Pentos.
At the port, Dick came to see Green off.
Last night, with Governor Illyrio's cooperation, Green's soldiers caused quite a stir in Pentos.
Green patted Dick's arm and said softly, "Dick, I'm leaving things here to you."
Dick nodded slightly: "Lord Green, I will never let Kleber be disgraced."
After speaking, Dick's eyes swept around, and he lowered his voice, "I feel like there are many eyes watching us from the shadows."
Dick's behavior at this moment was very much like a rookie thief.
Green smiled faintly: "Dick, no matter where you go, remember to bring enough guards."
Green's words made Dick pause for a moment, thinking, is the Lord worried about my safety?
Dick was touched in his heart, his face showing excitement, and he said loudly, "Lord Green, I will definitely not disappoint you."
Green nodded slightly and said, "Remember the family words: We Stand Together."
"I will remember!"
Green patted Dick again, then turned and stepped onto the the mermaid.
After a flurry of activity from the sailors amidst Reik Snow's loud shouts, the the mermaid slowly left Pentos Harbor.
Green stood on the deck at the stern, quietly gazing at the Governor's mansion.
Mondon Wei Shui, dressed in a coarse cloth robe with a warhammer at his waist, stood guard beside him.
Green tilted his head, glanced at Mondon, and asked, "What's wrong?"
The fat on Mondon's body visibly trembled.
Mondon had an animal-like intuition, and it was this intuition that led him to "Beast King" Green.
Although Green hardly participated in actual combat, Mondon could sense Green's terrifying power.
Mondon knew very well that as long as Green wished, he could cut down all enemies, including himself, as easily as slicing cheese.
Green had always been gentle, and even more amiable towards his own people, a fact Mondon felt most deeply with his innate talent.
Normally, Mondon wouldn't be startled by Green's calm question.
The reason was that he had a guilty conscience.
Mondon scratched his big head and said foolishly, "I… Pentos's roasted meat has a unique flavor, and I was wondering when Anguy would be back."
Green: "…"
… … … …
… … … …
Night fell, Illyrio's mansion.
After nearly a month of interacting with Green, Daenerys felt that she had suddenly grown up.
Although the time was short, she had also seen many things that she hadn't understood before.
Perhaps Daenerys was born a monarch, only needing the right opportunity.
Daenerys sat upright in her chair, watching Illyrio approach slowly, a faint smile on her face.
Illyrio noticed that today's Daenerys seemed different from usual.
Illyrio's face was calm, but his heart was cautiously alert.
After drawing closer, Illyrio took the initiative to greet her, "Good evening, Princess."
Daenerys nodded slightly and said, "Governor Illyrio, has Count Green left? Please sit."
Illyrio nodded in thanks: "Princess Daenerys, please rest assured, today is a very suitable day for sailing."
At this moment, Daenerys's new handmaidens, Borona and Othana, brought wine glasses and a wine jug.
Borona and Othana were both former centurions of the Thorn Legion, and although they had new identities now, they seemed to be adapting quite well.
After placing wine glasses for Daenerys and Illyrio, they picked up the wine jug and filled them with wine.
"This is the summer red Count Green gave me. It's said to be from Dorne in Westeros, and it tastes sweet. I fell in love with it at first sip."
After speaking, Daenerys took a sip of summer red and continued, "Governor Illyrio, with your vast knowledge, you must have tasted it long ago… But I've been wandering with Viserys since I was little, so this is my first time."
Illyrio smiled humbly and said respectfully, "summer red is brewed from honey plums, cherries, and black oak, which gives it a fruity aroma. Once tasted, everyone can't help but praise its wonderfulness.
summer red is extremely popular in Westeros, whether in the far north Beyond the Wall, or in the south of Dorne, or even in King's Landing, it is the most beloved drink at noble banquets."
Daenerys listened with a smile, and after Illyrio finished speaking, she praised, "You truly are knowledgeable."
Illyrio nodded and said, "When King Viserys reclaims the Iron Throne, all of Westeros will return to Targaryen, and every item there will be yours to enjoy."
Daenerys's lips curved, and she said, "What about my brother?"
"During this time, King Viserys has been busy raising warships to cross the Narrow Sea. Although the King is diligent, he misses the Princess very much. He has just returned here, and in a little while, the Princess can see the King."
What a coincidence… Daenerys smiled faintly: "I must say that's good news."
Illyrio's eyes moved slightly, and he said, "It seems the Princess has good news to share with the King; the King will surely be very pleased."
Daenerys did not deny it, and continued, "Governor Illyrio, ten thousand soldiers are not enough to reclaim the Iron Throne."
Illyrio's smile froze for a moment: "When King Viserys's army sets foot in Westeros, the noble houses will surely raise their armies to assist and follow their true King. The people will roar with righteous anger and fight for their true King, sweeping across all Seven Kingdoms."
Daenerys listened with a smile, then shook her head: "Ten thousand soldiers are still not enough. How many soldiers does the barbarian husband you chose for me have?"
Daenerys didn't wait for Illyrio's answer, continuing, "His name is Drogo? He leads the largest Khalasar tribe in the Dothraki Sea, and it's said he has over forty thousand screaming warriors under him."
Illyrio's eyes trembled, and he said respectfully with a calm expression, "That is indeed the case. That Westeros Count has gathered a lot of information for you, and I have just contacted Khal Drogo. In a while, I will personally meet him to discuss the Princess's marriage."
Daenerys had changed, becoming somewhat unfamiliar to him.
Illyrio suddenly felt that he and Varys should not have facilitated the meeting between Daenerys and Green.
