The Mighty Dragons Are Dead

Chapter 895: Chapter 0892: Mermaid’s Protection (Second Update)
 

The Rose Duchy is the northernmost vassal state of the Steel Ridge Kingdom, and the Dragon Rearing Family—the Red and White Rose Family—is renowned both far and wide, mainly because of the roses they cultivate.

Like tulips, roses also have a sequence for magic potions.

The Red and White Rose Family has been cultivating roses for hundreds of years, possessing not only the Dragon Elves of roses but also a large number of Greater Elves, Little Minor Elves, and Elf Bugs. The varieties of roses they have cultivated are highly differentiated, among which the most famous are the red roses and white roses, leading the family to adopt the surname of Red and White roses rather than a dragon-related surname.

One variety of white roses has an extraordinarily potent effect when used in magic potions. The magic potions produced are coveted by Nobles both domestically and abroad, selling for more than gold and still in short supply—the great families are willing to spend unimaginable wealth to let their offspring use the best magic potions.

The red roses are even more unique.

Among them, there is a variety called “Red Dragon Great Rose,” and the magic potion made from it is known as “Red Dragon Water,” which does not significantly enhance a Knight’s training.

However, its primary use is to increase the magic power of dragons, and this value is so tremendous that upon the birth of the Red Dragon Great Rose, the Steel Ridge Royal Family planned to directly annex the Rose Duchy—after all, the Rose Duchy had only one Ruby Dragon, which was old and lacked powerful combat abilities.

Nevertheless, at that time, the Duke of Rose made a quick and decisive move, courting the princess of the royal family at great cost.

Thus, he became in-laws with the Platinum Family, and by promising to provide an ample supply of Red Dragon Water to the Steel Ridge Royal Family, the Rose Duchy was able to preserve its autonomy.

The Red and White Rose Family still ascended the ranks of the Dragon Rearing Families.

Since then, every few generations, a princess would marry into the family or the king would take a daughter from the Red and White Rose Family as his wife, essentially merging the two families into one.

By this generation of King Osborne Platinum of the Steel Ridge Nation, his sister had married the current Duke of Rose.

They had a son, Mathew, and a daughter, Marilyn.

Because of the close relationship between the two families, Mathew was raised in the Steel Ridge Royal Family from a young age and, thanks to his talent, was selected for the Dragon Knight reserve plan, awaiting Dragon Riding. Marilyn was likewise educated in female arts at the royal women’s academy—Audis Academy—established by the royal family.

“Steel Pearl, the first beauty of the Northland… Why are you telling me this?” Liszt’s face wore a naked expression of “What do you take me for,” and his tone turned serious, “Mary, you need to understand what the focal point is for a Blood Servant to gather intelligence, and not to collect some boring tabloid news.”

“I’m sorry, Your Highness.”

Mary apologized first, then argued, “But with Count Mathew leading the Envoy Group from the Steel Ridge Royal Family, it’s full of unspeakable political intentions.”

“What political intentions?”

“The rose family and the Platinum Family are nearly one and the same; the Platinum Family wants to cultivate good relations with Your Highness, hence they dispatched Count Mathew here. That’s the first layer of political intention; Count Mathew’s sister is about to reach marrying age, and as the Steel Pearl, her marriage is destined to be an alliance. Count Mathew may well be scouting out options for his sister in advance.”

Liszt was startled for a moment.

Mary had made her point so bluntly that it caught him off guard.

However, at his status and position, every action indeed carried political significance, even if his intention was merely to live freely, those around him would still painstakingly contemplate the implications. Especially since Liszt was very young and yet was destined to found a nation, for which he would need to designate an heir.

His marriage would become a focal point closely watched by all factions.

Regarding his own marriage, Liszt was still somewhat perplexed to date; he knew he certainly had to marry and have children. As a transmigrator with traditional Chinese values at his core, he deeply ingrained the proverb “Of all the actions of a man, filial piety is the most important, and the failure to produce offspring is the greatest of all,” feeling life would be incomplete without descendants.

And it would probably be difficult for his marriage partner to be Acherloides—the Sea Serpent and humans are reproductively isolated.

“Let it be; I’ll take it one step at a time. If by chance, I manage to contract with the Immortal Dragon and gain immortality, having descendants might not matter so much.”

