The Mighty Dragons Are Dead

“Mr. Liszt, you look much more energetic than two months ago. Is everything in Flower Town all right?” asked Luis with a smile.

“Everything is fine.”

“That’s good. His lordship asked about you many times. He’s concerned about you.”

The Earl of Coral Island asked about Liszt’s life? Liszt was suspicious. If his father cared about him, he wouldn’t have been sent to such a dilapidated place as Flower Town.

Liszt did not feel close after he returned home.

His soul came from a distant world. The memories of his former self were like movie pictures that could not affect his mood. He was not connected to the Tulips by blood. Everything was like a game where Liszt was a character.

The busy servants in the castle bowed to the young masters.

Only the earl, the earl’s wife, Levis, Lytton, and, on occasion, Lvera lived here, but there were more than two hundred servants.

Also, the servants had little free time. They were always busy from dawn till dusk.

Their work could be summarized as one thing: to maintain the luxurious life of nobles.

“I have to take a shower. I can’t stand my smell now.” Lvera left them. “If Father asks, tell him that I’ll join you soon.”

Levis spoke as if he was the master of the castle. “Liszt, do you need a shower? Your room and your clothes have been kept for you.”

“Unlike our sister, I do not have mysophobia. I’ll wait for Father here. You can get to your business. Don’t mind me.”

“All right, this castle is your home, too. I need to talk to Mr. Frank about the black tulip. He has been managing the business for me. The elves have to be settled, too. I’ll see you soon.”

Levis also left.

Marcus left with a footman to settle the horses. Liszt was left alone with a few footmen in the living room. He appreciated the gem light on the pillar. The gems in a castle indicated the wealth of a noble, because most gems came from dragons.

In Liszt’s home world, gems were for decoration purposes.

Here, gems were natural magic additions that contained marvelous power. They were indispensable for magic items. The crystal light before him, for example, was a magic item that could stay lit until the magic power in the crystals ran out. Then, magi and knights could refill the magic power.

The process could repeat until the crystals were worn out to common stones.

“Is a crystal light without any decorations so enjoyable?” With the clicks of boot, someone spoke from behind Liszt.

Liszt turned around and saw the master of Tulip Castle on the stairs to the second floor. He was a middle-aged man with bright gold hair. He had gray-green eyes that were different from the sapphire eyes of his children.

His face was utterly unremarkable, too.

Leewilliam Tulip wouldn’t be noticed in a crowd, but he was lord of Coral Island and a sky knight who became an earl on his own.

Levis and Lvera were more like their father, and only their sapphire eyes came from their mother.

Liszt, on the other hand, inherited his mother’s beauty.

“Perhaps because I’m used to candles now, the crystal light is strange to me.”

“Are you complaining about life in Flower Town?” Leewilliam stood on the stairs without stepping down.

“Life in Flower Town is free. I’m very satisfied, Father.” Liszt bowed. “You’re as strong as before. I can feel your surging combat aura.”

“Your combat aura is on the rise, too. That’s good. Not complaining about your life is also good.” Leewilliam nodded. “Where are your brother and sister?”

“They’ll come soon.”

“To the study.” Leewilliam went upstairs.

Liszt followed him into the earl’s study. The study was quite huge. The bookshelves, covering a whole wall, were laden with books. Many books were also piled on the desk next to the window on the opposite side of the bookshelf.

Pada!

The earl opened a bottle of vintage New Moon and poured it into two goblets. The wine flowed like blood.

Giving one of the goblets to his third child, the earl seemed surprised. “You seem to have become polished in the two months of independent life.”

His son was very calm and not nearly as awkward as he used to be.

“Thank you.” Liszt took the wine. “Realizing the responsibilities of a lord, I have to make changes.”

“Positive changes.”

“Of course.”

After the small talk, both of them discovered that they had little in common. So, the earl raised his cup and changed the subject. “Have you dealt with the black tulip? How much did Levis pay you?”

“Tulip Castle will be responsible for planting and selling, and I will take thirty percent of the revenues in the next ten years. The cooperation will be between me, Levis, and Lvera.”

The earl pondered for a moment. “Only among you?”

“Yes.”

“You shouldn’t have left Lytton behind. He’s your brother, too.”

“He’s still little. It’s better for him to be sheltered by you, isn’t it? My siblings and I are all adults. It’s natural for us to cooperate.” Liszt smiled and did not explain the real reason.

As if he had forgotten them until just now, Liszt asked, “Where is the lady and Lytton? I didn’t see them.”

“She brought Lytton to Snake Spear City today. It’s Lytton’s uncle’s birthday today.” The earl’s wife was from a baron family of Coral Island based in a town near Snake Spear City.

Then, there was silence.

Liszt did not inherit the father-son bond, and it was inappropriate for him to talk like a stranger. So, he simply remained silent.

The earl was unused to Liszt’s new vibe. Their conversation was equal now. He couldn’t find a reason to scold his son.

After a long time, he said, “There’s still some time to go before dinner. You can visit your friends in Coral City.”

“That’s fine. I’d like to stay in the study and read.”

“You weren’t so into books before.” The earl finished the wine and left. “If you like books, I’ll have someone load a wagon for you. You can take it when you return to Flower Town.”