Chapter 59: The Ultimate Mystery: Fiery Prairie Slash

Violence had taught Hiddleston how to cast magic, and List felt a sense of accomplishment.

"After all, I am a man of science."

Experimentation, plenty of experiments – that was the foundation of science. Just as he had simply figured out the state of his spatial ring – it worked when stationary, capable of storing ordinary items but not living beings, for the ring would instantly annihilate a soul. List believed that a soul was also a form of matter in motion; when it became still, the soul perished.

He repeatedly put things in and took them out, experimenting with the consumption of magical power.

At this stage, using the spatial ring was rather energy-consuming.

Busy with work, his life was filled with purpose.

However, over the next two days, he began to feel bored.

The elven worms were all settled and no longer required his attention; agriculture and fishing were thriving, and there was no need to worry about them; road construction was slow but orderly, and the groundwork for the houses in Seaside Village had begun; the knight candidates were undergoing Marcus's tests, leaving List with nothing to oversee.

He had completely fallen into the typical lifestyle of most nobles – boredom that could only be relieved by creating distractions.

If he were closer to the city, he might have hosted balls, banquets, or hunting parties to expand his noble connections. But Flower Town was rather isolated, and there were only four people qualified to dine with him. He couldn't possibly hold banquets for them every day.

Thus, Liszt decided to occupy himself with something else.

He planned to conquer Thorns Ridge ahead of schedule.

"Thorns Ridge is the biggest obstacle for Flower Town. It must be cleared, or it will be difficult to establish communication with Coral City. I'd be blindly stumbling around here otherwise."

The significance of information exchange was something that Liszt, as a modern person, understood very well.

He had discussed the matter of human trafficking with Levis, but he couldn't guarantee that Levis would take it seriously. Judging by the time, the Tulip Fleet should be returning soon. If Levis forgot to make arrangements during their next voyage, there wouldn't be another opportunity for at least three months.

A trading fleet's voyage involved many islands and took at least three months.

If he missed this chance, Flower Town's development would be delayed for another three months. Even though time wasn't pressing for him, Liszt didn't wish to waste it.

"Monsters are hard to deal with for now because they can launch surprise attacks in the forest. But if I clear all the trees on Thorns Ridge, can they still defeat Marcus in the open fields? Besides, I'm not exactly a pushover. Even if I were, my Red Blood Sword thirsts for blood!"

A gem-encrusted weapon would be a tremendous aid against low-level monsters.

It might not be able to cut hair with a single blow, but the resonating magic power and battle aura from the embedded ruby could at least double Liszt's combat strength.

Clang!

He drew the Crimson Blood Sword, gripping it firmly with both hands. It was a greatsword designed for horseback combat.

The silver-white blade shimmered coldly.

"Flame Dragon Thrust's Heart!"

Liszt softly shouted, swinging the sword forward with both hands. The ultimate secret technique of Flame Dragon Thrust was activated. Flames rose from the Crimson Blood Sword and surged forward, causing the air to sizzle and explode from the heat. Originally a technique that required unity between man and horse, Liszt had been studying it and could now execute it alone.

Moreover, he could focus his attack in one direction without harming himself.

Sheathing the sword, he stood tall.

The flames in the air dissipated, and everything returned to calm. Only the lingering heat indicated that someone had just unleashed a powerful move. He let out a casual breath, "If there had been a Windblade Wolf in front of me, it would be dead by now."

He had mastered Flame Dragon Thrust.

No longer a fledgling Earth Knight, he now possessed combat capabilities. All that was lacking was practical battle experience. He planned on continuing to delve into Flame Wave. Flame Wave was a group combat aura secret technique suitable for knights on the charge, requiring coordination with one's mount.

Four squire knights, three of them had accompanied Marcus to select their squad of knights.

Only Gray Scythe remained by his side.

"Gray, carry my lance for me. I'm going to practice on horseback."

"Yes, my lord!"

They arrived at the riding field.

