Chapter 880: Heinous Crimes

Traitors must die, but before the trial, the Earl of Hot Spring Island was not killed, only captured. Then began recruiting his knight order—punishing the traitor was just a pretext; what Liszt truly needed were the resources of Hot Spring Island, both material and human.

The betrayal of the Earl of Hot Spring Island gave him a legitimate excuse to seize these resources openly.

Now, standing in the cellar and surveying the glittering treasures, Liszt asked with amused interest as the Earl, bound hand and foot, stood before him.

"The Eagle Kingdom is truly generous, gifting you so many treasures. I often visit the cellars of the Tulip family, and they aren't worth a tenth of what you have here. Tell me, when did they flip you as a mole planted within the Sapphire Duchy?"

"Your Highness, I am willing to dedicate all my wealth to you, and my family and I swear to serve you for life!" the Earl of Hot Spring Island hurriedly replied.

"And then what? Continue being a spy."

"How could that be, Your Highness? I truly wish to repent and start anew, pledging unwavering loyalty to you!"

This bullshit meant nothing, but the Earl had no choice but to speak it, clinging to even the slightest hope of forgiveness. However, Liszt paid no heed to his declarations; haggling with a dead man was beneath him, especially as a true dragon knight.

"When did you become an informant for the Eagle Kingdom?"

"Ten years ago, when my son was captured during the Crusade War by the Eagle Kingdom. From then on, I became a contact for Prince Alonso... I mean, Alonso. But Your Highness, I never betrayed the Sapphire Duchy. I was good friends with your father, Marquis Niuwei."

"Harboring Eagle Kingdom's dragon knights and aiding them in launching the Dragon-Slaying War against me—does that not count as betrayal?"

"Ah, well... I didn’t know their purpose for coming here. I thought they were searching for something." Beads of sweat formed on the Earl's forehead as he spun his flimsy lie, knowing full well how unconvincing it sounded.

"What is this?"

Liszt suddenly noticed the waist-high crystal statue.

The statue appeared to be carved from pink crystal, likely pink quartz. Yet it was flawlessly intact, free of imperfections, clearly crafted from high-quality material. The figure depicted was a mage, clad in a fitted mage's robe.

Though the crystal bore a translucent pink hue, the statue's features and form were exquisitely rendered.

Even Liszt, accustomed to the refined beauty of Acheronides the sea witch, was struck by the mage's allure—sensual, stunning, and dignified all at once. The interplay of the crystal's clarity and the carving's angles made the figure seem almost alive, gazing back at him with a faint smile.

Activating his Magic Eye, Liszt could see that every line on the statue's robe was an enchanted sigil, traces of a magic array—this was a piece of magic equipment.

"This is Crystal Helen," the Earl said, his voice tinged with melancholy and confusion, though he quickly composed himself. "Your Highness, this is the most precious treasure in my collection. Crafted by a master crystal artisan alongside a mage, it embodies both beauty and magic!"

"Crystal Helen?" Liszt seemed to recall the name.

The Earl eagerly continued, "Not only is it breathtakingly beautiful, but it also has a special function. When placed in a castle, it stabilizes the castle's magic, uplifting the spirits. Ordinary people bathed in its aura remain free of illness, while knights and mages enjoy faster cultivation."

He paused.

Then, as if parting with a beloved, he added, "I offer it to you, Your Highness. Such a treasure is only fitting for someone of your standing!"

"Who was Crystal Helen?" Liszt suddenly asked.

"Ah, she was a legendary empress of the Moon Empire, the supreme leader of mages. Her beauty dwarfed the moon's glow, and even dragons submitted to her charm, willingly serving her."

"Now I remember."

Liszt nodded. He had once read a grimoire mentioning the emperors of the Moon Empire era. Though the Moon Empire was ruled by mages, it was also an empire built on slavery. One of its empresses was named Helen the Truth, who was obsessed with crystal.

Bewitched by her beauty, the mages who worshipped her built her a crystal palace.

Pillars, roofs, arches, steps—even the throne, tables, chairs, clothing, carriages, tableware, and even the toilet—were all made of crystal.

Completely ridiculous, he thought.

However, the legends from the Moon Empire era are already very vague, and no one knows whether that crystal palace truly existed—even whether Helen of the Crystal truly existed is questionable.

The statue before him, though, makes for an excellent decorative piece. Liszt naturally gladly takes it, planning to move it back to his own castle to spruce up the castle's décor.

"Pack it all up, take everything away!" He waves his hand grandly, barking the order.

As for the Earl of Hot Spring Island, after he finishes explaining the origins and functions of his collection, he can be marched to the gallows to be hanged.

Typically, noble knights can buy their freedom with ransom, but this does not apply to traitors.

Back then, the Sapphire Duchy carried out a bloody purge on Iron Hoof Island, and Liszt finds it just as effortless to off an earl.

Right in front of the square of Hot Spring Castle, he has the assembled knights who have been incorporated to witness the event.

An official from Black Horse Island stands before the gallows, reciting the charges of the Earl of Hot Spring Island:

"The Earl of Hot Spring Island... is vile by nature, has murdered knights, abused commoners, colluded with the Kingdom of the Eagle, scheming against the Duchy's Marquis, and schemed to seize the Flame Territory. His crimes are heinous and unforgivable! He shall be hanged, execution to be carried out immediately!"

Once the charges are read, as the knights watch in terrified silence, the Earl of Hot Spring Island is strung up alive.

Some of his attendants and confidants, also accused of various crimes, swing alongside him on the gallows. Whether there is a hell or some other realm for the dead where they can continue to serve the Earl remains unknown.

Liszt stands on the balcony of Hot Spring Castle, getting a clear view of the hanging.

Marcus, at his side, tallies up the plunder seized from Hot Spring Castle. After all, the Earl was a veteran earl who had also conspired with the Kingdom of the Eagle, amassing staggering wealth. The haul includes vast quantities of gems, jade, gold coins, and a good haul of spirit bugs—one Grand Sprite, sixteen small sprites, and one hundred thirty-six spirit bugs.

All were bound to his son, but they will soon be transferred one by one to Liszt.

The knights and serfs on the island are also being tallied. Those suitable for immigration to Flame Island will be shipped straight over, while the remaining assets that cannot be taken will be sold back to the Sapphire family.

"Such a bountiful harvest—nothing makes money faster than this!" he thinks gleefully.

Compared to the grey cast iron dragon obtained from the dragon-slaying battle, these resources may not seem as significant. But while the dragon is just one, the resources from Hot Spring Island are dazzling and varied, making for a much bigger thrill.

"If only there were more traitors in the Sapphire Duchy!"