Chapter 144: The Great Council of Myr's Peaceful Evolution
Essos, Myr — Great Hall of the Magisters
The Magister's Palace of Myr was an ancient and magnificent fortress. Its central structure was a massive circular stronghold crowned with twenty towering spires. These twenty towers represented the twenty seats of the Great Council of Myr and also served as residences for the magisters who wielded true authority over the city.
Myr was an enormous port city.
Unlike the other Free Cities, Myr was filled with countless workshops and factories. Although its population was not the largest in Essos, it possessed the highest number of craftsmen and artisans in all the Free Cities.
At this moment, within the council chamber of the Magister's Palace, a tense political struggle was quietly unfolding.
Today was election day.
The day when all members of the Great Council gathered.
Most magisters in Essos were merchants of immense wealth and influence. Noble bloodlines and ancient family heritage meant little here.
This was also one of the main reasons the rulers of the eastern and western continents looked down upon one another.
After passing through the towering arches of the entrance hall, one would enter the spacious and magnificently decorated council chamber.
The unique design of the great dome allowed sunlight to pour directly into the chamber, illuminating every council member present.
Under the interplay of light and shadow, everyone's expressions appeared unusually solemn.
The chamber itself resembled a grand theater.
At its center stood a raised speaker's platform.
Surrounding it were rows of elevated council seats where magisters and their retainers sat.
This was the administrative center of all Myr.
Every major and minor matter concerning the city-state was debated here.
Standing atop the speaker's platform today was Magister Trang Taip.
Dressed in magnificent robes, Trang Taip appeared particularly spirited.
At this moment, he stood in the center of the chamber brimming with confidence.
His eyes were firm as he tightly gripped the golden scepter symbolizing the authority of a council member.
"Today, I wish to propose a motion to impeach Magister Byron John."
"This man's misjudgments regarding the Disputed Lands have damaged our relationship with the conqueror of Tyrosh."
"And now, that Little Monkey's army is preparing to attack our farms."
"Do we truly intend to continue this war?"
Upon hearing the word war, the expressions of many magisters immediately shifted.
For Myr, war was a nightmare.
Back during the era of the Kingdom of the Three Daughters, Myr's entire handicraft industry had been forcibly converted into military production.
Yet after the war ended, Myr gained nothing.
Instead, the massive overproduction of weapons caused countless magisters and wealthy merchants to go bankrupt.
Weapons were not luxury goods.
When there was no war, they simply gathered dust in warehouses.
Although many military products from Myr became famous throughout the world during that era, once the civil wars in Westeros ended, those weapons lost their market.
Even now, warehouses throughout Myr still stored unsold equipment from those years.
Therefore, hearing the possibility of war once more caused many magisters to instinctively feel fear.
They dreaded once again facing the shadow of conflict.
Most of the Nine Free Cities disliked war.
They preferred making money.
Only when faced with invasion or destruction would they truly rise in resistance.
Sometimes, in order to avoid endless harassment and warfare, they even chose to pay tribute.
For example—the Dothraki.
When the rulers and magisters of the Free Cities encountered a Khal, they generally chose to pay tribute in exchange for peace.
The Dothraki would then sell captured slaves to the Free Cities in exchange for grain and iron goods.
"I am fighting for Myr's future!"
"That Targaryen who appeared from nowhere is slowly devouring our power."
"You don't understand—he is a conqueror, just like his ancestors."
"He will never coexist peacefully with us!"
After suffering humiliation at Tyrion Lannister's hands during the previous incident, Byron John had returned to Myr in disgrace.
Although he had grown old, there were still things he remembered clearly.
And warning everyone about the threat Jon posed had become his responsibility.
"That man is a destroyer of order—our common enemy!"
"We should unite every force available!"
"I know Archon Adolf Moses—"
"Ahem... Magister Byron John..."
"Adolf Moses is already dead."
Seeing Byron John begin rambling again, Omar Panama kindly interrupted him.
"Do you see?"
"This is one of our fellow magisters."
"I truly fear that one day, while negotiating with the Dothraki, he might accidentally order the city gates opened."
"And then those mad dogs would slaughter every one of us."
