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"How should we deal with the upcoming envoy delegation from the Iron Ridge Kingdom, Grandfather, Father?"
The discussion in the study slowly unfolded around the matter of founding a kingdom. Liszt looked forward to the political wisdom of Marquis Merlin and Marquis Oxtail. True, he was a Dragonrider standing at the pinnacle of power, but founding a kingdom could not be secured through strength alone. He still needed to balance his own forces and the forces beyond them.
In this respect, he was clearly not as clear-sighted as these two veteran nobles.
Most importantly, he had risen too quickly and did not yet have a deep enough understanding of this world's knightly system. Or rather, deep down, he rather looked down on this backward system. He knew that institutions had to fit productive forces, yet he could not dispel the superiority he carried from the civilized world or change his contempt for backward institutions.
"First, we must analyze the purpose of the Iron Ridge Kingdom's envoy delegation." Marquis Merlin set the tone. "Judging from the information we have, the delegation is certainly here because Liszt is about to found a kingdom. With a Dragonrider and a Magician working together, the founding of a kingdom is unstoppable. Iron Ridge's attitude should be obvious."
Leewilliam nodded. "Iron Ridge hopes our nation will become its vassal state, expanding its influence—treating the future Flame as it treats Sapphire... Perhaps it will not be long before you, Liszt, are granted the title of Grand Duke of Flame."
"Then, Father, Grandfather, do you support my nation becoming a vassal state of Iron Ridge?"
"If we establish a nation in these seas, becoming a vassal of Iron Ridge would be the best