Chapter 721: Gillian Lannister

Gillian Lannister, the youngest brother of Tywin Lannister.

He once sailed the Laughing Lion from Lannisport to Valantis, intending to explore the ruins of Valyria and retrieve the ancestral Valyrian steel sword, Lightwhistle. He never returned, and for over a decade, he was presumed dead.

Most believed him to be gone, but in reality, Gillian had survived, outliving all of Tywin's brothers.

After Tywin's defeat, he was beheaded in King's Landing. Kevan was killed over a decade ago while pursuing the second prince of the Targaryen family. Tygett died even earlier, succumbing to smallpox in the 285th year of Aegon's reign.

But Gillian continued to fight for his life. He didn't perish in the Valyrian ruins but narrowly escaped from a monstrous creature.

Though he managed to flee, he seemed to be cursed by the mysterious soil of the area. Only after drinking poisoned wine did he die, but the curse's power resurrected him, transforming him into a half-man, half-fish creature.

He might have found common ground with Benjin Stark had they met.

However, compared to Benjin, trapped in the icy wilderness, Gillian's fate wasn't much better.

Benjin lost his life, his soul residing in a lifeless body, while Gillian was resurrected. His body still had warmth, still needed sustenance, and would bleed when injured. Yet, he had become a complete monster.

Even Gillian struggled to accept his transformation, becoming despondent and evasive.

"I can't run anymore."

A long silence filled the dark room before Gillian's voice echoed again, now completely calm.

Ever since he escaped his grave, he felt uneasy, sensing someone watching him from the shadows, getting closer. That's why he hid.

Gillian believed that the person seeking him was Viserys, as he recognized a familiar scent on him.

Although Gillian rarely ventured out, he remained informed about Westeros's political landscape.

He knew that the silver-haired youth had used Andalos and Pentos as stepping stones, riding dragons to conquer the Seven Kingdoms and claim the Iron Throne.

The Lannister family was decimated, and Casterly Rock was now occupied by the 'Blackheart' Toyne family from the Stormlands, with the motto 'Fly High and Far'. His elder brother, Tywin, was beheaded in King's Landing.

If Gillian had known this in the past, he would've been enraged, vowing revenge for his family. But now, such news couldn't even ignite his anger.

No one could understand his feelings, but he seemed entirely consumed by fear. This looming danger nearly broke him, making him suspect everyone around him.

Thus, anyone who stumbled upon him vanished without a trace, their bodies never found, for they became his food.

Now, Gillian believed that the Iron Throne sent a fleet to search for him.

However, Viserys had no idea he was still alive. When Gillian's grave was disturbed, Viserys assumed the Lannisters had stolen his body for burial.

But Gillian didn't know this. His fragile and sensitive psyche was triggered, making him believe he had to strike first.

"I must kill her myself!"

Finally, Gillian Lannister made up his mind.

Asha returned to her residence in Valantis.

However, recalling her encounter with the High Priest of the Red God and his cryptic words, she felt uneasy.

Especially the words of Benerro, who claimed to sense the aura of a dark god on her, suggesting someone was targeting her and was about to act.

This felt like a threat, especially considering her recent assassination attempt in Tyrosh, where the culprit remained at large.

Asha sat on her bed, deep in thought, then looked out the window.

Outside was the nighttime view of Valantis, illuminated by lights, bustling with people, ancient buildings, statues, fountains, and flowers.

Every corner of Valantis was steeped in history. Although it no longer held its past glory and seemed a bit desolate, it still had more depth than the newly built city of King's Landing.

The empire's fleet docked at Valantis for supplies, the last trade city before Naath. They needed to stock up for the journey ahead.

"What are the people of Naath and the Summer Isles like?"

The short-haired woman pondered these thoughts, placing her dagger under her pillow, then lay down to sleep.

In a way, she and Gillian were in similar predicaments, both plagued by paranoia.

Asha's dreams were haunted by the wights from the night the Iron Islands fell. She feared that closing her eyes would lead to her throat being slit.

Soon, she drifted into a deep sleep. As time passed, the lights outside dimmed until most of the city was shrouded in darkness.

Late into the night, only the Tiger Cloak soldiers patrolled Valantis.

At that moment, a slave soldier with tiger stripes on his cheek spotted a shadowy figure darting around a corner.

"Who's there?"

Since the empire's fleet arrived, a curfew was imposed after bat hour until dawn to prevent any incidents.

It was past curfew, and no one should be outside.

The soldier, with a furrowed brow, exchanged glances with his companion, tightened his grip on his spear, and gave chase.

Soon after, a chilling scream echoed through the alley.

Asha, deep in sleep, was jolted awake by the scream.