Chapter 240: Summer Offensive

"Having talked about Seryna, it's time to discuss the intelligence from the East," Rey shifted the topic back to the most pressing matter at hand. As the most crucial issue in Westeros right now, King Daeron's great expedition, which began right after his ascension to the throne, successfully energized the kingdom. The vast fortune left by Jaehaeris I and Aegon II—enough to fill thirteen warehouses—provided Daeron's military adventures with substantial backing.

And the kingdom's Hand of the King—yes, before departure, King Daeron appointed his uncle, Viserys, as Hand. Despite strongly opposing his nephew's expedition, once the decision was made, Viserys diligently arranged for the army and supplies.

This was why Daeron confidently left only three hundred men and a dragon at the burned city of Lykar Laclen while he chased after the scattered army of Robert.

As expected, Viserys worked meticulously and swiftly. Not long after Daeron's army departed, a second wave of over 26,000 soldiers, along with substantial supplies, farmers, and craftsmen, arrived at Lykar Laclen. These craftsmen and farmers immediately set to work rebuilding the port city. The commanders of this force were the "Blood Lion" Harrold Reyne, Lord of the Westerlands, and the seasoned veteran Domeric Bolton, Lord of the North. This army, equipped with heavy infantry from the Westerlands and old soldiers from the North wearing chainmail and fur cloaks, was one of the toughest in Westeros. After a brief rest, they left 3,000 soldiers to guard the town while the rest began escorting supplies to join the King's forces.

"For the past four months, His Majesty the King has used Lykar Laclen and the newly seized town of Hossaru as strongholds, concentrating his forces to assault the so-called alliance formed by the fragmented factions in the disputed lands."

Rhaegor sneered.

"Indeed, it's a fragmented alliance. Those self-proclaimed powerful warlords and usurpers were all frightened when they saw Robert's fate. The moment their troops saw the dragon, they scattered. Some didn't even need troops; a dragon simply needed to fly over to cause a collapse. This allowed the King's army to break through to the vicinity of Mill Lake in just thirteen days. The so-called 'invincible' Horus's army was destroyed by the combined fire of Prince Dan and Prince Aemon's dragons. Lord Domeric Bolton and Lord Hugh executed a hammer-and-anvil strategy on Horus's main forces, crushing the army formed by the warlord. But Horus is indeed a talented individual. With his underground fortifications and the swamps and rivers around Mill Lake, he managed to hold his line."

Draezell sighed. Indeed, dragons could kill soldiers and burn castles, but a few dragons were helpless against enemies hiding in caves and underground.

According to pre-battle intelligence, Horus was one of the most powerful warlords in the disputed lands. His assistant, "Iron Wall" Motarion, was a former slave from the Slaver's Bay, trained as an architect. After being sold to the disputed lands, he was taken in by Horus, where he applied his talents. He oversaw the construction of Horus's castle and underground fortifications, turning them into a massive defensive system.

Initially, this system seemed useless.

Given the usual scale of brawls in the disputed lands—just a few hundred fighters—such a massive fortress seemed like overkill.

No one could have anticipated that it would actually prove useful.

"Lord Domeric Bolton and Lord Benjicot led the infantry to clear Horus's outer fortifications. However, since Horus is familiar with the land, Lord Domeric Bolton proceeded with caution. For the past four months, nearly three and a half months were spent attacking Horus's fortress with little progress."

Rhaegor said with a sense of regret, "This was something His Majesty didn't anticipate. He wasn't prepared for a prolonged conflict with that alliance, nor was he ready for the dragons to be insufficient."

"He's facing something similar to what Prince Daemon encountered," Rey sighed. He hadn't personally experienced Prince Daemon's conquest of the Stepstones, but Draezell had told him about the long war. "If the King doesn't resolve Horus and Motarion's fortifications soon, and if this drags into a prolonged war, without quickly solving the logistics, this expedition will soon drain the kingdom itself."

Draezell nodded. "This is why I'm reluctant to be part of this expedition, Rhaegor. You are my successor, and there are things you should know. We must ensure that, before the Long Night arrives, we, and the kingdom, suffer as little loss as possible. Rhaegor, keep a close watch on the Eastern offensive, and if necessary—"

He suddenly stood up. "I will personally ride a dragon into battle." He looked into the distance. "Vermithor has grown strong enough. Even the underground fortifications will collapse and melt under Vermithor's flames."

Rhaegor froze. He had never seen his father speak so seriously about war.

"Understood, Father."

At that moment, in Igon's room.

The boy groggily climbed out of bed.

His memory stopped at the point where he was training with his sister. As for the images from his dreams, he had already forgotten them completely.

"Igon, how do you feel now?"

Daenerys, her face filled with concern, sat on the boy's bed, carefully asking, "Are you feeling unwell?"

Sebastian stood by with a wry smile, almost as if he were in a punishment stance.

"Igon, Daenerys is acting crazy. She isn't listening to me at all."

"I'm fine, sister, just suddenly very tired," Igon said weakly.

Suddenly, it was as though a lightning bolt struck in his mind.

He vaguely recalled something—yes, the silver dragon, and the brilliant aurora of the Wall in the icy wilderness.

"I think I dreamt of something."

"What did you dream about?" Sebastian suddenly lunged forward, looking shocked.

"Sebastian, get up!" Daenerys shoved her cousin aside, huffing. "Igon just woke up, don't scare him."

"Daenerys, you're not usually like this," Sebastian said, slightly hurt. "Igon, tell your brother what you dreamed."

Igon carefully recalled the images from his dream, introducing them bit by bit.

Daenerys was still confused. She felt that her brother had had a bizarre dream, the only odd thing being that he had suddenly fallen asleep.

But Sebastian's expression grew more intense as he listened.

He stared at his younger cousin with a grave face.

"If Igon's guess is correct... you might have had a dragon dream. You could be the first dream-walker in our family's history."