Chapter 607: Walking in Splendor at Night

Liszt set aside his thoughts and inquired, "Have you found the lost civilization on the map?"

Lars Truth expressed regret: "We can roughly determine that the lost civilization should be somewhere offshore near the Roaring Estuary, but finding it is extremely difficult."

Dulaka Truth sighed and added, "The Moon Empire was a great civilization thousands of years ago, and even it has vanished. That lost civilization must have long perished in the sea. Over the years, aside from the Sapphire faction, there has been little activity on the sea. Trying to locate it in the vast ocean is an immense challenge."

Without funds, they could hardly proceed, so they turned their attention to the coastal nobles, hoping to secure investments for their research and excavation efforts.

The Clearwater Sword Saint, Yevich Shui Huasheng, agreed to sponsor them.

"Who would have thought we’d encounter the Edict of Expansion? Had we known, we wouldn’t have rushed here."

"But you still came."

"Yes, our thirst for knowledge drove us to arrive at the wrong time and suffer undeserved treatment," complained Sylar Truth, still bitter about their captivity.

Liszt paid little heed to the attitudes of the three great magicians. He collected the hand-drawn relic map and their map research notes.

Calmly, he said, "I’ve claimed the relic map. Now, let’s discuss the matter of your ransom."

"My apologies, my lord. The only wealth we possess is the map in your hands. Beyond that, we have no savings and owe several magicians a hefty sum. I’m afraid you won’t obtain the ransom you desire from us. We never should have been involved in the knights’ conflict."

As Charles spoke, the other two great magicians nodded in agreement.

"Hmm, so you can’t pay the ransom? Normally, as magicians uninvolved in the knights’ war, I wouldn’t trouble you. But since you’ve cast spells and joined this Decree of Expansion conflict, the rules stand. You can’t evade responsibility just because you’re not knights."

"But we truly cannot afford the ransom."

"Ransom need not be paid in gold alone," Liszt said coolly. Upon learning they were penniless, he had already decided how to proceed. "There are other forms—knowledge, for example, is wealth to me. You can exchange knowledge for your freedom. If your knowledge is insufficient, then working for me unpaid is another way to earn your liberty."

"Could you specify, my lord, what kind of knowledge would secure our freedom?"

"Everything you know—the state of magician development in the Kingdom of the Eagle, the spells you’ve mastered, the magic experiments you’ve researched over the years... But knowledge alone won’t suffice. Your best option is to work for me."

"Are you asking us to serve as your retainers, my lord?"

"Not as retainers, but to work for me unpaid. You should know well that knights who can’t pay their ransom are sent to mines or workshops for forced labor. I, however, require you to forge magical gear, brew potions, and teach magic apprentices."

Before the three great magicians could respond, he added, "We’ll set aside the specifics of the ransom for now. Once the Decree of Expansion concludes, we’ll discuss it in detail. For now, you’ll spend a few days confined aboard the ship—time to reflect on what knowledge you can offer. The more knowledge you provide, the shorter your term of service will be."

With that, Liszt ignored them further and ordered his subordinate knights to escort them away. The ship had tools to restrain magicians.

He wanted these great magicians to cool their heads and shed their pride, realizing the value of freedom. In his eyes, magicians were all troubled eccentrics who needed time and effort to reform. Otherwise, when working for him, they might eventually rebel, as in the Dragon-Slaying Incident.

With the magicians dealt with, the relic map could wait. The Decree of Expansion was the sole priority now.

"Father, the dispatched knights should have seized all the noble castles under Icepear City’s jurisdiction. We’ll complete the mop-up by tomorrow. My guess is Yevich fled to Steelbank City. We should strike first, before Marquis Raging Tide can react, and capture several castles outright!"

He was eager to capture or kill Yevich.

The Marquis hesitated. "Marquis Raging Tide’s knights hold the impact plains. If we advance too aggressively, we’ll become easy targets. Shouldn’t we hold back and let other nobles act first as our cover?"

The Coral Island Knights numbered just over a thousand, making it difficult to oppose a Marquis’s forces.

"Speed is crucial in war. Only through constant plundering can we gain enough military achievements to secure your promotion to Bull Marquis, Father." Liszt bragged, swelling with arrogance. "With my Blood Thralls scouting enemy forces, Snowstorm Beasts storming castles, and my own formidable strength, who could possibly stop us?"

"Just how strong have you become?" the Count inquired, seemingly offhand.

Liszt weighed his words before replying, "I may still fall short compared to the Bull Marquis in his prime, but the gap is not large."

Only the Count and Liszt were present in the room.

After a brief silence, the Count pressed further, "The Bull Marquis stole the power of the Blue Sapphire Dragon, transforming into the legendary lich, which granted him immense strength. So, my son, can you tell me why you've grown so powerful as well? Just half a year ago, you were merely an Earth Knight."

He hadn't intended to ask, but couldn't resist. That morning's arrow that knocked back the Sword Saints still unsettled him.

Faced with this question, Liszt fell silent for a moment. Truth be told, obtaining a Fire Dragon and becoming a Semi-Dragon Knight should have meant quietly consolidating his power was the wisest path.

Yet, relying on the Smoke Task's constant manipulation of fate's threads, his territory flourished, his cultivation grew stronger, and he acquired various treasures—especially Rainbow Whale Rosi and the siren Acheronides, who ensured he could retreat safely to the sea without fear of being cornered.

This festered in his heart; a day without showing off left him utterly uncomfortable.

He was like new money, itching to flaunt his wealth with watches, rings, and gold chains at every turn. The ancient hegemon Xiang Yu once said, "To be wealthy and not return home is like walking by night in brocade robes—who would know?" This perfectly captured Liszt's mindset.

Wearing splendid robes but walking in darkness—who would see their beauty?

Of course, Liszt could have disguised himself, living like an ordinary sky knight, methodically developing his island until he was ready to soar. But that wasn't his style. Everyone pursues life differently; he thrived on others' shocked expressions.

After a long pause, just as the Count thought Liszt wouldn't answer, he finally spoke, a faint smile in his voice: "My strength far exceeds what I've shown, and it is increasing still. Father, I've had my own... extraordinary encounters. When the moment is ripe, I'll share them openly with you. For now, seizing glory is what matters most, isn't it?"