Chapter 8: Shireen Has Changed (2)

"Yes I did, father. I took them down with my own strength." Shireen smiled like a sweet daughter would do to her father.

Heaven was born through adversity. If he hadn't walked on the thorny road, Woo Ma-wang knew he would not have ascended to the throne of the Heavenly Demon Sect.

'There is no such thing as perfect preparation in the world. In my reality, it is only important to prove myself to the best of my ability.' The life of Woo Ma-wang. The interest was familiar, and far from ordinary. But does he want his new life to be normal? That's funny. The life he has lived has made Woo Ma-wang who he is today, and now he has become a person who cannot lead a normal life.

Shireen Baratheon. A new name. In a little girl's body. 'This body will change soon under my image', thought Shireen. She had no intention of hiding herself at all. This evening, a little explanation was needed. Based on the information Stannis had heard from Ser Axell, Shireen gave a common-sense answer.

"Actually, I was doing swordsmanship training separately." Shireen said.

Both Stannis and Ser Axell raised their eyebrows. The fact that a girl is doing a boy's job where noble children are trained at such a young age shocked them.

"Why were you hiding that fact? If you had told me this, I would definitely have given you my full support. I don't care if you are born as a man or a woman. What matters is that you are happy with what you're doing, Shireen." Stannis replied to her response, though he couldn't still believe that his daughter is learning swordsmanship in secret. If only Shireen was born as a man.

'I know. However, there was a time when I was lost and wandered, so I could not confidently ask for something from my father. People call me the cursed child. For me, I wanted to show that I could do it on my own, and although I was self-taught, I was able to reach a certain level. It was an ambiguous answer.' Shireen thought.

'Did she really learn swordsmanship alone?' Stannis thought as he eyed his daughter Shireen. He realized that there are times that he couldn't feel that the child in front of him is his daughter. 'Given that Shireen had the power to deal with the Coin of Pentos, the question was not quickly resolved.'

"How did you deal with Illyrio's organization?" Stannis asked her.

"According to my research, the Coin of Pentos is not a group that has no loyalty with one another. Intimidation and conciliation that started from the bonds formed a point organization, and a small number of leaders took full control of the organization. They were sand castles, and they were scoundrels. I thought that cutting off my head would destroy me at once, so I lured them with false information and attacked Illyrio Mopatis directly."

"You mean you lure him in?"

"Yes, my lord. The Coin of Pentos has shown a clear pattern of behavior in the past. A powerful noble family in Pentos kept their notoriety by keeping their mouths shut when they touched a member of the gang, and by always retaliating for friction with a noble. It's a bit embarrassing to say, but I'm not called a cursed child just because I have this disease since I was a babe." Shireen pointed her greyscale on the left side of her face.

"I was sure they were after me. So they used me as bait, and when his personal sellswords and his Unsullied were dispersed, I attacked Illyrio Mopatis and got his head." Shireen said.

"That can't be! That was way too dangerous! If they had decided to get revenge, they could have given up on Illyrio Mopatis' comfort and killed you!" Stannis' heart sank. Shireen's plan was dangerous. Literally dangerous. Stannis Baratheon's eyebrows trembled at the fact that his daughter had experienced it. At that age. Stannis didn't even kill a person yet when he was at the same age as his daughter.

Then, someone entered their office. A lady wearing regal red. It was Melisandre who is a close counselor to Stannis Baratheon. Shireen doesn't know why a red priestess like her would offer her service to her father. Though Melisandre looked at her with suspicion.

"My lord, my lady, Ser Axell." the red witch bowed her head before them.

"Melisandre, what brings you here in my office?"

"I just want to listen to Lady Shireen's achievements coming from herself. Is it okay, my lady?" Melisandre looked at Shireen.

"I don't see why not." Shireen shrugs.

Melisandre nodded and went to stand beside Stannis on his left. So, Melisandre is standing on the left. Stannis in the center, sitting. Ser Axell standing on the right beside Stannis. They look like they are the core of the House Baratheon of Dragonstone. Foreshadow.

