Chapter 450: Submission and Oath

Duke Feishe's voice rang clearly and unmistakably throughout Bengliu Castle.

"Lord Duke..."

The Sturgeon Warriors looked from every corner of the castle toward the top of the tower, saw Duke Feishe's figure, and were certain beyond doubt that the Lord Duke was ordering them to lay down resistance and surrender to the enemy.

The venerable, widely beloved Lord Duke, whose once straight back now seemed slightly stooped, his complexion gray and feeble like a frail old man, bowed his noble head toward the young man who had defeated him.

In the cold wind, Lei En's blood‑red cloak rustled behind him.

From the Sturgeon Warriors' perspective, they saw a towering figure, a handsome face bearing a faint smile, yet exuding undeniable, overwhelming confidence.

Four massive dragons circled in the sky above his head, radiating terrifying draconic might.

This scene starkly contrasted with the surrendering Duke Feishe—victory versus defeat, strength versus weakness, youth versus age—creating a striking tableau that the Sturgeon Warriors gazing at Lei En and the castle's nobles would never forget.

In that instant, Lei En seemed brighter than the sun itself.

The castle fell silent for a few seconds, and the fighting on both sides ceased.

Xikalius raised his hand in signal, and the Extreme Warrior and the Lancewing Knights halted fire first, the gunfire fell silent, and they deftly positioned themselves before the Centaur Legion, preventing further combat.

"Clang!"

A Sturgeon Warrior tossed his long sword onto the ground, raised his hand, and stepped out from his hiding place.

With the first surrender, a second and a third quickly followed... Sturgeon Warriors and the Feishe family's exceptional ones began laying down their weapons, indicating they gave up resistance.

The Extreme Warrior gathered the Centaurs, turning them into prisoners.

As the battle ended, the subtle divine aura high above dissipated swiftly.

Lei En, seeing this, breathed a quiet sigh of relief; his threat to Duke Feishe—to raze the city and make Baloske the next Matocus—was a desperate tactic, and he wasn't certain the Duke would concede.

Fortunately, Waluogen's intelligence was accurate; Duke Feishe indeed proved to be a generous and merciful lord, unlikely to watch his family and city perish with his eyes open.

"Young man, you are Lord Gra Morgan, Ryan Augustus?"

Duke Feishe watched his Sturgeon Warriors and kin become prisoners, the water‑screen formation and gates of Bengliu Castle shattered, the distant Crab Harbor shrouded in thick smoke, with countless unknown casualties; his heart ached and his anger swelled, yet his emotions were conflicted, and he couldn't help asking that question.

In truth, he had long heard rumors about Lei En's origins, but Kangjiatuo lay far from the Empire, and the details were vague and uninteresting to him, so he couldn't be certain.

"I have met you, Lord Duke," Lei En bowed slightly, "It is I."

Duke Feishe, while checking whether his people had been slaughtered, stared at Lei En, hummed twice, and said in a deep voice, "Kangjiatuo's land is barren and cold, its population sparse, its wealth less than a tenth of the Empire's—does the Empire still covet it?"

Lei En replied calmly, "It is indeed so for the Empire, but for an individual, Kangjiatuo is an inexhaustible gold mine; no one would disdain having too much land or wealth."

His words startled Duke Feishe.

"However," Lei En smiled, explaining, "The Wizards of Weizelan and I are employed personally by Lady Emilyss, with no ties to the Empire; Lord Duke need not worry."

"I hope so," Duke Feishe said, clearly unconvinced.

He turned toward the gate, where Emilyss, surrounded by the crowd, stepped onto the frozen ice and walked into the castle step by step.

In this beautiful woman, Duke Feishe sensed the long‑absent aura of a Dragonborn.

"The Dragonborn of the Zhuogeng Fortress family..." he sighed.

Not long ago, after hearing of the Dragonborn from Duke Dans, Duke Feishe had found it hard to believe; now, seeing the Dragonborn with his own eyes and having his castle taken, he had to accept reality.

Moreover, this Dragonborn possessed unstoppable allies and a terrifying army.

"Is Kangjiatuo about to return to the era of Dragonborn rule again?" Duke Feishe muttered, recalling the old Zhuogeng Fortress dynasty; for most of his centuries, Kangjiatuo had been ruled by Dragonborn on the throne, and reverence still lingered.

Lei En's Soul Eye remained open, and from the soul's hue and emotional fluctuations he judged that Duke Feishe harbored little resistance to the Dragonborn's return—a favorable sign.

"The Dragonborn will reclaim the Iron Throne; Lord Duke, what will you choose?" Lei En said calmly, though his words thundered in Duke Feishe's ears.

