Revived Peanuts and Budding Flowers

"Gortai, how is the progress on finding suitable locations to settle the Elf Bugs? They have been dormant for a month, and I hope to revive them as soon as possible rather than letting their potential wither away."

An Elf Bug is a magical little creature.

It can recognize a master; as long as one bites a finger and uses a drop of fresh blood as a guide, a magical contract can be forged. They are the spirits of nature, the essence of vegetation, and the messengers of magic.

Planting their Bug Grass allows them to influence the growth of surrounding plants.

Bug Grass is the plant body that nurtures the Elf Bug, which can be viewed as a life-bound magical artifact belonging to the creature; it can be retracted or deployed, planted or put to sleep.

The growth of the Bug Grass is the growth of the Elf Bug.

Once the Bug Grass dies, the Elf Bug dies along with it.

Currently, the Bug Grass is inside the bellies of the four Elf Bugs. Without nutrient supply, the Elf Bugs can only sleep. This is not just a waste of productivity; it also delays the possibility of the Elf Bugs evolving. No Elf Bug can evolve into a Little Elf just by sleeping; they must constantly absorb nutrients and influence crop growth to evolve.

Although the hope was slim.

Liszt still wanted to try and see if his Elf Bugs could evolve into Little Elves.

Gortai replied, "The Alfalfa Bug is suitable for the Dairy Farm; there is a large pasture there, and replacing the grass seeds with alfalfa should work. The Millet Bug is hard to place; Flower Town mainly grows wheat, and no one grows millet. The Tulip Bug, of course, should be planted at the Flower Farm, even though that place is nearly abandoned... As for the Thorn Bug, Liszt, you know that bug has no value."

"I don't care if it has value or not; I need them all to have a field to grow in!"

"I can go plant the alfalfa and tulips first. The lazy serfs should get moving, but Liszt, I need manpower. The clerks are all lazy fellows; they can't get anything done!"

"You may conscript the civilians in town as you please, and the castle will pay their wages."

"Good heavens, the castle is paying wages? You are truly a generous lord. However, almost no one in Flower Town can read. You also want me to organize a census, but they can't even write their own names. I guarantee you, they won't be able to accomplish anything; you cannot rely on the civilians."

This was a problem.

Flower Town had no schools and no education. Having illiterate people serve as officials was indeed unreliable.

"Then, Gortai, do you know any literate people who would be willing to settle in Flower Town? As long as they are willing to serve as officials, I can pay them wages—at least double the salary of officials in other towns... My castle should still have quite a few Gold Coins."

No matter how unfavored he was, Liszt was still the Count's son. After being enfeoffed at his coming-of-age ceremony, he had received a considerable number of Gold Coins.

Gortai was silent for a moment, seemingly weighing his words. "Liszt, I can see that you have ambition for Flower Town. I do indeed know some frustrated men of talent. But as your tutor, I must remind you that Flower Town is already struggling to support one lord; if more people come, it will be unable to bear the burden."

"I understand this, do not worry. I will solve it; you may invite them all over," Liszt said lightly. Give him talent, and he could create wealth.

In his view, Flower Town was essentially an untapped virgin land.

Although it was difficult to get rich by farming without elves, farming was not the only way to create wealth.

At the same time, a voice echoed in his heart: I have the Smoke Mission, my own golden finger; perhaps it can bring me even more wealth!

As they were discussing these matters.

The old butler, Carter, knocked and entered. "My lord, Old George from Peanut Hamlet is here to see you."

"Oh, what is the matter?"

"He says the peanuts in Peanut Hamlet have returned to a vibrant green overnight. And that central field you specifically ordered to be watched—a peanut plant there has grown a very large bud."

"Is that so? Let him in." Liszt was pleasantly surprised.

He had only just applied the fertilizer; he hadn't expected the peanut field to recover so quickly. He could hardly wait to find a place to zone out and see if the Smoke Mission had updated.

By the time Old George nervously tiptoed into the castle, Liszt had regained his composure. "Old George, tell me in detail about what happened in Peanut Hamlet."

"Yes... my lord... your great radiance... has shone upon every corner of Peanut Hamlet..."

Just as Carter had reported, Peanut Hamlet had turned green overnight, and one peanut plant had mutated, growing a large bud. The serfs were overjoyed, and Old George, ignoring his lame leg, had run like the wind to beg for an audience with the lord. The numb, desperate look in his eyes from before had been replaced by hope.

Gortai had already reacted, his mouth agape. "Oh, heavens, Liszt, this... could it be that a... a Peanut Bug has been nurtured in the peanut field?"

Liszt smiled faintly. "It is very likely."

"Oh, heavens, Liszt, you are truly a noble favored by the heavens! For such a remote, rural town as Flower Town to actually nurture an Elf Bug—it is incredible!"

"Whether it is incredible or not, we shall see once we go there. Mr. Carter, prepare my horse; I am going to Peanut Hamlet."

"As you wish, my lord."

At the castle gate.

Liszt and Gortai each mounted their steeds. Carter asked, "My lord, your squire knights have not yet arrived. Shall we wait a moment?"

Thomas, standing to the side, stepped forward, wanting to say something but not daring to speak.

Liszt noticed. He glanced slightly at Thomas and Old George, then spoke. "Thomas, follow me on horseback. And, bring Old George along as well."

As if hearing celestial music, Thomas was so excited his body trembled. "I am at your service, my lord!"

This was the first time the lord had allowed him to serve him closely while going out. Being a close personal valet meant being a trusted aide, someone who followed the noble everywhere—a role often filled by knights who fought alongside great lords on the battlefield.

Four people, three horses.

The Fire Dragon Horse took the lead, moving like a gust of wind, and arrived at Peanut Hamlet.

Looking out, the peanut field that had been yellow and withered yesterday was now a lush green, with all the peanut seedlings stretching their leaves to the fullest.

It was spring, and it was not yet the flowering season.

However, on the largest peanut plant in the center of the field, a fist-sized bud was waiting to bloom on the stem above the roots. Its delicate, vibrant green color was exceptionally pleasing.

"This is truly the bud of an Elf Bug. Heaven favors us! Liszt, Flower Town is a land favored by the heavens!" Gortai shouted with slight exaggeration.

Liszt was actually very excited inside, but on the surface, he maintained the reserve of a noble, wearing a gentle smile. "Elf Bugs play a vital role in the agriculture of Flower Town. Therefore, this peanut field must be protected. Old George, you and the farmers must send people to guard it every day."

"My lord, Old George will guard it even if I have to go without food or drink!"

"There is no need to go without food or drink; just take turns standing guard." Liszt said to Thomas behind him, "When we return, tell my squire knights that I need one of them stationed at Peanut Hamlet every day to watch over the Elf Bug."

"Understood, my lord!"