Chapter 125: The Big Fish Eats the Small Fish (End)
Glyn fell silent for a moment, then said, "After that night, she also disappeared, including the guards I assigned to her."
Varys's eyes flickered, and he continued, "I hope my subordinates can protect Daenerys's safety."
Varys looked at Glyn, the smile on his face long gone: "It seems the culprit is already obvious."
Glyn shrugged: "She is a kind woman; something unbelievable must have happened to her... Is it possible her brother did it?"
Varys's face showed a faint smile: "The dead are gone, the living remain."
Glyn's eyebrows twitched, implying that Varys would not pursue Illyrio's death.
Varys's smile deepened: "To have also traveled to Pentos and returned laden with spoils, it truly makes one feel envious."
In Varys's eyes, House Targaryen's Viserys and Daenerys had already become Glyn's political bargaining chips.
Daenerys's unexpected turn of events was perhaps what made Varys have to adjust his meticulously planned schemes of many years.
Glyn felt a rare sense of relaxation, as if Tommen and Daenerys were both more adept at giving surprises than him.
Glyn said sincerely: "Lord Varys, things are too coincidental... I even suspected it might be the conspiracy of a thoughtful person, but then again... it might just be good luck."
Varys clasped his hands, his mood lightened: "The result is indeed gratifying; the future House Clegane will advance further."
Glyn rubbed his head: "Originally, I was worried about the Princess's safety and made arrangements carelessly. Your words sound quite beautiful?"
Varys shook his head slightly: "Lord Glyn, the struggle for the Iron Throne is not over. House Baratheon still holds the Seven Kingdoms firmly. My little birds have told me there are always hidden movements."
Without Illyrio, Varys was in danger of losing control over Viserys.
Because Westeros's situation was not yet chaotic, Varys's little prince still needed to continue lurking.
Now, hidden behind the scenes, Varys could take action himself.
"..."
Glyn's eyes widened, his voice heavy: "Lord Varys, this is very difficult."
Varys said earnestly: "Lord Glyn, you are not alone. I will help you with all my might."
Glyn stared at Varys: "I am very grateful for your kindness, but I still want to refuse. Because I can see the danger; King Robert will never pardon anyone who aids House Targaryen."
Varys countered: "The Baratheon king will never grant House Clegane the same trust that a Targaryen monarch might. We both know this well."
Glyn's expression changed. He hesitated for a moment, then shook his head: "Lord Varys, I am content as long as I can protect Princess Daenerys in secret."
Varys patted Glyn's shoulder: "Your initial intention sounds simple, but it is very difficult to achieve. Because no one can stop House Targaryen's determination to reclaim the Iron Throne."
He let out a light sigh and said again: "How can we avoid being dragged into it... Don't forget, the big fish eats the small fish."
Glyn looked at Myrcella and Tommen, who were playfully chasing each other. The children's laughter was clear and cheerful.
Varys also looked over, and his question seemed casual: "What kind of king do you think is a good king?"
Glyn's voice carried a hint of disdain: "I never thought about such things, but after coming to the Red Keep, I learned what the great noble houses consider a good king to be."
"Oh?"
"He does whatever they tell him to do; that is what they consider a good king."
Varys smiled and shook his head: "It's really surprising; your answer is truly... concise."
Glyn shrugged: "You seem to have already found the answer?"
Varys's demeanor became solemn: "A good king understands that ruling is his responsibility, and his people are his priority. His rule and survival are for them."
Glyn paused, then said: "Everyone looks forward to such a king, but please forgive me for speaking frankly, can we expect such a king?"
Varys's eyes shone with a hint of brilliance: "Prince Viserys, to escape House Baratheon's pursuit, he has been wandering everywhere with his young sister since childhood."
"He has personally witnessed the suffering of the common people. He has long understood the feeling of hunger and being hunted, and the fear."
"Because he has experienced these hardships, when the prince becomes king, he will better understand his responsibilities. He will try his best to make the people no longer hungry and no longer live in fear."
Glyn's eyes moved. Was the eunuch genuinely moved by him?
Varys understood that rebuilding trust took time and effort.
If Glyn could establish contact through Princess Daenerys, it would be easier for Varys to gain the trust of House Targaryen.
"Get a direct pass, and add a solemn gift?"
"For example... a dragon egg?"
It seemed Varys had successfully accepted Illyrio's inheritance.
If everything went smoothly, with Varys's methods, he would quickly regain overt control over House Targaryen. His schemes would also continue to advance according to the original plan.
When Viserys led his cavalry back to Westeros, Varys would hide in the dark, igniting the war of the Seven Kingdoms.
The great noble families would be weakened, and Viserys would die at the opportune moment... Finally, under the banner of the young princess, they would win the hearts of the people of the Seven Kingdoms and legitimately ascend the Iron Throne.
