Chapter 821: Coastal Empty Houses

The Changyu family was renowned for their shrewdness, and Marquis Merlin Changyu also prided himself on his astuteness. Unlike other marquises' families who sought marriages of equal status, he valued potential instead. His eldest son, Mexiro, married the daughter of an earl whose backing came from the Iron Knight family, ensuring the Changyu family never lacked weapons or equipment. His eldest daughter, Melinda, wed Russell Songguo, the son of the Viscount of Longtail City, who was then hailed as a "genius."

His youngest daughter, Melissa, married Viscount Lee William of Grand Stream City.

Within a few years of marriage, Lee William distinguished himself through military exploits, earning the title of Earl of Coral Island and swiftly ascending to the rank of sword saint—proving Marquis Merlin’s keen eye for talent.

However, Russell did not rise to prominence on the battlefield as expected. Instead, after inheriting his title, Viscount Russell performed mediocrity, even avoiding battle at times, his strength stagnating at that of an Elite Earth Knight.

Thus, Russell became a stain on Marquis Merlin’s legacy, failing to advance in rank for over two decades and remaining merely the Viscount of Longtail City. Though resentful, Russell dared not prove himself in battle, wasting those years in mediocrity.

With Marquis Merlin’s death, Mexiro, soon to inherit the marquisate, also held little regard for his incompetent brother-in-law.

Thus, Russell bore little loyalty to the Changyu family. Even living on Red Crab Island, he visited Changyu Castle barely a few times a year—perhaps fewer than Liszt and his two siblings.

According to the knightly traditions of the Legendary Continent, one must attain the rank of Sky Knight to be granted an earldom.

Russell had all but given up on his own advancement. Yet, seeing the confident Fire-Dragon Knight Liszt before him, his defeated spirit stirred once more. Perhaps his strength barred him from becoming an earl, and his sons showed no exceptional talent either.

But riding Liszt’s coattails to become a founding hero seemed easy.

With Liszt’s backing and extra resources, the Songguo family’s rise would be imminent—far better than languishing in Longtail City on Red Crab Island.

But he held off for now.

He wanted to hear more from Liszt first.

"Uncle, brother-in-law, cousin," Liszt said calmly, setting down his teacup. "I have already located the site for my nation—a sprawling archipelago dwarfing the Sapphire Duchy. I have begun developing these Flame Islands."

Russell was stunned. "An archipelago larger than Sapphire?"

His ambition ignited instantly. The Sapphire islands spanned roughly 2 million square kilometers, with many still undeveloped. If the Flame Islands were even larger, the untapped potential was staggering—Liszt would need an immense workforce.

"The Flame Islands are roughly twice the size of Sapphire’s, making progress grueling, especially with the crippling labor shortage hindering nation-building. Thus, I plan to seize more people from the Kingdom of the Eagle in the coming years. Once my naval fleet is ready, I will go to war single-handedly!"

"Go to war single-handedly?"

"Yes. While the Kingdom of the Eagle is preoccupied, I will personally lead raids—enough to strip its coasts bare."

Mexiro sighed. "To empty the Eagle’s coasts... Liszt, such large-scale plundering—will the Kingdom tolerate it?"

"What’ll they do, even if they object?" Liszt suddenly brimmed with uncontainable boldness. "Uncle, I never pick fights I can’t finish. Unless the Kingdom sends all its dragon knights for a dragonslaying war, I have nothing to fear!"

"The Kingdom has five dragon knights!" Mexiro thought his nephew was growing arrogant.

"But I’ve got more than one dragon myself," Liszt said coolly.

"Huh?"

"What?"

Mexiro, Russell, and Meopo all widened their eyes. "Liszt, you... what do you mean?"

Originally intending to keep it secret, Liszt had let it slip—so he decided to reveal it outright. "Ka Erluo Violet fell in battle, and the Lightgreen Gem Dragon is now mine. I’m training its new rider. Moreover, I’ve tamed another dragon on the Flame Islands. In total, I now command three dragons."

Three dragons... and an Archmage.

The study fell into complete silence. Mexiro and the other two men were utterly stunned, unable to speak for a long while. In the end, it was the young Meopo, with his quicker acceptance, who trembled and asked, "Liszt, my dear cousin, as a dragon knight, I shouldn’t question you, but... do you really have three dragons?"

"Deceiving you would bring no benefit, wouldn’t it... Wait here for a moment. I’ll fetch something." With that, Liszt stood up and left the study, heading toward the bedroom arranged for him in the Long Taro Castle. This was just for appearances—halfway there, he had already retrieved several pieces of lightgreen gemstones from his spatial storage ring.

The invisible dragon still needed to remain a secret.

The sacred dragon's existence would have to wait until he was more powerful before being revealed, lest it draw too much hostility.

For now, revealing the Lightgreen Gem Dragon might soon reach the ears of the Sapphire Duchy, and eventually spread to the Kingdom of the Eagle and the Kingdom of Steel Ridge. But he wasn’t afraid of the news leaking—the deterrence of three dragons was enough for Liszt to sail the seas freely.

Moreover, the lightgreen gemstones would eventually be sold to trade for resources, and the Kingdom of the Eagle would naturally find out. Then it would be up to them whether they dared to try to reclaim the Lightgreen Gem Dragon.

If a dragon-slaying war truly broke out, it wouldn’t be a big deal.

After all, the Flame Islands were poor and undeveloped, and with the invisible dragon to conceal his presence and Acher controlling the seas, he could always retreat if necessary. Once the dragon knights of the Kingdom of the Eagle left, he could rebuild the Flame Islands. But by then, the enmity would be deep, and the Kingdom of the Eagle would likely have no peace—their dragon knights would have to fear assassination attempts.

In short, Liszt wasn’t afraid!

He left the study now to give his uncle and brother-in-law time to digest the news.

...

Back in the study.

Meopo was already fidgeting nervously. "Father, Uncle, Liszt has three dragons!"

Russell gulped. "Mexiro, do you think this is true? Three dragons... three dragons! It’s simply unimaginable!"

Mexiro forced himself to stay calm, pondering before speaking. "Liszt has a reliable nature—he wouldn’t lie. And with the Lightgreen Gem Dragon missing, the only one who could possibly find it at sea would be that Archmage, Acher... As for the other dragon, with him and Archmage Acher working together, conquering it wouldn’t be difficult."

Acher’s reputation far surpassed Liszt’s.

After all, no archmage had emerged in centuries. During the dragon-slaying war, the awe-inspiring spectacle of Acher’s magic far overshadowed the melee-focused dragon knights, leaving a deep impression on everyone. It could be said that after that battle, whenever the true ruler of the Bibo Sea was mentioned, Acher was the first to come to mind.

Dragon knights couldn’t control water, but an archmage could manipulate the sea like putty.

With Mexiro’s analysis, Russell and Meopo were convinced that Liszt indeed had three dragons. With such a formidable force—three dragons and an archmage—establishing a kingdom at sea would be more than sufficient.

Russell clenched his fist on the spot.

Breathing heavily, he said, "Mexiro, I’ve decided to follow Liszt and develop in the Flame Islands. Do you have any objections?"

Mexiro narrowed his eyes. "May the Pinecone Family thrive in the Flame Islands!"

Russell sighed in relief. "Thank you!"

Two new books by Lao Bai’s old friends: Nanji Lieri’s *The Most Badass Chief God in History* and Shi Wen’s *Making Their Presence Felt*. Feel free to check them out and show support, and maybe leave some comments to liven up the discussion.

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