Chapter 759 Old Phil’s Romantic Fortune

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Three royal fast sailing ships—the *Explorer*, the *Discoverer*, and the *Opportunity*—consumed all the Magic Guild's experimental materials to construct three binary core magic engines, with an additional backup engine placed aboard the flagship *Explorer*.

The departure ceremony was grand and solemn.

Amid heavy snowfall that blanketed the knights in white, Liszt personally presented three flags bearing dragon-shaped flame patterns to the expedition leaders: Yevich, who served as both expedition commander and captain of the *Explorer*, along with two other territory-trained knight captains.

As the dragon-flame banners rose high, the three ships set sail toward the open sea.

This marked the first step toward establishing a kingdom. The remaining tasks were to locate suitable islands, relocate, and begin development. Only after the vessels disappeared into the distant storm clouds did Liszt turn away.

Territory development continued uninterrupted.

Groups of serfs from Iron Hoof City arrived in steady streams, quickly put to work developing the territory.

The serfs' faces were bright with smiles—not from improved living conditions, but from becoming serfs of a Dragon Knight. As future subjects of a king, their treatment would far surpass ordinary serfs. Though still bound to farm work, their benefits would exceed those of common laborers.

"Your Highness, our negotiators have finalized agreements with trade representatives from three Marquises. Half of all future trade profits will fund the serf trade. Given our pricing structure, the Marquis' households will prefer paying in serfs to conserve gold reserves."

The three Marquises—Niuwei, Red Crab Island, and Golden Isle—currently served as Liszt's exclusive partners for glass, white paper, and salt trade.

Their trade networks primarily connected with coastal nobles in the Kingdom of Steel Ridge.

Additionally, Liszt maintained his own trade channel through smuggling operations with the Marquis of Raging Waves from the Kingdom of the Eagle.

Having suffered devastating losses in two major campaigns, the Marquis of Raging Waves desperately sought compensation.

Salt had become the most lucrative smuggling commodity. Under the guise of obeying royal orders, the Marquis purchased numerous Eagle Kingdom ships to harass Sapphire fleets while supposedly searching for the Lightgreen Gem Dragon. In reality, under Flame Territory fleet escort, they rendezvoused at neutral islands for salt exchanges.

The trade formula was simple: a ship of serfs for a ship of salt.

A single salt shipment sold on the mainland could fetch five or six shiploads of serfs—or even ten through aggressive negotiation. This immensely profitable venture benefited both parties equally. Liszt's production costs were negligible—just labor expenses.

Currently, Flame Territory mass-produced sea salt at unprecedented rates.

The technology remained strictly monopolized, with none daring to steal it. Discovery of unauthorized salt production would meet with ruthless retaliation.

A Dragon Knight embodied monopoly itself!

Even the House of Sapphire merely requested trade participation upon learning of Liszt's salt operations, never considering technological theft.

Negotiations with the Sapphire ducal house remained ongoing, stalled over profit division—they proposed buying rights through "licensing fees," while Liszt demanded a technology stake with profit-sharing.

Neither the Sapphire Duke nor Liszt would deadlock negotiations. As temporary allies, compromise from both sides would soon yield agreement.

"Isaiah, coordinate with officials to balance territorial expenditures and revenue, then increase serf acquisition quotas. We must accumulate serfs extensively in preparation for nationhood—once established, the serf trade may face disruptions."

Liszt understood mainland kingdoms wouldn't tolerate his sovereignty declaration.

Though incapable of launching another Dragon-Slaying War, they would certainly impose development restrictions—most severely by tightening serf trade regulations. While impossible to ban completely, prices would increase dramatically during crackdowns, severely hindering national growth.

"Your Highness, we'll promptly establish equilibrium and renegotiate allocation agreements with our trade partners."

"My lord, have you noticed Jesse's cheerful demeanor these days?" Butler Carter remarked with a smile.

"What's got Jesse so happy?" Liszt asked while playing with the maturing Jie La. Jesse was the head footman in the castle and had been following Liszt since the very beginning.

"Old Phil, with the help of the Magic Guild, finally got his wife pregnant."

"Really? That's wonderful news." Liszt chuckled. He knew Old Phil well—this Sun Descendant had provided large amounts of blood due to his lineage.

The great magicians of the Magic Guild, upon learning of Old Phil's identity, had devised a "breeding program" to have him father as many children as possible, aiming to cultivate a "New Sun Child" capable of casting Druidic transformation magic, testing spells like turning into a bear or a leopard.

Carter the butler then hesitated, "There's just one thing... I'm not sure if I should report it to you, my lord."

"Go ahead."

"The magicians from the Magic Guild bought many prostitutes from other regions and forced Old Phil to... well, let's just say he's grown noticeably thinner."

"Hmm?"

Liszt was momentarily at a loss for words—should he say Old Phil was lucky, call the magicians absurd, or reprimand the Magic Guild for misconduct? After a long pause, he asked, "Was Old Phil coerced? Was his wife threatened by the magicians?"

"Well... it's said the magicians promised Old Phil's wife that they would train her son to become a magician in the future. So, the woman didn't interfere and even encouraged Old Phil to cooperate. As for Old Phil himself, he was probably part reluctant, part willing... Poor Jesse still doesn't know about this."

"Alright, I understand." Liszt offered no further comment.

He planned to mention this matter to Cris later. While this incident didn't violate the Magic Guild's regulations or the territory's laws—and Liszt himself had tacitly approved of Old Phil's involvement with Lars and the other great magicians—it still created an ethical concern. This could very well be considered human trials.

He made a mental note, he mused: Future experimental projects of this nature must require my approval. I can't let magicians conduct reckless research, especially when it involves humans or dragons!

Old Phil's fortunate circumstances weren't a major concern, and Liszt soon put it out of his mind.

Holding the now considerably grown Jie La in one arm, he headed upstairs to Acheronides' laboratory, intending to have her give Jie La a complete health evaluation—both to check her condition and to gather some data on spirit bug development.

"Wraw!"

"I know, your power grows. Soon, you'll be able to beat Ash."