Chapter 721: Chapter 0718: Friendly Exchange (Second Update)

The Sapphire Dragon originally lived within the primeval Wild Forest and had done so for nearly three hundred years until it met Anderson Sapphire, the ancestor of the current Grand Duke.

Anderson was a very charming knight. As a Marquis of the Blast Furnace Fortress Kingdom, he owned vast lands, including the habitat of the Sapphire Dragon. In order to ride the dragon, Anderson continuously used various resources to please the Sapphire Dragon and ultimately hit its G-spot.

He gained the opportunity for a mind battle.

In the mind battle, he succeeded at once and gained the Sapphire Dragon’s recognition, becoming a Dragon Knight.

When he applied to the Blast Furnace Fortress Kingdom to establish a duchy within his territory, he was rejected by the royal family at the time and had to search for new territory. Thus, he chose an uninhabited wasteland claimed by the Eagle Kingdom for his nation building. He had thought the Eagle Kingdom wouldn’t turn hostile over a piece of wasteland.

But a dragon slaying war really broke out.

With no other choice, Anderson fled on the Sapphire Dragon for thousands of miles, until at Blue Blood Mountain, he was caught up with and fought a deadly battle with a White Maw Iron Dragon, his blood spilling onto the earth and turning it into Blue Blood Mountain.

Afterward, the grievously injured Sapphire Dragon crossed the sea, established a country on an overseas archipelago, and pledged loyalty to the Steel Ridge Kingdom, becoming a vassal that paid tribute annually.

“To overcome the spirit of the Sapphire Dragon, one needs an immense force within the mind. This force, strong enough to move the Sapphire Dragon’s soul, will earn its recognition. Unfortunately, over the past hundred years, no one in the family has been able to stir the Sapphire Dragon’s soul, and neither can I.”

The Sapphire Duke said, “When the Marquis of Bull collaborated with the Goat Assembly in a dragon-slaying conspiracy, the soul of the Sapphire Dragon was wounded. Only then was I able to stir its soul and obtain its recognition… But this opportunistic approach didn’t earn me the Sapphire Dragon’s complete approval. I was more like entering into a dragon riding partnership with it.”

“Would you mind sharing the details of the agreement?”

“It’s quite simple, really. It knew its life hung by a thread, and I knew the Sapphire was in dire straits, so we were in agreement. When I lift the ‘Wailing Dragonbone Sword’ made from its forelimb, I can temporarily merge minds, becoming a true Dragon Knight. However, I’m still unable to ride it under normal circumstances.”

Liszt couldn’t help but marvel, “There’s such a manoeuvre?”@@novelbin@@

“If the Sapphire Dragon’s soul hadn’t been injured, there would be no chance for such opportunism. The heart of a dragon is more solid than any metal; unless recognized, there is absolutely no room for compromise,” the Duke said with a faint smile, but there seemed to be a hint of bitterness in that smile.

Liszt could somewhat sense that the Duke wasn’t revealing the full truth—the cost of riding the Sapphire Dragon was likely far more serious than the lightly touched upon description.

The permanent scarring on the Sapphire Dragon’s exterior was evidence of that.

However, he didn’t probe further. Since he decided not to overthrow the rule of the Sapphire Family but to search for land overseas to build his own nation, there was no need to worry about the Sapphire problem—if the Sapphire Dragon died or something else happened, there would be time to claim the land later.

“I’ve basically understood the situation with the mind battle. Now, I need the “Dragon Knight’s Dou Qi Secret Manual”.”

“I knew you would need it. Give me one night, and I will transcribe it for you.”

“Isn’t it recorded in books?”

“From the beginning, there were no books. The “Dragon Knight Dou Qi Manual” created by our ancestor has been continuously passed down through the minds of his heirs. I hope you will also adopt this method of transmission. As a new member of the Dragon Rearing Family, all information about dragons must be kept strictly confidential.”

“I understand.”

Of course, secrecy was essential.

If the secret was known to the whole world, wouldn’t just anyone have the opportunity to try dragon riding? The secrets of dragons were only passed down within the Dragon Rearing Family to maximize the preservation of their lofty status—just as the Nobles kept the Dou Qi Secret Techniques within their family, the Dragon Rearing Family circulated the secrets of dragons among themselves.

