Game of Thrones: The Red Dragon Lord

He was so scared that his hand loosened instantly, and the wooden box fell to the ground, the head of Black Shark "Earl" rolling out. The pirate captains standing behind Todd also froze, their faces drained of color as fear and shock spread across them.

Iron Hook "Todd" suddenly drew his sword, his eyes wide and bloodshot, staring at Gavin with a mix of anger and wariness. "Who are you?" he demanded loudly.

Gavin, remaining calm despite the tension, responded with a cold, unwavering tone: "My name is Gavin Belleris. From today on, I am your new boss. Kneel down, and I will spare your life."

Gavin stood tall, his eyes sharp and his words carrying an undeniable authority. The sea breeze ruffled his sleeves, giving him an imposing presence. Iron Hook "Todd" widened his eyes in disbelief, his face contorted with anger. His hand, still gripping the sword, trembled slightly from the tension.

Iron Hook "Todd's" heart raced, his mind working quickly. He glared at Gavin, sensing the pressure and unfamiliarity of the situation. A surge of resentment and ambition ignited within him.

"Earl died just like that? No, this is impossible! I fought hard for him on this island, but now he's dead! Humph, if that's the case, why should I surrender to this guy who came out of nowhere? As long as I kill him, I can take control and become the new boss!" Iron Hook "Todd" gripped his sword tighter, his eyes burning with fury and the vision of rising to power.

But even as the desire for control consumed him, he understood the danger in front of him. Gavin had come here so arrogantly for a reason—he was prepared for this. Still, the temptation to seize power was too great, and Iron Hook "Todd" resolved to take the gamble, even if it meant risking his life.

Having made up his mind, Iron Hook "Todd" glanced at the ships still struggling to dock due to the crowded pier. He saw that Gavin's forces were still disembarking, not yet able to land fully.

Iron Hook "Todd" sized up the situation—he was nearly a hundred men strong, while Gavin's forces only numbered about thirty. His pirate captains, watching him closely, awaited his orders.

"Kill them! Avenge the boss!" Iron Hook "Todd" shouted, his voice a mix of fury and desperation. He grabbed a nearby pirate captain by the arm. "Go quickly, gather everyone on the island!"

With veins bulging in his forehead and his eyes bloodshot, Iron Hook "Todd" looked like a man on the brink of madness, his face contorted with a violent expression as though he wished to rip Gavin apart.

The pirate captain, initially stunned, snapped out of it. He nodded quickly and sprinted toward the island. Upon hearing Todd's command, the pirates lunged forward with vicious cries of vengeance, their chaotic shouts filling the air. The dock descended into turmoil.

As the pirates charged with wild abandon, Gavin remained composed. He stood firm, like a mountain, not moving an inch. The Blood Dragon Guard behind him, on the other hand, exploded into action like a lightning strike.

The Blood Dragon Guards moved in perfect unison, cold and efficient. Their weapons cut through the pirates' bodies with deadly precision. Each swing was powerful, and as soon as they engaged, the pirates were swiftly overpowered, falling like brittle straw. The ground filled with screams and the sound of bodies hitting the earth.

At that moment, hundreds of soldiers quickly descended from the sailing warship behind Gavin, drawing sharp blades and shouting as they joined the fray. The battle intensified, the shouts of battle echoing across the dock.

Iron Hook "Todd" had retreated to the back of the battlefield, his face pale, but he continued shouting: "Hold on! Reinforcements are coming soon!" However, his cries had little effect—the pirates were already crumbling under the onslaught.

Meanwhile, the pirate camp near the dock was in disarray. Pirates, armed with weapons, poured out, responding to Iron Hook "Todd's" command, joining the fight in waves.

As the boat neared the shore, its crew jumped into action, blades raised. The Blood Dragon Guards, still unyielding, moved through the chaos like they were walking through an empty field. Wherever they went, there were screams and pools of blood left in their wake.

The tide of battle was turning in Gavin's favor. The Blood Dragon Guards' relentless attack, combined with the reinforcements, overwhelmed the pirates. Their resistance crumbled under the force of the assault.

Soon, the battle was over, and Gavin's forces emerged victorious. The dock was littered with the bodies of fallen pirates, the blood staining the ground beneath their feet.

Gavin stood in the midst of the chaos, his expression resolute. He knew this was just the beginning of his journey to power.

Two Blood Dragon Guards grabbed Iron Hook "Todd" by the arms and dragged him before Gavin. Hassan, standing nearby, raised his voice, ordering all the surrendered pirates to lift their heads.

At that moment, the long sword in Gavin's hand flared into flame, casting an ominous glow on his cold face, making him appear even more imposing.

Without hesitation, Gavin swung his sword, and in one swift motion, the flaming blade cleaved through Iron Hook "Todd", splitting him in two. Blood sprayed, staining the ground red beneath him.

The gruesome spectacle made everyone freeze in shock. Fear quickly filled the hearts of every pirate present, a cold chill settling over them like a dark cloud.

The sight of Gavin's blazing sword and his brutal efficiency left no room for doubt. Every pirate who had surrendered fell to their knees, trembling uncontrollably, their heads bowed in fear.

Gavin's eyes, burning like torches, swept over the kneeling pirates. "From now on, I am your master. Anyone who dares defy me will meet the same fate."

His voice echoed through the silent dock, like a decree from an emperor, commanding obedience and respect.

After the battlefield was cleared, Gavin ordered all the captives to be taken aboard. He seized the ships on the island and set sail for Shipwreck Bay.

In the captain's room aboard the ship, Gavin listened as Hassan reported the aftermath. Hassan bowed slightly, "This time, we captured over 300 pirates, with spoils worth 20,000 gold royals, including food and weapons. The loot filled three longships. We lost 50 men—15 seriously injured, but the number of lightly injured is still being counted."

Gavin, sitting at the table, tapped his fingers thoughtfully. His eyes were deep in thought, considering the next move.

The sea breeze blew in through the window, the sails fluttering. Gavin stood up and walked to the window, gazing out at the vast, endless sea. "Do you have any suggestions for the next target?"

Hassan, straightening up, pondered for a moment before answering: "My lord, I suggest we target Bloodstone Island to the east. It has a complex terrain, making it easy to defend and hard to attack. It has always been coveted by many factions. Furthermore, in the entire Stepped Stone Archipelago, only Bloodstone Island and Gray Gallows Island have a large population. Capturing them would not only expand our army, but also allow us to leverage their terrain to resist threats from all sides."