Chapter 87: Pentos

Whoosh~

The sea breeze gently brushed across the young man's cheek, lifting the strands of hair on his forehead.

The Andalos army had bypassed the Velvet Hills, following the coastal route that the merchants from the

The army snaked up a high ridge, and as they looked back, they saw the vast ocean on their right-hand side. Fine sand and the gentle sea breeze accompanied the sight of rolling waves, one after another.

Viserys was surrounded by countless soldiers, his hand gripping the reins of a docile white mare.

Viserys had two horses, one a stronger and more spirited warhorse, and the other a gentler mare for everyday riding, which he now rode.

The young king rode the white horse, clad in a clean, well-fitted suit of leather armor, a longsword at his waist, and a snow-white fur mantle on his shoulders. A black cape with gold trim, embroidered with the Targaryen three-headed dragon emblem, draped behind him, his silvery-gold hair cascading down.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh…

The army continued to march, the sound of their hooves chaotic on the ground.

The massive city looming in the distance was getting closer and closer.

"Pentos is near, Your Grace," the wealthy Braavosi Magister, riding in a carriage, pulled back the curtain and spoke to the young king on horseback.

It wasn't that Illyrio was being disrespectful, but given his size, riding a horse was indeed a torment for both the steed and himself.

"Mhm," Viserys, perched atop his horse, gazed at the enormous city-state in the distance and nodded slightly.

His legs nudged the mare's belly, urging her onward.

...

The Andalos army soon approached Pentos, the disordered sounds of footsteps and hoofbeats weaving together, raised spears forming a veritable forest of lances under the sun.

Whoosh...

The banner of the three-headed dragon fluttered and snapped in the wind.

Boom—

The Andalos army stopped their advance not far from the gates of Pentos, beginning to set up camp on the spot.

"What's happening?"

"Has war broken out?"

The citizens of Pentos were indeed alarmed by the approaching army outside the city, and a commotion swept through the populace, their hearts gripped by fear as they wondered if Pentos had erupted into war once again.

"Quick!"

"Quick! Close the city gates!"

The Pentoshi guards, however, remained relatively composed, gripping their weapons tightly, and shouted to close the gates first.

They had received news of the approaching forces long before, but despite their preparations, there was still chaos at the city gates, with people and animals scrambling about, finally managing to close the massive doors with great effort.

Boom—

The gates of Pentos were finally sealed shut.

"Pentos," Viserys, sitting on his horse, watched the scene with an unchanged expression, his hair billowing in the wind.

He surveyed the giant city-state: the towering walls, the sturdy gates, the tall square brick towers visible from outside the city, the enormous red temple, and the palace with its cluster of nine spires.

Pentos was truly a city of immense wealth.

What surprised Viserys, however, was how fearful of war this prosperous city seemed to be, as if it were a frightened bird.

With only four thousand men, trying to attack Pentos would be like trying to fill a tooth gap with a grain of sand.

Yet, even so, Pentos was nervous to this extent.

Could it be that Pentos had truly been terrified by Braavos?

Viserys sat on his horse, observing the massive city-state for a while before finally withdrawing his gaze. A hundred knights had already been chosen to accompany him into the city and were now gathered around him on their horses.

Pentos' wealthy Magister, Illyrio, ordered the carriage forward, intending to personally request the opening of the city gates.

It didn't take long for the Magister to negotiate.

Creak—

The gates of Pentos finally opened once more, but the gap was not large, only allowing two or three horses to pass through side by side.

The guards hid behind the gates, gripping their weapons tightly, peering out with lingering tension on their faces. It seemed that if there were any signs of the four thousand men outside attempting to seize the city, they would quickly close the gates.

"Enter the city."

Viserys, unfazed by this display, commanded as his black cloak fluttered in the howling sea breeze outside the city gate, his hair obscuring his eyes. He then gestured and urged his horse forward.

The hundred knights accompanying him filed in, passing through the narrow city gate and entering Pentos.

Clip-clop...

Their horses' hooves lightly echoed on the city's cobblestone streets as Viserys, sitting atop his horse, finally entered Pentos. He held the reins with one hand, his eyes wandering curiously over the city's sights.

The citizens on both sides of the streets shared the same curiosity, watching this group of unexpected guests from outside their world.

The hundred knights, clad in armor, protected their young king as they rode swiftly through the bustling streets of Pentos, heading straight for the palace of the Prince of Pentos.

Viserys had come to Pentos to attend a feast.

"Your Majesty."

Soon, Viserys and his hundred accompanying knights arrived at the Prince's palace.

Illyrio accompanied them, and servants came to welcome them. Viserys dismounted, handing his horse to a servant to lead away.

The other knights remained stationed outside the palace, while Ser Jorah followed Viserys into the heart of the Pentos palace.

"Your Majesty, this way, please."

A servant guided Viserys, with Illyrio following alongside, slightly out of breath from the brisk pace. He then turned to the young king and said,

"Welcome to Pentos, Your Majesty."

"What do you think of Pentos?"

The Prince's palace was grand and spacious, with towering, intricately carved stone pillars. Scantily clad serving girls flitted about, and a gentle breeze revealed captivating eyes. Marble floor tiles stretched beneath their feet, and exquisite tapestries hung on the walls.

Viserys walked along the lengthy corridor, admiring the opulent halls around him. Only when Illyrio spoke did he look away.

"Pentos indeed has great charm."

Viserys nodded, his response brief and to the point.

"Hahaha, naturally!"

"Pentos is also honored to gain your friendship."

Illyrio laughed heartily, but his words seemed to carry a hidden meaning.

"Hm?"

Viserys heard Illyrio's words, glanced at him sideways, but chose not to respond further.