Escalating Conflict!

The next morning.

Daeren sought out Rhaegar for a formal talk in the study.

"The situation at Dragon Mountain is unclear; I don't advise you to go."

Rhaegar said calmly.

Daeren waved his hand and brought up the old matter of the Hightowers of Oldtown.

Lord Hightower was eccentric.

He needed Rhaegar to write a letter to persuade Lord Hightower to return the dragon eggs.

Rhaegar was recognized throughout the Seven Kingdoms as a good prince, a restorer of glory, and someone everyone had to show some respect to.

"Hightower... dragon eggs..."

Rhaegar was very surprised.

Daeren, unconcerned that Rhaegar might seize them, stated directly: "I am here for the dragon eggs. My House needs a dragon."

"If you want the dragon eggs, I can help you search for them."

A hint of melancholy flashed in Rhaegar's eyes as he softly said, "But you speak of one dragon; even my great-grandfather couldn't achieve that."

From his current position and status, he could gather one or two dragon eggs if he searched with all his might.

But it had been over 150 years since the extinction of dragons, and no one had ever successfully hatched a dragon egg.

Sometimes, standing at the ruins of Summerhall, he thought he could still hear the wails from the great fire.

Daeren: "Brother, times have changed."

"Oh?"

Rhaegar's mood shifted, showing curiosity.

Daeren: "The special crops that have appeared on the continent are the best proof, aren't they?"

The Red Comet had arrived early.

The return of dragons would also be early.

Rhaegar pondered for a moment, then nodded. "I can help you write a letter to Lord Hightower, requesting the return of royal property."

Success!

Daeren rejoiced inwardly.

"But..."

The tone shifted, as if he were about to say something trivial.

Rhaegar was direct: "The Hightower family is powerful. If you want to reclaim the dragon eggs, you must give Lord Hightower ample face."

"For example, he will propose conditions for special crops, and you must do your best to fulfill them."

It was similar to what the White Bull, Ser Gerold, had said: exchanging special crops for dragon eggs.

Daeren accepted it all.

With their first formal conversation, the estrangement between the brothers eased considerably, allowing for more casual chat.

At Daeren's inquiry, Rhaegar revealed the goal of his previous voyage.

"I went to Essos, stopping in Tyrosh and Lys, attempting to find traces of our ancestral sword, Blackfyre."

Rhaegar did not hide anything, nor would he deign to.

However, the regret in his tone suggested that the trip must have been fruitless.

Searching for the ancestral sword... we have the same goal. Daeren thought to himself.

"My House needs to change, and I am working towards it."

Rhaegar's expression was calm, as if discussing a minor matter.

Daeren nodded, not objecting.

Both saw the precarious state of their House and harbored the thought of saving it from collapse.

He was collecting dragon eggs, attempting to hatch dragons.

This was the most direct and thorough way to change things, capable of restoring House Targaryen to its peak in one fell swoop.

As for what Rhaegar was busy with, and what method he intended to use to save the family, it was temporarily unclear.

"I can share two pieces of information with you."

After careful consideration, Daeren decided to reciprocate.

First, Skagos might be the burial ground of the Grumkins.

Second, the ancestral sword Blackfyre is not in Tyrosh but is likely in the hands of the Golden Company. The governor of Pentos, Illyrio, is the key.

These two pieces of information are crucial.

Unfortunately, Daeren cannot use them.

After encountering the three-eyed Crow twice in his dreams, Daeren swore he wouldn't set foot in the North again before hatching his dragon eggs.

Whether Skagos and Grumkins are related is doubtful, and the probability of finding dragon eggs there is even slimmer.

It's best to leave the exploration to the desireless Rhaegar.

If there really are dragon eggs...

Given the tradition of at least five eggs per clutch, he could ask Rhaegar for one.

The second piece of information is even more troublesome.

The Golden Company was founded by the noble bastard Aegon Rivers and is one of the strongest mercenary groups in Essos.

