The Mighty Dragons Are Dead

Emily continued her training in Fresh Flower Town, while her companion, Maggie, had already moved to Black Horse Island. Emily stayed because the knight instructors had nothing left to teach her, so they let her practice on her own.

She practiced on the castle's grassland.

She would come to the castle for meals every day.

In fact, Liszt was very good to this follower hinted at by the Smoke Mission, providing her daily with Magical Beast Meat, Dragon Breed Milk, and even gifting her the first mixed-breed foal born from the Fire Dragon Horse and Li Dragon Horse—Sara. He had high hopes for her and would occasionally find time to give her some pointers.

In the relationship between landlord and follower, in fact, Liszt played the overlapping roles of teacher, father, and landlord.

When he stepped out of the castle and came to the grassland, he saw Emily riding Sara in the distance, sprinting and practicing the knight's charge, deeply engrossed and shouting the slogans in her childish voice.

Liszt didn't rush to disturb her and simply returned to sit under the Apple Tree Cordyceps in his rocking chair, waiting for her to finish her training. A servant brought him milk tea and pastries, and he took out the Fire Dragon Jar, preparing to feed the Mini Little Fire Dragon with Fire Dragon Magic Power. This little creature that slept after eating would wake up calling "oho," "oho," wanting to eat.

By the way.

He glanced at the new Smoke Mission.

"Mission: The booming sales of glass have made you realize that technology is the primary productive force, and monopolizing technology is an important measure to ensure wealth for your territory. You need to schedule the security of important technological processes, please form a security team. Reward: A book of Magic."

"Form a security team, reward me with a book of magic…"

The task was not difficult, and the reward was nothing new.

Forming a security team was definitely necessary, but how exactly to form it required careful consideration. Currently, the territory's defense forces were mainly composed of three parts: the formal Knight Order made up of Earth Knights, the Patrol Knights upgraded from the Patrol Team, and the Bug Guard Teams in each small town.

The formal Knight Order did not need to change, as it is the foundation of the knight system and its existence is justified.

The Patrol Knights were akin to the functions of armed police and public security; the Bug Guard Team was similar to the functions of militia and security organizations. These two could be reformed.

"Moreover, the territory needs to add a rat force," Liszt squinted his eyes, aware that not all nobles could possibly be upright; shady dealings in the dark were essential.

Although Liszt wouldn't actively engage in underhanded tactics, he could not ignore the possibility others might use such methods against him.

When Fresh Flower Town was still weak, there were rats arranged by other nobles infiltrated among them, even inside Tulip Castle—rats have always served as the ears and eyes of nobles. It was also a rat from Tulip Castle who first discovered Black Horse Island, but because the ships were wrecked, it ended up benefiting Liszt.

He pacified the clamoring Mini Little Fire Dragon.

He took out thick parchment and a quill pen and began to sketch and write.

He outlined a new organization: "Keep the formal Knight Order as is, rename the Patrol Knights to just Patrol Team, remove the militia aspect from the Bug Guard Team... Initially, the territory was short of people, so serfs were used as Bug Guard Members, but now the territory has no shortage of Apprentice Knights, so a professional Bug Guard Team can be entirely established... It's best to integrate the Bug Guard Team with the security team to form a Security Team."

Thus.

The territory's armed forces would form three teams: the Knight Order, the Patrol Team, and the Security Team. This was the apparent armed force, in private he would also recruit and train rats to form a Ranger Team. The Ranger Team would focus on intelligence work, collecting information both inside and outside the territory and counter-espionage operations.

"Leave the Knight Order to Marcus to manage for now; a few years later, Emily should be able to grow up and take over," Liszt looked up into the distance, where Emily was still training.

The Patrol Team would be managed by Paris.

The Security Team required a careful selection, his previous Retainer Knight, Karl Ironhammer, was too weak to be suitable. He was leaning towards the Elite Earth Knight, Charles Trap—Charles wasn't young anymore, and after a few more Pioneer Mandates and being knighted as an Honored Knight, he should also withdraw from the front-line combat sequence.

Managing the security team was just right.

As for the Ranger group, there was no suitable candidate yet, but there was also no hurry. Choosing the right person and training them to be a rat would take time.

He put away the heavy parchment and began to write a letter.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

Having finished a letter, he said to his personal servant Thomas, "Call Zavier over."

"Yes, sir."

Retainer Knight Zavier quickly came running, "My lord?"

Liszt scrutinized Zavier carefully. The once frail boy had grown strong, "I have just finished an appointment. Take a ship to Black Horse Island and give it to Consultant Goltai, letting him issue the appointment on my behalf."

"As you wish."

By having a retainer knight deliver the letter, there was no need for him to go to Black Horse Island himself. Currently, with no castle on the island, each visit meant staying in wooden huts. The food prepared by the chefs there was not to Liszt's taste either; he preferred Mrs. Abbie's cooking—Mrs. Abbie understood him.

Watching Zavier's departing figure.

Liszt was pensive, "Zavier is a bit old for cultivating Dou Qi, and he lacks potential. Becoming an Earth Knight might be a bit of a stretch. However, he is quite clever. Among my retainer knights, he is the cleverest... Maybe, I could let him try managing the Ranger group?"

The thought flickered briefly.

But it did not continue. Find your next read on empire

The formation of the Ranger group wasn't urgent.

At that moment, Emily, who was originally in training, had found Liszt. Following her usual rhythm, she would have continued her training without needing to come greet him.

But this time, Emily ran over to him.

Dressed only in thin clothes during winter, sweating profusely, she was out of breath. Excitement she couldn't hide sparkled in her eyes. She made an effort to steady her breath and bowed respectfully, "My lord!"

Liszt smiled slightly, "What's the matter?"

The twelve-year-old girl before him, her skin sun-tanned, was brimming with vitality. She was growing taller, already past one meter sixty, and her once frail body was beginning to develop secondary sexual characteristics, her chest budding and her hips showing a noticeable curvy change.

On her dark face, deep eye sockets and a high nose bridge made her look like a beauty with a hint of exotic charm.

She restrained her excitement, trying to appear more mature and composed, "My lord, Emily has made a breakthrough. Just now, Emily has become an Earth Knight!" Although her tone was not exultant, the excitement trembling in her voice betrayed her emotions.

"Is that so?" Liszt immediately employed the Eye of Magic.

Indeed, before him, Emily's magic power was no longer chaotic and colorless, but instead showed a purple-white hue, the color of Thunder Attribute Dou Qi!

Thunder Attribute Dou Qi was known for its outstanding burst power in combat. More importantly, Liszt had in his possession a Thunder Attribute Advanced Dou Qi Manual, "Thousand Thunderstrike Sky Flash," confiscated from Count Sned of Celery Fort. As for ordinary Thunder Attribute Dou Qi manuals, they were not scarce on Coral Island.

Emily's path of cultivation was destined to be smooth.

As for whether she could become a Sky Knight, with such talent and Liszt's nurturing, it was almost a certainty. Pushing aside a fleeting twinge of envy, Liszt said with a smile, "Congratulations, Emily, you have now become a Thunder Attribute Earth Knight."

"Emily's achievements now are all thanks to your lordship's diligent cultivation," she said, meeting Liszt's gaze with determination. "Emily swears undying loyalty to you, my lord, ready to charge into battle and not take a single step back in retreat!"