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Euron Greyjoy had spent three days in New Ghis. Yet, despite exploring the heavily guarded barracks and the roaring arena, none of those experiences compared to the astonishing harvest of his final day in the ancient temple.
The Temple of the Graces, dedicated to the Harpy, stood in a secluded corner of the city, pressed against the volcanic cliffs. It was older than any military structure on the island.
Its obsidian walls bore far more marks of time than of blades. The air inside was thick with a mixture of sulfur, incense, and something far older and heavier. This was the city's sacred ground, yet it carried an eerie aura—a remnant of the era when the Old Empire fell—that even the Masters were reluctant to discuss.
Euron had entered the gloomy inner sanctum alone, leaving Alicia and his entourage outside. In the flickering light of the sacrificial fires, the massive statue of the Harpy cast twisted, dancing shadows. Her eyes, inlaid with black gemstones, seemed to stare into the soul of every intruder.
Euron stood directly before the statue. The blood of the Grey King within him stirred, awakened by a presence that felt kindred yet far more ancient and violent. It triggered his predatory instinct—Divinity Devour!
An invisible vortex formed around him. The divine power of the Harpy, accumulated within the temple over thousands of years like a subterranean river, was suddenly and violently churned.
Though invisible to the naked eye, Euron's spiritual senses could clearly "see" and "feel" torrents of dark gold energy—laden with faith, curses, and immense power—surging madly into his body. This was not a gentle acceptance; it was a savage extraction. He was devouring it, draining a significant portion of its essence!
Violent energy washed through his limbs and bones, reshaping his very nature.
Deep within his perception, two lines of text, seemingly condensed from the rules of reality itself, floated into view:
[Successfully devoured Ancient Divinity. Acquired 100,000 Soul Points.]
[Successfully devoured Ancient Divinity. Acquired 80,000 System Points.]
[Strength +1, Agility +1]
The true "prey" Euron had coveted on this trip to New Ghis was finally in his hands.
---
On the fourth day, the morning sea mist had not yet fully cleared. All six Masters of New Ghis arrived at the port, dressed in their most solemn, colorful robes, to personally see Euron Greyjoy off. This was both the highest form of courtesy and a way to ensure this unsettling guest truly left their fortress.
But when the group arrived at the merchant berths and their eyes swept over the Ice and Fire Trading Company ships that should have been teeming with crew preparing to sail, they all froze.
The decks were empty. Ropes were coiled neatly, sails were furled tight. Aside from a few seagulls perched on the railings, there wasn't a soul in sight. An eerie silence hung over the vessels, completely at odds with the busy atmosphere of the port.
Master Max mo Kandaq couldn't hold back his confusion. He forced a smile and pointed at the empty ships. "Honored Lord Euron, this... why are the ships unmanned? Are your crew still enjoying the city?"
Euron turned slowly, a faint smile on his lips. "The merchant ships? They will naturally continue their voyage to Yunkai, and perhaps Meereen. Business must be done, after all." He paused, letting his gaze drift over the puzzled faces of the Masters, before leisurely revealing the answer. "As for us? We are not leaving with them."
The confusion on the Masters' faces instantly turned to alarm. Not leaving with his fleet? How else did he intend to leave this isolated military island?
Another Master, Gerhard zo Reznak, couldn't help but step forward, his voice tight. "Then... may I ask which ship you intend to board? We haven't prepared a separate vessel for you."
As if to answer the unspoken depth of his question, the calm surface of the harbor suddenly exploded!
With a deafening crash of water, a colossal head broke through the dark green surface, sending waves meters high crashing onto the pier. Then, segment by terrifying segment, an unimaginably long body rose from the depths, displaying a crushing presence to all who witnessed it.
The Bone-Segment Sea Centipede.
It was a true Sea King, a nightmare of the deep incarnate.
Nearly two hundred meters long, it looked like a moving, pale mountain range. Its body was composed of nearly a hundred massive segments, each covered in bone-like carapace, pale with a sickly hue as if it had been soaked in the deep sea for a millennium.
Most terrifying was its hideous head. Two rows of six deep red compound eyes burned like hellfire, staring coldly at the ant-like creatures on the shore. Along its impossible length, each segment bore a pair of legs as sharp as giant spears. As they moved through the air, they emitted a tooth-aching metallic rasp.
This monster, which belonged only in legends, crawled onto the shore. Its spiny abdomen crushed the reefs beneath it, producing the terrible sound of rock being ground to powder.
Instantly, the orderly crowd on the pier erupted like an anthill kicked over. Screams of pure terror filled the air. Whether it was the fully armed Iron Legionnaires or the worldly Masters, everyone stumbled back uncontrollably. Many fell to the ground, their legs turning to jelly. The war elephants trumpeted in fear, stamping uneasily, cowed by the absolute pressure of an apex predator.
Amidst this chaos and fear, Euron Greyjoy stood still, holding Alicia's hand.
The pier fell deathly silent for a moment, broken only by the harsh rasp of metal.
The guards of the New Ghis Masters instinctively drew their weapons. Bright blades trembled in the morning light—not out of bravery, but because their hands shook uncontrollably from terror. The young guards who had never seen such a monstrosity were pale as paper, barely holding themselves up with their halberds.
Under countless fearful gazes, the colossal Sea Centipede did not attack. Its bone-armored head lowered, bringing with it the bone-chilling cold of the deep, and slowly circled Euron and Alicia. Its legs carved deep gouges into the stone.
The terrifying head stopped. Sensing the hostility from the guards, it suddenly whipped around to face them. Its maw opened slightly, revealing layers of spiraling, razor-sharp teeth, and it let out a low, threatening hiss.
A foul wind blasted the front ranks, nearly suffocating the guards.
In this moment of extreme tension, Euron reached out and casually, almost affectionately, patted the creature's hard, cold carapace, as if soothing a slightly restless horse. His gaze looked past the trembling blades to the pale-faced Masters.
"My ride," he smiled and announced, "has arrived."
As Euron spoke, the Sea Centipede's hideous head lowered obediently until it touched the wet stone of the pier.
Euron glanced sideways at Alicia, then stepped forward onto the pale, bone-like shell. With steady steps, they used the creature's spear-like legs as a bizarre staircase. In a few leaps, they ascended its broad back and stood tall atop its head, surrounded by its crimson eyes.
The sea breeze whipped their cloaks.
Euron looked down at the Masters, who were struggling to maintain their composure, and flashed a brilliant smile. He waved a hand casually, his voice carrying clearly across the silent harbor.
"Thank you all for your hospitality. Until we meet again!"
The Masters stiffly squeezed out smiles that looked worse than weeping, mechanically waving goodbye. All their pride and majesty had been crushed into dust by the shadow of the deep-sea leviathan.
Without further delay, the massive body of the Sea Centipede writhed slowly. With the dull sound of crushing rock, it slid back into the deep blue water.
Once in the water, its seemingly clumsy body instantly displayed shocking speed. Like a bolt of pale lightning, it cut a long wake across the surface, carrying the two figures straight toward the open sea.
The salty wind hit his face. Feeling the majestic power and speed of the beast beneath his feet, and watching the military city-state that had been so guarded against him shrink into the distance, an indescribable thrill surged in Euron's chest.
He recalled the carefully orchestrated welcome ceremony of the Masters—the war elephants, the Iron Legions, the ancient etiquette that was humble yet carried a veiled threat. He couldn't help but feel a dark satisfaction. It was like he had played a terrifying prank, a joke only he could fully savor:
Showing off? I'll let you know who the real show-off is!