The Mighty Dragons Are Dead

The battle of dragon-slaying on Dodo Island did not take place in full view, so the nobility of the Sapphire Archipelago were still unaware of this unprecedented great war.

However, the annihilation of Hot Spring Island by the Knights of the Flame Territory was by no means concealed. With the promotion of merchants and covert rats on the island, the news spread to the ears of all nobles, great and small, within the Sapphire Isles in almost a week.

"What's going on?"

"Why would the Marquis of Flames destroy Hot Spring Island?"

"Even a Dragon Knight shouldn't be so reckless. Is the Grand Duke really indifferent?"

"The Count of Hot Spring Island is known for his integrity and sincerity, and although the Marquis of Flames is indeed powerful, he shouldn't bully the weak like this!"

"This is a trampling of a knight's dignity!"

Many noble landlords dared not comment on this matter in public, but after social pleasantries, they would inevitably make pointed remarks over drinks, criticizing the actions of the Flame Territory for bullying the weak. Some even directly entreated the Sapphire Duke, hoping he would intervene to stop this.

However, just as the news of the Flame Territory's eradication of Hot Spring Island began to spread, merchants and rats brought new explosive information—the Knights of Bull Tail Domain had annihilated Square Island in a single day, the attack was brazen and without any concealment, nor did it have the permission of Marquis Deep Throat.

The Viscount of Square Island was a follower of Marquis Wallace Pineapple Green of Deep Throat Island, so his downfall would naturally require Wallace's consent, or else it would be a provocation.

Here, Dragon Knight Liszt blatantly annihilated a fellow Dragon Knight's follower.

There, Marquis Bull Tail openly destroyed another marquis's follower.

It completely set the public opinion of Sapphire ablaze.

"What exactly are the Marquis of Bull Tail and the Marquis of Flames, this father and son duo, trying to do!"

"I have dealt with Li Weiliam. He is a knight of utmost loyalty and honor. How could he do such a thing?"

"If it's said that Marquis Wallace had offended Marquis Bull Tail, attacking the Viscount of Square Island as punishment could be understandable. But for the Marquis of Flames to annihilate the Count of Hot Spring Island, what does that mean?"

"Could the Tulip Family be seeking to turn against the Grand Duke?"

"The Grand Duke must not ignore this, or else, with Dragon Knights and Archmages, the Tulip Family could overturn the rule of the Sapphire Archipelago!"

"We must advise the Grand Duke!"

Yet before these public opinions even had the chance to ferment, an edict from the Sapphire Duke was delivered by the knights of the Ashen Hawk Knights to all the major landlords of the islands.

A message that left everyone agape then erupted.

"The Lord of the Sea of Azure Waves, Landlord of the Sapphire Archipelago, the great Sapphire Duke, hereby announces to all followers and knights: the Count of Hot Spring Island and the Viscount of Square Island colluded with the Eagle Kingdom, provided help for the invasion by the Eagle Kingdom's five dragons and three knights, plotted against the Marquis of Flames, and instigated the war of dragon slaughtering!"

"The Marquis of Flames resisted staunchly... and with the killing of the Purple Copper Dragon Knight Loyle Purple Copper as the conclusion, he thwarted the sinister plan of the Eagle Kingdom and swiftly took action to annihilate the two traitors, the Count of Hot Spring Island and the Viscount of Square Island... The Marquis of Flames and Marquis Bull Tail are the embodiment of loyalty, justice, bravery, and fearlessness, exhibiting the noble qualities of knights in the finest manner!"

Simultaneously.

Detailed news released by merchants and rats from the Flame Territory and Bull Tail Domain rapidly spread—every battle of dragon slaughtering was the best headline news of the year, and without effort of promotion, it naturally caused an explosion.

"White Maw Iron Dragon Knight Alex White Iron, Bronze Dragon Knight Alonso Xiankelai, Purple Copper Dragon Knight Loyle Purple Copper, the Grey Iron Dragon, the Silver Dragon—five dragons and three knights joined forces to besiege the Marquis of Flames, but the great Fire Dragon Knight, Formless Dragon Knight, Light Green Sapphire Dragon Knight Liszt Flame, powerfully killed Loyle and crushed the united front of the five dragons!"

"Unbelievable! Unbelievable!"

