Inside the cabin of the pleasure barge, Viserys looked at Sealord Ferrego. It was time for him to leave.
Though Ferrego's appearance was plain, like an ordinary middle-aged man, he exuded the aura of someone at the pinnacle of power.
"Viserys, you are a bona fide troublemaker," the Sealord said calmly.
"Because I shoulder an impossible mission, I often bring trouble to the world."
"A man can only choose one path. Looking at your vibrant spirit, I admit I am envious. Without hatred, you could have been a dandy like the Unworthy King."
"Without hatred, I wouldn't be me," Viserys replied. "Men, like swords, need to be polished often."
"Sharp-toothed descendant of Dragonlords, you have stolen enough limelight. Your temper is too explosive, and your skills are too dangerous, so I cannot keep you in Braavos. You've already provoked the Prestayns; it wouldn't do to have you provoking other families."
"You need not worry about money, Your Grace. The Iron Bank will not lend to you for the time being, to avoid offending the Iron Throne. Besides, they are more interested in Robert Baratheon. However, the money lent to you by the Black Pearl and the other courtesans has nothing to do with Braavos," the Sealord reminded him kindly.
"Then I must thank you profusely," Viserys laughed self-deprecatingly.
This was a clever move. It placed a firewall between Viserys and the official stance of Braavos, preventing the Iron Bank from getting directly involved. As for where the courtesans got their money, that was none of Braavos's business. The state wasn't involved; it was all Viserys's personal connections.
"It seems the Iron Bank is far more interested in Robert Baratheon than in me," Viserys noted.
"Robert Baratheon, who usurped your father's throne, currently holds a powerful alliance. Your hope of restoration is slim. Secondly, according to our intelligence from King's Landing, your relative has always been a man addicted to material pleasures. Combined with the war, the construction of a new fleet, and tourneys, his spending will only increase. Sooner or later, he will become a new client of the Iron Bank."
"I see. It seems there are wise men within the Iron Bank," Viserys nodded.
The Iron Bank's judgment was fundamentally correct. Robert appeared strongest on paper right now. And he was indeed an expert at squandering money—hunting, drinking, whoring, tourneys, fleet building... scattering gold everywhere.
Though Viserys suspected someone might be cooking the books and embezzling funds, like Littlefinger.
"The envoys who collect debts for the Iron Bank face more danger than a knight like you," the Sealord said.
"I hope to earn the Iron Bank's appreciation sooner rather than later."
"I hope so too, but certainly not now."
"As the ruler of a vast city-state, none of my orders are made on a whim. I hope you understand," Sealord Ferrego said.
"Land and manpower."
"I know these are your primary concerns," Ferrego said. "Following the Rhoyne south, you will pass the Hills of Andalos and the Flatlands of Pentos, then traverse the Golden Fields. These vast lands lie fallow due to war and Dothraki incursions. There is also the Disputed Lands, which are in a constant state of war."
"As for manpower, some descendants of the Andals and the Rhoynar remain, though the population is sparse. You should know that the Andals migrated en masse to Westeros, and the Rhoynar were destroyed by the Valyrians."
"I know all this," Viserys nodded. It meant starting from scratch.
The development level of the entire continent was low, so this was essentially getting a charter for self-development. The land was there; the bandits, horselords, and Pentoshi were troubles he had to solve himself.
Although there were remnants of Andals and Rhoynar in the East, there weren't many left.
"Regarding the land, I can tell you this: there are still many bandits in Andalos. Although Braavos and Pentos have sent troops to clear them out many times, they have never been fully exterminated. There should be empty forts there that you can use as a foothold."
"Here is a detailed map; take it. I also have a gift for you—a few fine horses from my menagerie. Consider it a send-off for a troublemaker."
"These are precious gifts. I will head south and survey the lands along the way," Viserys said.
Although he didn't get money, he got a map and some good horses.
The territory he envisioned was indeed these southern lands. Viserys also considered something else: his "Justiciar's Judgment" talent might be linked to the sword Just Maid.
Viserys might be able to awaken this sword, a weapon comparable to Valyrian steel.
The Sealord's suggestion was just a suggestion; Viserys was the one orchestrating the plan.
