The Mighty Dragons Are Dead

Chapter 894: Chapter 0891: Red and White Roses (First Update)
 

The Magic Gate opened.

The Magic Gate stabilized.

The Magic Gate succeeded.

On April 21 of Sapphire Calendar Year 155, this day was destined to be recorded in history books—at least in the annals of the Flame Kingdom, even though the Flame Kingdom had not yet been established.

“Maintaining the Reed Marsh Magic Gate will be your responsibility, Kenley. Should there be any changes, send a message through the Magic Platform immediately,” Liszt solemnly instructed as he left the Reed Marsh Magic Gate.

Kenley Truth responded seriously, “Rest assured, Your Highness. We will keep a close watch on the Reed Marsh Magic Gate, and any disturbance will be reported to you and Lord Acherloides at once.”

“That’s very good.”

Next, Liszt and Acherloides filled their Space Rings with plentiful magic materials and rode straight into the Reed Marsh Magic Gate aboard the Formless Dragon Bard, rapidly entering the world beyond matter. Enveloped by Space Magic Power, they moved through the non-material world as effortlessly as fish in water, with ease and grace.

Arriving at the natural node on Mind Island, they directly crossed through.

A number of knights and magicians were on the island, directing serfs in basic labor. They set down Acherloides, then took out the materials from the Space Rings and had Acherloides set up a Magic Array there.

Liszt continued to shuttle through space on Bard.

There was still much to do, such as collecting magic materials from places like Black Horse Island and Bull Tail City—many of the magic materials had been exhausted by the Reed Marsh Magic Gate and needed to be gathered anew.

By the time they had collected all the magic materials and Acherloides had set everything up, it was already May when they opened the Mind Island Magic Gate.

As the weather grew increasingly hot, all life thrived in wild abundance.

The elves of Black Horse Island were producing more than ever, and Flame Island was also welcoming good news.

In the potato plantations of Flame City, thanks to the blessing of the Potato Great Spirit Kuchi, a bountiful harvest was had, and full warehouses of potatoes meant food was no longer in short supply. Banana Greater Elf Poppy was also a native elf of Flame Island, but since the banana plantations had only just started, it would take a year or two before they could be harvested.

The number of Moon Slayer Tribes that had been incorporated was growing, with the population now reaching four hundred thousand. However, the size of the Flame People had not expanded, and was still just over twenty thousand.

To prevent mismanagement, the Knight Order had put a temporary halt to their campaigns against the Moon Slayer Tribes, waiting for the establishment of the Magic Teleportation Arrays to resume. For now, the primary tasks were to train, reorganize, and integrate the Moon Slayer serfs, while also building cities, repairing roads, and opening up plantations.

It could be said that everything in both Flame Island and the Flame Territory was blooming and prospering.

Liszt was naturally in good spirits all the time, even though the search for materials to establish the Magic Teleportation Array had the finances of his territory overburdened, he did not feel any stress.

At this moment,

In the rooftop balcony garden of Thorn Castle.

He was leisurely drinking Banpo Cattle milk, reading a knight’s novel titled “The Time Travel of Holy Dragon Knight Maduha of the Rose.”

Ever since he had become famous in the Dragon Slaying Battle of April, a deluge of novelists had been struck with inspiration, each using the Sacred Dragon as material to produce the latest knight novels. The plots were hastily crafted, with many of them simply basing characters off Liszt and making slight changes to write their stories.

For example—the Holy Dragon Knights in these stories all tended to have a beautiful Archmage at their side.

In the knight’s novel he was currently reading, the protagonist did not ride a Formless Dragon but instead mounted the Twilight Dragon that represented time, enabling the rider to travel freely through any period. However, the author was still limited, only describing how the Twilight Dragon Knight could cross days in time to rescue a princess captured by the enemy.

“Why not travel through the Moon Empire, through ancient times, through the future, through an endless expanse of time to triumph over all, huh? These novelists lack imagination; they don’t know how to write an infinite series!”

Liszt closed the knight’s novel and casually tossed it aside.

“Waaah…”

Below, it seemed that Jela’s voice was audible, either scolding some Minor Elf or arguing with a Greater Elf—after the harvest, the elves from Hot Spring Island had begun to move to Thorn Castle in succession, and Jela needed to establish authority over these elves.

Her temper was not good; she was like a bully.

But Liszt cherished it and also felt that Jela might bring about a catfish effect—the stimulation might just increase the probability of elf evolution.

If every elf were like the Corn Minor Elf Mickey, spending all day counting corn kernels in the Worm Room without ambition, it would be difficult to evolve. It was known that Jela had evolved from an Elf Bug to a Greater Elf in just a few years due to environmental stimulus.

