Chapter 718: Friendly Exchange

The Sapphire Dragon originally lived in the primeval wilderness forest for nearly three hundred years until it encountered Anderson Sapphire, the ancestor of the current Sapphire Duchy.

Anderson was an exceptionally charismatic knight. As a Marquis of the Blastfurnace Kingdom, he held vast fiefdoms, including the habitat of the Sapphire Dragon. To ride the dragon, Anderson continuously courted it with various resources, eventually striking its vulnerability.

This earned him the chance for a soul battle.

In that soul battle, he succeeded at once, gaining the Sapphire Dragon's recognition and becoming a Dragon Rider.

When he petitioned the Blastfurnace Kingdom to carve out territory and establish a duchy, the royal family at the time refused. Forced to seek new lands, he chose a desolate region claimed by the Kingdom of the Eagle to build his nation. He assumed the Kingdom of the Eagle wouldn’t retaliate over such barren land.

Yet, the War of Dragon Slaying truly erupted.

Left with no choice, Anderson fled on the Sapphire Dragon across thousands of miles, only to be caught and fought by the White Iron Dragon at Blueblood Mountain, where blood spilled and turned the land into Blueblood Mountain.

Afterward, the severely wounded Sapphire Dragon crossed the sea, establishing a nation on the overseas archipelago and pledging allegiance to the Kingdom of Steel Ridge, becoming a tributary state that paid annual tribute.

"To conquer the Sapphire Dragon's mind requires immense spiritual power—enough to shake its soul—before gaining its recognition. Sadly, for over a century, no one in our family has been able to move the Sapphire Dragon's heart, including me."

The Sapphire Duchy said, "Only when the Ox Marquis and the Goat Assembly launched their dragon-slaying conspiracy, wounding the Sapphire Dragon's soul, did I finally sway its mind and gain recognition... But this exploitative approach didn't earn its full acceptance. It’s more like we reached a pact for riding."

"Mind sharing what that agreement entails?"

"It’s quite simple. It knew it was in peril, and I knew the Sapphire Duchy was in peril, so we aligned. When I wield the 'Lamenting Dragonbone Sword' forged from its forelimb, we achieve spiritual unity, becoming true Dragon Riders. Normally, I still can’t ride it."

Liszt couldn’t help but marvel, "That’s possible?"

"Had the Sapphire Dragon’s soul not been wounded, such opportunism would never have been possible. A dragon’s mind is harder than any metal—unless recognized, there’s no compromise." The Duke smiled faintly, though his expression carried a trace of bitterness.

Liszt could vaguely sense that the Duke wasn’t revealing the full truth—the cost of riding the Sapphire Dragon was likely far graver than his understated description.

The unhealable scars on the Sapphire Dragon’s appearance made that clear.

Still, he didn’t press further. Since he’d decided not to overthrow the Sapphire family’s rule but to seek an overseas archipelago for his own nation, there was no need to dwell on Sapphire’s issues. If the Sapphire Dragon died or other changes occurred, he could seize this territory afterward.

"I’ve largely understood the soul battle. Now, I need the *Dragon Rider Mana Techniques*."

"I knew you’d ask for this. Give me a night, and I’ll recite it from memory for you."

"It wasn’t recorded in books?"

"From the very beginning, there were no books. The *Dragon Rider Mana Techniques*, created by our ancestor, has only been orally transmitted between successors. I hope you’ll adopt this method too. As a new dragon-rearing lineage, all dragon-related knowledge must be strictly guarded."

"I understand."

Of course, it must be kept secret.

If the secrets were known to all, wouldn’t everyone think they could try riding dragons? Only by confining the knowledge within dragon-nurturing houses can their exalted standing be preserved. Just as major nobles typically pass down mana techniques only within their families, dragon lore remains confined to rearing bloodlines.

"By the way, I noticed the Sapphire Dragon can’t transform into a magic form and enter the Dragon Rider’s body?"

"I’m also curious about your Fire Dragon’s condition—how it can fuse into your form. Honestly, if I hadn’t seen it myself, I’d scarcely credit such a phenomenon... You should avoid exposing this ability. It’s part of the dragon’s secrets."

It was indeed rash. During the dragon-slaying conflict, the situation was dire, and Liszt directly released Leo on the ship, revealing Leo’s transformative nature.

After that, secrecy became untenable.

Fortunately, this exposure bore little weight—it had no bearing on dragon taming.

The Duke did not know the mechanics of Leo's transformation between magic and flesh, so Liszt did not bring it up again—perhaps Leo had undergone mutations during gestation, or perhaps this was a unique survival trait of Elemental Dragons.

Later, Liszt asked the Duke numerous questions about Dragon Riders.

Acheronides also inquired about arcane matters.

Wisdom was what neophytes like Liszt and Acheronides were most eager for. Unfortunately, while the Duke could provide Liszt with the *Dragon Rider Mana Techniques*, he could offer little insight into Acheronides' magical inquiries—the Archmages had become legends, and their legacy had long since vanished.

Regardless,

this cordial and friendly exchange left Liszt thoroughly satisfied. As he was about to leave, he grasped the Duke's hand warmly and said, "Duke, our conversation has opened my eyes. Wisdom outweighs material wealth. Thank you for your generous gifts—I will benefit from them for life."

"You're welcome. Sharing knowledge benefits us both. In the future, the maritime order will require our joint efforts to prevent interference from continental powers."

"Absolutely." Liszt had no reason to refuse an alliance. After all, neither he nor Acheronides had come into their full strength yet.

Not only had he killed a Dragon Rider from the Kingdom of the Eagle, but he was also preparing to capture the former Emerald Dragon.

This would inevitably invite a blood feud with the royal family of the Kingdom of the Eagle. If the royals acted in haste and gathered the remaining five Dragon Riders to besiege him, it would pose a grave threat. Forming an alliance with the Sapphire Duchy would grant him time to develop and overcome the hardships of his nation's early days.

As he stepped out the door, he suddenly remembered something and turned back. "Duke, I will arrange for my father to discuss material assistance with you as soon as possible."

"Of course," the Duke replied, his smile somewhat stiff.

"And the *Dragon Rider Mana Techniques*—will they be ready tomorrow morning?"

"You should have them."

"Thank you for your generosity, Duke." Only then did Liszt leave contentedly, escorting Acheronides along.

...

An unnamed castle near Bull Hoof City had been assigned to the Tulip family for renovation.

The night was deep.

Lee William, radiating satisfaction, had already returned, while Liszt—who had left Bull Hoof Castle earlier—was sharing a drink with the Marquis of Raging Waves. The Domain Knight kept his head down, drinking heavily.

When Lee William approached,

the Marquis abruptly raised his bloodshot eyes and stared at Lee William—the sword saint he had once defeated in a single stroke, now the father of a Dragon Rider!

After a long silence,

he turned woodenly back to Liszt, who was quietly admiring the stars, and with a sigh reduced a thousand thoughts to one: "Your Highness Liszt, rest assured, I will hand over the *Domain Mana Techniques* and my personal techniques. Additionally, a Grand Sprite will also be delivered to you."

He had accepted reality.

Liszt was now a Dragon Rider who must be addressed as "Your Highness." As a mere Domain Knight, he had no choice but to agree to pay the ransom in exchange for his freedom.

Liszt was no longer particularly concerned about these tributes.

He simply said indifferently, "Write the letter. Once the Grand Sprite arrives, you may return safely to the Kingdom of the Eagle and resume your station as the Marquis of Raging Waves."