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Gylbert Farwynd's gaunt face betrayed little emotion, only a flicker of elusive light in his deep-set eyes. His voice was low and clear. "I wonder... does my Lord have any interest in the Sunset Sea, west of Lonely Light?"
Euron stared into Gylbert's eyes, as if piercing into his deepest thoughts. He slowly replied, "Why do you ask?" Without waiting for an answer, he seemed to reconsider. "Rather than aimless guessing, I'd prefer to hear your insights. Tell me, House Farwynd has watched the West for generations. What have you discovered in your exploration of those waters?"
Gylbert shook his head slowly and stepped aside, directing his gaze to his three daughters. His tone carried undeniable certainty. "When it comes to true knowledge of those waters, they know far more than I."
As he spoke, the triplet sisters—Rachael, Nicole, and Zoey—stepped forward simultaneously, their movements synchronized like a mirror image. Six calm, profound gazes focused on Euron at once, as if their eyes had personally witnessed all the secrets at the end of the world.
Rachael, Nicole, and Zoey exchanged a glance of perfect understanding, nodding lightly as if sharing a single thought.
Rachael spoke first, her voice like sea fog drifting from afar. "It is a wondrous sea."
Nicole followed immediately, her tone carrying a mysterious rhythm. "A miracle beyond the Sunset Sea."
Zoey completed the loop, her voice firm. "House Farwynd has dedicated generations to exploring those distant waters."
Then, Rachael's voice took on a trace of helplessness. "But our abilities are limited."
Nicole described the specific dilemma. "West of Lonely Light lies a violent convective sea."
Zoey explained the obstacle clearly. "Any ship attempting to cross is ruthlessly pushed back by opposing currents and whirlpools."
Rachael continued the geographical description. "If one could break through that barrier and continue forward..."
Nicole's tone turned solemn. "One enters a vast, yet deadlier sea. There is no wind, and no waves."
Zoey clarified the navigational dead end. "Sails are useless there, mere decoration."
Rachael gave the name of that sea. "We call it... the Calm Belt."
Nicole lowered her voice, tinged with awe. "And in the depths of that dead sea lurk countless massive sea monsters."
Zoey spoke last, her eyes burning as she looked at Euron. "Just like the Sea Kings you command. Massive and ancient."
The three spoke one after another, seamlessly linking their sentences, as if one person possessed three mouths narrating simultaneously, creating a unique and intriguing rhythm.
When the last syllable fell, six clear, bright eyes focused on Euron. The light of anticipation in them was almost tangible—their intent was clear. They silently, earnestly hoped the Lord of Krakens before them would grant their request.
The corner of Euron's mouth lifted slightly in a smile mixed with interest and understanding. His gaze slowly swept over the three identical faces filled with expectation. "I think I understand what you mean," he said, his voice low and steady, smiling. "You want to invite me to explore that... wondrous sea at the end of the world with you?"
As soon as his words fell—
Rachael immediately nodded vigorously, emitting a short, clear nasal sound. "Mm."
Nicole followed closely, affirming with a more formal word. "Yes."
Zoey asked softly, with a hint of cautious probing. "You... agree?"
Three pairs of clear eyes stared unblinkingly at him, as if his next word would determine the course of an ancient dream.
Euron smiled, the light of an explorer flashing in his eyes. "To be honest, I am very interested in the sea you described."
Before he finished, the three sisters let out short, crisp gasps almost simultaneously. Joyful smiles blossomed on their faces, their excitement and elation undisguised.
However, Euron shook his head slightly. "But..." He swept his gaze over the suddenly tense faces, his voice steady and firm. "But before setting sail for that completely unknown world, I must first explore and master... the entire known world."
After a brief silence, Rachael spoke first, her voice soft but firm. "We can wait for you."
Nicole immediately added, her tone carrying an undeniable promise. "We will definitely wait for you."
Zoey asked the final, crucial question, a trace of imperceptible worry in her clear eyes. "But, how long will we wait?"
Six gazes focused again, waiting for Euron to give an answer that might determine their fate for decades to come.
Euron spoke softly, his words carrying the clarity of the sea breeze. He smiled. "It will be a long time."
The smile on Euron's face didn't fade, but it gained a note of unquestionable solemnity. Without giving them a chance to interrupt, his gaze steady as a rock, he calmly explained the unshakeable reality. "You should know my situation. I cannot abandon the Greyjoy name, abandon my duties to the Iron Islands, abandon my wife, child, and family, to embark on an unknown journey with no return date that requires vast amounts of time to explore."
