The Mighty Dragons Are Dead

Betrayers must die, but before the trial, the Count of the Hot Springs had not been killed, only captured. Then, they began to appeal to his knight order — punishing the betrayer was just a ruse; what Liszt really needed were the resources of Hot Spring Island, both material and human.

The Count of the Hot Spring Island's betrayal conveniently gave him a legitimate excuse to plunder those resources.

At that moment, standing in the cellar surrounded by a dazzling array of treasures, Liszt, intrigued, questioned the Count of the Hot Springs, who was bound hand and foot.

"The Eagle Kingdom must really value your loyalty, giving you so many treasures. I often visit the Tulip Family's cellar, and it doesn't even compare to a tenth of what is here. Tell me, when did they turn you against us, making you a spy within the Duchy of Sapphire?"

"Your Highness, I am willing to dedicate all my wealth to you, and my family and I are willing to follow you for life!" the Count of the Hot Springs hurriedly said.

"And then what, continue being a spy?"

"How could that be, Your Highness, I truly intend to reform, to start anew and faithfully follow you forever!"

Such nonsense was truly uninteresting, but the Count of the Hot Springs had to say it even if there was just a slim chance of receiving forgiveness. However, Liszt cared nothing for his posturing; bargaining with a dead man seemed too undignified, especially for a true Dragon Knight like himself.

"When did you become an internal collaborator for the Eagle Kingdom?"

"Ten years ago, when my son was taken prisoner by the Eagle Kingdom during the Pioneer Mandate War, I became the contact for Alonso... Alonso's men. But Your Highness, I did not commit any acts of betrayal against the Grand Duchy of Sapphire, I and your father, the Marquis of Bull Tail, were old friends."

"Receiving Dragon Knights from the Eagle Kingdom, launching a war of dragon slaying — you call that no betrayal?"

"Ah, that... I didn't know their purpose for coming here; I just thought they were searching for something," the Count of the Hot Springs, sweating from his forehead, knew his lies were full of holes but still had to continue.

"What is this?"

Liszt suddenly noticed a half-human height crystal statue.

The crystal statue seemed to be made of pink crystal, likely a type of Pink Gemstone ore. However, the statue was immaculate and flawlessly clear, obviously of very high-quality ore. The figure carved was a magician, dressed in a tight magic robe.

Although the crystal was tinted with a pink transparency, the statue's features and figure could only be described as perfect.

Even used to exquisite Nixies like Ach, Liszt couldn't help but be amazed by the magician in the statue, embodying sexiness, allure, and majesty all in one. Particularly, the clarity of the crystal, combined with the angle of carving, made it seem as if the figure inside the statue was a living person, watching him with a gentle smile.

With the Eye of Magic activated, he could see every line on the statue's clothing was a magical line, bearing traces of a magic array; this was a piece of magic equipment.

"It is Crystal Helen," the Count of the Hot Springs said, his tone filled with melancholy and confusion, but he quickly regained his composure, "Your Highness, this is the most precious item in my collection, crafted by a top-tier crystal craftsman master along with a magician, turning it into a treasure combining beauty and magic!"

"Crystal Helen?" Liszt seemed to have heard this term before.

The Count of the Hot Springs continued eagerly, "It not only reaches the pinnacle of beauty but also has special effects. When placed within a castle, it smoothens the stray magic power, refreshing everyone. Ordinary people bathed in its aura live without ailments, while knights and magicians enjoy the convenience it brings to their training."

After a pause,

The Count of the Hot Springs, as if parting with a beloved woman, said, "I am willing to offer it to you, Your Highness, for such a treasure is only worthy of someone of your stature."

"Who is Crystal Helen?" Liszt suddenly asked.

"Ah, she was a legendary empress of the Moon Empire," he began, "the supreme leader of magicians. Her beauty made the moon pale in comparison, and even dragons submitted to her charm, willing to be commanded by her."

"I remember now."

Liszt nodded. He had read a magic book that mentioned the great emperors from the era of the Moon Empire. Although it was a world ruled by magicians, it was also an imperial and slave system, one of the emperors was called Helen Truth, and she had a fondness for crystals.

Because of her beauty, the magicians who worshipped her had built her a palace made entirely of crystal.

Columns, roofs, arches, steps, including thrones, tables, chairs, clothing, carriages, dinnerware, even toilet bowls—all were made of crystal.

Ridiculous.

However, the lore from the era of the Moon Empire had become blurred, and no one knew whether that crystal palace truly existed, or even if Crystal Helen herself was real.

The statue in front of him, however, made for a fine decoration. Naturally, Liszt was eager to accept it and have it moved to his own castle to enhance the artistic atmosphere there.

"Pack it up, pack up everything and take it away!" he declared with a wave of his hand.

As for the Count of the Hot Springs, once he had gone over the provenance and use of the collectibles, he could be taken to the execution ground to be prepared for hanging.

Usually, noble knights could ransom their freedom, but this did not apply to traitors.

Sapphire Duke had once initiated a bloody purge on Iron Hoof Island, and for Liszt, eliminating a count and landlord was equally effortless.

Right in front of the plaza of Hot Spring Castle, he had many recruited knights come to witness.

An official from Black Horse Island read out the charges in front of the gallows: "The Count of Hot Spring Island... despicable in character, murderer of knights, torturer of commoners, conspirator with the Eagle Kingdom, assassin of a marquis of the Grand Duchy and schemer against the Flame Territory, utterly depraved and unforgivable! Let the hanging be carried out immediately!"

After the charges were read, amidst the dread of all knights, the Count of Hot Spring Island was hanged alive.

His servants and confidants, charged with various offenses, were also hanged on the gallows. It is unknown whether there is a hell or some other place for the dead to go, where they might continue to follow the Count.

Liszt stood on the balcony of Hot Spring Castle.

He watched the hanging clearly.

Marcus reported to him on the side about the spoils collected from the clearing of Hot Spring Castle. The Count of the Hot Springs, being an old noble and having conspired with the Eagle Kingdom, possessed astounding wealth. There were massive amounts of gemstones, jades, gold coins, and also elves— one Greater Elf, sixteen Little Minor Elves, and one hundred thirty-six Elf Bugs.

All were bound to his son.

But they would soon be all transferred to Liszt.

The knights and serfs on the island were also being inventoried. Those fit for migration to Flame Island would be relocated directly, while the remaining assets that could not be moved could be sold back to the Sapphire Family.

"The gains are truly rich; this kind of thing makes money fast!" he thought delightfully.

Compared to the Grey Iron Dragon from the dragon-slaying battle, these resources might not seem much. But, after all, there was only one iron dragon, whereas the resources of Hot Spring Island were diverse and varied, offering a more stimulating sensation.

"I wish there were more traitors from the Grand Duchy of Sapphire!"