Viserys's gaze swept over the two ships, noncommittal. He naturally saw Salladhor's guilt and attempts to curry favor, but the man was indeed still useful. Especially concerning procurement, a pirate captain operating between black and white was sometimes more convenient than a "legitimate merchant."
"Remember your place, Salladhor," Viserys said slowly. "However, you may continue your previous raiding in the future. Lately, let those two ships show themselves often; afterward, I will arrange to take them over and operate under your banner. Understand?"
Viserys decided to use these two ships for future material purchases.
Salladhor was stunned for a moment, then overcome with joy. These words meant that the other party would not only forgo investigating his suspected act of "interception"—though his original intention was truly just to see if there was a profit to be made.
Moreover, he was even being allowed to continue his previous way of life, possibly leading to deeper cooperation. As for operating under his banner? Didn't that imply a certain degree of "authorization"?
"Understood, perfectly understood, My Lord," Salladhor quickly nodded.
To completely intimidate Salladhor, Viserys also demonstrated the newly learned Fireball Magic to him. Watching Viserys conjure a fireball out of thin air, Salladhor was indeed a few degrees more fearful than before.
Viserys said no more and let him return.
Ser Jon secretly breathed a sigh of relief and ordered the fleet to readjust its course and continue forward. He took a long look at the pirate ships in the distance that still dared not move, especially the short, stout figure on the ship who was still bowing and scraping, gaining a new understanding of the young King in his heart.
Salladhor Saan watched the fleet sail away until it became a black speck on the horizon before collapsing onto the deck and wiping the cold sweat from his forehead.
"Boss, what was that just now..." A newly recruited subordinate edged closer, asking with lingering fear.
"That is someone we cannot afford to offend," Salladhor gasped, his expression complex. "From now on, keep your eyes open. Also, those two ships. Clean them up well, they will be useful later." Saying this, he pointed to the *Flying Fish and the Wave Surge*.
The rest of the voyage was uneventful. Weeks later, the fleet passed through the gradually thinning outer edge of the Smoking Sea, following Blackflame's familiar route, and safely arrived at the Kiss of Astapor on the southern tip of the Valyrian Peninsula.
The two black rock pillars known as the Gates of Sighs still stood, but they seemed less terrifyingly apocalyptic.
What was more surprising was that deep within the fjord, neat wooden docks and simple houses had appeared on the originally desolate black sand shore.
Because the black dragon had arrived at Satheryn Castle ahead of time, Ser Arthur Dayne was waiting on the shore with his men to greet them. The crowd included not only former veterans but also many unfamiliar faces—laborers bought from Slavers Bay.
The initial settling-in was busy and challenging. Moreover, everyone was shocked again when the personnel truly faced the giant dragon for the first time later on.
Viserys quickly organized the personnel. Craftsmen and laborers with construction experience were centralized, and using Satheryn Castle as the core, they began expanding the residential area.
The castle structure itself was very sturdy, requiring only cleaning and repair. More effort was focused on building row houses, warehouses, workshops, and defensive structures large enough to accommodate all personnel.
After everything was completed, he immediately summoned all core personnel, along with the old scholar Marion, and held the first formal meeting of New Valyria in the main hall of Satheryn Castle.
"This place will be the starting point of our new homeland." Viserys pointed his finger at the spread-out hand-drawn map. "Satheryn Castle is strategically located, easy to defend and difficult to attack, and there is a source of fresh water nearby, making it suitable as our initial base camp. But our goal is not to hold fast to a single corner."
His finger traced a winding line on the map. "This is a branch of the ancient Valyrian Road, connecting several important strongholds along the southern coast of the peninsula. Our mission is to clear and ensure the safety and accessibility of this route. Blackflame will be responsible for aerial reconnaissance and threat elimination."
"And after the clearing, Your Majesty?" Ser Arthur asked.
"Construction," Viserys stated firmly. "We need more residential areas, farmland, and harbors. Valyrian Blackstone is the best building material."
He looked at the old scholar. "Maester Marion, are there any records in the acquired documents regarding Valyrian architecture, especially 'Dragonfire Stone Shaping'?"
Marion nodded excitedly. "Yes, Your Majesty. Using specific types of volcanic rock powder as a binder, combined with Dragon Fire, one can melt and reshape obsidian, which becomes incredibly sturdy once solidified. This is one of the secrets to the magnificence and durability of Valyrian architecture."
"Very well."
Thus, besides its security duties, Blackflame gained another important job: Engineering Dragon.
The first batch of blackstone was shaped into regular long strips and used to pave the main road from the docks to the castle platform. This road, named the "Dragon King's Avenue" by Viserys, was straight, level, dark, and shiny, becoming the most noticeable landmark of the new settlement and greatly facilitating material transport.
Time flew by; three years passed in the blink of an eye.
In the three years, centered around Satheryn Castle, a town with hundreds of stone houses, neat streets, a small square, workshop areas, warehouses, and a temple had been completed. There were also several smaller strongholds.
The temple here temporarily enshrined The Seven Gods and the Valyrian Gods. Ghidorah had sensed that these gods likely ceased to exist long ago. Therefore, Viserys transferred the power of their faith onto himself.
During this period, personnel were added in several batches, totaling nearly two thousand, and the structure became more rational. A number of Bed Slaves were also purchased to boost the birth rate here.
The biggest change came from the external environment.
The Smoking Sea surrounding the Valyrian Peninsula thinned and dissipated at a visible rate. The former death zone gradually revealed a peninsula landscape that was no longer entirely inaccessible.
This change inevitably attracted outside attention.
Over the three years, no fewer than ten overt or covert exploration teams attempted to land at various points along the Valyrian coast.
Some were directly reduced to charcoal on the sea surface by Blackflame's Dragon Fire. Those who managed to land were quickly eliminated by the patrol teams led by Ser Arthur.
Viserys deliberately used Blackflame to create terrifying legends and allowed a few "accidentally" escaped survivors to spread news that "Valyria still harbors terrible curses and monsters," thereby delaying large-scale external investigation.
However, after three years of growth, Ghidorah's size had increased to thirty meters, an astonishing growth rate. And under Viserys's will and Ghidorah's indirect guidance, Blackflame also became increasingly powerful and submissive.
On the morning of this day, Viserys stood on the highest tower of Satheryn Castle, looking eastward.
The once thick, grayish-yellow Smoking Sea had dissipated. Standing here now, one could easily see the distant broken mountain ridges. On clear days, one could even see the horizon of the Summer Sea.
The obstruction was gone.
The world was about to see a New Valyria, a Valyria belonging to the Targaryen.
The young dragon that once lay dormant in Valyria had now spread its scaled wings. It was time to announce to the world that the dragons had returned.
Inside the council hall, figures filled the long table. All eyes focused on the silver-haired King who pushed open the door and entered. His steps were steady, and a calm, resolute fire burned in his violet eyes.
"Gentlemen," Viserys said, taking his seat at the head of the table. "The Smoking Sea has completely dissipated, and the barrier is gone. Now, it is time for us to discuss the future."
Ãdvåñçé çhàptêr àvàilàble óñ pàtreøn luffy1898