The Mighty Dragons Are Dead

The skeletons' gaze weighed heavily on Liszt's heart. Before setting foot on the Mafa Continent, he was filled with curiosity about this vast land and believed he could find many wondrous things among its denizens, like Elves, Dragons, and Sub-dragons.

However, after several days of exploration, he discovered the entire continent was buried in skeletons, countless and endless. One could imagine the horror when the Shadow Dragon fell upon this land. It was no wonder that the Child of the Sun was utterly annihilated; such a natural disaster was not something that human strength could reverse.

With the death of the Cursed Dragon, the oceans were obliterated; with the death of the Shadow Dragon, the Mafa Continent faced ruin; fortunately, the Silent Dragon fell in the Far North Lands, sparing most life from its corruption.

"Brother, do the skeletons of the Mafa Continent need purifying?" Ach inquired.

"First, find the natural node. Build a Magic Teleportation Array on the Mafa Continent, and after I have unified the Legendary Continent, we will come to purify the Mafa Continent." The Mafa Continent now was an undeveloped virgin land, but the existence of skeletons made development exceedingly difficult.

He currently lacked the population to even develop the territories of the Flame Kingdom, let alone come here to develop — it would have to wait for the future.

After locating the natural node, Bard pinpointed its location, then tore through the material boundary, taking Liszt, Ach, and Unicorn Charlie, swiftly crossing the vast distance, back to the Sun Moon Star Palace.

Ach took charge of the laboratory again, engaging in her magical experiments and research.

Liszt led the Dragons to the front lines, presiding over this year's new Punishment Order, initiating a military invasion against the Steel Ridge Kingdom, with a multitude of Knight Orders rushing to the front.

"Your Majesty, an envoy from the Steel Ridge Royal Family requests an audience."

"Have Duke Li Weiliam represent me, meet with the envoy, and tell Duke Li Weiliam that my bottom line is for the Steel Ridge Royal Family to surrender and relinquish the throne. They may keep the Grand Duke title." Liszt spoke, hands behind him, gazing into the sky, "Beyond that, any negotiation is unnecessary."

Three days later.

Li Weiliam presented the negotiation results to Liszt: "Unexpectedly, the Platinum Family is indeed willing to give up the throne, retaining only the Grand Duke title."

"They must have other demands, right?"

"The Steel Ridge Royal Family wants to keep their Dragons."

"All of their Dragons?"

"Yes."

Liszt let out a cold laugh: "Father, you can directly refuse and tell them that the Steel Ridge Royal Family may retain no more than three Dragons. If they do not agree, I will personally start the Dragon Slaying War. By then, the Platinum Family might not be able to save even one Dragon."

"I think Osborne Platinum will likely not agree."

"Whether he agrees or not doesn't matter. The whole situation is within my control. If they agree, it simply spares me the effort; if they don't, I will personally erase them. The outcome will be the same."

Li Weiliam negotiated with the envoy again.

The outcome was as expected: they parted on bad terms.

And so, the Dragon Slaying War swiftly approached. This time, the Steel Ridge Royal Family joined forces with the Blast Furnace Fortress Royal Family, deploying fifteen Dragons, including ten Dragon Knights, to hunt down Liszt. Faced with such a formidable array of Dragon Knights, Liszt showed no fear.

As soon as the enemy forces began to assemble, he would retreat to avoid their edge. The moment they showed any signs of dispersion, he would directly command the Formless Dragon Bard to launch an attack, followed by unleashing Fire Dragon Leo. In an instant, he transformed into a Half-Step Bastion Knight, launching a combo attack with dragon and rider together, slaying the Dragon Knights, who could not escape death, while many dragons were left seriously injured.

Utilizing this method, he killed three Dragon Knights and severely wounded three dragons, causing the Dragon Knight Legion to collapse and flee in disarray.

Sadly, fleeing was utterly pointless.

Even the fastest Dragon Knight couldn't outrun a Formless Dragon that could move through space. Then they would be met by Dragon Knight Liszt descending from the heavens.

"King Liszt, Your Majesty the King, spare me!" a Dragon Knight pleaded in terror, shivering uncontrollably.

The dragon beneath him suddenly flipped him off, causing him to fall from the sky, followed by a blast of Dragon Breath, melting the Dragon Knight on the spot.

Dragons are known for their backlash. Proud by nature, dragons would never tolerate such Dragon Knights. Except for the First Dragon Knights, dragons could turn on their riders, but after such backlash, even the dragons would suffer great trauma at the soul level.

"Such a proud dragon. Let me use the power of fate to heal your wounds."

The dragon roared and charged, fighting to the death, but under the crushing force of absolute power, it was ultimately left severely injured by Liszt, falling unconscious.

All the unconscious dragons were swiftly transported back to the Sun Moon Star Palace by Liszt, where Ach bound them, to be reserved for a Mind Battle at a later date.

In a short span of time.

The collapsing Dragon Knight Legion was broken one by one by Liszt, with not a single one of the ten Dragon Knights escaping. Fifteen dragons managed to flee, with only one making it back to the Blast Furnace Fortress Kingdom due to the far distance of the natural node preventing immediate pursuit.

A day later, Liszt, accompanied by his group of dragons, went straight to the King's Castle of the City of Steel in the Steel Ridge Kingdom. Upon his arrival there,

Osborne Platinum, accompanied by the Kingdom's sole remaining Platinum Dragon, crouched at his feet: "Great Flame King, Osborne Platinum is willing to represent the Steel Ridge Kingdom in surrendering to the Flame Kingdom. From now on, the Platinum Family shall honor you as master, offering loyalty and courage."

"If only you had known better from the start." Liszt looked at the prostrate Osborne. The once far-famed name that resounded throughout the Duchy of Sapphire now fell before him, evoking myriad emotions. He generously waved his hand, "From now on, the Platinum Family will watch over the Grand Duchy of Steel Ridge and live your lives well."

Then,

He saw an old acquaintance lingering at the White Gold Tooth Palace, Mathew of the Red and White Roses, who once bought friendship through sheer wealth. His handsome face bore no trace of pride now, only awkwardness and fear: "Your Majesty Liszt."

"Mathew, long time no see."

"Ah, yes, Your Majesty, it has been a while." Mathew bowed in respect, "Mathew offers the highest regards of the Red and White Rose Family to you."

"The Red and White Rose Family can continue to rule their own Grand Duchy. Mathew, this is my reciprocation for the friendship between us," Liszt helped Mathew to his feet, "However, the Platinum Magic Potion and Red Dragon Water produced by the Red and White Rose Family can only be supplied to the Flame Kingdom from now on."

Mathew was overjoyed, nodding without hesitation: "Of course, from now on, the Red and White Rose Family will dedicate itself fully to serving the Flame Family, and will not sell a single drop of Platinum Magic Potion and Red Dragon Water to anyone else."

"Get ready, Mathew, the territories of the Steel Ridge Kingdom are vast. I will rely on your help," Liszt said with a smile.

"It would be my honor to serve you, Your Majesty."