Even if the ancestral sword Blackfyre is truly in the hands of the Golden Company, reclaiming it would be a bloody battle.

However, this could be handed over to Rhaegar.

"As long as I have dragons, all of this will be mine."

Daeren's thoughts were clear.

Upon hearing the two pieces of information, Rhaegar did not doubt them and began to ponder seriously.

He trusted Daeren.

This younger brother had been different since childhood. Perhaps he wasn't outstanding in any particular aspect, but he had no weaknesses in any area.

What he said was worth considering.

"How can you be sure Illyrio is connected to the Golden Company?"

Rhaegar quickly locked onto his target.

Daeren already had an excuse: "I discovered several secret passages in the Red Keep and accidentally overheard the Master of Whisperers Varys and Illyrio having a private conversation. They mentioned the Golden Company, the last Blackfyre descendant Maester Lys, waiting for an opportunity... and so on."

Facing Rhaegar before the "False Spring," he did not hesitate to sell out Varys.

The brothers might be rivals in the future.

But before the war, it was necessary to unite against external enemies.

It didn't matter if their own people fought amongst themselves, but they couldn't let outsiders profit.

"I will be mindful."

Rhaegar understood and mentally marked the Master of Whisperers Varys.

It involved a descendant of Blackfyre.

If he had the chance, he would eradicate them completely.

Everything that needed to be said had been said.

Daeren asked one last question: "What's the situation with Dragon Mountain?"

A moment later

Daeren walked out of the study.

The conversation had gone smoothly.

He had gained Rhaegar's assistance, and Rhaegar had received two pieces of intelligence.

At the same time, he had also clarified the specific situation at Dragon Mountain.

Shortly before the incident, someone had seen a black shadow resembling a dragon that could breathe fire at Dragon Mountain and had been attacked.

The eyewitness claimed it was a wild dragon.

Illyrio had ordered Dragon Mountain sealed off.

After Rhaegar's failed attempt to find the ancestral sword Blackfyre and his return voyage, he assembled a group of dragon riders and soldiers to form the Dragon Guard, who patrolled Dragon Mountain day and night.

He himself led Ser Arthur Dayne and Prince Lewyn into Dragon Mountain to search for the black shadow suspected of being a wild dragon.

The wild dragon was not found.

In a cave that had once housed dragons, Prince Lewyn was bitten by a strange reptile.

According to Rhaegar.

The reptile had excellent camouflage abilities, blending perfectly with the stone piles, and could only be discovered if it revealed itself.

Prince Lewyn had been careless for a moment and was bitten by the reptile.

Furthermore, the reptile had astonishing bite force, easily piercing through armor greaves and crushing the bone of Prince Lewyn's right lower leg.

The wound also bore traces of flame burns.

If not for Sir Arthur Dayne's timely intervention, the injury could have been dire.

Daeren specifically inquired about the reptile's appearance.

When still, it was like a Stone. After revealing its true form, it had two horns on its head, its shell as hard as iron, and its mouth full of sharp fangs.

"Sounds like the Lava Brute from the Volcanic Dungeon?"

Daeren muttered to himself.

Rhaegar's description of Dragon Mountain was clear; it was still the same old Dragon Mountain, with no changes to its terrain or environment.

In other words, Dragonstone was not Jiang Island.

"Then why would there be a new species similar to a volcanic monster in Dragon Mountain?"

Daeren couldn't figure it out.

However, compared to a volcanic monster that only ambushed, the news of suspected wild dragons appearing in Dragon Mountain was undoubtedly more exhilarating.

"Although Rhaegar didn't find any trace of wild dragons, and the witnesses didn't see its full appearance, this news is thought-provoking enough."

Daeren was very curious if wild dragons could truly hatch on their own.

As soon as he went downstairs, he heard an argument in the hall.

"Jon Darry, you blind coward, do you know you are infringing upon the Crown Prince's authority?"

The voice came from Oswell Hewett.

He was accusing without politeness.