The Mighty Dragons Are Dead

The source of the Roaring River was unknown; it likely began in a perilous area thousands of kilometers away—the continent's vastness meant that territories untouched by humans far exceeded their active range. Particularly regions like high mountains and flowing streams, primeval forests, deserts, and large lakes were forbidden zones for human life and the exclusive domains of magical beasts.

The Earl followed Liszt's pointing finger.

Snow Pear Castle was situated at the mouth of the Roaring River, with Little Riverheart Castle upstream, and even further upstream was Great Riverheart Fortress. However, Liszt's finger moved past Great Riverheart Fortress, continuing to extend upstream.

It finally settled on a location even further upstream—Three Dragons City.

"The territory where Three Dragons City is located belongs to an Earl, a follower of Marquis Nuta. Defeating Marquis Nuta and subsequently uprooting Three Dragons City would make the Roaring River an internal waterway for the Tulip Fleet. This Golden Waterway is not only capable of swiftly transporting goods but also of rapidly moving the Knight Order."

"Are you planning to use the Roaring River to plunder resources from the surrounding territories?"

"It's not just about resources." Liszt smiled slightly, his finger now pointing further west of Three Dragons City, "Father, the name of Three Dragons City originates from a battle from the past. It's said that two Dragon Knights once chased an Evil Dragon through here, hence the name Three Dragons City."

The Earl was silent, listening intently.

Liszt recounted the information revealed by Yevich: "Three Dragons City is also where the Roaring River meets with its tributary, the Three Dragon River. If you follow the Three Dragon River further upstream, there is a continuous mountain range known as Trapped Dragon Mountain. Father, please look here—there's a secret iron mine!"

"An iron mine?"

"Yes, this is the news from Yevich; he once entered Trapped Dragon Mountain intending to capture a magical beast for a mount... I've already sent the Blood Servants to investigate. Once it's confirmed that there really is an iron mine, perhaps we can join forces with my uncle's Knight Order. Relying on the Three Dragon River and the Roaring River, we can repeat the glorious deeds of your youth!"

After speaking, Liszt looked expectantly at the Earl, awaiting his response.

The Earl didn't answer immediately; he was lost in the memories of his younger days.

When he inherited the title of Viscount from Greg Wafers of Tahiti City, he was bent on revitalizing his family. He wildly plundered resources and sought military achievements every year with the Pioneer Mandates. One year he even ventured deep into the heartland of Eagle Kingdom and seized an iron mine, making away with no less than two hundred thousand tons of iron ore.

This exploit that shook the Duchy of Sapphire drew out a Dragon Knight of the Eagle Kingdom, who journeyed thousands of miles to intercept the fleet.

Because of those two hundred thousand tons of iron ore, Marquis Merlin noticed Li Weiliam and gave his daughter Melissa in marriage to him. The following year, the Grand Duke personally bestowed upon him the title of Coral Island's Count.

Nearly two decades later and the bold exploits of his youth had not been repeated. Furthermore, he had spent those twenty years stagnating as an Earl.

Now, still ambitious, he hoped to advance further and become a Marquis.

The iron mine in Trapped Dragon Mountain seemed like a direct path to nobility, making him breathe more rapidly with excitement. Yet after deliberating, he shook his head, "Liszt, I understand your youthful vigor and the great ambitions you have for your strength, but it's too dangerous!"

"Father, if we strike swiftly before the Dragon Knights react, the chance for a decisive battle is significant! If we don't seize the iron mine in Trapped Dragon Mountain this time, there might not be another opportunity, as the mines yield less and less each year!"

"If you know that I plundered a mine when I was young, then you should also know the consequence was that it drew out a Dragon Knight." The Earl was visibly apprehensive, "If it hadn't been for the Steel Ridge Kingdom's Dragon Knight holding them off, I might have been killed by the Dragon Knight at sea."
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Liszt fell silent for a moment, his eyes still brimming with brilliance: "Fortune favors the bold!"

...

Dragon Knights, the pinnacle of strength!

Dragons were not rare in this world, but relative to the vastness of the land, their distribution was sparse. Many nobles might not see a dragon in their lifetime, to say nothing of the common folk.

Including subordinate states and Evil Dragons, the Eagle Kingdom had a total of twenty dragons, not too many.

Only a Dragon Rider could be conferred the rank of Grand Duke and found a new nation, which would meet its end should the dragon die or depart.

Thus, any country, be it a Grand Duchy or a Kingdom, would inevitably possess dragons.

