The Mighty Dragons Are Dead-Chapter 659 - 0656: Bull Tail and Iron Hoof (First Update)

Chapter 659: Chapter 0656: Bull Tail and Iron Hoof (First Update)

The Tulip Family’s “Son of Glory” was once just a polite exaggeration, but now it has become an indisputable fact. If even Liszt could not be called the “Son of Glory,” then probably the Duchy of Sapphire has no such son.

The youngest Sky Knight, inheritor of the Ghost Swordsman.

Vanquishing Domain Knights, capturing a Sword Saint.

Seizing iron mines, reaping the largest harvest of iron ore since the issuing of the Pioneer Mandate, spanning a century.

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Such dazzling exploits, akin to a trail of sparks followed by lightning, were extremely difficult to go unnoticed. Now that the Pioneer Mandate had ended, and the tales of war had essentially spread throughout the nation, every noble and commoner on any island likely began discussing Liszt.

Even in the Eagle Kingdom, Liszt’s name probably gained some renown.

At least around the Roaring River Mouth, surely no noble was unaware of him.

Having such a mighty figure for a son, Earl William Lee had no choice but to personally greet him at the door, as a gesture of respect and importance towards Liszt.

And those relatives and servants who relied on the strength of the family, naturally had to show their respect as well.

Gone were the days when that insignificant child of the family, the timid second son sent away to the remote Fresh Flower Town, was forgotten. Now, Liszt shone brightly in everyone’s eyes, an unrivaled genius and hero. He was the Tulip Family’s most distinguished scion, without any dispute.

“Father, you honor me with your personal reception.”

“This is the treatment you deserve. I’m proud of you, my son!” Earl William Lee reached out and patted the shoulder of Liszt, who now stood a head taller than him.

It always felt like all the glory of knighthood favored Liszt alone—the strength to overpower the elite, the handsome looks that bewitched myriad young women, and the luck to stumble upon an elf. Each aspect was enough to drive people to envy, let alone all three combined.

He turned and said to Lady Marie, “Give the order to the kitchens. We’re preparing a feast tonight worthy of a celebration feast.”

“Alright, you father and son have a good talk. I’ll go and personally oversee the kitchen’s preparations,” Lady Marie said with a smile as she left.

The Earl then spoke to Lidun, “Inform grandmother and your sister that they are to join us for the banquet this evening.”

Afterwards, he said to Loria, “Prepare a pot of tea and bring it to the study later; we’ll have a chat there first.”

“Yes, Father,” Loria said, also leaving with a smile.

Only Earl William Lee, Levis, and Liszt—the father and sons—remained, making their way straight into the study. Concerning the major affairs of the Tulip Family, these three men needed to make decisions—for accuracy’s sake, Earl William Lee and Liszt needed to consult with each other to settle matters properly, with Levis merely involved peripherally.

“Father, did the transport of the iron ore go smoothly?”

“So smoothly it was a bit surprising. Alonso Xiankelai didn’t show up at all, but we didn’t dare to linger around the Roaring River Mouth. The transport of the iron ore had just been completed when the First Prince announced the end of the Pioneer Mandate. We protected the spoils of iron ore, and at the same time, we tried to gather information about Alonso’s movements from the Steel Ridge Kingdom.”

The Trapped Dragon Mountain Iron Mine belonged to the Bronze Dragon Knight—Alonso Xiankelai. After receiving the message of the knights fleeing the mine, it was impossible for him to remain indifferent.

Even if he couldn’t come himself, he should have sent someone to contend for the mine.

To make his presence felt, Levis hurriedly interjected, “Father and I have discussed it. We think it’s possible that border conflicts detained Alonso, and since none of the Domain Knights beneath the Dragon Knight could beat you, he strategically gave up the Trapped Dragon Mountain Iron Mine.”

Liszt nodded, “That’s a possibility.”

At the moment, this seemed the most logical. Hence, he didn’t contemplate it further—having succeeded in dragon riding, he could calmly face any threat.

He was more concerned about the tallying of war merits: “Then, how will the Grand Duke define our war merits? How many tons of iron ore will be allocated to us? Where has he promised to grant you the Marchioness’ fief? And what are his thoughts concerning me and the Grand Duke?”

