The Mighty Dragons Are Dead

When Goltai received the notification and hurried to the Thorn Garden, he immediately opened his mouth wide and exaggeratedly described, “I can’t believe this is real, Magic Medicine Thorns? I thought Fresh Flower Town was the place where the knight’s glory shone, but now I realize that this place is more like the birthplace of the knight’s glory!”

“The birthplace of knight’s glory? I like the sound of that, Consultant Goltai, and there might be even more surprises that you can’t imagine,” Liszt said mysteriously.

With the existence of the Smoke Mission as a golden finger, everything here was to be expected.

Dragon!

Smoke Dragon!

A dragon that could found a nation, bringing such benefits, is nothing.

“Are there more surprises?”

“Of course, you will know soon,” Liszt referred to the evolution of the Thorn Bug, believing that soon, they would receive news of a new variety of thorns, and after that, the assimilation of the Thorn Bug.

What would be gained then was a miraculous Thorn Minor Elf.

He didn’t tell Goltai; Goltai couldn’t keep secrets. Regarding the evolution of the Thorn Bug, he wasn’t planning to announce it until it was successful, letting only Marcus in on it. Liszt had great trust in Marcus; his family had already settled in Fresh Flower Town.

He swiftly changed the subject.

Liszt said, “Teacher Goltai, this Thorn Garden can commence with transplantation and planning. My idea is to transplant the Rapid Growth Spiky Thorn and Rapid Growth Poison Thorn to the edge of Thorn Ridge, to enclose Fresh Flower Town and prevent invasions from magical beasts or thieves from outside.”

“That’s a significant project,” Goltai said with a troubled look, “It might not be feasible in a short period, as the autumn harvest is upon us, and I’m organizing serfs to reap this year’s crop.”

“Then let’s wait until after the autumn harvest to arrange for the Thorn Garden. But for now, around the Rapid Growth Magic Thorns, someone must immediately arrange for the removal of the ordinary thorns, allowing the Magic Medicine Thorns to grow and breed,” said Liszt.

“As you wish.”

A moment later.

Worm Affairs Officer Rom Barrel, who was inspecting the cordyceps, also hurried over.

Liszt had to give another set of instructions: “The protective measures for the Thorn Garden must be strengthened, with at least a squad of four Bug Guard Members on guard, divided into eight-hour shifts, with three squads rotating.”

“Understood!”

“Also, I will purchase several large drums to be placed in the wooden hut where the Bug Guard Members keep watch. In case of any situations, they should beat the drums as a signal,” said Liszt.

After making proper arrangements, he reluctantly left the Thorn Garden.

Back at the castle.

Mr. Elkeson True had already designed a complete set of tools for training Juan Fu, including an eagle hood, eagle tether, eagle water bottle, eagle gloves, eagle creance, falcon stand, bait, and other equipment. All these were made to precise measurements according to Juan Fu’s body shape.

It wasn’t too expensive, but neither was it cheap—altogether, it cost a gold coin.

“Baron Liszt, for the next period, we must enter the stage of training the bird through sleep deprivation. You must refrain from feeding Juan Fu. The rest, leave to me, preventing it from sleeping. Eventually, it will submit its proud head to you completely,” advised Elkeson.

“I understand,” said Liszt.

Liszt reached out and petted Juan Fu. Although Juan Fu didn’t bite Liszt, it dodged his touch, as it didn’t like anyone touching it.

In the following time, the training of Juan Fu began.

Having moved out of the castle and confined to a separate falcon room, Elkerson watched Juan Fu closely, recording all the detailed data about him. It must be said, this witty and humorous magician, instead of performing his duties as a magician, found it interesting to take on the role of a breeder.

“Mr. Elkerson, which systems of magic are you skilled in?”

“Earth System and Water System.”

“I have a curious question, how did you embark on the path of a magician?”

Elkerson reflected, “Baron Liszt, I come from a family of serfs. As it happened, my teacher passed by Serpent Spear City on his way to the small town where I lived, to select some plants; he needed an assistant and chose me. Afterward, he asked if I wanted to join him to explore the truth, and I agreed.”

“So, you are from Serpent Spear City.”

“My family were originally serfs from Midway Island, but when I was very young, because Viscount Clare angered Marquis Deep Throat, Clare was exiled to an uninhabited island. Thus, my family and I came to Coral Island and settled down in Serpent Spear City, but my parents have passed away, and I’m on my own now.”

The Marquis of Deep Throat Island, full name Wallace Pineapple Green, is one of the seven marquises of the Grand Duchy.

The long-forgotten Viscount of Little Papa Island, whose brother, the Viscount of Da Pa Pa Island, is a noble vassal of Marquis Deep Throat. As for Midway Island, Liszt had not heard of it before, and knew nothing about Viscount Clare.

However, in earlier years, when the Tulip Family received their fief on Coral Island, they bought a large number of serfs from various places; Elkerson was likely bought as a serf to Coral Island at that time.

They made small talk for a bit.

Suddenly, Liszt asked, “Mr. Elkerson, do you know Fire Attribute magic?”

“I am not proficient in it, but I can definitely do it.”

“In that case, I have a batch of Fire Attribute magic potions; could you make them into magic power potions for me?” Liszt decided to entrust the creation of magic power potions to Elkerson.

Elkerson’s brows raised slightly, and he chuckled, “I would not refuse a task that brings in money. On the path to seeking truth, I am always in need of gold coins; knowledge never comes for free.”

Magicians like to mess around with vials and jars, studying various types of explosions and dangerous things.

All of these materials must be purchased with gold coins. As a class existing outside the feudal system, if they want to earn gold coins, they have to work on their own — making magic potions, crafting magic equipment; those specializing in the Ice System might even make and sell ice blocks.

Of course, some magicians choose to join the feudal system.

For example, they serve as court magicians or magic advisors for nobles, enjoying the patronage of a noble.

But magicians like Elkerson and Granney, of their level, certainly cannot enjoy such patronage and must work on their own to earn money to purchase knowledge and explore the truth.

At Tulip Castle, there is a magician specializing in the cooperative production of magic potions, living a reclusive life without lacking money.

These two could only take on odd jobs, living a semi-secluded life.

“Then, I entrust the magic flame mushrooms I have to you for processing. I will build a Flame Mushroom Processing Workshop at Mushroom Hamlet and plan to have a long-term cooperation with you, how does that sound?”

He had intended to keep Granney around, but now, he felt that Elkerson was a better choice.

Elkerson seemed hesitant, “To stay in Fresh Flower Town for a long time?”

“You don’t have to stay here all the time; the production of flame mushrooms is limited. If you could take out a week every month, that would be enough to process all of the Flame Mushroom magic potions.”

“In that case, I am willing to cooperate,” Elkerson nodded, then voiced his confusion, “Baron Liszt, why don’t you cooperate with Tulip Castle?”

“Isn’t it the same if the products are made first? There is no loss due to transportation costs and perhaps that could even earn a little more.”

Liszt narrowed his eyes, choosing not to tell the truth. He had been very conspicuous lately, making quite an impression on Coral Island. Too much rigidity can lead to collapse, so moderation is key in everything. As for joining the Elite Earth Knight Sequence, it’s best kept to himself.