Chapter 892: Mermaid’s Protection

The Duchy of Roses is the northernmost vassal state of the Kingdom of Steel Ridge, renowned for its dragon-raising family—House Red-and-White Roses—primarily due to the roses cultivated by the family.

Like the Tulip, roses also possess a magical herb lineage.

House Red-and-White Roses has been cultivating roses for centuries, not only possessing Rose Dragon Spirits and a large number of Rose Grand Sprites and spirit bugs. The varieties of roses they grow are also highly diversified, the most famous among them being the red and white roses, which led the family to adopt the surname Red-and-White Roses rather than a dragon-related one.

Among the white roses, one variety has an exceptionally potent magical herb effect. The resultant elixir is highly sought after by highborn houses both domestically and abroad, priced higher than gold and still in short supply—great families are willing to spend unimaginable wealth to ensure their descendants have access to the finest potions.

The red roses are even more peculiar.

One variety among them, called the "Crimson Dragon Rose," is used to produce a potion known as "Dragon’s Blood Elixir." While its enhancement effect on knightly training is not particularly significant, its greatest value lies in enhancing draconic magic power. This is so immensely valuable that after the emergence of the Crimson Dragon Rose, the royal family of Steel Ridge sought to outright annex the Duchy of Roses—the duchy only had one aging Ruby Dragon, whose combat prowess was no longer formidable.

However, the then-Duke of Roses took decisive action, paying a steep price to court a royal princess of the time.

Thus, the duchy forged kinship with House Platinum through marriage. Coupled with the promise of ample Dragon’s Blood Elixir supply to the Steel Ridge royal family, the Duchy of Roses was preserved.

House Red-and-White Roses remained among the ranks of dragon-raising families.

Since then, the royal family has essentially married off a princess every few generations, or the king has wed a daughter of House Red-and-White Roses, meaning the two families have become nearly inseparable.

By the time of the current King of Steel Ridge, Osborn Platinum, his sister had married the present Duke of Roses.

They had a son, Liszt, and a daughter, Marilyn.

Due to the close ties between the two families, Liszt practically grew up in the Steel Ridge royal court and, due to his considerable talent, was selected for the Dragon Knight candidacy, awaiting the chance to ride a dragon. Marilyn, likewise, studied embroidery and decorum at the royal finishing academy—the Audi Academy—established by the royal family.

"Steel Pearl, the First Beauty of the North... Why are you telling me this?" Liszt wore an expression that plainly said, "What kind of person do you take me for?" before turning serious. "Mary, you need to understand the focus of the Blood Servants' intelligence gathering. Don't waste time on frivolous rumors."

"Forgive me, Your Highness."

Mary apologized first, then defended herself: "However, the Steel Ridge royal family selecting Count Liszt as the head of the envoy delegation carries an unspoken political significance."

"What political implication?"

"The Roses family and the Platinum family are all but inseparable. The Platinum family wishes to cultivate amity with Your Highness, hence sending Count Liszt—that is the first layer of political intent. Count Liszt's sister is nearing marriageable age. As the Steel Pearl, her marriage is destined to be an alliance, and Count Liszt may very well be here to conduct advance reconnaissance on behalf of his sister."

Liszt was momentarily stunned.

Mary had laid it out so bluntly that it caught him off guard.

But given his status, every move he made would inevitably carry political weight, even if his original intention was simply to live freely. Those around him would still scrutinize his actions for deeper meaning. Especially since Liszt was still young yet destined to establish a kingdom—and founding a kingdom would inevitably require securing a lineage.

His marriage thus became a focal point of intense interest for all factions.

As for his own marriage, Liszt remained somewhat uncertain. He knew he would have to marry and have children eventually. As a transmigrator steeped in Chinese tradition at heart, he carried the deeply ingrained belief that "among the three unfilial acts, having no heir is the greatest." Without descendants, he felt his life would be incomplete.

Yet, his future spouse was unlikely to be Acheronides—merfolk and humankind had biological incompatibility.