A Kingdom itself comprised many vassal states, and naturally, it wouldn't maintain too few dragons. The Eagle Kingdom raised nine dragons, but currently, only six of them were bonded with humans—meaning there were six Dragon Knights serving the Kingdom for life, either born into the Royal Family or bound by contract.

However,

Compared to the vast expanse of the Kingdom, which was almost as large as Asia, the six Dragon Knights simply could not defend such a broad swath of land. It would take ten days to half a month just for messages to travel from south to north. What's more, the Eagle Kingdom had Dragon Knights, and so did the Steel Ridge Kingdom!

The number of Dragon Knights in the Steel Ridge Kingdom even exceeded that of the Eagle Kingdom.

But each Dragon Knight was entangled in a vast array of international relations, which made it difficult for them to act rashly, especially in battles to slay dragons between Dragon Knights.

Victory would of course be a good thing, but defeat could lead to a terrible result that might shake the very foundations of a nation.

Why royal families entrusted the dragons they raised to outsiders was precisely because they did not have enough Dragon Knights, which could plunge the nation into great trouble.

Just as countries like China, Russia, and America all had nuclear weapons, but none dared to use them carelessly, nor dared to reduce them without consideration—it was a means of deterrence and balance.

The Eagle Kingdom, Steel Ridge Kingdom, and even the vassal state of the Duchy of Sapphire all had Dragon Knights or dragons. However, their mutual wariness, opposition, and entanglements resulted in very few battles to slay dragons among the Dragon Knights.

Dragon Knights seldom took part in the wars of ordinary knights.

Using a Dragon Knight against ordinary knights, one could decimate countless knight orders. But just as you could destroy the enemy's knight orders, their Dragon Knights could do the same to yours. With both sides neither gaining nor losing, it was better to rely on deterrence and only take part in battles when necessary.

No matter how ambitious the Earl might be, he was inevitably worn down by the years and had grown to harbor fears.

Liszt, however, refused to give up this opportunity, "The Dragon Knights of the Eagle Kingdom are tied up on their borders. If we act swiftly, plunder the iron ore quickly, and retreat down the Three Dragon River and the Roaring River, by the time the message reaches the Dragon Knights, we will already have withdrawn back to our own country!"

"But what if we can't retreat in time, Liszt? I long for the title of Marquis, but I do not want to attain it at great cost. Your future is bright, the glory of knighthood always favors you; there's no need to be so reckless."

Reckless?

Extremely reckless!

Liszt was well aware that such an action was not just bold—it was more aptly described as reckless and impulsive. He was not usually this type of person. He would prefer to stay in Fresh Flower Town rather than join a war, content to farm in a small place for half his life, and wait until he was fully equipped before chasing his dreams.

He had not anticipated that acquiring a dragon early, along with the power of the Smoke Dragon and the gift from the Formless Dragon, would rapidly elevate his strength to the point where he was close to standing at the pinnacle of the world.

His mindset underwent a profound change, developing a longing for war and a keenness for plunder. He had not changed the world; the world had quietly changed him—of course, he preferred to call his shift in perspective growth. When he had been but an inconsequential commoner, he naturally preoccupied himself with trivial matters.

But now that he had one foot on the summit, gazing out at the boundless expanse of land, how could he bear to continue hunkering down on an island, counting one or two Elf Bugs?

After a moment of deliberation,

Liszt spoke slowly, "Father, you are absolutely right. I really don't need to be so reckless, but it's also difficult for me to let go of such a huge temptation. Perhaps we can reach a compromise."

The Earl raised an eyebrow, "What kind of compromise?"

If they could safely carry away the iron ore, he too was reluctant to let go of the opportunity.

"We stick to the plan for a quick battle and a quick resolution, but this time we bring in the Long Taro Family and the Golden Wheat Sheaf Family, getting them to help us seal off the territories around the Roaring River. After we plunder the iron ore, we'll share some of the spoils with them and bring together the fleets of all three families to quickly withdraw and break through to the source of the river!"

"But there is still no guarantee of safety."

"Once we've taken Trapped Dragon Mountain, father and I will immediately blend in with the other knight orders to lay low. Regardless of whether the fleet withdraws smoothly, we will not be involved in what follows... Additionally, we can inform the Grand Duke ahead of time and have him come to our aid. With the Grand Duke's protection, I believe that even if the Dragon Knights personally arrive, it will make no difference!"

The Earl's eyes lit up. According to this plan, the glory of their victory would indeed be shared quite broadly, but the risks would be reduced to the minimum, making it worth a try.

After locking eyes, father and son each saw unwavering resolve in the other.

And ambition!