After a series of insincere pleasantries, Daenerys spoke with a look of surprise and immense regret, "Gods bless! What happened here? How can there be such a large, smoking black hole? Did a volcano erupt? Or did a meteor strike here?"
Witnessing Daenerys's exquisite acting, Vada's eyes immediately sparkled with countless little stars.
"Princess, you are truly amazing!"
"I've learned, I've learned!"
Osiris Governor, who was beside them, had lost his arrogance from yesterday, but still couldn't help but subtly roll his eyes at Daenerys, thinking, "What's going on? Shouldn't you know better than anyone? A huge explosion happened as soon as you arrived in Braavos. Only a ghost would believe it has nothing to do with you."
However, Sea King Youtanlis, already cooperating perfectly, continued his performance, "Alas! Princess, you don't know, this is where the House of Black and White was located. For some unknown reason, a huge explosion occurred last night, and the entire House of Black and White was destroyed. Several nearby temples were also affected and suffered significant damage."
"Moreover, even the Sanctuary collapsed, and many nearby civilian houses were affected. There were thousands of casualties among the common people. This is a major disaster that Braavos has never experienced before."
Daenerys listened very attentively, and after he finished speaking, she added with extreme compassion, "All men must die!"
Yutanris immediately and devoutly responded, "All men must serve!"
"If there's anything I can help with, please do not hesitate, Sea King. After all, natural disasters are merciless, but people are not. I just don't know, does the House of Black and White still have branches? We can't let their legacy be cut off!"
"The thousand-faced god's temple is only this House of Black and White in Braavos; there are no branches elsewhere."
Yutanris then deliberately revealed, "However, there are still many followers of the thousand-faced god scattered across the world, and a few Faceless Men are still carrying out missions outside. But they probably haven't had the chance to access the core secrets of the House of Black and White."
"I'm afraid that from now on, the House of Black and White will decline because of this!"
Sea King Youtanlis's words seemed to convey endless regret, but to Daenerys's ears, they somehow sounded a bit like schadenfreude.
"Seasons have winter and summer, plants have bloom and decay; mortals cannot escape life and death, and even the gods in the Sanctuary cannot escape decline."
Daenerys suddenly had an idea and tentatively spoke to Sea King Youtanlis, "Lord Yutanris, I just heard you say that the Sanctuary has also collapsed. Since I coincidentally encountered this matter upon my arrival in Braavos, please allow me to do my part for them."
"Unlike other lords in Westeros, all faiths are permitted on Holy Flame Island. Therefore, many people of various faiths have gathered in my territory."
"How about I fund the reconstruction of the Sanctuary here? Since the gods could not protect the House of Black and White from disaster, then perhaps this is the fate it must accept. From now on, let the thousand-faced god and the many gods in the Sanctuary stay together!"
"Time flows, years change, perhaps in the future, they will all have a day to rise again!"
Although Yutanris couldn't immediately guess Daenerys's true intentions, he knew that to continue ruling Braavos smoothly, an alliance with Daenerys was the most effective method.
So, without even consulting the other governors, he readily agreed.
"Please allow me, on behalf of Braavos, to sincerely thank the Princess for her kindness and benevolence."
"I will send you the land deed for this area, up to the Sanctuary's boundaries, as soon as possible. Rebuilding a temple requires many craftsmen, and I will also arrange for people to be recruited quickly to assist the Princess."
"Then I shall trouble you, Lord!"
Daenerys knew that Yutanris was determined to form an alliance with her. This made Daenerys very satisfied; it seemed the matter of the House of Black and White had indeed played a good deterrent role.
Although several governors, led by Osiris, had some reservations about Yutanris's rash decision to give a large piece of land to Daenerys for free, Daenerys was using the pretext of rebuilding the temple. If they objected, they would not only offend Daenerys and Yutanris but also displease the believers.
After all, a large number of devout believers had gathered there now. Daenerys intended to use this point to morally bind them for once.
The reason Braavos could become the strongest Free Trade Cities, in addition to their unique resources, was primarily due to their strong cultural inclusiveness and relatively democratic administrative management system, which allowed them to rise step by step.
Daenerys did not want to conquer the world brutally and bloodily like the Valyrian people using dragons. Wherever they conquered, they would turn it into scorched earth. They would also turn all conquered people into slaves, relentlessly exploiting them day and night with cruel and bloody methods.
No matter how powerful you are, when you become an enemy of the whole world, the seeds of destruction have already begun to grow strong.
Therefore, Daenerys wanted to slowly infiltrate her influence into the entire world by suppressing the vested interests of a few and benefiting the majority.
After this matter was settled, Daenerys, accompanied by Sea King Youtanlis, several governors, and the heads of various major families, sailed along the Long Canal waterway in a dozen small boats for half a day, essentially touring most of Braavos.
Apart from not having an autocratic ruler, Braavos was not much different from other major cities in the world. Although Braavos did not allow any form of slave trade, the treatment of servants and attendants under the wealthy here was not much different from other parts of the world.
Especially in the peripheral areas of Braavos, many towns had already been submerged beneath the sea. The living conditions of the common people here were similar to Flea Bottom in King's Landing.
Poverty, filth, and squalor are always the main themes of the neglected corners of major cities.
During the tour, Daenerys naturally took the initiative to promote and introduce the products she had brought with her this time.
Holy Flame Island's products had already gained a good reputation in the Nine Free Trade City States, and this time, Daenerys brought the latest generation, which was even more excellent in quality. Therefore, everyone present showed great interest.
Especially Antarion Governor, the brother of the Sea King's wife, who immediately took out pen and paper and signed large orders with Daenerys.
Although the Antarion family was also among the earliest descendants of Braavos's founders, from this governor onwards, the family's style changed from understated luxury to high-end splendor. And his attire and grooming were even more in the lavish and flamboyant style of the slave masters in Slavers Bay.
However, with the Sea King as their backer, the Antarion family's wealth was among the top few in Braavos, so although others found him somewhat unlikable, they could do nothing about him.
And along the way, everyone chatted and laughed, and they all tacitly "forgot" about the matter of the House of Black and White.
However, everyone knew very well that this was merely the calm above turbulent waters. As one of the three pillars of Braavos's global dominance, the Faceless Men had been crippled by Daenerys just like that. How could they simply swallow that bitter pill in their hearts?!
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