Rhaenyra raised his head suddenly. "Tormund? He hasn't found it yet..."
"Just because it's not there now, doesn't mean it won't be found in the future." Redd interrupted her, "Three Daughters's alliance's fleet and intelligence network, plus Daemon's familiarity with that sea area, it's only a matter of time before Tormund is found."
Once they find Tormund, get the sea dragon, or even... get the secrets of the ocean behind Tormund, the consequences will be disastrous."
He paused and his eyes became dark. "When the time comes, we will not only have to face Daemon,
It is a 'Stepstones Kingdom' with two dragons (or even more), control of key waterways, and the support of the Three Daughters Alliance and Dorne behind it."
Rhaenyra's hands clenched the corners of his clothes tightly, his knuckles turned white.
She understood what Redd meant - the situation was deteriorating rapidly, and her hesitation and struggle might make everything too late.
"Redd." She spoke, her voice hoarse but extremely clear, "You said that if my father refuses to publicly confirm my inheritance rights, you will use... necessary means."
Redd looked at her and said nothing.
Rhaenyra took a deep breath, as if using all his strength to say the next sentence, "If now, I ask you...
Not just for my inheritance, but to stop Daemon, to prevent Westeros from falling into deeper chaos... What will you do?"
This was the first time that she took the initiative to put the option "may be detrimental to her father" on the table. Although the wording was still euphemistic, the meaning was obvious.
Redd approached her, gently held her shoulders with both hands, and looked directly into her violet eyes, which were filled with struggle and pain, but also unprecedented determination.
"I will do what I have to do." He said word for word, "First, I need to confirm your father's position.
He must make a public statement - whether to choose to support you, or to choose to indulge Daemon and sit back and watch the situation collapse. If he chooses the latter..."
He didn't finish speaking, but Rhaenyra already understood.
"Give me three days." Rhaenyra whispered, "Let me... go to King's Landing to see him in person. For the last time."
She raised her head, with tears in her eyes, but extremely determined. "I want to ask him personally whether he still wants me as his daughter, and whether he still wants to maintain the unity of House Targaryen.
If he answers 'no'... then I..."
She didn't finish speaking, but Redd already understood.
He nodded, gently held her in his arms, and whispered in her ear, "Go.
No matter the outcome, I'm here."
The sea and sky outside the window are still gray, but the center of the storm is approaching at a faster pace.
Daemon's "Stepstones Kingdom", Three Daughters's alliance's covetousness, Dorne's silence, and King's Landing's hesitant king...
All the threads are tightened at this moment.
The choice of Rhaenyra will determine the direction of the next chess game.
Rhaenys slowly broke away from Redwyne's warm embrace, tears sliding down his cheeks.
She gently raised her hand, wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes, and tried to control her emotions.
Although her eyes were still slightly red and swollen, she had gradually put away her pitiful little daughter look.
Redd Since she has promised to give her three days, now every second counts and there is no need to delay.
Ever since, Rhaenys turned around without hesitation and issued an order to Mesalia beside him, "Get the ship ready quickly! I need to set off for King's Landing immediately."
After saying this, her eyes were firm and decisive.
Redd saw this and echoed, "Well, that's very good.
At that time, you should go with Mesalia and double the number of accompanying guards."
After hearing this, Mesalia hurriedly saluted and promised, saying that she would do her best to comply with the request.
Immediately afterwards, she hurriedly left and started preparing for the ship and escort.
Redd personally escorted the two of them to the port boarding area.
He stood quietly on the shore, looking at the fleet of ships drifting away, his heart full of sadness.
The salty, wet and cold sea breeze blew against my face, mixed with the scorching sun, making this parting seem less desolate, but more helpless and melancholy.
Dragonstone Port, the sea breeze carries a moist, salty smell, and the afternoon sun penetrates the thin clouds, casting a fine golden light on the sea.
Redd stood at the edge of the pier for a long time, watching the ship carrying Rhaenyra drifting away, its sails swelling in the wind, like a white seagull flying away.
Rhaenyra stood at the stern of the ship, her figure gradually shrinking in the distance, but her bulging belly and straight back were still clearly visible.
She didn't wave, just looked at him quietly until the ship turned a headland and completely disappeared from sight.
Redd stood there for a long time.
The cool sea breeze blew his robes, and the sun burned above his head, but it could not dispel the lingering heaviness in his heart.
It was rare for him to have such a moment - watching important people leave with an uncertain future.
In the past, he was always the one in control, with the chess pieces at his mercy and the situation driven by him.
But this time, he gave the choice to Rhaenyra and her last feeling for her father.
This is stupid. Redd knows it.
From a purely profit perspective, he should take action directly, use King Ghidorah's firepower to force Viserys into submission, and use the future of three hundred young dragons to deter all opponents.
But he still gave Rhaenyra these three days.
"Because she is Rhaenyra." He said to himself in his heart, "Not a chess piece, but a wife."
This reason is sufficient and stupid enough. But Redd has no regrets.
He turned around, and the expression on his face had returned to its former calm and stern expression.
Not far behind him, Jasont, one of the confidant generals he brought from the east, was waiting respectfully.
"Send a message to Dawg Lars who is still at Volantis."
Redd's voice did not contain any emotion, as if he was instructing a daily chore, "Let him lead a navy of fifty thousand to come Dragonstone."
Volantis's affairs are temporarily left to Sciora and Marcus."
Jason was startled for a moment, then bowed. "Yes, Lord Redd." Without asking any more questions, he quickly turned around and left to carry out the order.
Fifty thousand navy.
This is one of Redd's family assets in the east. It is an elite force that he gradually integrated and trained after conquering Volantis, Norvos, Lorath and other city-states.
This fleet is well-equipped, has high morale, and has experienced several naval battles. It is by no means comparable to those temporarily recruited feudal navies of Westeros.
What it means to transfer them to Dragonstone is clear to, and even clearer to Redd.
Be prepared with both hands. In other words, an ultimatum.
If Rhaenyra succeeds, Viserys publicly confirms her identity as crown prince,
Then this fleet can be used as a deterrent force to intimidate the Daemon and Three Daughters alliance, and can also be used to protect Dragonstone and Driftmark to prevent the situation from deteriorating further.