Redd lay on King Ghidorah's broad back, feeling the strong airflow brought by high-speed flight and the surging power in King Ghidorah's body.
This is his dragon, his speed, his... deterrence.
From Dragonstone to King's Landing, an ordinary ship takes several days to travel, and even the fastest raven has to fly for a whole day.
But for King Ghidorah, it was just a matter of moments.
The outline of King's Landing soon appeared in view.
The capital city of Seven Kingdoms looked particularly majestic under the setting sun, but also very... fragile.
Redd can clearly see the tall tower of Red Keep, the spire of Great Sept of Baelor, the densely packed houses and streets, and the few ships moored in Blackwater Bay.
When the huge figure of King Ghidorah appeared in the sky above King's Landing, the whole city instantly fell into commotion.
Pedestrians on the street raised their heads and exclaimed in surprise; sailors at the port dropped their work and stared at the sky in stunned silence;
The guards inside Red Keep clenched their weapons nervously, but they didn't know how to respond.
Redd did not let King Ghidorah land directly in Red Keep's courtyard - that would be too aggressive.
He chose to land near Dragonpit outside the city, which was where the House Targaryen dragons of all generations had inhabited. At least it was a relatively neutral area.
King Ghidorah landed steadily, with three heads looking around to make sure there was no threat.
Redd jumped off the dragon's back and patted its thick neck. "Wait for me here."
King Ghidorah hummed in response.
Redd straightened his clothes that were messed up by the wind and strode towards Red Keep.
Behind him, King Ghidorah's huge golden body looked like a hill in the dusk, its six eyes still watching everything around it vigilantly.
In front of Red Keep's main entrance, a team of Kingsguard has already been waiting.
The leader was Sir "Kingmaker" Ke Lys ton·Cole. His expression was complicated - he was afraid of this "Dragon King", but also had no choice but to follow the order.
"Sir Redd," Cole bowed slightly and said in a rigid tone, "His Majesty the King is waiting for you in the council hall. Please come with me."
Redd nodded slightly and followed Cole through the many hallways of Red Keep.
Along the way, he noticed that there were many more guards in the castle than usual, but everyone's eyes were full of uneasiness and awe.
Obviously, King Ghidorah's short but extremely shocking "air parade" has left a deep impression on everyone.
The door of the meeting hall slowly opened in front of you.
Redd stepped into the hall and immediately saw Viserys·Targaryen sitting in the main seat.
The king was more haggard than the last time we met, his eye sockets were sunken, and the wrinkles on his face seemed to have deepened.
But his eyes were extremely bright at this moment, even with a hint of... determination?
Rhaenyra stood aside, and when she saw Redd coming in, obvious joy and relief flashed in her eyes.
Her swollen belly was still conspicuous under her loose robe, but her overall condition looked much better than three days ago.
And beside Viserys, there was another person standing - Alicent·Hai Tarth, the current queen.
She also had a pregnant belly, but she had a decent smile on her face, and there was an elusive meaning in her eyes as she looked at Redd.
"Redd." Viserys spoke, his voice hoarse but still smooth, "You are here. Sit down."
Redd was not polite and sat down next to Rhaenyra, then looked directly at Viserys:
"Your Majesty, the news brought back by Mysaria says that you are willing to publicly confirm the identity of Rhaenyra as the crown prince.
I'm very happy to hear this news. But I also know that there is no free lunch in this world. You invited me to talk in detail, presumably there are... conditions?"
Viserys was silent for a moment, then slowly spoke, "Daemon established himself as king, colluded with Three Daughters's alliance, Dorne became independent, and Tormund's whereabouts are unknown...
This is all a mess caused by your dragons and your fleet. Redd, I need your help to clean up this mess."
His eyes became sharp. "In exchange, I recognize the identity of Rhaenyra as the crown prince, and will fully support her to consolidate her inheritance rights during my lifetime.
But you must promise - use your dragon, your army, everything you have - to help me capture Daemon, bring Stepstones back to the royal family, and drive the forces of the Three Daughters alliance out of this sea area.
Also, find Tormund, dead or alive."
Redd After listening, the corner of his mouth curled up with a trace of amusement.
This condition, to put it bluntly, is: you solve the trouble yourself.
I recognize your wife as the heir, but you must be my thug to deal with the enemies you provoke.
"Your Majesty," Redd said slowly, "Are you sure this is a 'condition' and not a 'request'?"
The rebellion of Daemon, the chaos of Stepstones, the intervention of the Three Daughters alliance...
Aren't these the results of your indecisiveness and laissez-faire?
If you hadn't been unwilling to confirm Rhaenyra's identity, where would Daemon have the excuse to declare himself king?
If it weren't for your ambiguous attitude towards House Velaryon, why would Corlys die in such an unclear manner?
If you hadn't given Otto too much power, how could the situation have gotten out of control to this point?"
Every word he said was like a knife piercing Viserys's heart.
The king's face turned red and white, his fingers tightly grasping the armrest, but he could not refute.
"But..." Redd changed the topic and softened his tone, "I am willing to accept this condition.
Not because this is your order, but because--Daemon really should be taken back, and Stepstones really should be taken back.
Moreover, this is also beneficial to myself.
The Three Daughters Alliance covets that sea area and threatens my Eastern trade routes, and I have long wanted to teach them a lesson."
He stood up and looked at Viserys condescendingly. "But I have to add a condition."
Viserys's face changed. "What are the conditions?"
"Otto Hightower." Red said coldly, "He must leave the Council, leave King's Landing, and return to Oldtown.
You may not know what he has done over the years, but I know it, and so does Rhaenyra.
If he continues to stay with you, it will only make the situation worse.
You can choose to trust him, or trust me to clean up your mess. Choose one."
Alicent's face instantly turned pale.
Viserys stood up suddenly and glared at Redd: "You... you are threatening me!"
"No." Redd looked at him calmly, "I'm giving you a choice.
A choice that allows your daughter to inherit the throne with peace of mind and restores stability to your kingdom.
As for how you choose..."
He looked at Rhaenyra, who had tears in his eyes, but nodded firmly to him.
"... you decide."
The meeting hall fell into a deathly silence.