The Mighty Dragons Are Dead

This chapter is a bonus update for "bittertree" and their 20,000-coins reward; another update will follow tomorrow.

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"The green tea is quite nice, the more I drink, the more flavorful it becomes. Is this also a specialty product from your territory?" the Earl asked after finishing a cup and having it refilled.

Liszt replied, "I discovered three green tea trees on Black Horse Island, and I'm thinking of ways to expand the planting scale. Fortunately, a green tea bug emerged among them, which greatly reduced the difficulty of cultivating green tea trees."

"Can you just pick the leaves of the green tea tree and brew them in water?"

"They need to be roasted to remove the raw taste and to allow more nutrients from the tea leaves to infuse into the water, which makes the tea especially tasty."

"It does have a rich flavor; I like this taste." The Earl looked at Liszt with a knowing expression, "A cup of green tea after a nap seems to greatly relieve the heat."

"When I return, I'll send a batch of tea leaves for you to brew, Father."

"How many cups will it make?" asked the Earl with a smile.

Liszt, without any embarrassment, answered seriously, "Morning tea, afternoon tea, evening tea—three cups a day, and each cup can be brewed three times. However, drinking that often seems excessive; too much green tea isn't good. So brewing two cups, six times a day, is more appropriate."

He continued, "If we calculate 5 grams per cup, that's 10 grams a day, 300 grams a month. Father, leave the provision of tea leaves for your consumption to me. Once I develop the green tea planting industry, everyone in Tulip Castle will be able to enjoy green tea." Of course, by that time, he would charge for the tea leaves.

While they were chatting,

Levis also stepped out of the cabin and joined the tea tasting—a good thing Liszt brought plenty of tea leaves.

However, unlike the Earl, Levis didn't have the same earnest approach to tea tasting. After a few sips, he still couldn't get used to it: "What's so good about such a bitter drink?"

"Bitter first and sweet later; Brother, you need to taste it carefully."

"I have tasted it, but it's bitter indeed. You should add some milk, sugar cubes, or maybe a bit of minced meat or egg to balance the taste," Levis suggested.

"Its flavor should be appreciated as is, to fully experience the character of green tea. Brother, your life is too impetuous. Drinking tea requires patience. If you don't take the time to experience it, you'll never discover the sweetness behind the bitterness. It's like life itself—you attend too many parties and social events and often overlook the essence of life."

"Oh heavens, Liszt, have you become a minstrel now? Advising me on how to live my life? Sorry, but my life is much more exciting than you imagine. And, I don't like drinking this... green tea," Levis shook his head.

Liszt wasn't annoyed.

It was like playing the lute to a cow.

"Actually, I'm relieved to hear that. The green tea trees have a low yield of tea leaves right now; supplying them for my and Father's consumption is already difficult. If you also liked tea, Brother, I really wouldn't know what to do," he said.

After a while,

Liszt shifted the topic: "Cousin is already married, so when is Brother's wedding with Loria Gold Wheat Ear going to take place?"

"It will be set at the beginning of September, before the Pioneer Mandate begins. Levis will marry Loria," the Earl stated.

With two wedding ceremonies coming up, Liszt was rather helpless at the thought of the expenses: "It's as if it's been agreed upon—Meioubao in August, Levis in September... Father, when will you start worrying about Li Vera?" he asked, showing rare concern for his sister.

"Li Vera is too picky, I don't know what kind of noble she wants to marry. I'll see if she makes a suitable choice; if not, in a couple of years, I'll choose a partner for her," he responded.

As nobility with a title, Li Vera actually wasn't worried about finding a match.

So Liszt just asked casually, his interest lying more in this year's Pioneer Mandate: "Is the Grand Duke still waiting for the Steel Ridge Kingdom and the Eagle Kingdom to go to war? He has not asked about the dragon-slaying incident in our country, what impact does it have on the outside world?"

The battle for Iron Hoof Island had been concluded for a month.

The feedback from foreign countries should have reached the Grand Duchy by now.

The Earl said, "The specifics are not very clear, but probing is inevitable. Steel Ridge Kingdom will likely send an envoy to visit Blue Dragon Island to communicate with the Sapphire Family... The Pioneer Mandate this year will reflect the will of the Grand Duke as well as the positions of the various kingdoms."

"When do you think the Pioneer Mandate will be issued?"

"No later than October."

"Hmm."

"What's the matter, do you plan on participating in the Pioneer Mandate again?"

"Yes, I hope to continue participating. Although the strength of my territory is still rather weak, my personal strength is not. I also have Douson, and at the very least, I can take over the logistics... Most importantly, my territory is in dire need of serfs, and I hope to purchase more from the Eagle Kingdom."

The Earl nodded, "That's fine, you can join me this year, and have Levis stay in Tulip Castle."

Levis interjected eagerly, "I look forward to going into battle as well, father."

"You need to stay with Loria, and, it would be best if you can produce the fourth generation of the Tulip Family as soon as possible, to ensure the continuity of the family's property."

Lady Penelope was the first generation, the Earl was the second, Levis was the third, and his son would naturally be the fourth.

Such matters did not require shyness, so Levis nodded and replied, "I will work hard with Loria to try to have an heir as soon as possible."

"In addition, you need to properly manage your mistresses and illegitimate children, understand?" said the Earl suddenly.

"Oh heavens, father, are you perhaps mistaken? I do indeed know several women, but I definitely do not have any illegitimate children."

"There's no need to explain to me. You must understand Loria's status as a Marquis's daughter; she will not tolerate your mistresses and illegitimate children taking even half a step into Tulip Castle."

"I understand."

The private lives of the Nobles often involve various mistresses and illegitimate children.

However, when the Great Nobles intermarry, it is difficult to tolerate the involvement of illegitimate children in the family, especially within families where the bride's side is a strong Noble house. Illegitimate children can only end up outcast, struggling against the injustices of the world on their own.

Drifting at sea for one day and one night.

Finally reaching Red Crab Island.

The Deputy Butler Ranieri of Long Taro Castle had been waiting early at the port of Sea Crab City to receive the Tulip Family's delegation. By the time they reached Long Taro Castle, it was the afternoon of August 15th, with only a day and a half left before the wedding at Meioubao. Your adventure continues at empire

"Li Weiliam!"

"Mesiro!"

On the road outside Long Taro Castle, Mesiro personally greeted the Earl and his group, expressing great enthusiasm. Clearly, the Tulip Family, with its burgeoning growth, was a powerful ally of the Long Taro Family.

The two Earls who were followers of Marquis Merlin were also in the welcoming party—Sharke Cauliflower and Durant Hyacinth.

After a warm and boisterous round of pleasantries.

Liszt was just another inconspicuous person within the crowd exchanging courtesies; he demonstrated his grace by greeting everyone, then stood to one side.

Glancing at Durant Hyacinth, he was Duniko Hyacinth's father. Clearly, Duniko's excellent genes were inherited from her father, a handsome, middle-aged man who also possessed a refined and elegant demeanor. His style was quite different from that of the more domineering Earl Sharke standing beside him.

Mesiro, Li Weiliam, Sharke, Durant.

The four Sky Knights standing together made Liszt very pleased to find that although his father had the most ordinary appearance, his presence was the most dazzling. It stemmed from his Advanced Dou Qi that was harmonious inside and out, constantly radiating a robust aura that influenced the senses of those around him.