"No matter—we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it. If I succeed in contracting a Fairy Dragon and achieve immortality... progeny may become irrelevant."

After a brief internal reflection, he spoke up: "Don’t speculate about political implications. Once the Steel Ridge envoy arrives, we’ll know their intentions."

Liszt disliked overly complex political machinations.

"Yes, Your Highness." Mary complied readily. She understood perfectly well that her master, though seemingly far-sighted, was at heart still a hotheaded soul.

In the suburbs of Steel City, within the villa accommodation area of Audis Academy.

A handsome young man was excitedly explaining something. In the living room, apart from the servants, there was also a young girl going over accounts.

The girl wore a light pink pleated dress, her features bearing some resemblance to the handsome man.

It was clear that the two were siblings.

"Marilyn, Father and Mother think highly of Liszt, and Uncle Osborn also hopes to establish friendly relations with the Fire Kingdom. This time, as the leader of the envoy, I’m going to witness the might of the Four-Dragon Knight, and the legendary invisible dragon—taking down five dragons and three knights alone is simply unbelievable!"

"Brother, you forgot to mention the Archmage."

"The Archmage is merely support. In the battles of Dragon Knights, even the living incarnation of truth in the mortal world plays a minor role," the handsome man grew increasingly excited. "Liszt is only two years younger than me, just turning twenty this year. His achievements are nothing short of miraculous."

"So, Father, Mother, and Uncle Osborn have chosen my future?" The girl continued her calculations, her golden hair with its soft waves cascading over her shoulders, exuding both gentleness and a hint of liveliness. "Though this is a fate beyond my control, do you really think this can succeed?"

"I think the chances are quite high. A new ruler ascends, and the Fire Kingdom needs the support of the Steel Ridge. The Fire family also needs a lady to bring the honor of knighthood. Among the three great kingdoms, there are no princesses of suitable age, and among all the duchies, no one is more nobly born than you, Marilyn. You are the most suitable."

Marilyn lifted her head, her fair and clean face showing little emotion. "Have you all forgotten? That Archmage named Acheronides."

"Of course not."

The handsome man was evidently Ma Xiu Red-and-White-Rose. He waved away the servants in the living room with a self-satisfied air, then whispered, "Before learning the secret, no matter how much Father and Mother admired Liszt, they wouldn’t rashly propose a marriage alliance—that would be harming you."

Marilyn waited curiously for him to continue.

Ma Xiu laid some groundwork before proceeding. "That Archmage is not human but the last of an ancient race—a siren!"

"A siren?" Marilyn was astonished. "She’s actually a siren?"

"Exactly, a siren. Humans and sirens cannot reproduce. Do you remember how the last heir of the Duchy of Stars was deposed? It was because he fell in love with a siren and ran off like a common knight, ultimately enraging the Duke of Stars. Not only was he stripped of nobility, but the siren was also exiled to the Exile Lands."

To most humans, sirens are creatures of legend, but the royal families of the great kingdoms are not entirely unfamiliar with them. Some information is simply confined to the knowledge of the high nobility.

Acheronides’ magic cloak could conceal the features of a siren, but she would occasionally reveal her identity unintentionally—especially the transparent fins behind her ears and the fin-like shape of her earlobes, which were unmistakably different from humans’.

To an observant eye, spotting her true nature wasn’t particularly difficult.

Of course, Liszt had no intention of rigorously protecting Acheronides’ identity. He now had power enough to shield her.

"A siren, huh."

Marilyn looked down at the bills in her hands, as if musing like a dreamy girl. "Perhaps Liszt and Acheronides are like that heir of the Duchy of Stars—a Dragon Knight and an Archmage, a human and a siren... Brother, when you visit Liszt, take a gift from me to them."

With that, Marilyn returned to her bedroom, opened a cabinet, and took out a delicate little box. Lifting the lid, she revealed a pair of delicate earrings inside.

She gazed silently at the pale blue earrings shaped like fish scales before closing the lid and handing the box to Ma Xiu. "Give them this pair of Siren’s Blessing for me."