The Defeated Dragon

With the return of Lvera and Madame Penelope after watching the comedy, the family banquet at Tulip Castle began.

They talked about some interesting things, about war and peace. While the atmosphere was not so harmonious or familial, it wasn't that bad at all.

In particular, Madame Penelope and Madame Mary, who were most of the time armed with guns and sticks at each other, actually had a lively atmosphere and occasionally exchanged a few words with each other.

The Count seemed awkward seated between the two, but such talks about mother-in-laws are always stressful for men.

Liszt was now getting used to his ident.i.ty and felt less transparent compared to his predecessor.

The family engaged in all sorts of topics, after all, communication between n.o.bles can become more and more easy as it progresses. Sometimes, when people get their horns, they can feel that the world is so much different from them. However, when one walks away from their horns, they would realize that the world didn't move away from them or changed at all.

“Is this a specialty of Flower Town?” The more the Count ate the crispy peanut and drank the gin, the more he agreed. “Peanut rice is delicious.”

“These are peanut crisps.” Liszt ate while explaining, “I brought many flavors of peanut food, but most of them are more suitable as snacks.”

” I didn't expect to eat peanuts that are cooked like this. Did you buy this kind of food for Tulip Castle?” The Count asked Madame Marie.

“If you like to eat them, you can buy some. Liszt's Flower caravan sells this peanut rice food in Coral City. Is that right? “

“Yes, there are basically the food products of the merchants from the Flower Caravan.”

The count nodded.”Then I'll buy more.  It really tastes good, especially after drinking, I would eat a few peanut crisps and I would feel very comfortable.” 

The peanut crisps surely caught the Count's attention.

The exquisite new type of bread from Flower Town was also presented on the dining table and won everyone's favor. This was coupled with the egg soup and scrambled eggs learned by the Tulip Castle chefs from Mrs. Abby. Also available was the seafood that has become unavailable to the n.o.bles of Coral Island. The cuisine provided by Flower Town occupied almost a third of the table.

“Liszt, you have a good cook. I never knew that bread and eggs can make something so different, ” said Levis while munching on a hamburger with meat in it. Also an invention of Flower Town.

“Unfortunately, the commercial value of these foods is small. Otherwise I could have had more money than Viscount Trik.”

Civilians do not yearn for varieties in their food, while aristocrats, on the other hand, are more inclined to let their chefs learn how to cook than to buy food that is already made — most importantly, the ingredients for these foods are sold by many, which meant they are common and accessible to everyone.

Trik, the Viscount of Beer Island, has humulus( hops) sprite, the  important ingredient for brewing beer and therefore monopolizes the sales of fine beer.

Egg soup, scrambled eggs, seafood, and peanut rice were all created for one purpose.

These foods were created as an invention of Mrs. Abby to satisfy Liszt's stomach. If others cannot learn the cooking technique for these foods yet, they could make money.

Food is an industry made to be monopolistic.

Other examples include beer that is monopolized by its raw materials, soap that is monopolized by the technology used to make it, the white wine, cement, ceramics, gla.s.s, white paper that will soon be developed in the future — all of which Liszt hopes for.

———-

After tea, Liszt went around Coral City.

He first went to the Knights Academy and met some familiar students, some of which stirred up some estranged feelings. It was important that one made his ambitions known to the future earth knights so that they would know which Lord to follow.

He then went to Frank's house and chatted with Shirley for an hour. Childhood friendships were important to consider but not be desperate about.

Later on, he visited some friends in Coral City.

They were all n.o.ble teenagers, most of whom were second sons in the family. Those teenagers were destined to inherit t.i.tles and lands and liked to follow Levis.  So most of Liszt's friends were second sons like him. 

“Sir Liszt, are you planning to form your own Knights Squad?”

In a small aristocratic manor, a young man named Rick asked Liszt who was seated in the main seat. “I see Randy has become your follower?”

“It hasn't been determined yet, but it's coming soon. After the New Year, I will seriously consider the formation of a Knights Squad. Flower Town has the capability to arm a Knights Squad now. Russell and Randy will have to  wait until I form a Knights Squad. Those knights will have to be loyal to me. “Liszt replied.

“Can I join your Knights Squad so I can follow you to the battlefield?” Rick asked hopefully.

“You've become an earth knight?”

Rick's tone seemed somewhat proud but reserved. “Yes, just a month ago. I am nineteen years old this year so I am a bit behind.”

“Of course you can consider following me, I'd be delighted. But I hope you can live in Flower Town for a while after the New Year, just like what Randy is doing, and wait until I form a knighthood team before making a decision. " Liszt does not agree with on-the-spot decisions because of his reasons before – As the knight chooses the Lord, the Lord also chooses the knight.

Another half grown young man followed and asked, “Well, can I follow you too?  I haven't broken through the earth knight level yet.”

His name was Nemo. His father is an elite earth Knight.

“It's certainly not possible for you to join the Knights Squad yet, but I will welcome you if you want to come to Flower Town as an official,” Liszt said. " You can all come to Flower Town,for you are one of my few friends.” A few months ago, he didn't even care about these friends.

After all, it was his predecessor's friends, not his.

"But Flower Town already has officials like Gort and Isaiah. Are there other positions we can hold?" Nemo asked.

“You don't think I'm going to stay in Flower Town all my life, do you?”

“Oh, sorry, Sir Liszt, I didn't mean that. Of course you will become a Viscount. That is inevitable. Everyone is so sure about it as well.”

“No need to apologize, Nemo. Becoming a Viscount is my goal, and having my own island or city fiefdom is also my goal. To achieve this goal, I need a group of loyal followers. If you have ideas that will aid me, I will surely welcome you to Flower Town. “

Looking at the dimming sky, Liszt got up and said, “I have to be going back. There is a dinner tonight at Tulip Castle. I will hold a banquet at Tulip Castle tomorrow night and I will invite everyone. All my friends at the Knights Academy should come as well. “

Rick exclaimed, “I will be on time, Sir.”

“I will too.” Nemo and the others spoke in unison.

Liszt nodded, put on the cloak handed by the male servant Thomas, and left the aristocratic manor surrounded by the knights. He then returned to Tulip Castle under the cold wind.