The Mighty Dragons Are Dead-Chapter 827 - 0824: Copying Steel Ridge (Second Update)

Chapter 827: Chapter 0824: Copying Steel Ridge (Second Update)

“I need to report back to my father,” Anthony said to Liszt’s proposal without giving any answer. He needed to discuss it carefully with the Sapphire Duke before he could reply.

Liszt nodded, “It’s just a suggestion. There’s still some time before this year’s Pioneer Mandate period ends. The Grand Duke can take his time to think about it… I personally am very willing to facilitate such cooperation. When the Eagle Kingdom is in decline, it’s time to employ thunderous methods to hasten its fall.”

“Your Highness, rest assured. Once Marquis Merlin’s funeral is over, I will immediately return to Azure Sky Peak Palace and convey all of Your Highness’s words to my father.”

“Very good.” Liszt picked up his teacup and took a sip of the somewhat bitter tea—it was from the green tea trees exclusively owned by Black Horse Island, which after long-term cultivation, now had a very high yield.

Because this Dragon Knight drank tea every day, he swiftly influenced the customs of the Sapphire Archipelago; the Nobles began buying batches of tea leaves from Black Horse Island to brew and taste. Even the Sapphire Family ordered a considerable amount of tea from Black Horse Island. It was said that the Grand Duke was quite fond of tea, which further intensified the tea drinking habits of the Sapphires.

Of course, Liszt didn’t care how many people genuinely liked drinking tea.

...

He originally just wanted to drink tea himself. Even now, when a pound of tea leaves was fried up to a few Gold Coins, he wasn’t interested in the slight profits from tea leaves.

Salt, white paper, and glass remained the three pillars of the Flame Territory’s trade.

There was no drinking at the dinner, just a simple meal. This was suggested by Liszt, as he believed it was inappropriate to drink alcohol during the period of Marquis Merlin’s funeral—in fact, the Sapphires didn’t have the rule forbidding alcohol during mourning, but Liszt personally felt that drinking created too lively an atmosphere, which was unsuitable.

When the Dragon Knight made a request, the Nobles naturally didn’t dare to raise the subject again.

So after a quick dinner, everyone went back to rest, and it was then that Liszt found the opportunity to speak alone with the Marquis of Bull Tail: “Father, let’s talk in the study.”

“Indeed, I have many questions for you as well.”

“Do I get to be part of it?” Levis asked eagerly, keen to be involved in the family’s major affairs.

Liszt nodded, “Of course, brother can join. But first, make sure the surroundings of the study are quiet enough so our conversation isn’t overheard.”

Inside the study, Ach remained absorbed in her reading and writing, merely greeting Li Weiliam before immersing herself back into her own world—busy with the research of the Magic Teleportation Array, leaving other experiments aside, striving to complete the Teleportation Array as soon as possible.

Liszt took the red wine and glasses from the Servant’s hands, signaling for them to come over.

Once the servant had closed the door and Levis had gone out to make a round, instructing his Retainers to ensure no one disturbed them, he returned to the study.

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Taking the glass of red wine that Liszt handed to him, “There’s no one outside now, Liszt, so whatever it is, you can say now.”

Liszt sat on a chair and started asking, “Father, has uncle already mentioned it to you?”

Li Weiliam nodded seriously, “Mesiro told me… about the three dragons. Because of this news, I haven’t slept all night.” He had arrived at Long Taro Castle yesterday, and then Mesiro started talking about it; at first, he thought the other party was jesting.

It took him a long time to reluctantly accept the reality, but he still harbored doubts.

Levis felt the same way.

“I do indeed have three dragons. That’s the confidence behind my plan to directly establish a Kingdom. The Flame Kingdom would rise upon the sea. I believe no Kingdom would dare to wage a war to slay the dragons against the Flame Kingdom… As for the location of the Flame Kingdom, it has already been chosen—the Flame Islands.”

Without waiting for Li Weiliam and Levis to react, Liszt took out a carefully drawn map from his chest.

He unfolded it and said, “This is the map of the Flame Islands, about seven thousand kilometers from the Sapphire Archipelago. It’s a bit far, but not too big of an obstacle. Father, please look, the largest island here is Flame Island, which will be the direct territory of my Flame Family.”

