In Tytos's courtyard, Rhaegar wielded the orphan maker, spinning and moving, unleashing a flash of sword light that resembled a gust of black wind. Faster swords, more dazzling silver flames.
In Pentos, Varys and Illyrio were completely finished. They died silently, riddled with wounds.
Rhaegar saw it in the flames—the shameful deaths of the two men. The handsome Illyrio, light and elegant, with shoulder-length straight blond hair, holding a rapier. And Varys, equally young, heavily scented with perfume. People die every day in Pentos; these two rising figures in the criminal underworld remained insignificant. The nobles of Pentos were the Princes, the Magisters, and the visiting Khals.
Fat Miro did not disappoint Rhaegar; he employed a strategy of luring the enemy deep. Illyrio and Varys, considering their youth and current popularity in Pentos, believed the Fat Man was kneeling in surrender. They never suspected this was a premeditated murder. How could Fat Miro, whose hand was nearly severed, pose any danger?
Fat Miro gave the order to strike during the peace talks. Four Unsullied Eunuchs plunged daggers imbued with a black curse deep into the two men's bodies. Illyrio was still trying to shield Varys—a truly moving display of friendship. Illyrio was certainly skilled, but charging recklessly was no match for the Unsullied assassins' technique, especially since the daggers carried a curse, a pain that was insurmountable. Moreover, Illyrio had the burden of Varys.
[fate changer: Fate is vast like a torrent; only the strong can cross it.]
Rhaegar felt refreshed. The martial arts and magic he possessed were now more freely controlled, as if melted into a single forge. Was this a reward from fate? His thoughts were clear, and his mood was pleasant.
Although this timeline might not have Varys, there would likely be Xyris and Tyris. The Game of Thrones would never lack schemers and troublemakers of this sort. But the fact that those two scumbags, Varys and Illyrio, were dead made Rhaegar feel comfortable. To possess power and control destiny is the most gratifying moment for a true man. Furthermore, Varys, following the historical timeline, had given Aerys many terrible suggestions, sickening Rhaegar multiple times. Even if it were purely due to Rhaegar's whims, Varys was destined to die.
Why did these two scumbags, Varys and Illyrio, almost survive until the end? First, they were hidden and cunning, appearing mysterious and harmless, not jewels on the crown. Many viewed them as fawning clowns seeking to curry favor. Clowns are meant to entertain, not attract the most hatred. Second, their social class was indeed too low; they were not nobles and commanded no army. What they controlled was information asymmetry. No one suspected that a eunuch harbored such grand ambitions as attempting to steal the kingdom. That is why Varys could say that storms come and go, massive waves wash overhead, big fish eat small fish, yet he himself was still paddling safely in the sea.
Now that Varys was dead, they could cultivate Fat Miro to occupy this ecological niche, Rhaegar thought.
"My young friend, you have caused trouble!" Magister Illyrio Mopatis exclaimed dramatically to Rhaegar after entering, stroking his blue beard.
Rhaegar paid little attention to Magister Illyrio Mopatis's anxiety. Rhaegar held the orphan maker in one hand, and in the other, a drawing: golden chain links crossed diagonally against a sky-blue background. This was the sigil of the destroyed House Rookston, and Rhaegar wondered if it represented Runes. House Rookston was founded through intermarriage between andals nobles and descendants of the first men.
"My Fat Friend, why all the fuss?" Rhaegar asked, knowing the answer.
"Those two rising stars, Illyrio and Varys, were killed by Fat Miro, the other boss of the Underground Gang, accompanied by several Unsullied Eunuchs. This is too obvious, my young friend; you truly acted too quickly," Magister Illyrio Mopatis mused.
"It was merely a gang feud, nothing to do with me!" Rhaegar declared. He naturally knew the two were dead; he had seen the scene using Fire Sight. But the killer was Miro, and the motive was underworld vendetta.
"Tides rise and fall; it's merely the death of two minor figures. A eunuch thief and a wandering mercenary. Does my Fat Friend attend to the death of every person in Pentos? You would exhaust yourself." Rhaegar looked at Magister Illyrio Mopatis and put away his drawing.
