Chapter 89: Breakthrough on All Fronts
Tyrosh, near the East Gate
"Woo... crack... crack..."
With the sound of soldiers turning the winches, the East Gate of Tyrosh slowly opened. This massive iron-clad oak gate was incredibly heavy and required a mechanism to operate.
Behind the gate was an iron portcullis. If an enemy breached the first gate and entered the passage, the portcullis would drop, and the defenders would pour burning oil from the murder holes, sealing the entire passage.
However, with the arrival of the Chainbreakers, these defenses were no longer needed. The soldiers originally stationed here had long since become corpses.
As the gate opened, the mercenaries who had been waiting outside rushed in all at once, their armor mismatched and their weapons varied.
Fortunately, after entering the city, these men did not run wild like stray dogs. Instead, they followed their captains toward Jon and the others.
"Lord Jon! One thousand men of the Wolf Pack reporting for duty..."
"Raging Bear Pack..."
"Wave Pack..."
...The mercenary captains responsible for the East Gate hurried to report to Jon after seeing him standing at the gate.
They had already witnessed everything that happened on the city walls through their Myrish lenses. The terrifying images of the Cyclopes and the giant venomous spiders were deeply etched into their minds.
"Hmm... good. You've completed your mission well. Everyone, proceed according to the original plan. One group will attack the Tyrosh Administrative Hall, while the other supports the West Gate."
Jon's forces had already captured a temple here. The Tyroshi had learned many practical governance methods from their Valyrian ancestors, including a pluralistic religious system.
They spent vast sums building temples throughout the city to give slaves something to believe in. They also cooperated with priests, who used various methods to indoctrinate the slaves into accepting their fate.
The temple near the East Gate belonged to the Black Goat. An old "acquaintance" of Jon.
Since Jon had already fallen out with that entity, he chose it as his point of breakthrough.
Gods across Essos were as numerous as hairs on a cow, but only a few truly possessed power. As long as they didn't provoke him, Jon had no intention of provoking them either.
The governance system left behind by the Valyrians was excellent. As someone of Valyrian descent, Jon naturally intended to carry it forward.
"All troops, prepare!"
After arranging the mercenaries, Jon gathered the resting Chainbreakers. The battle had only just begun.
The forces near Dionysus Fountain Square were still resisting, and the slaves were still looting and killing throughout the city. Jon had no intention of letting that continue—after all, he planned to rule this city.
"Frodo, Sam, Pippin, Merry—take the Imperial Spear-and-Shield units and seize control of the banks on the eastern Financial Street. Those banks now belong to me. If anyone objects, let steel answer them."
"Yes! Jon—Lord Aegon!"
Although Jon had not formally taken the name Aegon Targaryen, Frodo and the others, as his Kingsguard, had already begun addressing him as such.
Though not publicly declared, once Jon's split-sigil banner appeared, anyone with sense could guess his identity.
Upon receiving the order, they led their troops toward the northeast of Tyrosh—the Financial Street, where the major banks of the Stepstones were located.
"Lord Aegon! Where are we heading next?"
Black Fox Lena, now in charge of naval affairs after submitting to Jon, followed him into the city after command of the fleet was handed to Ser Barristan Selmy.
"We push through Dionysus Fountain Square and advance toward the outskirts of the Purple Palace."
The Purple Palace of Tyrosh was similar to the Red Keep of King's Landing—a fortified stronghold within the city itself.
It had been designed with the possibility of Tyrosh falling in mind. Supplies and weapons within were abundant, enough to withstand a siege for nearly a year.
"Form up and advance!"
...Following Jon's command, the infantry phalanx led by the Heavy Armored Knights began advancing toward Dionysus Fountain Square. This unit—centered on Heavy Armored Knights, supported by archers and mages—was the strongest force among the Chainbreakers.
"Dong, dong, dong..."
They marched to the rhythm of war drums. About five drummers were assigned to each formation—a cadence Jon had devised back on Bloodstone.
"Our army is like the sun..."
Hearing the rhythm, Jon unconsciously hummed. Some things were etched into the soul—never forgotten.
"Dong, dong, dong..."
Suddenly, a sharper drumbeat echoed.
Looking up, Jon realized his force had been surrounded on all sides.
"The Silver Stag Army?"
Seeing the silver stag banner fluttering, Jon recognized them.
"Unknown army! You have invaded Tyrosh! Withdraw now, and we will not pursue. Advance further, and you will pay the price!"
Due to the noise, the opposing heralds shouted in unison, their voices booming across the battlefield.
"Surrender. No death."
Jon's reply in Valyrian was simple—three words.
Too simple.
Saeraes Moss and his Silver Stag Army took it as an insult.
"Shua, shua, shua..."
At the herald's command, a dense volley of arrows rained down from all sides.
Their coordination was excellent—far superior to the City Watch.
But the Chainbreakers were no less disciplined.
At once, soldiers on the outer and inner lines raised their shields.
The Heavy Armored Knights formed the core. Supporting troops carried rattan shields—lightweight, flexible, and highly effective against arrows.
These shields, common among Stepstones pirates, lacked the raw strength of iron or oak—but their low cost and anti-arrow capability made them invaluable.
"Advance!"
"Dong, dong, dong... Clang, clang..."
At the signal, the drums thundered again.
The Heavy Armored Knights marched forward in perfect rhythm.
Like an unstoppable iron tide.
"Fire! Prepare!"
The Silver Stag front line braced—expecting arrows.
Instead—
The mages behind the shield wall extended their hands.
"What are they doing?"
An officer frowned.
Then—
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
Fireballs slammed into the front ranks.
Shields shattered. Formation broke.
Before they could react—
The Heavy Armored Knights crashed into them.
Shields forward, spears thrusting in unison.
"Bang! Bang! Pfft—!"
"Aaaah!"
The wounded fell in waves.
But the advance did not stop.
Step by step.
Drumbeat by drumbeat.
Relentless.
Like a crushing machine.
In formation warfare, coordination between shield and spear determined everything.
The Heavy Armored Knights combined both perfectly—maximizing lethality.
Under their advance, the Silver Stag Army's formation was steadily devoured.
Though Saeraes Moss tried again and again to reinforce the line—
Before this unstoppable iron torrent—
Resistance was meaningless.
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