Chapter 1091: Chapter 1088: The Cost of Provocation Chapter 1091: Chapter 1088: The Cost of Provocation “War is upon us!”

Li Si Te (Liszt) tossed aside the paper with the war mobilization order, his gaze moving from the outer corridor of the Sun Moon Star Palace, casting towards the bustling Flame King City in the distance.

His crimson cape floated in the wind, occasionally revealing the golden-striped leather armor underneath.

His expression was very relaxed. The invasion of the Sapphire Duchy by the Steel Ridge Kingdom in alliance with the Eagle Kingdom was all within his expectations; all the preparatory work had been arranged well in advance, so there was nothing to be surprised or anxious about.

“Is the Sapphire Family ready?”

“The Knight Order has already assembled, the interception fleet has set sail, and the Sapphire Dragon has also departed, ready to protect and ensure that the interception fleet prevents the Steel Ridge fleet from successfully reaching Blue Dragon Island.” Emily stood beside Liszt, “Duke Anthony’s relatives, as well as the relatives of the great Nobles of the Sapphire Duchy, have all been moved to Reed City.”

The Sapphire Duchy was under threat from two great Kingdoms and could become a battlefield ablaze with war at any moment.

To prevent the Knights of the Duchy from surrendering easily, Liszt had Anthony relocate all the Nobles’ relatives of the Duchy to the Flame Kingdom.

“Let Anthony know that if it is not feasible, then give up. The strength of the Sapphire Dragon is too weak, and he’s no Dragon Knight. He has no chance of winning a dragon-slaying battle. If he encounters a Dragon Knight of the Steel Ridge Kingdom while intercepting the fleet, retreat directly to Mind Island to reinforce.”

“I’ve already instructed him.” Emily said with a hint of disdain, “Actually, Duke Anthony doesn’t need a reminder. Seeing how nervous he is, once he detects a Dragon Knight, he’ll certainly disappear from the battlefield at the first chance… I really doubt whether he dares to reinforce Mind Island.”

“It doesn’t matter whether he comes or not, but his attitude will influence the future status of the Sapphire Duchy.” Liszt patted Emily’s shoulder.

Emily’s disdain for Anthony was understandable to him, but he was also clear that Anthony Sapphire was but a Completion Level Sky Knight who had been forcefully matured by drugs.

In both talent and bravery, he fell short of the previous Sapphire Duke.

Added to that, the Sapphire Dragon having been severely injured several times, its strength was far from its peak. To include Anthony and the Sapphire Dragon in a dragon-slaying battle was truly putting him in a difficult position. However, as a follower of Liszt, Anthony had to show the right attitude; he might not contribute much, but he had to maintain appearances.

Emily did not bring up Anthony again, but instead asked: “Will the Steel Ridge Kingdom really deploy Dragon Knights to attack Mind Island?”

“Blast Furnace Fortress is set on warring with the Fallen Leaf Kingdom, and with no worries of threats along the border between Steel Ridge and Eagle Kingdom, they can deploy a large number of Dragon Knights. Perhaps King Osborn Platinum wants to rely on massed dragon tactics to tightly press me on the ocean.” Liszt’s speculation was not unfounded.

Blood Servants from various places had already discovered that the Dragon Knights of the two Kingdoms had begun to move out.

The Eagle Kingdom had eight remaining dragons, with five Dragon Knights, and its four vassal states had another four dragons, with two Dragon Knights. The Steel Ridge Kingdom had eleven dragons, with seven Dragon Knights, and its six vassal states had another six dragons, with four Dragon Knights. If this lineup were truly assembled, it would be very powerful.

After all, that’s thirty dragons and twenty-one Dragon Knights.

“If a dragon-slaying battle does indeed occur, how many Dragon Knights will they deploy?”

“I’m not sure either. First, let’s prepare defenses on Mind Island and wait for further news from the Blood Servants.”

As they were talking, a majestic unicorn suddenly flew across the sky, galloping through the void, and quickly arrived at the Sun Moon Star Palace.

It was Ach riding the Unicorn Charlie.

“Brother.”