"Their deaths are one thing, but the important figures behind them will be very angry. Secrets are more valuable than silver or sapphires. These two had received funding and cultivation from many important figures, and many great people were fond of or even favored these two elegant young men. A cousin of a Pentos Prince was even preparing to marry his daughter to Illyrio, but Miro killed him directly." Magister Illyrio Mopatis said anxiously, as a servant brought him a cup of fine lemonade.
"Pentos is full of handsome men; why hang yourself on one tree? My Fat Friend, you don't think I should go and apologize, do you?" Rhaegar looked at Oldro. The black sword flashed, and Rhaegar's eyes held a cold glint like a blade. When the Dragon King is angered, blood flows ten steps wide.
Magister Illyrio Mopatis trembled slightly and immediately changed his tone. "The Prince speaks truly. However, the noble whose prospective son-in-law died may not be in a good mood."
"I will be mindful of it. Furthermore, these minor troubles should be handled by you for me. We are well aware of the clever methods Varys and Illyrio had just begun implementing. I heard Varys deliberately searched for orphans and young girls, selecting those who were smallest, quickest, and spoke the least. Varys not only taught them to climb walls and chimneys but also taught them to read and write. Varys's Little Birds would leave gold and silver for clumsy thieves, while specializing in stealing letters, ledgers, and manifests... Later, they stopped stealing altogether, simply memorizing what they saw. If Varys could do it, why can't our Miro? And since he fears Varys's backers, he will definitely lean entirely toward us!" Rhaegar put away the orphan maker and said.
"That is certainly not a difficult matter!" Magister Illyrio Mopatis said. This affair could also be profitable. Why shouldn't he take charge of the new path carved out by Varys?
"My young friend, there is one more thing I need to inform you of. Due to the arrival of the Khals, the Council of Governors is convening irregularly, and I may occasionally be absent. I beg your forgiveness. Also, you need not interact with those savage Khals. They are aggressive and warlike, and furthermore, they do not come from the Civilized World. Every time I host them, I feel a sense of shame and the smell of mutton." Magister Illyrio Mopatis said apologetically.
"Which Khal is it?" Rhaegar asked.
"Khal Balbo and others. More than one Khal has arrived. As you know, the Khals all appreciate Pentos's generosity." Oldro's words piqued Rhaegar's interest.
Balbo, isn't this Khal the father of Khal Drogo? But Daenerys might not be born in this dimension.
Rhaegar had a great idea: he could attend the Khal Meeting, pretending to be Magister Illyrio Mopatis's deputy, posing as a loyal guard.
"My benefactor! I have avenged my brother's death!" Fat Miro passed through the small door, having been transported in a barrel to Rhaegar's courtyard. The Fat Man threw his sword at Rhaegar's feet and then kowtowed to Rhaegar.
"Loyalty trumps everything! My friend, but I hope you can also improve your abilities. Varys was more intelligent and clever than you. But he was too cunning. I prefer loyal people like you," Rhaegar said to Fat Miro.
"I understand!" Fat Miro was deeply grateful. With Varys and Illyrio dead, he was now the boss of the Pentos Underground Gang. It was essential for him to legitimize himself and seek a way out of the criminal life. What better way than to receive sponsorship from a Prince?
"Go and inherit the spheres of influence of Varys and Illyrio, and learn Varys's new tricks. However, Varys always used poison to turn children into mutes and dwarves. I dislike doing that; children are children after all, and one should not be so deranged." Rhaegar instructed Miro.
"Your command is my duty, my benefactor. I shall be fearless and offer my life for the honor of the House Targaryen!" Miro said, kowtowing.
"I have a few tasks for you! First, find information on Illyrio's prospective father-in-law. Second, go and see which Khals have arrived!" Rhaegar directed Miro to act. Miro accepted the order and left. Rhaegar temporarily gave the Unsullied Eunuchs to Miro as well. The turmoil in the underground forces required guards.
Rhaegar rode his black steed to the eastern gate of Pentos, where he saw the figures of the Khals in the distance.
That group of Khals was tall, with reddish-brown skin. Their long, drooping beards were linked with metal silver rings. Their long black hair was dark and shiny, tied into countless braids, with silver bells suspended within, giving them an air of arrogance.
Peace bought with money is destined to lack respect..
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