The Defeated Dragon Chapter 35

35 – Self-Reliance Is a Quality of an Aristocrat

Liszt was not aware of the maids' thoughts.

Also, he did not think like the majority of aristocrats. He would not be as irresponsible as to sleep around in someone else's castle. His current body was that of a sixteen-year-old, it just came of age.

But according to the laws of his birthplace, only 18-year-olds were adults and only 22-year-olds could get married.

He could set his mind on his still growing body, not needing to think too much about his energy being sapped. His predecessor was a good-for-nothing, but the current Liszt was quite confident at charging towards becoming a Sky Knight. After all, his comprehension ability was not lacking and he still had the help from the smoke missions. He might even become a dragon knight and ride a dragon.

In this world, dragon knights stood at the summit in therms of fighting strength. They were beings which could easily destroy everything between heaven and earth.

“I cannot stop cultivating the [Fire Dragon Drill] and the [Fire Surge Fluctuations] secret manuals. Although I can avoid going to the battlefield, but the ability to defend myself has to be cultivated at all times.”

……

The lunch feast was strictly a family feast, with not many people attending. As Messil and his wife were out presiding over the taxation, only the pair of grandfather and grandson, the masters of the castle, were left inside the castle. According to the Longtaro Castle's rules, the captain of the knights was not present during the castle's meals, while Meopal's teacher had already gone to the city in his capacity as an official.

Therefore, only the pair of grandfather and grandson along with the three siblings sat around the dining table.

Marquis Merlin sat in a wheelchair as it was not convenient for him to walk. The castle's food was a grade higher than that of Tulip Castle. The bread on the tray was white bread of the best grade.

Liszt picked up a loaf of white bread and took a bite. When it entered his mouth, the soft and fragrant white bread had at once turned into a wonderful flavor. It almost seemed to be cake instead of bread.

The wine was a red wine from the Razi Manor's wine cellar, it was a famous wine a grade above La Crescent.

When the plates were opened, roast beef with pudding, salmon with golden sauce, woodc.o.c.k eggs, frozen rock lobster flesh with mayonnaise, roasted goose with lettuce salad, shepherd's pie, asparagus leaves, and trout with lobster sauce were revealed. The degree of sumptuousness of this meal was comparable to that of Tulip Castle's major holiday banquets.

Although the dishes were rich, yet the atmosphere was rather stiff.

The marquis' conduct was rather solemn. Also, as someone who had wielded authority in the navy, his aura could be said to be intense. Levis and Lvera sat facing the marquis, they were self-conscious as they spoke carefully.

Liszt also felt somewhat constrained. Although he did not think that this group of people was a big deal, but in fact, he also could not be comfortable around strangers.

Therefore, striving to eat something delicious was more important.

Especially the frozen rock lobster flesh with mayonnaise.

Was very delicious.

He had just finished a plate and had already called for seconds.

“The rock lobster is the Red Crab Island's maritime produce. The family fleet seldom goes out into the sea to fish. The rock lobster is fished by some fishermen that take the risk by going out to fish. The output is not high, and practically all of it is delivered to the castle.” Meopal took a small bite of bread and said, “If you like it, then I will arrange for you a batch of live lobsters later.”

“It might not be convenient to transport them from the Longtaro Castle to my Flower Town, it is quite far. It would take one and a half days of travel in the Red Crab Island, one day of travel by s.h.i.+p, and then half a day of travel until the Flower Town. If accommodations and other delays are put into consideration, then the voyage would take at least five days.

“Actually, the rock lobsters are quite easy to keep. Just make sure to apply some water on them every day. They have the bloodline of the sea monster Ornate Spiny Lobster, they do not die easily.”

Sea monster, in other words, magic beast of the sea.

Liszt naturally would not object: “Many thanks.”

“Don't mention it.” Meopal smiled. Among the Tulip Family's three siblings, he was closest to Liszt. Perhaps because they appreciated each other's looks, or birds of a feather flocked together, but good looking people made friends with other good looking people.

When the marquis heard the conversation between the two, he suddenly said: “Liszt, tell me about the Flower Town.”

“Grandfather, the life in the Flower Town is lackl.u.s.ter.”

