The Mighty Dragons Are Dead

Having followers with powerful strength is indeed gratifying, but Liszt values the character of his followers even more.

Yevich, who has repeatedly turned against landlords and now is willing to serve the invaders for a bit of ransom, certainly has a very low character.

On Earth, he would be akin to the turncoat Lü Bu—of course, Lü Bu was the unparalleled warrior of his era, while Yevich is not even particularly strong among Sword Saints, so the difference in strength between them in their respective eras is immense. At most, Yevich has only turned against landlords, not committed patricide for glory.

It is not uncommon for landlords and followers to fall out due to personal disputes.

If it's just about character, accepting his allegiance is not a big deal. Even the most despicable person, once under his command, would have to obediently accept the allocation, or else Liszt's Sky-Cleaving Greatsword would show no mercy. Be it dragon or snake, they must coil within his territory.

What he worried about was the resource issue. Once Yevich followed him, he would undoubtedly rely on Liszt for the consumption of magic potions before any fief allocation.

Even if all the elves were given to Liszt, that output would not satisfy a Sword Saint's need for magic potions.

As a potential Dragon Knight who has wasted many years and only reached the level of a Sword Saint, it seems that he has never truly enjoyed the thrill of consuming potions to the fullest.

"Although I can already afford the potion consumption for both myself and Little Fire Dragon Leo, supporting another Sword Saint would stretch my domain's resources thin, which doesn't seem proper!"

That was one of his concerns.

The second reason for concern was being too high-profile—defeating a Sword Saint with such strength was already conspicuous enough to potentially alert the Sapphire Duke and arouse suspicion.

To then take another Sword Saint as a follower would be like actively reminding him that "there must be something fishy going on."

"However, why do I feel a vague sense of excitement, as if I want to provoke the situation? Could it be because I have previously speculated that the Duke is not a Dragon Knight but just a Dragon Domain Landlord, and therefore do not take him seriously?" He looked at Yevich Water Peanut kneeling before him, but his thoughts drifted far away.

The Duke did not participate in this year's Pioneer Mandate.

As long as the Dragon Knights of the Eagle Kingdom were restrained by those of the Steel Ridge Kingdom, there was no need for the Sapphire Dragon to appear.

As the existence that suppressed the fortunes of their countries, dragons do not easily take the field unless it is a critical moment—any injury would waste substantial resources. For instance, during the past Dragon Slayer battle, the Sapphire Dragon's blood spilled across the sky, leaving behind Blue Blood Mountain, allowing the Eagle Kingdom to mine sapphire ores for over a hundred years.

Such losses are unbearable for any country.

Last year's Pioneer Mandate saw the Duke's participation probably as a way to show that the Sapphire Dragon was unharmed. Therefore, there was no need for him to participate this year; it was more important to stay within the country and protect the nation.

"The one who rides on a dragon's back is a Dragon Knight, the one who stands on a dragon's back is a Dragon Domain Landlord... Perhaps the Duke really is just a Dragon Domain Landlord. That's right, I can ask Yevich—he was once a potential Dragon Knight and participated in the Dragon Knight project. He should know the secret of that flat spot on the dragon's back!"

And so,

he began to ask, "I have a few doubts that I need you to clarify for me."

"Please go ahead and ask, my lord!" Yevich had already cast himself in the role of a follower.

"You were once a potential Dragon Knight and became a Sky Knight at the age of sixteen. During the subsequent period, did you have any contact with a real dragon?"

"I have had contact for a while, or to be more precise, I have interacted with three different dragons for a period of time each—the White Maw Iron Dragon, the Brass Dragon, and the Light Green Gemstone Dragon."

"How many dragons are there within the Eagle Kingdom?"

"The Kingdom breeds nine dragons, and there are six identified evil dragons in dangerous lands. The vassal states breed five dragons, so in total, there are twenty dragons."

"How about Dragon Knights?"

"The Kingdom has six Dragon Knights, and the vassal states have two."

"What's the difference between a Dragon Knight and a Dragon Domain LandLord?" Liszt gradually moved towards the real question he wanted to ask. The previous questions about the number of dragons and Dragon Knights were just common knowledge.

Yevich frowned slightly, "I don't know much about the Dragon Domain Landlord, and I only have superficial knowledge about Dragon Knights, so my lord, I can't really say what the differences are."

"Then, does a Dragon Knight have to make a pact with a dragon?"

