The Mighty Dragons Are Dead

The content ranged from training serf children to future planning for Fresh Flower Town, all of which were included.

By the time the sun was at its zenith at noon, the Apple Table Meeting concluded successfully.

The meeting resolved to establish the Knight Academy of Fresh Flower Town, because the territory was only a small town, so the academy kept a low profile. The academy was merely an informal appellation rather than a permanent institution. Everyone involved in training knights would also serve as an instructor and receive a salary of two copper coins per day.

The first batch of eight instructors was as follows.

Ettiquette Instructor – Goltai Mast, responsible for training serf children in loyalty to their landlord.

Knight Squad Instructor – Marcus Wheel, responsible for training the potential candidates of the Knight Squad, i.e., the serf children who passed.

Patrol Team Instructor – Karl Ironhammer, responsible for training the potential candidates of the Patrol Team, i.e., the serf children who did not pass.

Bug Guard Team Instructor – Rom Barrel, responsible for training the potential candidates of the Bug Guard Team, i.e., the girls’ group of serf children.

Administrative Instructor – Isaiah Moss, responsible for teaching serf children administrative skills.

Serpent Script Instructor – Blair Steel-Nail, responsible for teaching serf children how to read and write Serpent Script.

Wind Language Instructor – Grantaire Short Bench, responsible for teaching serf children how to read and write Wind Language.

Marine Affairs Instructor – Kostor Hoofprint, responsible for teaching serf children nautical knowledge.

The meeting also readjusted the duties and salary regulations of Fresh Flower Town’s provisional officials. Among them, consultants received twenty copper coins per day, affairs officers received ten copper coins per day, and assistant affairs officers received five copper coins per day.

The list is as follows.

Consultant and Diplomatic of Fresh Flower Town – Goltai Mast, overseeing all affairs of Fresh Flower Town, including diplomatic affairs.

Administrative Officer and Legal Officer – Isaiah Moss, responsible for the administrative affairs and legal matters of Fresh Flower Town.

Assistant to the Administrative Officer – Auden Insole.

Finance Officer – Blair Steel-Nail, responsible for the financial affairs of Fresh Flower Town.

Assistant to the Finance Officer – Gray Scythe.

Defense Officer – Karl Ironhammer, responsible for Patrol Team affairs.

Worm Affairs Officer – Rom Barrel, responsible for Bug Guard Team affairs.

Marine Affairs Officer – Kostor Hoofprint, responsible for nautical affairs.

It was anticipated that separate Legal Officers, in charge of legal penalties, and Diplomats, in charge of external affairs, would be appointed, but there were no suitable officials for the positions at that time.

Whether it was Old Geronte or Captain Kostor, they were acting in official capacities whilst still being serfs. They needed to accumulate enough merit for Liszt to release them from serfdom and convert them into formal officials. Therefore, their remuneration was granted according to serf standards, much lower than that of formal officials.

Even so, both were so excited that they prostrated themselves on the ground, kissing the tips of Liszt’s leather shoes.

For them, this was an opportunity given by Liszt to rewrite their destiny and a window bestowed upon them towards nobility—as long as the future landlord continuously achieved glory, they as following officials would naturally receive rewards. Even if they could not, their descendants would have a higher starting point to strive for noble glory.

“The glory of knighthood watches over Fresh Flower Town, over Lord Landlord, and over each and every one of us.” Goltai was very excited at the luncheon.

The more prosperous Fresh Flower Town became, the more it highlighted his importance as a consultant and his power.

He was not worried about facing challengers that would shake his status since only nobles could serve as consultants, and in Fresh Flower Town, there was no other noble besides Liszt.

At least for a few years, this pattern was unlikely to change.

The excited Goltai, almost getting drunk on beer, flattered effusively, “Under the leadership of Baron Liszt, the prosperity of Fresh Flower Town is just around the corner. Let us raise a toast to the Baron!”

“A toast to the Lord!”

As for Gao Ertai’s bootlicking,

Liszt was naturally immune and remained unaffected.

Fresh Flower Town had already passed the difficult initial stage and was now in a phase of high-speed development. With the help of the Smoke Mission, his vision was beyond the likes of Gao Ertai.

After the noon banquet,

the officials returned to their posts.

Liszt asked Captain Kostor to stay behind, “Captain Kostor, how is the sailor training progressing?”

“It’s about to be completed. I have already started trial sailing. Just waiting for a big storm at sea to test the sailors’ adaptability, and then we’ll be ready to set sail for Black Horse Island!” Kostor replied excitedly.

“I need not repeat the importance of Black Horse Island, make sure to keep the training confidential.”

“Lord Landlord, rest assured, I haven’t spoken a word about Black Horse Island in front of the sailors.”

“Well done, keep up the good work.”

“Yes, Lord Landlord!”

The sun was setting in the west.

Time flew by, and an afternoon passed just like that.

Liszt had just returned from inspecting the Thorn Cordyceps Shrubbery,

when he happened to meet his servant Tom, who was looking for him: “Sir, the Fresh Flower Caravan transport team has brought back a magician named Mr. Elkeson Truth. He’s waiting for you at the castle.”

“I know.”

This magician was a falconer invited by Mr. Granney Truth.

When Liszt arrived at the entrance to the castle, he just so happened to see the other party wearing the distinctive black magic cloak, completely enveloping his body—truth be told, Liszt had always been curious why magicians liked to wear black cloaks. He had worn a black cloak too, but he also had red, gray, and blue ones.

“Baron Liszt, Mr. Elkeson True pays his respects to you,” Elkerson, showing more courtesy than Granney, bowed slightly.

Liszt returned the courtesy: “Mr. Elkeson, welcome to Fresh Flower Town.”

“The town is beautiful, quiet and peaceful. I am delighted to be here to work. By the way, where is Mr. Granney Truth? I received his invitation letter.”

“He is making crystal lamps.”

Once inside the castle, the servants brought tea, and Liszt went straight to the point, “I heard you are a falconer, and I especially asked Mr. Granney to invite you to help me train a magical beast, the Wind Falcon. It’s time for its trial flight, but it still doesn’t know how to release the Magic Wind Blade.”

Elkeson replied calmly, “First of all, I must clarify that I have never trained falcon-type magical beasts, only ordinary falcons. It’s hard to guarantee whether I can train the Wind Falcon.”

“Just do what you can to train it. If it really doesn’t work out, it’s not a problem. Mr. Granney happens to want to use the materials of the magical beast to make a piece of magic equipment for me,” Liszt laughed, “If the training is successful, I will provide you with two gold coins as payment. Even if it fails, there will still be a gold coin as payment.”

“You are very generous,” Elkeson was satisfied with the offer, “I will do my utmost.”

Compared to magicians like Granney who are stubborn, rigid-minded and fail to grasp the situation, Elkeson was an excellent conversationalist. Ample knowledge, an interesting demeanor, a tone tinged with respect, and a strong, iron-like cadence made Liszt feel favorable towards him.

The refined iron cadence popular in high society was certainly more pleasing to the ear than the clumsy local speech of Coral Island.

It’s not that one fears unfamiliar goods, but rather fears comparing goods and finding them wanting.

As they talked, Liszt began to regret—he should have directly invited Elkeson earlier, instead of spending a fist-sized Black Pearl to invite Granney.