“By the way, I noticed the Sapphire Dragon seems unable to transform into a Magic Form and enter the body of the Dragon Knight?”

“I am also curious about your Fire Dragon, how it can fuse into your body. Truthfully, if I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes, I would find it hard to believe such a thing is possible… You should avoid exposing this method, as it is part of the secret knowledge of dragons.”

It really was a bit reckless—mainly because the situation during the dragon slaying battle was so critical that Liszt directly released Leo from the ship, revealing the secret of Leo’s ability to change form.

So it was impossible to keep it a secret afterward.

Fortunately, the exposure of this secret posed no significant connection to dragon riding.

The Grand Duke was unaware of the reasons why Leo could switch between magic power and his fleshly form, and Liszt did not bring it up again—it might have been a mutation during Leo’s incubation or a unique survival method of the Elemental Dragons.

Liszt then asked the Grand Duke many questions about Dragon Knights.

Ach also inquired about some magic issues.

Information was always the most sought-after content by “newcomers” like Liszt and Ach; it was a pity that the Grand Duke could provide Liszt with the “Dragon Knight’s Dou Qi Secret Manual” but could not offer Ach much assistance with magic questions—Archmages had become a thing of legends, with their heritage long gone.

No matter what.

This cordial and friendly exchange left Liszt very satisfied. As he was about to leave, he shook hands warmly with the Grand Duke, “Grand Duke, speaking with you has illuminated many principles for me. The price of knowledge is far richer than material wealth; I thank you for your generous gift, which I will benefit from for a lifetime.”

“Not at all. We are all Dragon Knights who benefit from mutual exchange; in the future, it will be up to us to maintain the order of the seas and prevent encroachment by the continental Kingdoms.”

“That is certain.” Liszt had no reason not to agree to a defensive and offensive alliance; after all, both he and Ach had not yet fully developed their strengths.

Now he had not only killed a Dragon Knight of the Eagle Kingdom but was also prepared to capture the Light Green Gemstone Dragon.

It was inevitable that he would incur a blood feud with the Royal Family of the Eagle Kingdom. If the Royals acted rashly and assembled the remaining five Dragon Knights for an attack, it would be a huge problem. It was just the right time to form an alliance with the Sapphire Duke, to secure a period for development and to weather the difficulties of the founding phase.

As he was about to leave the room, he seemed to remember something, turned around, and said, “Grand Duke, I will arrange for my father to discuss the matter of resource assistance with you as soon as possible.”

“Sounds good,” the Grand Duke replied with a slightly stiff smile.

“And the “Dragon Knight’s Dou Qi Secret Manual”, can I see it tomorrow morning?”

“That should be possible.”

“Thank you for your generosity, Grand Duke.” Only then did Liszt leave, contentedly pulling Ach along with him.

…

A nameless castle near Bull Hoof City had been arranged for the Tulip Family to rest.

The night had already grown deep.

Li Weiliam, beaming with joy, had returned to the castle. Meanwhile, Liszt, who had left the Bull Hoof Fortress early, was now drinking with Marquis Nuta, a Domain Knight who, at the moment, was silently downing his drink with his head bowed.

As Li Weiliam approached.

He abruptly looked up with bloodshot, red eyes, and gazed intently at Li Weiliam—this Sword Saint, whom he had defeated with a single move, now the father of a Dragon Knight!

For a long time.

He numbly turned back around to face Liszt, who was admiring the stars, and all his words turned into a deep sigh, “Your Highness, Liszt, please rest assured, I will hand over the Dou Qi Domain Manual and the Dou Qi Secret Technique. I have a Greater Elf as well; I will deliver it all to you.”

He knew which way the wind was blowing.

Liszt had become a Dragon Knight whom one must address using “Your Highness,” and there was nothing the Domain Knight could do other than agree to pay a ransom for his freedom.

Liszt was not particularly concerned about these trophies of war.

He simply said calmly, “Write a letter. Once the Greater Elf arrives, you can safely return to the Eagle Kingdom and continue being Marquis Nuta.”