"Now where was I." Shireen paused for a moment. "Well, it is a risky plan, as you said, father. So, in fact, if you could grasp my movements, I thought that the Baratheon knights of Dragonstone would move. And that information must have been delivered directly to the Coin of Pentos. Then I will ask you, father." Shireen began to walk around in her surroundings, "If your father is a member of the Coin of Pentos. With no idea when the Baratheon knights and Pentoshi city watch will arrive, would you risk your life to rescue Illyrio Mopatis? The premise of this plan is that they are sandcastles. There is no reason to risk their lives when those who have been organized through intimidation and coercion can regain their freedom."

It was similar to reality. Shireen attacked the Coin of Pentos. There was no incentive, and after slaughtering all the enemies that filled the space, she secured Illyrio Mopatis, who was about to run away to either call for reinforcements like the Dothraki or fled to another Free City with the exiled Targaryens.

Subsequent situation. The members of the Coin of Pentos abandoned Illyrio Mopatis. As Shireen explained, in a situation where the Baratheon knights of Dragonstone and Pentoshi city watch did not know when they would come, they could not hold the time.

Some truth and most lies.

Shireen solved the situation with common sense. The fact that a weak cursed child killed the entire Coin of Pentos with pure force does not end with revealing herself, but may raise suspicion of her existence. So she gave a realistic answer.

Although she was able to convince Stannis, she did not deny the fact that she had done it herself. Explanation is over.

Stannis Baratheon, who asked over and over, as if in disbelief, was unable to speak from a certain moment.

"Shireen." It was still shocking for Stannis to hear her daughter's achievements.

"You did a really great job. You may haven't been born as a man but my daughter has done what no one else in House Baratheon has ever done. I am proud of you. If only your uncle has the same mindset as yours, the Seven Kingdoms would be in a better place." Stannis Baratheon's sincerity was revealed though he is somewhat speaking in treason. Is it because he was excited?

'Careful decision-making and planning, as well as the courage to carry the plan out. Impressive is an understatement for what she accomplished. And to think Shireen was the one who did such a thing! At such a young age! I haven't even done that when I was her age.' Stannis thought for a moment.

"...Shireen, my daughter, can I ask you one thing?" He wanted to see his daughter's change in person.

"Say it, father."

"I want to check your swordsmanship skills. How my daughter has changed, and what kind of sword you used to deal with the Coin of Pentos. Ser Axell. Can you prepare the training for the morrow?"

"Yes, my lord." Ser Axell slightly bowed before Stannis.

His gaze turned to Shireen again.

'I understood enough. My daughter, who was called an ugly and cursed child, has accomplished something, and of course I can't help but want to see it in person.'

Shireen nodded. She was faithful to the reality that she's giving to the House Baratheon of Dragonstone.

Melisandre looked at Shireen as she exited the office. She was really suspicious of Shireen, especially that she couldn't feel her soul at all. It's like some lost soul is currently inheriting Shireen's body. She'll continue to investigate this further with R'hllor's guidance.

-

The barrack's training ground.

The knights, man-at-arms and levies alike had been training for a while.

"Everyone halt training!" Captain Jate Blackberry, who is the captain of the gate at Dragonstone yelled which halted the training session.

"Pay your respects to Lord Stannis!"

The appearance of the lord, Ser Axell, and… uh... Lady Shireen? Bowed to them with respect.

"We respectfully greet Lord Stannis."

House Baratheon of Dragonstone. In terms of the entire Seven Kingdoms, it is only an island castle that sits off the mainland to the northeast of King's Landing, and a Great House commands the allegiance of the lords of the narrow sea but the status of House Baratheon of Dragonstone within the Crownlands and Stormlands is one of the highest in the area.

Their respect for Lord Stannis was evident just by looking at the knights, man-at-arms and levies who formed the ranks in a perfect harmony.

One of the knights, Devan Seaworth, who is the fifth son of Ser Davos and a promising knight, was confused as to why Lady Shireen Baratheon was present. She's the type of person that doesn't want to go out due to her greyscale in her left side of her face. An eternal insecurity.

