"Selling people isn't out of the question. The family's fleet sails overseas to trade every year, but it isn't worth taking risks over a few dozen or a hundred people."
"Five thousand."
"What?"
"I need five thousand people."
"Five thousand? Are you sure you can handle that many?"
"Positive."
Levis narrowed his eyes. "I'll go back and think it over."
Back in the sitting room, no one brought up the subject of selling people again. With Gortai keeping everyone entertained, the afternoon tea was lively.
The party would spend the night in Flower Town. Most of the knights and retainers would stay in town, while Levis and Lvera would stay in the castle with their personal servants.
The butler, old Carter, was especially busy today.
"Tom, where's Jesse? I need his help!" His stiff legs had grown sore after repeated trips up and down the stairs. Wiping the sweat from his brow, he entered the kitchen. "Isn't Jesse helping out in here?"
"Jesse should be delivering hay for the horses. The castle has dozens more horses now, and we don't have enough fodder for them." Tom carefully set a sack of flour beside the stove.
"When he gets back, send him to the storeroom to find me. I need people to help move the food delivered to the castle today down into the cellar for storage."
"All right, Mr. Carter."
As she washed vegetables, the kitchen maid Erin looked up. "Mr. Carter, do you need any help?"
Before Carter could answer, the cook, Mrs. Abby, snapped, "You can't even finish the work in the kitchen, and you have time to help elsewhere? What, Erin, are you trying to switch jobs?"
Carter shrugged. "Erin, I don't think you'll be able to help."
"I know... Who knows how long I'll have to stay in the kitchen today? It's so hot and stuffy in here, and my clothes are soaked through. Mrs. Abby has the stove burning far too hot."
"Oh, is that so? Are you the cook, or am I? Are you going to prepare dinner for the lord's distinguished guests?"
"You're the cook."
"Then shut that little mouth of yours and get back to work!"
The kitchen's incessant chatter went on without pause. Carter had already stepped outside. It was too hot in there, and his chest felt heavy too. Perhaps he was suffering from heatstroke—but it wasn't summer yet, even though the weather was getting hotter. He pulled out a handkerchief and wiped his face, then leaned against the wall to catch his breath.
Mrs. Morson Paddy came toward him carrying a bucket of water. Seeing his condition, she asked with concern, "Are you feeling unwell, Mr. Carter?"
"How could I be unwell? It's just a little hot."
"Is that so? You look a bit pale. Are you nervous? There are so many guests at the castle today, and you've had to see to everything."
"Why would I be nervous, Mrs. Morson? I've seen livelier scenes at the count's other residence. I can handle this." Carter put away his handkerchief. "Are young master Levis and Miss Lvera's rooms ready?"
"Miss Lvera's personal maid keeps complaining that dust is falling off the walls or that the sheets are worn out."
"There's nothing we can do about the condition of the furnishings. We mustn't be discourteous in the details of our work. Let the rest go. True nobles wouldn't hold a grudge over such things."
"The Tulip Family are all true nobles." Mrs. Morson nodded. "Mr. Carter, are you sure you don't need to rest?"
"Don't worry about me."
"The lord is a good man. He wouldn't want to see you working yourself too hard."
"I'm not overworking myself. In fact, I'm enjoying it. The castle doesn't get visitors often, so this is a rare chance for me to show what I can do. All right, I'm off to organize the storeroom. Yesterday I was complaining that we were running out of food, and today there's so much the storeroom can't hold it all."
The castle was small and had little in the way of entertainment.
After afternoon tea, some of the knights prepared to go hunting in Thorn Ridge. Liszt readily agreed and invited Levis and Lvera to join them.
With so many Earth Knights, we should wipe out the magical beasts in Thorn Ridge. That was what he thought. Even if we can't kill any magical beasts, it'll still be good to learn the terrain.
He put on his armor.
He swung into the saddle. This time, he rode Fire Dragon Horse. He hadn't yet bonded well enough with Li Dragon Horse, and it would hinder him from fighting at full strength.
He didn't bring Thomas along, only Marcus and four Retainer Knights. "Thomas, take good care of my Li Dragon. And don't forget to feed Dousen on time. He's still growing and can't go hungry."
"What's Dousen?" Lvera asked.
"A dog."
"You have a dog? What breed?"
"A Violent Earth Dog."
"A Violent Earth Dog? A magical beast?"
"Yes, a Violent Earth Dog pup. Teacher Marcus caught him in Thorn Ridge," Liszt replied casually.
"An Earth Knight, Black Tulip, Peanut Bugs, a Violent Earth Dog pup, and a magnificent wild horse. Liszt, have you been blessed by the goddess of luck? I'm a little jealous."
"All I can say is, life in the countryside is full of variety."
"Falcon Town is countryside too, but it isn't nearly as colorful as Flower Town."
"That's because you spend so much time at Tulip Castle, sister, you've overlooked country life."
"If you want to, you can keep living at Tulip Castle. Father isn't trying to drive you away." Levis rode over and joined in.
Liszt figured it was just a polite remark. "I like Flower Town. I'm free here and can do whatever I want."
"Including planting grass outside the castle gate." Levis pointed at the serfs planting Alfalfa and joked, "You could call your castle Horse Farm Castle."
A small castle like this couldn't possibly have a name.
Liszt raised his riding crop. "Let's go. The sun's already setting. If we don't get deep into Thorn Ridge, we'll have to turn back." Fire Dragon Horse sprang forward in answer to his wishes.
He intended to lead this group of knights into Thorn Ridge and hunt at least a few magical beasts. Sooner or later, he would conquer Thorn Ridge and add its wooded hills to Flower Town's territory. The more magical beasts they killed now, the fewer dangers they would face later.
Unfortunately.
They hunted only ordinary beasts that day.
Magical beasts were far cleverer than ordinary animals. Sensing the surging battle aura within the Earth Knights, they had hidden away long before.
Even so, they caught enough game to throw a grand barbecue party. Nobles, knights, and servants gathered together, laughing heartily over beer and cream.
"Whee! Mr. Barbecue, give me another rabbit leg!" The Tulip Great Sprite flew about happily. Sprites didn't need to eat or drink, but they could still digest food.
Thomas, busy tending the barbecue, hurriedly handed the Great Sprite a roasted rabbit leg sprinkled with seasoning.
The two Little Elves beside her didn't even ask. They simply grabbed two pieces of barbecue and flew off with them.
"Xiangxiang, you're eating too fast. Chew more, and you'll appreciate how delicious the food is," Liszt said with a laugh, tearing at the rabbit head in his hands.
Elves were so lovable. Just looking at them lifted his spirits.
Besides, he was eating barbecue, which he loved. In this world, barbecue was probably the only food that suited his taste.
"I like taking big bites."
Xiangxiang was covered in grease from eating. Then she gave herself a gentle shake, like a dog shaking off water, and all the grease flew off her, leaving her completely clean, without a single stain.