Chapter 825: Knight Rides By

Marquis Niuwei offered no useful advice.

Liszt's father's perspective had already been constrained by the knightly system; his worldview was formed and solidified, blind to any need for improvement. It was still the same old routine common across the Legendary Continent—kings managing their own domains, nobles governing their own territories, fighting battles together and sharing the spoils, then each returning to their own homes. The king didn’t resemble a true monarch but was essentially just a figurehead.

The system was clearly outdated, yet it still aligned with the current level of productivity.

When the marquis and his son departed, Liszt leaned back in his chair, still pondering the issue. Right after crossing over, he had been ambitious; he'd considered reforming the social system, replacing feudal decentralization with centralized authority, consolidating all power into the hands of the monarch alone.

However, reform wouldn't happen overnight.

Had China not had the First Emperor of Qin, who "harnessed the legacy of six generations, wielded his whip to command the realm," and executed countless people to achieve centralization, it would have been equally difficult to accomplish. Moreover, in Liszt’s current view, whether decentralized or centralized, both were outdated feudal systems.

Who could say which was better—decentralization or centralization? As a dragon-raising family at the pinnacle of the pyramid, especially one raising multiple dragons, life would be comfortable either way.

"A better system—democracy—is something I won’t dabble in. Sacrificing my own power needlessly is a level of selflessness I’m not capable of." He shook his head silently. Once you've tasted the sweetness of power, how could you let go of it and embrace noble ideals?

After a moment, he made his decision.

"If there’s no immediate motivation for reform, then I’ll simply copy the system of the Steel Ridge Kingdom and maintain the feudal structure... Once the Fire Kingdom grows stronger and my personal power reaches its peak, if I then desire centralization, I can force through reforms unchallenged. I doubt anyone would dare oppose me."

Yet as his gaze fell upon the map of the Fire Archipelago on the table, he suddenly laughed at himself, realizing he'd been spinning his wheels.

The Fire Archipelago spanned roughly over five million square kilometers, with the Fire Island alone accounting for more than three million. Even if he parceled out the remaining islands as fiefdoms, his royal domain would still be enormous—equivalent to a third of China’s land area, plenty to ensure his family’s enduring prosperity.

The system didn't matter.

Once the Fire Island’s productivity flourished under his development, even if Liszt didn’t actively reform the system, change would come naturally. Even if he continued decentralization, the nobles granted those lands, seeing how prosperous the Fire Island was, might beg to stay and serve as officials.

Besides.

If one day he could contract a Fairy Dragon and achieve immortality...

The next day.

July 15th. Marquis Merlin’s funeral was held in a light rain. There was no overly grand ceremony, no fanfare—just a procession of nobles in carriages, following the knight escort of the coffin to the Tulip family’s cemetery.

The grave had already been dug, and the epitaph erected.

It was a modest square tombstone, inscribed in serpent tongue with: "Marquis of Red Crab Island—Merlin Tulip," "Glory Year 71, April 18th," "Radiance Year 154, July 3rd." "Glory" marked birth, "Radiance" marked death. The epitaph was simple, not even listing the names of those who erected it.

But below was a small line of text:

"To life, to death, a cold glance cast, the knight rides past."

This was the epitaph Marquis Merlin had long envisioned. Before his rest, he had already ordered the tombstone carved and placed above his future resting place.

Liszt held a tulip in his hand, standing before the tombstone as rain fell on his frock coat, soaking it. Reflecting on Marquis Merlin’s past, even after more than ten days since his passing, he still felt melancholy. Barring accidents, he too would one day face this, to turn to dust like everyone else.

He had once believed he did not fear death, but now he yearned more intensely to contract a Fairy Dragon.

Watching Marquis Merlin’s coffin being lowered into the ground, this need burned even brighter—he absolutely refused to one day be buried in the earth himself.

The cemetery was silent. None of the nobles spoke, standing in silent prayer. As the cemetery attendants packed down the soil and placed potted flowers, an elderly noble—Merlin’s distant cousin, Mexiro Tulip—cleared his throat softly.

Though his title was merely that of a baron, his advanced age had led Mexiro to invite him to preside over the funeral.

Once he had everyone’s attention, the elderly noble spoke slowly: "The Marquis of Red Crab Island, pillar of the Tulip family, Merlin Tulip, rests here... The funeral is now concluded. Guests are invited to circle the grave one by one, offer flowers, and bid their final farewells to Merlin Tulip."

Flowers are a symbol of beauty, and many nobles adopt them as their surnames. Offering flowers to the deceased is one of the few significant rituals in a funeral.

As the highest-ranking dragon knight and Archmage, Liszt and Acheronides stepped forward together, gently placing the tulip flower before the tombstone.

The Mexiros and the Meopos stood by the graveside with sorrowful expressions, bowing slightly in gratitude. Liszt and Acheronides returned the gesture with a slight bow of their own, then circled the grave once before being escorted from the cemetery by servants.

Following their lead, the noble guests each presented their flowers before departing the cemetery.

Thus concluded Marquis Merlin's funeral—simple and quiet.

The light rain kept falling.

Liszt declined the squire knight's offer to hold an umbrella for him, taking it over instead. He walked slowly with Acheronides along the rain-soaked bluestone path toward Castle Longyu. He did not hurry, and behind him, nobles like Anthony had no choice but to match his unhurried pace.

No one dared interrupt them, leaving Liszt and Acheronides ample space for conversation.

A shadow of melancholy passed over the dragon knight's handsome face. "If I cannot obtain the contracting method of the Lord of Dragon Domain, in a few decades, I too will lie in the darkness of the earth, just like my grandfather."

Acheronides wrinkled her delicate nose. "But I have many years left to live."

"Then live well, and protect my family."

"No, I want to stay with you, Brother, not be apart."

"Life and death are fated; wealth comes from heaven. People must inevitably face moments of joy and sorrow, parting and reunion—like the ever-changing moon above." Liszt spoke with deep emotion. Though determined to contract a fairy dragon—or at least some other dragon if he couldn't find one—but who could guarantee success? Many kings had died without ever succeeding.

Rumors across the Legendary Continent claimed that the emperor of the Unsetting Radiance Empire had reigned for over two hundred years, proof he was a Lord of Dragon Domain.

Yet the truth of such claims was hard to verify—the Unsetting Radiance Empire was far too distant from the Sapphire Duchy, with almost no interaction between them.

Still, Liszt would seize any possibility, no matter how slim.

If all else failed, he could ride the invisible dragon straight into the imperial palace of the Unsetting Radiance Empire and have a chat with that emperor about the contracting method of the Lord of Dragon Domain.

After all, who would choose death when immortality was possible?

Unaware of Liszt's thoughts, Acheronides spoke earnestly. "Brother, don’t worry. Acheronides will research the contracting method of the Lord of Dragon Domain, so you can live for centuries—until the day neither of us wishes to live any longer."

Liszt smiled. "Good, I look forward to it!"

As for what epitaph you might choose for yourselves—when Lao Bai dies, his will likely read: "Here lies one who'll never spam again..."