Chapter 820: Liszt’s Sanctuary

As dusk fell, Leo finally flew to the mountain range where the Longtuber Fortress stood.

The towering and magnificent Longtuber Fortress, once adorned with colorful flowers and banners, now had its flowers removed, with black and white flags hanging on its outer walls.

Numerous carriages were parked in the square before the Longtuber Fortress, likely all followers of Marquis Merlin.

"HOOORAH!"

The Fire Dragon Rio let out a resounding, deep dragon's cry, announcing its and Liszt's arrival to the Longtuber Fortress. Though dragon voices vary, the majesty embedded in their tones always makes people recognize them instantly. Thus, after the dragon's roar, nobles came pouring out from the fortress.

"Dragon!"

"It's a Fire Dragon!"

"Lord Liszt has arrived!"

"His Highness the Dragon Knight has come to attend Marquis Merlin's funeral."

Lord Mexiro and his wife, along with Meopo and his spouse, stood among the crowd. Spotting the Fire Dragon's trail, their grief over the past days eased slightly: "It's Liszt!"

Russell and Melinda Songguo followed behind Lord Mexiro and his wife, unable to suppress a smile: "Liszt arrived so quickly!"

"Once the news of Grandfather's passing reached him, Liszt must have rushed here immediately," Meopo clenched his fists in relief, feeling the weight on his shoulders lighten with his cousin's arrival. Marquis Merlin had been the bedrock of the Longtuber family, and his fall left the family uneasy.

Now, the Fire Dragon's arrival signaled Liszt's stance—he would honor his promise and become the Longtuber family's support.

That was enough!

With Liszt's backing, the Longtuber family's position in the Duchy of Blue Jewel would not waver with Marquis Merlin's passing, remaining steadfast. The Blue Jewel family wouldn't entertain any improper thoughts, and those who had pledged loyalty to Marquis Merlin wouldn't dare to harbor any ideas lightly.

Instead, it was time to prepare to pledge allegiance to Mexiro.

And indeed, that was the case.

Among the crowd, Counts like Schalke Broccoli and Durant Hyacinth, watching the slowly approaching Fire Dragon and the barely discernible knight in silver armor on its back, quickly suppressed any rebellious thoughts. At this moment, anyone who dared refuse to follow Mexiro might find the next day's sunrise hard to witness.

The unrest within the Longtuber Fortress was entirely smoothed over with the arrival of the Dragon Knight Liszt.

Meopo, with renewed energy, directed the family's knights to swiftly clear a large space in the square for the Fire Dragon to land. The nobles looked up in awe at the mighty and awe-inspiring Fire Dragon, while the accompanying noblewomen and debutantes gazed with burning intensity.

"HOOORAH!"

Leo let out another dragon's cry, its dragon's aura unrestrained, instantly enveloping the entire Longtuber Fortress. Deep down, it always harbored a wicked dragon's nature—to it, all humans except Liszt were insignificant ants, easily crushed. This show of power was just its opening move.

"Control your aura, Leo!" Liszt's clear voice rang out in the ears of those trembling under the dragon's pressure, quickly alleviating their distress.

The nobles all turned grateful expressions toward Liszt.

But they didn't know that Leo's display of dragon's aura was tacitly approved by Liszt. As a Dragon Knight, it was necessary for him to ensure everyone remembered the supreme authority of a Dragon Knight. A demonstration of dragon power left a far more vivid impression than any number of killings, clearly defining the Dragon Knight's status.

Boom!

Leo landed, cracking the square's stones and shaking the earth.

Liszt and Acheronides jumped down directly from the dragon's back. Only then did everyone notice the small-framed sorceress beside Liszt—they immediately knew who she was. Not only had the Dragon Knight come personally, but he had also brought the Archmage.

"Leo, go rest on the mountain."

Hearing this, Leo flapped its wings and soared toward the setting sun, leaving a menacing silhouette that glowed crimson in the dying light. The western mountains behind the fortress were the ones backing the Longtuber Fortress, their peaks covered in dense forests for Leo to roam freely through.

At this moment, Mexiro and his wife, along with many nobles, approached Liszt, bowing respectfully: "Liszt, my dear nephew, the great Dragon Knight, and the esteemed Archmage Acheronides, thank you for coming."

Liszt quickly stepped forward, helping Mexiro and his wife up: "Uncle, Aunt, upon receiving the tragic news, I rushed back from the outer seas immediately. It's a pity you didn't inform me sooner, depriving me of the chance to see Grandfather one last time... I never imagined that the family gathering during Uncle's birthday would turn out to be our final farewell."

Back in May, shortly after the Great Sea Battle, it was Mexiro's birthday, and Liszt had visited Longyu Castle.

At that time, Marquis Merlin's health hadn't worsened compared to the New Year. On the contrary, with Princess Angela's pregnancy, Meopo's promotion to Sky Knight, and the Longyu family's involvement in Liszt's trade plans, his mood had improved, and his health even showed signs of improvement.

Yet, no one expected he wouldn't make it through the year.

"Father suffered an accident while channeling mana, causing his health to deteriorate rapidly. He didn't last long enough for me to notify you. Before passing, he mentioned you several times, expressing regret that he wouldn't witness the moment you establish your kingdom."

"Alas." Liszt sighed as well.

However, Meopo interjected: "Father, Liszt, Grandfather said before leaving that we shouldn’t grieve for him. He passed peacefully, having resolved all his concerns, and went with a smile to join The Glory of Knighthood!"

"Yes, Liszt," Angela, with her rounded belly, chimed in.

"In that case, let’s continue inside the castle, Uncle. I’d like to pay my respects to Grandfather first," Liszt said, suppressing his sorrow.

Thus, surrounded by nobles, Liszt and Acheronides entered the castle’s grand hall.

A magnificent coffin lay in the center of the hall.

Several mages maintained an ice spell nearby, ensuring Marquis Merlin's body wouldn’t decay in the summer heat. Marquis Merlin lay with closed eyes, his gray-tinged face serene, dressed in the exquisite frock-abit symbolizing his rank as Marquis.

A crystal-carved cane rested in his hands over his chest, while a flag embroidered with the Longyu family crest covered the lower half.

Standing before the coffin, Liszt retrieved a prepared journal from his chest—a hand-copied manuscript Marquis Merlin had gifted him years ago as a New Year’s present.

It had greatly aided his advancement to Sky Knight.

Placing the journal at a corner of the coffin, he spoke solemnly: "Grandfather, your gift once spurred me forward... Now, as a Dragon Knight, I vow to you: I shall shield the Longyu family. Its bloodline shall thrive alongside the Flame and Tulip families upon the seas."

With that, he bowed deeply.

...

A short while later.

In an undisturbed study, Mexiro, Russell Songguo, Meopo, and Liszt sat in four chairs.

Mexiro spoke directly: "Liszt, thank you for your promise before Father’s coffin. He always said you would become the Longyu family’s reliable pillar. Now, the family truly needs your protection."

"Uncle, and Uncle Russell, though we belong to different families, we are bound by kinship. Grandfather’s blood ties us together. As long as I live, your families may rely on me as a bulwark. If you wish, you may also seek opportunities in my future kingdom."

Mexiro clearly couldn’t abandon the Red Crab Island, built up over generations.

But Russell Songguo seemed intrigued: "Liszt, have you found a location for your kingdom?" As a mere baron, he had never been Marquis Merlin’s focus, yet that didn’t mean he lacked ambition. Now, with Liszt as a Dragon Knight, as his uncle by marriage, it might present an opportunity.