The Mighty Dragons Are Dead

Chapter 705: Chapter 0702: Benefits of the Fisherman (Second Update)
 

“As expected, it just as I predicted.”

When the Ashen Hawk Knight who delivered the message had left, the Marquis’s face darkened as he looked up at the gloomy sky through the window at a 45-degree angle. It was now December, and the days until the winter snow were drawing near, with temperatures dropping day by day.

He stood with his hands clasped behind his back.

He was not shaken by the news; on the contrary, there was even a hint of satisfaction within him as he reclaimed the dignity of his forebears—the cunning of age outmatched the inexperience of youth. Li Si Te hadn’t foreseen the outcome, but he had predicted it accurately. This was experience, this was the way of life, this was why he was able to establish the Tulip Family.

The Marquis turned his head, looking at Liszt with eyes that seemed to sparkle with the confidence of “your dad will always be your dad”: “The Eagle Kingdom’s ambition for Sapphire has been longstanding, and it’s finally reached the point of eruption. The only question is whether the invaders who followed the fleet were led by Alonso.”

“Alonso is a certainty,” Liszt did not meet the Marquis’s gaze, nor did he show any look of admiration, “From the moment Marquis of Bull defected, he was involved in this plan. Without a doubt, he will be the leader of this war… What does the Grand Duke plan to do?”

To see a part and understand the whole.

When the Eagle Kingdom’s fleet began to reveal their whereabouts, many clues merged together in Liszt’s mind, forming a picture that was much clearer than what Li Weiliam could see.

…

Many years ago, the Royal Family of the Eagle Kingdom, harassed by Sapphire, decided to resolve this barbaric little country overseas once and for all.

But Sapphire’s geographical location is unique, with layered seas acting as a barrier, making it impossible to conquer.

As for the dragon slaying battle, the initial battle before the founding of Sapphire failed and it was just as unlikely to succeed afterward. Especially at sea, and with the protection of the Steel Ridge Kingdom, the Dragon Knights of the Eagle Kingdom wouldn’t dare to act recklessly—Dragon Knights don’t guarantee victory over Dragons.

Therefore.

The Eagle Kingdom got in touch with the Bull Family and even earlier with the Magic Goat Family, who were also being maneuvered by the Eagle Kingdom in the background. In any case, the Bull Family was enticed by the Lich plan. By the time of Marquis Bull, it’s very likely he was already heavily involved with the Eagle Kingdom, preparing for dragon slaying and transformation into a Lich, while also aiding the Eagle Kingdom in shipbuilding.

Alonso was the executor of this plan.

Only, the dragon slaying did not go smoothly, the Sapphire Dragon didn’t perish, and the Grand Duke made a stylish entrance by capturing Marquis Bull, so Alonso did not dare to make a move.

He sent Vampires to Iron Hoof Island to find the missing Goat Assembly’s Grand Magician, to ascertain the Grand Duke’s situation.

Until today.

It was probably because he knew about the Grand Duke’s situation, or maybe because their Knight Order was strong enough to conquer Sapphire, or perhaps Dragon Knights of Steel Ridge were preoccupied with something else. In any case, Alonso began the invasion of Sapphire, and the problem brought by Liszt was just a minor nuisance.

Garcia and Fox, as captives, needn’t pay ransom. If they conquer Sapphire, there will be no more captive issues.

As for the Black Knight Family, it might be because Alonso expressed appreciation for Liszt, which led Chieftain Rommel to abandon his desire for revenge, wanting to befriend Liszt instead.

And so.

The Smoke Mission issued had tasks of lurking crises and choosing allegiances.

…

“What do you think?” The Marquis was a bit displeased, not seeing the look of admiration in Liszt’s eyes, but rather a nonchalant demeanor as if he were the one who had guessed the Eagle Kingdom’s attack strategies.

Liszt indeed thought this way.

He disregarded the Marquis’s previous conjectures outright, summing up all the clues to form a clear picture, everything under control: “What I think is not important, what matters is how the Grand Duke is going to respond… How does Marquis Nesta expect us to gather the Knight Order to defend Iron Hoof Island, I think we can play along.”

