Chapter 147: Friends
This is actually asking if everything at the banquet was something I orchestrated myself...
Ian was only slightly surprised that Hazan could guess everything—after all, Illyrio's previous assessment of this person was 'capable'.
It might not be easy for others to discover Ian's intentions, but as the person being helped, it was normal for Hazan to have such doubts.
The only thing that surprised Ian was that Hazan chose to ask in such a direct way, as if he was already certain it was the truth.
"I said it would be my honor to be friends with Your Highness." Ian admitted that his original purpose was to befriend Hazan, and he couldn't hide that.
"I once advised Magister Illyrio to make a choice," Ian continued, "to choose your uncle."
Hazan immediately lost his composure, staring intently at Ian, and asked in surprise, "Magister Illyrio even told you all this?"
"His Excellency trusts me greatly." Ian replied with a smile.
"How did His Excellency Illyrio respond to you?" Hazan pressed.
"Unfortunately, I couldn't persuade him. He's cautious, and both he and the commander prefer to remain neutral."
"That's Magister Illyrio's character," Hazan nodded in agreement, only doubting Ian's claim of success. "I've tried to win his favor many times, but he's never given a positive response."
"So, I've created an opportunity for you—an opportunity to effectively cooperate with the Magister. Whether His Grace Viserys admits it or not, to the outside world, his will is aligned with Magister Illyrio's, and our help to you will be seen by the Sealord's Palace as Magister Illyrio's help to you."
"So why? Why are you helping me? You're a Westerosi knight—well, lord," Hazan corrected. "You've only been in Pentos for less than two months, and we've never crossed paths before."
"But as everyone knows, your uncle Tormo Fregar has the best chance of winning the next Sealord election. And with that commander's support, the next Sealord will be a foregone conclusion," Ian laughed. "So, Your Highness, tell me—what reason do I have not to side with the victor?"
Hazan, of course, was unaware that Ian had played a timing game.
Ian only learned the details of the Braavosi factional struggle after Drogo's banquet, but he used this information to create a more perfect excuse for his previous actions.
At the same time, he offered Hazan a huge reward—helping him gain the support of Illyrio and the Arsenal commander behind him.
With such a huge benefit as bait, he would gain sufficient influence over Hazan.
Unfortunately, upon hearing such great news, the first reaction in Hazan's eyes was not excitement, but something extremely complex—more like something strange.
"My uncle won't let you and Magister Illyrio down," Hazan's emotion flashed by, followed by an excited smile. "Ian, if you can really help me persuade Magister Illyrio, I'll owe you a tremendous favor."
Well, this guy doesn't believe I can persuade Illyrio at all, Ian chuckled inwardly.
"Well then," Ian said, glancing around, "I think you'll already owe me a tremendous favor before I help you persuade Magister Illyrio."
The main viewing stand was now empty except for himself, Hazan, Delilah, and Daeren. It was quite far from the other stands, so their conversation was unlikely to be overheard. And being underground, there were no birds or beasts around, not even rats, thanks to the cleanliness of the floor.
"I don't understand what you mean."
"The Sealord's Palace has turned your two Water Dancers against you, deciding to have them defect to Suthra's side during the actual competition." Ian dropped this bombshell.
"How did you know that?" Hazan wasn't surprised by the news itself, but rather that Ian actually knew about it too.
"You already know?" Ian blurted out.
"Well..." Hazan hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "I did get the news."
Damn! How could that be? Ian couldn't help but feel absurd.
Logically, Suthra wouldn't be stupid enough to leak such crucial information so easily, right?
Or was there a mole within the inner circle of the Volantis faction?
"Don't feel disappointed," Hazan seemed to notice Ian's letdown. "Regardless, the fact that you were willing to tell me such important information proves your sincerity, Ian.
As a friend, even if I don't really owe you anything, just let me know if you ever need my help. At worst, you can owe me a favor." He laughed as he spoke.
Ian could sense his sincerity, at least when he said those words. Unless his acting skills had reached a level comparable to his own.
"So, even knowing those two Water Dancers would defect, you're still so confident of victory? You know, Suthra has quite a few champion gladiators and a formidable Andal knight."
"Actually, no," Hazan sighed, choosing to be honest. "I planned to kill the two Water Dancers before the tournament started. That way, even if they couldn't serve me, at least they couldn't help Suthra.
If it were just the two of them betraying me, with the unexpected help of Master Yada under your command, I would still have a solid chance of defeating Suthra. But just yesterday, bad news came from Suthra's White Sands Pit."
"What was it?"
"Suthra just acquired a very powerful Andal sellsword. That fellow cleared the preliminaries in just one afternoon, and then killed Suthra's champion—'Banshee's Claw'—in a mere three minutes."
Unexpected, huh? That's one of my men, Ian thought to himself with a smirk.
"According to my men who were watching from 'White Sands'," Hazan continued, "that fellow's strength is probably no less than Suthra's personal guard captain, Ander Poole, and that 'Elephant Slayer' from Ibben. With two Water Dancers gone, our chances of winning are only about fifty-fifty."
Ian breathed a sigh of relief.
Firstly, because Hazan could say the odds weren't good without worrying about him abandoning his plan to have Yada fight for him—that would put Yada in a desperate situation—it showed he truly valued him as a friend.
Secondly, even with Hazan's low odds, Ian still had the opportunity to do him a favor.
"I suddenly have an idea, Hazan," Ian said, "about those two Water Dancers."
"Oh?"
"Do you think we could find a delayed-acting poison for those two Water Dancers to drink, so that after the match begins, when they fight for Suthra, the poison takes effect?"
Could they really do that? Hazan's eyes widened, as if a new world had opened up for him. He quickly looked at Delilah beside him: "Does this poison exist?"
"Greycap powder, Your Highness. The effects of this poison will take hold in six hours. Symptoms include diarrhea, dehydration, vomiting, and severe abdominal pain, especially if it occurs on the fighting platform..." Delilah didn't finish her sentence, but her meaning was clear.
Hazan became excited, immediately hugging Delilah and kissing her, then rising to embrace Ian.
"You've been a tremendous help, Ian. I don't know how to thank you."
"Not only that, I will also recommend some substitute champions to you," Ian said, pointing to Case standing below the viewing stand. "One of them is my sworn sword, Ser Case," this was the first time Ian had mentioned Case's real name. "He is the most powerful knight I have ever seen. Even the Water Dancer, Master Yada, admits she is no match for him."
Raising the stakes in the tournament was a last-minute decision by Ian.
Firstly, to further secure his chances of victory.
Secondly, because he felt Hazan's personality was suitable for a deeper friendship.
If a future break with Illyrio is inevitable, then Hazan's friendship will be his biggest asset.
(End of Chapter)
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