"Miss Asha."
Galon watched as his army filed into Pyke in orderly ranks.
Instead of immediately heading toward the main keep, he stopped Asha Greyjoy with a calm voice.
Asha still carried traces of excitement and victory on her face as she paused beside him.
"What is it, Lord Galon?"
Galon first glanced at the fortress of Pyke standing atop the dangerous cliffs before turning his gaze back to her.
"After this battle, there are not many soldiers left in Pyke."
"I think that before you fully stabilize the situation, my men should guard the castle for you."
He smiled politely, but there was no room for refusal in his tone.
Of course, Asha understood that.
She looked toward the Glover soldiers already climbing the walls and taking over the gates. The joy on her face faded slightly.
The knife was in his hand. She was the fish on the board.
Even if she refused, Galon would still seize control of the weakened castle.
His question was merely courtesy.
'Hmph. That damned man only cares about his own interests.'
'I must've been insane to think about pulling him to my side...'
Asha snorted inwardly in irritation.
After spending so much time with him, she understood exactly what kind of person Galon was.
His military talent was outstanding, but more importantly, he was bold and meticulous. Once he decided on something, he would see it through without hesitation.
When it was time to gamble, he would risk everything. When caution was needed, he would leave behind no flaws.
Still, Asha was not truly against his request.
At the moment, aside from relying on Galon, she really had no one else she could trust.
At least not until she formally wore the Driftwood Crown.
"Very well. I'll leave it to you."
There was a trace of resentment in her voice.
"Lord Galon, let us head to the hall and discuss what comes next—"
Before she could finish, a middle-aged man in a maester's robe hurried toward them.
The moment he saw Asha, his face lit up with excitement.
"Asha!"
Asha turned around in surprise. "Maester Wendamyr? You're alive?"
Wendamyr ran over, panting heavily.
"It really is you, Asha..."
He grabbed her hands, relief filling his eyes. But then his gaze shifted cautiously toward Galon.
"Who is this man? Where did these soldiers come from? And how did you escape from the North..."
Questions poured out endlessly.
Asha gave a bitter smile and quickly interrupted him.
"Maester, too much has happened. I'll explain everything later. More importantly, how are my mother and uncle?"
Wendamyr finally calmed himself and nodded.
"They're alive. But... there are things I need to discuss with you privately."
He turned politely toward Galon. "My lord, may I speak with Lady Asha alone for a moment?"
Galon did not answer immediately.
His eyes moved between the two of them as though weighing something in silence.
Only after a few moments did he gesture for them to proceed.
Asha nodded apologetically toward him before leaving with Wendamyr toward the main hall.
"My lady... your mother is ill..."
"What?"
Galon watched them disappear into the keep before turning toward his officers.
"Ron. What happened in the pine forest?"
Ron answered immediately.
"Most of the Ironborn were killed or scattered. A small portion fled west into the hills."
"I chose not to pursue them because I was concerned about your situation here."
Galon nodded thoughtfully.
"Mihawk. Take three hundred men and seize every guard tower and watchtower. Anyone who resists—kill them."
Mihawk straightened at once.
"Understood, my lord."
"Ron. Personally escort Euron to the dungeon and station guards there."
"Then place soldiers at the gates and patrol the castle day and night together with Mihawk's men."
"Without my permission, no one enters or leaves Pyke."
"No one."
Both men answered solemnly.
"Yes, Lord Galon!"
Beside them, Sparta finally could not hold back any longer. "What about us? What do we do, Lord Galon?"
Galon walked over and patted his shoulder with a smile.
"Sparta. Bring your men with me. We're going to clean this castle from top to bottom."
Sparta's eyes immediately brightened. "And the magic? Didn't you promise us dragon magic after taking Pyke?"
Galon glanced toward the distant figures of Asha and Wendamyr before lowering his voice.
"Relax. Euron is in our hands now."
"When he wakes up, I'll personally force the secrets out of him... I guarantee we'll uncover the magic to capture dragons."
Only then did Sparta grin happily. "Good! Then we'll follow you!"
Galon waved everyone away.
"Move."
Soon afterward, Glover soldiers and fierce Skagosi warriors replaced the original guards and seized complete control over the castle's critical points.
The atmosphere in Pyke, already tense, became even more suffocating under the harsh occupation of the Northern troops.
Galon did not care.
He led the Skagosi through the fortress like hunters sweeping through prey.
Remaining Ironborn were disarmed and imprisoned separately for later interrogation.
Even the servants were gathered and monitored.
Galon did not immediately begin searching for the dragon horn.
Instead, he methodically rooted out every hidden threat within Bloodkeep and the Great Keep.
Before the Ironborn captains arrived, he intended to completely secure Pyke under his control.
Meanwhile, inside the council hall, Asha continued explaining everything that had happened in the North.
"And that's how I reached an alliance with House Stark. They help me reclaim the Seastone Chair, and I help them win their war against the Lannisters."
Wendamyr finally relaxed.
"So that's the truth. I feared you had been taken hostage."
"But the Glovers..."
His expression darkened.
"Asha, the Iron Islands and House Glover have hated each other for generations."
"Even with Stark's orders, I fear they may still do something... irrational."
