After obtaining conclusive evidence that could directly eliminate the Hightower Family's loyal dogs, Daenerys happily rode Dreamfire back to White Sheep Town and immediately summoned Samwell and Dax.
"How are the tasks I assigned you coming along?"
Once everyone had arrived, Daenerys immediately asked.
Cameron, Daenerys's sworn knight, was the first to speak,
"Reporting to Your Highness, the Peeling Knights have selected 360 trainees from the Dragon Guard and White Sheep Town's orphan boys and girls. They are currently receiving training from the Dragon Guard on Dragon Mountain."
"Finally, there are enough people to roast sheep every day! The Peeling Knights can finally spare time for combat training, haha!"
"Also, as per your instructions, the Dragon Guard has been increased to 300 members. This is thanks to the tournament, which has brought young knights from all over the Seven Kingdoms to Dragonstone. They are currently undergoing naval training with the Holy Flame fleet and are ready to serve Your Highness at any time!"
The Holy Flame fleet currently has 35 ships, and its purple-gold three-masted sailboats are the most advanced ocean-going vessels in the world.
Daenerys won 10 of them from Boros, the heir to the Stormlands Duke. While sending them to Braavos for modification, she spent 2 million gold dragons to purchase another 25 ships from Braavos.
"The Holy Flame fleet's sailors and shipwrights are also fully equipped. They are ready to set sail and carry out missions at any time!"
Cameron knew that Daenerys was preparing for a great voyage, which was also the dream of many young men, including himself. So, when he spoke of this, his eyes were already shining.
Daenerys was pleased to hear this and said,
"Very good. The Three Kingdoms Alliance fleet is already preparing to take action against the Stepstones. We will be ready at any time to reap the benefits when they start fighting among themselves!"
"Your Highness, are we going to occupy the Stepstones?"
Cameron asked, puzzled,
"Although that sea area is vast, it's all barren islands. And it's overrun with pirates and bandits; it doesn't seem very useful, does it?"
Samwell, who was nearby, explained,
"However, the geographical location of the Stepstones is very important. It is not only a bridge connecting Westeros and Essos but also the only passage for the Seven Kingdoms to enter and exit the Narrow Sea and the Summer Sea."
"Controlling the Stepstones is equivalent to holding the throat of those forces that need to conduct maritime trade!"
"But it's not easy to completely control the Stepstones! The forces there are simply too complex and intertwined!"
At this moment, Dax, whose face was noticeably bruised, confidently said,
"Your Highness, the Unicorn Mercenary Company is willing to clear the Stepstones for you!"
It was only then that Daenerys noticed that the five young men from Starkes Island all seemed to have quite a few injuries on their faces. Iger, the Skinchanger of the Giant Eagle, even seemed to have a broken arm.
"What happened to you all? Who beat you up like this!"
In Daenerys's impression, there were not many masters in the Seven Kingdoms who could beat them to such a state.
Meanwhile, Samwell and Cameron, who were nearby, couldn't help but secretly snicker at the sight.
At this moment, Dax explained,
"Your Highness, didn't you ask us to take advantage of the tournament to gather people and form a mercenary company!"
"If you don't beat those mercenaries into submission, they won't obey obediently! Especially the two hundred gladiators Cameron brought back, every single one of them is a master. To subdue them, my whole body's bones nearly fell apart from fighting!"
"Fortunately, the Herbalist's potions are effective, and the dragonflame wine Your Highness provided helps restore physical strength quickly, otherwise, it would have been quite unbearable!"
"But I'm happy to report that the Unicorn Mercenary Company has now gathered 500 mercenaries!"
At this moment, Dax's proud demeanor was completely like a proud peacock!
"300 knights, 500 mercenaries, plus the 1000 Unsullied from Tarth, and 35 three-masted sailboats should be enough to take the Stepstones! Once I also secure Simoros and Abysos from King's Landing Dragonpit, with the help of these dragons, it will be enough to guard the Stepstones!"
After some thought, Daenerys instructed Cameron and Dax,
"You two, prepare as quickly as possible and lead all the Dragon Guard and the Unicorn Mercenary Company with the Holy Flame fleet to Tarth to set up base. Once the Three Kingdoms Alliance and the pirates of the Stepstones have fought to a decisive outcome, you will then strike to capture them all!"
"Yes, as Your Highness commands!"
Cameron and Dax immediately knelt on one knee, excitedly agreeing. It seems that combat is a passion deeply embedded in the blood of every hot-blooded youth!
After speaking, Daenerys then looked at Watcher, a Child of the Forest.
Watcher immediately rose and respectfully said,
"Reporting to Your Highness, your subordinate has currently selected 30 talented young girls from White Sheep Town who are undergoing archery training!"
"However, it might be because the southern regions have lost faith in the Old Gods for too long, and the First Men's bloodline has become thin. Your subordinate has searched almost all of Dragonstone and Holy Flame Island, and only found seven young girls with Skinchanger talent!"
"However..."
At this point, Watcher's expression was clearly a bit awkward, but after all, she was an old one who had lived for countless years, so she continued calmly,
"However, the animals they successfully changed into are all those famous cats that Your Highness had people search for from all over the world!"
"Hahahaha!"
At this moment, Kai, the Shadow Mountain Cat Skinchanger, burst out laughing,
"This time, the mice in Dragonstone are going to suffer!"
However, his joke immediately sparked an idea in Daenerys's mind. So, she began to comfort Watcher, saying,
"This is already very good, after all, our Targaryen Family already has dragons. Whether it's cats or beasts, they are all the same in the eyes of dragons!"
"These seven are actually more helpful to me right now!"
"Today, bring all of them to Dragonstone to be my handmaidens! It's also a good opportunity to see how good they are at catching mice?"
Daenerys's words immediately made everyone laugh.
"Your Highness, if war breaks out in the Stepstones, I'm afraid the tournament cannot be held as scheduled."
Mederick of the Manderly Family from White Harbor reminded Daenerys,
"The tournament grounds are already largely completed, with only the details of decoration and arrangement left! And most of the people from the major families of the Seven Kingdoms have already arrived!"
"Regarding this, I have a suggestion. If the war in the Stepstones truly starts before then, it would be better to simply postpone the tournament."
"After victory is achieved in the Stepstones, we can then celebrate the victory by holding an even grander tournament!"
"Moreover, the Seven Kingdoms have enjoyed peace for a long time. Once war breaks out in the Stepstones, these young, hot-blooded knights will probably all spontaneously rush to the battlefield!"
"Then, the victory in the Stepstones will be the victory of the entire Seven Kingdoms! And the tournament held at that time will leave a profound mark in history!"
It must be said that Mederick's words made a lot of sense. So, Daenerys immediately agreed,
"Hmm! You have a point. Then let's officially inform everyone after our war in the Stepstones breaks out!"
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