"The dragon-slaying battle of Dodo Island involved eight dragons, with Prince Liszt alone commanding three dragons, powerfully defeating five dragons and knights, his strength boundless and limitless!"

"The Formless Dragon is a Sacred Dragon, the legendary Sacred Dragon!"

"So powerful, the knight's glory shines upon him. The Marquis of Flames is not just the Son of Glory, he is glory itself!"

"The horror of it all!" exclaimed one onlooker.

"The Earl of Hot Spring Island and Viscount of Square Island colluded with the Eagle Kingdom, traitors must die," another voice declared. "The war the Marquis of Flames waged to annihilate them was a just one!"

"Marquis Wallace personally thanked the Marquis of Bull Tail for exterminating the traitorous Viscount of Square Island," someone recounted.

"Can someone tell me if this is really true?" a bewildered voice asked. "Why has his highness Liszt gained the recognition of three dragons? Is he the embodiment of knightly glory?"

In an instant,

noble landlords who had previously objected to Liszt's actions against the Earl of Hot Spring Island changed their tune, lavishing praise upon Liszt as if there were not enough hours in a day to do so.

They feared their earlier complaints might reach Liszt's ears.

If Liszt were merely a Dragon Knight with an Archmage as his assistant,

they might have been backed by the Sapphire Duke, defending noble class interests and hoping to gain favor from the Duke for their outspokenness.

But now the news was too terrifying: Liszt had single-handedly mounted three dragons, cleanly killed another Dragon Knight, and repelled three Dragon Knights and five dragons from the Eagle Kingdom with just his own might. Coupled with that spectacularly stylish Archmage, the team was overwhelmingly powerful and cool beyond measure.

It was said that even if the Sapphire Family were to be destroyed, no one would dare utter an unnecessary word.

In a world ruled by a knightly order, where strict order and rules apply, when someone's strength reaches a certain level, what are rules to them?

"The master of the sea has changed..." Marquis Wallace Pineapple Green stood at the prow of his ship, feeling a sense of weary resignation.

Back when the tulip family was sweeping Square Island, he took his Knight Order to confront them and questioned their leader, Levis, "What does the Tulip Family mean by this? What does your father mean, killing my followers for no reason!"

Levis rarely took part in wars; he was mainly there to earn military merit.

Still, as a newly made Sky Knight, he had cultivated a composed demeanor and casually replied, "Marquis Wallace, the orders I follow are from Dragon Knight Liszt. Perhaps there are some things you are not aware of, but Liszt has killed another Dragon Knight!"

He briefly mentioned the dragon-slaying battle.

After that, Wallace's face went from pale to ashen, ending in a deep sigh. He turned and departed without another word, ceasing to care about the fate of Square Island.

That same night, Wallace took a ship to Blue Dragon Island.

When he arrived at Blue Dragon Island, he saw the Sapphire Duke having tea with the Marquis of Bull Tail at the Azure Sky Peak Palace. Accompanying them were Duchess Sarette Dahua Huilan, Crown Prince Anthony, Marquis Glendenton Red Maple Leaf of Red Maple City, and Marquis Nesta Big Flower Hydrangea of Quicksand City.

Essentially, the entire high command of the Sapphire Family was there to join Li Weiliam for tea.

Such high-level company was simply unbelievable.

Seeing this gathering, Wallace knew then that the seas were no longer ruled by the Sapphire Family. After spending a night in Azure Sky Peak Palace and receiving a handwritten decree from the Duke, Wallace left Blue Dragon Island feeling dispirited, returning to his own territory.

He felt old, ready to retire and enjoy his twilight years, no longer engaging in the noble power struggles.

Marquis Merlin Taro of Red Crab Island had grown up with the Sapphire Duke, and Wallace Pineapple Green had been just as loyally dedicated since his youth.

"The master of the sea has changed..." Wallace repeated to himself as he looked at the address on the decree.

The Sapphire Duke's formal correspondence used to open with "Master of the Sea, Lord of All Islands, the Great Sapphire Duke." Yet, this decree began with "Master of the Sea of Azure Waves, Lord of the Sapphire Archipelago, the Great Sapphire Duke."

The shift from "the Sea" to "the Sea of Azure Waves," from "All Islands" to "the Sapphire Archipelago."

The implication was clear.

The real master of the sea had officially changed following the dragon-slaying battle on Dodo Island.