Ignoring his shock at the sight of the three dragons, Li Weiliam immediately followed Liszt’s pointing finger towards the map and asked, “How big is this island?”

“After surveying, it’s about three million square kilometers.”

“Three million? Isn’t that larger than the entire Sapphire Archipelago combined?”

“Yes,” Liszt said with a proud smile. Finding the Flame Islands was indeed an achievement worth boasting about. “Flame Island is the territory of the Flame Family, so the second-largest island in the Flame Islands, this one here, I have named it Tulip Island as the fief I will grant to the Tulip Family.”

“How big is it?” Levis inquired eagerly.

“About four hundred fifty thousand square kilometers, one and a half times the size of Iron Hoof Island.”

“Four hundred fifty thousand!” Levis’s eyes gleamed with excitement, his interest in the island, which seemed much smaller than Flame Island, ignited in an instant. “Liszt, when do you plan to found a nation, when will you develop the Flame Islands?”

“What do you think, Father?” Liszt decided to first seek Li Weiliam’s opinion.

Stroking his chin and forcing himself to stay calm, the Marquis of Bull Tail scrutinized the map before slowly speaking, “My idea is to develop first and found a nation afterward. The Flame Islands are still an unknown environment, and the resources on the islands have yet to be explored; it’s not guaranteed they are suitable for habitation.”

He paused, then continued, “Besides, the Sapphire Archipelago is far from the Flame Islands. Without adequate preparation, the resources spent on travel could well be wasted… Our family’s holdings are still weak. Rashly venturing to the Flame Islands to cultivate the land could be more loss than gain.”

“Father’s thoughts align with mine. However, we still need to proceed with the development by sending a batch of knights to pioneer the land. I am recruiting knights from Iron Hoof City, and you could recruit knights too, Father. Any knights that Sapphire has rejected can be recruited and sent to pioneer the Flame Islands.”

As long as Earth Knights consume more meat, most people can be promoted. Apprentice Knights are even more abundant.

Yet, very few knights truly make a name for themselves—most of them eventually have to put down their spears, sell their warhorses, and return to farming or menial labor. With Liszt’s sudden rise, all knights could see the opportunities it presented, which would surely drive the ambitious to risk their lives for it.

No one would be forced; they would be clearly informed of both the dangers and benefits of pioneering. The rest would depend on the knights’ own volition.

Li Weiliam nodded and said, “That’s also feasible. Iron Hoof Island lacks everything but knights. With the downfall of the Bull Family, many knights have been forced to dismount and farm.”

“Right, Father, although I will focus on developing the deserted islands of the Flame Islands for the next few years and am in no rush to establish a nation, the Court’s structure for the Flame Kingdom should still be determined sooner rather than later. I wonder if there is anything Father can teach me?” Liszt asked.

The political system under the knight system is vastly different from the national systems on Earth.

Firstly, as a feudal society, landlords are the supreme rulers of their own domains, dealing with all matters within their boundaries except for paying taxes to their superiors. Even the real Royal Court mainly manages the King’s own domain and coordinates the subordinate landlords.

Before conferring the title of Marquis of Bull Tail, Liszt held the position of Court Equerry.

This position may seem like that of a servant, but in reality, the noble roles within the Court are mostly honorary positions—Steward of the Pantry, Minister of the Inner Court, Cupbearer, Equerry… There are no roles like Minister of Finance or Minister of Military Affairs.

The main administrative roles within the King’s domain are held by minor Nobles who act as vassals, with cities and towns having their own counselors and Administrative Officers for management.

Wars are entrusted to the Knight Order—except for specially trained elite knights, most knights are self-sufficient and require no concern from the Landlord.

The Knight Commander is usually chosen from among the Nobles, responsible for organizing the Kingdom’s disordered knights. Marquis Merlin, before he retired, had served as the captain of the Court Fleet, equivalent to the position of a land-based Knight Commander. The large Knight Orders in each Pioneer Mandate are typically led by a Marquis.

Liszt, who participated in the previous two Pioneer Mandates as well as the Battle of Iron Hoof Island, fought under the name of Coral Island Knights but was still under the command of the larger Knight Order that directed the battle.

After some contemplation, Li Weiliam quickly replied, “Simply copy the system of the Steel Ridge Kingdom.”