Chapter 883: The Emperor Descends

Following the river valley upstream in their search, after a month of living in dense forests, the knight squad led by Yevich finally found signs of human habitation.

It was a small village—one without knights, spirits, or crop cultivation. The men survived by hunting, while the women gathered wild fruits from nearby mountains and raised hulking, clumsy birds resembling chickens but with brighter plumage.

A standoff and exchange followed.

Though the languages were unintelligible, they managed to exchange some information through gestures and drawings.

The villagers had no knowledge of which kingdom they belonged to, nor could anyone write. They only knew they were subjects of "Lord Stubble," to whom they paid annual tributes of furs and "pearl hens"—the colorful, large birds with tender, smooth meat.

After offering a few colorful seashells, a hunter readily guided Yevich and his group to Lord Stubble’s small town.

In the dilapidated castle near the town, Yevich met Lord Stubble.

Through more gesturing, drawing, and even intimidation, this barely Earth Knight-level lord revealed his identity—a mere knight banneret serving a viscount, who in turn served a count under a Marquis of the WindSnow Mountain Duchy. He was not from the Kingdom of the Eagle but from an unheard-of duchy.

"WindSnow Mountain Duchy?" Yevich sketched his next question on a piece of paper he carried. "Which kingdom does this duchy belong to?"

Lord Stubble was awestruck by the white paper but took it and drew a crude but elaborate family crest, followed by unfamiliar script. He struggled to translate its meaning, roughly indicating a "Yellowstone Plain."

"Yellowstone Plain Kingdom?" Yevich immediately realized.

He had heard of this kingdom, located southwest of the Kingdom of the Eagle—a neighboring kingdom. However, the two were separated by an ever-frozen plateau teeming with monsters, making the environment so hostile that interactions were rare.

A few duchies lay between them, engaging in trade with the Kingdom of the Eagle.

Yet Yevich had never heard of the WindSnow Mountain Duchy—the southern region of the Kingdom of the Eagle remained undeveloped and harsh, so he was unaware of its existence.

He continued gathering information from Lord Stubble, but the knight banneret had never traveled far and knew little. He couldn’t pinpoint his exact location, only that his viscount lord resided further west, a day’s journey on horseback away.

When he followed his viscount to aid the count in war, it took five days on horseback, crossing several mountains.

The farther west, the colder the climate—but the land grew more fertile. Beyond lay the Marquis’s territory, and further still, the true highland heart of the WindSnow Mountain Duchy.

"This is awkward. Sailing west from the Third Archipelago, aside from discovering a large island, we directly reached the continental coastline. His Highness ordered me to scout the local factions, but the coast is desolate for hundreds of kilometers. How can we wage war here?"

He had envisioned following the Fire Kingdom’s future strategy of plunder, akin to how the Fire Kingdom had grown through raids. Yet now, the coastline opposite was entirely undeveloped. Venturing inland led only to frigid highlands, starkly different from the Fire Kingdom’s fiery climate. Raiding the WindSnow Mountain Duchy would be extremely difficult.

"Best to contact His Highness first and await further instructions." Taking over Lord Stubble’s castle, he signaled the accompanying mage to send a magic transmission.

...

While Yevich infiltrated the fabled continent to survey neighboring powers, Liszt had already departed from Heart Island.

He soon reached Blue Dragon Island, flying high above toward the capital, "Blue Dragon City," without alerting those below.

Only upon entering the city’s vicinity and sensing the sapphire dragon in its valley nest did he signal the grey cast iron dragon Ornn to descend.

He then had the invisible dragon Bard reveal itself and summoned the fire drake Rio, forming a dragon triad.

Skimming low over Blue Dragon City, the sight of the ashen grey cast iron dragon, the crimson-and-ebon fire dragon, and the glass-like invisible dragon sent the 200,000-strong metropolis—the largest in the Sapphire region—into panic.

"Dragons! Dragons! Dragons!"

"What is that? Dragons!"

"There are three dragons!"

"The glory of knighthood, what am I seeing!"

"Is this a dragon knight invasion?"

"So terrifying, three dragons! Are these dragons here to destroy Sapphire Dragon City?"

The commoners were terrified by the appearance of the dragons. Many even crouched on the ground, covering their heads, too afraid to look up at the dragons overhead. Many women hurriedly carried their children indoors, fearing the dragons would raid the city. Of course, there were also bold commoners who yelled in excitement at the three dragons, unable to contain their emotions.

Even the residents of Sapphire Dragon City might not have seen the Sapphire Dragon, let alone three unfamiliar dragons at once.

The nobles in the city, however, immediately recalled the previous decree from the Sapphire Duke and quickly recognized the Fire Dragon that had proved its power during the dragon-slaying battle near Ironhoof Island.

"It's the Fire Dragon!"

"Lord Liszt! Lord Liszt has personally come to the Sapphire Skyreach Palace!"

"By the Knights' Glory! What am I seeing? That's the Marquis of Flame's dragon—the Fire Dragon in the middle, the sacred invisible dragon over there, and that one... Wait, that's not the Lightgreen Gem Dragon, is that a grey iron dragon?"

"When did Lord Liszt acquire another iron dragon?"

"Great Dragon Knight!" Some knights worshipped fervently.

The stories circulating about Liszt left every knight in awe and envy. Listening to such tales was even more thrilling than reading the most exciting knightly novels.

"What brings the Marquis of Flame to Sapphire Dragon Island? Could it be..." Some knights immediately thought of conspiracy theories, growing uneasy.

"Oh heavens, is Lord Liszt riding one of those three dragons? Oh heavens, is he looking down at me right now? Oh heavens, if only I could ride the same dragon as Lord Liszt, I'd do anything!" Many noblewomen gazed at the dragons in the sky, their cheeks flushed with excitement.

The trio of dragons merely swept over Sapphire Dragon City before heading toward the distant Sapphire Skyreach Palace atop the mountains.

But the commotion left behind in Sapphire Dragon City took a long time to settle. The nobles hurried to share the news, speculating about the meaning of Liszt's arrival. The commoners whispered prayers and proudly recounted the dragon knight stories they had heard. The noble ladies either gathered to discuss Liszt or retreated to their rooms, lost in maidenly dreams.

It was like a stone thrown into a lake, sending ripples spreading outward.

The Sapphire Knights stationed outside the city quickly assembled, ready to answer the Sapphire Duke's call at any moment. As the family's sworn knightly order, they stood with it in glory and ruin. No matter how dire the situation, they would give their absolute loyalty.

However, this turned out to be a needless alarm.

By the time the Sapphire Dragon took flight to greet them, Liszt had already landed with his trio of dragons on the open square in front of the Sapphire Skyreach Palace.

Dismounting from the grey iron dragon, he then helped Acheronides down from the invisible dragon.

Walking unhurriedly, they approached the magnificent palace that stood as the focal point where sky met mountain.

The knights guarding the palace had already been alerted and quickly formed an honor guard, nervously gathering around Liszt and Acheronides in the presence of the three dragons.

At the palace gates, the Sapphire Duke himself came out to welcome them.