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"That's not merely a contract, but a fusion, where a Dragon Knight fuses deeply with a dragon, unleashing unimaginable formidable power,"

"How does one fuse?"

"By gaining the recognition of the dragon..." Yevich's tone was somewhat muted. "Dragons are intelligent and proud creatures, their wisdom undifferentiated from that of an adult. The Kingdom expends substantial resources to nurture these dragons, and in return, they contribute minerals and assist in combat. However, only those knights who have been recognized can mount them!"

"Is there a difference between standing on their back and riding on their back?"

"There is."

Yevich gave an affirming response, "There is a spot on a dragon's back called the 'Dragon Tooth Platform,' which is directly connected to the dragon's teeth. As the soul of the dragon resides within its teeth, when a knight mounts the Dragon Tooth Platform, they can engage in deep communication with the dragon's soul and achieve fusion."

Upon hearing such an explanation, Liszt suddenly understood.

It was indeed true that the Sapphire Duke had never successfully ridden the dragon; he stood rather than sat on the Dragon Tooth Platform. It could be surmised that the Duke had struck an agreement with the Sapphire Dragon, becoming a Dragon Domain Landlord and likewise harnessing the dragon's power. Nevertheless, it was clear he hadn't earned the dragon's recognition and couldn't fuse.

A Dragon Domain Landlord might have an extended lifespan, but his strength certainly paled in comparison to a Dragon Knight's.

Liszt grasped this, feeling much lighter in spirit. Given time, surpassing the Sapphire Duke was just a matter of when, not if. When he stood before the Duke as a Dragon Knight, the Sapphire Family would probably realize who the true master of the sea was.

He took a deep breath, calming his fluctuating emotions, and continued to inquire, "Do you know how to earn the dragon's recognition and then fuse with it?"

"I apologize, my lord, I am but a Sword Saint. My modest abilities are insufficient to impress a dragon, let alone earn its recognition... Since then I've neglected my training for a period and have been expelled from the Dragon Knight program, thus forever losing the chance to see any dragons... However, I was once mentored by His Highness Alex White Iron, the Dragon Knight."

"The Royal Family's Dragon Knight?"

"Yes."

The Royal Family of the Eagle Kingdom had two surnames, one being "Moonlight Silver," derived from a Silver Dragon, and the other being "White Maw Iron," derived from a White Maw Iron dragon. The Moonlight Silver lineage had traditionally assumed the role of King, though Dragon Knights were seldom born into it anymore. However, the White Maw Iron lineage brought forth a Dragon Knight every other generation.

Alex White Iron was the Dragon Knight of his generation, holding a princely title parallel in stature to a grand duke, nearly forty years old, and famed far and wide.

Even from as far as the Duchy of Sapphire, Liszt had heard of his deeds, as he also held the title of a hero—the Dragon Slayer—for having slain what was said to be an Ice Dragon turned Evil Dragon.

He squinted his eyes.

Liszt suddenly asked, "Yevich, compared to Dragon Knight Alex White Iron, how do you think my power measures up against his?"

"Well..."

"Speak frankly, I wish to gauge the full measure of the gap between myself and a Dragon Knight."
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"My lord, truthfully, I do not know. I've never seen His Highness Alex in true action. And since I cannot withstand even a single strike from you, there's no way for me to compare... However, I find even just breathing difficult in His Highness Alex's presence, an oppressiveness stronger than I've experienced around you."

"That must be Dragon Might, right?"

"It should be."

Liszt had so far only been training with Little Fire Dragon Leo and hadn't been recognized as a Dragon Knight, therefore he did not possess Dragon Might.

Liszt had felt the Dragon Might of real Dragon Knights or Dragon Domain Landlords in the presence of the Sapphire Duke, and indeed it made breathing difficult. The Formless Dragon had also exuded Dragon Might before, creating the suffocating illusion—Even the newly born Leo had a faint presence of Dragon Might.

Although Dragon Might does not possess a direct offensive power, it can certainly disrupt an opponent's actions.

Considering the dragon's synergy, one can imagine just how powerful a Dragon Knight's combat prowess is.

With a soft sigh, Liszt couldn't help expressing his sentiment, "It seems the distance between me and a Dragon Knight is still very great."

Yevich immediately perked up, "Dragon Knights represent the pinnacle of the world's strength, they are rarely seen, and are not easily deployed. But your strength, my lord, comes right after that of Dragon Knights and is powerful enough to sway the outcome of a battle. I have only felt such strength in the Marquis of Boulder."

"The Marquis of Boulder?"

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