The Mighty Dragons Are Dead

“Trafficking people isn’t out of the question, our family’s fleet sets out to trade by sea every year, but for just a few dozen or a hundred people, it’s not worth taking the risk,”

“Five thousand.”

“What?”

“I need five thousand people.”

“Five thousand people, you sure you can handle that?”

“Sure.”

Levis narrowed his eyes, “I’ll consider it when I get back.”

Returning to the living room, no one brought up the subject of human trafficking again, and the atmosphere at the afternoon tea was lively, thanks to Goltai’s enthusiasm.

The caravan would stay overnight at Fresh Flower Town, with most of the knights and retainers lodging in town. Levis and Li Vera, along with their personal servants, would stay in the castle.

Butler Old Carter was especially busy that day.

“Tom, where’s Jessie? I need his help!” His legs, not quite nimble, ached from climbing the stairs so many times; he wiped the sweat from his forehead and entered the kitchen, “Isn’t Jessie helping in the kitchen?”

“Jessie should be transporting the horse fodder. With dozens more horses in the castle, we don’t have enough fodder to feed them.” Tom carefully placed a sack of flour next to the stove.

“When he’s back, have him find me in the storehouse, I need manpower to move the food that arrived at the castle today into the cellar for storage.”

“Okay, Mr. Carter.”

Kitchen maid Eileen, while washing the vegetables, looked up, “Mr. Carter, do you need my help?”

Before Carter could answer, Cook Abbie scolded, “You can’t even finish your work in the kitchen, still have time to help others, what about it, Eileen, you want to jump ship?”

Carter spread his hands, “Eileen, you probably can’t be of help.”

“I understand… God knows how long I have to stay in the kitchen today, it’s so hot and stuffy here, my clothes are soaked through, Mrs. Abbie has made the stove too hot.”

“Oh, is that so! Are you the chef or am I the chef, letting you cook dinner for the lord’s distinguished guests?”

“You are the chef.”

“Then shut your little mouth and work quietly!”

The murmuring in the kitchen didn’t stop for a moment. Carter had already walked out; the kitchen was too hot, and he felt oppressed in his chest, not sure if it was heatstroke – summer had not yet arrived, but the weather was getting hotter. He pulled out a handkerchief, wiped his face, and leaned against the wall to catch his breath.

Morson Paddy Field came towards him, carrying a bucket of water. Seeing Carter’s state, he asked with concern, “Are you feeling unwell, Mr. Carter?”

“How could I be unwell, it’s just a bit hot, that’s all.”

“Is it, but you look pale, maybe you’re too stressed. Today, the castle is full of guests, and you’ve been working hard everywhere.”

“How could I be stressed, Mrs. Morson? I have seen livelier occasions at the Earl’s villa. I can handle this,” Carter tucked away the handkerchief, “Are Young Master Levis and Miss Li Vera’s rooms ready?”

“Miss Li Vera’s personal maid has kept complaining about the falling dust from the walls or the worn-out bedsheets.”

“We can’t decide the quality of the utensils, let’s not be rude in the details of our work, besides, real nobles won’t hold grudges because of this.”

“All of the Tulip Family are true nobles,” Mrs. Morson nodded, “Mr. Carter, are you sure you don’t need to rest a bit?”

“Don’t worry about me.”

“The Earl is a good man; he certainly wouldn’t want to see you overworked.”

“I’m not overworked. In fact, I’m enjoying this. It’s not often that we have guests at the castle; I rarely get a chance to show my worth. Alright, I’m off to organize the storehouse. Just yesterday I was complaining that the food was running low, and today we have so much that it won’t all fit in the storehouse.”

The castle was small, with little in the way of entertainment.

After finishing afternoon tea, a group of knights prepared to hunt at Thorn Ridge. Liszt gladly consented, and also invited Levis and Li Vera to join the hunt.

“With so many Earth Knights, it would be best to catch all the magical beasts in Thorn Ridge in one fell swoop,” he thought to himself. “Even if we can’t kill the magical beasts, familiarizing ourselves with the terrain of Thorn Ridge is also good.”

He donned his armor neatly.

Mounting his horse, this time he rode a Fire Dragon Horse, his coordination with the Li Dragon Horse was still not enough, affecting his strength.

He didn’t bring Thomas along, only Marcus and four Retainer Knights: “Thomas, take good care of my Li Dragon and also, don’t forget to feed Douson on time; it’s growing, and can’t go hungry.”

“What is Douson?” Li Vera asked.

“A dog.”

“You have a dog now? What breed?”

“A Fierce Earth Dog.”

“Fierce Earth Dog? A magical beast?”

“Yes, a Fierce Earth Dog cub, captured by Teacher Marcus in Thorn Ridge,” Liszt casually said.

“An Earth Knight, a Black Tulip, peanut worms, a Fierce Earth Dog cub, and a wild horse with divine speed, Liszt, have you been blessed by the god of fortune? I’m a bit jealous of you.”

“I can only say, country life is colorful.”

“Falcon Town is also in the countryside, but it’s not as colorful as Fresh Flower Town.”

“That’s because you, sister, often stay in Tulip Castle and have neglected the countryside life.”

“If you want, you can continue to stay in Tulip Castle, father doesn’t intend to drive you away,” Levis said as he rode over and chipped in.

Liszt considered this mere courtesy: “I like Fresh Flower Town, it’s very free here, you can do whatever you want.”

“Including planting grass by the castle gates,” Levis pointed out the serfs who were tending alfalfa and joked, “In the future, your castle can be called ‘Steed’s Castle’.”

Such a small castle couldn’t possibly be named.

Liszt raised his whip: “Let’s go, the sun is already slanting west, if we can’t get deep into Thorn Ridge, we’ll probably have to turn back.” The Fire Dragon Horse ran in accordance with his will.

He wanted to lead the group of knights into Thorn Ridge, at least to hunt a few magical beasts—he was going to conquer Thorn Ridge sooner or later, incorporating this hill and forest into the territory of Fresh Flower Town. The more magical beasts they killed now, the less danger in the future.

Unfortunately.

This hunting trip, they only caught normal wild animals.

Magical beasts were much smarter than wild animals; sensing the surging Dou Qi inside the Earth Knights, they had hidden themselves early on.

Even so, the prey they caught was enough to hold a grand barbecue party. Nobles, knights, and servants gathered together, laughing incessantly amid beer and cream.

“Wow, Mr. Barbecue, give me another rabbit leg,” the Tulip Great Elf flew around cheerfully; elves can live without eating, but they can still digest food.

Thomas, who was busy barbecuing, quickly handed over a roasted rabbit leg, seasoned and ready to eat, to the Great Elf.

Next to him, two Little Minor Elves, without asking, snagged two slices of roast meat for themselves.

“Xiangxiang, you’re eating too fast, chew more to appreciate the taste of the food,” Liszt said, tearing at a rabbit head in his hand with a smile.

Elves were too adorable; just looking at them could lift one’s spirits.

Especially while eating his favorite barbecue—of all the foods in this world, probably only barbecue was to his taste.

“I like to eat in big bites.”

Xiangxiang was covered in grease as she ate, then gently shook her body like a little dog shaking off water, flinging all the grease away, leaving herself clean without a single stain.