Chapter 878: Post-war Decisions

"Mission accomplished, reward: man-eating tree grove."

The pursuit ended with riding a dragon, marking the perfect completion of the smoke task, and the reward was promptly revealed. As for what the man-eating tree grove was, Liszt had no idea yet and didn't pay much attention to it.

At the moment, his mind was still immersed in the joy of acquiring his fourth dragon.

The smoke task swiftly transformed into new serpent tongue.

"Mission: Perfectly conclude the second dragon-slaying battle. Your name shall shake the entire legendary continent, and even the seas will tremble at its sound. Though the battle has ended, the matter is not yet resolved. Why not personally punish the traitor within the Sapphire Duchy? Reward: spirit bug shadow."

"Punishing a traitor—this task seems simple... But what is this 'spirit bug shadow' reward?"

Liszt pondered but found no answers, so he decisively dismissed the thought. Often, the rewards from smoke tasks complemented the mission itself, providing clues to interpret the task. However, most of the time, there was little connection between the reward and the mission.

This particular smoke task and its reward seemed unrelated, so there was no need to overthink it. Once the mission was completed, he would naturally understand what the spirit bug shadow was.

"Time for sleep. Tomorrow, I'll return directly to Dark Horse Island and then send a message to the Sapphire Grand Duke... Though he didn’t participate in the dragon-slaying battle, I refuse to believe he was completely unaware of the events unfolding within his own domain. Profiting without effort isn’t so simple!"

And Liszt wasn’t mistaken.

In the Blue Sky Pillar Hall, the Sapphire Grand Duke was listening to a report from the rat leader regarding the situation on Hot Spring Island: "The Kingdom of the Eagle’s dragon knights have withdrawn. The Earl of Hot Spring Island has covered up all traces on the island, but our rats discovered another group of rats operating there."

"Are they the rats under the Marquis of Flame?"

"Highly likely. They’ve been investigating the transportation of supplies on Hot Spring Island from the beginning, clearly well-informed about the Kingdom of the Eagle’s dragon knights stationed there."

"So, this dragon-slaying battle ended with the death of the Copper Duke?" The Sapphire Grand Duke sat on his throne, his gaze deep and unfathomable, lost in contemplation.

Prince Anthony sat below, wanting to speak but not daring to interrupt the conversation between the Grand Duke and the rat leader.

The rat leader replied, "We haven’t uncovered more detailed information yet. The Flame’s territory is operating normally. However, on the night of the dragon-slaying battle, the Marquis of Flame returned to Thorn Castle to rest... If my deduction is correct, the Marquis of Flame was victorious in the battle."

"The Fire Dragon, the Lightgreen Gem Dragon... How did he defeat the three dragon knights—Alex, Alonso, and Loyel—along with their five dragons?" the Grand Duke murmured, unable to comprehend it.

Anthony couldn’t hold back and interjected, "Father, do you believe this outcome? No matter how strong the Marquis of Flame is, could he really take on five dragons?"

"I can’t see through it, nor can I understand it. But one thing is clear: since the Flame’s territory’s rats were active on Hot Spring Island beforehand, it means Liszt knew their movements early. He could prepare at his leisure—whether to hide or confront them. Loyel’s fate proves this."

"But—"

"No buts," the Grand Duke cut off Anthony’s words, coughing lightly. His aged face revealed deep exhaustion. "The current situation is that Alex and the other dragon knights were forced to retreat. They lost the dragon-slaying battle, or else they would have already proclaimed it."

He paused to steady his breathing. "And now, we must face Liszt, the Marquis of Flame, who won the dragon-slaying battle—the future King of the Fire Kingdom!"

"King of a Kingdom? He dares to crown himself!" Anthony fumed.

"Winning two dragon-slaying battles grants him the right to become the new overlord of the seas and the new king of the Fire Kingdom. The seas are no longer peaceful, and the Sapphire family has reached another crossroads. Anthony, this country will eventually fall into your hands. What choice do you think we should make?"

"This..." Anthony had much to say, but the words stuck in his throat. "Perhaps we should first crush Hot Spring Island to stabilize the Marquis of Flame, then send envoys to the Steel Ridge royal family? Once the Fire Kingdom is established, Steel Ridge surely won’t sit idle."

"Stay out of Hot Spring Island. Liszt has already noticed it. Let him handle it personally—it’ll also serve as a test of his intentions... We’re in an awkward position, Anthony. Outside help won’t last forever. All we can rely on is the Sapphire Dragon."

Moreover.

The Sapphire Grand Duke felt a bitter taste in his heart. He had signed an alliance of offense and defense with Liszt but stood by and watched—this young Dragon Knight was not someone easily dismissed.

...

After returning to Dark Horse Island.

Liszt arranged for Duke Piero to be settled in. As a peak-level Sky Knight with considerable strength, while he could enjoy favorable treatment, necessary shackles still had to be imposed.

As for the grey iron dragon Oen, it wasn’t brought to Black Horse Island but temporarily housed on Heart Island to recuperate. Oen had already woken up, still somewhat resistant to the fact of being ridden, remaining silent. However, it accepted the magic potion Liszt offered, silently accepting their relationship.

No matter how a battle of wills is won, as long as victory is achieved, a dragon’s pride would never deny its Dragon Knight.

Immediately after, without stopping, Liszt headed to Coral Island’s Tulip Castle to meet Marquis Niuwei: “Father, there’s a matter I need you to handle.”

“What is it?”

“Two days ago, a dragon-slaying combat took place on the northern seas.” Liszt briefly recounted the fight, without embellishing the details or using dramatic flair.

Yet when he casually mentioned the death of the Purple Copper Dragon Knight Loyel Zitong, the capture of the Grey Iron Duke, and the grey iron dragon Oen becoming Liszt’s mount, Marquis Niuwei was so shocked he remained speechless for a long time.

Only after Liszt quietly finished a cup of tea did he finally digest the news and regain his fatherly dignity: “You’re saying five dragons besieged you, yet you killed one Dragon Knight in return and captured one of their iron dragons? In an instant, two vassal states of the Kingdom of the Eagle now face collapse, while you came out without a scratch?”

“As you can see, I’m perfectly healthy.”

“This is too sudden, Liszt. If I weren’t seeing you standing here, I’d doubt whether you were truly my son. Though I pride myself on my talent, I never imagined my son could achieve such glory. You’re far more legendary than the protagonists in [novels].”

In [novels], protagonists might ride a single dragon for a triumphant ending, yet Liszt claims dragons at a rate of two per year.

“Perhaps this sea needs a king to rise, and I happen to be that choice,” he said with rare humility. “Father, the Sapphire Duchy’s stance in this dragon-slaying battle has left me deeply disappointed. As allies sworn to mutual aid, they stood by and ignored the Kingdom of the Eagle’s invasion, severely violating my interests.”

“What will you do?”

“To be honest, I haven’t decided yet. But if I don’t settle this grievance, it’ll weigh heavily on me. You know I already have four dragons—I wouldn’t mind adding another.”

“At least give me a bottom line so I can discuss this matter with the Duke properly.”

“The resources needed to sustain four dragons are immense. The Sapphire Duchy must shoulder part of the burden, but the most crucial factor is attitude. The Fire Kingdom is about to be established, and I still lack one vassal state.”

“You want the Sapphire Duchy to become your vassal?” Lee William exclaimed in surprise.

“A duchy on the sea submitting to a kingdom on the sea—isn’t that perfectly normal? Oh, and Father, dispatch a group of knights to help me deal with the Viscount of Square Island. I suspect he’s a traitor planted by the Kingdom of the Eagle. Meanwhile, I’ll personally go to Hot Spring Island!”