The Mighty Dragons Are Dead

Chapter 796: Chapter 0793 – Follower’s Team (First Update)
 

After the war came the tallying of profits and the assimilation of wartime gains. Tens of thousands of shipbuilders and their families, along with over a thousand knights and their families, were arranged to wait in Iron Hoof City.

Only after careful screening were these shipbuilders and knights relocated to Black Horse Island.

Liszt wasn’t overly troubled by these tasks; he only needed to show up and receive the allegiance of the filtered knights.

The construction in the Flame Territory was thriving, and the search for overseas islands was conducted with utmost diligence.

May swiftly passed by a ten-day, and among the captured knights, two more swore their loyalty to Liszt, one of whom was Jian Sheng Bo Jue (Sword Saint Earl).

“Durt, do you truly intend to give up your earldom and titles in the Eagle Kingdom, and follow me?” Liszt asked the Sword Saint Earl—Durt Red Apricot—with surprise. Someone who had become an earl in the Eagle Kingdom could not possibly be without a foundation.

This willingness to abandon an earldom’s lands required a courage not to be underestimated.

Since making his decision, Durt had been very calm, “Your Highness, indeed I have an earldom, and my family is very prosperous. However, my land is by the sea, originally awaiting success from Prince Alonso’s plans to earn distinction at sea. But now the Eagle Kingdom’s sea plans have failed, and my progress has been blocked.”

Liszt could not deny this.

Durt continued, “But Your Highness plans to establish a new country, where opportunities to earn distinction are everywhere. Moreover, with the strength of Your Highness and Her Excellency Archmage Acherloides, dominating the Sea of Azure Waves is just within reach… My defeat and capture may well be the guidance of a knight’s glory!”

Even in defeat and capture, he spoke of a knight’s glory.

Liszt wanted to laugh internally but didn’t actually do so; “Since you have made your decision, you may now pledge your loyalty to me… However, the ransom must still be paid, but I will reserve your earl title. You can form your own Knight Order and fight alongside me, claiming a place in the new country.”

“Thank you, Your Highness. Durt Red Apricot is willing to ride at your command!”

…

Originally, Liszt did not intend to retain the titles of noble landlords who surrendered to him. However, upon further thought, a new country once established would have countless deserted islands awaiting development.

Instead of exhausting himself over this, it was better to hand these troubles off to these devoted followers. By preserving their titles, he could encourage them to zealously plunder from the mainland for the development of the islands. In this way, he could focus solely on developing a few large islands.

The nobles who surrendered to him, for their own interests, would obviously have no more entanglements with the Eagle Kingdom.

Just like the nobles of the Duchy of Sapphire, they were still willing to stay and develop in Sapphire despite not being wealthy because poverty could be remedied by plundering. Especially the thrill of being able to plunder others without being plundered was addictively irresistible.

After several Pioneer Mandates and tasting the sweetness of success, Liszt now had one thing on his mind: plunder!

If the Eagle Kingdom dared to engage in a dragon-slaying battle, he was determined to plunder the Eagle Kingdom to the fullest, cleaving off several significant chunks of fat.

Thus, he publicized the news of Durt Red Apricot’s surrender, causing three out of the remaining five hesitant Sky Knights to decide to surrender after some deliberation. Only two Sky Knights remained unwilling to surrender, preferring to pay a ransom and return to the Eagle Kingdom.

“`

By now, their families should have delivered the ransom.

Liszt’s mood was greatly uplifted after recruiting nine Sky Knight followers, and he generously granted titles in his territory—rewarding the elder followers with lands.

Yevich, the captain of the Adventure Fleet, was promoted from commoner to Viscount, effectively restoring him to his former official status, though his fief was yet to be decided. Liszt also promised that once he found a suitable archipelago for nation-building, Yevich would be directly promoted to Earl.

Garcia, the leader of the Iron Hoof City Knights, was promoted from commoner to Viscount, effectively restoring him to his former official status, but his fief was yet to be decided; Fox, the leader of the Black Horse Island Knights, was also promoted from commoner to Viscount, restored to his former official status, with his fief yet to be decided. These two former followers of Alonso Immortal Arrival had completely integrated into the Flame Territory.

Marcus, the advisor of Giant Algae City and leader of the Giant Algae Knights, was promoted from Honored Knight to Baron, but his fief was yet to be decided; Goltai, the advisor of Iron Hoof City, was promoted from Honored Knight to Baron, but his fief was yet to be decided; Charles, the chief of Black Horse Island’s security, was promoted from Honored Knight to Baron, but his fief was yet to be decided.

In addition, Griffin Haystack and seven other former Honored Knights were all promoted to Baron, with their fiefs yet to be decided.

Furthermore, Paris, the captain of Black Horse Island’s patrol, Administrative Officer Blair of Iron Hoof City, Administrative Officer Isaiah of Giant Algae City, Diplomat Zambrotta of Black Horse Island, Marine Affairs Officer Kostor of Black Horse Island, and Iron Knight Alvin Eagle Sword, along with several other principal officials of the territory and mainstays of the Knight Order, were all directly promoted to Baron by Liszt.

A large number of mid-level officials and Earth Knights were also granted the title of Honored Knight, completing their transformation from commoners to nobles.

Although the promotions and ennoblements of many did not meet the requirements for military achievements, Liszt didn’t care at all; these were all empty promises anyway. It was only when a suitable archipelago for nation-building was found that these promises would be fulfilled. If it wasn’t found, they would hang onto a courtesy title for life.

Should they actually find it, like the surrendered Sky Knights, they could pick any deserted island at will.

Regardless of what the future might hold.

For now, the entire Flame Territory was abuzz, with knights and officials who had been promoted and ennobled feeling greatly inspired, praising Liszt’s greatness. Officials were full of enthusiasm, knights pledged their loyalty, and the previously unsettled foundations of the rapidly expanding Flame Territory quickly solidified.

Everyone could feel the benefits of following the Dragon Knight—without even founding a nation yet, simply by going out on a raid, glory was spread.

In the future, when the nation is founded, how much more glory will there be to bestow!

Especially, the nine newly pledged Sky Knights, who had brushed off their resentment from captivity, began to eagerly anticipate Liszt’s nation-building endeavors.

As a result,

Liszt Flame, the Marquis of Flames, now had two Earl followers, Anvil City Earl Nickel Bellows (Iron Knight) and Durt Red Apricot; eleven Viscount followers, along with more than thirty Barons and hundreds of Honored Knights. He swiftly constructed a simple hierarchy of Marquis followers, which would also serve as the foundational team for future nation-building.

Along with the team of followers from the Marquis of Bull Tail, the basic framework for nation-building was essentially completed.

In high spirits, Liszt gathered most of his followers at his Thorn Castle and feasted for several days. In such a lavish noble atmosphere, Ach gradually completed her ice elemental incarnation, and thanks to her care, the joyous Nami finally began to languish.

Languishing indicated that she was evolving.

“Mission completed, reward: one Mangrove Greater Elf.”

“`