"The finest news deserving celebration should be proclaimed first."
The crowd quieted, hanging upon his every word.
"After months of turmoil, the Seven Kingdoms stand finally upon the threshold of lasting peace," Joffrey declared with evident emotion.
"My uncle Renly has been captured, along with the forty thousand soldiers who remained loyal to his cause. They are held securely within Storm's End's walls. Lord Mace Tyrell also enjoys hospitality within the city."
Upon hearing this revelation, the assembly inevitably stirred with whispered excitement.
Yet after the initial shock passed, people discovered they felt neither as amazed nor as thrilled as they might have expected.
This reaction was hardly surprising.
All their emotional reserves had been exhausted during the mythical battle they had witnessed through the night.
Moreover, given such overwhelming displays of power, how could King Joffrey possibly lose to Renly's conventional forces? Was not glorious victory the inevitable outcome?
People merely sighed inwardly while acknowledging the profound changes reality had undergone.
"Victory's glory belongs not to me alone," Joffrey continued with gracious magnanimity. "All nobles, soldiers, and common folk who supported the realm's peace are heroes of this triumph. The kingdom shall remember every loyal subject's service."
The Shield Islands' nobility could not suppress feelings of shame. In truth, they had contributed nothing to the war effort. Even defeating Euron had required the King's intervention and rescue.
We should have joined the campaign earlier, several knights reflected with regret.
"Opportunities yet remain to claim greater glory!" Joffrey encouraged the assembled warriors. "Oakenshield and Goldengrove continue their stubborn resistance. The Royal Fleet shall sail north to join Lord Tywin and extinguish the war's final flames!"
What manner of situation is this? The Shield Islands' people turned questioning gazes toward the notably silent Garlan Tyrell.
Had not Highgarden reconciled with King Joffrey? Lady Margaery was even betrothed to His Grace—how could Oakenshield and Goldengrove defy Highgarden's will to stand against the Iron Throne in isolation?
Garlan Tyrell maintained his stoic silence.
"Of course, the Shield Islands' warriors have a more suitable battlefield awaiting them," Joffrey shifted direction with calculated precision. "Dorne cannot forever remain aloof, indifferent to the Seven Kingdoms' struggles, maintaining division and independence! The time has come to complete the Targaryens' unfinished work! To achieve true unification!"
Buzz~~
The hall erupted in violent upheaval!
What was the King proclaiming? Dorne?! He actually set his sights upon Dorne itself!
None could have predicted such a development! King Joffrey had publicly declared war upon Dorne from within Oakenshield's very halls!
Even King Aegon the Conqueror's dragons had perished in Dorne's wastes!
The Shieldmen stood momentarily stunned. However, most captains and officers of the Royal Fleet showed excitement, eagerly requesting permission to join this new campaign.
Could Dorne prove more challenging than the kraken they had witnessed? Could cannons and divine grace fail to bring down a mere principality?
Amid the rising clamor, the hall seemed to transform into a war council.
Joffrey rose to his feet with evident satisfaction.
Faria Flowers's eyes sparkled with anticipation as the King turned her to face the assembled crowd.
"The fleet sets sail on the morrow!" she heard His Grace declare. "As reward for loyal service, each island's lord shall also serve as governor of their domain. Faria Flowers is hereby appointed liaison officer for the Shield Islands entire."
Faria listened with rapt attention.
The hall maintained its enthusiastic fervor, with none daring to voice objection to the royal decree.