The Mighty Dragons Are Dead-Chapter 985 - 0982 Madam Please Restrain Your Grief
Chapter 985: Chapter 0982: Madam, Please Restrain Your Grief
Chapter 985: Chapter 0982: Madam, Please Restrain Your Grief
Grand Duke Andrew Sapphire, the fifth-generation grand duke of the Duchy of Sapphire and a Sapphire Dragon Knight, had left this world in January, during the winter of the year 156 according to the Sapphire Calendar.
Having ruled for nearly thirty years, although he didn’t have many legendary tales to his name, he was nevertheless a capable and enlightened ruler.
In the last five years of his life, too many events had occurred—the Marquis of Bull Tail’s rebellion, the heavy damage inflicted upon the Sapphire Dragon; the invasion by the Eagle Kingdom, leading to the draconic slaughter at sea where he almost met a tragic end; and the eruption of the Dragon War between the Eagle Kingdom and the Flame Kingdom, forcing the Sapphire Family to change leadership…
Despite these tumultuous five years, Grand Duke Andrew had endeavored to maintain the Sapphire Family’s position within the prestigious Dragon Rearing Families.
“A formidable ruler has finally departed,” sighed Marquis Li Weiliam Tulip upon receiving the news.
The bond formed over nearly two decades of loyalty was not something easily forgotten. Hearing of Grand Duke Andrew’s demise brought a flood of emotions to him. In his youth, his father had died in a battle during a Pioneer Mandate, and he had subsequently inherited the title and followed Grand Duke Andrew, annually driving his chariot to the Azure Sky Peak Palace.
Although with the rise of his second son, Liszt, the Tulip Family had broken away from followers of the Sapphire Family and moved to develop in the Flame Islands,
he and Grand Duke Andrew had still maintained a close relationship.
Unlike his current heavy heart, Liszt spoke lightly, “Father, hand over the affairs to Dimaria, and let’s go together to mourn Grand Duke Andrew.”
Although Liszt had once shared joyful moments with Grand Duke Andrew, he had never felt the bond of a follower and naturally did not grieve his death. Moreover, he had withheld a strand of the Dragon Soul of Sapphire with the intent to wear down Grand Duke Andrew, aiming for perfect control over the Duchy of Sapphire.
Compared to Grand Duke Andrew, Crown Prince Anthony’s talents were not outstanding, and he could not escape his control.
“Are you going to take the Dragon Soul with you?” Marquis Li Weiliam suddenly asked.
“Why do you ask that, Father?”
“With Grand Duke Andrew deceased, the Sapphire Family will no longer possess sufficient means to navigate between the Flame Kingdom and the Steel Ridge Kingdom. I think there’s no need to let Anthony continue to endure the torment of soul splitting.”
Liszt intended to avoid wearing Anthony down as well, so he immediately nodded, “I’ll bring the Dragon Soul and ensure the Sapphire is fully healed. However, Father, you might talk more with Anthony, have him willingly step down to a duke, and ensure he cooperates earnestly with the military actions of the Flame Kingdom.”
“Are you still going to issue a Pioneer Mandate under the name of the Duchy of Sapphire?”
“Yes, as you know, agriculture takes too long. War is a quicker way to plunder. Moreover, with the deep-seated hatred between the Flame Kingdom and the Eagle Kingdom, I do not want to give the Eagle Kingdom a chance to recover.”
“By exerting such pressure on the Eagle Kingdom, I’m concerned it might provoke a desperate counterstrike from them, risking an all-out war with us.”
“Have you ever heard the story of boiling the frog in warm water, Father? I launch a Pioneer Mandate each year, yet never let the Eagle Kingdom suffer a crippling blow all at once. As long as I keep balancing it properly, the ups and downs will eventually cause the Eagle Kingdom to be slowly stripped of all its flesh,” Liszt said with a smile.
The Eagle Royal Family wanted to pretend weakness in the face of their enemies, sparking a unified hatred among the three great kingdoms.