Ser Axell Florent looked back at Lord Stannis and Lady Shireen then came forward to talk with the military audience.

"From now, we are going to conduct a swordsmanship battle with Lady Shireen. If you wish to participate, please step forward."

Axell's words were so sudden, none of the soldiers were responding as they were puzzled as to why they would duel a weak kid, and to the knights who were present at the Pentos mission, they wouldn't dare to duel Shireen since they saw what she did back in Pentos. They just glanced at each other.

'What is this all of a sudden…? We're going to deal with that physically weak kid? Let alone a girl?' This was what Devan was thinking.

"Are there no volunteers?" still there was no response from the military.

'Of course not. The opponent is Lady Shireen Baratheon. Even if they win, they wouldn't gain anything, and if they lose, they have to worry about being expelled from the military. So why would anyone want to participate in such a thing?' Devan thought as he eyed the situation.

Axell's eyes scanned the knights only. The Baratheon knights of Dragonstone were, on paper, commoners or smallfolks. Of course, they hoped for a knighthood, but their skills were still lacking in many areas. The problem was now. If it was Shireen, it would be okay to call anyone, but Shireen, who had changed, could not understand the limit.

'There needs to be an expert who can completely subdue Lady Shireen. In order to keep the prestige of the knights as well as to truly confirm Shireen's skills.' Ser Axell thought as he scanned the Baratheon knights of Dragonstone.

"...If there are no volunteers, I will pick one out myself." from the moment when Stannis Baratheon's proposal was accepted, Shireen's opponent was decided.

'I would like to step up myself, but as the captain of the knights, I can't unsheath my sword for something like this. There's only one person fitting for this.'

"Devan."

The brown-haired good looking teenage guy Devan looked at his superior in a distorted expression. Devan doubted his ears.

"Please step forward." Ser Axell said sternly.

"...Pardon, ser?" It's not like any other general knight, but he is the Vice Captain of the Baratheon knights of Dragonstone at such a young age due to his talent in swordsmanship.

"S-ser Axell. I don't think I should be stepping up for something like this." Devan really doesn't want to fight Shireen. The guy pitied her due to Shireen's greyscale though he doesn't hate the little girl. It was a voice of protest.

"Lady Shireen is an expert who faced the Coin of Pentos all by herself. And in order to have a fair match, it's only right for you to step up."

"H-however.."

"Devan." Axell's expression hardened.

Complaints mean that they will not be accepted.

"I understand, ser Axell." Devan bowed his head.

Shireen's deeds are famous among knights. There was debate as to whether Shireen really possessed such great force as to have dealt with the Coin of Pentos, but Devan adamantly said no, because Shireen is just a sweet and friendly child. It doesn't make any sense that a person like Shireen would do such a thing. Well, to see is to believe.

Now, Lady Shireen and young Ser Devan face each other in a dueling stage, equipped with wooden swords. They just looked at each other. Shireen looks dead, bored and relaxed at the same time while Devan was a bit tense that he's dueling a girl.

"Then both sides," Axell gets interrupted by Devan.

"Please hold on for a moment. I have one request." Devan looked at his superior.

"A request?"

"I was taught to treat any duel as a real battle when swords are involved. And no matter who my opponent is, I don't plan on showing them any mercy. If you accept my request, ser, I will gladly take up the honor of dueling against Lady Shireen."

'There is no way that Lady Shireen defeated the Coin of Pentos herself.' Devan thought. After all, this is the most logical explanation he could come up with since Shireen is physically weak due to her greyscale.

Lord Stannis glanced at Shireen and nodded. Axell confirmed Shireen's will. Shireen deviously smiled.

'She smiled..?' Devan gets tensed, he really doesn't want to fight a weak girl that has done nothing to him.

"...I guess Lady Shireen accepted it. Then both sides, get ready."

Shireen and Devan get in a stance as a signal to start the duel.

"BEGIN!"