Chapter 0564 Blueblood Knight Order Suit (Third Update, 1/5 Congratulatory Gift for Sect Leader Guan's Global Strategy)
Chapter 0564 Blueblood Knight Order Suit (Third Update, 1/5 Congratulatory Gift for Sect Leader Guan's Global Strategy)
This chapter is a special update as a reward from the sect leader "Observer of the World". For now, there is only one update, with the remaining four to follow.
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Magic Web.
A new term that Liszt had never heard before, but now was not the appropriate time to delve into the meaning of the Magic Web.
Liszt was still accompanying Count Jonas, inspecting his own domain.
After the inspection of Mushroom Town, they headed straight for Giant Algae Town, but as both of these small towns were still undeveloped, there wasn't much to inspect. Then they went directly to Red River Town and inspected the Red River Mouth Mangrove Forest, where they saw the already sizable breeding base for Green Caterpillars and Green-headed Ducks.
Green-headed Ducks could use the Water Arrow Spell, and ordinary serfs only took care of their feeding, not the killing.
To hunt Green-headed Ducks, traps were needed, and Apprentice Knights were called to shoot them—of course, so far, except for a few Liszt had killed out of craving, not a single Green-headed Duck had been killed. In order to continuously breed new Green-headed Ducks, only those duck eggs that failed to hatch would be included in the menu.
Within the scope of Black Horse Island, there were three mangrove forests—Mangrove Island, Red River Mouth, and Seagull Island—all of which could be used for breeding Green Caterpillars and Green-headed Ducks.
At noon, they enjoyed a picnic at Horse Ranching Town.
The majestic Black Blood Treasured Horses in the distance were undoubtedly eye-catching, but without careful distinction, no one would know these were Dragon Breed Horses. Liszt had arranged for their identity to be that of Magical Beast breed horses. Count Jonas harbored no suspicions, as dragon-related creatures were very rare. He did not think that an island as small as Black Horse Island could have dragon-related creatures.
However, even if they were just Magical Beast breed horses, they still won Jonas's admiration, "Once this batch of Magical Beast breed horses begins to breed on a large scale, they will surely provide stronger combat power for your Knight Order. Having your own Magical Beast breed horses on an island is a huge fortune."
Horse herds were generally only found on larger islands like Blue Dragon Island and Iron Hoof Island; they were very rare on smaller islands.
It was indeed a rare spectacle to have a group of Black Blood Treasured Horses on Black Horse Island—but having said that, compared to the Grand Duke's Blue Blood Treasure Horses, Black Blood Treasured Horses were of a slightly lower grade in quality.
Count Jonas's entourage carried a majestic Blue Blood Treasured Horse—obviously, this Blue Blood Treasured Horse was part of a Blue Blood Knight Suit.
The tall, majestic Blue Blood Treasured Horse was almost as impressive as Lightning, the King of Black Blood Treasure Horses.
Liszt expressed some performative regret, "It will take many years to raise and strengthen the herd of horses, and the pasture on Black Horse Island is a bit small, not very suitable for horse breeding."
"Selling them externally indeed poses some difficulty; supplying your own Knight Order shouldn't be hard."
"Indeed."
...
Afternoon.
After inspecting the Thorn Plantation along Thorn Town, they went to Green Tea Town to taste several cups of the bitterly flavored green tea. Like many others, Jonas did not instantly take to the taste of green tea, needing time to accept this new tea that was so different from the sweet, rich-flavored milk tea.
Fortunately, the production of green tea was very low at the moment, and Liszt had no urgent desire to promote it externally.
It's best to take things slowly.
The final stop of the domain inspection was established at New Harbor Town. Liszt did not bring anyone to the shipyard but simply took a brief look at the Sampan Workshop.
Goltai introduced, "Count Jonas, esteemed lords of the Court scribes, our Sampan Workshop can produce small sampans and single-masted sailing ships, but we do not yet have the technology to make double-masted or triple-masted sailing ships."
"That must be bought from Nobles."
"The technology is too valuable, and the domain does not currently have the extra financial resources to purchase it. We buy old ships to refurbish. Currently, trade is only between Coral Island and Black Horse Island. Sometimes we go to Beer Island, so shipbuilding technology is not an acute need. We might not need it for a long time."