“When speaking about the local customs and practices, and the living environment.”

“Hmm, the small town's population is short of two thousand people. It started with the discovery of new types of tulips. Thereupon, father had moved some people to build the Flower Town. Nowadays, wheat is mainly cultivated there. The land is relatively poor and the tax revenue is quite low. Fortunately, a new type of tulip magic ingredient has appeared in the town, which will lead to new growth and development.”

“A new type of magic ingredient, this is a good thing.” The marquis inquired, “What did the Tulip Castle pay for this magic ingredient?”

“The town cannot cultivate too many tulips. Therefore, I have reached an agreement with Brother and Sister. We will cultivate them together, however, they will have to give me a cut of 30% of the proceeds.”

“Oh, a very interesting cooperation. Far better than just a sum of gold coins. Liszt, you have not only inherit Melissa's beauty, but have also inherited the Longtaro Family's shrewdness.”

The Longtaro Family's shrewdness was quite famous in the grand duchy.

The origin of this fame was the marquis' father, in other words, the previous marquis. At the time when he had been just a count, the grand duchy wanted to go to the continent to vie over mines, and therefore was in an urgent need of funds to arm their order of knights. Thereupon, the count had spent his family's wealth to support the Sapphire Grand Duchy's operation, which was ultimatively exchanged for the Red Crab Island and the t.i.tle of marquis.

Now, the annual income of the Red Crab Island was probably even greater than the count's family's wealth spent at the time.

It was a bargain.

“The Flower Town is just a small town. Therefore, I need to make money to keep up with the castle's expenditures.”

“Self-reliance, this is a quality of a qualified aristocrat.”

Courage, courtesy, loyalty, self-reliance… Aristocrats had a great deal of qualities they kept mentioning over and over, with the most hypocritical one being self-reliance. Aristocrats were basically a bunch of Vampires squeezing the ordinary people dry. From young to old, they might not even know what a hoe looked like.

Of course, the self-reliance mentioned by the marquis probably meant that he could ‘rely on himself to squeeze' instead of asking his family.

……

After lunch came dinner.

After dinner came rest, and then lunch the next day. After lunch, Meopal was busy because of the marquis' instruction. He had to plan a grand ball to be held tonight, where the aristocratic youths from the nearby towns and cities shall convene.

An aristocratic ball could be simply seen as a blind date gathering.

Particularly for the aristocrat's second and third sons, they felt the most strongly about partic.i.p.ating in such b.a.l.l.s. The eldest son could inherit their father's t.i.tle, and did not have to worry about their marriage alliance. The second and third sons had to strive hard themselves to find their perfect wives so they could continue enjoying their aristocratic lives.

Otherwise, after a few generations, they might be ultimatively reduced to ordinary knights and drop from the aristocratic cla.s.s.

Female aristocrats also felt strongly about the ball as not every young lady could be married to an aristocratic family's eldest son. They also had to aim for those aristocratic descendants with promising prospects to have a life of glamour.

“Liszt, you have to prepare!” Meopal brought a gentleman's valet carrying a pile of formal clothing, “These are my formal clothes that I will not wear. Your and my build are practically identical, they surely will fit you.”

“Cousin, there is no need to try them one by one. I think that the clothes I am wearing right now are quite good.”

“No, you have to strive for excellence. Think about it. Yesterday, I have arranged for knights to quickly send notice on horseback. The aristocrats of at least thirteen towns and cities have received the invitations. How many beautiful young ladies eager to try to form a good relations.h.i.+p with you do you think will rush over. Perhaps you might even meet the one.”

“I am still young and am not in a hurry to get married.” Liszt was a bit speechless. How come he had not discovered previously that this cousin of his was so keen on being a match-maker? “You should dress up my sister, she is at the marriageable age. Or my brother, he also needs to find a suitable mistress candidate for the Tulip Castle.”

“They do not need me to remind them. Levis had already borrowed a lot of formal clothes, and Lvera had already dressed up since early in the morning. You have not noticed?”

“Is that right?”

Liszt really had not paid attention. At his spare time, he had been busy reading in the Longtaro Castle's library. While during the meal, he was only preoccupied with the food before him.