Game of Thrones: I Created the Magic Web

The sky grew darker, and rain began to fall.

The drawbridge leading to the sea tower was tossed left and right by the unrestrained salty sea wind, resembling a long swing.

Perhaps a storm was brewing.

Asha Greyjoy was already accustomed to it and didn't care.

She simply swayed with the bridge's movements with interest, as if walking on the deck of the "Black Wind," using the waves, merging into the sea, and chasing prey.

By the time she entered her father's study, her two uncles were already in place.

The tall and mighty Uncle Victarion was discussing tides and wind direction. Uncle Euron was piously praying to the Drowned God.

Asha sat in her seat, waiting for her father's instructions.

After a few breaths.

She looked at her father with slight surprise.

Her father was wrapped in a sealskin robe, sitting upright in front of the brazier, motionless, listening in silence.

This was rare.

Asha knew that, given her father's style, he should have stopped his uncles' nonsense and issued orders by now.

Could it be that her father hadn't made up his mind?

Asha sat quietly, while her uncle, the commander of the Iron Fleet, kept reporting information and making suggestions, and her tall, thin uncle occasionally interjected, all with fervent praise for the Drowned God beneath the sea.

After a long time, her father finally gave an order, "Bring that wildling here."

The personal guard in the shadows walked out of the room.

Asha instantly understood why her father was so silent and tolerant today, and she also guessed her father's decision.

Asha still remembered the wildling's face.

A few days ago, Pyke received a team of messengers from the Iron Throne, a total of twenty people, led by a woman named Osha.

According to Osha herself, she came from beyond the Wall.

Asha had heard of the wildlings beyond the Wall for a long time. Women there could also be warriors and had their own glorious title, "spearwives."

After first seeing Osha, who was a head taller than herself, Asha's impression of spearwives suddenly became clear.

Osha's eyes were colder than those of many Ironborn.

A strong warrior.

It was no wonder, as the land beyond the Wall was undoubtedly more barren, desolate, dangerous, and arduous than the Iron Islands.

Harsh lands breed resilient people.

The wildling Osha brought the Iron Throne's letter of appointment, granting the title of "Warden of the Sunset Sea."

The Sunset Sea.

This ocean west of Westeros was mysterious and vast. Even the Ironborn, who were most familiar with it, could only sail in the coastal waters, and its depths remained an unknown mist.

Asha was somewhat tempted.

Accepting this title would allow the longships of the Iron Islands to travel freely in the sea, inspecting and plundering passing merchant ships with just any excuse.

Warden of the Sunset Sea, the Iron Islands would completely own the sea they were located in.

But she understood that her father would never be satisfied.

And the conditions of the other king, Renly Baratheon, were much richer.

The North, the Riverlands, the Vale, especially the Westerlands and the Crownlands, the lands and wealth seized by the Iron Fleet could be retained, and there would even be more rewards.

All that was needed was to send longships at the appropriate time to help Renly repel the Royal Fleet and cross the Blackwater Rush.

Asha didn't really want to carry out this attack. The Royal Fleet was stronger than the Iron Fleet, and even if the longships of the islands were summoned, just containing the Royal Fleet's actions would still involve considerable danger and losses.

But Lord Balon was much bolder than she was.

Asha had thought that her father would choose Renly Baratheon, taking this opportunity to expand his territory, accumulate strength, and restore the Iron Islands to its former glory.

But now.

Asha looked at Lord Balon in front of the brazier, his angular face expressionless.

Was her father really going to stand on the side of the Iron Throne, ally with Lord Tywin to deal with the massive army in the south? Was he really willing to only gain a title?

The wildling Osha had not yet arrived. Asha silently waited for the plan that was about to be determined.

"The Lannisters are too arrogant this time. Why choose the lion?" Victarion broke the silence.

Asha looked at her uncle in surprise.

The loyal commander of the Iron Fleet would actually raise a question.

And Balon Greyjoy actually gave an explanation, "I don't trust that little Renly. Vain, hypocritical, thinking he's the embodiment of justice and mercy."

Lord Balon snorted.

"He won't see people like us as allies. He's promising a lot, but I think he just wants to repeat Robert's destruction."

Being reminded of this, Asha remembered the war nine years ago.

Robert's army attacked Pyke, Roderick and Maron were killed, and the only surviving brother, Theon, was taken to Winterfell as a hostage to ensure the Iron Islands remained quiet and obedient.

Theon. Asha remembered that her little brother was now a knight under the Iron Throne and heard that he was in charge of quite a few people.

Perhaps her father was doing this because he was concerned about Theon's safety?

Asha couldn't be sure.

"Lord Tywin, on the other hand, has some credibility and knows how to fulfill his promises," Lord Balon seemed to have made up his mind.

Victarion calmly stated, "There are many targets in the Reach: the Shield Islands, Arbor, Oldtown, the banks of the Mander. The Iron Fleet and other captains will not refuse, and victory is assured."

Asha looked at her father. The Iron Throne's request was only for the Iron Fleet to remain quiet, nothing else.

Lord Balon laughed loudly.

"What did you think I called that wildling here for? To make her happy?"

The guards happened to bring Osha to the door.

"Lord Balon, after so many days, have you finally decided on an answer?" Osha bowed slightly, then straightened up in an instant.

Euron shouted, "Everyone must be in awe when facing the first of the reavers blessed by the Drowned God!"

Asha, on the other hand, admired Osha's courage and freedom, and she was already tired of her uncle's set of pious arguments and was not touched by them in the slightest.

To be honest, she preferred her uncle as he was before.

Young Uncle Euron was much more enthusiastic, drinking heavily, humorous, good at games and competitions, and a good captain who could convince the Ironborn to follow him.

But the war nine years ago changed many things.

Uncle Euron's longship sank in the Battle of Fair Isle, he himself almost drowned, and he was imprisoned in Casterly Rock until the end of the war.

The Uncle Euron that Asha saw again was like this.

Increasingly thin, with sharp, cold black eyes. He always wore a robe in shades of gray, blue, and green, the colors of the sea, symbolizing the Drowned God.

The waterskin under his arm was always with him, and he used this seawater to drown people at any time.

He became the most devout and fanatical priest.

If a person who escaped death completely became another person, was it also a kind of death for the former him?

Asha looked at Uncle Euron.

Completely changed. Without women, alcohol, gold, or food, he had lost all worldly desires.

His unkempt beard and waist-length black hair were covered with dried seaweed, perhaps deliberately, or perhaps he simply didn't want to waste time on such trivial matters.

Her father then stood up.

"Go back and tell Lord Tywin, tell the little king, that the Ironborn will no longer endure humiliation. We will take everything with swords and longships, instead of waiting or begging!"

The guards presented a driftwood crown, and her father put it on his head without hesitation.

"From this day on, I, Balon Greyjoy, am the King of the Iron Islands. The Ironborn will restore the Old Way and plunder the Reach!"

Her father had a slight smile on his face.

"I can also be the 'Warden of the Sunset Sea.' Go ask the little king."

Osha retreated calmly.