Two days later, news of Stannis's death spread throughout Westeros. Thus, while the Seven Kingdoms were still embroiled in the War of the Five Kings, one of those kings had already been replaced by a more powerful one.
The current landscape of the continent saw the King in the North holding only the North and small portions of the The Riverlands and the Westerlands. The King of the Iron Islands held the Iron Islands and small parts of the Westerlands and the North. The King of the South held the Stormlands and small portions of The Reach and the Crownlands. The iron throne controlled most of the Crownlands, the Westerlands, and the The Riverlands.
As for Viserys, the powerful king who had risen like a sudden storm, he held the Vale and all of Dorne, along with small parts of the The Riverlands and the Crownlands. Moreover, he possessed the largest, strongest, and most high-spirited army on the entire continent.
After dealing with Stannis, Viserys returned to the Crabs Claw Peninsula with Rhaenys.
The second wave of troops had now completely finished landing, and the third wave was on its way. The total force on the peninsula now exceeded eighty thousand men; except for the Empire's cavalry, almost everyone had arrived.
With Dorne's thirty thousand troops pinning Renly down in the Stormlands, and the Vale's twenty thousand cavalry having already crossed the Mountains of the Moon and ready to head south at any moment—and since cavalry march faster than infantry—it was now the perfect time for them to march on King's Landing.
Viserys stood on the walls of Whisperfell, looking down at the dark mass of the army below. Over eighty thousand troops were drawn up in neat ranks, a black tide stretching from the camp all the way to the sea. The Three-headed dragon banners held high snapped in the sea breeze, and the soldiers, clutching their weapons, looked up excitedly at their King.
Viserys recalled the scene thirteen years ago when he had retreated from Dragonstone to Braavos with two thousand men. He had been small then, with little power, possessing only a symbolic crown and a vague understanding of the future. After all, because of his transmigration, the plot had changed slightly.
But now, he possessed the most powerful empire in all of Essos.
Rhaenys stood beside him, wearing black and red dragon-riding leathers, with dark sister hanging at her waist. The sixteen-year-old girl's expression was solemn now, an excited light burning in her purple eyes.
Looking down at the massive army, an indescribable surge of excitement rose in her heart. She had never seen so many soldiers, so many banners. This was the Targaryen army, her brother's army, the army that was going to reclaim the iron throne and seek vengeance.
Of course, on a day like today, Duke Arthur, Lord Connington, and Duke Willem were also present.
Seeing that the time was right, Viserys's voice, amplified by magic, rang out across the entire camp: "Soldiers, today, we set out for King's Landing!"
Eighty thousand men erupted in a thunderous cheer simultaneously. Viserys raised his hand, and the cheering gradually subsided.
"Thirteen years ago, the traitor Robert usurped the regime of the Targaryen dynasty," he said. "My father died because of it, my brother died, and my sister-in-law and nephew died as well. My sisters and I retreated overseas, struggling to survive in a foreign land."
He paused and continued, "But today, we have returned. With dragons, with an army, and with the true legitimate heir of the Seven Kingdoms, we are going to take back everything that belongs to us!"
"Long live Targaryen!"
"Long live His Majesty Viserys!"
"Long live the True Dragon!"
The cheers rose wave after wave, echoing through the clouds. The dragons flying in the sky also let out bursts of roars, as if responding to the soldiers' cries.
"Is everything ready?" Viserys looked toward Lord Connington.
Lord Connington replied, "The existing forces have all been assembled, and there are enough provisions for the army for a month."
Viserys nodded and said, "Then, as planned, your Golden Company will serve as the vanguard."
Lord Connington smiled slightly and said, "As you wish, Your Majesty."
"Then let us depart." After Viserys said this, Connington and the others went down to lead the troops, while Duke Willem would take ships to arrive at the walls of King's Landing first.
"Are you nervous?" Viserys asked, taking Rhaenys's hand beside him.
Rhaenys shook her head, but her hand clearly tightened for a brief moment.
"When we get to King's Landing," Viserys said, "you might see many more dead people."
Rhaenys was silent for a moment, then said, "I know, brother. I won't be like I was before." This was true; in the later operations to wipe out pirates, Rhaenys had even killed several with her own hands.
Viserys patted her waist without saying more and jumped directly onto the back of Ghidorah, who had been crouching below the wall. Rhaenys also mounted her Meraxes. The two dragons simultaneously let out a thunderous Dragon Roar, spread their wings, and soared into the sky.
The main Targaryen army left the Whisperfell camp and advanced toward King's Landing along the only major road on the Crabs Claw Peninsula. The eighty thousand-strong army was magnificent, stretching for dozens of miles, their banners blotting out the sun.
At the very front was the Golden Company, all wearing gold armor and carrying the Three-headed dragon banners, their steps rhythmic and thunderous. Behind them was the Empire's Freemen Legion, a dark tide of people with no end in sight. Finally came the logistics units, with countless wagons carrying provisions and supplies, following closely behind the main army.
In the sky, ten dragons circled and danced, occasionally letting out thunderous Dragon Roars. Passing through some villages along the way, many commoners spontaneously gathered on both sides of the road to watch this rare spectacle.
However, when they saw the dragons occasionally flying low over the army, they were frightened into retreating, huddling together. But when they saw that people were actually riding on the dragons' backs, they couldn't help but stop, wanting to see his face clearly.
The lords of the Crabs Claw Peninsula had long since sworn fealty and even sent troops to accompany them; their colorful banners were particularly conspicuous in the ranks. Thus, the initial march was unimpeded. As for the minor lords of the Crownlands, they had already heard the news.
When the array of Viserys's army appeared before them, they had no choice but to obediently open their castles and choose to bend the knee in surrender. Viserys did not make things difficult for them; he merely took some hostages, requisitioned provisions from their lands, and continued his advance.
Among those who surrendered, there were no truly important figures; the one with the highest title and strength was the Lord of Rook's Rest, Lord Staunton. In this manner, the army reached Duskendale.
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