Chapter 882: Master of the Sea

The Battle of Dragon Slaying on Dodo Island did not take place in public view, so the nobles of Sapphire were still unaware of this epoch-making battle.

However, the blatant destruction of Hot Spring Island by the knights of Flame Territory was not concealed at all. Through the accounts of merchants on the island and clandestine reports from the rats, the news spread to the ears of nobles across the Sapphire Islands within a week.

"What is going on?"

"Why did the Marquis of Flame destroy Hot Spring Island?"

"Even a Dragon Knight cannot act so recklessly. Is the Duke doing nothing?"

"The Earl of Hot Spring Island was known for his integrity and sincerity. The Marquis of Flame may be powerful, but he cannot bully the weak like this!"

"This is an affront to knightly honor!"

Many nobles avoided public remarks, but after social gatherings, they drunkenly vented their grievances, criticizing Flame Territory’s strong-arm tactics. Some even directly petitioned the Sapphire Duke, hoping the Duke would intervene.

Yet, as soon as the news of Flame Territory's destruction of Hot Spring Island spread, merchants and rats soon brought another bombshell—the knights of Niuwei Territory had openly annihilated Square Island in a single day, with no attempt at concealment or permission from the Marquis of Deep Throat Island.

Viscount of Square Island was a follower of Marquis Wallace Pineapple-Green of Deep Throat Island. Destroying him required Wallace's approval—otherwise, it was a provocation.

Here, Dragon Knight Liszt openly destroyed the follower of another Dragon Knight.

There, Marquis Niuwei openly destroyed the follower of another Marquis.

This sent Sapphire’s nobility into an uproar.

"What in the world are Marquis Niuwei and the Marquis of Flame—this father-son duo—plotting?"

"I have dealt with Lee William before—he was a loyal and upright knight. How could he do such a thing?"

"If Marquis Wallace had crossed Marquis Niuwei, attacking Viscount of Square Island as punishment would make sense. But what does the Marquis of Flame destroying Earl of Hot Spring Island mean?"

"Is the Tulip family challenging the Duke’s authority?"

"The Duke must not stand idly by, or else the Tulip family, relying on their Dragon Knights and Archmage, might overthrow the rule of Sapphire!"

"We must petition the Duke!"

However, before these rumors could gain traction, the proclamation of the Sapphire Duke was delivered by the knights of the Ash-Grey Eagle Knight Order to all major lords across the islands.

A bombshell decree soon rocked the islands.

"Lord of the Azure Sea, the ruler of the Sapphire Islands, the great Sapphire Duke, announces to all followers and knights: Earl of Hot Spring Island and Viscount of Square Island conspired with the Kingdom of the Eagle, aiding the invasion of Five Dragons and Three Champions, plotting against the Marquis of Flame and instigating the Battle of Dragon Slaying!"

"The Marquis of Flame valiantly resisted... culminating in the death of Copper Dragon Knight Loyel Zitong, repelling the evil schemes of the Kingdom of the Eagle, and swiftly eliminating the traitors Earl of Hot Spring Island and Viscount of Square Island... The Marquis of Flame and Marquis Niuwei uphold loyalty, justice, bravery, and fearlessness—paragons of knightly virtue!"

At the same time, detailed leaks from merchants and informants from Flame Territory and Niuwei Territory quickly spread—every Battle of Dragon Slaying was the year's biggest headline, guaranteed to set tongues wagging.

"White Iron Dragon Knight Alex Bai Kou Tie, Bronze Dragon Knight Alonso Cyclamen, Copper Dragon Knight Loyel Zitong, the grey cast iron dragon, and the silver dragon—Five Dragons and Three Champions joined forces to besiege the Marquis of Flame. Yet the great Fire Dragon Knight, Invisible Dragon Knight, and Pale Emerald Dragon Knight Liszt Flame valiantly slew Loyel and crushed the combined force of Five Dragons!"

"Incredible! Unbelievable!"

