Chapter 207: Introducing a Few Evil Gods for You to Worship

Afterward, the old widow asked Dany several detailed questions—about the Dragon Queen's character, the intentions behind some of her policies, the current situation in Slaver's Bay, and strategies for dealing with the Allied forces.

As long as it concerned publicly available information about Slaver's Bay, Dany provided detailed answers. For certain private matters that were difficult for outsiders to know, she clearly stated that she was unaware.

The widow gained a lot of useful information from her, and in turn, Dany also learned more about the widow's character through their conversation.

The Waterside Widow was pragmatic. She indeed had a strong inclination toward abolishing slavery and didn't even hide her anticipation of the Dragon Queen liberating Volantis.

However, her goals were entirely different from Dany's. Dany simply wanted to free the suffering slaves, while the so-called "Whore of Vhagarro" and the slaves were already two separate classes—she only cared about advancing further, using the slave liberation movement to elevate her status and position.

Dany didn't feel outraged by this, nor did she think the widow's mindset was problematic.

They talked for over an hour until a maid came in to inform them that the Shadowbinder had returned from the eastern city. Only then did they end their conversation.

The Waterside Widow arranged for a small alcove to serve as the meeting place between Dany and the Shadowbinder.

Before leaving, she also had a maid pack a paper bag of fried locusts as a gift for Dany.

"Lisbon is dead—murdered by members of the New Second Sons for his wealth," the Shadowbinder said coldly, her anger evident.

"The New Second Sons? That Braavosi bastard's bastard, Zidane?" Dany asked in surprise.

Compared to the Windblown under the Rags Prince, the New Second Sons were far luckier. At the end of the Battle of Yunkai, they had charged into the city alongside the Ghiscari cavalry. Realizing they had fallen into an ambush, they did not put up the desperate resistance that the Windblown had.

Dany hadn't bothered to target the New Second Sons specifically, even though the "Titan's Bastard" had insulted her before. She had been far too busy at the time to care about such small fry.

Of course, as a newly formed company with a weak foundation and no money to pay ransom, the New Second Sons had been left in a labor camp, farming the land.

However, when Danzo of the Windblown came to ransom his own men, he also paid the ransoms for the New Second Sons and other small mercenary groups.

The money had come from the New Ghiscari.

"It has nothing to do with Zidane," the Shadowbinder shook her head and sighed. "Did you see the recruitment posts outside? All the mercenary companies are expanding. The New Second Sons now have 1,500 members—three times their previous number.

"Mercenaries are untrustworthy to begin with, but at least a captain should be able to control his own men. Now, however, things have completely spiraled out of control.

"Lisbon was killed on Sweetwater Street, a busy area where his body was discovered almost immediately—while it was still warm. The Tiger Cloaks questioned a few nearby witnesses and quickly identified the likely culprits.

"When I investigated, Zidane gathered his men and found that nearly a hundred were missing. Accounting for those who might simply be out carousing, at least twenty mercenaries had fled."

"What's the deal with this Dragon-Hatching Sorcerer Order?"

"Volantis has three Triarchs, and they believe that multiple sorcerers working together can make better decisions. There's no limit to the number of members in the Sorcerer Order, but there are only three leaders—besides me, there's a necromancer and a blood priest of the Black Goat."

"You came to me…" Dany hesitated. "I'm afraid I won't be much help to you!"

She was beginning to understand the situation. The Sorcerer Order had three major figures, each forming their own faction. Fire Mage Lisbon had originally been a subordinate of the Shadowbinder.

Last night's gathering of supernatural individuals was likely the Shadowbinder's way of assessing the abilities of these independent practitioners and recruiting new followers.

Just like the mercenary companies were expanding, the three leaders of the Dragon-Hatching Sorcerer Order were also frantically pulling in people.

As the acknowledged top talent of the younger generation in Westeros and a recipient of Valyrian sorcery inheritance, Lisbon had undoubtedly been a key aide to the Shadowbinder.

But now he was dead—and in such a pathetic manner. The Shadowbinder was left weakened, so she now sought to recruit "Priestess Leila."

"You have talent—greater than Lisbon's. You even inherited the Valyrian token from him. Your future is at least as promising as his was."

Was that supposed to be a compliment?

No matter who you were, your future couldn't possibly be worse than that unfortunate guy's!

"By the way, I heard Red Priests can resurrect people," Dany's eyes lit up with an idea. "Maybe you could ask a Red Priest to revive Lisbon?"

The Shadowbinder shook her head. "Impossible. Lisbon is not someone R'hllor has a use for."

"You don't want to join this grand assembly?" The eyes behind the red lacquered mask were filled with confusion. "Even if we set aside the rewards, you could at least learn a great deal of mystical knowledge. I thought you longed for the supernatural world."

"Of course, I want to study sorcery, but…" Dany was both tempted and hesitant. "Are there many extraordinary individuals in the Sorcerer Order? I'm not from Volantis—I won't be staying here for long."

The Shadowbinder didn't push further. After thinking for a moment, she said, "How about this—tonight, Maraccio will host a banquet for the Sorcerer Order at the Sky Tower. Come with me and take a look. You might even get a chance to see a dragon egg. Then you can decide whether you want to stay."

"Alright." This time, Dany agreed without hesitation.

They then discussed "Priestess Leila's" future career plans for a short while—no longer than the time it took to finish a cup of tea.

After arranging their meeting time and place, the Shadowbinder rose and took her leave.

