Chapter 381: The Second Assassination of the Sapphire Dragon

Snide was not dead.

Having been run through the chest by a sword from Lee William, the Sky Knight's formidable physique still sustained his life, though he had lost his ability to fight and was severely wounded, hovering on the brink of death.

The battle swiftly ended with Snide's defeat. The knights of Parsley Castle, who had been nurtured with countless resources, were all wiped out due to the duke's fury.

Liszt, now calm, couldn't help but lament with regret.

The number of knights sacrificed in the exploration orders of the past few years probably didn't exceed the number killed in the Iron Horse Island campaign. The earth knights, once revered by commoners, were cut down like dogs, a scene that shocked every victorious knight to their core.

However, this was the way of the knight system under the nobility. Traitors had to pay with their lives to deter other knights, ensuring their loyalty to their lords.

"Gather the names of all the fallen and bring them to me," the Earl said, riding his horse slowly across the blood-soaked battlefield, his voice low, "Their sacrifices will not be in vain. Their honor will live on in their descendants, and you will also share in the glory of this victory."

"Roar!"

"Roar!"

The victorious knights raised their spears and swords, shouting loudly in response to the Earl's promise.

When the cheers subsided, the battlefield that needed to be cleaned continued to be attended to. Captain Leiden and Eunas Stonebreaker were busy checking the casualties when Marcus rode up to Liszt's side and reported seriously, "My lord, Russ Thump has fallen in battle."

Russ Thump.

The earth knight who, along with Rondo Kettle, had pledged himself to Liszt, was one of the first followers of Liszt, second only to Marcus. He often participated in banquets within the castle.

Compared to the previous fallen follower, Leslie·Leafpile, Russ Thump was much more familiar to Liszt.

After a moment of silence, he forced himself to rally his spirits, "I will remember his name, Master Marcus. Tell everyone in the knight squad that glory awaits us on the road ahead. When the campaign ends, everyone will share in it, whether they sacrificed or survived."

"From the moment we went into battle, we understood this principle. It is our honor to fight and die for our lord," Marcus clenched his fist and replied, "And we are honored to follow behind you. Your strength is already sufficient to engage in battle with a Sky Knight, and you will surely gain noble authority!"

"Noble authority, huh..."

Liszt's gaze turned towards the vast distance. His achievements in the Niu Mao City campaign were truly remarkable. First, he completely defeated the Mane City knight squad, then rushed to assist in the attack on an unnamed castle near Small River City, collaborating with Levis and Trick to seize Green Leaf Castle. Finally, he returned to Niu Mao City to help the Earl eliminate the Sky Knight.

Such achievements might not guarantee him the title of viscount, but he was certainly close.

After the rest and recuperation, perhaps he could participate in the Iron Horse Island campaign and gain another merit. This way, the title of viscount of Black Horse Island would be as good as settled.

"Step by step. What is destined to be mine will be mine, and no one can take it away!"

He turned and called out, "Hiddleston!" The injured Hiddleston stumbled after him. The blow that Snide unleashed was far beyond the capability of the year-old Hiddleston to withstand.

In a one-on-one fight, Hiddleston might have been slain already.

Patting Hiddleston's large head, Liszt rode the chocobo toward the now-occupied Parsley Castle. The Earl had already taken the severely wounded Snide to the castle for interrogation.

Perhaps they could extract the secrets behind the dragon-slaying incident from him.

……

In the room.

The Earl was interrogating Snide, "What orders did Bull Marquis give you?"

Snide, holding his chest with weakened breath, surprisingly cooperated, "Defend Niu Mao City and resist the invasion by the knights from Iron Horse Island."

"Do you understand why you were ordered to do that?"

"Of course I know, because the Marquis is going to accomplish the great feat of slaying the dragon."

"Dragon slaying isn't something you lot can get involved in. With the Sapphire Dragon gone, do you really think you, or any of us, can expect a better outcome?"

"I can't control that, but I still hope for change." Snide's eyes looked unfocused. "Marquis had everything arranged long ago, including now. Lee William, you may have beaten me today, but that doesn’t mean you’ll keep winning!"

"Hmph."

The Count sneered, "You’re about to die, so how do you think you can beat me?"

"When the Sapphire Duchy falls apart, you’ll all go down with it! My children are safe, and they’ll restore the glory of Parsley Castle—and take it even further!"

"Disintegration? No, the Sapphire Duchy will not disintegrate, but Iron Horse Island will definitely be destroyed. In fact, the knight regiment that the Bull Marquis led to break through has been intercepted by the Grand Duke's knight regiment. None of you can escape from Iron Horse Island, and your children will not continue. They will burn to ashes because of the Grand Duke's wrath."

"Haha, you'll soon see that the Sapphire Dragon is already dead... or dying. There will be another wave of assassination, and that dragon won't live long!" Snide raised his head and grinned at the Count, "Cough... the dragon won't survive!"

"Another assassination?"

"By the time you calculate, the assassination should have ended, and the news of the Sapphire Dragon's death will soon spread across the Kingdom of the Eagle and the Kingdom of Steel Ridge... Especially the knights from the Kingdom of the Eagle will soon launch an attack across the sea to clear out this region."

The news of another assassination attempt shook Lee William.

But he remained calm and composed, "I'm puzzled. What’s in it for you if the Kingdom of the Eagle clears out this area?"

"Marquis will lead us back to the continent."

"Back to the mainland..." The Count shook his head, his voice dripping with sarcasm, "Without a secure base on the mainland, what glory could we possibly regain?"

Everyone dreams of returning to the mainland. The Sapphire Family had to build their nation here because they couldn’t hold onto their lands on the mainland.

Although it is remote and lacks resources, it is a land that can provide shelter. The nobles here have grown accustomed to their current way of life, with wars happening on the mainland, far from the archipelago. Few people want to return to the mainland, having already taken root on these islands.

Upon further questioning, Snide couldn't reveal any more information.

...

"What do you think of what Snide said?"

After a round of interrogation, the Count asked several knight commanders.

"Will the Sapphire Dragon really face a second assassination? I doubt this. I think he's just bluffing. The Grand Duke wouldn't fail to set up defenses." Said Lee William.

Liszt pondered for a moment.

Offering his insight, "Father should immediately contact Marquis Grindton to gauge his reaction. I believe Marquis Grindton definitely knows the situation of the Sapphire Dragon... Or, we can just continue at our own pace. If there's any news, it will spread soon. Why don't we observe the reactions of other families?"

Lee William is only the Count of Coral Island.

There are still six marquises ahead of him, so there's no need for high-profile actions.

Liszt then added, "Also, I doubt things are as Snide claims. His children are probably being held by the Bull Marquis, which is why he’s clinging to Parsley Castle."

Lee William nodded, "I'll contact Marquis Grindton immediately... and then continue interrogating Snide!"