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#506 - Chapter 238: Unification of the Continent

It was the eighth month since the Dothraki had invaded Dorne! From the Broken Arm in the east to the mouth of the Torrentine River in the west, Dorne was a scene of devastation. The number of Dornish casualties approached three hundred thousand, many of whom died from famine. Beneath the sand dunes by the roadside likely lay a corpse. Most of the lower-class Dornish people were unwilling to continue fighting.

Sunstone, an island situated in the middle of the Greenblood River. Inside an earthen-yellow tent, Dorne's remaining high-ranking officials were gathered. Arianne Martell sat at the head, her eyes revealing determination and resolution. Beside her sat her husband, Aegon Targaryen VI, his face weary but his gaze still flashing with determination. Further down sat Oberyn and Jon Connington, their faces grim and expressions solemn. In addition, there were the heads of Dorne's great houses, their faces haggard and their eyes filled with deep worry.

The Dornish people had suffered heavy casualties, many families had lost loved ones, and sorrow and despair permeated every corner. The Dornish nobles had also suffered great losses, with many family members killed or wounded in battle. Most painfully, the previous Prince Doran Martell had also succumbed, dying of illness during the migration, bringing a heavy blow to the Dornish people.

"We can't go on like this! My people are almost all dead!" Anders Yronwood could no longer endure the inner pain, he stood up angrily, his voice full of grief and indignation. His eyes flashed with anger, his fists clenched tightly, as if to release the anger in his heart.

"Those Dothraki bastards! They even kill children! We must strike back!" Oberyn said through gritted teeth, his tone full of hatred. His eyes flashed with anger, as if to engrave the crimes of the Dothraki in his heart.

"But we don't have enough strength now," Jon Connington shook his head helplessly, his voice tinged with frustration. Although he was also angry at the Dothraki's atrocities, the reality of the situation made him feel powerless.

Arianne Martell was silent for a moment, then asked in a low voice, "How many soldiers do we have left?" Her gaze swept over the crowd, with a hint of worry and expectation.

The crowd looked at each other, exchanging glances, seemingly thinking about how to answer this question. Finally, Oberyn broke the silence, his voice steady and firm: "We have four camps, including the guards on the island, about six thousand people. But this is just a preliminary estimate, the actual number may vary."

Arianne Martell nodded slightly, her brow furrowed, and continued to ask, "What about Illyrio? He's been in Essos for so long, is there no progress?" Her voice revealed dissatisfaction and doubt towards Illyrio.

At this time, Aegon Targaryen VI interjected, "The situation is very bad! Before leaving, Marquis Garon ordered Illyrio's forces in Pentos to be uprooted. And according to Varys's analysis, the reconstruction of the Three Daughters is also inseparable from Garon." His words were full of anger and helplessness towards Garon.

Arianne Martell stood up, placed her hands on the table, and looked at everyone with a serious expression, her voice with a hint of despair: "Then what about Volantis? They are also unwilling to help us."

Jon Connington quickly explained: "Your Majesty, Volantis is also overwhelmed. They are fighting with Qohor in the Rhoyne River Basin. The cataclysm in the Summer Sea has hit them the hardest, and the shipping industry has been devastated. Even if they are willing to help us, the supplies can't be transported!" His voice was full of helplessness.

Arianne rubbed her forehead: "Without foreign aid, our forces are less than one-tenth of the enemy's, and our food is running out. We can't go on like this, if this war continues, Dorne will be finished!"

Suddenly, Aegon VI stood up, took her hand, and said to everyone, "Indeed, this war should end! Send me to the Imperial Army, I will personally beg Daenerys to spare Dorne."

Jon Connington stood up abruptly: "No, that's too dangerous!"

Aegon VI said: "Uncle Jon, over the years, you have protected me like a father. Actually, I don't want to be king, this throne has no meaning anymore. I am, after all, a Targaryen, and I can accept imprisonment or exile. Daenerys is my aunt, she won't kill me, will she!"

Arianne: "The struggle for the throne has always been bloody, think of the Dance of the Dragons, they are ruthless when it comes to killing Targaryens."

Aegon VI: "Enough blood has been shed, this war started because of me, and it should end because of me. At least you and Little Mors will be safe."

Arianne looked at the others: "What do you think?"

Most of the Dornish lords avoided her gaze. Arianne understood that these people were unwilling to fight anymore, the slaughter brought by the Empire frightened them. Arianne took a deep breath and looked at Aegon VI with firm eyes: "I am your wife, we swore before the gods to share honor and disgrace. If we must go to seek peace, then let me go with you."

There was an uproar, and the Dornish lords whispered among themselves.

Oberyn: "You are the Prince of Dorne, you cannot easily take risks. Let me go!"

Arianne shook her head: "Precisely because I am the Prince of Dorne, I should be responsible for the people of Dorne. Moreover, our chances of success are greater if we go to seek peace together."

Aegon VI wanted to say something more, but Arianne interrupted him: "It's decided, send someone to notify the Empire."

After speaking, Arianne took Aegon VI's hand and turned to leave the hall, leaving behind a worried group of lords.

Soon, Aegon VI and Arianne led the Dornish nobles and officially surrendered to the Empire. The commander of the Imperial Army's southern expedition, Bic, and Robin Arryn, Duke of the Desert Guard, represented the Empire and the Queen to accept the surrender. At the same time, they ordered a full ceasefire in Dorne and gathered the armed forces in various regions.

Subsequently, Aegon, Arianne, and their key officials were sent to Highgarden. Two weeks later in Highgarden, Aegon and Arianne received royal treatment. They were arranged to stay outside the palace, waiting to meet the Queen.

A few days later, they finally met the Queen. Daenerys sat on the throne, majestic and beautiful. Aegon and Arianne bowed to her, expressing their willingness to relinquish their royal titles and submit to her.

Daenerys saw that they had surrendered so readily, and simply did not pursue the matter further. Tyrion read out the punishment for Dorne: the Empire will station troops in various major cities in Dorne to supervise the implementation of imperial decrees. As punishment for resisting the Empire, Dorne will pay thirty percent of its tax revenue for the next ten years. At the same time, Aegon and his wife must not leave the capital for the next ten years. Arianne and Viserys's son, Mors, will change his surname to Martell and be trained as the future Prince of Dorne.

In the same summer, the North, the Riverlands, and the Westerlands jointly sent troops to attack the Iron Islands. King Euron was killed in battle, and Rodrik Harlaw led a few survivors to escape, sailing into the Sunset Sea and disappearing.

From then on, there were no more Seven Kingdoms in Westeros, and the continent entered an era of unification.