"It looks like I'll have to delay my departure from Volantis by one more night," Dany said, staying in the small alcove within the stone walls of the west hall. Instead of leaving, she pulled in her White Knight and told him about tonight's banquet at the Sky Tower.

It was only now that Dany noticed the numerous similar alcoves embedded in the four walls of the public rest area. The doors were half-covered by potted vines, resembling private booths in modern hotels. From inside the alcoves, one could observe the main hall, making them perfect for sea traders to conduct semi-private business discussions.

Hmm, discussions about murder and robbery should be conducted in the underground chamber beneath the rockery.

The White Knight expressed his concern, "Wouldn't it be too dangerous for you to enter the Black Wall alone? Too many people have seen you—those Volantis merchants who went to Astapor for goods, the mercenaries who were captured and later ransomed, and the Ghiscari slave masters."

"Heh, don't worry." Dany waved her hand dismissively and smiled, "Do you even know what Qwithe looks like? Or how about Tham?"

"Uh..." The old knight was momentarily stunned. When he realized what she meant, his mouth twitched. "Are you planning to switch professions and become a Shadowbinder?"

Dany chuckled, "Why not? Everyone knows that being a priest of the Seven is a dead end, and 'Priestess Layla' is deeply fascinated by mysterious powers.

Shadowbinders are among the most powerful and enigmatic supernatural professions. What's wrong with aspiring to be one? Tham even praised my foresight! She promised that whether I join the Mage Order or not, she would introduce me to a few demons."

"Introduce you to... demons?" The White Knight's eyes widened.

"Yes, the true names and images of demons—akin to evil gods." Dany nodded, her expression complicated. "Far beyond the Shadow Lands, there's a place shrouded in darkness all year round. It is said to be connected to the underworld.

Regardless of whether the rumors are true, that place has indeed birthed many demons—real, powerful entities. Through blood sacrifices and prayers, mortals can receive their responses."

"Are you really planning to—"

She raised a hand to cut him off, sneering, "When I've lived long enough, I'll take my dragons to visit them one by one—just to slay them all and feed them to my dragons!"

"Uh..." The old knight's face twisted, at a loss for words.

He had been worried that Her Majesty would succumb to the temptation of power and start worshiping evil gods, but he hadn't expected her to be so... fierce. He couldn't even dissuade her—she had made it clear that she'd do it when she had lived long enough.

Sigh, by that time, I will have been dead for many years. Let the future White Knights worry about it.

The old man sighed inwardly.

"By the way, I need you to leave the city for a task." Dany suddenly gave a sly smile and leaned in to whisper something to him.

"I... I'm really not that kind of person. I'm not used to—Fine! Maybe I'm a little used to it now." The old man's expression shifted multiple times before he sighed in resignation and got up to leave.

Afterward, Dany called the innkeeper to settle the bill. As she stepped into the main hall, preparing to go upstairs and rest for a while, someone called out to her.

"Priestess Layla—hey, wait! Priestess Layla!"

Turning around, Dany's smile widened when she saw who it was. "Oh, it's Mage Bogba! How are your injuries?"

"I'm used to it." The scrawny fire mage leaned on a crutch, his legs spread wide apart, shuffling forward in an awkward waddle.

With each step, his monkey-like face twitched as if he were enduring unbearable pain.

Dany pulled him over to an empty table and sat down. Then, she unwrapped a paper package and said, "Fried grasshoppers—high in protein, very nutritious, and they taste pretty good. Try some."

Bogba peered inside, frowned, and said, "Too greasy. Besides, I can't eat meat."

"Why not? Doctor's orders?" Dany asked curiously.

"I'm on a diet."

"A diet?" Dany's eyes widened as she looked him up and down. The man was practically a skeleton with a thin layer of skin stretched over it.

"What fat do you even have to lose?" she scoffed.

"Sigh, you don't understand, Priestess Layla. Fire mages like me must reduce our body weight as much as possible. You saw what happened last night, didn't you? If I were seven or eight pounds lighter, I definitely wouldn't have fallen."

If you were seven or eight pounds lighter, you wouldn't need fire magic—a gust of wind could blow you away.

"Is that really necessary? Can't you just increase your magic power instead?" Dany asked.

"Fat is easy to lose, but magic power is hard to gain!" Bogba sighed dramatically, gazing up at the sky at a forty-five-degree angle.

"Oh, right." He suddenly pulled out a small ebony box, about the size of a glasses case, from the cloth band around his waist. He placed it in front of Dany and said, "This 'Ice-Smooth Skin Ointment' is for you. It's my way of thanking you for covering my medical expenses last night."

Leaning his crutch against the table, he continued, "I get burned often, but I never worry because I always have this miraculous remedy for burns. I heard that Priestess Layla had an encounter with Lisbon... Sigh, poor guy. There are too many wild mercenaries in Volantis."

"If you plan to practice fire magic, Priestess Layla, you'll definitely end up in situations similar to mine."

Though his words were meant as a kind warning, they felt more like a curse. Mother of Dragons won't end up as pitiful as you.

Despite her internal complaints, Dany still accepted the box.

She examined him carefully—sure enough, his skin had layers of shiny, overlapping scars. While the treatment didn't leave him completely unblemished, considering the severity of his injuries, the results were quite miraculous.

"What are your plans now?" she asked.

"Same as always, I suppose."

"I heard the nobles of the Black Wall are forming a Dragon-Hatching Mage Order."

Bogba's expression changed slightly before he shook his head with a wry smile. "I'm not qualified."

Dany's eyes flickered. "Are you familiar with Archmage Wood?"

(End of Chapter)

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