After thinking for a while.

He then spoke aloud, “Don’t make wild guesses about political intentions; when the envoy group from the Steel Ridge Kingdom arrives, we’ll naturally understand their purpose.”

The complexities of politics weren’t to Liszt’s liking.

“Yes, Your Highness.” Mary complied amiably, well aware that while her master seemed deeply strategic, he still maintained the personality of a reckless man.

…

In the suburb of the City of Steel, Audis Academy residential villa.

A handsome young man was animatedly explaining something; aside from the servants, there was also a young girl calculating bills in the living room.

The girl was dressed in a light pink pleated long dress, her features bearing a resemblance to the handsome young man.

It was clear that they were siblings.

“Marilyn, Father and Mother are very optimistic about Liszt, Uncle Osborne also hopes to establish friendly relations with the Flame Kingdom. My leading the Envoy Group this time is to see the elegance of the Dragon Knights of the four dragons, as well as the legendary Formless Dragon, who alone defeated five dragons and three knights—simply inconceivable!”

“Brother, you’re overlooking the Archmage.”

“The Archmage only plays a supportive role; even “Truth” incarnate in the mundane world wouldn’t be much use in the battle of Dragon Knights,” The handsome young man grew more excited as he spoke, “Liszt is only two years younger than I am; to think he’s only twenty this year, the glory that has befallen him is just crazy.”

“So, Father, Mother, and Uncle Osborne have chosen my future?” The girl continued with her accounts, her gold curly hair cascading down her shoulders, genteel with a hint of vivacity, “Even though it’s a fate I can’t control, do you really think this could succeed?”

“I think the possibility is high; with a new sovereign ascending, the Flame Kingdom needs the support of Steel Ridge, and the Flame Family also needs a lady to bring knightly glory. None of the three great kingdoms have an eligible princess, and among all the duchies, no one has a more distinguished status than you, Marilyn, you’re the most suitable.”

Marilyn lifted her head, her face spotless and generally expressionless, “Have you all forgotten about that Archmage named Acherloides?”

“Of course not.”

The handsome young man was obviously Mathew of the Red and White Roses, who proudly dismissed the servants in the living room, then whispered, “Before we can secure the secret, Father and Mother, even if they admire Liszt, would not rashly propose a marriage alliance; that would be harming you.”

Marilyn waited curiously for what would come next.

After some groundwork, Mathew continued, “That Archmage is not human, but a remnant of an ancient race—a Sea Serpent!”

“A Sea Serpent?” Marilyn was astounded, “She’s actually a Sea Serpent?”

“Yes, a Sea Serpent. It’s impossible for humans and Sea Serpents to reproduce. Do you remember how the heir of the last generation of the Star Duchy was deposed? He fell in love with a Sea Serpent, eloped with a knight of lower standing, which ultimately enraged the Duke of Star. Not only was he demoted to commoner, but the Sea Serpent was also exiled to the Exiled Lands.”

Sea Serpents belonged to legend for most humans, but the royal families of the major kingdoms did indeed come into contact with Sea Serpents, although some information was confined to Nobles only.

Acherloides’s Magic Cloak could hide the Sea Serpent features of her body, but it would inadvertently expose her identity, especially the transparent fins behind her ears and the fish-fin-like pinnae, which were features easily identified as non-human at a glance.

For those with intent observations, exposing a Sea Serpent’s identity was not too difficult.

Of course, Liszt had no intention of rigorously protecting Acherloides’s identity either. He was already a considerable force, with enough strength to protect Acherloides.

“A Sea Serpent, eh.”

Marilyn looked down at the bill in her hand, speaking as if recounting a young girl’s fantasy, “Perhaps Liszt and Acherloides are like the heir of the Star Duchy, Dragon Knight and Archmage, human and Sea Serpent… Brother, when you go to visit Liszt, please take a gift from me to them.”

Speaking of which.

Marilyn returned to her bedroom, opened the cupboard, and took out an exquisite small box. Lifting the lid, there lay a pair of delicate earrings.

She silently looked at the light blue earrings, reminiscent of fish scales, then closed the lid and handed the box to Mathew, “Please give them this ‘Mermaid’s Protection’ from me.”