“Ach, have all the Space Magic Beacons been placed?” Liszt quickly held Ach’s hand and helped her down from the unicorn’s back.

Seeing the intimate gesture between the two, Emily’s eyes darkened slightly before returning to normal–secured in Liszt’s favor, she felt content to be his woman, never daring to hope she could replace Ach in Liszt’s heart.

“All set up. Your dragons and the mermaids were all very cooperative,” Ach said with a smile.

Her Elemental Incarnations were nearly complete. She had long mastered the Space Elemental Incarnation, capable of placing Space Magic Beacons. The Formless Dragon Bard could sense the existence of the Space Magic Beacons, thus determining their locations, allowing Liszt to command the dragons in battle with ease.

Otherwise, coordinating such intricate arrangements using just Dragon Heart Electrical Signals for communication would be difficult.

“With two Archmages personally setting up the Magic Arrays, the mermaids managing the operation of these arrays, plus my dragons, Emily and I, Mind Island will be as impregnable as a fortress,” Liszt said, looking up at the sky at a forty-five-degree angle. “Bring it on, we’ll repel soldiers with generals and stem the water with earth!”

…

To Liszt’s surprise, the dragon-slaying battle did not come quickly. Instead, the naval wars raged on the high seas. The Sapphire Duchy’s blockade fleet soon clashed with the Steel Ridge Kingdom’s navy.

And Anthony, protecting the fleet, soon found the Steel Ridge Kingdom had dispatched a Dragon Knight to guard their attacking ships.

He and the Sapphire Dragon turned tail and fled.

That Dragon Knight did not take the initiative to attack the Sapphire Duchy’s ships either but merely drove off the Sapphire Dragon from a distance, then watched from afar the skirmishes between the connecting ships.

“Your Majesty, that Dragon Knight is the White Heart Iron Dragon Knight–Auden Platinum, a member of the Steel Ridge Royal Family, a prince by title, and a distant paternal uncle of King Osborne,” said Anthony as he raced back to Mind Island. Upon seeing Liszt, who had taken up residence in the Fortress of the Mind, Anthony lamented with a sorrowful expression.

“Auden Platinum?”

Liszt knew of this Dragon Knight, a man around fifty years old with strong abilities.

His White Heart Iron Dragon was one of the more formidable of Metal Dragons, only slightly weaker than the White Maw Iron Dragon, the Grey Iron Dragon, and the Malleable Cast Iron Dragon, but stronger than the Black Heart Iron Dragon.

Therefore, Liszt comforted Anthony: “Don’t panic, Duke Anthony. If Auden dares to personally attack the blockade fleet, I will act and eliminate him!”

“But, Your Majesty the King… Auden did not attack the fleet, he merely patrolled the sky atop his dragon… My blockade fleet, many knights are intimidated by the Dragon Knight’s presence, afraid to engage; they are now powerless to resist Steel Ridge’s fleet and have begun to retreat.”

Liszt frowned slightly: “Just lurking in the sky and watching, these Dragon Knights are quick learners.” This strategy of Dragon Knights supporting Knight Orders in charging was his original invention. He had even personally participated in sieges as a Dragon Knight a time or two.

Under the knight system, that was an act against the principles of Dragon Knights.

Of course, at that time he was unconstrained since the Flame Kingdom had not been established. Now as a king, it was not appropriate for him to join in a knight’s charge–breaking the rules is fun for a time, but continual disregard is only fun if one possesses the overwhelming strength to defy the rules.

“The Steel Ridge Kingdom is coming on strong, dedicating national efforts to shipbuilding, with their fleet size already matching the Sapphire’s. Along with the support of the White Heart Iron Dragon Knight, it won’t be long before Sapphire Duchy may fall,” Anthony knelt on one knee, beseechingly said, “The Sapphire Family requests the noble Flame Family for protection and support!”

“Duke Anthony, please rise.”

Liszt helped Anthony up, his voice grave: “The Sapphire Family are my followers; a loyal knight in distress will not be ignored by a compassionate landlord. I will, in the name of the master of the seas, order the Steel Ridge fleet to retreat from the Sea of Azure Waves… As for Auden Platinum, he will pay the price for his provocation!”