Chapter 662: The Valyrian Emperor

"Rebuild Valyria?"

"Restore the ancient empire?"

Oberyn's words silenced the chaotic throne room so completely that one could hear a pin drop.

Only a few seconds of silence passed before it erupted, as if a bomb had gone off.

Every noble present knew of Valyria's fame, even those with the least knowledge.

It was the greatest empire ever established by humanity, with the mightiest armies on land and in the sky, legions of slaves numbering in the hundreds of thousands, and hundreds of dragons under their command.

When they existed, they enslaved the whole world, their influence even reaching a distant eastern kingdom where people had heard of the Freehold of Valyria.

They audaciously proclaimed themselves the 'kingdom that could challenge the gods.'

"My gods."

"How can this be?"

The room was abuzz with disbelief and wonder, discussions filling the air. Among them, white-haired and bearded nobles blinked in astonishment.

"This is truly shocking."

"His Majesty's ambitions seem boundless."

Their sharp political senses and vast experience told them that this wasn't just about a title. It revealed an ambition to conquer the world behind the empire's name.

The Freehold of Valyria had been destroyed in the Doom, and now many cities and families claimed to be its successors.

For instance, Lys and Volantis.

Lys was an original Valyrian colony, never having been conquered, while Volantis was the oldest Valyrian colony, hailed as 'Valyria's eldest daughter.'

But none of these self-proclaimed 'heirs to the Freehold' had a better claim than the Targaryen family.

The Targaryens were one of Valyria's forty dragonlord families, eligible to participate in choosing the ruler of Valyria. Within its shimmering walls, these forty families, often at odds, vied for power and glory in a never-ending, treacherous, often bloody struggle.

This gave the Targaryens the strongest claim to the ancient empire. In this world, apart from the Targaryens, no one else had this right.

Meanwhile, Volantis, known as 'Valyria's eldest daughter' and 'Mistress of the Summer Sea', was merely a slave in the days of the empire.

How could slaves claim to be heirs to the Freehold?

The Targaryens were among the lords of the Valyrian Freehold. Viserys was now the world's last dragonlord, the final Dragon King.

One day, when he stakes his claim to the Freehold of Valyria, the claims of other cities would be as insignificant as dust.

"By staking our claim to Valyria, won't we face opposition from the Free Cities?"

Someone in the throne room voiced their concern.

"Opposition from the Free Cities?"

"Should we even care?"

Another retorted arrogantly.

Under the rise of the Iron Throne, the Free Cities seemed less significant. Westerosi nobles, once oppressed by the Free Cities and the Iron Bank, now sang a different tune.

"I agree!"

"His Majesty is the last Dragon King, the rightful heir to Valyria."

At that moment, the stout Grand Maester Marwyn spoke.

He was the most excited about changing the title to Valyria and asserting the Targaryens' claim to the Freehold. His extensive research on Valyria had made him deeply fascinated by the great empire.

Their king was the heir to that great empire. His bloodline was of the sacred dragonlord family, fully qualified to inherit and rebuild the grand empire.

"The Freehold of Valyria had a system where the king was elected by the forty dragonlord families. This doesn't align with our current system."

"We have one king, ruling lands from Greenstone to the Wall, from Sunspear to Castle Black, with countless citizens, a blend of various cultures and languages."

"A wise man once said that in his kingdom, a king is supreme, he is an Emperor!"

"So, I propose that His Majesty's title be changed from 'King' to 'Emperor'!"

Grand Maester Marwyn stood before the Iron Throne, addressing the gathered nobility, then turned to the young silver-haired man seated on the throne. His deep voice echoed throughout the hall.

The hall was abuzz again, but the discussion was less intense than before. The sudden claim to Valyria was a massive surprise.

However, the idea of changing Viserys's title from king to emperor was less shocking.

The power of their nation could already be termed an empire. In both the Common Tongue and High Valyrian, an emperor indeed held a higher rank than a king.

Whether they were Andals, Rhoynar, or Valyrians, the term "emperor" was understood as 'king of kings' or 'ruler of rulers.'

An emperor typically held military, political, and judicial powers, having more centralized authority than a king.

This was why the Dragon King Aerys, who escaped the Doom of Valyria, chose to proclaim himself the Valyrian Emperor instead of King.

"It has my support!"

"I agree!"

"I believe His Majesty should become Emperor."

Other councilors, who had been silent, now voiced their opinions.

The throne room of the Red Keep was the political heart of the nation. Every whisper here could turn into a storm sweeping across the country.

When the councilors voiced their opinions, it sent a clear signal. The gathered nobility, though varied in their knowledge, were no fools. They caught this signal and began chanting Viserys's name.