Chapter 793: The Followers’ Team

After the war came the tallying of spoils and digesting the gains—tens of thousands of shipbuilders and their families, along with over a thousand knights and their kin, were successively arranged to wait in Ironhoof City.

Only after careful screening would these shipbuilders and knights be relocated to Black Horse Island.

These tasks did not trouble Liszt much; he merely needed to make an appearance and accept the oaths of allegiance from the screened knights.

The construction of the Flame Territory flourished, and the search for overseas islands proceeded diligently.

By mid-May, two more captured knights had sworn allegiance to Liszt, one of whom was even the Earl Sword Saint.

"Durt, are you truly willing to abandon your earldom and title in the Kingdom of the Eagle to follow me?" Liszt was quite surprised by the decision of this Sword Saint Earl, Durt Redapricot. To become a landed earl in the Kingdom of the Eagle, one could hardly be without roots.

Willing to forsake an earldom—such resolve was not to be underestimated.

Once Durt made his decision, he spoke frankly: "Your Highness, I do indeed possess an earldom, and my family is prosperous. However, my territory is coastal, originally intended to await the success of Prince Alonso’s plans for maritime achievements. But now, the Kingdom of the Eagle’s naval ambitions are ruined, and my path to advancement is blocked."

Liszt remained noncommittal.

Durt continued, "Yet Your Highness plans to establish a new nation, where opportunities for military glory abound. Moreover, with Your Highness’s strength and that of Archmage Acheronides, dominating the Sapphire Sea is within reach... My defeat and capture may well be the guidance of the Glory of Knighthood!"

To speak of the Glory of Knighthood even in defeat and captivity—Liszt nearly laughed inwardly but restrained himself. "Since you’ve made your decision, you may swear allegiance to me... However, the ransom must still be paid. I will retain your earldom, and you may form your own knight order to fight alongside me, securing a place in the new nation."

"Thank you, Your Highness! Durt Redapricot is at your service!"

...

Originally, Liszt had not intended to retain the titles of noble lords who surrendered to him. But upon reflection, once the new nation was established, countless uninhabited islands would await construction.

Rather than laboring himself, it was better to delegate these troubles to his surrendered followers, preserving their titles and letting them plunder the mainland to develop their islands. This way, he could focus on developing only the major islands.

Nobles who surrendered to him, driven by self-interest, would naturally cut ties with the Kingdom of the Eagle.

Just like the nobles of the Sapphire Duchy, even if life on the islands was not prosperous, they preferred to stay and develop there—because what they lacked, they could seize. Especially when they could plunder others without fear of retaliation, the feeling was intoxicating and irresistible.

After several campaigns, Liszt had tasted the sweetness and was now wholly devoted to plundering.

If the Kingdom of the Eagle dared to wage a dragon-slaying war, he would plunder them relentlessly, carving out several fat chunks for himself.

Thus, he publicized Durt Redapricot’s surrender, and soon, three of the remaining five reluctant Sky Knights hesitated before deciding to submit. Only two Sky Knights remained unwilling, opting instead to pay ransoms and return to the Kingdom of the Eagle.

By his calculations, their families should soon deliver the ransoms.

With nine Sky Knights now sworn to him, Liszt was in high spirits and generously granted titles upon his veteran followers in his territory.

Expedition Fleet Captain Yevich was elevated from commoner to viscount, effectively restoring his former rank, though his fief remained undecided. Liszt further promised that if Yevich found suitable islands for founding the nation, he would be directly promoted to earl.

Ironhoof City Knight Order Commander Garcia was elevated from commoner to viscount, restoring his former rank with an undecided fief; Black Horse Island Knight Order Commander Fox was similarly promoted from commoner to viscount, also with an undecided fief. These two former followers of Alonso Cyclamen had fully integrated into the Flame Territory.

Giant Kelp City Counselor and Giant Kelp Knight Order Commander Marcus was promoted from baronet to baron, with an undecided fief; Ironhoof City Counselor Gort was promoted from baronet to baron, with an undecided fief; Black Horse Island security chief Charles was promoted from baronet to baron, with an undecided fief.

Additionally, seven former baronet followers, including Griffin Haystack, were all promoted to barons, their fiefs undecided.

Furthermore, Black Horse Island patrol chief Parris, Ironhoof City Administrator Blair, Giant Kelp City Administrator Isaiah, Black Horse Island diplomat Zanbuluota, and Black Horse Island naval officer Kosto—key officials of the territory—along with core members of the knight orders, were directly elevated to barons by Liszt.

A large number of mid-ranking officials and landed knights were also granted the title of baronet, completing their transition from commoners to nobility.

Though many of these promotions and titles did not strictly adhere to merit-based requirements, Liszt cared little—they were all empty promises anyway. These promises would only be fulfilled once suitable islands were found to establish the nation. If none were found, they would remain lifelong honorary titles.

If they truly found it, they could pick any deserted island they wanted, just like those surrendered sky knights.

No matter how things might change in the future.

At least now, the entire Flame Territory was in an uproar. The knights and officials who received promotions and titles were greatly invigorated, all singing praises to Liszt’s greatness. The officials worked with full vigor, the knights pledged their loyalty, and the Flame Territory’s shaky foundation, strained by rapid growth, quickly stabilized.

Everyone could feel the benefits of following a dragon knight—even before the founding of a nation, just one raid earned them generous glory.

How much more glory would there be to spread once the nation was established!

Especially the nine newly surrendered sky knights, who had already shaken off the resentment of their capture and were now eagerly anticipating Liszt’s nation-building plans.

Thus,

Under Marquis of Flame Liszt Flame’s command, there was now one count follower, Duerte Red Apricot; eleven viscount followers, and over thirty barons, along with hundreds of knightly lords. A basic marquisate follower structure was swiftly established, forming the foundational structure for the future nation.

Combined with Marquis Niuwei’s own follower framework, the basic foundation for nation-building was now complete.

In high spirits, Liszt gathered most of his followers in his Thorn Castle, feasting and drinking for several days. Amid the nobles’ lavish revelry, Acheronides gradually perfected her ice-elemental avatar form. And due to her care, Nami, usually cheerful, finally began to wilt.

Wilting—the first stage of evolution.

"Quest complete. Reward: one Grand Sprite from the mangroves."