Chapter 868: The East Wind Rises

The food supply in Ember City was running low, but Liszt still found time to transport several shipments of supplies to support the city's construction. He also took the opportunity to celebrate his follower Emily's successful advancement to Sky Knight.

He handed her the thunder-attribute Advanced Combat Aura Manual, *"Thousand-Jolt Thunderquake Flash,"* which he had prepared long ago: *"Emily, blessed by the Glory of Knighthood, you have inherited my radiance and become the youngest Sky Knight in Sapphire Duchy, the Flame Islands, and perhaps even the entire Legendary Continent."*

*"No, it is Your Highness’s glory that has blessed me!"* Emily replied fervently.

*"Haha, that’s too high praise."* Liszt chuckled, ruffling the hair of the girl, now five-foot-seven. Though her figure remained boyish, her face had grown increasingly delicate, with a hint of unique allure that made her particularly striking. *"Female Sky Knights are rare. I hope you will continue to climb higher!"*

*"Emily will become exactly as Your Highness expects, never ceasing to follow in your footsteps!"* The girl spoke of becoming a Dragon Knight, which was Liszt’s aspiration for her.

Seeing the determination on her face and the boundless vitality radiating from her, he couldn’t help but sigh with emotion: *"Perhaps this is what youth is... Emily, I don’t have a suitable weapon to gift you, but this Swift Shadow Bow once accompanied me in battle. I entrust it to you—I hope you’ll find time to practice archery."*

Having long abandoned archery after becoming a Dragon Knight, the Swift Shadow Bow had become just collecting dust.

Emily excitedly accepted the bow, her vivid expressions conveying her innermost feelings—she was willing to make any sacrifice for Liszt, whether on the battlefield or in private.

In the following days, Liszt once again bestowed noble titles. Emily, for her achievements in training the Giant Elephant Knights and building Jade Salary Avenue, was directly elevated to Viscount. Other knights were also promoted according to their merits—Liszt seized every opportunity to reward his followers.

The Flame Islands' territory was vast, and what he lacked most were loyalists to help in their development.

After leaving the Flame Island, Liszt calculated that it was nearly April. Judging by the movements of the Kingdom of the Eagle's Dragon Knights, they were likely approaching Sapphire Duchy. To feign relaxation and complete lack of vigilance, he made a high-profile visit to Ironhoof Island to inspect his territory, Ironhoof City.

*"Viscount Fox, Baron Gort, Baron Blair... You must prepare quickly and recruit more knights to migrate to the Flame Island. Countless military honors await you... You may directly recruit knights from across all of Ironhoof Island, promising them titles."*

Liszt still found knights from Sapphire more reliable—he wanted as many as possible.

At the banquet, Gort kept the atmosphere lively.

Even though Liszt disliked alcohol, he indulged in a few cups of floral wine.

Seizing the lively mood, Gort grinned and said, *"Your Highness, Ironhoof City’s development is now on track. It has been too long since I last basked in your radiance—I’ve been restless, missing the days by your side every moment... When might Your Highness allow me to move to the Flame Island?"*

*"Yet I think you’ve been living quite comfortably in Ironhoof City."* Liszt teased.

Gort’s wife and children resided in Black Horse Island, with his children all entering the territory’s official ranks. Meanwhile, he lived leisurely in Ironhoof City with his lover Frya, whom he had met in Flower Town, and their illegitimate son, Donald.

*"Ah, no comfort can compare to the honor of serving by Your Highness’s side!"*

*"Enough. When the time comes, all of you will move to the Flame Island. For now, manage Ironhoof City well and ensure a steady supply of knights."* Liszt cut off Gort’s flattery, raising his glass solemnly. *"My followers, glory belongs to me—and I stand with you!"*

*"A toast to Your Highness’s glory!"*

After inspecting Ironhoof Island, Liszt proceeded to Tulip Castle, reuniting with relatives like Penelope and Marquis Niuwei, discussing the development of the Flame Island and Tulip Island.

Before leaving, Penelope once again had a servant bring a potted plant: *"Liszt, my dear boy, you’ve become a Dragon Knight and rule vast lands, with spirit bugs flocking to you. But this is your grandmother’s blessing, carrying the favor of the Glory of Knighthood!"*

His Magic Eye detected no spirit bug within the plant, but he accepted it with a smile: *"I will care for these plants and hope they bring me more spirit bugs."*

His sister Lvera said cheerfully, *"Liszt, I hope you can attend my wedding next month with Herbert Roller."*

Herbert Roller was the son of the Earl of Longbai Island, a suitable match for Lvera. After over a year of courtship, Lvera had grown fond of this Earth Knight, a year her junior, and their impending marriage marked a good match.

"Of course I will attend." Liszt wasn't too keen on his sister, but neither did he go out of his way to avoid her. "If they're interested, the Basil family can come to develop in the Flame Archipelago."

"It's wonderful that you can attend the wedding... I will hash it out with Herbert. Father also hopes we can go to the Flame Archipelago."

Lee William naturally wanted all his children to move to the Flame Archipelago.

The reason was simple: Liszt had three dragons and Archmage Acheronides, giving him way more growth potential than the Sapphire Duchy. Choosing between one dragon and three dragons was obvious which to pick.

"The Tulip family's knights were having a tough time settling Tulip Island. Despite the Moon Killers serfs you provided, the island lacks food. Many knights have already died hunting magical beasts to supplement supplies," Lee William lamented while walking his increasingly distant son out.

"Father, don’t sweat it. The difficulties are only temporary. Soon, you’ll find everything suddenly becomes clear."

Lee William doubted. "Really?"

"Of course. When have you ever seen me joke about such matters?"

"Well..." Lee William almost said every talk with you sounds like you're joking, yet every seemingly impossible jest had turned out to be true.

Four years ago, who could have imagined that his timid, useless, and only handsome second son would rise to such an unbelievable level?

Thus, even though sailing 7,000 kilometers sounded crazy, if Liszt said it was possible, he believed it.

...

After leaving Tulip Castle, Liszt rested for a night at Thorn Castle before setting off for Dodo Island. He planned to spend the entire month of April going back and forth between Dodo Island and Black Horse Island, drawing out the Kingdom of the Eagle to attack him—until he dealt with this shadowy threat, he could not rest easy.

He would rather spend a whole month tangling with the Kingdom of the Eagle if it meant solving the problem once and for all.

Just as Liszt began using himself as bait, the Earl of Hot Spring Island dispatched his knights to seal off a corner of the island, strictly prohibiting anyone from entering or leaving. Only his own servants were allowed to drive carriages, delivering large quantities of supplies daily to the isolated area.

This thing that would normally go unnoticed was spotted by Xavier's rat network and reported to Liszt.

"Sealing off part of the island and transporting large amounts of supplies daily... This suggests the Kingdom of the Eagle’s dragon knights have arrived. Judging by the current food consumption, there must already be two dragons gathered on the island... Should I hit them first?"

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