Chapter 656: Seeking Approval

Pirate Governor Salladhor Saan sought the support of the Iron Throne, yet this was a matter Asha could not decide on her own and required consulting with Viserys.

Fortunately, the fleet wasn't too far from King's Landing at present, merely separated by the Narrow Sea.

If the fleet voyaged to more distant locations, such as Volantis, the Summer Isles, along the Demon Road to Mantarys, or the Slaver's Bay, all matters would fall to Asha to decide independently.

Moreover, upon reaching the ends of the earth, the influence of the Iron Throne would diminish to its weakest, unlike with the trading city-states, who regarded the colossal empire with trepidation.

The Great Masters of the Slaver's Bay, benevolent or otherwise, may not respect an empire miles away, knowing that even if they offend them, the empire would not dispatch a mighty army across vast distances to conquer the Slaver's Bay, as the cost would outweigh the benefits.

If the Iron Throne truly waged such a war, perhaps the extensive consumption and cost could drag down the entire nation.

After a period of silence, Asha expressed the need to seek the Iron Throne's counsel. Pirate Governor Salladhor Saan showed understanding, as this was a significant matter, naturally not one an 'envoy' could agree to hastily.

Subsequently, the Pirate Governor quietly departed from the residence of Governor Mors, as if he had never been there.

Asha, seated on her bed, pondered for a moment before calling for men to drag away and awaken the Ironborn brother at the door.

He had indeed been knocked unconscious by Salladhor Saan suddenly jumping down from the eaves, but was otherwise unharmed. However, the Ironborn who had followed Asha into the city of Meereen were both shocked and furious.

"Who did this?"

They had not expected someone to silently approach their 'princess', but fortunately, Asha was unharmed.

These Ironborn, once loyal to Asha's father, King Balon Greyjoy, still regarded Asha as their princess and Theon as their prince.

Because before the Iron Islands were attacked by the White Walkers, Balon Greyjoy had once again donned the driftwood crown and declared himself king on the Iron Islands.

But regrettably, King Balon did not have the opportunity to complete his mission, restore the 'Old Way', invade the Green Lands, and was assaulted on Pyke Island by White Walkers arriving by boat.

He once sent his younger brother Victarion to Pyke Island to ascertain the truth, but Victarion never returned and was presumed dead.

Subsequently, the White Walkers invaded Pyke, nearly wiping out the Ironborn. Only a few, under Asha's leadership, desperately fought their way out, escaping by ship.

However, facing the astonished and angry Ironborn, Asha remained calm. After contemplating for a moment, she told all her trusted Ironborn not to publicize the matter, acting as if nothing had happened.

The next morning, Asha Greyjoy went as usual to the newly constructed governor's mansion in Meereen.

Built on the ruins of an old palace, the entire city transitioned from old to new, enchantingly realistic, with shattered ruins and emerging structures blending together. Standing on the street, both scenes could be captured in one's gaze.

In Meereen's market, she purchased the locally distinctive 'Meereen Eye', a single-lens telescope, a treasure coveted by every sailor. The higher the quality, the more precious it was, and Asha was no exception.

Especially since her fleet would next need to navigate around the tempestuous area of the Smoking Sea, beyond the Summer Isles, naturally requiring good tools for assistance.

Meereen produced a variety of lace, carvings, screens, paintings, and carpets, massively exported to external city-states. Even the excellent Meereenese glass could match the price of spices from the east. These items, thought to have disappeared with Meereen's destruction, had surprisingly flourished again.

After officially visiting the three governors of Meereen and leaving the governor's mansion, Asha went to the market.

Meanwhile, a fast horse carried her handwritten letter to Pentos.

Pentos also had a Prince's Palace, which once belonged to the ragged prince.

However, the ragged prince, seeking independence in a rebellion years ago, was unaware that he had long been targeted by the internal affairs operatives and was killed on the street as soon as he stepped out of the Prince's Palace.

Since then, the Prince's Palace had been idle, ultimately becoming the office of the 'Iron-faced' Pentos governor, Bessie Joyce.

Days later, Asha Greyjoy's secret letter was delivered to Pentos. Her messenger, led by the guard, entered the Prince's Palace.

"Commander."

The guards of the Prince's Palace were all professional soldiers, the personal guards of the First Legion Commander. Bessie, a humble person who rarely ventured out, was seldom seen by others.

Step, step

Footsteps echoed in the empty corridor. As the Ironborn messenger entered the gloomy hall, he saw a man seated on the throne.

"Huh"

He involuntarily held his breath, then took a deep one.

Because the other's aura was too strong, making him somewhat timid.

The first thing he saw when he entered the hall was a cold iron face staring directly at him.

And sunlight from the windows on both sides of the hall cast oblique light on the floor and pillars. The sturdy man sitting on the throne wore a cold iron mask, and the eyes beneath the mask were not very clear due to the light.

"What is it?"

The hall was completely empty, with only the man in the iron mask sitting on the throne. Then, a calm voice came from beneath the iron mask.

His voice did not become hoarse due to inhaling too much smoke, as rumored, but was surprisingly pleasant.

"Sir."

This Ironborn, who appeared rebellious with his chest bared, became much more subdued in front of Bessie.

He bowed deeply, then took out the handwritten letter from the Princess of the Iron Islands and gave it to the guard beside him to pass on.

However, after Bessie had read Asha Greyjoy's handwritten letter, he placed the paper back on the armrest beside him, his expression unreadable behind the cold iron mask.

"Leave."

"Sir?"

The messenger Ironborn was slightly puzzled, as he did not know what was written in the letter.

But since this mysterious governor, who didn't even show his face, ordered them to leave, the Ironborn naturally dared not stay, only able to bow again and leave.

And the Commander's Guard on the other side, upon hearing Bessie's command, did not hesitate to retreat and pushed open the hall door to exit.