The Mighty Dragons Are Dead

"I vow to serve you unto death, my lord!"

In the Tulip Hall, where the knighthood ceremony had already begun, impassioned, exhilarating, trembling roars echoed.

Five Earth Knights who had accumulated enough military merits held the medals symbolizing the rank of Honored Knights, tears brimming hotly in their eyes. Generations of effort had finally borne fruit in their time, a glory bestowed upon them, a pride like no other.

It brought to mind the days of old.

The ancestors of the Tulip Family, too, came from common stock, and even earlier forebears might have been serfs unknown to any nation. The great-great-grandfather, endowed with divine strength, returned alive from the battlefield and was made an Honored Knight, his title hereditary and indisputable. From there, step by step, the family grew and expanded to become the present day Earl family.

Being an Honored Knight was a new starting point for noble evolution. Although the road ahead was not without challenges, and they could fall in battle at any time, they now had a clear path—to continue their father's cause, to pioneer and enterprising.

The five new Honored Knights solemnly performed the standard knight's oath of allegiance to the Earl, who sat in the place of honor.

The Earl serenely accepted their fealty.

Then,

The knighthood ceremony quickly moved into its true climax. The Earl's Retainer Knights, holding the Metal Civilization Staff symbolizing power and the Viscount Medal symbolizing glory, stepped into the hall and stood to the side. Another Retainer Knight held Li Weiliam's sword.

The Earl stood up from his seat.

Taking two steps forward, he spoke in a deep voice, "My son, and my follower, Liszt Tulip. I shall repay courage with honor, loyalty with love, and betrayal with vengeance. Let the knight's glory be witness!"

Liszt stepped forward, knelt with both knees on the ground following the customary procedure, straightened his body, and calmly looked at the Earl, devoid of any joy or sorrow.

The Retainer Knight holding the sword gave it to the Earl, who took it smoothly.

Laying the blade of the longsword on Liszt's left shoulder, he declared solemnly, "In light of your performance on the battlefield, your fearless charge and disregard for life and death, you have achieved magnificent glory and brought considerable military achievements to Coral Island..."

The blade lifted, shifting to the right shoulder, "Now, I, as Coral Island's Earl, name you my Viscount, the Lord of Black Horse Island, with all authority over Black Horse Island, to foster knights and ride for me!"

The sword was passed back to the Retainer Knight, and the Earl picked up the Metal Civilization Staff that symbolized power, and solemnly handed it to Liszt.

Liszt took the staff with both hands and planted it firmly on the ground.

Clang.

The metal struck the floor, emitting a dull sound.

Using the staff to support himself, he stood up and bowed, performing the knight's oath of allegiance, "I shall manage Black Horse Island, foster knights, and ride for my lord."

Li Weiliam nodded slightly, picking up another medal shaped like a shield.

About the size of an infant's palm, it was a brass medal with a muted yellow-brass color. The front was engraved with patterns and designs that symbolized the Viscount, resembling a Tulip upon closer inspection. The back was inscribed with "Black Horse Island" in three compact Serpent Scripts. The craftsmanship was far from exquisite, rather rough to the eye.

But it was the noble proof of noble status.

"From now on, you shall walk the earth as a Viscount. Commoners seeing you shall perform a kneeling salute, your peers shall address you by your title. And I, your Lord Li Weiliam Tulip, shall affectionately call you by your name...Liszt Tulip!" The Earl placed the Viscount Medal on the front of his chest.

At once,

The nobles gathered in the hall cried out in unison, "Viscount Liszt!"

Followed by the knights without titles, who bowed reverently and called out, "Viscount, my Lord!"

Adorned with the Viscount Medal and holding the Metal Civilization Staff, Liszt turned around. Scanning the room with an air of confidence, he affirmed that he had become the fourth Viscount on Coral Island and the third to receive a titled fief. Thus, the brief yet thrilling ceremony concluded, the due honor had been received.

Next came the celebration banquet.

"Liszt, I am proud of you," the Earl approached him, raising his glass, "I hope that in the times to come, you manage Black Horse Island well, achieve greater glory, and make the Tulip Family known throughout the world because of your name."

"Father, I will constantly remind myself, to tirelessly strive for glory."

Levis also approached with a glass in hand, "I hope we brothers continue to fight side by side, striving together for the glory of the Tulip Family."

"Of course!"

Following that, his advisor Goltai, came over beaming with joy, lifting his glass high, "To my lord, the glory of the Tulip Family, the ruler of Black Horse Island, Liszt, I offer the most loyal respects!"

Marcus and the others hurried over, toasting to Liszt.

Drinking heartily from the Fresh Flower Brew, tonight Liszt decided to open his arms wide, turning away no one, "I stand with all of you!"

...

"I am proud of you, my boy," Lady Penelope embraced him and offered her grandmotherly blessing as Liszt prepared to depart at dawn.

"Thank you, grandmother."

Li Vera also gave him a hug, "Well done, my dear brother, you always bring us surprises."

Lady Marie and Lidun also came to bid farewell, at least outwardly very enthusiastic, and he responded with a warm smile.

Then, he listened to his instructions in the Earl's satisfied smile, "When the envoy from the Court comes to measure Black Horse Island, I will have Advisor Jacob accompany him. This is your land, from now on, manage it well. If there are difficulties, ask the family for help."

"I will, father."

"Get Black Horse Island in good order soon, and your castle too. I'd like to have a room there."

"Grandmother, you, Lady Marie, Levis, Li Vera, Lidun, will all have a room in my castle, and are always welcome to visit Black Horse Island."

The Earl patted Liszt's shoulder, looking up at his son who was even taller than himself, his smile clear, "Go on then, I know you're eager for the matters of Black Horse Island."

Liszt nodded, mounted the landwalker bird Loki, and prepared to set off.

Just then Lady Penelope called out, "Oh, lad, wait a moment, I have one more potted plant to give to you. A young knight favored by knightly honor, it might bring you good luck." As she spoke, her personal maid struggled to bring over a potted plant nearly half a person tall.

On the tree hung several purple-red, oval-shaped fruits.

Liszt was rather helpless about his grandmother's habit of gifting potted plants, as not every potted plant could nurture an Elf Bug.

Nevertheless, he smiled and had the retainer knights move the potted plant onto the carriage.

Then the procession set off, truly walking the land of Coral Island with the stature of Viscount Black Horse Island. Now in the entire Coral City, there was no one who did not know the new Viscount had been granted his title, Liszt's name was no longer passed around as the second son of the Tulip Family, but as Viscount Black Horse Island.

The landwalker bird was very steady beneath him; he could summon the Smoke Mission at will.

The smoke curled up, forming a long section of Serpent Script. At first glance, it seemed as if the mission was not yet complete, but upon closer inspection, Liszt found that the mission had indeed been completed.

It was just that the rewards were astoundingly generous.

"Mission completed, reward one Fig Elf Bug, Smoked Grass Elf Bug, Green Tea Tree Elf Bug, Pea Elf Bug, Blackberry Elf Bug each."