In the days that followed, Viserys began bolder experiments. Ordinary Skinchangers could usually only form a deep connection with one animal, but Viserys was able to establish stable mental links with three mice simultaneously within just a few days.
This unusual performance caused Viserys to fall into deep thought.
After repeated experiments and comparing them with records in ancient texts, he came up with a possible explanation: as a Transmigrator, his soul had undergone the tearing and reorganization of time and space, subtly changing its essence.
This experience made his spiritual power more resilient and his consciousness structure more unique, allowing it to reach out in multiple directions simultaneously, like the tentacles of an octopus.
Another possibility was that the inherent affinity for magic in the Targaryen bloodline further strengthened this talent. However, the original Viserys did not possess this talent, so his transmigration might have activated the power of his bloodline.
He began systematically training this ability, gradually increasing the number from the initial three mice to five, then seven. Each additional connection required more mental energy, yet his limit seemed far from reached. During this period, he also connected with other animals, such as wild cats and stray dogs.
Simultaneously, he continuously honed his Green Sight. This ability was especially important now that magic was depleted. He learned to distinguish the energy signatures emitted by different objects: the energy of stone was steady and ancient, the energy of flowing water was agile and cool, and the energy of living creatures was full of vitality and change.
Late one night a month later, Viserys decided the time was ripe.
He simultaneously connected with twelve mice, four cats, and three dogs. Their consciousnesses intertwined in his mind, forming a detailed network, the display of which was like a large screen in a monitoring center. Viserys controlled these small animals, guiding them along different routes toward Rhaenys's Hill, where the Dragonpit was located.
This massive circular structure was once the residence of the Targaryen dragons, but now only ruins remained. Under the moonlight, it resembled a sleeping behemoth, exuding an aura of antiquity and mystery.
Viserys manipulated the animals to sneak into the Dragonpit through various crevices. The paths that originally led inside had long been blocked by various debris. Previously, Viserys had to turn back after searching this far, but now he could let the animals squeeze through.
Through the eyes of these animals, he could see the situation inside. It was better than he had imagined; at least the deeper parts of the Dragonpit and the residences of the Dragonkeepers on some platforms were relatively intact.
While controlling these animals to search for dragon eggs, Viserys also deployed his Green Sight, sensing the aura of living things present in each area. The initial search areas only registered the energy of insects and weeds. However, upon passing a certain platform, several bursts of scorching energy emanated from one of the Dragonkeepers' rooms.
He believed this must be the energy signature of dragon eggs. According to records in some books, even when dormant, dragon eggs emit unique magical fluctuations, the power belonging to blood and fire.
Viserys controlled all the animals to push open the door, and his view revealed only some dilapidated wooden furniture. The energy fluctuations he had sensed earlier were coming from beneath a broken wardrobe.
Fortunately, the wardrobe was not made of precious wood and was already somewhat rotten. He controlled all the mice to chew a large hole in the wardrobe, revealing an iron chest buried beneath it. It wasn't locked. He opened the box and saw three dragon eggs lying quietly in padded grooves, each emitting a unique brilliance.
The one on the left had a soft pearl-pink base color, covered with golden stripes, and felt smooth and warm like jade. The golden patterns seemed to flow slightly as the light changed, as if living metal was breathing.
The central dragon egg displayed an indigo blue like a clear sky, scattered with tiny silvery-white speckles on the shell, as if the night sky was imprisoned on the smooth surface. If you stared closely at it, the star points seemed to shift subtly as your perspective changed.
The dragon egg on the right radiated a warm, deep gold, like solidified summer sunlight. The shell surface was covered with milky-white ripples that seemed to possess life, gently undulating against the golden background.
However, amidst his joy, Viserys also noticed some unusual details. Strange symbols were carved into the inside of the iron chest.
Through his Green Sight, he could see that these symbols were emitting a faint, disturbing blue energy. This energy sharply contrasted with the dragon eggs' own energy, seemingly suppressing their vitality.
What made him even more alert was the discovery of some unique instruments in a corner of the iron chest, which appeared to be used for carving Runes.
There were also several fragments of paper covered with writing. Although most of the text was blurred, he managed to make out a few keywords: "suppression," "degradation," and "sterilization." Viserys cautiously dragged out a relatively intact piece of parchment with his mouth to examine its contents.
"According to the instructions of the Grand Maester, these eggs must be ensured to never hatch. We carved Suppressive Runes inside the stone box; this ancient technique can block the dragon eggs' resonance with magical energy. The dragon bloodline must end.
These magical creatures bring only chaos and destruction. The Targaryen Family's reliance on dragons has threatened the balance of all Westeros. We hid the three eggs here, awaiting the appropriate time to transport them back to The Citadel, and we will acquire more dragon eggs in the future, but without drawing the attention of the Targaryen Family or other traitors."
"The Citadel's mission is to guard knowledge, not magic; the Age of Dragons must end. We are confident that we are fulfilling a great mission, even if it costs us our lives."
Reading this, Viserys felt a chill run up his spine. These words confirmed his worst suspicions. The Citadel was not only tampering with the dragon eggs but was also systematically and intentionally eliminating everything related to magic.
He recalled the history he had read during this time. Around 130 AC (Aegon's Conquest), the period when the number of dragons sharply decreased, The Citadel did indeed dispatch a large number of Dragonkeepers to assist the Targaryen Family. Ostensibly, this was to better care for the dragons, but in reality, some among them were executing the malicious plan to exterminate the dragons.
The Citadel had always been hostile toward magic, and dragons, as the representatives of magical creatures, were naturally the focus of their "research."
Just like the Dragonpit itself, it was originally built upon the suggestion of the Maesters. Their intention was supposedly for the safety of the rest of King's Landing and to provide better care for the dragons. However, most of the dragons confined inside grew slowly and were irritable, leading to the deaths of many Targaryen Family members during the process of taming them.
At this moment, he also recalled what Archmaester Marwyn had said to Samwell Tarly in the original work: The Citadel was working to create a world without magic.
Marwyn himself was an "oddity," operating outside The Citadel's orthodoxy, who firmly believed in magic and possessed practical knowledge. He was more of a mystic and a man of action than a traditional scholar.
It seemed only he and a few of his disciples at The Citadel possessed the Valyrian Chain, symbolizing magic and mysticism. He had also traveled to the continent of Essos in pursuit of magic, and had even visited the Ruins of Valyria and survived. In the original plot, the three fossilized dragon eggs Illyrio gave Daenerys were seemingly authenticated by him.
Viserys mused that these dragon eggs likely only survived because the Dragonkeeper who stole them was discovered before he could transport them out, leading to a lockdown in King's Landing. He might have later died directly in the Dragonpit Riot.
Thinking carefully, the decline of the Dragon Family, marked by the event "Dance of the Dragons," had the shadow of the Hightower Family behind it, and the Hightower Family were the lords of Oldtown, which is where The Citadel is located.
Oldtown is also the location of the Starry Sept, the central cathedral of the Faith of the Seven. The Great Sept of Baelor only became the central cathedral later when the High Sparrow became the High Septon. The Faith of the Seven and the Targaryen Dynasty shared a deep, bloody feud.
Although the two sides eventually reached a reconciliation during the reign of Jaehaerys the Conciliator, and they seem peaceful even now, the highest leaders on both sides died during their previous struggles. Therefore, how many undercurrents must be swirling beneath this surface stability?
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