“Not take a more proactive stance?”

“How to take the initiative?”

The Marquis said, “Sooner or later you will need to establish a nation, but a grand duchy lacks the support of a kingdom and will find it difficult to develop stability. Should a more dangerous Dragon Slaying War arise, the situation would be unpredictable. As a Dragon Knight, and Ach being an Archmage, you could choose to seek refuge with the Eagle Kingdom, or with the Steel Ridge Kingdom.”

“What about the Grand Duke?”

“Ah,” the Marquis sighed, “I served the Grand Princess, and the Grand Duke has not mistreated me, but the crisis of the Sapphire is not mine to decide. As a Marquis, I hope to fulfill the duties of a follower for the Sapphire Family as much as possible, but as of today, ordinary knights are no longer able to determine the outcome of wars.”

The Marquis could not determine the outcome of wars.

Once the Knight Order of the Eagle Kingdom swarmed into the Sapphire, then the Knight Order of the Sapphire would lose its advantage at sea. Moreover, the Marquis was well aware of why he was able to be promoted to Marquis—it was because of his son’s strong performance.

But Liszt could.

He gradually understood what choice meant: “Honestly, Father, I do not like to rely on others, whether it’s the Eagle Kingdom or the Steel Ridge Kingdom, neither is worth my allegiance! If I were to establish a nation, I even want to name it a kingdom right from the start and become the King myself.”

The Marquis looked at Liszt in silence: “Liszt, a kingdom needs to have at least two dragons.”

Liszt’s expression was unreadable: “I know.”

Seeing this, the Marquis did not dwell on whether it should be a kingdom or a grand duchy, but said, “By your words, you would be willing to help the Grand Duke at a crucial moment?”

“I am not one who likes change. I quite like the current position of the Duchy of Sapphire; it is suitable for me to lie low and develop slowly… However, it still depends on how the war progresses. Perhaps if the Grand Duke and Alonso inflicting mutual harm on one another, that would be the best opportunity for my entrance,”

The Smoke Mission provided a stance to choose, but did not specify whether to aid the Grand Duke of Sapphire or to side with the Eagle Kingdom. Consequently, Liszt had a third option—when the fisherman benefits from the fight between the snipe and the clam, he could take Sapphire for his own while the Grand Duke and Alonso are both weakened.

To extract the maximum benefit.

“Do not be too confident, you are still young, you can afford to work steadily and securely.”

“I understand, Father. The Eagle Kingdom is invading, and soon Iron Hoof Island will become the battleground. Be careful here; I will return to my domain with Ach to organize the Knight Order and head to Bull Tail Domain for support. Then we’ll see how the situation develops and how the Grand Duke responds.”

…

There was no delay.

Liszt immediately had Ach transport him back, made brief preparations, and notified the Tulip Family, organizing the Coral Island Knights and the Black Horse Island Knights Order to be ready to march.

Then, along with Ach, he returned to the Bull Tail Domain to wait for the war’s arrival.

And they waited three days.

When the First Prince leading the large troop of the Blueblood Knight Order arrived at Bull Hoof City, the fast sailing ships scattered at sea belonging to the Sapphire finally spotted the fleet of the Eagle Kingdom.@@novelbin@@

A sight too massive to quantify, at least thousands of double-masted sailing ships, along with a few scattered triple-masted sailing ships.

When the news reached Bull Hoof City.

The First Prince immediately convened a meeting. More than thirty nobles, including Marquises and Earls, stood ready for battle, waiting for the First Prince’s further instructions.

The First Prince, with a grave expression, surveyed the audience and slowly began, “My father, the Grand Duke of Sapphire, is already en route on the back of the Sapphire Dragon. This is a major crisis concerning the safety of Sapphire’s territories, but do not panic, gentlemen. The sea is Sapphire’s turf; the invaders of the Eagle Kingdom are destined to meet their end in the azure seawater!”

“Your Highness, what should we do?”

“We shall mount an offensive and engage in naval battle, intercepting the Eagle Kingdom’s fleet at sea, ensuring they cannot set foot on any Sapphire island!”