The Defeated Dragon Chapter 141

141 – The Coral City's Wizard

From the 476 serfs, women accounted for about two-thirds. There were also many babies, children, and elderly. Able-bodied men, on the other hand, were very few in number. In serf markets, able-bodied men were considered as an excellent labor force and their price was much higher than that of the elderly, children, and women.

Apart from the craftsmen, who were costly, women and children were c.u.mbersome. And these craftsmen were still elderly. They weren't worth their money, not at all.

But Liszt had no complaints. The women could marry the bachelors of the fief and offset the imbalance between men and women in the Flower Town. When raised properly, children and babies would be future knight candidates. The old craftsmen had superb skills, they could fully groom a large number of apprentices.

Of course, the able-bodied men were equally important to the Flower Town. Whether it was farming, building roads, or building the dock, they all required a strong labor force.

Though on the surface, Liszt still had to complain: “Mr. Frank, the quality of these serfs is not that good. I did said that I need women and having more of them isn't really a problem. But there are too many children and all the craftsmen are elderly. Is this some kind of joke?”

“Oh, Baron Liszt, I wouldn't dare to play a joke on someone of the Tulip Family's lineage.” Frank continued with a smile, “These serfs were gathered by the fleet from various serf markets. The strong labor force has been purchased by others early on. As you know, there are no quality serfs without war.”

“Then, the next time the fleet sets out into the sea, it should be able to purchase quality serfs, right? The Steel Ridge Kingdom has already started fighting against the Eagle Kingdom. Father and the others also went to the battlefield.”

Frank s.h.i.+fted his gaze: “You want to purchase more serf… Oh, that's right, the seafood market brings you a lot of gold coins.”

” Regarding the profits of the seafood market, Mr. Frank, you should be quite clear about it, right?” Liszt didn't feign poverty. After all, the other party helped Levis collect the dividends, “I'll get the gold coins together as soon as possible. I hope that the fleet can bring me another batch of serfs.”

“That shouldn't be an issue. The Tulip Fleet is always ready to do business. Now, the war has begun and the serf trade is turning around. So, how many serfs do you plan to purchase?”

“1,000, which should include 200 craftsmen.”

“1,000 serfs. According to the usual pricing, they'll cost you 240 gold coins.”

“Previously, the serf trade was in decline, which was why I could accept the higher pricing, but now that war broke out, serfs still being that expensive, I can't accept it, Mr. Frank.”

“Whether there's war or not, serf trade is always full of risks…”

After some haggling, they finally settled on 210 gold coins.

He took out the gold coins he saved up for a period of time, plus the profits to be diverted from the caravans, and gave them to Frank. The smile on Liszt's face was no longer as mild. After this, he would go through another period of poverty. The feeling of a shriveled money pouch was uncomfortable, specially after getting used to spending a lot of money.

……

After declining Frank, who used ‘Little Sulli wants to see you' as an excuse to invite him for lunch, Liszt had lunch in Madam Penélope's castle.

Madam Marie also sent a servant to invite him to the Tulip Castle, yet he didn't go. He wasn't too familiar with Madam Marie. Lvera also stayed for lunch. At the table, she kept pestering Liszt: “Your Violent Dog is so big, how much do you want for it?!”

What a joke. Although Tremblingwoods didn't release its magic, but just from its physique, others could tell that it was extraordinary. This couldn't be measured in gold coins!

Liszt responded coldly: “Dear Sister, the first person Tremblingwoods saw when it opened its eyes for the first time was me. Beside me, it won't acknowledge anyone else. Even if you use dragon coins, you still won't be able to redeem its acknowledgement. Abandon this stupid idea.”

When she heard the word ‘stupid', Lvera's expression turned gloomy: “You're getting more and more arrogant, you even dare not to listen to your sister.”

With a knife in his left hand and a fork in his right hand, Liszt calmly cut the steak on his plate: “I'm just stating a fact, please be sensible.”

Madam Penélope seemed to quite enjoy Liszt's current domineering manner, and she spoke to help him, which was a rather rare occurrence: “Lvera, please eat like a lady and stop trying to always s.n.a.t.c.h things away from Liszt. You can choose a suitable husband from the many excellent aristocratic gentlemen and get everything you want.”

“Grandmother, you don't love anymore.”

“You're all grown up, my girl and boys. I'm getting old and muddleheaded. I only wish that the three of you get along and take care of Lytton, so that the Tulip Family's lineage flourishes."

The luncheon wasn't very harmonious.

After the meal, Lvera drew her sword angrily and stopped in front of Liszt: “Have a bout with me like a warrior. I want to prove that you are still the same gutless Liszt!”

Without waiting for Liszt to respond, Trembling woods, lazily lying to the side suddenly broke free from Tom and rushed at Lvera. With the momentum of a tiger going down the mountain, it snarled and rushed alike a gust of wind.

At this moment, Lvera's face overflew with cold sweat. She felt herself being shrouded by a strong killing intent.

This kind of killing intent could only be experienced in the face of irresistible power, with your life being at risk. Just like when she was 7 years old, when she whipped a horse, and as a result, it rushed at her, intending to bite her. The difference was that she was now an Earth Knight, yet she felt powerless all the same.

“Back off, Tremblingwoods!” Liszt ordered indifferently.

Tremblingwoods suddenly pulled the brakes and no longer rushed forward. Its glowing eyes glittered with a ferocious glint as it fiercely stared at Lvera, giving off the feeling that it would dash over and attack her at anytime.

“It's a magic beast of the Thorns Ridge. Although it acknowledged me as its master, but its ferocious nature is not so easy to get rid off. I'm sorry for scaring you. I still have things to do, I have an appointment, dear Sister. Talk to you next time.” He smiled and left the castle with Tremblingwoods in tow.

With an ashen face, Lvera stood rooted to the ground. She didn't continue talk big. Just now, she was really frightened by Tremblingwood's attack. After all, she led a sheltered life.

On the castle's balcony, Madam Penélope watered the new black nightshade. She saw everything that happened at the castle's gate.

She just muttered: “That's how it should be, girls should behave like girls and boys should behave like boys. Melissa and Marie, the two b.i.t.c.hes didn't lack in the ability to have children.”

……

Liszt didn't lie to Lvera. He indeed had an appointment, or to be more precise, he had to find someone.

He made a beeline for a town near the Coral City. Looking at the town's ruined appearance, he wrinkled his brows slightly: “Röhm, is it here?”

“Sir, this is the Moss Town, I've been to this town before.” Answered Röhm Weinfa.s.s.

“Who's fief is it?”

“It once had a baron. Later, it went bankrupt and was taken back by Sir Count. It hasn't been granted to anyone since.”

“It's really here, I've found the two-story-tall house with a white spire that Gort mentioned.” Liszt waved his hand, “Let's go meet Mr. Wizard.”