Liszt and the Count's Conversation

"It has been two months since we last met, Master Liszt. You look much more spirited than before. Is everything well in Flower Town?" Louis asked with a smile.

"Everything is fine."

"That is good to hear. Father has mentioned you several times; he is quite concerned about your current life."

The Count of Coral Island concerned about Liszt's life? Liszt felt highly skeptical. If the Count truly cared, he would never have enfeoffed Liszt to such a dilapidated place as Flower Town.

Returning home, Liszt felt no sense of nostalgia.

The soul within this body hailed from a distant, different world. The memories of his predecessor were merely like scenes from a movie, unable to influence his current emotions. He felt no blood-is-thicker-than-water familial bond with the Tulip Family; it felt more like a "game" where he was simply role-playing as Liszt.

The busy servants in the castle bowed and offered greetings as they saw the three young masters and the young lady.

The members of the Tulip Family residing here were only the Count, the Countess, Levis, Lytton, and Lvera, who often returned to stay, yet there were over two hundred servants.

Moreover, the servants had almost no free time; they were busy from morning until night without pause.

Their true work could be summarized in one goal: maintaining the extravagant lifestyle of the nobility.

"I am going to bathe; I cannot stand the smell on me." Lvera entered the castle and turned away immediately. "If Father asks for me, tell him I shall arrive shortly."

Levis acted as if he were the master of the castle. "Liszt, do you also need a bath first? Father has kept your room reserved, and the servants have even been maintaining the clothes you left behind."

"I am not like my sister with her germaphobia. I will wait for Father here. Brother, please go attend to your business; you need not entertain me."

"True, the castle is your home as well. Very well, I must go discuss the Black Tulip with Master Frank. He is helping me manage the planting, sales, and pharmaceutical production. Also, the elves need to be settled; these delicate little creatures cannot be neglected in the slightest."

Levis departed as well.

Marcus followed a manservant to stable the horses, leaving only Liszt and a few servants in the living room. He stood with his hands behind his back, admiring the crystal lamps on the stone pillars—the number of crystals and gems in a castle represented the wealth of the noble, as most gems originated from dragons.

In Liszt's hometown, the purpose of gems was mostly aesthetic.

Here, gems were natural anchors for magic, containing wondrous power. They were indispensable for crafting magical items. The crystal lamps on the pillars before him were magical items themselves; crafted from low-quality crystals, they could remain lit until the magic within the crystal was exhausted—at which point a mage or a knight would replenish it.

This cycle repeated until the crystal wore down and became an ordinary stone.

"Is a crystal lamp without any carvings worth admiring for so long?" Accompanied by the clack-clack of boots hitting the floor, someone spoke from behind Liszt.

Liszt turned around and saw the master of Tulip Castle on the stairs leading to the second floor—a middle-aged man with light golden hair and a pair of unremarkable grey-green eyes, which were vastly different from the sapphire-blue eyes of Liszt and his siblings.

His face was ordinary, with nothing unique about it.

Lost in a crowd, William Tulip would likely be completely inconspicuous. Yet, he was the master of Coral Island, a Sky Knight who had earned his title of Count through his own efforts.

Levis and Lvera resembled their father more than their mother, so they were not particularly handsome; only their sapphire-blue eyes were inherited from their mother.

Liszt, however, had inherited his mother's appearance, being excessively handsome.

"I suppose I have grown accustomed to lighting candles, so I am not quite used to the brilliance of crystal lamps."

"What, are you complaining about life in Flower Town?" William stood on the stairs, not continuing his descent.

"Life in Flower Town is exceptionally free, and I am very satisfied, Father." Liszt bowed respectfully. "Your body remains as strong as ever; your surging battle qi is nearly overflowing."

"Your battle qi has also increased, which is good. Being content with a simple life and not complaining is also good." William nodded. "Where are your brother and sister?"

"They had business; they will be here shortly."

"Follow me to the study." William turned and headed upstairs.

Liszt followed him up and entered the Count's study. It was a large room, with an entire wall of bookshelves filled with thick parchment books—all sprayed with deodorizers and fragrances to mask the distinct, fishy odor of old parchment. Opposite the bookshelves, by the window, a mahogany desk was also piled with numerous books.

Clack!

The Count uncorked a bottle of vintage New Moon Wine and poured it into two crystal goblets. The amber-red wine swirled in the glasses like blood, clear and translucent.

He picked them up and handed one to his third son. The Count seemed somewhat surprised: "Two months of independent life seem to have tempered your character." The former Liszt had been very reserved in his presence, and the relationship between father and son had been awkward; the current Liszt appeared very calm.

"Thank you." Liszt took the wine. "Understanding the responsibilities of a lord, I needed to make changes."

"Positive changes."

"I should think so."

After a few exchanges, both father and son realized there were few topics of familial affection to discuss. Thus, the Count raised his glass, took a sip of red wine, and abruptly changed the subject: "Has the matter of the Black Tulip been handled properly? How much compensation did Levis pay you?"

"Tulip Castle is responsible for planting and sales, and I hold a thirty percent share of the profits for the next ten years. It is a partnership solely between myself, Levis, and Lvera."

The Count pondered for a moment. "A partnership only between the three of you?"

"Yes."

"You should not have left Lytton out; he is your own brother as well."

"He is still young; is it not fine for him to be sheltered under your wings? My brother, sister, and I are adults; cooperation is only natural." Liszt smiled slightly, not bothering to explain or clarify his thoughts—Lytton looked down on him, and he, in turn, had little regard for Lytton.

As if just remembering, Liszt asked: "Where are the Countess and Lytton? I did not see them."

"The Countess took Lytton to Snake Spear City. It is the birthday of Lytton's uncle today." The Countess came from a Baron's family on Coral Island, a family located in a small town near Snake Spear City.

After that, there was another silence.

Liszt had not inherited the father-son bond with the Count, and he could not chat like a stranger, making it difficult to gauge the proper distance, so he simply spoke less.

The Count was somewhat unaccustomed to Liszt's current temperament. Compared to his previous timidness, he now seemed to be engaging in an equal dialogue, leaving no room for the Count to find fault or lecture him.

After a long while, he said: "It is still early for dinner. You may walk around, or go to Coral City to see your friends."

"No, I would like to stay in the study and read."

"I never saw you so fond of reading before." The Count finished his wine and stood up to leave. "If you wish to read, I will have someone prepare a carriage load for you to take back to Flower Town."