The Mighty Dragons Are Dead

Force had taught Douson how to release magic, leaving Liszt with a great sense of accomplishment.

“After all, I am someone who understands science.”

Experimenting, conducting more experiments, that was the foundation of science, just as he had simply figured out the state of the Space Ring—motionless, able to store ordinary items, but not living creatures; the Space Ring would immediately annihilate the soul—Liszt believed the soul was a kind of material motion that, once halted, ceased to exist.

He also repeatedly put things in and took them out, experimenting with the consumption of magic power.

For now, using the Space Ring consumed a bit too much power.

Busy and fulfilled, life was very fulfilling.

But over the next two days, he began to feel bored.

The Elf Bugs were all well settled and didn’t need his attention; agriculture and fisheries were thriving, needing no concern; road construction was slow but orderly, houses in Ganhai Tun were starting to dig foundations; the candidates for the Knight Squad were undergoing Marcus’s trials, not requiring his attention.

He had completely fallen into the lifestyle of most nobles—boredom had set in, leaving him to invent tasks for himself.

If he were near a city, he could host balls or banquets, or go hunting to expand his noble connections. But Fresh Flower Town was quite isolated, and there were only four people qualified to dine with him; he couldn’t possibly prepare banquets for them every day.

So, Liszt decided to find himself something else to do.

He planned to conquer Thorn Ridge ahead of schedule.

“Thorn Ridge is the biggest obstacle for Fresh Flower Town; it must be opened up, otherwise communication with Coral City is difficult, and I’m almost blind here.”

Understanding the importance of information exchange as someone with a modern mindset, Liszt was acutely aware.

He had discussed human trafficking with Levis but couldn’t be sure that Levis was really taking it seriously. Counting the days, the Tulip Fleet should be almost ready to return, and if Levis forgot to make arrangements by the next trade voyage, it would be at least three months before another opportunity arose.

For the fleet to trade at sea, it had to pass through quite a few islands, taking at least three months for one trip.

Missing this opportunity would delay the development of Fresh Flower Town for another three months, and although time wasn’t pressing for him, Liszt still didn’t want to waste it.

“Magical Beasts, difficult to deal with for now, because they can launch surprise attacks in the forest at any moment. But if I clear all the trees in Thorn Ridge, can the Magical Beasts still defeat Marcus on an open field? Besides, I’m not a vegetarian, and even if I were, my Crimson Blood Sword still thirsts for blood!”

A gemstone weapon, against low-level Magical Beasts, is definitely a great advantage.

Perhaps it couldn’t cut through hair as if it were butter, but the embedded ruby, resonating with the power of magic and Dou Qi, could at least double Liszt’s combat ability.

Clang!

He drew the Crimson Blood Sword, gripping it tightly with both hands, a two-handed sword suitable for slashing while on horseback.

The silver-white blade gleamed with cold light.

“Heart of the Fire Dragon Drill!”

Liszt uttered softly, swinging the sword forward with both hands. The Ultimate Mystery Technique of “Fire Dragon Drill” activated, with flames rising on the Crimson Blood Sword and surging forward; the air itself was scorched, making explosive crackling sounds. It was originally a move designed for unison between rider and horse, but Liszt, through recent study, could now perform it solo.

And he could channel the attack in one direction, without harming himself.

Sheathing the sword, he stood tall.

The flames in the air dissipated and everything returned to calm, only the still scorching temperature indicating that someone had just used a powerful move. He exhaled lightly, “With that strike, if there had been a Wind Blade Wolf in front of me, it would already be dead.”

The “Fire Dragon Drill” was now thoroughly mastered.

He was no longer just a novice Earth Knight; he already possessed the power to fight, only lacking real battle experience. He planned to continue studying “Flaming Wave”, a Dou Qi Manuscript suitable for a Knight’s charge in group combat, requiring coordination with a mount.

Three out of four Retainer Knights were assisting Marcus in selecting the Knight Squad.

Only Gray Scythe remained standing by his side.

“Gray, carry my Knight Spear, I want to practice spearmanship on horseback.”

“Yes, my lord!”

He went to the stables.