Viserys knew the stories of the bandits in Andalos. Years ago, when the Black Dread disappeared along with a little girl, the Targaryen royal family was in a panic.
When traces of Balerion the Black Dread were found in the Velvet Hills north of Pentos, the Conciliator immediately sent Ser Willam "The Wasp" with a squad of twelve to investigate.
A local guide claimed to know the dragon's location and led Willam and his men there. In reality, local bandits had fabricated the story of the dragon to scare others away. The Westerosi advance party was surrounded and wiped out.
"Alright, Viserys. I wish you a pleasant journey."
"I believe it will be," Viserys pocketed the map given by the Sealord.
Following the Sealord's suggestion, the Velvet Hills or the bandit forts in the Flatlands were places he could try his luck directly.
Viserys left the Sealord's pleasure barge. With a map and leads in hand, the next step was to recruit more men.
Braavos forbade slavery, so there were no Unsullied guards here; the nearest ones were in Pentos and Qohor.
Although Pentos had abolished slavery, its nobles still found ways to keep slaves, using Unsullied to protect their lives.
Walking out of the barge, Viserys felt like a fish leaping into the open ocean. A new campaign and a new adventure were beginning.
"Your Grace," Ser Roland whispered.
As time passed, most of the thrill-seekers had left.
Viserys saw those waiting for him: his family, Ser Roland, the courtesans—Black Pearl, Nightingale, Daughter of the Dusk, Moonshadow—along with Ringo, Syrio, and Sypha.
Viserys felt he was becoming quite the ladies' man.
"Thank you all for your support today," Viserys said.
"From the looks of it, you're saying goodbye," the Black Pearl was indeed sharp.
"That's about the size of it. The Sealord is kicking me out."
"A bit sooner than expected," the Black Pearl smiled with a hint of regret.
Everyone looked at each other. Viserys had clearly won, but fame brought trouble, and he was being evicted as a nuisance.
Some people remained by the Moon Pool, seemingly wanting to join Viserys, as they spoke the Common Tongue of Westeros.
"Dragon King."
"Dragon King."
"I once fought alongside your brother." Many were emotional upon seeing Viserys.
Some were staunch Royalists, but they wouldn't have stepped forward if they hadn't seen Viserys could fight.
While being in the limelight had its downsides, without proving his ability, no one would submit to him.
"Who are these people?" Viserys asked.
"They are adventurers from Westeros who came here to seek their fortune. Not formally knights, but they wish to join you, Your Grace," Ser Roland said happily.
Viserys had made a name for himself, and at least some people were rallying to him.
"People who offended their lords back home?" Viserys asked.
"Yes," Ser Roland nodded. "Most of them."
Many lords in Westeros were tyrannical, naturally driving the poor or outlaws to seek gold across the Narrow Sea.
"Are you willing to pledge loyalty to the true King, His Grace Viserys?" Ser Roland asked.
"We are! We are!" They answered eagerly.
"I want those fluent in the Common Tongue, preferably of peasant stock. They don't need to be knights. Ideally from the Crownlands, King's Landing, or Dragonstone. They must swear loyalty to me," Viserys said.
"We once swore to serve the true King."
"We're willing to go, as long as we get to go back and kill a few lords."
"Good. Pack up; we leave soon," Viserys ordered Ser Roland.
He needed to streamline the manpower, and he would screen them personally later.
"Why are you still here?" Viserys noticed the man from the Second Sons hadn't left.
"I am thirsty for talent, like a man dying of thirst," the recruiter said.
"As you can see, I don't have time to join the Second Sons right now. But we can stay in touch; perhaps we can cooperate in the future," Viserys said.
"That is acceptable."
"Do you still need men?" Ringo asked quietly.
Viserys nodded. "The Sealord has expelled me."
"Easy enough. I'll ask the Westerosi fishermen who are willing to follow you and pick some out for you."
"That would be excellent," Viserys rejoiced internally.
With these connections—the Westerosi drifters who volunteered after watching the duel, the fishermen Ringo found, and the Black Pearl's network—he had his first batch of followers.
Once everyone was gathered, their destination would be the abandoned bandit forts of the Velvet Hills.