Chapter 611: Dragon Tooth Platform

Having powerful followers is certainly gratifying, but Liszt values their character more.

A man like Yevich, who has repeatedly turned against his lords and is now willing to side with invaders over mere ransom, is of truly despicable character.

If this were Earth, he’d be the Lü Bu of this world—though at least Lü Bu was the mightiest warrior of his era, whereas Yevich isn’t particularly strong even among sword saints. The gap in their respective standings is vast. That said, Yevich hasn’t committed patricide for personal gain; his worst offense is defying his lieges.

It’s not uncommon for lords and followers to fall out over private disputes.

If it were just a matter of character, accepting his allegiance wouldn’t be a big deal. Even the most dishonorable men would have to obey his commands once under his rule—or face the merciless edge of Liszt’s Skyrend Greatsword. Dragons or snakes, all must coil low in his domain.

What truly concerns him is the issue of resources. If Yevich were to follow him, until granted a fief, his demand for potions would inevitably fall on Liszt’s shoulders.

Even if Yevich handed over all his spirit bugs, their yield could scarcely sustain a sword saint’s appetite for potions.

As a former candidate for sky knight, Yevich has stagnated for decades at the level of a sword saint—proof that he’s likely never experienced the unbridled luxury of unlimited potions.

"Though I can already sustain the potion needs for myself and my Fire Drake Leo, supporting another sword saint would stretch my domain’s resources thin. No, that won’t do!"

This was his first concern.

The second was the sheer audacity of it. Defeating a sword saint single-handedly was already conspicuous enough to invite scrutiny from—and rouse the distrust of—the Sapphire Duchy.

Recruiting a sword saint as a retainer? That was practically waving a flag to alert the duke: "This reeks of conspiracy."

"Yet… why do I feel a faint thrill, almost like I *want* to provoke him? Is it because I suspect the duke isn’t a sky knight, merely a Lord of Dragon Domain, and thus beneath my notice?" He studied the prostrate Yevich Shui Huasheng, but his thoughts wandered far away.

The duke had not taken part in this year’s Frontier Edict.

As long as the Kingdom of the Eagle’s sky knights were tied down by those of the Kingdom of Steel Ridge, the Sapphire Dragon had no need to appear.

Like the strategic deterrents of every kingdom, dragons rarely took the field unless absolutely critical—even minor injuries wasted vast resources. Take the Great Dragon Slaying War, for instance: the Sapphire Dragon’s blood once stained the skies, leaving behind the Blueblood Mountain, which the Kingdom of the Eagle mined for sapphire ore for a hundred years.

Such losses were unbearable for any nation.

Last year’s Frontier Edict likely saw the duke’s participation only to prove the Sapphire Dragon’s vigor. This year, there was no need—staying to guard the homeland was far more important.

"He who rides a dragon is a sky knight; he who stands upon it is a Lord of Dragon Domain… Perhaps the duke truly is just a Lord of Dragon Domain. Wait—I could ask Yevich. He was once a sky knight candidate, enrolled in the Sky Knight Initiative. He must know the secret of the dorsal platform of a dragon!"

And so,

he began his questioning: "I have a few doubts I need you to clarify."

"Command me, my liege!" Yevich had already slipped into the role of a follower.

"You were once a sky knight candidate, ascending to sky knighthood at sixteen. In the years after, did you ever interact with a real dragon?"

"For a time, yes. Or rather, I was quartered with three wyrms: the Ironjaw Dragon, the Brass Dragon, and the Jadeglint Dragon."

"How many dragons reside within the Kingdom of the Eagle?"

"The kingdom rears nine. Six feral dragons have been confirmed in hazardous regions, and the tributary states harbor five—a score in total."

"And sky knights?"

"The kingdom has six; the tributary states, two."

"What’s the difference between a sky knight and a Lord of Dragon Domain?" Liszt finally arrived at his true question—the earlier ones about dragon and sky knight numbers were just common knowledge.

Yevich frowned. "I am scarcely versed in Lords of Dragon Domain, and only scraps about sky knights. So, my liege, I cannot speak with authority on their distinction."

