The telescope passed through the Stepstones without incident. The terrified Captain of Myr was like a startled bird, his ship speeding all the way until it sighted the city of Tyrosh, where it finally docked to quickly replenish fresh water and supplies.
A large, bustling city appeared in Gendry's view. Tyrosh is a fortress city protected by high walls, located at the northeasternmost tip of the Stepstones, not far from the mainland. Its inner walls are fused black dragonstone, and Tyrosh is much larger than its Dornish neighbor, Sunspear. The Weeping Tower stands at the harbor's mouth, and the Fountain of the Wine God is within the city.
"So lively!" Gendry saw ships coming and going at the Tyroshi docks. Many of those transporting goods at the docks were slaves, overseen by slave drivers. Many of the Free Cities are port cities with prosperous trade. He had never left King's Landing, and seeing distant Tyrosh felt truly different.
At the Tyroshi docks, Gendry saw many races from the known world. Those with dark skin were from the Summer Isles, while those with olive skin were most likely Dornish or Myrish. Tyroshi people were the easiest to distinguish; they were boisterous, flamboyant, and greedy. They loved bright colors, dyeing their hair and beards in vibrant hues like blue, green, maroon, pink, purple, scarlet, and vermilion.
"Those are the black walls of ancient Valyria. Valyrians would cast their military fortresses in such a way!" At the bow of the ship, the waves were calm, and most people were still resting. Only Maester Qyburn pointed to Tyrosh's black walls and spoke to Gendry.
Gendry's education began quite late even for noble families, so Qyburn could only desperately impart all he knew to make up for the lost time. Fortunately, Qyburn discovered that Gendry's memory and comprehension were extraordinary, which greatly boosted his confidence and sense of accomplishment.
"Magnificent ruins!" Gendry exclaimed. The city-state of Valyria was ahead of its time. The Valyrian Road, Valyrian Black Walls, dragonglass candles, the Forty Dragonlords of Valyria, and so on—after Valyria's downfall, the world became a battlefield for barbarians. Even the dothraki barbarians became arrogant. Even the House Targaryen, who narrowly escaped, were only mid-to-lower-tier Dragonlords at the time, possessing almost none of the core technologies like blood magic and architectural skills.
"The black walls of Volantis are even grander than Tyrosh's, and Volantis also has the largest population."
"Volantis, I haven't seen many Volantenes in King's Landing."
"If we have the chance, we will go to Volantis. Although Volantis suffered heavy losses in the Century of Blood, its foundation is, after all, the richest. At that time, you will see the world's most magnificent black walls, the ruins of Valyria!"
"That would be even better!" Gendry said.
"Valyria's achievements are inseparable from the art of blood and fire, profound magic! Many people say magic has died out, but I believe magic has always existed, merely like a tide, with highs and lows. When the dragons disappeared, magic also seemed to weaken!" Qyburn was quite fascinated by magic, which is why he went further and further astray.
"Then have you ever seen the stars and fire of magic?"
"I haven't achieved that yet, but I believe it's possible!" Qyburn said awkwardly. "However, magic cannot be forced, just as the people of the Targaryen Dynasty always yearned to hatch dragons, thus leading to one tragedy after another!"
"But if that day truly comes, and you obtain the art of blood and fire, activate the Storm's Blood, and summon the Rhoyne River to revive, then I too shall share a glimmer of your glory!"
"Easier said than done!" The two saw the ship depart and returned to the cabin.
"Your Highness, Tyrosh, which you just saw, is but one of the Free Cities, yet it is so prosperous. If we gain assistance in Essos, then whether we advance or expand here, there is great potential." Maester Qyburn maintained a humble posture.
"You don't need to call me that, Master Qyburn. I am your apprentice, and also a bastard with no way out!"
"Great deeds stem from hardship! Only if your goals are grand will it be possible!" Maester Qyburn still insisted. "Please allow me to introduce you to the current situation in Essos! Trade, especially slave trade, is the core of Essos's circulation." Qyburn pulled out a concise map of Essos.
"We have left Tyrosh and will soon arrive in Myr. Tyrosh, Myr, and Lys once formed the Triarchy, but it has long since fallen apart. The three cities mutually constrain each other, and all simultaneously despise Volantis. As for Pentos, it is the weakest and has been defeated by Braavos. Volantis is greedy and arrogant, with almost no friends. Braavos, currently in a unique position, is wealthy, powerful, and independent.
Lorath, Qohor, and Norvos are not worth much discussion. The key lies in these six great city-states, their mutual entanglements and attacks. And externally, the Dothraki are also formidable enemies, often invading across the Rhoyne River!"
Gendry saw the distribution of power delimited by the Rhoyne River. Qohor controlled the area between the Qin River and the Ash River. Volantis's power only reached the Sorrows in the middle reaches of the Rhoyne River. Between the Ash River and the Sorrows was a buffer zone between the two city-states, making it the most concentrated area for bandits on the Rhoyne River.
"Maester Qyburn's analysis is good, but he probably didn't anticipate someone taking on the institution of slavery, making an enemy of the whole world."
"The continent of Essos differs greatly from Westeros in systems, customs, and beliefs. No one has ever truly unified the continent of Essos. Most of Essos's administrators are wealthy merchants, and their positions are not fixed. It's just that their titles vary."
"Archon, Magistrate, Governor, or Sea Lord," Gendry said.
"Yes! Anyway, these people need elections, that's their game!"
Qyburn looked at Myr deep within the Horned Bay, "Our opportunity is right here!"
"The Disputed Lands!" Gendry saw the place Qyburn marked.
"Yes! Since the alliance of the Three Daughters broke, they have been attacking each other to contend for sovereignty over this land, which has also supported many Mercenaries! Oh, and the nearby Stepstones, these are all considered ownerless lands."
The ideal is rich, but reality is just one person.
Gendry looked at that stretch of land. The Disputed Lands were once very fertile, but they had been continuously ravaged by war, and to this day, their sovereignty remains unclear. Chaos is a ladder; finding a mercenary group to hide in here is quite simple.
"It's all about fighting and killing. If only I could get a dragon!" Gendry thought to himself... "A mace!"
"A set of black scale armor, without a helmet!" These were Gendry's spoils from killing the Gold-Tooth Pirate Leader. Plate armor or lamellar armor was the most expensive of all armors, so it was a decent prize.
"The bastard of Driftmark gave me two gold dragons, Captain Dunstan of Myr gave me fifty gold coins, and there are some scattered silver and copper coins, enough to live on for a long time!" Gendry looked at the currency in his hand. Myr's circulating currency was flat and oval-shaped, with a ship embossed on its face.
"And those gifts—the telescope Dunstan gave me, a tapestry from other guests, a small amount of spices, precious wood carvings, and so on..." Gendry felt that it was on the telescope that he truly earned his first pot of gold.
The ship had already sighted Myr's coastline and city silhouette. Gendry tallied his items again before disembarking.