The Mighty Dragons Are Dead

On the castle’s front lawn, one carriage after another had stopped, along with a large number of horses.

Goltai, as the greeter, stood at the castle entrance, engaging in warm conversation with each noble attending the celebration. Only the important guests would be received personally by Liszt.

Such as his grandmother, Lady Penelope.

“Grandmother, you’ve had a long journey, I apologize for making you come from such a distance,” Liszt embraced Lady Penelope gently.

“The birth celebration of the Little Minor Elf is something the Tulip Castle hasn’t celebrated in many years; of course, I had to come,” said Lady Penelope, still vigorous, dressed in a black gown and black hat. “It’s just that the road is too long, the carriage ride nearly rattled my old bones apart.”

“How could that be, your body is so strong, even horse riding wouldn’t be a problem,” Liszt said with a smile as he handed Lady Penelope’s arm to Mrs. Morson, “Help the old lady upstairs to rest, and be careful of the staircase steps.”

“Please rest assured, milord.”

Mrs. Morson immediately, together with Lady Penelope’s attendants, supported the old lady upstairs to rest.

Liszt watched his grandmother enter the castle and then withdrew his gaze to look at Li Vera, who had accompanied his grandmother, “Dear sister, it’s been a long time, thank you for coming.”

“It hasn’t been that long,” said Li Vera, dressed in glorious noble lady’s finery with heavy makeup, looking a bit more beautiful than usual.

She evaluated Liszt, her eyes flashing with many complex expressions.

In the end, she still smiled warmly, and with the normal concern of a sister for her brother, she said, “Congratulations on acquiring a Little Minor Elf, it will bring you countless glories, but you also need to strive on your own and not let down the knightly glory of the Tulip Family.”

Slightly surprised,

But Liszt quickly responded, returning her warmth with a gentle smile, “I understand, glory should be earned on the battlefield, and I believe that before long, I will join my father and brother on the battlefield.”

After speaking, he and Li Vera shared a gentle embrace.

Then, laughing and chatting, they entered the castle together.

In the castle’s drawing room, many nobles were already engaged in eager conversation. Since many nobles were on the battlefield, most of those present were noble ladies, who naturally engaged in cheerful socializing upon seeing Li Vera. Liszt didn’t speak much, mostly just being a quietly handsome man.

But he was always the center of attention.

Not just because he was good-looking.

Once, on Coral Island, he was the Earl’s son who was overshadowed by Levis, Lidun, and even Li Vera, almost invisible. But over the past half year, even the most reclusive noble would often hear the name Liszt, associated with news of seafood, magic potions, magical beasts, and so on.

Everyone understood that Liszt’s rise could no longer be stopped.

Now was the time to foster good relations, if not now, then when?

“It’s a pity my daughter is still too young; otherwise, I would have introduced her to Liszt today to see if sparks fly,” a noble lady said, her gaze hotly fixed on the quietly picturesque Liszt, her heart fluttering with the wish that she could take her daughter’s place and claim him first.

Liszt felt the noble lady’s gaze but offered no response.

If he wished, he could probably woo away half the noble houses on Coral Island, or at the very least, offer them a figurative ‘hat.’

After about half an hour of such polite socializing, Goltai ushered in another group of nobles: Mr. Frank, his wife, and a bright young girl.

“Mr. Frank, lady, thank you for coming,” Liszt stood up to greet them with a smile, then turned his attention to the young girl, “And who might this be?”

“Brother Liszt, I’m Sherry, little Sherry,” replied the girl with a sweet smile, instantly reminding Liszt of the little pest he remembered from his former life, the chubby tagalong. It’s true what they say, a girl changes vastly as she grows; the chubby child from before had now turned into a graceful beauty.

“You’ve changed so much, I almost didn’t recognize you… Sherry, long time no see.”

Sherry blinked her eyes and asked boldly, “So do you think I’ve become prettier, or uglier?”

“Of course, you’ve become prettier.” Liszt replied with a slightly exaggerated certainty to the young girl. She reminded him of the princess played by Elle Fanning in the “Sleeping Curse,” even their hairstyles were similar, only that Sherry’s hair was a bit browner, whereas the princess’s was more golden.

This was not the right occasion for reminiscing.

After greeting each other, Sherry followed her parents to take a seat and skillfully began chatting with the surrounding nobles. Liszt engaged in the conversation for a bit before he had to go outside to welcome the newly arrived guests.

A knight squad, surrounding a luxurious carriage flying the Red Tulip Flag, undoubtedly signified the arrival of Lady Marie of Tulip Castle and Lidun.

They waited for the carriage to arrive at the castle gate.

Liszt stepped out the door, his face adorned with a standard noble smile, “Thank you for coming, Lady.”

“This is your festival, and had your father not been on the battlefield, he would have surely come to celebrate with you personally,” Lady Marie returned with the same standard noble smile.

Lidun had grown a bit taller since the last time they met.

But he was as thin as a pole, with a rather ordinary appearance. When it came to looks, there were very few on Coral Island who could match Liszt and they could be counted on one hand.

With a face full of acne, he looked up to Liszt, “Brother Liszt, where is your little minor elf?”

“It’s sleeping; you’ll see it soon enough.”

“I’m so envious, brother. You have your own little minor elf, and it’s a Thorn Minor Elf, too. Did it evolve at Thorn Ridge? I’ve heard there are many thorns there.”

Hearing Lidun’s words,

Liszt’s eyebrows slightly raised.

Incorporating Thorn Ridge was considered a smudge on Liszt’s record—after all, it was taking advantage of the Earl. He didn’t know if Lidun mentioned Thorn Ridge and the Thorn Minor Elf innocently or on purpose.

But it was better to sever that line of thought.

He responded with a smile, “It evolved in the grazing field next to the castle. I’ve obtained some new species of thorns from Beer Castle, and they triggered the Thorn Bug’s evolution.”

After a casual explanation,

he said, “Now that all the guests have arrived, Lady, Lidun, please proceed to the second floor; the celebration banquet is about to begin.”

The dining room on the second floor.

The nobles gathered together, sitting in their designated places according to their titles and statuses, chatting freely while waiting for the drinks and dishes.

Goltai, serving as the host of the banquet, stood up and clapped his hands.

As the noise gradually subsided, he began with a passionate tone, “Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for your presence to celebrate with Fresh Flower Town and our Baron Liszt the birth of the Thorn Minor Elf. Before the feast begins, let us welcome the star of today—Thorn Minor Elf!”

As soon as he finished speaking, Butler Carter walked in excitedly, holding a box made of jade pieces.

When he opened the box, the sleeping Thorn Minor Elf awakened instantly. It rubbed its eyes and fluttered its wings to start flying, accurately landing on Liszt’s shoulder. Drowsy and seemingly not fully awake, it humanly yawned.

“Oooh.”

It spoke, emitting a crisp voice.