Chapter 889: Ransom

"This is preposterous!"

The Eagle King rudely interrupted the knight before he could finish reading the dispatch, as its content was straightforward. It was a ransom negotiation letter sent by Liszt through the official channels of the Sapphire Duchy, requesting the Eagle King to forward it to the Gray Iron Family and arrange for someone to negotiate the ransom payment.

Since there were no diplomatic channels between the Sapphire Duchy and the Gray Iron Duchy, and the latter was too remote to receive the negotiation letter directly, Liszt had come up with the bold scheme of having the Eagle King act as the intermediary.

It was also a petty insult.

Daring to launch the dragon-slaying war was a grudge Liszt would not easily let go. First, he would annoy the Eagle King, and when the time came to issue the expansion decree, he would exact his revenge.

"Your Majesty, this dispatch..." a noble minister reminded.

The Eagle King glared, clenching his jaw for a while before finally speaking coldly, "Seal the letter and send it immediately to the Gray Iron Duchy... My lords, as ministers of the kingdom, how should we resolve the issue of the Gray Iron Duchy losing their grey cast iron dragon due to the kingdom's dragon-slaying war?"

After a moment, one minister replied, "Your Majesty, the loss of the grey cast iron dragon is a crippling loss to the Gray Iron Duchy, but Duke Piero must be ransomed. The kingdom should mediate the ransom talks and even compensate the Gray Iron Family for their losses."

His implication was that the ransom should be paid by the Kingdom of the Eagle.

However, the minister then backpedaled, "The kingdom should assist the Gray Iron Family in reclaiming the grey cast iron dragon, but since Duke Piero was ambushed after the dragon-slaying war, the ransom should still be raised by the Gray Iron Family themselves."

"Duke Piero has been captured, so the ransom must be paid. But have any of you considered how the Gray Iron Family will sustain itself without a dragon to rely on?" Another minister shook his head. "I believe the Gray Iron Family may take drastic actions."

"What drastic actions?" The Eagle King asked, as if already knowing the answer.

"From what I know, Duke Piero's son is thirty years old, in his prime years, and perfectly suited to inherit the Gray Iron Family's legacy. He may not be willing to ransom his father... Even if he is, the Gray Iron Family cannot afford the hefty ransom for a duke."

Typically, to ransom a viscount required a spirit bug; a count, two or three spirit bugs; a marquis, a Grand Sprite; and a duke, three to five Grand Sprites were non-negotiable.

But Duke Piero Grey Iron was different. He was a duke from a dragon-breeding family, one that raised the iron-producing grey cast iron dragon among metal dragons. His family's wealth dwarfed that of dukes without fiefdoms, and his status was equivalent to a grand duke. At the very least, a Dragon Spirit would be required for his ransom.

Liszt had also hinted in the letter that the negotiation must be based on a Dragon Spirit—he believed the Gray Iron Duchy was even wealthier than the Sapphire Duchy and would surely have more than one or two Dragon Spirits. Surrendering one as ransom would not cripple them; on the contrary, it would trim the family's excess.

Without a dragon, the family should no longer cling to such wealth, lest disaster strike sooner or later.

"Are you suggesting the Gray Iron Family might refuse to pay the ransom and instead push the responsibility onto the kingdom?" The Eagle King frowned.

"Yes, Your Majesty. Duke Piero is not a dragon rider, and now that the grey cast iron dragon is lost, the Gray Iron Family will hold him accountable for this irreparable failure," the minister replied—nobles never lifted a finger without profit, and compared to interests, what was familial affection worth?

Moreover, with the loss of the dragon, Duke Piero had also lost his family's future.

His son was likely hoping for Duke Piero's untimely death.

Another minister spoke up, "Your Majesty, if the Gray Iron Family refuses to pay the ransom, should we simply abandon Duke Piero?"

"That would be unwise, Your Majesty. I believe we must ransom Duke Piero no matter what. The dragon-slaying war was initiated by the kingdom—if we abandon Duke Piero, all vassals will feel disheartened. The Kingdom of the Eagle has grown over centuries to earn its countless supporters. We must not forsake the loyalty of our knights!"

"Indeed, Duke Piero must be ransomed at all costs."

"If the Gray Iron Family refuses, the kingdom should step in, ensuring Duke Piero's gratitude and allegiance."

The ministers argued heatedly—some argued the kingdom should not shoulder the blame, as this was the Gray Iron Duchy's internal matter; others insisted the kingdom must intervene to avoid alienating its followers. Of course, most ministers believed the dispatch should first be sent to the Gray Iron Duchy to gauge their response before making a decision.

The Eagle King's vein pulsed at his temple, his thoughts in disarray.

He knew Duke Piero's son well—a typical nobleman who prioritized profit above all else. Refusing to pay the ransom and shifting the blame onto the Kingdom of the Eagle was something he would absolutely do, and he would definitely do it.

Thus...

The ransom would have to be paid by the kingdom, or the Crown would forfeit the loyalty of even more followers—despite some ministers urging him to shift the blame onto the Gray Iron Duchy, were he to do so, these very ministers would undoubtedly be the first to harbor thoughts of betrayal.

After a long pause.

He cleared his throat lightly, quelling the heated debate in the hall: "First, send the official letter to clarify the stance of the Gray Iron Family. If that bastard Pitford truly disregards Piero’s fate, then the Crown will intervene to negotiate Piero’s release... The royal family will never abandon any loyal follower!"

"Your Majesty is most gracious!"

"Your Majesty’s unwavering loyalty inspires us to charge into battle for the crown!"

"By the glory of knighthood! Duke Piero shall become Your Majesty’s most loyal shield!"

"May we serve as the spear in Your Majesty’s hand!"

Seizing the moment, the ministers showered him with flattery, pledging their allegiance to the Eagle King.

Thus, the official letter penned by Liszt himself was swiftly dispatched by the Eagle Knights, speeding toward the Gray Iron Duchy. Simultaneously, news of the grey cast iron dragon being ridden by Liszt was relayed by the Eagle Knights to the border, delivered to the Dragon Knights stationed there.

Internal affairs of the kingdom were typically managed by the king and his ministers, but matters involving diplomacy or dragons required deliberation and execution by all Dragon Knights.

As the meeting concluded and the ministers filed out, the Eagle King remained seated on his ornate throne.

For a long time, he did not rise.

His gaze fixed on the stone pillar in the palace hall, carved with the royal Eagle crest, his heart knotted with frustration, resentment, disappointment, and hatred.

"Alonso, you have failed me time and again..."

"The Fire Kingdom... If we do not suppress Liszt’s rise, the power balance of Eagle, Steel Ridge, and Blastfurnace in the northeastern corner of the Legendary Continent will undergo a seismic shift... Perhaps Osborn and Herald will heed my plan—the appearance of the Divine Dragon will surely ignite their desires!"

Osborn Platinumwhite, King of the Steel Ridge Kingdom.

Herald Goldencrown, King of the Blastfurnace Kingdom.

The Eagle King’s eyes gleamed with a cold, calculating light as he began scheming anew. Unbeknownst to him, Liszt remained completely oblivious, still engrossed in his hunt for the maneating tree and Dragon Spirit.