Chapter 656: Ox Tail and Iron Hoof

"The pride of the Tulip family," once a mere polite compliment, had now become an universally acknowledged truth. If even Liszt couldn't be called the pride of the family, then there probably was no such thing in the entire Sapphire Duchy.

The youngest sky knight, inheritor of the Ghostblade legacy.

Defeating a Domain Knight, capturing a sword saint.

Seizing the iron mine, achieving the largest haul of iron ore in over a century of the Frontier Decree.

Such dazzling feats, like a blazing comet, made it impossible not to stand out. Now that the Frontier Decree had ended, the details of the war had spread throughout the country, and nobles and commoners on every island were likely discussing Liszt.

Even in the Kingdom of the Eagle, Liszt's name had probably gained some recognition in certain circles.

At the very least, among the nobles around Roaring Estuary, his name was undoubtedly known.

With such a formidable figure as his son, Earl Lee William had no choice but to personally welcome him at the gate, to honor Liszt.

As for the family members and servants who relied on the family's strength, they bowed even deeper.

The once-overlooked, timid second son, sent away to a remote border town, had completely vanished. Now, in everyone's eyes, Liszt was a brilliant, peerless prodigy and champion—the most outstanding descendant of the Tulip family, without any dispute.

"Father, You honor me with your welcome."

"This is the treatment you deserve. I am proud of you, my son!" Lee William reached out and patted Liszt’s shoulder—his son now stood a full head taller than him.

It almost seemed as if all the glory of knighthood had been bestowed upon Liszt alone—strength that overshadowed top-tier warriors, devastating good looks that set hearts aflutter, and the uncanny luck of stumbling upon spirit bugs. Any one of these would be enough to drive others mad with envy, let alone all three combined.

Turning to Lady Mary beside him, he said, "Go instruct the kitchen to prepare tonight’s banquet to the standard of a festive season feast."

"Of course. Take your time catching up. I’ll personally oversee the kitchen preparations." Lady Mary smiled and left.

The Earl then said to Lytton, "Go inform Grandmother and your sister to join the banquet tonight."

Next, he turned to Gloria. "Prepare some tea and bring it to the study later. We’ll have a chat there first."

"Understood, Father." Gloria also left with a smile.

Only Lee William, Levis, and Liszt—the three men of the family—remained, heading straight for the study. When it came to major decisions concerning the Tulip family, these three were the ones who made them—or rather, Lee William and Liszt negotiated while Levis was there as an afterthought.

"Father, was the iron ore transport smooth?"

"Almost too smoothly. Alonso Cyclamen never showed himself, but we didn’t dare linger at Roaring Estuary either. The moment the ore was fully transported, the Crown Prince declared the Frontier Decree over—both to protect our gains and to probe for news from the Kingdom of Steel Ridge about Alonso’s movements."

The Dragon’s Crag Mine belonged to the Bronze Dragon Knight, Alonso Cyclamen. After the fleeing knights sent word of the mine’s fall, it was impossible for him to remain indifferent.

Even if he couldn’t come himself, he should have sent someone to reclaim it.

Eager to contribute, Levis interjected, "Father and I discussed it. We think Alonso might be tied up by border conflicts. Plus, since even Domain Knights beneath dragon knights couldn’t defeat you, he might have cut his losses on Dragon’s Crag Mine."

Liszt nodded. "That’s possible."

For now, this explanation made the most sense, so he didn’t dwell on it further. Now that he had become a dragonrider, he could face any threat with confidence.

What concerned him more was the spoils allocation. "So how will the Grand Duke assess our contributions? How many tons of iron ore will be allotted to us? Where has he promised to grant you your Marquis’ lands? And what are his thoughts regarding me?"

"We took the lead in seizing the ore, but much of the credit for transporting it was shared with others. I estimate the Grand Duke will assign us 100,000 tons," the Earl said, wincing. "Naturally, all of it will be your rightful plunder."

Liszt gave a knowing smile but said nothing.

It had long been agreed—the Earl took the glory, he kept the loot.

The Count continued, "The Archduke is stationed directly at the defense of Ironhoof Island. Although there was much bickering during the war council, after the meeting, the Archduke clearly told me that among the three fief marquisates of Ironhoof Island—Oxhorn, Oxtail, and Oxhoof—as well as the Marquisate of Ironhoof City, I could freely choose one."

"How did the Marquisate of Ironhoof City come into the picture? What is your choice, Father?"

"Ironhoof City is the second-largest city after the capital, Blue Dragon City. Placing a Blueblood Alliance marquis there would allow oversight over Ironhoof Island... I chose the Marquisate of Oxtail. The Marquisate of Oxhoof must face the mainland directly, while the Marquisate of Oxhorn has complex power dynamics. The Marquisate of Oxtail is relatively quieter."

Lee William favored a balanced approach.

Oxhoof City was the starting point for the Sapphire attacks on the mainland, naturally bearing the responsibility of suppressing the seas. Oxhorn City was once as prosperous as Ironhoof City, with various underground factions of the Sapphire Kingdom mingling there. Only Oxtail City remained less conspicuous, suitable for low-key development.

The Tulip family was merely a count's family, far less established than the Longyu family, and needed time to grow.

Choosing the Marquisate of Oxtail, governing the large city of Oxtail along with the two major cities of Oxbutt and Oxrib, and the surrounding vast lands, would provide ample resources for the family's development.

"A reasonable choice," Liszt nodded in understanding.

The Count gave Liszt a complicated look and said, "There's another reason I chose the Marquisate of Oxtail—the Archduke wanted me to choose it."

"What?"

"Because the Archduke told me that among the three fief marquisates of Ironhoof Island, the Marquisate of Oxtail has the weakest development potential. However... he intends to reserve the Marquisate of Ironhoof City for you. This way, our combined forces as father and son would surpass those of the Marquis of Oxhoof and the Marquis of Oxhorn."

Liszt neither agreed nor disagreed. "So, a power balance."

"But I'd rather stay on Black Horse Island and Blooming Town. These are the foundations I've worked hard to build, and I have no desire to follow the Archduke as a marquis of the Blueblood Alliance."

Blueblood Alliance nobles, other than seizing power, relied entirely on the Archduke's favor for survival.

Liszt wouldn't even consider becoming the Archduke's vassal, let alone his hunting hound—even a marquis title held no appeal.

After all, he was a dragonrider who intended to found his own kingdom.

"You have plenty of time to think it over. This time, all your military merits are assigned to me, but they are simply too vast. I believe that if you choose to follow the Archduke, I could still split off some of the merits to meet the conditions for your promotion to a landed count. If you join the Blueblood Alliance, you might even directly ascend to the Marquisate of Ironhoof City."

In his heart, the Count hoped Liszt would choose the Marquisate of Ironhoof City. Ironhoof City was the largest city on Ironhoof Island, and its attached territory was nearly as vast as a typical count's domain.

With Liszt's strength, it was unlikely he would be as easily manipulated as other Blueblood nobles.

He would essentially be a half-landed, half-Blueblood noble. Combined with the Count's own impending position as Marquis Oxtail, they would instantly become the dominant power on Ironhoof Island.

By then, the Tulip family would rise to become a true great noble house, second only to House Sapphire.

However, to his disappointment, Liszt shook his head decisively. "I can't possibly pledge myself directly to the Archduke... Brother, could you step outside briefly and check if anyone is loitering nearby? Send them away."

"What?"

Levis hesitated briefly but quickly stood up. "Of course, right away."