"Then, do dragon knights need to form a contract with their dragons?"

"It’s not a contract but a soul-link. A dragon knight deeply bonds with their dragon, unleashing unimaginable power."

"How does the soul-link work?"

"By earning the dragon's approval..." Yevich's tone grew somber. "Dragons are intelligent and proud creatures, as wise as adults. The kingdom spends vast resources to sustain them, and in return, dragons provide minerals and aid in battle. But only knights who earn their approval can ride on their backs!"

"Is there a difference between standing on their backs and riding them?"

"Yes."

Yevich confirmed firmly: "There’s a spot on the dragon’s back called the 'Dragon’s Fang Seat,' directly connected to the dragon’s teeth. The dragon’s soul resides in its teeth, so when a knight mounts the seat, they can communicate deeply with the dragon’s soul, completing the bond."

Hearing this, Liszt suddenly understood.

The Sapphire Duke had indeed failed to ride the dragon—he stood rather than sat on the Dragon’s Fang Seat. It was clear the duke had only reached an agreement with the sapphire dragon, becoming a Lord of the Dragon Domain and gaining some of its power. But he hadn’t earned the dragon’s approval, making bonding impossible.

A Lord of the Dragon Domain might have an extended lifespan, but their strength was far inferior to a true dragon knight.

Realizing this, Liszt felt a weight lift from his shoulders. Given time, surpassing the Sapphire Duke was only a matter of when. By the time he stood before the duke as a dragon knight, House Sapphire would finally understand who truly ruled the seas.

Taking a deep breath to steady his emotions, he continued, "Do you know how to earn a dragon’s approval and complete the bond?"

"Forgive me, my lord. I’m merely a Sword Saint—my strength is insignificant in a dragon’s eyes, let alone worthy of its approval... After wasting years, I was expelled from the Dragon Knight Order and never saw a dragon again... Though I was once instructed by Dragon Knight Alex White-Mouth Iron."

"The royal family’s dragon knight?"

"Yes."

The Kingdom of the Eagle’s royal family had two lineages: one surnamed "Moonlight Silver," descended from a silver dragon, and the other "White-Mouth Iron," from a white-mouth iron dragon. The Moonlight Silver line traditionally held the throne, though they rarely produced dragon knights, while the White-Mouth Iron line yielded one every other generation.

Alex White-Mouth Iron was the current dragon knight of his generation, a prince equal in rank to a grand duke, nearing forty and renowned for his exploits. Even in the distant Sapphire Duchy, Liszt had heard of him—especially his heroic title, "Dragon-Slayer," for slaying a supposed ice dragon.

Liszt narrowed his eyes and suddenly asked, "Yevich, compared to Dragon Knight Alex White-Mouth Iron, how do you think my strength measures against his?"

"Well..."

"Speak freely. I want a full assessment of the gap between us."

"My lord, truthfully, I don’t know. I’ve never seen Alex in actual combat. And since I couldn’t withstand even a single move from you, I can’t compare... But in Alex’s presence, even breathing felt difficult—that’s where he exceeds you."

"That’s draconic pressure, isn’t it?"

"Likely, yes."

Liszt had only trained with his fire drake Leo, without earning a dragon’s approval, so he lacked draconic pressure.

True draconic pressure—whether from a dragon knight or a Lord of the Dragon Domain—was something Liszt had felt before the Sapphire Duke, where even breathing became labored. The Invisible Dragon had also exuded it, creating a suffocating illusion, and even the newborn Leo possessed a faint presence.

Though draconic pressure had no direct offensive power, it could severely disrupt an opponent’s movements.

Combined with the dragon’s cooperation, a dragon knight’s combat prowess in turning the tide of battles was formidable beyond doubt.

Sighing softly, Liszt murmured, "It seems the gap between me and a dragon knight is still vast."

Yevich quickly encouraged him, "Dragon knights are the pinnacle of world power—rarely seen and seldom deployed. But your strength, my lord, is second only to theirs, capable of swaying entire battles. The only other who made me feel this way was the Marquis Rock!"

"The Marquis Rock?"