In the eyes of a thousand readers, there are a thousand Hamlets.
From Joffrey's perspective at this time, reading the Chronicle of Four Kings, he only read about the unstoppable decline of the Targaryen Dynasty after losing their Dragons.
Young Dragon Daeron, Baelor the Blessed, Aegon the Unworthy, and Daeron the Good, four kings who either boasted of military might, maintained peace, were incompetent and lecherous, or cleared out old problems.
Everything was no different from a normal feudal dynasty.
This was precisely the biggest problem.
Without Dragons as their reliance, although the Targaryen Dynasty could still be maintained, they no longer had the strength to suppress the rise of the noble families.
Even if every king was wise and virtuous, and politically astute, the decline of the dynasty was only a matter of time.
Without Dragons, there was no Targaryen Dynasty.
Joffrey gently stroked the Valyrian Steel sword that had the color of night. How my dynasty fares depends on you.
He was very confident in his golden finger.
Being able to sense and see, this in itself represented a lot. Countless theories and studies were stuck at the point of being unable to observe.
Just like here, although it was a world of magic, people were unable to intuitively understand or observe magic.
Because of this, magic research was extremely difficult, and its spread and inheritance were even more challenging.
The ancient magic civilization had long been lost.
In the current understanding of the masses, all magic was mysterious, an accidental miracle that was difficult to replicate, with no clear rules.
Magic gradually became a legend.
It was truly regrettable. Despite having the potential for a magic civilization, it developed into a normal world at a medieval level.
Now, however, he had such a peerless talent, perhaps he could make the world more magical.
Joffrey was full of motivation.
The secret of Valyrian Steel was the starting point of his path to magic.
"Elin, bring some more swords over!"
Joffrey instructed his attendant. The performance data of the Valyrian Steel was almost tested, it was time to verify that conjecture.
"Yes, Your Highness."
Elin Lantel understood his place.
As the son of a merchant in Lannisport, being able to get close to the Crown Prince meant his ability and temperament were naturally far beyond ordinary people.
Although the Crown Prince had given him an incredibly difficult task, and had inexplicably destroyed so many steel swords, Elin still remained silent, firmly obeying any order, and standing his last shift.
Joffrey's attention was entirely on the Valyrian Steel sword in his hand.
The Red Keep had many eyes and ears, so he could only conduct experiments in a roundabout way. He had been exploring since last night and finally had some findings.
Under the white light of the Valyrian Steel, there was a similar white faint light pattern as on the Glass Candle.
Every time the Valyrian Steel sword cut through an ordinary steel sword, or had a collision of equal strength, the white light would dim slightly. After dimming to a certain extent, the faint light pattern would appear.
If he continued, the pattern would also disappear, and Joffrey would lose his sense of it.
Afterward, the destructive power of the Valyrian Steel against other weapons would slightly decrease, and it would even suffer damage against Valyrian Steel with white light.
Fortunately, the pattern and white light could slowly recover, but the sensitivity of the gems and crystal balls weakened accordingly.
Joffrey roughly understood.
The Valyrians used excellent and unique techniques to forge steel, and then used some method to attach sustainable magic to it, which created the complete and perfect Valyrian Steel.
Is it that pattern? How do I do it?
"Your Highness, the swords are here."
Elin brought in a large pile of standard issue longswords of the Gold Cloaks with a few servants.
Joffrey casually picked a steel sword. Can this pattern turn this sword into Valyrian Steel? I have to try.
"You may all leave, I need to rest."
The dark night and the candlelight in the room were very convincing, but looking at the steel sword in the prince's hand, Elin really couldn't believe this excuse.
"Yes, Your Highness."
Elin took the servants and turned to leave. Just before closing the door, he didn't forget to express his loyalty, "If Your Highness needs anything, just ring the bell. Your loyal attendant is always at your command."
Joffrey only waved his hand.
If nothing unexpected happened, he wouldn't need this guy to serve him for several months.
Valyrian Steel.
