Chapter 400 Return to Coral Island

As a country that started from the serf trade, the Sapphire Duchy, apart from its initial group of followers, now has most of its commoners and knights born from commoners actually originating from the serfs who were plundered or purchased in the past.

After generations of living, the descendants of these serfs now identify with the Sapphire Duchy.

However, to continue consolidating this sense of identity, successive dukes have refused to accept captured knights from prisoners of war, due to issues of loyalty and identity. Moreover, the domestic nobility lacks knights, and if the restrictions are lifted, a large number of prisoners of war will pour into the country, leading to a loss of national identity.

Without a sense of identity, the country will cease to be a country, and noble rebellions could occur at any time.

Just like Coral Island, where Liszt grew up, the number of Earth Knights is estimated to have just exceeded a thousand, and each time a mobilization order is issued, only about five to six hundred Earth Knights are mobilized.

The campaign against Iron Horse Island mobilized seven hundred Earth Knights, which was already the limit. Earth Knight casualties reached two hundred, especially in the Grey Knights led by Viscount Eunas, where casualties were more than half. Fortunately, Earth Knights have strong vitality, and even the seriously injured can survive; otherwise, the casualties would have been even higher.

Once the restrictions on prisoners are lifted, it’s easy to imagine how many foreign Earth Knights the Earl would recruit to replenish the troops.

The treatment of foreign Earth Knights would certainly be far inferior to that of local Earth Knights, but as long as it can be ensured that they will not rebel, recruiting foreign Earth Knights will quickly become mainstream. When Coral Island is filled with foreign knights, it is conceivable that thoughts will rapidly change.

The knights may continue to be loyal to the Tulip family, but they will have no goodwill toward the Sapphire family that initiated the war.

The sense of national identity will quickly collapse.

As one of the great nobles, Lee William is not unaware of this situation, yet he still gladly accepts it. The reason is simple: no matter how much the sense of national identity is lost, as long as he does not lose his power as a noble, it is fine. What is really being shaken is only the authority of the Sapphire family.

Liszt couldn't help but ask, "Why would the Duke make such a decision?"

"Because the Duke doesn't care. He is confident that he can suppress any situation, as can be judged from the dragon's aura emanating from him... In fact, I have a guess that the Duke might have already completed the most important process of dragon riding through the incident of the assassination of the dragon by the Bull Marquis."

The Earl paused: "He may have already become a dragon knight and is not satisfied with the state of the country being content with a corner."

Speaking of dragon knights, the Earl looked out of the cabin, somewhat lost in thought.

Levis then added, "Moreover, the domestic instability also requires the Duke to boost morale through war and to warn other countries not to think that the Sapphire Duchy has declined."

His father and brother’s analysis made sense.

Liszt said no more, but he always felt that the Sapphire Duke was like drinking poison to quench thirst.

After returning to his room, he thought quietly for a moment: "If the Duke is boosting morale, it is not bad for me; on the contrary, I can take the opportunity to gain more military achievements and strengthen myself. If the Duke is drinking poison to quench thirst, by the time the country collapses, I will probably have the power to protect myself, and it will still not affect me."

He even thought:

If the country does not fall into chaos, how can I rise to power?

How can I seize that *Dragon Knight Mana Secret Manual*?

...

On the morning of July 21st.

After four days of drifting, the fleet successfully returned to Coral Island.

Upon hearing of the return of the knightly expedition, Tulip Castle became lively again after a long time.

Mary, along with Lytton and the castle's housekeeper and servants, came to the road on the hillside of the castle to welcome them. Penelope also came with Lvera from the small castle in Coral City to wait on the road. The nobles in Coral City, upon hearing the news, also rushed over in a frenzy.

The rain had just cleared, and the sky was bright. There was still some water on the stone-paved road, but this did not dampen the enthusiasm of the welcoming party.

The cheers could be heard from afar.

Liszt rode on a chocobo, wearing simple undergarments with leather armor over them, the Zankong Great Sword hanging at his waist, and the Swift Shadow Bow on his back. Words could hardly capture his handsome and dashing appearance, as he always took great care with his appearance, even on the ship, meticulously grooming himself.

Maintaining a dry and clean appearance every day not only makes one look spirited to outsiders but also boosts one's own confidence.

The Black Dragon's wounds have healed, and upon returning to the familiar Coral Island, it is in good spirits, darting around the knight squad, now ahead, now behind.

However, the dragon beast seems listless, possibly suffering from seasickness, but the strong recovery ability of low-level dragon beasts keeps it capable of basic riding.

"This is the welcome reserved for returning heroes. I used to always stand in the welcoming crowd, but now I have come to enjoy this triumphant feeling," Levis said, riding alongside Liszt with high spirits. "Seeing our home stable fills my chest with a sense of achievement; perhaps this is the mission of a knight."

He spoke sincerely; knights fight for their lands, and the people support them, each living their own lives, complementing one another.

Liszt nodded: "I hope we can see the cheering welcoming crowd again and again."

"We will!"

The knights walked to the fork in the road between Tulip Castle and Coral City, with most continuing towards Coral City to disband and return home. Nobles with titles like Liszt headed towards Tulip Castle, where they would enjoy the first banquet upon their return.

The Lord Baron led the procession and, upon seeing Penelope, immediately dismounted and walked quickly to bow deeply to her: "Mother, you must have been worried!"

"My son, William Lee Tulip, I knew you would triumph every time!"

Levis and Liszt also dismounted and quickly approached Penelope: "Grandmother."

"Seeing you, the strong young men of the Tulip family, return safely puts my anxious heart at ease," Penelope said, embracing them both with relief. "Despite the hardships of living rough outside, you clearly can take care of yourselves, still so robust."

Relatives exchanged greetings and care.

Even though he has integrated into this world and the Tulip family, Liszt still feels somewhat out of place, but he controls his emotions well, fully immersing himself in the moment.

After the greetings, the procession merged and continued towards Tulip Castle.

Liszt sent a squire knight to Flower Town to deliver a message of safety and planned to return in the afternoon, not staying overnight at Tulip Castle. He missed Flower Town dearly, eager to return to the land that truly belonged to him.

"Lord Baron, I wish to return to Flower Town first; I miss my sister," Parris said, riding on the Black Dragon.

Liszt did not refuse: "You may."

Back on Coral Island, he no longer needed Parris's close protection.

...

At the luncheon.

After paying respects to the fallen knights, the atmosphere quickly became lively. Every expedition results in deaths, and the knights have long adapted to farewells, choosing to celebrate wildly upon their return.

The banquet was in full swing when Levis suddenly stood up and clapped his hands: "Everyone, I need to announce this news—the Iron Horse Island campaign, we have achieved a glorious victory, and on Coral Island, a new viscount will be born—my brother, Liszt Tulip!"

Applause erupted.

Liszt nodded to the surroundings in acknowledgment.

Levis waited for the applause to subside and said with a smile: "In three days, a knighting ceremony will be held at Tulip Castle, let us all witness Liszt's moment of glory!"

Everyone raised their glasses, toasting, "To Viscount Liszt!"

"To Liszt!"

"To the Viscount!"

"I wish to share this honor with all of you," Liszt said, raising his glass, seeing all the nobles around him toasting in his direction, he smiled and swirled the glass in front of him.

Then he threw his head back and downed the spicy flower wine in one go.

The wine went down his throat, exhilarating and refreshing.