The Mighty Dragons Are Dead

Chapter 892: Chapter 0889: Ransom (First Update)
 

“Unbelievable!”

The Eagle Kingdom’s King did not wait for the knight to finish reading the content of the official letter but brutally interrupted because the content of the letter was simple. It was a ransom negotiation letter sent by Li Sitte through the Duchy of Sapphire’s official channels, asking the Eagle Kingdom’s King to forward it to the Grey Iron Family to arrange for someone to go negotiate the payment of the ransom.

Since there was no diplomatic channel between the Duchy of Sapphire and Grey Iron Duchy, and because the location of the Grey Iron Duchy was remote, the negotiation letter could not be sent directly.

Thus, Li Sitte had a bold idea and let the Eagle Kingdom’s King forward it.

It was also a slight humiliation.

Daring to initiate the war against dragons, Li Sitte would not easily let go of this hatred. First, he disgusted the Eagle Kingdom’s King, then it would be no late to cut their flesh when he issued the Pioneer Mandate.

“Your Majesty, this official letter…” a noble minister reminded.

The Eagle Kingdom’s King stared with wide eyes, ground his teeth fiercely and finally said coldly, “Seal the official letter and send it immediately to the Grey Iron Duchy… Gentlemen, you are the ministers of the kingdom. The Grey Iron Duchy lost the Grey Iron Dragon because of the kingdom’s initiation of the dragon war, how should we resolve this issue?”

A moment later, a minister replied, “Your Majesty, the loss of the Grey Iron Dragon is a huge loss for the Grey Iron Duchy, but Duke Pierrot cannot not redeem it. The kingdom ought to oversee this redemption transaction and even needs to greatly compensate the Grey Iron Family for their loss.”

He meant that the ransom should be paid by the Eagle Kingdom.

However, the minister changed his tone, “The kingdom should help the Grey Iron Family reclaim the Grey Iron Dragon, but Duke Pierrot encountered an ambush after the dragon war ended, the ransom should still be raised by the Grey Iron Family themselves.”

“Duke Pierrot has been captured, and the ransom must be paid, but have you considered, with the loss of the dragon as their reliance, how will the Grey Iron Family cope?” another minister shook his head and said, “I think the Grey Iron Family might take an extreme stance.”

“What extreme stance?” the Eagle Kingdom’s King asked, seemingly knowing the answer already.

“As far as I know Duke Pierrot’s son is already thirty years old, in the prime of his life, and just right to inherit the foundation of the Grey Iron Family, perhaps he is not willing to redeem his own father… Even if he is willing, the Grey Iron Family cannot afford the massive ransom of a duke.”

Usually, captives as viscounts—require a Little Minor Elf; earls—two or three Little Minor Elves; marquises—need a Greater Elf; but for a duke, three to five Greater Elves are necessary.

But Duke Pierro Grey Iron is different, he is a duke from the Dragon Rearing Family, and also raises Metal Dragons that produce iron ore—the Grey Iron Dragons. His family’s wealth is much higher than a duke without a duchy; his status is equivalent to a grand duke—at least a Dragon Sprite must be paid as ransom.

Li Sitte also hinted in the letter that a Dragon Sprite must be the basis of the negotiation—he believed that the Grey Iron Duchy was richer than the Duchy of Sapphire, and that there certainly won’t be only one or two Dragon Sprites. Taking out one as ransom wouldn’t hurt their core strength, on the contrary, it would “lighten the burden” for the family.

Without a dragon, the family shouldn’t occupy so many resources, otherwise, troubles would eventually arise.

“Are you saying that the Grey Iron Family might not pay the ransom, and instead push the redemption of Duke Pierrot onto the kingdom?” the Eagle Kingdom’s King frowned.

“Yes, Your Majesty. Duke Pierrot is not a Dragon Knight, and now that the Grey Iron Dragon has been lost, the Grey Iron Family will also hold Duke Pierrot accountable for the lost dragon, which is an irreparable mistake,” the minister replied—nobles don’t get up early without benefit, compared to interests, such minor kinship means nothing.