Endless green clover stretched as far as the eye could see, with the most lush growth near the locust weed. This pasture was dominated by the Black Dragon Horses, and no other horses dared to graze there. Occasionally, Fire Dragon Horses would sneak over for a few bites, but they would be met with a fierce attack from the Black Dragon Horses if discovered.

Unmated Black Dragon Horses didn't care whether it was a stallion or mare.

"Sir, are you planning to ride? Should I fetch the tack for you?" Tom, who had just returned from fetching water, noticed that Liston was not accompanied by any male servants and hurriedly asked.

"No need, go about your business."

"Very well, sir."

Lister whistled, and in an instant, a pure black stallion rode on the wind, none other than the Dragon-blooded Black Dragon Horse.

It stood at least nineteen hands high, taller even than Lister himself.

So mounting it required a leap.

Only such a majestic steed could truly exhibit the grandeur of riding. There were no reins, no saddle, nor stirrups; the Black Dragon Horse's nature wouldn't tolerate being restricted by such tack. Lister didn't force it either, for he now possessed the physical prowess of a Earth Knight, and his horsemanship had become ever more refined.

With his exceptional equestrian skills, he could achieve unity with the horse without relying on any tack.

"Black Dragon, work well with me," he said, patting the horse's neck as he took the Lance of the Knight from Gray. The lance was nearly ten feet long, requiring immense strength to wield effectively.

Forged from tempered steel, the squire knights polished and maintained it daily, giving it a glistening silver sheen.

"Huff! Hah!"

As if to showcase its might, the Black Dragon Horse lifted its front hooves off the ground, half-standing on its hind legs, and let out a roar towards the sun. Then, carrying Lister, it raced across the riding grounds, responding to Lister's commands, speeding up, stopping abruptly, leaping, or turning. On its back, Lister controlled the horse while seamlessly casting the Flame Wave.

The Lance of the Knight was too long to be used like a one-handed sword, but following the rhythm of the Black Dragon Horse, each move held immense power.

"Blazing Flame Strike!"

Rage fueled Liszt's surging battle aura, pouring into his knight's lance with explosive force. His mount, the Black Dragon Horse, sensing his intent, leaped wildly.

The battle aura ignited the air, making the entire lance seem engulfed in flames.

From his high leap on the horse's back, he swept the lance horizontally. A shower of red and yellow flames rained down, scorching the alfalfa grass instantly and reducing it to ashes.

Buzz!

The Black Dragon Horse landed firmly, and Liszt slanted his knight's lance into the ground to stabilize his disrupted battle aura. This Flaming Inferno Slash was the ultimate secret technique of Flame Wave, consuming a massive amount of energy but sweeping through a wide area. In a charge, this move could slay dozens of foes before him.

Especially with the Black Dragon Horse's immense strength, incredible speed, and fierce nature, this move could be executed to its maximum potential.

This level of coordination was unattainable when paired with a Fire Dragon Horse.

"Pity that you're destined to be a stallion of great lineage, and I can't ride you into battle... Of course, it's unlikely that I'll personally engage in combat myself."

He dismounted, patted the Black Dragon Horse's thigh, allowing it to graze on its own. Liszt then whistled a different tune, summoning the Fire Dragon Horse.

Riding his fiery dragon steed, he headed for the castle.

"Gray, go fetch Master Gort."

"Yes, my lord!"

Moments later, Gort arrived at the castle. "Lister, what's the matter?"

"I plan to fell the trees on Thorns Ridge, reducing the habitat of magical beasts and clearing the way for Flower Town's development," Lister declared with determination.

Gort frowned. "Cutting down trees will inevitably provoke the magical beasts. Isn't that too risky?"

"With Master Marcus and me personally guarding the operation, there should be little danger as long as we don't encounter a large group of beasts. After all, we'll be fighting in open terrain. Besides, the magical beasts on Thorns Ridge aren't overly common. I don't intend to clear-cut everything; just the woods along the proposed road."

The idea was to cut incrementally, steadily shrinking the beasts' territory. Once preparations were complete, Lister would aim for a decisive victory in one fell swoop.

That was Lister's strategy.