Alas, transmigrator Glyn was a natural counter to Varys, the Spider.
"..."
Glyn trusted Varys very much. He said regretfully: "It is truly a pity that I could not meet Prince Viserys in Pentos."
Varys smiled and said: "It's only a matter of time. I think Prince Viserys will definitely trust you."
Why did Glyn think Varys cared about him?
Although it was Illyrio who previously met Viserys, Varys's understanding of Viserys was certainly not inferior to Illyrio's.
What kind of personality was Viserys?
In his eyes, there was only the Iron Throne. How could he care about the suffering of the people? Moreover, Viserys could not play the role of a benevolent prince like Varys described.
Varys was convinced that Glyn would not see Viserys, so he fabricated such a lie that would be broken with just one meeting.
Although they spoke casually on the surface, the content of their discussion was no different from treason. Afterwards, it couldn't be dismissed as a trivial matter, because this was deception.
The game of power was accompanied by deception and conspiracy.
Glyn's long fingers tapped the hilt of the long sword at his waist.
As the self-proclaimed protector of Crackclaw Point, Glyn was inevitably influenced by the simple folk customs of Crackclaw Point.
Varys's words insulted Myrcella and Tommen. For a moment, the loyal Glyn couldn't help but rebuke the impudent Small Council member on the spot.
"Let the two little friends bear witness... Forget it, don't corrupt the children. Lord Glyn is an upright knight; at worst, it would be a trial by combat!"
"..."
Glyn's gaze had a hint of brilliance, well concealing his murderous intent.
"Lord Varys, you care about the kingdom. I am very willing to recommend you to Princess Daenerys. However, her other affairs require me to consider them for a while."
The chaos of the Seven Kingdoms was temporarily inseparable from Petyr and Varys.
These two like-minded individuals, though they hid behind the scenes, were, in Glyn's view, actually on the stage. He himself was the one behind the curtain.
He could not remain inactive. Glyn was preparing to scheme a bit when he returned, on how to control Little Ilyria first.
Also, Princess Daenerys needed to be contacted in advance. A kind Dragonstone princess was easily taken advantage of by malicious people.
Yes, Glyn did not believe that Varys would rely on him to contact the true dragons in the south. He had forgotten that Varys had many agents.
Varys's smile was gentle, his eyes shining: "Indeed, Lord Glyn."
"..."
Not long after Varys left, the tired Myrcella and Tommen came to the shade of the tree where Glyn was.
The well-trained Maegor's Holdfast handmaidens quickly tended to the prince and princess.
Myrcella's clear eyes were very bright, shining with curiosity and innocence: "Lord Glyn, I heard you defeated Ser Loras Tyrell from Highgarden?"
Although they were Queen Cersei's children, Glyn felt a rare sense of relaxation when he was with them.
In the azure sky, white clouds drifted slowly, like waves constantly tumbling and surging. They sometimes gathered into clusters, sometimes dispersed into wisps, drifting leisurely in the sky.
At this time, Glyn was sitting under a tree, leaning against the large trunk, and heard Myrcella's voice. He withdrew his gaze.
The matter of defeating Ser Loras Tyrell had made Glyn the focus of conversation in King's Landing again. His heart was once again stirred.
Glyn's expression was somewhat melancholic: "Yes, Princess Myrcella. I heard that no girl dislikes Ser Loras Tyrell. I am troubled by this. Many friends advised me not to go out recently. The girls in King's Landing currently hate me, hating me to the bone."
After hearing Glyn's words, Little Tommen giggled.
Myrcella's upturned lips held a sweet smile: "You need to be careful about your safety."
After speaking, Myrcella couldn't help but let out a light laugh.
The little princess's golden curly hair fluttered with the light breeze, exuding vitality and innocence.
Glyn's body movements were a little exaggerated: "Thank you for your reminder, Your Highness. I will bring guards."
"..."
That evening, Glyn left the Red Keep and returned to his residence.
Rustle, rustle, the quill pen on the desk was waving. Glyn was writing a conscription order. He planned to mobilize 100 soldiers from his territory to King's Landing first.
Glyn put the written letter into an envelope and sealed it with wax and a stamp.
He placed the sealed letter aside, and Glyn rubbed his chin.
He was contemplating the timing of leaving King's Landing.
Sometimes, striving to cover all bases leads to failing at all of them. He had to make a choice.
Glyn placed his hands behind his head and looked up at the roof.
Although the Vale was an inseparable part of Crackclaw Point, relying solely on military means could easily lead to mismanagement and exhaust Crackclaw Point's vitality. Therefore, political methods must be taken seriously.
Glyn was considering whether he had the opportunity to plan for a position as Hand of the King.
"Yes, Glyn, Hand of the King!"
(end of chapter)