"Every day I live in fear, afraid of awakening my brother's dragon's rage, and also terrified of being abandoned by my brother. This period has been very peaceful for me, and I've learned many things through Count Green. I kept wondering, you are the Governor of Pentos, how could you not realize that ten thousand soldiers are insufficient to reclaim the Iron Throne? Until Count Green bid me farewell…"
Daenerys sighed softly and continued, "Watching him leave, I suddenly understood everything… Parting is painful, but what if it's death?"
Daenerys raised her cup and took a sip of summer red: "Will the barbarian leader fall in love with me, his silver-haired wife? Perhaps, that's not important.
At the right moment, my death at the hands of the so-called usurper is what truly matters. I think it's best if the barbarian leader watches me die before his eyes; that would make it easier for his rage to ignite and for their fire of vengeance to be kindled."
Illyrio's heart skipped a beat.
Daenerys had actually guessed his plan. How did she do it?
Is this the blood of a true dragon? Illyrio suddenly felt a hint of danger.
Daenerys's smile was bright, and she said to Othana beside her in a calm tone, "Pour me some wine."
After giving the order, Daenerys turned to Illyrio and said, "Governor, I have always been very grateful that you took in my brother and me, but…"
Daenerys gripped the full wine glass: "I am the daughter of Aerys II, the sister of Viserys III, Dragonstone Princess, Stormborn, Daenerys!"
Saying that, Daenerys suddenly splashed the summer red from the glass onto Illyrio's face.
Although Daenerys's change today surprised him, and he had begun to be wary of this abnormality, he never expected the usually timid Daenerys to splash wine on him.
Illyrio had been an assassin in his youth, but he had lived a life of ease for nearly twenty years, and with the close proximity, he was thoroughly splashed in the face.
Borona and Othana both gasped, then quickly handed him towels.
Illyrio wiped the wine from his face, his chest heaving as he gasped for breath.
Staring intently at the unperturbed Daenerys, Illyrio casually took the towel offered by the handmaiden: "Daenerys, this is slander and insult…"
Daenerys interrupted, "You dare to manipulate a true dragon at will. You have awakened my true dragon's rage. Your only outcome is death!"
"You…"
Illyrio first felt a chill on his neck, then a sharp pain in his chest.
Borona's dagger slit Illyrio's throat, and Othana's dagger plunged into Illyrio's chest.
They acted swiftly and decisively. Illyrio instinctively clutched his throat and stood for a moment before collapsing stiffly to the ground.
Daenerys desperately tried to control her trembling body, forcing herself to watch the entire process of Illyrio's demise.
Illyrio lay supine in a pool of blood, his eyes wide open in death.
She had done it, she had finally done it!
As Daenerys's tightly held heart relaxed, her body couldn't help but sway. If she hadn't grabbed the chair, she would have fallen to the floor.
Borona immediately walked over and helped Daenerys sit down in the chair.
Daenerys grasped Borona's hand with a trembling hand: "Borona, and Othana, thank you."
Borona shook her head and said, "Princess, we are your guards, and we await your command."
Othana nodded in agreement.
Daenerys looked at Borona and Othana and said, "Illyrio is the Governor after all; we must leave tonight. Othana, leave things here to Borona. Go to the Kleber trading company immediately and have Dick prepare a ship."
Othana nodded in acknowledgment and began to walk towards the door.
Daenerys exhaled and added, "Borona, move Illyrio into the house and prepare plenty of kindling."
At this moment, Viserys's angry voice came through.
"Who was that woman just now? Is she a new handmaiden sent by Illyrio? Why didn't she bow to me when she saw me?"
If it were before, upon seeing her brother's anger, Daenerys would have been terrified.
Now, when Daenerys saw Viserys, she felt no fear at all; in fact, watching her brother's silver hair tremble as he raged, she even wanted to laugh.
Daenerys said calmly, "She is not a handmaiden sent by Illyrio; she is a guard Count Green gave me. They are true warriors!"
Viserys laughed, a cold laugh: "Guards? Warriors? I don't quite understand, my dear sister, are you trying to…?"
Blood… This looks like Illyrio?
Viserys's pupils constricted, and he cried out, incredulously stepping back quickly. If not for the person behind him steadying him, he would have tripped over his own feet.
Daenerys's small face tilted slightly, looking at the unfamiliar man who had appeared in the courtyard.
The unfamiliar man was quite old, around forty years old, dressed in wool leather, with a dark green outer coat embroidered with a bipedal black bear. Although his hair was gradually thinning, his body was still strong.
After Viserys regained his footing, he shook off the unfamiliar man and smoothed his hair.
Viserys mumbled to himself: "My Iron Throne, my Iron Throne, my Iron Throne…"
The unfamiliar man felt Daenerys's scrutinizing gaze and looked back.
After seeing Daenerys's face clearly, the unfamiliar man was stunned for a moment.
Daenerys nodded slightly and said, "Stranger, please introduce yourself."
After speaking, Daenerys's pale purple eyes subtly signaled to Borona.
The unfamiliar man glanced at Borona, who was intently watching him, took a few steps, and bowed with his hand over his chest: "Good evening, Princess. My name is Jorah Mormont. I am from the North of Westeros. I am a knight exiled by the current Iron Throne, and King Viserys invited me here as a guest."
"Ser Jorah, why were you exiled?"
Jorah Mormont hesitated for a moment, then replied, "I illegally sold some poachers I caught to slave traders, which violated Westeros's law prohibiting the sale of slaves."