Having noted down the place name Burning Mountain and memorized the captured knight's name and identity, Liszt successfully received the reward for the Smoke mission, intending to find time in the future to explore Burning Mountain.
To find the possibly existing Draconic Phoenix.
Whether he slaughtered it for meat or tamed it as a mount, it would be immensely valuable.
As for the phoenix being within Eagle Kingdom's borders, that was no problem. With a dragon knight and a magister as his helper, Liszt felt that the world was vast and there was nowhere he could not go. After all, dragon knights did not roam the streets in droves. Once he finished hunting the phoenix, he could simply leave; even a hundred dragon knights would not be able to catch him.
After resting for a night at Long-Yam Castle.
Liszt bid farewell. "Grandfather, territory affairs are keeping me busy, so I don't have time to stay with you longer. During the New Year festival, I'll bring over the renovated Sunset. Its furnishings are extremely luxurious, and even a Storm won't stir up any waves aboard it. Then I'll take you to Black Horse Island for the festival, and you can stay in my Thorn Castle."
"Good. No matter what, I must live until the New Year festival."
"Your health will definitely recover."
"No need to comfort me. I see things more clearly than you young people do. You have plenty to do, so hurry back." Though Marquis Merlin was old, he still possessed a bold and forthright spirit. Once Liszt proposed leaving, he did not try to keep him at all, directly urging him to return, as carefree and unrestrained as he had been in his youth.
After saying goodbye to his uncle's family and arranging a time with Meiopal