The Mighty Dragons Are Dead

Griffin’s Dou Qi attribute was Lightning, and he had just turned twenty. His combat ability was decent, but his only flaw was a stutter.

Nobles pay attention to their appearance and also to their bearing. One can be ugly but not disabled; a stutter is categorized as a disability. Therefore, Griffin was never selected for the Knight Order of Coral City and was deeply saddened by this for a long time. Liszt’s predecessor even mocked Griffin for it.

But later, when he found Griffin to be a good, honest person, he gradually felt a sense of camaraderie—of course, maybe he hoped to have a disabled person by his side to set himself off.

Now, Liszt was very satisfied with Griffin.

Being honest and hard-working, and seeing himself as a “kindred spirit,” Griffin could be said to be a most suitable candidate for a follower, with assured loyalty.

Besides Rick and Griffin, the rest were Apprentice Knights.

They might suffice as officials, but fell far short of the requirements for a Knight Squad.

“By my count, with Marcus, Lasse, Rondo, Rick, and Griffin, I already have five members for the Knight Squad. If I can gather seven more, I can form a team,” Liszt considered quietly in his room, where he had lived for over a decade, after sending off his drunken friends.

Knight Squads work as units, able to practice combined strike techniques, mixing Dou Qi into a single force.

Having a Knight Squad is what grants the right to enter the battlefield. As for Liszt himself, he could entrust his safety to Douson and the hired Paris—believing that the explosive power of one man and one dog could save him from disaster, even if he were chased by a Sword Saint.

“Besides, I am the Earl’s son; logistics work is my duty!”

If Levis could engage in logistical work on the battlefield, there’s no way he could lose to Levis; he must seize the logistics work for himself.

…

The next day was the celebration banquet.

All the nobles from near and far of Coral Island rushed to Tulip Castle, and together with their servants, the place was as noisy as a marketplace.

The members of the Knight Order who participated in the battle and had no noble rank—certain they would not be receiving one this time—collected their Gold Coin rewards and promptly returned home to their families.

Seven knights without titles were left behind.

These seven had distinguished themselves greatly in the battle and could be knighted as Honored Knights. They were all immersed in immense joy, eager for the knighting ceremony to begin immediately.

In fact, there were another three knights eligible for knighthood, but they were followers of two Viscounts and thus could not attend the celebration banquet hosted by the Earl.

At that moment in Tulip Castle, there were three Viscounts—Trick Weed, Jonas Shattered Stone, Levis Tulip.

Sixteen Barons, including Liszt Tulip; seventy-six Honored Knights, and with the newly promoted seven, there were eighty-three.

“If I remember correctly, the Earl had eighty-two Honored Knights before. It seems we lost six Honored Knights on the battlefield this time,” he noted.

The sacrifice of knights was quite normal, and the loss of Honored Knights was not rare. The death rate for Barons and higher-ranking nobles decreased—the role of a Landlord is to command his following of Knights. It is the followers who are supposed to fight to the death in dangerous charges; the Landlord certainly wouldn’t lead the charge himself.

Just like Liszt, when forming his Knight Squad, he never intended to count himself as part of it.

He had his own reasons for not participating in battle. Mounted on Douson, he was a rearguard presence: “With me here, no need for panic. Charge!” he would say.

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It’s said that there are two types of charismatic leadership—”follow me” and “go for me.”

Leaders who say “follow me” can win the support and love of their subordinates, thus unleashing great combat power; still, Liszt always chose “go for me.” How can the life of a rustic compare with that of a noble! Leaders who say “follow me” are often already etched on monuments, while those who say “go for me” are always your leaders!

“In fact, this statement isn’t very precise. There should be three types of landlords.”

The first type says, “Everyone, follow me, and we’ll share the benefits.” The second type says, “Everyone, go for me, and we’ll share the benefits.” The third type says, “Everyone, go for me, and I’ll keep all the benefits.”

“I most aspire to be the third type of landlord, but for now, I’ll settle for the second type.”

…

The knighting ceremony before the victory banquet was lively, with seven new Honored Knights holding the medals symbolizing their Honored Knighthood, their eyes brimming with hot tears.

There is a vast chasm between commoners and nobles, often requiring the effort of several generations to bridge.

But once they have a title, even if they die on the battlefield, their descendants will inherit the title, an honor that is hereditary and unshakeable—unless there are no offspring or a grave mistake is made that rarely leads to deprivation of the noble title.

“I pledge to serve you to the death, my lord!”

The seven Honored Knights knelt on one knee, solemnly performing the standard knightly loyalty ceremony to the Earl.

The Earl sat in the main seat, accepting their homage, and spoke words of encouragement and caution, essentially meaning— I hope you will serve me diligently in the future. I have bestowed upon you your titles, and I can also take them back. Maintain a humble attitude, adhere to the knightly virtues, and don’t disappoint me.

After the knighting ceremony, the atmosphere instantly peaked.

The Honored Knights were drinking and boasting downstairs, while the Barons, Viscounts, and Earls were doing the same upstairs. Whether they had earned their stripes in battle or not, everyone was drinking heartily.

Liszt still wasn’t accustomed to such boisterous banquets and lapsed into silence. He only raised his glass when others toasted to him, exchanging a few complimentary words—Liszt’s identity was no longer just that of the Earl’s useless son but that of a Viscount on the rise.

Even Baron Henderson, who had loudly cursed Liszt for his greed in the territory, sought an opportunity to offer Liszt a pleasing smile and a toast, rather than complaining to the Earl.

“Baron Liszt, I wish Fresh Flower Town a prosperous business.”

One does not strike a smiling face; Liszt simply responded, “I also wish your territory a prosperous business.”

Baron Henderson wanted to say something more, but he opened his mouth and said nothing. Instead, he drained his glass in one gulp, smiled ingratiatingly again, and returned to his seat.

The most eye-catching young generation at the banquet.

Was not Liszt, but his brother Levis.

This time on the battlefield, though Levis was in charge of logistics and communication, seeing blood and killing enemies had made him a qualified heir in the eyes of the Earl’s followers. With the Earl being too austere, barely wetting his lips with his drink, the followers naturally focused their attention on Levis.

Liszt was merely affected by the fallout.

But even with his reticence, his efforts to remain unnoticed, by the end of the victory feast, he was thoroughly intoxicated.

As the servants helped him to bed, his hazy mind harbored a single thought, “Someday, I will also rise to the rank of Earl. It will be me urging others to drink, with no one daring to coax me to drink!”

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A new week, please vote for me~

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