Fluttering…

A black bat flittered its wings, flying to Thorn Castle and landing on the top-floor balcony. A moment later, it transformed into Mary Dawn Break.

“Your Highness,” Mary bowed in greeting, quietly slipping under the parasol—vampires detested sunlight, it suppressed their strength and made them quite uncomfortable.

“Would you like some milk?” Liszt asked simply.

Mary smiled in response, “Thank you, Your Highness, but I would prefer a glass of red wine if available. The sun is rather harsh today.”

She was very fond of her current life.

Within the Black Knight Family, vampires endured a strict hierarchy and oppressive interpersonal relationships, constantly making one long for escape. But here, the atmosphere was exceptionally peaceful, and the master they followed was not only mighty but also not overly oppressive, especially laid-back in private.

This young Dragon Knight landlord did not need his followers and servants to be overly cautious or listen attentively.

“Bring a bottle of the cellar’s Crescent Moon Wine,” Liszt told the male servant behind him.

“Yes, master.”

The servant hurried downstairs to get the red wine, and Liszt then asked, “What’s the reaction from the three major kingdoms?”

“Your Highness, the glory of your dragon-slaying battle has not spread among the commoners of the three great kingdoms but is circulated among a small portion of nobles. From what the Blood Servants have gathered, the Falcon Knights of the Eagle Kingdom have been frequently mobilized. It seems there’s frequent interaction between the royal family, subordinate states, and Dragon Knights.”

“Have you sent anyone to investigate the Grey Iron Duchy?”

“No, we have insufficient Blood Servant personnel. However, we’ve investigated ministers from the Eagle Kingdom and have a new piece of intelligence. The heir of the Grey Iron Family, Petterford, has refused to pay a ransom to redeem Duke Pierrot, accusing that the duke’s capture was Eagle Kingdom’s doing and urging the royal family to pay the ransom.”

“So what’s the idea over at Eagle Kingdom?”

“King Adonis Moonlight Silver of Eagle Kingdom has agreed to send a negotiating team from the royal family. They might arrive in Sapphire soon.”

“What about the situation in the Purple Copper Duchy?”

“There’s been no unusual movement there; it seems that after Prince Alex’s visit, he quickly settled the moods within the Purple Copper Duchy. The heir assumed the title after the Purple Copper Duke’s funeral without any drop in rank.”

Mary answered, noting that the Blood Servants had limited capabilities for gathering intelligence.

“No drop in rank, eh…” Liszt couldn’t confirm or deny this.

Dragon Knights ought to establish kingdoms, and the kingdoms they create are Grand Duchies, corresponding to the rank of Grand Duke inherent to the Dragon Knight himself. When no Dragon Knight progeny emerges, the title must drop to Duke, and the nation from a Grand Duchy to a Duchy. However, the rule wasn’t strictly enforced.

Regardless, whether a Grand Duchy or a Duchy, they were independent states, and the tributes paid were fixed and would not decrease with a drop in title.

Thus, many heirs to Grand Duchies did not wish to change the country’s name or reduce their rank.

The Duchy of Sapphire is one such case. The three successors after the First Dragon Knight never managed dragon riding, and the Sapphire Duke only recently succeeded.

After reporting on the Eagle Kingdom, Mary continued, “The Blood Servants don’t know much about Blast Furnace Fortress Kingdom and Steel Ridge Kingdom. The official channels of the Sapphire Family should relay information… However, the Blood Servants have still managed to hear some good news beforehand.”

Liszt raised an eyebrow, “What news?”

“The Steel Ridge Kingdom has already sent an envoy, led by Mathew of the Red and White Roses, on an official visit to the future Flame Kingdom to meet with you, Your Highness.”

It was a recognition of the Flame Kingdom, a prelude to establishing diplomatic relations, indeed good news.

But Liszt’s focus was elsewhere, “Mathew of the Red and White Roses? Isn’t the surname of the Red and White Roses from the Rose Duchy’s Dragon Rearing Family?”

“Yes, Your Highness. Mathew of the Red and White Roses is the direct heir of the Rose Duchy. However, he’s also the nephew of King Osborne of Steel Ridge Kingdom and a member of the Steel Ridge Kingdom’s Dragon Knight reserve plan. He now serves as the deputy commander of the Golden Fleece Knight Order, with the rank of Earl, and has very good relations with the Platinum Family.”

Mary continued, solemnly adding, “Earl Mathew has a sister, Marilyn Rose of Red and White, only fifteen but already hailed as the Steel Pearl, renowned as the Northland’s most beautiful woman.”