Three months on Dragonstone passed amidst the shrieking sea wind and the clang of steel.
For Euron, Dragonstone was not just a crucible for ascetic training but also a treasure trove filled with countless secrets and gifts.
During the breaks in training, his figure often moved through every corner of this ancient fortress. With each exploration, the mysterious system deep in his consciousness would send a slight ripple, giving him varying amounts of "Points" as feedback, as if the island itself was acknowledging his steps.
The Stone Drum, the central keep of Dragonstone, stood majestic and solemn on clear days. But whenever a storm struck from the Narrow Sea, its ancient walls became a natural instrument, the interior echoing with dull booms like a giant beast roaring underground.
During storms, Euron would listen inside the Stone Drum as Rhaegar played his harp, accompanied by nature's thunder, creating an atmosphere of majestic power.
Descending the winding stairs, he stepped into the dungeons beneath the main keep. The air here was thick, humid, and hot, carrying the salty smell of seawater rubbing against rock. Behind the cold iron bars of the cells, the despair of past prisoners seemed to linger still.
It was empty now, but it was said that the passages and hidden stairs here were unfathomably deep, winding all the way down to the heart of the Dragonmont, which spewed steam and sulfur.
A soaring arched stone bridge spanned the air like a dragon's spine, connecting the Stone Drum and the dungeon tower. Walking upon it, with the sea wind howling, inspired awe.
On this stone bridge, many stories of the Targaryens and their dragons had unfolded. Euron liked to stand there with Lisa, looking out at the sea and feeling the breeze; it had a unique flavor.
One of the most important discoveries was the Chamber of the Painted Table at the top of the Stone Drum.
It was a magnificent round room with four extremely tall, narrow windows cutting out views of the sky and sea in all four cardinal directions. The most striking feature in the hall was the massive wooden table occupying most of the room—the Painted Table. Over fifty feet long, the carving on its surface was no decoration but a detailed map of Westeros made before Aegon Targaryen's conquest. Every coastline, river, mountain range, and castle was clearly discernible.
Running a finger over the smooth wooden surface felt like touching the veins of the entire continent.
The most ingenious design was the position corresponding to Dragonstone itself, which rose like a miniature high platform with a seat placed upon it. Sitting there, the splendid rivers and mountains of Westeros were all in view, spontaneously generating a majestic sense of total control.
When he stood before this table for the first time, the points awarded by the system were particularly generous.
Euron also explored the dragon-shaped architecture.
The Great Hall was like a giant dragon prone on the ground; its entrance was the gaping maw, and stepping inside felt like being swallowed by the dragon. The Kitchens resembled a curled-up, sleeping dragon; whenever smoke rose from cooking, it eerily curled out from the stone dragon's "nostrils," full of surreal fantasy.
Aegon's Garden offered tranquility. Located near the Dragon's Tail, the air was filled with the fresh scent of pine, and tall dark trees stood like sentinels. Wild roses and thorny bushes grew stubbornly in corners, and the muddy ground was dotted with red cranberries—vibrant yet possessing a wild desolation.
The Windwyrm, its spire seemingly piercing the sky, emitted a sharp whistling sound when the wind passed, truly defying all forces attempting to conquer it, as its name suggested. The Sea Dragon Tower, facing the sea, looked like a sea beast crouching by the shore. Below the rookery in the tower were the Maester's chambers, with narrow, twisting stairs spiraling up. Starting from here, passing through the gallery hung with portraits of Targaryen ancestors, walking amidst the shadows of hideous gargoyles on the middle and inner walls, passing through the heavy black iron gates, and climbing long stairs, one could finally reach the Chamber of the Painted Table at the highest point.
Finally, there was the Sept of Dragonstone.
The statues of the Seven here were unique, carved from the masts of the ancient ships that carried the Targaryen ancestors to safety from the Doom of Valyria. Time had covered them with layers of paint, gilding, silver plating, and jewels. The Crone's eyes were lustrous pearls, the Father's beard shone with gold, and the Stranger's form was more akin to some mysterious beast than a human. Stained glass filtered colorful light onto the cold altars.
Although legends claimed Aegon the Conqueror prayed here all night before setting out to conquer the continent, Euron believed the other theory more: this sept was likely built after Aegon converted to the Faith of the Seven in Oldtown. However, this did not prevent the place from being filled with a heavy sense of history mixing navigation, faith, and power. Every breath seemed to inhale the past.
Every exploration gave Euron a deeper understanding of this place where Targaryen power originated, and the accumulating points were a unique reward known only to him, gained from shuttling between history and reality.
This ancient fortress of House Targaryen witnessed how Euron quenched his blade with sweat and determination.
His strength did not grow abruptly, but combat skills had seeped into his marrow. Every block, dodge, and counterattack carried the precision and shrewdness of a thousand temperings.
If he cast aside all disguises and restrictions for a fight to the death, Euron was confident that he could defeat the three Kingsguard, and even Prince Rhaegar.
That was not empty pride, but a calm assessment based on all his trump cards: the eerie movement technique named [Kami-e] allowed him to dodge fatal attacks like smoke; enchanting his blade with the power of the fire elemental Apollo, even if it didn't cause burns, the leaping terrifying light was enough to shock any opponent's mind; the explosive [Soru] gave him extreme speed for instant closing; [Tekkai], though energy-consuming, could withstand a sure-kill blow at a critical moment; the exquisite skill of [Oden Two-Sword Style] was proficient, and the incredibly powerful [Dragon-Slaying Strike] (Togen Totsuka), learned from legend, though he only grasped the surface, was currently his strongest killer move.
More importantly, lying quietly in the space deep within his consciousness was a [Scapegoat Straw Man] from the mysterious system—a tangible extra life.
However, practical considerations soon outweighed the urge to test his sword.
Prince Rhaegar was about to return to King's Landing, and Ser Arthur Dayne and his two companions would naturally follow.
King's Landing, the Red Keep with the Iron Throne, and the "Mad King" Aerys II coiling upon it meant unpredictable danger for Euron.
Euron had no wish to attract the attention of that extremely paranoid king due to close association with the Prince, not even in the slightest. Furthermore, one couldn't judge the "Mad King" by common sense; it wasn't impossible for him to suddenly decide to burn Euron alive on a whim.
So, on a foggy morning, Euron sat at the rough stone table and spread out a piece of parchment. He picked up his quill, thought briefly, and then wrote fluently. He wrote to Ashara Dayne, informing her of his itinerary.
"—Training on Dragonstone has come to an end," he wrote, his handwriting carrying the unrestrained force typical of the Iron Islands. "There are still three months until the tourney. I wish to go ahead to Dorne, to experience the scenery and passion of Sunspear. We shall meet in Dorne and travel to Harrenhal together."
He soon received Ashara's reply: "By the time you receive this letter, I will already be on my way to Sunspear."
Upon receiving the reply, Euron also set off.
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