The Mighty Dragons Are Dead

“Perfect timing, I was about to send someone to notify you about something,” the Earl said.

“Please speak, Father.”

“Last night, ships from Coral Island arrived; the vice butler of Long Taro Castle came aboard one of them, bringing a letter from your uncle Mesiro. The letter mentions that your grandfather’s health has not recovered and this year is likely to be the last time he celebrates the festival. Thus, your uncle hopes that you and your siblings can celebrate the festival at Coral Island.”

The end of Marquis Merlin’s life… Liszt felt an inexplicable sadness. He was very fond of the Marquis who had once gifted him the Gemstone Weapon Bloodsword, not to mention the emotional connection from the memories of his former self.

“When do we depart?”

“You’ll return to Fresh Flower Town today, come back here tomorrow, and the day after, you all will set sail together. Two days of sailing will get you there just in time for the festival,” the Earl determined the schedule.

“Understood.”

…

“Finally, time to go back!” Paris stretched and perked up, “I’ve started to miss the egg rolls of Fresh Flower Town already; heaven knows why Coral City doesn’t have egg rolls!”

“Not every place is called Fresh Flower Town,” Liszt quipped as he donned his cloak and mounted his Li Dragon Horse.

The black warhorse, black Magical Beast Leather Armor adorned with a bright red cloak, with the hood not worn over his head, revealing his short light golden hair that fluttered in the cold wind.

He could dazzle a whole crowd of young ladies and spinsters alike.

“Young Master Liszt is just too handsome!” The maids cleaning outside the castle gates blushed at the sight of him.

They might be imagining some sort of Mary Sue or Tom Sue story.

Paris overheard the maids’ whispers and rolled her eyes, but when she saw Liszt on horseback, waving goodbye to Lady Penelope, Li Vera, and Lady Marie, she too was struck with vertigo, overwhelmed by a towering Tom Sue aura that invaded her entire being.

“No man should be this handsome!”

Riding all the way and arriving at Fresh Flower Town, snowflakes were still falling from the skies of the town, the snow on the ground wasn’t much. The main road was well-cleared; during the days Liszt was away, the officials and serfs of Fresh Flower Town had obviously not slacked off.

After returning to the castle, the officials immediately came to report their work.

“Consultant Goltai, these people are Brad’s family; they’ve moved to Fresh Flower Town. You are to arrange housing for them. Also, Philip, send for Brad. I have some matters to assign to him.” After Liszt spoke, he added another question, “Have the iron ingots the caravan brought back been handed over?”

“The iron ingots have been stored in the castle’s warehouse, and without your instructions, they have not been given over to the smithy to forge.”

“Keep three thousand jin of iron ingots in the warehouse, take ten thousand jin out and give them to the smithy. Make a batch of construction tools and woodcutting tools as much as you can. The harvesting of the Rapid Growth Iron Thorns will be a big problem in the future.”

“As you wish.”

Soon, the crystal craftsman Brad, who was carving volcanic glass vessels, hurried over to the castle. Then he learned from his family that the Earl had ordered their relocation to Fresh Flower Town to become Liszt’s subjects—a life to be lived in Fresh Flower Town hereafter.

Brad’s heart was in turmoil, going from a comfortable city dweller to a small-town bumpkin.

But he dared not complain, for this was the Earl’s command. On Coral Island, no one dared to defy the Earl’s will, not even the noble lords.

Seeing Brad’s reluctance, Liszt was in a good mood and offered a rare consolation, “Brad, don’t worry about your future life; the wonders of Fresh Flower Town will exceed your imagination.”

“I… Lord Landlord, I’m not worried about living,” Fresh Flower Town is very beautiful, and the food is delicious—I know all that. But I… I’m worried about my job; I can’t get any crystal carving work here, oh heavens, I feel like I might starve to death.” The more he thought about it, the sadder he became, almost crying.

“I’ve told you, don’t worry about your livelihood, and there’s even less need to worry about work. You just need to work for the castle, for me. I can assure you of your income, it won’t be less than what you earned in Coral City.”

Brad was a craftsman level artisan, and Liszt valued him highly because he could not only carve crystal but also volcanic glass—this meant that future glass carving could entirely be entrusted to Brad—glass was a product that Liszt was bound to research eventually.

After offering a few simple words of comfort, he quickly grew impatient; even the most skilled craftsmen were just commoners in his presence.

A few kind words if he felt like giving face, or a direct whipping if he didn’t: “Isaiah, remember to build a crystal workshop in the workshop district and let Brad take charge.”

“As you wish.”

The town’s affairs were not too few, yet not too many either.

At least, the annual festival of Fresh Flower Town had to be organized—it was a celebration enjoyed by every country. The town also needed a festival so that the denizens could relax and strengthen their sense of unity.

Goltai, as the consultant, could manage this year’s annual festival for him; Marcus could be sent to Black Horse Island to preside over the festival there.

With Isaiah, Blair and others taking care of the territorial engineering projects, he felt at ease.

Moreover, he had decided to let Zambrotta start his duties ahead of schedule, first serving as the town’s legal officer and assisting Isaiah with the management of the construction projects.

Lasse and Rondo, the two Earth Knights, were plainly sent home for the holiday—after all, they had not officially followed him yet.

This way.

The report concluded.

He dismissed the officials.

Liszt began dealing with the castle’s private matters, instructing Butler Carter, “I must return to Tulip Castle tomorrow, for this year I will spend the annual festival at Long Taro Castle on Red Crab Island. Hence, I won’t be back for at least ten days to half a month; preparations must be made. Mr. Carter, look after the castle for me.”

“Of course, your will is my guide to action,” Carter replied elegantly.

“Then help me choose gifts first. What gifts shall I bring for grandfather, uncle, and cousin? With Levis and Li Vera taking the lead, there’s no need for me, a mere country baron, to spend too much. It’s best to bring some special products—the Fresh Flower Soap is quite good, and the oyster sauce as well!”

Oyster sauce was the specialty of Oyster Village, with half of the Fresh Flower Caravan’s seafood business revolving around selling oyster sauce.

The nobles of Coral Island needed oyster sauce for their cooking.

It was very fitting as a gift, especially since men, in particular, would like the effects of oyster sauce.

With oyster sauce and Fresh Flower Soap as the foundation, Carter helped to select a few more supplementary gifts, completing the list of presents. They then discussed issues like how to care for the Elf Bugs.

Suddenly, Carter remembered something, “My lord, there’s a matter I’m unsure how you wish to arrange.”

“What is it?”

“When Old Difo from the dog kennel came to check on the Earth Matron, he said she might give birth within the next half a month. I wonder how you plan to handle it?”

“Did he give an exact time?”

“He can only estimate broadly. Should I have Old Difo called over?”

“Hmm.” Liszt nodded, the Fierce Earth Dog whelps in the Earth Matron’s belly were magical beasts he held in high regard, essential for the future Fierce Earth Dog army.