Chapter 886: Eternal Pain

Liszt had already left the Azure Sky Spire Palace, accompanied by Lee William, Marquis Niuwei. Both of them rode on the grey cast iron dragon, Ornn.

Of course, Liszt sat on the dragon's tusk throne, while Lee William stood on one of its scales.

"Viewing the land and mountains from atop a dragon is truly a completely different experience compared to seeing them from the back of a black albatross," Marquis Niuwei exclaimed excitedly. He was fated never to become a dragon knight in his lifetime, only able to ride his own black albatross, so he cherished this rare opportunity to ride a dragon all the more.

The sixty-meter-long, sixty-meter-wingspan grey cast iron dragon was among the larger dragons in terms of size, making the riding experience truly extraordinary.

"Father, once you return, please search for the materials listed by Acheronides as soon as possible. These materials are crucial for the establishment of the magic portal array."

"Don’t worry, I’ll arrange it immediately," Lee William replied before asking, "So, how soon can the magic portal array be completed? If it can be done within six months, I won’t send a fleet to resupply the pioneering team—the voyage is far too dangerous."

"As long as the materials are ready, it can be operational within one or two months."

"That’s good."

"By the way, Father, prepare the order of knights. I plan to have Duke Andrew issue the expansion decree as scheduled this year. While the Kingdom of the Eagle is preoccupied with its own troubles, we’ll take the opportunity to restore order across the seas." As Liszt spoke, his eyes narrowed slightly, a sharp killing intent rising in his heart.

It’d be rude not to return the favor.

Although both Dragon-Slaying Wars had ended with his victory and the capture of dragons—victories as sweeping as possible—the Kingdom of the Eagle had dared to initiate these wars and must now face his retaliation.

This time, unless he took a pound of flesh, this grudge would not be settled!

"The vassal states of the Kingdom of the Eagle have suffered heavy losses, but the kingdom itself remains largely unscathed. You must be extremely cautious. The current situation is favorable—avoid unnecessary risks if possible."

"Rest assured, Father. I know my limits."

With the *Smoke Task* in hand, no schemes or plots could remain hidden. In direct combat, Liszt had no fear of the Kingdom of the Eagle’s ordinary dragon knights. Even their strongest, the White Iron Dragon Knight, Alex Bai Kou Tie, was hardly a threat. As for the others, what was there to fear? Even if they ganged up on him, he could easily slip away unscathed.

"As long as you know your limits, that’s all I wanted to remind you of," Lee William said with a hint of emotion. His second son’s vision had already far surpassed what a minor marquis from a remote duchy like himself could comprehend.

After offering this brief reminder, he said no more.

...

Shortly after Liszt’s departure,

the liveliness of the Azure Sky Spire Palace quickly dissipated.

The highborn nobles returned to their respective fiefdoms and cities, while Duke Sapphire and Lady Sarit retreated to the sky garden. The past two days of hosting had drained them immensely, especially the emotional control and shifts in thinking, leaving the couple utterly exhausted.

Lady Sarit was merely fatigued, though she hid it well.

But Duke Sapphire seemed to have aged another year in an instant, wrinkles covering his entire face. Though only in his fifties, he appeared as if on the verge of collapse.

"Sigh..."

His sigh made Lady Sarit, who was brewing tea, turn around. "Darling, what still troubles you?"

"Nothing in particular. It’s just that the weight on my heart far exceeds what I can bear. These past two years have brought too many misfortunes—Andy’s betrayal, someone in the high ranks of the Steel Peaks selling me out, the Kingdom of the Eagle seeing me as a thorn in their side, and now Liszt has effectively become the ruler of the seas."

The green tea finished steeping.

Lady Sarit handed it to Duke Sapphire, saying sympathetically, "Of all these things, none hurt you as deeply as Andy’s betrayal. If not for his actions damaging the soul of the Sapphire Dragon and shortening its lifespan, you wouldn’t have had to infuse your own soul to sustain it."

"Is this the new green tea Liszt sent?" Duke Sapphire asked, looking down at the cup and changing the subject.