"The Battle of Dragon Slaying on Dodo Island involved eight dragons! Lord Liszt single-handedly wielded three dragons, overpowering five dragons and their knights—his power knows no limits!"

"The Invisible Dragon is a Divine Dragon—the legendary Divine Dragon!"

"Unmatched! The radiance of knighthood blesses him! His Highness the Marquis of Flame is not merely the Scion of Glory—he embodies Glory!"

"How terrifying!"

"The Earl of Hot Spring Island and the Viscount of Square Island colluded with the Kingdom of the Eagle—traitors must die! The Marquis of Flame’s destruction of them was a just war!"

"Marquis Wallace Greenpine personally thanked Marquis Niuwei for eliminating the traitorous Viscount of Square Island."

"Can anyone confirm if this is true? How could Prince Liszt gain the recognition of three dragons? Is he the embodiment of the glory of knighthood?"

In an instant.

The noble lords who had once criticized Liszt for destroying the Earl of Hot Spring Island quickly changed their tune, tripping over themselves to praise him, fearing their earlier complaints might reach his ears.

If Liszt had just been a dragon knight backed by an Archmage, they could still rely on the Sapphire Duchy to back their criticisms—both to protect their own noble interests and to curry favor with the Duke.

But the latest news was too horrifying. Liszt had single-handedly ridden three dragons, slain a dragon knight, and repelled three dragon knights and five dragons from the Kingdom of the Eagle. Combined with that flamboyantly powerful Archmage, such an unstoppable force meant that even if he overthrew the Tulip family, no one would dare breathe a word against him.

Though the world governed by knightly order upheld strict rules, power like this could rewrite them.

"The master of the sea has changed..." Marquis Wallace Greenpine stood at the ship's bow, his heart heavy with weary resignation.

When the Tulip family had swept through Square Island, he had personally led his knights to confront them, demanding of the commander, Levis: "What’s the meaning of this? What does your father intend, killing my vassal without justification?"

Levis, who rarely participated in wars, was mainly there to pad his military record.

But as a sky knight, he had developed a composed demeanor. Calmly, he replied, "Marquis Wallace, I act under the orders of Dragon Knight Prince Liszt. Perhaps you haven’t heard—His Highness has slain another dragon knight!"

He briefly recounted the dragon-slaying battle.

Wallace’s face drained of color, then twisted in resignation. Without another word, he turned and left, washing his hands of Square Island’s fate.

That night, Wallace sailed to Blue Dragon Island.

Upon arrival, he saw the Sapphire Duchy and Marquis Niuwei taking tea at the Blue Sky Peak Palace, accompanied by Duchess Sarit Da Hua Hui Lan, Crown Prince Anthony, Marquis of Red Maple City—Greennington Red Maple, and Marquis of Quicksand City—Nei Si Ta Da Hua Hui Lan.

Virtually the entire upper echelon of the Sapphire family was present, all gathered to share tea with Lee William.

This level of reception was unheard of.

Seeing this, Wallace understood—the sea was no longer ruled by the Sapphire family. After staying overnight at the palace and receiving an edict from the Duke, he departed Blue Dragon Island, disheartened, returning to his territory.

He felt his age. It was time to step down, retire, and bow out of the noble power games.

Just as the late Marquis of Red Crab Island, Merlin Tulip, had grown up alongside the Sapphire Duchy, Wallace Greenpine had also devoted his loyalty since youth.

"The master of the sea has changed..."

As he read the edict’s preamble, Wallace repeated his lament.

In the past, the Sapphire Duchy’s formal letters began with: "Master of the Sea, Lord of All Islands, the Great Sapphire Duchy."

Now, the edict proclaimed: "Lord of the Azure Waves, Lord of the Sapphire Archipelago, the Great Sapphire Duchy."

From "the sea" to "the Azure Waves," from "all islands" to "the Sapphire Archipelago."

The message was unmistakable.

After the dragon-slaying clash at Dodo Island, the true ruler of the seas had officially shifted.