It perfectly matched his strategy of boiling a frog in warm water; as long as the opposition did not resist, he would continue cutting their flesh, perhaps by the time the three great kingdoms realized what was happening, the Flame Kingdom would have already grandly transformed—maybe even the Flame Family would achieve an unshakeable top-ranking status among the three great kingdoms.
After all, Liszt was now maintaining a pace of two to three dragons a year in dragon riding—neither the Dragon Elf nor the Greater Elf could keep up with the growth rate of the dragons.
Li Weiliam looked at his spirited second son and could only lament in his heart that he was “falling behind,” his thoughts had not been so radical for a long time, “If we are to fully confront the Eagle Kingdom, should we prioritize fostering relations with the Yellowstone Kingdom, and avoid offending the royal family at all costs?”
“Father, I have no plans to engage with the Yellowstone Kingdom at the moment; I just want to remotely control the Snowstorm Mountain Duchy as a foothold on the Legendary Continent… The Grey Iron Duchy is too far away to rely on; the Duchy of Sapphire is isolated overseas and likewise can’t serve as a proxy; the best option is the Snowstorm Mountain Duchy.”
Li Weiliam said no more.
Although he was a father, the power of decision-making was entirely in Liszt’s own hands, and he did not believe his vision could surpass that of a Dragon Knight.
After chatting casually, the father and son walked out of the study and immediately saw Lady Penelope approaching.
“Mother.”
“Grandmother.”
“Li Weiliam, Liszt, is it true that Grand Duke Andrew has died?” Lady Penelope asked anxiously.
“Yes, Mother.”
“Alas.” Upon confirmation, Lady Penelope sighed deeply, “How could Grand Duke Andrew die so young, he was the pillar of the Duchy of Sapphire, and here I am, an old woman, still not yet buried, while he, a leader of a nation and a mighty Dragon Knight, has already entered the grave.”
Li Weiliam offered comfort, “After all, birth, aging, sickness, and death are inevitable, even Dragon Knights cannot reverse them.”
“When you and Liszt go to offer condolences, don’t forget to comfort Lady Sarette for me; although life is hard alone, she still has the First Prince and the Second Prince to look after her… Many years ago, I entered the palace to accompany Lady Sarette, she was such a beautiful woman then, and in the blink of an eye, we are all nearly half in the grave.”
Old age brings a fondness for reminiscing and reflecting; the death of Grand Duke Andrew had a profound impact on Lady Penelope, and she went on at length.
However, for many others, the death of Grand Duke Andrew did not stir much distress.
In the Flame Kingdom, except for a few knights who would mention the Duke during drinks at the tavern, most nobles remained indifferent—they were mostly knights who had sought refuge from the Eagle Kingdom, feeling only disdain and no affection for the Duke of Sapphire; the common folk were similarly indifferent, many might not recognize the Duke beyond their own landlord.
As for the Moon Slayers, they had only found out that there were humans outside their forests a few years ago.
In essence, the news of Grand Duke Andrew Sapphire’s passing did not stir much in the Flame Kingdom; the nation’s construction continued robustly and without pause.
In such circumstances, Liszt brought Ach back from the Overmarine Laboratory. He gathered the ‘Dragon Soul’ of the Sapphire Dragon, united with his father Li Weiliam, rode the Formless Dragon Bard, the Grey Iron Dragon Ornn, and accompanied by the Fire Dragon Leo and Bone Dragon Vinnie, they headed directly to the Azure Sky Peak Palace.
Upon receiving the news, all members of the Sapphire Family, led by Lady Sarette, solemnly welcomed Liszt’s entourage of mourners.
“Thank you for coming, Your Highness Liszt; it’s unfortunate that Andrew can no longer personally receive Your Highness,” Lady Sarette bowed deeply, followed by the First Prince and Second Prince—without ceremonial confirmation from the sovereign state, the Steel Ridge Kingdom, the First Prince was yet unable to inherit the dukedom of Sapphire.
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Liszt helped Lady Sarette up and said solemnly, “My lady, please take comfort…”
