The Mighty Dragons Are Dead

Liszt had made preparations to head to Coral City to take charge of these five hundred serfs. Although the weather was still somewhat hot at the end of summer and the beginning of autumn, the sun was no longer so scorching, and wearing the noble’s Flack·Abbieye could still be tolerated.

He no longer needed to ride a horse.

The castle had just purchased a brand-new four-wheeled carriage. The servants carefully adorned it, attaching a flag on top embroidered with a purple-black tulip.

The Tulip Family had their own flag, a bright red tulip. It represented the kind of tulip that had birthed their first Tulip Bug, but sadly, despite evolving into a Little Minor Elf, it had died of old age. The current Tulip Great Elf was bred from a Magic Tulip.

Now that Liszt had been enfeoffed, he was no longer a formal member of the Tulip Family, so the red tulip flag was no longer suitable for use.

So, he had chosen the Black Tulip as his own flag.

The flags of the caravans of the Fresh Flower and Thorn merchants bore the Black Tulip.

On Coral Island, this was probably already familiar to everyone. Seeing a Black Tulip flag meant it was Liszt, the third son of the Earl’s family, the Baron of Fresh Flower Town, who had recently garnered much attention.

Black Tulip.

That was the name of this brand-new carriage.

The coachman driving the carriage was One-Eyed Barton. There weren’t many horses, so his workload was light. He took the opportunity to drive the carriage, which also allowed him to visit Coral City and see the world.

“My lord, following your instructions, I’ve selected the healthiest Dragon Hollyhock plant, dug it out with the soil, and placed it in a pot. Look, it has green fruits and ripe black ones, and it continues to flower. The lady will surely like it.”

“Very good, water it and put it in the carriage,” Liszt signaled.

The Dragon Kui Bug originated from Lady Penelope’s Dragon Hollyhocks, so to show some appreciation, Liszt prepared a new pot of Dragon Hollyhocks for the old lady.

It was an act of reciprocity.

It was also an opportunity to show off his abilities, given that the old lady always found fault with him—for being too handsome!

“My lord, are you taking Douson with you?”

“Take Douson around for a spin; it’s now my loyal guard, and the Earth Knights are no match for it anymore,” Liszt said proudly.

He was very satisfied with Douson.

The Bloodline Fruits weren’t wasted; it could now release several Rock Spikes at the same time. At its most, it had managed to release six Rock Spikes at once.

After synthesizing the opinions of Marcus, Goltai, and others, everyone agreed that Douson was now an Intermediate Magical Beast! It might be weaker compared to those capable of crushing the Coral Island Knights like the Purple Sand Crocodile, making Douson somewhat of a rookie. But an Intermediate Magical Beast was still an Intermediate Magical Beast.

It had transcended the shackles of a Low-Level Magical Beast, able to cast two spells—Rock Spike and “Multiple Stone Spikes.”

Moreover, it had room to grow; after all, it was only seven months old. It might comprehend more magic as it continued to grow.

With Douson, he could virtually do as he pleased on Coral Island.

Carter, observing the majestic and robust Douson, teased, “Taking it away is good, so it doesn’t keep hovering around the Earth Matron. Mr. Marcus said the Earth Matron is almost due to be pregnant, and they shouldn’t mate anymore.”

“Indeed, Douson is presently growing, so it shouldn’t exhaust itself,” Liszt said seriously. “Additionally, concerning the Earth Matron, from now on, she must be provided with ample nutrition… If it’s confirmed she isn’t pregnant, we will cut off the supply and wear down her ferocity, as necessary.”

Having starved for so many days, eating only occasionally, and still being overpowered by Douson made for a rather difficult existence for the Earth Matron; her fierceness was gradually being eroded. When Liszt and others approached, it no longer chose to roar but was left only with fear.

No matter how smart a Magical Beast is, it is still ultimately a kind of wild beast.

The tactic of boiling a frog in warm water was entirely capable of instilling fear in the Earth Matron towards Liszt and others. Even if it regained its strength in the future, it would not dare to rebel against them — just like circus lions, whipped by their trainers from a young age. They don’t dare to escape, nor to rebel, completely lacking the demeanor of a king of beasts.

Given the Earth Matron’s swift compliance, Liszt was struck with many inspirations.

Gradually, he started to form a vague plan, which he intended to implement on Juan Fu. This Wind Falcon that kept getting fatter with each meal was about time to experience some hardships.

He dressed himself and the carriage was prepared.

Goltai also arrived with Isaiah, Blair, and Rom Barrel, along with a few clerks. They came to join in the reception of the serfs.

At the same time, Marcus arrived, “My lord, don’t you need the Knight Squad to follow?”

“No need, Teacher Marcus, the work of the Lumberjack Team is equally important.”

A brief farewell.

The caravan set off.

Even with the robust physique of an Earth Knight, Liszt still found riding in a carriage far more comfortable than on horseback. All the windows were open, and the breeze blew through as they swayed and jostled on the journey, nearly lulling him to sleep. During the trip, Douson also tried to get into the carriage for some comfort, but Liszt kicked him out resolutely.

“A dog that doesn’t run alongside the carriage wheels but wants a ride, where’s the sense in that!”

The main reason, however, was that Douson was simply too big. Once inside the carriage, Liszt would have no room to stretch his legs. Moreover, the dog’s weight was close to eight hundred pounds, which left the two nags pulling the carriage panting heavily once he boarded.

Leaving the road of Thorn Ridge, they entered the ubiquitous dirt roads of Coral Island.

The dust was immense.

Douson, running behind the caravan for a while, turned into a dust shaker, prompting Liszt to hurriedly put on a mask and draw the curtains of the windows. At around ten in the morning, the caravan smoothly arrived at Coral City.

“Consultant Goltai, you go with Blair and Isaiah to discuss the handover with Mr. Frank. I’ll go visit my grandmother first.”

“As you wish, my lord.”

They then parted ways, with the carriage continuing towards the independent small castle beside Coral City. When the servants of the castle saw the Black Tulip banner fluttering on the carriage, they knew who had arrived, and the butler quickly led the servants to greet them at the door.

“Master Liszt, I am so pleased to see you.”

“And my grandmother?”

“The old lady is inside the castle, chatting with Miss Li Vera. Earlier today, Miss Li Vera arrived at the castle to keep the old lady company.”

“My sister is here too?” Liszt wasn’t surprised.

Because he had already noticed a carriage parked at the entrance to the castle, bearing a flag with a special design, that was Li Vera’s carriage. The design on the flag, which she had created herself — supposedly an abstract combination of a hot spring, birds, Tulips, and a Baroness — was lost on Liszt.

As he entered the castle, he spoke to the manservant Tom, “Take good care of Douson, and don’t let it injure anyone indiscriminately.”

“Understood, my lord.” Tom, holding Douson’s leash, seemed a bit tense. It was Thomas’s job to look after Douson before.

Today, Thomas had to stay close to Liszt, so the task fell to him.

His strength was not enough to restrain Douson, he could only barely manage.

Fortunately, Douson was well-trained and obedient. If Liszt commanded it not to wander, it would not.

“Look, look, who has come.” When they saw Lady Penelope, there was no need for Liszt to greet her first, as the old lady had already called out, “Li Vera, I told you, this boy must have some private dealings with that boy Levis. The caravan has just returned, and he couldn’t wait to get here.”