He showed hesitation, opened his mouth, yet said nothing.

Lei En did not press, but the silent pressure made Duke Feishe feel even more uncomfortable.

After half a minute of silence, Duke Feishe forced a wry smile; he knew that once he let the Sturgeon Warriors lay down their arms and surrender, he had no room left for choice.

"The Feishe Principality is willing to pledge loyalty to the Zhuogeng Fortress family and support Queen Emilyss's ascension to the throne," Duke Feishe declared with resolve, without a hint of hesitation.

This was not only for the survival of his family and subjects, but perhaps also his own opportunity.

"Very well, Lord Duke, wise."

Lei En nodded approvingly.

The Soul Eye showed that Duke Feishe was not lying; though some reluctance remained, his submission was genuine, and the situation left no room for retreat.

"Lord Duke, a few words of allegiance from you alone are insufficient; you must demonstrate sufficient sincerity," Lei En said.

"Sincerity..." Duke Feishe mumbled, chewing over the word.

"Yes, sincerity. Let Lady Emilyss discuss it with you," Lei En opened a random door and stepped through first.

Duke Feishe followed immediately, emerging from the random door into the castle's main hall.

He was intimately familiar with this spacious hall, located at the heart of Bengliu Castle's main keep; its interior formed a triangle, serving both as the family's most important place and as the shrine to the River God, called the White River Hall.

At the far wall of White River Hall stood a towering statue of Oshenna; the Sturgeon Warriors of the castle prayed to it daily. Each summer's River Festival, the hall hosts a three‑day grand ceremony, open only to its most devout followers, mostly nobles and Sturgeon Warriors of the Principality.

At this moment, White River Hall was occupied by a group of outsiders.

Beneath Oshenna's statue lay an exquisite crystal high‑back chair, the seat of Duke Feishe, symbolizing the Principality's ruler.

A petite lady sat on the high‑back chair, her long hair a silvery‑gold, eyes deep violet, a pair of backward‑curving dragon horns on her forehead, bearing noble bearing and imposing demeanor, exuding a chilling aura.

The high‑back chair rested upon a platform of seven stone steps.

On either side beneath the steps stood a group of people; Duke Feishe recognized two faces that were both familiar and strange—familiar because he had seen them before, strange because many years had passed.

The legendary swordsman Astan, chief guard of the Mad King Siruiya; and intelligence chief Waluogen, who was still alive...

But what unsettled Duke Feishe most was a high‑elf and a white‑haired Wizard.

And Lei En, who had defeated him.

Three chairmen from Weizelan's Fu Kong Cheng stood on the steps, displaying a status equal to the Dragonborn, even surpassing them.

Beneath the steps were several figures of varied forms; Duke Feishe had just glimpsed their true shapes—they were all dragons!

White River Hall had never seen so many legends gathered together.

Besides the enemies occupying the castle, there were also his own people. Duke Feishe at a glance saw his eldest son Aidemu and his second son Bulin Dun, as well as several legends among the sturgeon warriors—subordinates he usually relied on most—most of whom were wounded, spiritless, having gone from being above others to becoming prisoners beneath the steps.

Around the hall, a group of blue‑armored extraordinary warriors.

Duke Feishe couldn't help but scrutinize these powerful warriors, especially the soul‑guns in their hands, the very terrifying weapons that had swept through his defenses.

Their faces were hidden beneath helmets, their towering bodies like a wall of iron, standing still and making not the slightest sound, yet no one dared ignore their presence.

"Lord Duke."

"Father."

When Duke Feishe appeared, all eyes turned to him, but he did not look at his own people; he hurried forward to the steps, half‑kneeling on one knee, and lowered his head.

"Lord Feishe has seen Her Highness Aimi Lisi."

Duke Feishe's steady voice echoed through the White River Hall, each word crystal clear, exuding resolve as if he were a vassal welcoming back his sovereign.

The captured nobles and sturgeon warriors were all stunned, their faces full of astonishment.

Aside from Lei En, Aimi Lisi and the others were also surprised by his declaration of fealty; they had imagined that after Duke Feishe's surrender he would choose to submit, but not so quickly.

Aimi Lisi reacted instantly, hurriedly rising and walking down the steps.

She personally helped Duke Feishe to his feet, smiling broadly as she said, "Although this is my first time setting foot on Kangjiatuo's soil, I have long heard of your illustrious reputation, once a supporter of the Zhuogengbao family, loyal to my father the king, and only compromised with the usurper out of necessity. I understand your hardships, and today's battle is merely a misunderstanding; all the bloodshed and sacrifice are for the Dragon‑born to reclaim the throne. I ask for your forgiveness, Lord Duke."