Wagagaga, be good, let me see.
...
The length of the incense candle, which was as thick as a young girl's wrist, had shortened by two or three finger joints.
Joffrey rubbed his tired eyes.
During this time, he had tried every method he could think of.
Smearing blood on Valyrian Steel, meditating on the structure of the patterns on steel swords, carving patterns on steel swords with Valyrian Steel, writing with blood, and tracing patterns with "Magic Source" gem crystals.
Using a Valyrian Steel dagger full of white light to cut the Valyrian Steel chain links that had lost their white light, and embedding the chain link fragments with patterns into the steel swords.
Even meditating on the patterns in his mind. Chanting all the strange syllables and words he could think of.
The results were disappointing. The patterns wouldn't transfer, the ordinary steel swords showed no change, and meditation and chanting were useless.
The secret of Valyrian Steel seemed within reach yet unattainable.
Joffrey pulled the cord of the summoning bell.
Research and development require the accumulation of time and opportunity. It's better to rest early; there's plenty of time.
Elin appeared quickly. "Your Highness?"
"Dispose of all these swords," Joffrey pointed at the pile on the ground. "They're no longer needed."
The attendant quickly got to work.
After completing the task, Elin glanced at the figure of the Crown Prince and quietly withdrew.
Joffrey was already asleep.
Perhaps due to excessive exhaustion, he slept quite peacefully and had a sweet dream.
In the dream, he had already ascended the throne and become emperor.
The majesty of the Iron Throne reached its peak, and all lords and vassals bowed their heads.
His subjects were quiet and obedient, his laws were absolutely enforced, his decrees were carried out throughout the Seven Kingdoms, his army was invincible, and the armor and weapons of hundreds of thousands of soldiers were all Valyrian Steel.
Valyrian Steel.
He dreamed of that white pattern.
With almost no effort, the pattern became clearer and brighter.
Gradually, the pattern that only existed in fantasy seemed to cross a certain boundary, giving rise to a hint of mysterious charm, instantly occupying the entire dream.
Joffrey forgot to breathe, falling into a state of unconscious chaos.
Fortunately, it didn't last long. All the Valyrian Steel items in the bedroom seemed to resonate, and in an instant, a bright white light flashed, then completely disappeared.
However, the pattern in the dream shone brightly, extending, compensating, and interpreting itself. In an instant, it broke free from all constraints and transformed into a more complex and profound existence.
The tangible pattern disappeared, and the intangible one was born.
He woke up.
Joffrey suddenly sat up, opened his eyes, and gasped for breath, nervously observing his surroundings, as if he had just encountered some unspeakable horror.
Under the faint candlelight, the bedroom layout was completely normal. Quiet, safe.
He let out a sigh of relief and gradually calmed down, only then noticing that all the Valyrian Steel items in the bedroom had lost their responsiveness, white light, and patterns.
More than a dozen Valyrian Steel items, dozens of patterns, were all gone.
After being stunned for a while, he held his breath and began to meditate.
Darkness and nothingness lasted for a while, then the intangible "it" suddenly appeared in his consciousness, making him feel its presence.
I succeeded?! This isn't a dream, is it?
Joffrey got out of bed and walked to the mirror. In the mirror, the familiar white light was clearly shining on his forehead.
He was completely relieved.
Recalling the twists and turns of the night, he couldn't help but lament the capriciousness of the Goddess of Fate. When he didn't force it and gave up hope, it came rushing to him instead.
Furthermore, magic in the plot is often linked to people's dreams, which seems not to be a coincidence.
It's just a pity about that Valyrian Steel.
However, since he could obtain "it," this key to open the mysterious door of magic, everything was worth it.
Joffrey vaguely felt the sublimation of his thoughts and soul.
He laughed unrestrainedly.
Game of Thrones, A Song of Ice and Fire, whether it's swords or magic, he now had the capital to play.
Stannis, Varys, Renly, The Citadel, the Others..., all rebels and external enemies would eventually become stepping stones under the throne!
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