The Mighty Dragons Are Dead-Chapter 853 - 0850: Dominating Thorn Castle (Fourth Update, Alliance Hierarch Additional Update 1/144)
Chapter 853 -0850: Dominating Thorn Castle (Fourth Update, Alliance Hierarch Additional Update 1/144)
Due to the experiments with the Magic Gate, the magical materials in Flame Town were almost depleted, and replenishments were desperately needed from the Flame Territory.
After delegating tasks, Liszt and Ach headed back to Black Horse Island. Although Ach could switch to some forms of a Space Elemental Incarnation, he had not formally developed this ability. Therefore, riding the Formless Dragon still did not enable him to be enveloped by space magic power, preventing him from traversing the Great Whirlpool alongside Liszt.
Thus, they still opted to first ride the dragon to the coast, then switch to Ach’s shell.
Of course, first, they rode the Formless Dragon to the Endless Volcano Cluster to find Leo.
Next, they rode on Leo toward the sea—since, as a Dragon Knight without a dragon in attendance, one’s combat prowess would dramatically decline, making any encounter with danger quite troublesome.
Only when Leo transformed into a Magic Form and possessed him did he have ample confidence, fearing no ambush.
...
Indeed, after the Steel Ridge Kingdom and Blast Furnace Fortress Kingdom had ignited war, Liszt had been on guard for something—the Eagle Kingdom might be gathering strength in preparation for revenge.
With their decades of preparation for the Dragon Slaying Battle ruined by a newly emerged Dragon Knight, the Royal Family of the Eagle Kingdom was certainly unwilling to let it go.
Moreover, the disappearance of the Light Green Gemstone Dragon in the vast sea made Liszt a prime suspect—after Liszt intentionally released news of the Light Green Gemstone Dragon, it was no longer just a suspicion, but a fact.
“Should the Eagle Kingdom prepare for revenge, the scale of a Dragon Slaying Battle will certainly not be small. Currently, the Eagle Kingdom possesses eight dragons, five of which have knights; their five vassal states have another five dragons, with two dragon knights among them. Although it’s not possible for all dragons to leave the frontier, a desperate gambit might allow the deployment of four or five dragon knights.”
After the Sapphire Duke declined this year’s Pioneer Mandate War, Liszt had already deeply considered the possibility of retaliation from the Eagle Kingdom.
Regardless, he had become a thorn in the side of the Eagle Kingdom.
In the process of founding the Flame Kingdom, a Dragon Slaying Battle would inevitably erupt sooner or later, reestablishing dominion over these seas and the new order in this corner of the Legendary Continent.
“If I were the king of the Eagle Kingdom, I would definitely start by showing weakness to the neighboring countries to curry favor, then stabilize internal forces, and choose an appropriate moment to concentrate all available Dragon Knight strength for a spectacular Dragon Slaying Battle for a sweeping redemption!”
Of course, the location of the Flame Islands was a mystery. Whether fleets from the Tulip Family or the Pinecone Family, the pilots of Flame Territory were responsible for leading the way.
Others had no knowledge of the location of the Flame Islands.
If the Eagle Kingdom wished to launch a Dragon Slaying Battle, the ideal battlegrounds would still be the Sapphire Archipelago and the Sea of Azure Waves. That’s why there was danger for Liszt returning to Flame Territory, and it was essential to bring Leo—not just to show off that he had a dragon.
Leo provided brief responsiveness. With support from Ach by sea, it was enough to ensure his escape from any life-threatening situation.
If the Dragon Slaying Battle did not kill him, the remaining time would be his personal showtime. The Eagle Kingdom, unless wishing to destroy itself along with him, absolutely lacked the strength to withstand his retaliatory strike.
In any case,
The Dragon Slaying Battle might happen, or it might not.
But no matter where he went, he always needed at least one dragon by his side.
…
After quite a struggle,
It was already December when he returned to Black Horse Island, and in just over half a month, it would be the New Year’s festival. Liszt did not know whether this year he would have time to spend the festival with the Tulip Family’s relatives. Both he and the Marquis of Bull Tail were too busy to spare a moment.