Seeing his opponent falter, Trang Taip immediately pressed the attack.
This was his opportunity.
"Magister Byron John truly has become old."
"I seriously doubt whether he can still distinguish friend from foe."
"He has served as a magister for forty years..."
"We should still show respect..."
"He sacrificed greatly for the Great Council..."
Voices immediately rose from every direction.
Byron John possessed tremendous prestige among the magisters.
Many present had once benefited from his support.
This was also the primary reason he had received widespread backing when he first chose to intervene in the Disputed Lands.
But now—
amid the growing discussion—
Byron John slowly slumped back into his chair.
Like an old man entering the twilight years of his life.
Even if his speech had become muddled, his heart still worked tirelessly for Myr.
Unfortunately—
reality could be cruel.
"Very well."
"Since the motion has been proposed, I ask all council members to cast their votes."
At Trang Taip's command, the twenty councilors began voting.
Byron John lowered his head silently.
As Trang Taip finished speaking, nearly half the councilors raised their hands.
"You... you've gone too far!"
"Myr will one day be destroyed by fools like you!"
"Rod Monark will—"
Upon seeing the impeachment motion pass, Byron John trembled as he shouted furiously.
In his rage, he once again became confused and even called out the name of the deceased Rod Monark.
"Please leave, esteemed Magister Byron John."
"Though you are no longer a councilor, you are still a noble magister."
"Please maintain your dignity."
Trang Taip's expression remained calm.
But inwardly, he was overwhelmed with joy.
After all, among all the people he hated, Byron John ranked first.
Now that the old traditionalist had been removed, nobody could interfere with his future plans.
As guards entered, Byron John was escorted out.
"Good."
"Now for the next motion."
After speaking, Trang Taip stepped down from the platform.
As he descended, Omar Panama walked upward with his own scepter in hand.
The two exchanged subtle glances as they passed.
"Ahem."
"Noble councilors..."
"I cannot even remember how many years it has been since I last stood upon this platform."
Hearing Omar Panama's self-mocking words, many magisters immediately sensed something unusual.
The hawkish faction that belonged to Byron John's camp immediately changed expressions.
Many clever individuals had already begun connecting today's events with Byron John's earlier failure.
Unfortunately—
it was already too late.
Great Council motions required prior submission.
Temporary proposals were forbidden.
To bypass procedure was considered disrespectful toward every magister present.
"Very well."
"By now, everyone should know that the Dragon Lord of Tyrosh has already reached an agreement with Lys."
"Aside from providing weapons, we have little interest remaining in this matter."
Seeing everyone's reactions, Omar Panama continued adding fuel to the fire.
"Dragons have always remained beyond our reach."
"However, during a noble war that recently concluded in Westeros, Renly Baratheon was defeated by Stannis Baratheon, despite Stannis possessing far fewer troops."
"Stannis leased two dragons."
"And those dragons came from our dear neighbor."
Silence.
Absolute silence.
Then—
the entire chamber exploded into discussion.
"Weren't the Stormlands conquered only recently?"
"How could dragons appear already?"
"Have true dragons returned?"
"What should we do?"
"Could that Tyroshi conqueror attack us next?"
Panic.
Shock.
Fear.
Secret excitement.
All kinds of emotions appeared among the magisters.
Their discussions became so loud that even servants nearby began whispering among themselves.
"Silence!"
At that moment, Omar Panama suddenly roared.
The chamber instantly quieted.
All eyes turned toward him.
"We still have one final chance."
"And perhaps..."
"...our last opportunity."
"I believe no one can resist the temptation of dragons."
"Therefore—"
"My proposal is that Myr formally join the Spellbreakers Alliance!"
Boom—
The moment Omar Panama finished speaking, the entire chamber erupted again.
The proposal was simply too shocking.
"That lord possesses countless miraculous methods."
"Do you truly not wish to become legendary Dragonlords?"
"To ride giant dragons and soar across the skies of Essos?"
As Omar Panama spoke those final words—
the entire chamber suddenly fell silent.
Seeing the expressions around him, a faint smile finally appeared on the faces of Trang Taip and Omar Panama.
Everything...
was proceeding according to plan.
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