The moment she showed up, she captured everyone's attention, not only because of her extraordinary beauty but also because of the substantial worth she carried.
Due to her previous proclamation, many present assumed her to be the prize of the victor.
However, more astute individuals knew that Daenerys herself was a formidable competitor among the sword-pullers.
Her experiences in Pentos during this period had fully demonstrated her political acumen and personal charm, coupled with the boost from House Targaryen, many present were indeed impressed by her.
However, due to the existence of the Lightbringer, they had yet to swear allegiance to her.
Beside her stood Alaric, a rather young boy.
Yet, no one dared to provoke him. It was said that he was the divine messenger of the Dragon God Faith.
Though he held no official position in Pentos or the Dragon God Faith, the power derived from the Dragon God made everyone acknowledge his presence.
Additionally, presiding over the ceremony was the Pope of the Dragon God Faith, Melisandre.
She was also a remarkably beautiful woman, with a hint of mature charm that Daenerys lacked.
This represented another prize that the participants considered for the victor—the entire Dragon God Faith.
Now, this sword-pulling ceremony had unconsciously become a grand event that would change the entire situation in Essos.
The one who pulled out the Lightbringer would not only gain the title of reincarnation of Azor Ahai and the true destined King but would also immediately receive support of both Daenerys and Melisandre, along with the immense power they represented.
Furthermore, with careful planning, many present were likely to swear allegiance to the Destined King on the spot.
The prophecy of Azor Ahai and the recognition of the Dragon God Faith were quite convincing. Such power had the potential to unify the Free Cities.
No wonder the Magisters of each city had begun sending their descendants, even Dorne, far to the west, had dispatched Oberyn Nymeros Martell of House Martell, known as the Red Viper.
Dorne was a massive peninsula at the southernmost tip of Westeros and one of the Seven Kingdoms. Its capital was Sunspear and House Martell ruled Dorne.
In fact, House Martell had close ties to House Targaryen.
A hundred years ago, in order to conquer Dorne, House Targaryen and House Martell had intermarried for generations.
And now, when Robert, the king of the Seven Kingdoms, rebelled against the Targaryen house, the object of his jealousy was the original wife of Prince Rhaegar, who came from House Martell.
Though she was not the primary focus of jealousy.
Robert and Rhaegar were vying for the sister of Eddard Stark, the current Warden of the North, Lyanna— in retaliation against Rhaegar, Princess Elia and her children were cruelly murdered by House Lannister when King's Landing fell.
Since then, although Prince Doran Martell officially pledged allegiance to Robert Baratheon, they held deep anger and hatred towards House Lannister, adopting an isolationist policy and refraining from dealing with other houses unless absolutely necessary.
However, in secret, House Martell conspired with many former vassals of the Targaryen house to restore it to power.
Initially, Viserys Targaryen was the chosen candidate, but now that Viserys was dead, the focus shifted to Daenerys Targaryen.
They intended to either support Daenerys or send a member of House Martell to marry her, as an opportunity to rebel against Robert and exact vengeance.
And Oberyn Martell was Prince Doran Martell's younger brother, the brother-in-law of Rhaegar Targaryen.
...
Under Melisandre's supervision, the sword-pulling ceremony finally began.
Due to the large number of people wanting to try, the ceremony was scheduled to last three days.
The first two days were for the fallen nobles and adventurers who just wanted to give it a try. They had no real power or high prestige and could only rely on luck.
The real big shots, including the Magisters' heirs, influential nobles, mercenary group leaders, and even pirate captains, would attempt to pull the sword on the third day.
The first two days passed quickly, and as expected, no one managed to pull out the sword.
On the third day, it was the turn of these real dignitaries to try.
Although these people were dignitaries, many of them were formidable individuals.
The heirs of the Magisters of the Free Cities took turns trying, but the sword seemed as if it were embedded in stone, and no one succeeded.
Euron Greyjoy, the younger brother of Balon Greyjoy, King of the Iron Islands, and the captain of the Silence, the dreaded Crow's Eye, stepped up, but this mad and evil pirate failed to succeed.
After stepping down, he gave the remaining people a fierce look, as if he would kill anyone who could pull out the sword.
Xaro Xhoan Daxos, the merchant prince of Qarth, with 84 ships under his command, went up, but still ended in failure.
Quentyn Martell also stepped forward. He was the son of Prince Doran Martell, the chosen candidate from House Martell to marry Daenerys.
This time, he came here with his uncle Oberyn, but he failed as well.
The noble Hizdahr zo Loraq also stepped up. He was a nobleman from Meereen, one of the Free Cities, with great influence in Meereen and considerable wealth, owning many arenas.
However, as expected, he failed.
Afterwards, the three captains of the Stormcrows, Prendahl na Ghezn, Sallor the Bald and Daario Naharis, as well as the leader of the Windblown the Tattered Prince, Mero of the Second Sons, and the Golden Regiment Harry Strickland and others all tried one after another.
But none of these mercenary group leaders, who were formidable warriors, could move the sword with their strength.
Finally, after everyone had tried, the Lightbringer remained firmly stuck in the giant boulder.
Everyone sighed in disappointment, and some began to leave.
A fervent believer expressed his disappointment, saying, "Could it be that the reincarnation of Azor Ahai truly does not exist? Has the divine lord abandoned us?"
Suddenly, someone in the crowd shouted, "There's still someone who hasn't tried yet."
All eyes turned to a Dothraki warrior responsible for maintaining order.
He loudly said, "Our Khaleesi, Daenerys, hasn't tried yet."
The Crow's Eye, Euron Greyjoy, was the first to burst into laughter.
He scornfully said, "A little girl like you wants to be a king?"
This remark angered the crowd, and all the guards, all the people of Pentos, and many mercenaries and adventurers who had been won over by Daenerys glared at him.
At this moment, Daenerys knew it was time to step forward. Ignoring Euron Greyjoy, she slowly walked out of the crowd.
She was dressed in a white, gorgeous gown, looking young and beautiful, but beauty was not a sign of Azor Ahai's reincarnation.
Some people began to frown and whisper as they looked at her. Daenerys heard their murmurs.
Trying to ignore the voices, she continued walking forward. When she reached the large stone, all eyes were on her. They were all waiting.
Daenerys took a step forward, grasped the hilt of the sword, her hands trembling slightly. She took a deep breath, remembering what Alaric had said to her last night.
'It's going to be fine, I just have to follow Alaric instructions.'
Out of trust in Alaric, she forced herself to calm down and prepare to pull out the sword.
Her hands parted, gripping the ornate hilt with both hands, she pulled with all her might. The sword seemed to tremble in her hands, and in no time, the sword was pulled out.
In that instant, golden flames ignited fiercely on the sword, the dazzling light and scorching heat making everyone around it afraid to approach.
But she felt that these lights were not dazzling, and the heat could not make her sweat.
She raised the sword high, a beam of golden light shining down from the sky onto her head, casting her in a beautiful, sacred, and solemn light.
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