Moreover, since Duke Pierrot lost the dragon, he also lost the family’s future.

His son might even wish for Duke Pierrot to die sooner.

Another minister spoke up, “Your Majesty, if the Grey Iron Family is unwilling to pay the ransom, should we just give up on Duke Pierrot?”

“Not proper, not proper, Your Majesty,” said another, “I believe no matter what, we must redeem Duke Pierrot. The dragon war was initiated by the kingdom; if we give up on Duke Pierrot, wouldn’t all the subordinate countries feel disheartened? The Eagle Kingdom has developed over several hundred years and now has countless supporters; we mustn’t abandon the knight’s spirit!”

“Yes, Duke Piero must be ransomed at all costs.”

“If the Grey Iron Family is unwilling to pay the ransom, the kingdom should do it instead, so that Duke Piero will be more inclined towards the kingdom.”

The ministers discussed vociferously, some advocating that the kingdom should not be responsible, as it was a private matter of the Grey Iron Duchy; others insisted that the kingdom must intervene, or else the followers would feel disheartened. Of course, most ministers believed that they should first send an official letter to the Grey Iron Duchy to see their reaction before making a decision.

The Eagle Kingdom’s King’s temples throbbed with frustration.

He was familiar with Duke Piero’s son, a typical noble who always prioritized interests—refusing to pay the ransom and blaming the Eagle Kingdom would definitely be something he would do, and he would certainly do so.

In that case,

the ransom would have to be paid by the kingdom, or else the royal family would lose the loyalty of many more followers—some ministers urged him to shift the blame to the Grey Iron Duchy, but if he really did so, these ministers would surely be the first to contemplate betrayal.

After a while,

he coughed lightly, stopping the noisy quarrel in the hall, “First send the official letter to understand the attitude of the Grey Iron Family. If Petterford indeed disregards Piero’s safety, then the kingdom will negotiate and redeem Piero… The royal family will not abandon any loyal follower!”

“Your Majesty is kind!”

“Your Majesty never abandons us, we are willing to charge into battle for the royal family!”

“Knightly glory favors us, Duke Piero will become Your Majesty’s most loyal shield!”

“Ready to be Your Majesty’s spear!”

Seeing this, the ministers flattered him, expressing their loyalty to the Eagle Kingdom’s King.

Thus, the official letter personally written by Liszt was immediately carried by a Falcon Knight, swiftly flying towards the Grey Iron Duchy. Meanwhile, the news that Liszt had ridden a Grey Iron Dragon was also passed to the frontier by the Falcon Knights, handed over to the Dragon Knights stationed there.

Internal administrative affairs of the kingdom were generally managed by the king and his ministers, but matters involving diplomacy and dragons required the collective deliberation and implementation by all Dragon Knights.

When the meeting ended, the ministers left in a line, but the Eagle Kingdom’s King remained seated on his ornate throne.

He did not stand up for a long time.

He only stared at the stone columns in the palace hall, carved with the Eagle Royal Family’s badge, his heart tangled with emotions of sorrow, indignation, loss, and hatred.

“Alonso, you keep disappointing me…”

“Flame Kingdom… If we don’t curb Liszt’s rise, the ruling configuration in the Legendary Continent Northeast Corner of Eagle, Steel Ridge, and Blast Furnace Fortress will undergo drastic changes… Perhaps, Osborne, Helder will respond to my plan, and the appearance of the Sacred Dragon will stir their desires!”

Osborne Platinum, King of the Steel Ridge Kingdom.

Helder Golden Crown, King of the Blast Furnace Fortress Kingdom.

The Eagle Kingdom’s King’s gaze flickered coldly as he plotted further schemes. Unaware of this, Liszt was still busy searching for the Man-Eating Tree Dragon Sprite.