Chapter 153: Final Confirmation
After completing this reconnaissance mission, Ian returned to the skies above Illyrio's manse.
Although Ian had seen the entire manse countless times while practicing his skinchanging abilities, he had never considered its offensive or defensive capabilities.
Location-wise, the manse was situated in the southwest of Pentos's western quarter, not far from the harbor. In case of an emergency, sailors from the merchant ships in the harbor could arrive within half an hour of receiving the message.
Illyrio's other two main manses were located in the east and northwest of the western quarter, closer to the merchant guild. If enemies entered the western quarter without attacking those three buildings, Illyrio's forces could easily cut off their retreat.
The manse consisted of three parts, front and back, with a relatively low outer wall that was easy to breach from any direction.
However, if someone did manage to break through the outer wall, they would first face a maze-like garden and the Unsullied barracks in the outer courtyard.
Half of Illyrio's Unsullied were purchased six years ago, and another batch was added a year ago... The former were aging and their combat strength had declined significantly, but the latter were basically still at their peak.
Their total strength was approximately five hundred, with half of the elite deployed within the manse, and two-thirds of that half deployed in the outer courtyard.
Further in, there was a wall slightly higher and thicker than the outer wall, but still only a little over six feet high, making it relatively easy to breach.
Ian, the Viserys siblings, and Illyrio's own residence were all located in the inner courtyard.
Ian counted them: Ian and Illyrio each had eight Unsullied guards outside their quarters, while the Viserys siblings had twelve in total. Of course, Illyrio was also surrounded by a group of about ten slave warriors as bodyguards, including champion pit fighters like 'Belwas the Strong'.
In addition, eight Unsullied guards stood watch at the various intersections and gates between courtyards, while eight others guarded the two high towers in the inner courtyard, offering complete views of both the inner and outer courtyards. Eight patrols of three men each patrolled the inner courtyard.
Further in, there was a small hill completely enclosed within Illyrio's manse, offering panoramic views of Pentos and the Bay of Pentos.
There was no wall separating the inner courtyard from the hill, but only one path led up—the same path Ian had taken to the great terrace to find Jorah.
This path forked midway, leading to a small keep on the other side of the hill, halfway up. This keep was extremely steep, making it impossible to transport siege equipment.
If Illyrio's manse were attacked, they could immediately move Illyrio and Viserys and the others into the keep for refuge.
The keep contained ample food supplies and a well, enough to sustain a hundred men while awaiting reinforcements.
Whether facing a siege or a surprise attack, this manse was well-equipped to withstand it.
So for Hazan, the best way was to lure Illyrio out and kill him, then wipe out Illyrio's forces...
Of course, that wouldn't be easy.
Without much hesitation, Ian began to descend, landing back in his chambers, and then exited his skinchanging state.
Next, he only needed to confirm a few other things before he could uncover the whole story.
When Ian's true form emerged from his bedroom, he found a boy of about thirteen years old and a woman in a red robe already waiting for him in the drawing room.
"I'm sorry to trouble you both so late," Ian said, gesturing to the drinks and sweets on the table. "Please enjoy these without hesitation."
"Ser Ian," the boy still addressed Ian as "Ser," the same title 'Little Mouse' had used on him earlier. "You're a friend of the boss, so please don't hesitate if we can help."
"It's an honor to serve you," the woman in the red robe echoed.
"So," Ian asked the boy first, "you're the little bird who investigated Ginny Taymee's case, aren't you?"
"Yes, ser."
"You did excellent work," Ian praised, then added, "However, because you didn't understand my true purpose, your final report might have missed some key points. So, I need to ask you a few more questions, and I hope you can recall them carefully."
The boy nodded.
"First question, what was the name of the priestess who met Ginny Taymee?"
"Her name was..." The boy couldn't answer immediately, so he looked at the woman in red beside him.
"Her name was Celia, the High Priestess's daughter," the woman in red replied.
"Sure enough!" Ian's eyes narrowed.
"Before you, someone did investigate the existence of Ginny Taymee at the Red Temple, right?" he continued.
"Yes, but they kept it very secret; we couldn't find out who it was." This time it was the boy's answer.
"Aren't there any other clues? Like, where did he go after he left?"
"No, it's been too long. If we hadn't been told to follow him, no one would have noticed someone like him." The boy shook his head.
Unfortunately... "Then, in the short period before Ginny Taymee appeared at the Red Temple, did anything significant happen there? Um..." Ian added, "It doesn't necessarily have to be something major; something strange would do too."
"This..." The boy looked at the woman in red again; he hadn't investigated these things.
"Those days? Let me think," the woman in the red robe frowned, pondering what matched Ian's description. "Right, it seems a merchant who stayed at the temple died inside, and then someone investigated the matter."
"Who?"
"The city guard, I think it was the Third Company, Magister Tetrus's faction." The woman in the red robe remembered.
Ander Poole, Ian silently thought.
"All right, one last question," Ian held up a finger. "Tell me about Celia's entire itinerary three months ago—no, throughout October."
After seeing the little bird and the woman in the red robe off, Ian half-reclined on the bench, breathing heavily.
He was still shaken. Luckily, he had developed the habit of not overlooking any details, otherwise, well—not that danger would happen immediately, but it would have been a truly absurd thing, truly absurd...
How could that bastard come up with such a ridiculous plan?
Temporarily suppressing his churning thoughts, Ian began to think about what he should do next.
So, should he help facilitate Hazan's plan? If Hazan's plan succeeded, he would be one of the biggest beneficiaries.
Or should he help Illyrio? Choosing this side would be safer, as it would avoid cooperating with that "harmless" player.
In short, his choice now would determine who the victor of Pentos would be.
Was it possible? Ian vaguely heard that voice again.
His eyes widened suddenly, and a plan began to surge uncontrollably, until it filled his mind.
He felt like he was going mad.
Ian had many favorite characters in A Song of Ice and Fire: Arthur Dayne, the Sword of the Morning with overwhelming combat power; Jaime Lannister, who was always looked down upon by the world but was far more like a true knight than those hypocritical bastards; and Davos the Onion Knight, who was smooth in his dealings but never crossed any lines.
There were too many to count.
But if asked who he admired most, there would be no doubt that it was Petyr Baelish, "Littlefinger," a man who truly rose from nothing, climbing to the pinnacle of power purely through cunning.
Petyr isn't a player, knows nothing of the future, has no system aids, no cheat codes—he possesses only a brain, yet he rose from an obscure lord of the Fingers to become Lord Protector of the Vale.
He even aspires to sit on the Iron Throne.
So why can't he be the victor himself?
Chaos is a ladder.
(End of Chapter)
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