The Mighty Dragons Are Dead

Especially Lady Penelope and Lady Marie, who would occasionally throw veiled barbs at each other, livening up the ambiance.

The Earl, seated in the middle, seemed somewhat embarrassed. The age-old topic of mother-in-law and daughter-in-law discord was a headache for men in any world.

Compared to his former invisibility, Liszt had gradually adapted to his role and was no longer unnoticed.

He could participate in a range of topics and was becoming more and more adept at this sort of noble social interaction—sometimes, when a person burrows too deeply into their own narrow view, they feel as if the whole world has turned against them. But once they come out, they find that the world is still there, steadfast and loyal.

“Is this a specialty from Fresh Flower Town?” asked the Earl as he munched on crispy peanuts paired with Juniper Wine, enjoying the combination more and more. “Peanuts prepared this way are quite delicious.”

“These are crispy peanuts,” Liszt explained while eating, “I’ve brought many flavored peanut snacks, though most are more suitable as a light snack.”

“I didn’t think there were other ways to eat peanuts besides boiling them. Does Tulip Castle purchase this kind of food?” the Earl asked Lady Marie.

“If you like them, we can buy some. It seems that Liszt’s Fresh Flower Caravan sells these peanut snacks in Coral City?”

“Yes, basically wherever there’s a Fresh Flower Caravan, these products are available.”

The Earl nodded, “Then let’s buy more. I find the taste agreeable, especially after drinking. Having a few peanuts feels very comforting.”

The peanuts had caught the Earl’s attention.

The exquisite new-style bread from Fresh Flower Town was also presented on the table, winning everyone’s favor. Coupled with the egg soup and scrambled eggs that the chefs at Tulip Castle had learned to make under Mrs. Abbie’s guidance, as well as seafood which had become a luxury the nobility of Coral Island couldn’t acquire, the food supplied by Fresh Flower Town covered one-third of the banquet.

Levis, nibbling on a hamburger with chunks of meat—a Fresh Flower Town innovation—commented, “Liszt, you have a great chef. I never knew that bread and eggs could be turned into such distinctively flavored delicacies.”

“It’s a pity these foods don’t have much commercial value, otherwise, I could be richer than Viscount Trik.”

Commoners do not pursue the variety of food, and nobles prefer their own chefs to learn cooking rather than buying ready-made food—the main point being that the ingredients for these foods are not monopolized and are very common, within the capacity of everyone to gather.

Viscount Trik of Beer Island owns the Lycra Minor Elves, monopolizing the hops (lycra), which are essential for brewing beer, making him the sole supplier of premium beer.

Egg soup, scrambled eggs, seafood, peanuts—all they lack is a creative twist.

These foods are more about Liszt satisfying his own palate, inspiring Mrs. Abbie to invent them and, incidentally, making a bit of profit before others learn the methods.

The real business potential lies in industries that have a monopolistic nature.

For example, businesses monopolizing raw materials like beer, techniques like soap and spirits, and future developments like cement, ceramics, glass, and white paper—these are where Liszt’s hopes lie.

…

After afternoon tea, Liszt took a stroll around Coral City.

First, he had visited the Knight Academy to meet with familiar students and reconnect with feelings that had gradually drifted apart. He also took the opportunity to display his ambition, hoping these future Earth Knights would consider him when choosing a lord to follow.

Then, he stopped by the Frank household and chatted with little Sherry for an hour. The friendships of youth still mattered and couldn’t be treated too heartlessly.

After that, he visited a few friends in Coral City.

They were all young nobles, mostly younger sons—before reaching adulthood, those boys destined to inherit earldoms were fond of following Levis. Thus, most of Liszt’s friends, like him, were also younger sons—nowadays, the nobles set to inherit were still following Levis, while the younger sons who couldn’t inherit looked up to Liszt.

“Sir Liszt, are you planning to form your own knight squad?”

In a small noble estate, a young man named Rick asked Liszt, who sat in the seat of honor, “I saw Rondo, has he become your retainer?”

“Not finalized yet, but it’s close. After the festival season is over, I will seriously consider forming a knight squad. Fresh Flower Town already has the capacity to arm a knight squad. It’s likely that both Lasse and Rondo will formally pledge their loyalty to me once I form the squad,” replied Liszt.

“Then, may I follow you? I’d like to join your knight squad; I want to go into battle!” Rick asked eagerly.

“Have you already become an Earth Knight?”

Rick’s tone was a mix of pride and modesty, “Yes, just a month ago, though it’s a bit late, I am already nineteen this year.”

“Of course, I’d be happy to have you consider following me. However, I hope that after the festival season, you can live in Fresh Flower Town for a while, like Rondo. Then, once I form my knight squad, you can make a decision.” Liszt didn’t immediately agree, still adhering to the principle that knights choose their lords as much as lords choose their knights.

Another young man, not fully grown, followed with a question: “What about me, can I follow you? I haven’t yet broken through to become an Earth Knight.”

His name was Nemo, the son of an Elite Earth Knight who had not been granted a title.

Liszt smiled, “You certainly can’t join the knight squad, but if you are willing to come to Fresh Flower Town as an officer, I’d welcome you. Everyone present is welcome to come to Fresh Flower Town; you are among my few friends.” A few months ago, he would not have bothered with these friends.

After all, they were the friends of his former self, not his own.

“But, isn’t Fresh Flower Town already staffed with people like Goltai and Isaiah? Are there still officer positions we could hold?” asked Nemo.

“Do you really think I’ll spend my entire life in Fresh Flower Town?”

“Oh, sorry, Sir Liszt, I didn’t mean that. Of course, you will become a Viscount Lord, it’s inevitable, everyone is so sure of it,” Nemo said apologetically.

“No need to apologize, Nemo. Becoming a Viscount is my goal, as is having my own island or city estate. To achieve this goal, I need a group of loyal followers, and if you are inclined, I’d be happy to welcome you to Fresh Flower Town.”

Glancing at the dusk-darkened skies, he stood up, “I need to return now. There is a banquet at Tulip Castle that I must attend. Tomorrow evening, I will host a banquet at Tulip Castle, inviting everyone here and friends from the Knight Academy to join.”

Rick said loudly, “I will be there on time, Sir.”

“I will too,” said Nemo and the others in turn.

Liszt nodded, put on the cloak handed to him by Servant Thomas, left the noble estate, and under the escort of Retainer Knights, headed back to Tulip Castle against the cold wind.