"Yes, you may purchase from the Sapphire Family's shipyard."
Liszt said, "Actually, I would like the Court's fast sailboats, but unfortunately, the Grand Duke does not sell to outsiders. I can only use slow-moving merchant ships to transport goods, which delays time and wastes efficiency."
Everyone desires fast sailboats.
However, the Sapphire Family firmly controlled the technology for building three-mast sailboats and did not disseminate it, ensuring that no one on the high seas could contend with the Sapphire Family. The technology for two-mast sailboats was also exclusively owned by the Duchy of Sapphire, which prevented the Continental Kingdom from competing with the Sapphire Family for naval dominance.
In situations where the Dragon Knights could not be deployed, the kingdoms on the continent could only passively take hits.
And so, the honorable inspection of the territory came to an end.
Bathed in moonlight, the group returned to the harbor town, and in the temporary accommodations, just before the start of the banquet, Count Jonas finally got to the heart of the matter.
"Earl Li Weiliam, I have come to Black Horse Island on behalf of the Duchy of Sapphire to conduct an honor inspection of your follower, who is also your offspring, Viscount Liszt. Now that the inspection of the territory is finished, everything on Black Horse Island is improving steadily and meets the Grand Duke's standards."
"You have worked hard," acknowledged Li Weiliam with a nod.
Jonas continued, "Now, on behalf of the Grand Duke, I ask you whether you are willing to accept the Grand Duke's recruitment of Viscount Liszt?"
Li Weiliam responded, "I accept the Grand Duke's recruitment of Liszt, and if Liszt wishes to follow the Grand Duke, I sincerely hope that he can contend for glory on the Grand Duke's behalf."
"Then, Viscount Liszt, you have already met the standards for a follower chosen by the Grand Duke during the honor inspection. Are you willing to accept the Grand Duke's recruitment?"
Liszt calmly replied, "Being esteemed by the Grand Duke is an unparalleled honor for me. However, I hope to delay this for a few years. Right now, I wish to help my lord and father, Earl Li Weiliam, earn more military achievements and bring more glory to our family."
Jonas was not surprised.
From the casual conversations they had earlier, he had already indirectly learned from both Li Weiliam and Liszt that Liszt wished to help Li Weiliam contend for the title of Marquis.
This was a very good excuse, and no one could raise an objection to it.
"I respect your choice, and I believe the Grand Duke will understand it as well," Jonas said, nodding to his followers behind him, and then added, "Regardless of your choice, it does not affect how much the Grand Duke values you. As the youngest Sky Knight in the Grand Duchy who has proven himself on the battlefield, you deserve the glory of a Blueblood Knight."
He paused for a moment.
He then solemnly stated, "I hereby confer upon you, as the representative of the master of the seas, the lord of all islands, the great Sapphire Duke, Liszt Tulip Viscount, lord of Black Horse Island, the honor of membership into the Blueblood Knight Order!"
"I thank the Grand Duke! Liszt is willing to contend for glory for the Sapphire Family!" Liszt bowed deeply in gratitude.
Receiving his Blue Blood Knight Suit.
A suit of exquisitely crafted Mithril Armor—Blue Blood Armor; a finely forged Fine Gold Longsword—Blue Blood Knight Sword; a Knight's Spear with a shaft made of rock-wood, the tip crafted from a mix of Fine Gold and Mountain Copper—Blue Blood Knight Spear; a set of Mithril half-body horse armor—Blue Blood Light Horse Armor; a bow and arrow made from special wood—Blue Blood Riding Bow.
And a previously known Blue Blood Treasure Horse—this was a mature male horse, already gelded.
One by one, he took the Blue Blood Knight Suit.
Liszt officially became an honorary member of the Blueblood Knight Order, holding a title of honor. The suit he received was certainly much more than the typical knight's suit, but for a Sky Knight who no longer needed to charge into battle and had shifted to sword fighting, the equipment represented more of an honor.
"My task is now complete," Count Jonas clapped his hands, marking the end of the ceremony.
Liszt handed his suit over to his followers to keep and gestured to everyone with his hand: "The banquet is ready. Count Jonas, father, please be seated."