The flowery speech sounded grand, prompting Duke Feishe to give Aimi Lisi a deep glance.

He knew clearly that this Dragon‑born was laying a stepping stone before him.

"No wonder she's a woman connected to the Weizelan Fu Kong Cheng; I never expected that the baby girl back then has grown to this point."

Duke Feishe sighed inwardly.

In close contact with Aimi Lisi, he sensed her formidable strength; her draconic bloodline had been tapped extremely deep, at least a legendary Mid‑stage!

No wonder she dared to approach, unafraid of my sudden strike.

Duke Feishe's thoughts shifted rapidly, yet he did not forget to say outwardly, "Back then Ma Erke raised arms in rebellion; I never supported him. Even though he sits on the Iron Throne, for many years the Feishe Duchy has never truly submitted to him. I'm sure Your Highness knows that not long ago I just fought a war with Ma Erke."

"Yes, I have heard."

Aimi Lisi nodded, "It's a pity Lord Duke could not eliminate that usurper. However, that is also a good thing; what the Zhuogengbao family lost should naturally be reclaimed by me, the legitimate heir to Kangjiatuo's throne, with my own hands."

She climbed the steps again, sitting on a high‑back chair, her expression solemn, and asked, "Lord Duke, since you have pledged loyalty to me, as my vassal, should you not fulfill the duties of a vassal?"

Duke Feishe thought to himself, "Here we go."

This must be the sincerity Lord Gela Morgan mentioned earlier.

He did not rashly respond, but humbly performed the vassal's courtesy to his lord, respectfully replying, "Please give your command, Your Highness."

Aimi Lisi's mouth curved slightly upward, her posture becoming even more upright; she raised three fingers and declared loudly, "Three matters."

"First, according to the laws among Kangjiatuo nobles, Lord Duke must pay a ransom for the captives, to redeem your family and subordinate army. The Feishe family controls Kangjiatuo's finest port, with countless years of amassed wealth; I think five million golden dragons is a suitable price."

She paused there, awaiting Duke Feishe's reaction.

The ransom is not for his own gain but to cover the fees of the Weizelan Wizards; five million golden dragons will not cripple the wealthy Feishe family, yet will cause them enough pain that, after paying, they will not easily defect.

Sure enough, Duke Feishe gave little reaction, nodding in agreement.

Aimi Lisi continued, "Second, immediately summon all noble lords within the Feishe Duchy to rush to Benliu Fortress within a day, to partake in the investiture ceremony, and under Oshenna's witness, you publicly declare your allegiance to me."

The purpose of this demand is simple: to force Duke Feishe to publicly take a side, cutting off any retreat.

The Feishe family's creed does not permit them to break their oath.

Moreover, the investiture ceremony also announces the Dragon‑born's return to the Kangjiatuo Kingdom, and with the Feishe family's support, it is fully legitimate.

"Yes, I will immediately order my vassals to appear at Benliu Fortress tomorrow, Your Highness." Duke Feishe readily agreed; his family's fate lay in the other's hands, leaving no room for negotiation.

"Third, and also the final matter."

Aimi Lisi's face showed a smile; having secured agreement to the first two conditions, she gradually eroded resistance, and solemnly said, "Lord Duke, dispatch at least half of your forces to follow me in subduing the usurper, and you and the two earls must also go together."

The two earls she mentioned were Aidemu and Bulin Dun, Duke Feishe's most outstanding sons and heirs of the family, effectively used as hostages.

The two mentioned men both showed slight changes in complexion.

If all three conditions are accepted, they become fully bound to the Dragon‑born, turning into enemies of Ma Erke, leaving the Feishe family with no way out.

Should the Dragon‑born's restoration fail, they will inevitably be purged by Ma Erke.

Duke Feishe was silent for a few breaths.

His gaze swept from the three Weizelan councilors on the steps, to the dragons and legends below, and the Extreme Warriors stationed around the hall, filling him with both alarm and a measure of confidence.

The Dragon‑born has so many unfathomable allies, even a floating city behind them; the chance of successful restoration is extremely high.

Considering the River God's stance, it seems even the deity tacitly approves.

Duke Feishe inhaled deeply, half‑kneeling again on one knee, and proclaimed loudly, "In the name of the gods, the River Bay Legion shall die‑sworn follow Your Highness, restore Kangjiatuo, and uphold the Zhuogengbao family's ascent to the throne."

(End of Chapter)