"Yes, it’s the green tea he took from his spatial ring. He said it was plucked and fire-cured that very day, then stored directly... Oh, if only I had a spatial ring. All the gems in the world are dull next to those spatial gemstones he wears on his fingers."

"The spatial gems from the Invisible Dragon—he’d hardly part with them. But the pale green gems he handed over for me to manage are at least some consolation."

"To be honest, I have a rather good impression of Liszt. He doesn’t carry the arrogance typical of the young. Though he came with his dragons to force our hand, he still preserved the dignity of House Sapphire," Lady Sarette rambled on. "Pity I’ve no younger daughter, otherwise..."

"Otherwise what? Would you really compete with his Archmage?"

"There’s always a chance."

"Perhaps." The Sapphire Duke blew on his tea. "If he didn’t have that Archmage with him, Iron Ridge’s royals would’ve likely chosen a suitable princess to propose a marriage alliance... The Kingdom of the Eagle might not have resorted to such aggressive Dragon-Slaying Campaigns to regain face either."

Throughout history, nobles have always waged war and marriage in tandem.

To subdue a Dragon Knight—especially a First Dragon Knight—through marriage would be an incredibly advantageous deal.

Lady Sarette’s eyes lit up as she thought of something. "Dearest, they say Liszt’s sister remains unwed. What if—"

The Duke’s face hardened instantly. "Enough of this nonsense!"

Without finishing his tea, he stood and left—he had already lost dignity before Liszt. If his own son had to curry favor through marriage, wouldn’t that mean losing even his self-respect?

Ignoring Lady Sarette’s calls behind him, he vaulted from the sky garden and strode into the shadowy depths of the castle. After twists and turns, he arrived at a lightless, hidden vault.

"My Lord!" The chamber was guarded not only by knights but also by mages.

"Open the door."

"Yes."

*Creak—*

The door, made of an unknown metal, let out a grating screech. The Sapphire Duke stepped inside and motioned for the knights to shut it behind him.

Crystal lamps cast a dim glow over the room.

Beneath his feet was a massive magic array, thrumming with faint magic aura. At its center stood a large metal cage.

Inside the cage, a man’s towering silhouette was hunched over a desk, writing something.

At the sound of the door, the man didn’t pause his pen. Only when the Sapphire Duke approached the cage did he speak in a hoarse voice, still with his back turned: "Andrew, it’s been a long time since you visited me. Has something troubled you enough to remember me?"

Duke Andrew hauled a stool closer and sat beside the cage, his tone icy. "I’ve news that may displease you."

"Go on."

"The Kingdom of the Eagle launched another Dragon-Slaying Campaign. Unfortunately, this time, they not only lost another Dragon Knight but also another dragon."

"Oh? Did you claim the dragon, then?"

"No."

"Then why should I be upset?"

"Because the Kingdom of the Eagle is weakening. Sooner or later, it will collapse. When that happens, your descendants will lose their protection—and I will personally hunt them down, and see your whole family neatly exiled."

"Spare me your threats. The Kingdom of the Eagle won’t fall so easily. My line will endure. Who knows? In a few years, my grandson Andre might even become a new Dragon Knight. By then, he’ll reclaim what’s mine." The figure turned at last.

Beneath the robes loomed a face—gaunt as death itself.

His eyes emitted faint blue flames, a sight utterly inhuman—this was none other than the former Bovine Marquis, Andy Sapphire, now transformed into a lich.

"Hahaha... Finally, a decent joke after all this time," Duke Sapphire mocked mercilessly. "Andre helping you get what you want? Hah, you truly dare to dream. I’ll spell it out for you—your betrayal made me pledge allegiance to a new king and lord, a Divine Dragon Knight!"

"A Divine Dragon Knight?" Lich Andy's blue flames flickered uncertainly.

"The Invisible Dragon—unstoppable across time and space, crushing ordinary Dragon Knights like insects. And he doesn’t just possess an Invisible Dragon—he also commands a Fire Dragon, a Grey Cast Iron Dragon, a Lightgreen Gem Dragon, and most crucially, an Archmage... Oh, I’ll make sure he twists your soul into an eternal plaything!"

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