At the banquet, cups clinked amid lively conversation, and the atmosphere was warm and harmonious.
Liszt sat with Duke Piero, surrounded by Flame Kingdom leaders such as William Tulip, Dimaria Yuhuashi, and Emily.
"I once made a promise to my followers: to found a kingdom within three years. This is now the second year. Sapphire Year 156 is about to end, and at the beginning of Sapphire Year 158, the Flame Kingdom will officially declare its founding. So over the next year and a half, you will need to cultivate Flame Island."
"I understand, Your Majesty. Which city will the Grey Iron Family settle in to assist with construction?" Piero asked.
"Build a new city. It will be located on a fertile stretch of coast in central Flame Island. The waters there are mostly shallows, making it an ideal place for developing marine aquaculture."
"Your Majesty intends to... farm in the sea?" Piero did not understand.
Liszt gave a mysterious smile. "Duke Piero, it seems you still do not know enough about the Flame Kingdom. The Flame Kingdom is land blessed by Knight's Glory—even the surrounding Shell Sea is blessed by Knight's Glory. I have seven mermaid followers, as well as a large number of Fish Ugly serfs."
"Mermaids?" Piero was stunned.
Seeing Piero's expression, William, who was savoring his wine nearby, inexplicably felt delighted. Back then, he had probably worn just such an expression when he heard news of Liszt advancing to Sky Knight, riding dragons, becoming a magus, and so on.
But on second thought—
He suddenly became indignant. If he found Piero's expression so satisfying to watch, had Liszt also enjoyed watching his expression back then?
William glanced at Liszt, who was boasting to Piero about how the mermaids had come to follow him, then secretly shook