The lush alfalfa stretched endlessly, its growth most vigorous near the Alfalfa Cordyceps. This meadow was occupied by the Li Dragon Horses, and other horses dared not graze here. Occasionally, Fire Dragon Horses would stealthily come to take a few bites but would get bitten and chased away if the Li Dragon Horses discovered them.

The Li Dragon Horses that were not in heat paid no attention to whether the others were male or female.

“Master, are you planning to ride a horse? Do you need me to bring the horse gear?” Tom, returning with water, saw that Liszt had no manservant following him and hurried over to ask.

“No need, you go about your business.”

“Yes, Master.”

Liszt whistled sharply, and in a flash, a pure black stallion came galloping as if riding the wind—it was the dragon-blooded Li Dragon Horse.

Its shoulder height was at least 1.9 meters, even taller than Liszt’s stature.

Therefore, mounting it required a leap onto its back.

Such a tall and majestic horse truly warranted a magnificent rider. Without reins, saddle, or stirrups, the temperament of the Li Dragon Horse simply would not allow itself to be bound by such gear. Liszt didn’t insist either, as he now possessed the physical attributes of an Earth Knight, and his equestrian skills were becoming increasingly exquisite.

With his exquisite horsemanship, he could achieve a perfect unity with the horse without relying on any gear.

“Li Dragon, cooperate with me well,” Liszt said as he patted the neck of the Li Dragon Horse and took the Knight’s Spear handed to him by Gray. The spear, nearly three meters long, required immense strength to wield.

Forged from fine steel, the Retainer Knights polished and maintained it daily, so it gleamed with a silver shine.

“Hmph!”

The Li Dragon Horse, as if showcasing its strength, reared up, lifting its front hooves off the ground and trumpeting towards the sunlight. It then carried Liszt around the paddock, his control seamless whether at a sprint, sudden halt, jump, or pivot. Meanwhile, Liszt, on horseback, took the opportunity to perform the “Flaming Wave”.

The Knight’s Spear was too long to wield like a one-handed sword, but following the rhythm of the Li Dragon Horse, each movement was forceful and powerful.

“Inferno Slash!”

Liszt bellowed, rallying all his Dou Qi into the Knight’s Spear, which shone with intense energy as if fueled by the Li Dragon Horse’s will in a mad leap.

The Dou Qi ignited the air, and the entire Knight’s Spear seemed ablaze.

With a horizontal sweep from the soaring horse’s back, crimson and golden flames rained down, scorching the alfalfa to cinders in an instant upon touching the ground.

Hum!

The Li Dragon Horse landed and steadied itself as Liszt drove the Knight Spear into the ground at an angle to stabilize the chaotic Dou Qi within his body. The Inferno Slash was the ultimate mystery technique of the “Flaming Wave”, consuming a tremendous amount of energy but capable of wiping out dozens of enemies in one strike during a charge.

Especially with the Li Dragon Horse’s immense strength, lightning speed, and ferocious nature, this technique could be performed to its fullest effect.

This was something he could not achieve in cooperation with the Fire Dragon Horses.

“It’s a pity that you are to become a prime stud horse, and I cannot ride you into battle… Of course, it’s also unlikely that I would personally go into battle.”

Dismounting, Liszt patted the Li Dragon Horse’s flank, signaling it to graze freely as he changed his whistle to call forth the Fire Dragon Horse.

Riding the Fire Dragon Horse, he headed back towards the castle.

“Gray, go call Teacher Goltai over.”

“Yes, my lord!”

A moment later, Goltai arrived at the castle: “Liszt, what is it?”

“I plan to cut down the trees in Thorn Ridge, shrink the habitat of the Magical Beasts, and clear the path obstructing Fresh Flower Town’s development,” Liszt declared with an air of confidence.

Goltai frowned: “Cutting down trees could lead to encounters with Magical Beasts; isn’t that too risky?”

“With Teacher Marcus and me personally providing protection, as long as we don’t encounter large numbers of Magical Beasts, there’s basically no danger since we’ll be fighting in an open area. Besides, Magical Beasts in Thorn Ridge are rare. I’m not planning to cut down all the trees, just the ones along the sides of the road.”

First, to cut down a part, gradually compressing the living space of the Magical Beasts, and then, when everything was ready, to finish the job in one fell swoop.

That was Liszt’s plan.