Chapter 386: Of course we have to fight for the military merits

The Sapphire Dragon doesn't live in the Sapphire Duchy's castle, Sky Peak Mountain Palace.

Instead, it lives in the cliff valley below Sky Peak Mountain Palace, an area known as Blue Dragon Garden. The Blue Dragon Garden is enormous, possibly even larger than Coral Island. Every day, servants go into Blue Dragon Garden to collect gems from the Sapphire Dragon and search for crystalized mineral deposits.

Sometimes, the duke trains the Blueblood Knights or goes hunting in Blue Dragon Garden. A large number of wild beasts and magical beasts are raised there to serve as food for the Sapphire Dragon.

During the dragon-slaying incident, the duke was out hunting with Marquis Bull.

Subsequently, the dragon-slaying incident broke out.

"According to the rumors we've heard, Marquis Bull and his magicians had secretly set up a massive magic array in the Blue Dragon Garden. When the Sapphire Dragon entered the magic array, they activated it immediately, severely wounding the Sapphire Dragon... Marquis Bull took advantage of the internal unrest to flee Blue Dragon Island."

The secret envoy relayed everything he knew: "The duke ordered the attack on Iron Horse Island and then left Sky Peak Mountain Palace. It was several days before anyone noticed... Meanwhile, Lady Sarlet, born into the Greater Orchid family, controls the palace and, with her brother Marquis Nesta’s support, is purging servants suspected of involvement in the dragon-slaying incident."

The Sapphire Duke has vanished along with his dragon.

Lady Sarlet, born into the Greater Orchid family, controls the palace and, with her brother Marquis Nesta’s support, is purging servants suspected of involvement in the dragon-slaying incident.

The duke’s two sons and his son-in-law, Marquis Grindton, have gone to attack Iron Horse Island.

This is the current situation in the Sapphire Duchy.

"Maybe Lady Sarlet knows, but no one else does. Or perhaps others do know, but we just can’t find out."

"Marquis Merlin received your letter and asked Lord Mexiro to convey his message to you..."

"Convey what?" Levis made a listening gesture.

The secret envoy replied, "He has been a close friend of the duke for half his life and is very familiar with the duke's personality and methods. He hopes you won’t lose faith in the duke until things settle down."

"I understand." The count nodded and said, "I have some information as well that I hope you can relay to Lord Mexiro."

"As you wish."

...

"Grandfather’s advice is wise—he wants us to wait and see, avoiding hasty moves. The duke leaving with the Sapphire Dragon must mean there is a more important plan, one that could determine the future."

"So we do nothing?" Levis frowned. "I still feel that while this is a steady approach, it might not be the best course of action. What if the Kingdom of the Eagle gets involved?"

Liszt thought for a moment and calmly replied, "We fight!"

"Fight?"

"As long as the Kingdom of the Eagle doesn’t send their dragon knights, what’s there to worry about? The marquis' family won’t easily compromise. As long as we repel the knights' attack, we can prove our strength. I believe neither the king of the Kingdom of the Eagle nor the king of the Kingdom of Steel Ridge would mind having more powerful followers."

This is the established strategy: remain loyal to the Sapphire Family and demonstrate value until the situation becomes clearer.

The remaining decision is which side to support.

After going through the trials of war, Liszt feels confident and unafraid of any situation: "In any case, we shouldn’t miss the opportunity to kill Marquis Bull. For the sake of family interests and personal emotional catharsis, we should eliminate the traitor!"

If it weren’t for Marquis Bull stirring up trouble, Liszt would still be farming peacefully in Flower Town, waiting for this year’s development orders.

He prefers a methodical lifestyle and dislikes too much unpredictability.

Thus, he holds no fondness for Marquis Grindton.

That's a personal sentiment.

From a profit perspective, regardless of whether the Sapphire Dragon is alive or dead, Marquis Grindton should be eliminated. If the dragon is alive, killing him would please the Grand Duke; if it's dead, doing so proves loyalty and eliminates a rival. The Bull family, having already moved their heirs and wealth abroad, remains the greatest threat among the local nobility.

Although the land is vast, the resources that can be seized are limited. If Marquis Grindton takes too much, others will have less.

That's the general idea.

Following the discussion between the two sons, the Earl wanted to share some insightful observations, but Liszt had already said everything that needed to be said, leaving nothing worth adding.

This left him frustrated, so he could only focus on minor details and reiterate his points.

Subsequently.

Continue to search for traces of the Furious Knights and the Goat Assembly.

...

Departed on June 7th, landed in Horn City on the 11th, left for Mane City on the 13th, and occupied an unnamed castle in Mane City on the 14th.

On the 15th, headed for Niu Mao City, on the 16th reinforced Small River City, on the 17th occupied an unnamed castle in Small River City, on the 18th reinforced Green Shade City, and on the 20th occupied the Green Leaf Fortress in Green Shade City.

On the 21st, headed for Niu Mao City again, on the 23rd occupied Parsley Castle in Niu Mao City, on the evening of the 24th departed for Ridge City, arrived in Ridge City on the evening of the 25th, and occupied the castle in Ridge City on the 26th, then departed for Snow Pear City on the 27th.

Today is already June 30th.

After searching the surrounding towns of Snow Pear City for two and a half days, every small town was thoroughly cleared, but no traces of the Furious Knights or the Goat Assembly were found.

"Stop searching! We’ll attack the city and take over Pear Fortress in Snow Pear City!" The Earl commanded, and the knights' army surged to surround the viscount's castle, Pear Fortress.

Hiddleston appeared, hurling rock grenades at the castle walls.

The castle collapsed, and the war ended quickly.

Meanwhile, reports of victories poured in from other fronts. With the Earl's knights' combat strength, it was simple to eliminate the viscount's castle defense.

July 2nd.

The Coral Island Knights, along with other earl-led forces, marched under Marquis Grindton’s command towards the final two cities, including Niu Ding City. Here, the second Prince's Knights, the Blueblood Knights, had already been annihilated. The Marquis of White Glutinous Rice, who accompanied him to attack Niu Wei City, also suffered heavy losses.

With reinforcements from Wallace Pineapple Green and Mexiro Longtaro, they managed to stabilize the situation.

Niu Ding City.

The forces included knights from three marquess families: the White Glutinous Rice, Pineapple Green, and Longtaro families. Additionally, several count-led units loyal to the Grand Duke were present.

It only took two days to capture a count defending Niu Ding City.

"The war has turned into a one-sided affair; everyone is vying for battle honors." In the camp, talking with Liszt was Meopo Longtaro, his cousin.

Wearing golden orichalcum armor, it was both indestructible and strikingly stylish.

Fortunately, he had an elite knight squad under his direct command, all armed with golden orichalcum armor, preventing him from being too conspicuous; otherwise, he would have become a live target on the battlefield.

"Of course, we need to grab them."

Liszt held a cup filled with local fresh milk; the stock of dragon milk had already been finished. "If there are merits without danger and you don't grab them, either there's something wrong with your brain, or like my cousin, you don't need merits for ennoblement."

In the attack on the castle, Liszt led his knights to fiercely cut down the enemy knights.

From the battle at Ridge City to the current fight at Niu Ding City, he racked up numerous kills and battle honors, securing his path to becoming a viscount.