Chapter 899: Unworthy of Gray Iron

For the construction of Fire Island, Liszt only needed to oversee the general direction—such as building more roads and emphasizing hygiene, among other broad guidelines.

The actual development and construction were led by his followers.

While he was responsible for loudly urging them from behind.

"Build a road here, as soon as possible!"

"Golden Dragon Valley must start mining immediately, with the highest priority. The construction of Dragon Valley City must also be put on the agenda. I need to see you all busy!"

"Advisor Gort, the plantations must be fully developed, and the transplantation of rubber trees must begin preparations swiftly. Your first task upon arriving at Fire Island is to oversee plantation development, relocating all spirit bugs and medicinal herbs from Black Horse Island and Hot Spring Island to Xinlu City, as well as taking good care of the native spirits of Fire Island."

"Guildmaster Cris, has the cultivation of Crystal Cyathea not been completed yet? The efficiency of the Magic Guild is far too low. I hope you immediately reorganize the association's research projects, pulling great magicians like Lars, who are exhausted from studying natural magic, onto topics beneficial to the territory!"

"Commander Duarte, the recruitment of the Moon-Slayers can continue, and don’t forget to track the whereabouts of the statues. Three of them are missing their hands."

Leaders talk, subordinates run ragged.

This was essentially the current state of Fire Island’s development.

However, under the temptation of battle merits, no one complained. On the contrary, all immigrants of the Fire Territory were bustling with fervor, as earning merits was far too easy—compared to risking one’s life in battle, here they could gain merits simply by working on projects, mapping, or recruiting Moon-Slayers.

For knights, the danger level was even lower than hunting in the forest.

Motivating with rewards worked far better at igniting the enthusiasm of followers and subjects than coercing with power—a principle Liszt had understood long ago.

With his subordinates working tirelessly, he found himself with ample leisure time.

Dividing his time among training with the four dragons, bonding with Kali, the maneating tree’s Dragon Spirit, and occasionally eliminating some powerful magical beasts.

Before long, it was mid-May.

A message through the magic relay arrived from Black Horse Island: the Eagle Kingdom’s delegation had arrived.

"Father, please take charge of these negotiations on my behalf," Liszt said directly, heading to the bustling Tulip Island to find Marquis Niuwei.

As a Dragon Knight and the future king of the Fire Kingdom, it was naturally unsuitable for him to personally sit at the negotiation table.

Lee William agreed without hesitation, "Good!"

Soon after.

He rode a dragon for the second time—still the Grey Cast Iron Dragon. Liszt now preferred riding the adult Grey Cast Iron Dragon, with its sixty-meter wingspan and length, as it appeared more imposing. Similarly, the Fire Dragon Leo merged with him, the Invisible Dragon, Bard, followed, while the Lightgreen Gem Dragon stood guard.

After passing through the Xinlu Teleportation Array and galloping swiftly, they arrived at Black Horse Island.

Along the way, father and son had already set the bottom line for negotiations. Liszt only needed to make an appearance, host a dinner for the negotiators, and then he could retreat behind the scenes to await the results.

The Eagle Kingdom’s delegation was led by a Marquis from the royal family, Alexander Moonlightsilver. The deputy was the foreign minister of the Gray Iron Duchy, Marquis Piero of the Gray Iron Family.

During the banquet.

Duke Piero, after a month in captivity, was also seated among the guests—even permitted to join the negotiations personally. After all, he was still the Duke of the Gray Iron Duchy, though he’d likely be deposed upon returning home by his family and ministers.

Losing a dragon was an unforgivable failure for a ruler.

"Piero, what’s the situation at home?" Duke Piero asked with hope, as the Eagle Kingdom had finally sent negotiators, meaning he would soon regain his freedom.

Piero met his former lord’s gaze.

The life as a captive did not leave Duke Piero haggard or dull; on the contrary, his complexion was rosy. During his time on Black Horse Island, the food had been quite good. Initially, he thought he would lose his appetite from worry, but to his surprise, he fell in love with the local cuisine, consuming large quantities daily—except for magic potions and magic-beast meat.

"Duke," Piero addressed him with an unfamiliar title, unlike the usual "Your Highness."

Duke Piero's face instantly darkened, his heart equally chilled, as a sense of dread rapidly surged within him. "Piero, what's going on?"

The banquet atmosphere was far from lively, with only Marquis Lee William and Marquis Alexander exchanging occasional words.

Piero responded quietly, "We will do our best to secure your ransom and return you to the country. However, please compose yourself, Duke. As of today, the Gray Iron Family can no longer bear further losses... This negotiation will be led entirely by Marquis Alexander. You understand, don’t you?"

"What do you mean by this!" Duke Piero's face flushed instantly, his voice rising involuntarily, drawing the attention of everyone at the banquet.

Yet, the moment quickly passed, and conversations resumed as if nothing had happened, ignoring the argument between Piero and Piero.

Piero coughed awkwardly. "This is the family’s decision. Please do not blame me. Your current predicament stems from the royal family’s war. Marquis Alexander will speak for the Crown in handling everything. We hope the Duke will not act in a way that complicates matters."

Duke Piero was on the verge of erupting in anger, but the fury never found release. After a long moment of suppressed rage, his flushed face turned purple before he finally deflated, seeming to age ten years in an instant—he now understood his predicament.

Both his family and the royal family had betrayed him!

The next day’s negotiations confirmed this. Alexander, Piero, and Lee William haggled back and forth, completely disregarding his input, treating him as if he were air.

"Why?!"

"Why?!"

"I fought for the Kingdom of the Eagle! The dragon’s loss wasn’t my fault! Why betray me?!"

"My wife, my beloved son, Pitford... and even the high-and-mighty Adonis Moonlight Silver—you too have betrayed me, used me, and cast me aside?"

Duke Piero sat at the edge of the negotiation table, his emotions a whirlwind of fury and despair.

He had believed his family would spare no effort to ransom him, that even without the dragon, he could rise again and reclaim his glory. But now, all his convictions had crumbled. His once-favored son, the king he once trusted most, even his closest friends and family—all had abandoned him.

"You betrayed me! Betrayed me!" Duke Piero screamed inwardly, his eyes bloodshot.

Yet no one paid attention to his self-pity. They were all too busy bickering, debating the ransom’s terms.

Marquis Niuwei called the shots, defiantly refusing to yield. "On behalf of King Liszt Flame of the Fire Kingdom, I reiterate our terms!"

His voice was calm but firm. "First, whether from the Gray Iron Family or the royal family of the Eagle, a Dragon Spirit no older than two hundred years, and it must be of the grain or magic herb variety. Second, four hundred thousand serfs, including thirty thousand artisans, with a reasonable age distribution. Third, jade, magic herbs, metals, gems, armor, and weapons. Meet these three demands, and Duke Piero’s freedom will be returned immediately."

Alexander protested loudly, "Marquis Lee William, this is nothing short of highway robbery!"

Lee William smiled faintly. "You may interpret it as such."

"You—!"

"Oh, one more thing."

Lee William picked up the green tea on the table and took a sip. "King Liszt has one last demand. The Gray Iron Family is no longer worthy of bearing the noble surname 'Gray Iron' and must change it immediately. This is not part of the ransom but a direct order from the King of Flames. If the Gray Iron Family refuses, they will have no right to exist."

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