He frankly admitted the uncertainty. "Exactly how long... I cannot give a definitive answer."
However, just as his voice fell, Euron changed tack, his voice ringing like iron. "But, I dare to tell you with certainty—"
"No matter how many years later it is—ten years, twenty years, or even longer... after I have completed all my journeys and responsibilities in the known world, I will turn my ship around and set sail for the sea you described!"
"This is a promise."
This was not evasion, but a heavy pact spanning time.
The four members of the Farwynd family exchanged silent glances. Their gazes met briefly in the air, then they nodded slowly. A consensus based on intuition had been reached among them.
No emotion could be seen on Gylbert Farwynd's face, only a calmness settled by time. He looked at Euron, his voice low and affirming. "I believe what you say."
Behind him, Rachael, Nicole, and Zoey nodded simultaneously, their clear voices sounding harmoniously like a trio. "We believe too."
This simple, direct trust made Euron's expression grow more serious. He bowed slightly, speaking sincerely. "Thank you."
Gylbert said no more. He bowed crisply. "In that case, I will take my leave."
With that, the patriarch from the end of the world turned without hesitation, walking steadily toward the hall exit.
Just then, soft footsteps came from the stone corridor on the side of the hall.
Lady Alannys Harlaw walked out slowly, arm in arm with Ashara. Both women still wore warm smiles from their private conversation. Alannys, a mother of four, had been imparting advice and birthing experiences to the newly pregnant Ashara.
Euron's gaze swept over them, then fell back on the three Farwynd sisters who still stood motionless in their original spots. A question surfaced in his mind as he looked at Gylbert's retreating back, about to disappear into the corridor.
"They... aren't going back with you?"
Gylbert Farwynd's steps paused at the door. He didn't turn completely, only showing half of his gaunt profile. His voice was calm but as undeniable as the deep sea.
"From today on, they stay by your side. Until the end—when they go with you to the Sunset Sea."
Rachael, Nicole, and Zoey stood quietly like three exquisite living statues sacrificed to the future. Six eyes fell on Euron in unison, waiting for their unknown destiny to begin.
Euron raised an eyebrow, his tone carrying a mix of surprise and confirmation. "Them? Staying by my side from now on?"
"Mm." Gylbert's response remained flat, stating the most natural fact. "Besides being skinchangers, they each possess considerable strength and can assist you in many matters."
A helpless, bitter smile appeared on Euron's face as he tried to decline tactfully. "Three such... beautiful and lovely girls staying by my side for a long time... I fear it might delay their..."
Hearing this, Gylbert actually lowered his head in contemplation for a moment. Then he nodded solemnly, as if agreeing with Euron's point. "You make sense. Following you without a title or status is indeed improper and lacking in propriety."
Hearing this, Euron breathed a secret sigh of relief, thinking the other understood his concerns.
However, Gylbert's next sentence instantly froze the air in the entire hall.
"In that case, from now on, they are your Salt Wives."
Euron: "..."
Ashara: "..."
Alannys: "..."
Dead silence descended. The three seemed frozen by an invisible spell simultaneously. Only the faint sound of waves from outside the window remained, beating against this sudden, jaw-dropping decision.
The three were still reeling from the shock of that bombshell, standing dazed in place. Meanwhile, Gylbert Farwynd took advantage of the momentary stagnation to turn silently and leave the hall with steady steps.
By the time Euron snapped out of it and chased after him with the equally startled Ashara and Alannys, the tall, gaunt figure was already standing at the edge of the steep cliff outside the castle.
Under their gaze, Gylbert didn't hesitate. He leaped into the surging ink-black sea below, kicking up a fleeting spray of white foam.
The next moment, what surfaced from the waves was not a human figure.
It was a seal with sleek fur and lively eyes. It floated on the water, raised a front flipper, and waved very humanly at the group on the cliff, as if bidding a final farewell.
At the same time, standing quietly behind Euron, the sisters Rachael, Nicole, and Zoey also raised their hands. With synchronized movements, they waved toward the distance.
Their voices rang out in sequence, clear and calm:
"Father,"
"Goodbye,"
"Safe travels."
The seal took one last look, then turned and dived gracefully into the deep sea, disappearing into the boundless blue.