He was developing the Flame Islands, and the Marquis of Bull Tail was also preoccupied with developing Tulip Island—the construction of the Bull Tail Domain had already been set aside.
When the Flame Dragon descended, enveloped by its fierce dragon might, the subjects of Black Horse Island already knew— their great Dragon Knight Lord had returned.
“Oh ho!”
Butler Carter, upon hearing the roar of the fire dragon, couldn’t bother with the crystal dinnerware he was wiping and excitedly stood up, shouting, “Everyone drop your tasks, tidy your clothes, male and female servants quickly assemble in the hall. Mrs. Morson, Mrs. Morson, please check the list of female servants, Tom, check the list of male servants!”
“Mr. Carter, is the master back?” Tom had been promoted to head of the male servants, this once water-carrying servant had already competently undertaken the role of Butler Carter’s assistant.
“Of course, sharpen up, Tom, the master doesn’t like servants looking listless.”
“Understood.”
Along the castle’s corridors, Mrs. Morson’s voice also grew louder, “Alright, girls, drop the burlap, tidy your clothes and all gather in the hall downstairs. Do not hesitate, quickly, quickly, you are the maids of Thorn Castle, serving the Prince Dragon Knight!”
“Coming, Mrs. Morson!”
“Are my clothes a bit wrinkled?”
“Is the master back? I’ve never met him before, I’m so nervous!”
While the old and new servants busied themselves assembling to greet the arrival of the master of Thorn Castle, outside in the castle’s square, Liszt and Ach dismounted from the dragon.
Amidst the knights’ respectful salutations, they approached the castle.
Leo flew straight to a pile of rocks beside Thorn Castle; Liszt had once promised to build it a hundred-meter-high stone platform, but later reconsidered as impractical. The weight of the stone platform made it difficult to stack up to a hundred meters, so he casually piled up stones produced by the Blizzard Beast Squad for Leo to use temporarily as a landing spot.
“Klack!”
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“Klack!”
“Klack!”
The Phoenix Perch Parasol Tree next to the pile of rocks housed Little Yellow, Little Red, Little Purple—three flame dragon birds nesting in the tree suddenly woke up, emitting joyful cries and flapping their wings toward Leo.
“Huh?”
The Phoenix Perch Parasol Tree Greater Elf Annie, idly daydreaming in the tree, also witnessed the long-absent fire dragon descend from the sky and land on the familiar pile of rocks.
“Shriek!”
She swiftly flew up, but without the arrogance to approach Leo closely.
She had seen how Leo had promptly flicked away Little Yellow, Little Red, Little Purple with his wings. This thrilling fire dragon, possessing a wildly unbridled and solitary nature, wouldn’t foster any warm feelings just from familiarity. Consequently, Annie thought it over and turned to fly toward Thorn Castle.
She understood well, only one person could suppress the wicked thoughts of Leo—Liszt.
By the time Annie reached the castle, neatly arranged male and female servants stood by the castle gate under the leadership of Mr. Carter and Mrs. Morson, bowing to welcome the master home. However, the originally orderly welcoming atmosphere was disrupted by several minor elves.
Thorn Greater Elf Jela, hands on her hips, had already landed on Liszt’s head, directing the surrounding fluttering minor elves with commands, “All of you, behave, back off, back off, whoa! I’m speaking to you, Coptis Minor Elf, consciously back off, quickly!”
“She’s really playing the tyrant.”
Annie slowly flew toward Liszt, not intimidated by the truculent Greater Elf, Jela.
All were Greater Elves, none significantly more powerful than the others. It was only because Pea Great Elf Ash was hopelessly addicted to ropework, Giant Algae Greater Elf was carefree deep under the sea, Mangrove Greater Elf Nami rarely stayed in the castle, and Annie herself spent all her days among flame dragon birds.
That left Jela to dominate Thorn Castle and become the bully feared by countless minor elves.
“Liszt, you’ve returned.” Annie flew over on her own, landing on Liszt’s shoulder, ignoring the glaring Jela above her.