“We made the main war merits in seizing the iron mines, but a significant share of the merits for transporting the iron ore was distributed to others. I estimate the Grand Duke will allocate us a hundred thousand tons of iron ore,” the Earl said somewhat reluctantly. “Naturally, this portion of the iron ore will be your war spoils.”

Liszt smiled and said nothing.

The military exploits belong to the Earl, and the spoils to him; it had been agreed upon long ago.

The Earl continued, “The Grand Duke stationed himself directly on Iron Hoof Island. Although everyone was squabbling at the war merit conference, the Grand Duke made it clear to me after the meeting that I could choose one of four titles: Marquis of Bull Horn, Marquis of Bull Tail, Marquis of Bull Hoof, and Marquis of Iron Hoof City.”

“How come there’s an additional Marquis of Iron Hoof City? Father, what is your choice?”

“Iron Hoof City is the second largest city after the Court’s Blue Dragon City. Inserting a Marquis from the Blue Blood Alliance is just right for overseeing Iron Hoof Island… I chose the Marquis of Bull Tail. The Marquis of Bull Hoof needs to face the mainland directly, and the Marquis of Bull Horn has a complex mix of powers. The Marquis of Bull Tail is relatively calm in comparison.”

Earl William Lee’s thoughts leaned towards moderation.

Bull Hoof City is the starting point of Sapphire’s attacks on the mainland and naturally has to bear the responsibility of suppressing the sea; Bull Horn City was once a bustling city not inferior to Iron Hoof City, with various underground forces from Sapphire jumbled together in Bull Horn City; only Bull Tail City is less conspicuous, suitable for low-profile development.

The Tulip Family is just an Earl’s family, with far less heritage than the Long Taro Family, and needs time to develop.

Choosing the Marquis of Bull Tail, to govern the large city of Bull Tail City, as well as two other large cities Bull Rump City and Bull Rib City, and the surrounding vast land, is enough for the family’s development needs.

“That’s a decent choice indeed,” Liszt nodded in understanding.

With a complex look in his eyes, the Earl glanced at Liszt and said, “There’s another reason I chose the Marquis of Bull Tail; the Grand Duke hopes I’d choose the Marquis of Bull Tail.”

“Oh?”

“Because the Grand Duke told me, among the three Marquis titles of Iron Hoof Island, the Marquis of Bull Tail has the weakest development potential in his territory, but… he hopes to leave the position of Marquis of Iron Hoof City for you. That way, with the combined forces of our father and son, we would surpass both the Marquis of Bull Hoof and the Marquis of Bull Horn.”

Liszt was noncommittal, “A balance of power, huh.”

“But I would rather stay on Black Horse Island and in Fresh Flower Town, where I have been working hard to develop my base, and I don’t want to follow the Grand Duke and become a Marquis in the Blue Blood Alliance.”

Nobles of the Blue Blood Alliance, aside from seizing power, depended on living at the whims of the Grand Duke.

Liszt was unwilling to be even a Noble Landlord who followed the Grand Duke, let alone a hunting dog in the hands of the Grand Duke, even less impressed by the title of Marquis.

After all, he was a Dragon Knight aiming to establish his own kingdom.

“You still have plenty of time to think about it. All your military exploits this time were passed to me, but they are too substantial. I believe as long as you choose to follow the Grand Duke, I could still partition some of the military exploits to meet the requirements for you to advance to a Feudal Earl. If you join the Blue Blood Alliance, you might even directly become the Marquis of Iron Hoof City.”

Deep down.

The Earl actually hoped that Liszt would choose the title of Marquis of Iron Hoof City, the largest city on Iron Hoof Island, with an attached territory not much smaller than the average Earl’s domain.

With Liszt’s strength, it was unlikely he would be used by the Grand Duke like other nobles of the Blue Blood Alliance.

Essentially equal to half a feudal lord, half a member of the Blue Blood nobility, joining hands with him, the soon-to-be Marquis of Bull Tail, they could leap to become the largest power on Iron Hoof Island.

At that time, the Tulip Family would become the truly great Nobles second only to the Sapphire Family.

However, to his disappointment, Liszt shook his head decisively, “It’s impossible for me to directly follow the Grand Duke… Brother, please go out for a while, check if there are any people moving around, and send them further away.”

“Huh?”

Levis was stunned for a moment, then stood up, “Oh, all right.”