The Mighty Dragons Are Dead-Chapter 1070 - 1067 Pulling the Strings

At the same time, it would integrate educational resources from various regions, establish common schools, and offer courses in knight and arcane systems to provide a continuous stream of talent for the kingdom.

This move was undoubtedly ahead of its time, and the impact it might bring was uncertain.

But Liszt didn’t care. His power had broken through the sky, and he already had the capital to do as he wished—simply put, having a dragon was just that capricious.

“Since it has passed the assessment, then complete the reorganization as soon as possible. Mm, both Ach and Lord Lerald are not interested in managing worldly affairs. You are the First Arcanist Minister, and the first principal of the Royal Arcane Academy will be you.”

Chris smiled and nodded: “As you wish, Your Majesty.”

After a pause, Chris inquired further: “Then, Your Majesty, will the finances of the Royal Arcane Academy be undertaken by the kingdom, or provided by Your Majesty’s Inner Court?”

The kingdom undertaking it meant funding through taxation collected from landlords from various regions.

The Inner Court providing it meant private funding by the Flame Family.

Both financial systems involved Liszt’s money, but the uses of the money were different. One was the national treasury, taxes collected for kingdom’s construction; the other was private money, earnings from his own lands that he could spend freely.

“The kingdom will undertake it,” Liszt said expressionlessly. “I will gradually incorporate arcanists into the noble system, so the Royal Arcane Academy will no longer rely on my private support… The talent cultivation of the Arcane Academy will be undertaken by the feudal nobles together. Of course, they can also enjoy the research achievements together.”

Research was a bottomless pit, and magical research was no different. He was not willing to foot the bill alone.

This was a good opportunity to collect hefty taxes from the feudal nobles under the guise of the Royal Arcane Academy, and then throw them some mediocre research results to stifle any complaints from the nobles.

“I understand. Then, will the location of the Royal Arcane Academy be directly placed in the magical district of the Flame King City?”

“That will be fine.”

…

The reorganization of the Magic Guild into the Royal Arcane Academy was proceeding on a grand scale.

Magicians passionate about magical research had to take time out from their schedules to deal with various formalities, transition to become teachers at the Royal Arcane Academy, or have their laboratories affiliated with the academy. Funding applications, personnel allocation, and all sorts of assorted messy matters came flooding in.

Magicians had it hard, and knights fared no better. With the Feudal Nobles taking away a large number of knights and officials, every city and town had to dispatch new knights to succeed them.

Amidst such national upheaval, various unexpected situations arose continually.

Yet this did not affect the spring farming work of the Flame Era First Year. Although the serfs were short-staffed and the vast expanses of newly cleared fields could not be cultivated, there were still the elf-tended farms. Plenty of serfs scrambled to work these lands, and Liszt’s own fields were allocated enough “fertilizer” to spread.

“The reason why spring farming isn’t affected also has a significant aspect—that elves are in severe short supply. Particularly since the Feudal Nobles took their own elves, many plantations have been abandoned… not really abandoned, but the harvest depends on whether they’re favored by knightly glory.”

Duke Li Weiliam Tulip said this when reporting on this year’s spring farming efforts.

Liszt nodded. “The breeding speed of elves indeed cannot keep up, so we must continue to issue Pioneer Mandates. We cannot overlook the rich prize that is the Eagle Kingdom. By the way, Father, did the envoy from the Steel Ridge Kingdom confirm that King Osborn has distinctly refused to join forces with me to partition the Eagle Kingdom?”

“Yes, the Sapphire Duchy turning to the Flame Kingdom has made a bigger impact than we imagined. King Osborn places great importance on the face of the nobles.”

“Perhaps he is just going with the flow, seeing my power growing and not wishing to plan the Eagle Kingdom’s fall with me, afraid that I will continue to grow stronger,” Liszt shook his head. “Well, if he refuses, then he refuses. Lately, I’ve had this vague feeling that there is a new dragon in this very sea, waiting for my ride.”

“A new one?” Li Weiliam’s eyes widened.

“Just a feeling, whether it’s true is unclear, but my strength has been steadily increasing, so it wouldn’t be surprising if there were one or two more dragons.” He was speaking sincerely; ever since the disappearance of the Smoke Mission and the inception of the Smoke Dragon, he could clearly manipulate the Threads of Destiny.

Not long ago, Phoenix Perch Parasol Dragon Greater Elf Ani informed him that the two Phoenix Perch Parasol trees under close monitoring had successfully bred two Elf Bugs.

This was strong proof.

Proof that he could take initiative, arranging things around him with crystal clarity. And recently, feeling lucky and inspired, he sensed the existence of a new dragon in the sea surrounding the Flame Islands. If he were to manipulate the Threads of Destiny with his will once more, he could secure this dragon in his grasp.

“I am the Son of Glory, guided by knightly honor. Father, I leave the affairs of the Kingdom to you and the Outer Cabinet, as I will depart for a while to find my new dragon.”

What could Li Weiliam say when dragons were the ultimate quest? “Rest assured in your search for the dragon, I will take good care of the Kingdom for you.”

And so, Liszt silently left the Sun Moon Star Palace.

He was not in haste to seek out a new dragon but went to the Dragon Pit Great Mine to see the Grey Iron Dragon Ornn, who had taken the great mine as its Dragon Nest.

“Ornn, let’s work hard together for a while, to quickly form a Mind Branding and achieve perfection,” he said.

“Roar!” Ornn responded.

After the Light Green Gem Dragon Ethan and Fire Dragon Leo, Formless Bard had recently been perfected, and within their minds, a clear, indelible image of Liszt took shape. The other dragons, however, were different; the Bone Dragon Vinnie could not form Mind Branding, Little Water Dragon Walter and Aluminum Dragon Connor had no sign of it, and Mountain Copper Dragon Mata appeared as only a wraith.

Only in Ornn’s mind was the image of Liszt already blurry, not too far from perfection.

Running his hand over Ornn’s scales, he couldn’t help but ponder, “Manipulating the Threads of Destiny is a delicate matter. To influence something like the birth of an Elf Bug is straightforward, but involving a dragon requires following the trajectory of the threads and exerting the right force in the right way.”

This was the mechanism behind the Smoke Mission.

The original Smoke Mission required completing tasks to receive the reward, which was the most effortless way to manipulate the Threads of Destiny. Now that Liszt had transformed into the Smoke Dragon, it was simply about converting the passive Smoke Mission into proactive strikes.

To lead with his will, to actively manipulate the Threads of Destiny, and to obtain what he desired, “Once I perfect my practice with Ornn, I should be able to draw out this new dragon. However, I can sense that there are many more Threads of Destiny around me, waiting for me to manipulate each one.”

Behind each Thread of Destiny lies bountiful harvest.

“But I am only one person, and spread too thin… Truly, a happy dilemma!”