Chapter 660: The Earl Meets the Dragon

The father and son spent a solid two hours talking in the study, then called in Levis, and the three of them continued their discussion for another two hours.

The main topics included resource allocation, battle merit statistics, handling the serf acquisitions, and key details for the Tulip family’s takeover of Niuwei City on Ironhoof Island.

“I will push the Duke for a five-year harvest window. During these five years, Coral Island will still be under the rule of the Tulip family. You must also speed up your plans, as Black Horse Island may only have a five-year harvest period as well.”

“Five years… plenty of time,” Liszt replied, understanding.

The fact that the Earl could secure a five-year harvest period for Black Horse Island and a ten-year exemption from pledging allegiance to the Duke was more than sufficient for him to execute his plans.

One particularly crucial point was that Acheronides was on the verge of becoming an Archmage.

Once Acheronides achieved that rank, the combined strength of a Dragon Knight and an Archmage would render them fearless even in a Dragon-Slaying War. An Archmage could hold its own against a dragon, and even if Acheronides was slightly weaker, she could still occupy some of the Dragon Knight’s attention, leaving the rest to Liszt to handle.

He had always regarded Alonso Cyclamen as his imagined rival.

As a Bronze Dragon Knight with a metal dragon bred for labor, Alonso's strength might not even be as strong as the Sapphire Dragon at its peak. With a couple more years of growth, Leo could likely take on the Bronze Dragon alone.

A confident expression remained on his face, and he felt utterly confident: “Besides, I have the help of the Smoke Mission to accelerate my growth—my power’s shooting up like crazy!”

Late at night.

Resting in Tulip Castle.

As he stroked the fiery dragon pattern formed by Leo, hazy smoke floated before his eyes.

“Mission: Clearly, you have succeeded in riding a dragon and have become a true Dragon Knight. The world is vast and open for you to explore, but it cannot be denied that Leo is still young, and the next steps of your training remain unclear. Please figure out the next steps quietly. Reward: One Archmage.”

The mission remained incomplete because he had yet to figure out the training method.

He checked the mission mainly to determine whether letting the Earl know about Leo counted as showing off.

Since the mission hadn't failed, it evidently didn't qualify as such.

“Even if the Earl was surprised, my intention wasn't to boast but to plan and prepare for the future... Once the Duke officially tallies the battle merits and the Earl assumes the title of Marquis Niuwei, the Tulip family will gain huge tracts of farmland, likely triggering a mass exodus of Coral Island serfs to Ironhoof Island.”

The population decline caused by the serf migration would inevitably affect Black Horse Island's commercial trade.

Thus, he needed to get a head start—purchasing more ships and developing his own shipbuilding industry to establish maritime trade routes. Ultimately, he would need to assemble a sufficiently large fleet to stake out a new island kingdom.

“Yevich should also start preparing an exploration fleet!”

While everyone else dreamed of conquering the continent or the skies, his heart was set on conquering the seas.

Suddenly.

He thought of his grandfather, Marquis Merlin: “I wonder how Marquis Merlin's health is. This time, the Longyu family were key in grabbing the iron ore, earning considerable battle merits, which should help stabilize Mexiro's position... It's a shame about my cousin’s trouble having kids.”

He was really fond of Marquis Merlin. Back when the Tulip family dismissed him, his grandfather had shown him great respect—a kindness worth repaying.

Moreover, he got along well with his cousin, Meopo.

“If I get the chance, I should visit Red Crab Island to see Marquis Merlin and borrow a royal fast-sailing ship from the Longyu family to figure out how to build three-masted ships... If the Longyu family ever finds itself unable to remain in the Sapphire Duchy, I can bring them to my own nation.”

No matter what, he refused to let the Longyu bloodline die out or be replaced. By now, he had the power to prevent such things from happening.

“It's a shame this world doesn't practice the custom of 'adoption.' When noble bloodlines end, their lands are simply reclaimed. If adoption were possible, I’d have Levis and Gloria have another son to adopt to Cousin Meopo, keeping the Longyu line alive.”

No matter what.

He still planned to search for more foods and herbs that could boost male virility to give to Meopo.

...

Early the next morning.

The Earl woke up early, dressed and ready.

While Liszt was getting up, washing, and having breakfast, the Earl had been pacing at Tulip Castle’s entrance, clearly agitated.

It was no wonder he acted this way, as he had arranged with Liszt to witness the true form of the Fire Dragon Leo today.

A dragon!

The Earl took deep breaths of the scent of tulips, trying to calm himself, but to no avail: "A dragon! Liszt's dragon, which is also the Tulip family's dragon. Who would have thought that my son, Lee William, would become a dragon knight standing atop the world!"

Not far away, several servants were walking Loki, the land bird, in the garden.

In the past, every time he saw this vibrant giant bird, he had been envious, but this time there was no envy: "Just a rare magical beast, nothing compared to a dragon... I wonder if Liszt might encounter more powerful magical beasts in the future and help me capture one!"

Liszt would gladly help with that.

The Earl suddenly realized how easily his lifelong dreams could now come true: "It’s amazing having a dragon knight for a son."

Just when he was about to lose patience.

Liszt finally finished breakfast and emerged from Tulip Castle. After greeting the Earl, he mounted Loki, the land bird, and together they rode into the untamed wilderness. Two-thirds of Coral Island had been cultivated, but one-third remained wild.

Half an hour later, they arrived at the foot of a wild hill.

"This place is remote enough—no one will see a dragon here. So, how will you call Leo forth?" the Earl asked excitedly.

Liszt just smiled.

Instead, he extended his right arm, palm outward, and reached out telepathically to the Fire Drake Leo: "Leo, come out as we planned!"

After receiving Leo's response.

He added a line for himself: "Come forth, my partner Leo!"

Boom!

Under the Earl's widening gaze.

Flames erupted from Liszt's arm, not burning his clothes but shooting outward, instantly turning half the sky crimson.

Then, a mighty roar thundered from the flames: "Roar!"

The next moment.

The flames exploded, filling the sky with fire.

As the flames were about to die down, a red-and-black dragon—both terrifying and radiating raw power—gradually revealed its flawless, sinuous form. It was the twenty-meter-long Fire Drake Leo, taking shape as it touched down on the fading flames.

With its head held high, it shot a scornful look at the Earl before turning away to look at Liszt.

Seizing the moment, Liszt grabbed one of its scales and leaped onto the Dragon Tooth Platform, declaring triumphantly: "Father, in the entire Sapphire Duchy, only I am the true dragon knight!"

The Earl gaped, staring at Liszt, majestic atop the dragon's back, utterly spellbound.