The Mighty Dragons Are Dead

This chapter is the "Dream Back to Ancient Jiangnan" reward addition.

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Tulip Castle.

The meeting was held solemnly, with a huge thick paper map spread out on the wall. The black ink lines outlined a simple maritime map.

This map was quite interesting.

If one takes the top left corner and the bottom right corner as the central axis, the left is a yellow-brown base color, representing the continent; the right is a pale blue base color, representing the sea.

Above the sea, islands were scattered, symbolizing the Duchy of Sapphire, and the one closest to the map's central axis was Iron Hoof Island.

Taking the top right corner and the bottom left corner as the central axis, the continent is divided in two by red lines. The upper part of the continent's territory belongs to the Steel Ridge Kingdom, while the lower part of the continent is the territory of the Eagle Kingdom.

Following this central axis line, Iron Hoof Island was also divided in half, which means the island is equidistant from both kingdoms' mainland.

It's a six-day voyage either way.

Of course, if one insists on precise measurement, actually reaching Steel Ridge Kingdom takes six and a half days, as it is slightly off the central axis. Basically, it can be estimated that Iron Hoof Island is about 1,200+ kilometers away from the coast of the Eagle Kingdom, roughly the distance from Beijing to Shanghai.

It's about as wide as nine Taiwan Straits.

"In previous years, our attacks on the hinterlands of the Eagle Kingdom focused mainly on Sardine Bay, Yellow Mud Coast, Roaring River Mouth, and Dense Corridor—these four coastlines. This year, we will coordinate with the knight order of Steel Ridge Kingdom to attack the area around Sardine Bay. There are four major cities nearby—Serpent Fang City, Ambition City, Coldstream City, and Dragon Fall City," explained Captain Mickey, standing in front of the map.

"These four major cities each belong to the territory of four different marquises. Our knight order cannot conquer these large cities and castles, but the vast and flat surrounding lands are all grazing fields for battle horses. We should take away whatever resources we can."

"Which area is our Coral Island Knights focusing on?" asked Viscount Jonas.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

"We're mainly targeting the area around Serpent Fang City. The development here is poor, and it has been frequently plundered in past years, making it difficult for those Eagle Kingdom nobles to develop their territories. As a result, resources are relatively sparse. However, the Grand Duke will compensate in terms of military achievements," the Earl explained from his seat.

The Duchy of Sapphire assaults the coastal hinterlands of the Eagle Kingdom year after year.

But the direction of attack changes every year. Sometimes it comes from Sardine Bay, sometimes from Roaring River Mouth, and sometimes it even lands on some unnamed coast.

As a feudal state,

the defense of these territories, of course, falls to the local landlords to bear. Without unified military action, they are easily raided by the knight orders of the Duchy of Sapphire.

The coastal lords are the poorest nobles in the Eagle Kingdom.

However, with constant warfare, each territory has a strong knight order, and they're not easily conquered. Their territories are larger and often enclaves, meaning that these landlords also have territories inland. Consequently, the development around the coastline lags behind.

Sardine Bay has not been plundered for several years.

This time, with the issuance of the Pioneer Mandate, the Duchy of Sapphire will start from Sardine Bay. The Coral Island Knights are assigned to focus on the area near Serpent Fang City. As for the specifics of the attack, it will be discussed upon arrival on the continent—war is not a play; there are no rehearsals here.

"There's equally good news and bad news, do you want to hear the good news or the bad news first?"

The Earl smiled and without waiting for his followers' response, he said, "Well, actually, the two pieces of news are related. Comb City will gather a group of knight orders, and they will join us in attacking the hinterlands of the Eagle Kingdom."

Your next journey awaits at empire

Comb City is a major city in the Steel Ridge Kingdom, the fiefdom of a marquis.

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With such a fresh force joining, the certainty of attacking the enemy's heartland increased, but the addition of a Marquis meant there were more sharers of the war achievements and resources.

Indeed, it's a mix of good news and bad news.

Liszt didn't mind this.

Looking at the map, he had already begun to imagine how he was going to plunder resources—unlike the previous knight orders, his strength wasn't in charging, but in dismantling castles at an incredibly fast pace. Former Pioneer Mandates mainly focused on raiding, seldom laying siege to cities, and only competed for mines.

However, with the Blizzard Beast's assistance, the interests of dismantling castles far exceeded the raids on mines.

His mission had been assigned: to lead a Coral Island Knights team, coordinate with the Earl, and focus on striking the major and minor castles around Serpent Fang City. The Earl also knew how to maximize benefits. With Douson and the Eight Tiny Ones—a batch of intermediate magical beasts—as a powerful new force, it would be foolish not to use them.

...

After the meeting.

The followers each returned to their respective territories from Tulip Castle to reorganize their military forces, waiting to depart for Bull Hoof City on October 6th—this major city in Iron Hoof Island continued to be the starting point for the Duchy of Sapphire's initiation of Pioneer Mandates and the expedition of knight orders.

In Fresh Flower Town.

Liszt spent an entire day laying out the construction plans for his territory. He then spent a night going over the various duties of the castle with Butler Carter and also ensuring enough food was packed.

The next day he entrusted Chris Truth to take over his trade with Elkerson.

Subsequently, he bid farewell to Ach, reminding her to oversee the mangrove afforestation, gathering Tridacna pearls, searching for elf bugs in the sea, and breeding little green-headed ducks, among other tasks.

"Brother, how long will you be gone for this war before you come back?" Ach was reluctant to part with Liszt; she had once lived alone at sea.

But now, she had grown fond of the times spent with company.

"Shortest, a month and a bit, longest, two to three months, but I think I will definitely rush back before the festival."

The Little Sea Monster clenched her fist: "Hmm, Ach will practice magic diligently, help brother with his work, and will rest at the Sea View Villa every day, waiting for brother to return. When brother comes back, Ach will surely be stronger. No sea monsters in the ocean will be Ach's match!"

"I believe that," Liszt said, hugging Ach, whose magical talent was beyond doubt.

...

The morning of October 8th.

Liszt was already fully armed and ready, leading the Black Horse Island Knight Squad, preparing to set out from Fresh Flower Town.

He gave his final instructions to the parting Goltai: "Consultant Goltai, the construction of the territory is shared by Isaiah and Blair, but you must oversee and direct the overall strategy. Pay particular attention to stockpiling food; do not skimp on spending gold coins. I'll send over a large batch of serfs, at least ten thousand people, and there must be no shortage of food for them to get through the winter."

"Please rest assured, I shall keep this in mind at all times."

"The management and arrangement of the new serfs should also be planned ahead. If problems arise, you can directly seek help from Sir Levis at Tulip Castle."

"I understand, my lord."

That being the case.

Having made all his instructions clear and his arrangements set, Liszt no longer lingered. Accompanied by the farewells of territory officers and servants, he took off at the break of dawn, the dim light just beginning to brighten the east. The knight squad's galloping hooves kicked up dust as they rode swiftly into the distance.

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