Chapter 625: Sword Through the Flesh

"Father, do you still remember my flagship, the Sunset?"

"Of course I do. The Thermostatic Pearl in the control tower was incredibly comfortable. You sure know how to live well."

"Hah." Liszt gave a dry laugh, then said seriously, "Actually, my Ghost Swordsman heritage originates from the Sunset. It was originally a shipwreck, not from the Magic Goat clan, but from an ancient, strange civilization called Arad."

"Arad?"

"Yes. The master of the Sunset was a Ghost Swordsman mentor named GSD. After the collapse of the Arad civilization, he crossed the sea in search of a new habitat for his people but encountered a devastating tsunami. He only had time to leave behind the Ghost Swordsman legacy before sinking into the ocean."

"So you obtained this Ghost Swordsman legacy from GSD, which is the real reason for your rapid progress and outstanding strength?" The Earl seemed somewhat relieved, likely because he now knew his son's excellence had another explanation, which spared his pride.

"The sword slashes the flesh, the heart slashes the soul. Listen with your ears, slash with your heart." Liszt calmly recited two badass mottos. "A Ghost Swordsman's blade never hesitates, for wisdom is with me. This is the teaching left by Mentor GSD and the code followed by Ghost Swordsmen."

"From your battles, it's clear that the Ghost Swordsman is indeed a powerful legacy."

"Yes."

"Then, as a Ghost Swordsman inheritor, can you teach others to inherit this legacy?"

"Not possible right now. The most crucial aspect of the Ghost Swordsman legacy is the transmission of spiritual power, which I derived from the remnants of Mentor GSD's spiritual power. Unless I master the Ghost Swordsman legacy, I cannot teach others its spiritual power."

Since the Ghost Swordsman legacy was a complete fabrication, of course, it couldn't be casually taught to others.

Seeing the Earl about to ask more questions, he felt his made-up story was already impressive enough. Pushing it further would ruin the effect, so he forcibly changed the subject: "Father, the Ghost Swordsman legacy is extremely mysterious and powerful. I hope the family can support me and keep its core secrets. When I fully grasp this legacy, it will be the biggest boost to our rise."

Hearing that Liszt was willing to entrust the Ghost Swordsman legacy to the family.

Lee William's breathing grew rapid: "Don’t worry, I understand the value of the Ancient Warrior heritage. This is your opportunity—even the Grand Duke cannot demand it! Besides, the Sapphire family has the Dragon Knight’s heritage; they wouldn't come seeking a follower's Ancient Warrior heritage."

Nodding, Liszt said nothing more.

His feelings toward the Tulip family were rather complex. On one hand, he had already been enfeoffed and was an independent entity—all gains were his own. On the other hand, whether in managing his territory or in his future ambition of building a dragon-riding kingdom, the Tulip family remained a crucial ally.

"If I weren’t a transmigrator, perhaps I wouldn’t be so conflicted. It always feels like interests outweigh emotions... Of course, it seems noble families have weak bonds, with interests coming first."

He mentally shook his head, then rose and left the bedroom.

Regardless of whether his relationship with the Tulip family was primarily driven by interests or kinship, at least both coexisted—there was no need to sever this connection.

...

After two days of rest,

the Marquis had mostly recovered. Mexiro and Roderick Marquis arrived at Riverheart Castle, each leading their family's elite knight companies.

After the lively banquet ended,

and the basic situation was clarified—even Liszt's Ghost Swordsman heritage was hinted at by the Marquis.

Soon after, a small meeting was held in the study.

Liszt naturally took the lead: "Sir Mexiro, Marquis Roderick, your task is to lead your knight companies to harass the Marquis of Raging Waves' territory, keeping him too occupied to concern himself with matters beyond his borders... Additionally, each of you must assign me a unit of elite knights under my command, as I will lead the attacks on Three Dragon City and Dragon’s Trap Mountain."

"I have no objections. My three hundred elite knights are yours, Liszt," Mexiro agreed without hesitation.

Knowing that Liszt had inherited the Ghost Swordsman heritage and defeated a formidable Domain Knight, Mexiro was delighted that Liszt would be a strong outside ally for the Tulip family.

Roderick considered briefly, then readily agreed: "My main force of knights is supporting the Crown Prince's operations, so I can only allocate three hundred elite knights to assist you in completing the mission."

"That will suffice. Your six hundred elite knights, combined with the Tulip family's two hundred, make eight hundred in total—more than enough to let me sweep across the land!" Liszt said calmly. Having experienced the frenzied battle with the Marquis of Raging Tides, he now understood his limits.

Understanding his limits, he shed his arrogance—yet grew even more confident.

Without much hesitation, once the knights were fully prepared, Liszt led this composite force of elite knights westward along the path scouted by the blood servants, galloping under the rising morning sun.

Elsewhere, the Red Crab Island, Golden Island, and Coral Island Knights also began large-scale maneuvers. Their objective wasn’t killing or looting, but harassment and disruption—a tactic the Sapphire Duchy's knights excelled at.

Under the relentless harassment of these three knight orders, the Marquis of Raging Tides' territory, the River Impact Plains, remained barricaded within their cities, and knights from neighboring lands dared not venture out.

Many petty nobles even resorted to scorched-earth policies, preparing to hole up in their castles until the Expansion Decree concluded.

Amidst this chaos, Liszt and his composite force of elite knights arrived near Three Dragons City by dusk.

He quietly observed Egret Castle, built against the mountains by the riverside.

"My lord, the Egret Count is hiding inside Egret Castle. Ever since you crushed the Marquis of Raging Tides in battle, he—as one of the combatants—has been terrified of your might. Not only has he widened the moat, but he has also reinforced the castle walls, determined to hold out."

Egret Castle was Three Dragons City’s primary fortress.

"Holding out is pointless." Liszt sat atop his chocobo, Loki, with nine imposing hounds behind him. "Pass the order: we take Egret Castle before nightfall. It’ll become our garrison to secure Three Dragons River and Roaring River, ensuring full control of the waterways."

No one questioned Liszt's decision.

In this age where might made right, he had proven himself a top-tier warrior. While subordinates could voice opinions in meetings, wartime decisions were to be executed without hesitation.

The commanders of each knight contingent moved to make ready.

Liszt then turned to the five blood servants. "See that not a single knight slips away. Once Egret Castle falls, all news must be contained within Three Dragons City."

"Yes, my lord. Leave it to us!"

The five morphed into bats, melting into the dusk, circling toward Egret Castle—serving as eyes in the dark and silent killers, silently awaiting the siege.

A quarter-hour later, the knights stood prepared.

Liszt raised the Frostbite Dragon Slayer Sword and commanded, "Charge!" As hoofbeats thundered, he spurred Loki forward, leading the charge himself.