At that moment, sharp screams suddenly echoed from outside the hall.
Then silence.
Clearly, Galon's men were already killing throughout the castle.
"He's already started."
"Asha, you must stop him. If the captains learn of this slaughter, your rule will never be stable!"
Those words struck deeply.
For the first time, Asha truly realized something unsettling.
Though she was nominally the ruler of Pyke, nothing here was truly under her control.
Not even her own safety.
That feeling of helplessness filled her with humiliation and unease.
'This is not the North. This is my home. I can't allow Galon to do whatever he wants.'
Her fingers slowly traced the smooth stone of the Seastone Chair.
'Galon's ambitions can only continue if he has my support. Perhaps... I should test him again while I still can...'
"Asha?"
Wendamyr's voice snapped her back.
She shook her head.
"It's nothing. Go bring Galon here. And send ravens to every captain in the Iron Islands."
"I want them all in Pyke within seven days. They will witness the trial of the kinslayer."
Wendamyr bowed.
"At once."
After he left, Asha stared silently at the Seastone Chair.
"Father..."
Her hand brushed over the ancient stone as though she could still feel Balon's presence upon it.
Finally, she climbed the steps and sat down.
At that moment, she finally understood the burden her father had carried.
"How does it feel?"
Galon's voice came from the doorway.
He stood there alone, looking toward her.
"What?"
"The throne," he said slowly as he approached. "How does it feel to sit upon it? To hold life and death in your hands?"
Asha laughed coldly.
"You don't need to test me, Lord Galon. I'm not Euron. I gave my word to work with you, and I will not betray it."
Galon chuckled softly. "Good. Naturally, that is for the best."
But as he watched her remain seated on the Seastone Chair, a faint coldness flashed through his eyes before vanishing again.
Asha failed to notice.
"Lord Galon," she said carefully, trying to sound sincere, "regarding our alliance... I hope you won't misunderstand me."
"I swear in the name of the gods that my promises to the North, to House Stark, and to you will not change."
"The Iron Islands need allies. And I need your help."
Even now, she still had not given up on drawing him closer.
Her eyes burned with emotion.
But Galon remained unmoved.
"So," he asked calmly, "what exactly do you want from me?"
"Stop the killing in Pyke."
Asha looked at him earnestly.
"We've already won. The Iron Islands are mine now. There's no need for more bloodshed."
"Won?"
Galon laughed strangely.
"You truly think so?"
The question froze her expression.
"Asha."
Galon walked slowly closer to the Seastone Chair.
"You are far too naive."
Anger immediately flashed across her face, but he cut her off before she could speak.
"I do not distrust you," he said calmly. "But in front of power, personal promises are fragile things."
"The only reason you are sitting there right now..."
He partially drew his greatsword.
"...is because my sword cleared the way for you."
"Outside these walls, the Ironborn captains are watching. Do they obey your bloodline... or my sword?"
His voice remained calm, yet every word carried sharp mockery.
"Without me, you are merely a defeated claimant."
"And whether a defeated claimant can truly hold the Seastone Chair... I think you already know the answer."
Asha's face shifted between pale and flushed.
She stood abruptly, only for Galon's next words to pin her back down again.
"Asha. Think carefully."
"If I loosen control now, who can guarantee that someone won't take advantage of your trust in me and do something foolish?"
His gaze locked onto hers.
Cold. Rational. Honest.
"Until every captain publicly swears loyalty before the gods..."
"Until your rule is secure..."
"Until my men and I are safe..."
"Pyke must remain under my absolute control."
"This is not against you, Asha. It is the necessary price for our shared goal."
Those words struck her like cold water.
In that instant, Asha finally understood.
The man before her was not merely a brilliant commander. He was a master of power itself.
His distrust came from seeing reality more clearly than anyone else.
Once the Ironborn captains gathered, no one could predict who would truly control Pyke.
Seeing that she had calmed down, Galon changed direction smoothly.
"And do you truly think capturing Euron solves everything?"
"There are still men loyal to him hiding within this castle. And among the captains who are coming."
He rested his hand on the hilt of his sword.
"The captains who betrayed your father once... Why would they remain loyal to you?"
"They are venomous snakes. They will strike the moment they see weakness."
"If you want to truly secure the Seastone Chair, legitimacy alone is not enough... Euron's faction must be uprooted completely."
Asha fell silent.
She remembered the hesitation of the castle guards earlier.
"You're right..."
After a long pause, resolve slowly hardened in her eyes.
As Balon's chosen heir, she understood better than anyone how many captains despised the idea of a woman ruling them.
Her father had once suppressed them. Now she had to do it herself.
"What do you need me to do?"
Galon's lips curved slightly. "In the name of the queen, allow me to carry out the cleansing for you."
"It will secure your rule."
"And it will show everyone that alliance with the North is the Iron Islands' only path forward."
Asha stared at him silently.
She understood now. There was no turning back... Or perhaps there never had been.
Galon had already chosen the road for her long ago.
Slowly, heavily, she nodded.
At the same time, ravens flew from Pyke in every direction, carrying news across the Iron Islands that the castle had fallen and a new ruler had claimed the Seastone Chair.
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