Chapter 869: Darkness Before Dawn

Killing a Dragon Knight isn’t hard; the real trick is taking out the dragon.

Because dragons share an innate, mystical connection with one another, especially when their dragon’s magic power is in full operation, this bond becomes particularly intense.

Only an Elemental Dragon's possession can evade such detection.

As for assassinating a Dragon Knight, it merely requires the knight to temporarily separate from their dragon, depriving them of the dragon's warning and immediate support. After all, a Dragon Knight cannot stay with their dragon at all times—neither sleeping nor eating together.

"If I infiltrate Hot Spring Island, the Invisible Dragon will likely be sensed. Once the Dragon Knights react, I might have to face two of them at once... Engaging two Dragon Knights head-on isn't the safest move. I’m not afraid, but there's no way I can stop them both."

Liszt is currently riding the Invisible Dragon Bard, with the Fire Drake Rio possessing his body, while the Archmage Archer remains by his side.

Only the Light-Green Gem Dragon cannot be concealed or pursue over great distances, so it was left at Jade Mountain to continue guarding the jade mine in slumber.

With his current combat configuration, assassinating a single Dragon Knight through ambush is barely achievable; facing two head-on is way harder. Especially since it remains unclear who these two Dragon Knights are—whether one of them rides a formidable dragon like the White Iron Dragon.

Moreover, if the battle drags on and more Dragon Knights arrive, the plan could backfire, alerting the enemy instead.

After careful consideration, he dismissed the idea of a preemptive strike: "Forget it. Stick to the original plan—wait for their retreat and find an opportunity to ambush them then. I’ll bide my time." Ultimately, his strength is still developing. If both the Fire Dragon and Invisible Dragon were fully grown...

Why stay low-key at all?

He could cut down as many dragons as come his way—charge in and cut them down without hesitation, no matter how many Dragon Knights oppose him. Unlike now, where even with the Smoke Mission’s heads-up, he must tread carefully and play it sneaky.

Calculating Hot Spring Island's food supply...

By April 2nd, the sealed-off area required enough provisions for five dragons. In the following days, the quantity did not increase.

Waiting on Dudu Island, Liszt understood: "Five dragons and three knights—now that’s overkill! They’re really pulling out all the stops for me!"

The Prince of the Eagle Kingdom, the White Iron Dragon Knight—Alex Bai Kou Tie.

The Flourishing Marquis of the Eagle Kingdom, the Bronze Dragon Knight—Alonso Cyclamen.

The Archduke of the Purple Copper Duchy, the Copper Dragon Knight—Loyel Zitong.

The Silver Dragon bred by the royal family of the Eagle Kingdom.

The Duke of the Gray Iron Duchy, Piero Grey Iron, and his unridden Grey Iron Dragon.

"And let’s not forget the Archduke of the Sapphire Duchy, the Sapphire Dragon Knight—Andrew Sapphire... That makes six dragons and four knights. I’ll need to be cautious."

...

Hot Spring Island.

Alex sat at the center of the tent, with Alonso, Loyel, and Piero on either side. Another middle-aged man—the trusted steward of the Eagle King and the Silver Dragon’s handler—was temporarily responsible for communicating with the Silver Dragon. The tent was otherwise empty, with only these five discussing plans.

"Have we confirmed everything?"

"Yes. Liszt frequently travels between Black Horse Island and Dudu Island. Timing-wise, he’ll be training on Dudu Island all day tomorrow."

"Should we wait longer, gather more intel?"

"Waiting’s asking for trouble. Waiting further is just a waste of time. And given Andrew’s cunning, it’s hard to imagine him continuing to ignore our movements. He might even find a way to warn Liszt, causing us greater trouble."

"Honestly, I say we should eliminate Andrew first, then turn around and wipe Liszt out, scouring the Jade Sea clean!"

"We lost our chance last time. If we move against Andrew now, the Steel Ridge won’t stand idly by. This operation targets only Liszt, so the Steel Ridge and our kingdom have a quiet understanding, allowing me to withdraw from the frontlines. If we attack Andrew, a new War of Dragon Slaying might erupt." Alonso said calmly.

Of course he wanted to destroy the Sapphire Duchy; after all, his most crushing defeat was at Sapphire. But some rules even Dragon Knights hesitate to break.

The balance of power among the Iron Ridge, Blast Furnace Fortress, and the Kingdom of the Eagle—once disrupted—would create chaos.

Alex finally made the decision: "Do not target Andrew, at least not in the near future. Killing Liszt, seizing the Fire Dragon, and reclaiming the Lightgreen Gem Dragon are our primary tasks! And that Archmage must be captured to compensate for the Kingdom of the Eagle’s losses!"

"Prince Alex, the value of an Archmage is immeasurable. I trust the Eagle Kingdom won't renege, correct?" Loyel said softly.

"Of course, Grand Duke Loyel, rest assured. The royal family will share its arcane knowledge with you all."

"So when do we strike?"

"Tomorrow!"

Before dawn the next day.

Alonso was already up, affectionately feeding his bronze dragon. He hadn’t slept well last night, but now his emotions were steady. No more agitation or unease, nor any memory of past humiliation—only a single-minded determination for this dragon hunt: "Old friend, it’s time to prove with wind and thunder that we are worthy of the name Dragon Knight!"

Hmph!

The bronze dragon did not roar, merely snorting two jets of air from its nostrils to express its eagerness for battle. It, too, remembered the humiliation of the last dragon hunt.

As a proud and mighty dragon, it had fled with its tail between its legs!

This insult demands dragon's vengeance!

Moments later, Duke Piero approached with his grey cast iron dragon: "Your Highness Alonso, the grey cast iron dragon is temporarily under your command. I hope it returns victorious."

"Rest assured, Your Grace. This dragon hunt will surely end in triumph for all!"

Elsewhere, Loyel was also feeding his copper dragon.

Prince Alex was caring for the WhiteMouthed Iron Dragon and the silver dragon. The silver dragon’s handler was only responsible for its care and could not command it in battle, so it fell to him, a Dragon Knight, to take charge. As a member of the royal family, Alex was no stranger to the silver dragon—they went way back.

Thus.

Three Dragon Knights with five dragons, after confirming their attack plan and time, melted into the predawn darkness. Their wingbeats churning the clouds, a massive dragon hunt began on the morning of April 7th, Year 155 of the Sapphire Calendar.

Little did the Dragon Knights know.

They were being watched by rats.

When the food convoy made an unscheduled midnight supply run, the rats had already reported to an inn in a nearby town. The mage hiding there immediately relayed the message via magic platform to Dodo Island: "Food delivered at dawn, just enough for one good meal... The rats dared not approach, detecting no other movements."

Acheronides, who slept lightly, quickly received the message and shook Liszt awake: "Brother, we have news. Today may be the day the Kingdom of the Eagle launches their surprise attack."

"So they’re coming? Ahead of schedule - good! We'll settle this sooner!" Liszt rubbed his face, not tense at all—if anything, relieved. The uncertainty of the attack date had kept him on edge, but now that the time was confirmed, he felt lighter somehow.

Pushing open the wooden window, he was met with complete darkness outside. Yet the air was unusually fresh, scented with the fragrance of new Human Skull Tree saplings pushing through the volcanic ash.

Breathing in the crisp air, Liszt stretched without a care for dignity.

Well then, let them come!