The Mighty Dragons Are Dead

Chapter 0551 Marquis Merlin's Resentment (Part One)

On the day before setting off in search of Dodo Island, another delightful event occurred, the Elf Bug that had been gestating in the Green Yuanbao Bonsai gifted to Liszt by his grandmother on his birthday was finally born.

After the contract was made.

It became Liszt's thirty-eighth Elf Bug.

Up until now, including the Elves contracted by Ach, he had a total of one Greater Elf, six Little Minor Elves, and forty-three Elf Bugs. With such a large family and business, gone were the days of his humble beginnings in Fresh Flower Town. He was not much different from some of the lesser noble Earl families.

He reminisced about the birthday party at Meioubao, where he met Lady Martha Yiniang Peng, the widow of the Feudal Marquis of Diagonal Island.

When she mentioned that by simply staying at her Daisy Castle for a while, he could obtain a Little Minor Elf, he was almost tempted.

"I agonized over a single Little Minor Elf back then, and now I have so many Elves... But why does it still feel like there's an agony within me?" He had thought he could easily overlook the invitation to Daisy Castle, only to find that he was still hung up on that Little Minor Elf.

To stay for a while and obtain a Little Minor Elf, what else in the world could be more profitable than that!

The image of Lady Martha would occasionally surface in his mind, a lady in her thirties, graceful and of noble temperament, with an irrepressible allure in her brow and eyes. One could imagine that in her prime, she must have been stunningly beautiful.

Unfortunately, after Meioubao's birthday banquet, he never saw Lady Martha again.

And they did not exchange contact information.

While he didn't correspond with Lady Martha regularly, Liszt always maintained correspondence with the Long Taro Family. Frequent trade relations were kept between Coral Island and Red Crab Island, with Fresh Flower Brew, glass, and Fresh Flower Soap all having caused quite a sensation on Red Crab Island, receiving wide acclaim.

At the moment, within the main bedroom of Long Taro Castle, Marquis Merlin suffered a relapse of his old illness and was resting in bed.

Yet he couldn't idle away his time; he buried himself in writing at the small desk on his bed, summarizing the achievements of his life. Just then, Meioubao knocked and entered with a smile, "Grandfather, a letter from Liszt has arrived, and you won't guess what has happened. I've read the letter and I can still hardly believe it."

Marquis Merlin raised his head, his face etched with the wrinkles of old age, the flame of life flickering like a candle in the wind, "Did he become a Sword Saint so quickly?"

"Not that, it's about the Elves."

"Has he obtained another Little Minor Elf?"

Knowing he should not tease Marquis Merlin too much, Meioubao spoke directly with an astonished tone, "It's a Greater Elf! A Giant Algae Greater Elf that can cultivate vast quantities of Magic Medicine Kelp and it's even found in the sea!"

Marquis Merlin was taken aback but soon regained his composure, "Encountering a wild Greater Elf in the sea is indeed praiseworthy, but how will he overcome the numerous obstacles to cultivate Magic Potions in the ocean?"

"The letter did not mention these details, but Liszt has written that he has planned out ten-thousand-mu of coastal sea area, all to be planted with Magic Medicine Kelp. In doing so, he must have a way to cultivate Magic Potions in the sea. I remember he has always been interested in the ocean and always sends me a lot of oyster sauce."

"Oyster sauce is indeed a delicacy, and the seafood he mentioned, enjoyed occasionally, has a distinctive flavor." Marquis Merlin nodded, "All the beauty and intelligence of Melissa have passed on to Liszt, William is a lucky fellow indeed!"

"When Liszt was undervalued in the Tulip Family, I thought it was due to his lack of talent, so I always wanted to look after him a bit more. But it turns out he simply hadn't shown his abilities. After being enfeoffed these past two years, his development has been so rapid, he has already become a Sky Knight."

Meioubao's eyes held much envy, yet his admiration was sincere, "The 'The Earth Chronicle of Liszt' he sent to me has been very enlightening to my cultivation, and I feel I am close to a breakthrough as well... Perhaps in another year and a half, I could become a Sky Knight too."

"I look forward to that day, the Long Taro Family will eventually be in your hands."

"I understand!"

Marquis Merlin motioned for a servant to place a pillow behind his head before continuing, "That notebook was well written. Among all the descendants of the Long Taro Family, his understanding of cultivation is the most profound. He has even come up with many innovative methods of practice, far surpassing how he performed when he visited me the year before last."

"I wonder what the limits of Li Si Te could be in the future. Grandfather, do you think Uncle Li Weiliam could become the seventh Feudal Marquis in the Grand Duchy?"

Continue your adventure with empire

"The territory of Iron Hoof Island could be divided among three Marquises, and the Grand Duke is also planning to expand the Blue Blood Alliance, making room for two more Marquises. Out of the five Marquis positions, Li Weiliam should be able to secure one without any problem, and he might even become the Feudal Marquis of Iron Hoof Island, as he probably wouldn't be interested in the Blue Blood Alliance."

The titles within the Blue Blood Alliance consist of only one city, and all its resources depend on the support of the Sapphire Family. It's far less appealing than a feudal title, after all, who would want to be a lackey when they could be an emperor in their own right."

Marquis Merlin rested a moment, then continued, "As for Li Si Te, he's the rising star among the country's nobility, with a bright future. Perhaps the Grand Duke has already taken notice of him."

"Indeed, after all, he's the youngest Sky Knight in the country."

"I've seen many people, and Li Si Te is of good character, one to be relied upon. However, what's most important is to rely on oneself, this country... it's a time of many troubles."

"Grandfather, it can't be as bad as you think, can it? When Angela went back to visit her family, everything with the Grand Duke and the Sapphire Dragon was normal."

Marquis Merlin squinted his eyes, and his gaze flickered as if recalling something, but eventually, it turned murky again, "Is there still no sign of Angela being with child?"

Caught between embarrassment and anxiety, Meioubao replied, "We've been trying hard."

Then he hurriedly found an excuse to leave Marquis Merlin's bedroom.

Watching his grandson flee, Marquis Merlin sighed with a complex expression, then buried his head back into his writing, furiously documenting his life.

The aged butler brought over a cup of green tea, "My lord, this is the new tea that Young Master Sun Li Si Te just sent. The color and fragrance after brewing are much better than before. After finishing the tea, you ought to rest; you've been writing for two hours straight and shouldn't overexert yourself anymore."

"I don't have much time left."

"My lord, I am certain you will live a long and healthy life."

"There's no need for comforting words. We've known each other for over fifty years, and although there's a difference between master and servant, we're both of the same age. There's no need for noble platitudes," Marquis Merlin said with a carefree smile before sighing again, "I've had many splendid times in my life; I thought I could die contented, but ultimately there are many things I am concerned about."

"Is the master worried about the young lord and Young Master Sun?"

"The descendants of the Long Taro Family are few in number. I only have Mesiro for a son, and Mesiro only had Meioubao. With Meioubao, there has been no word from Angela for half a year."

"Young Master Sun and his wife are still trying; you should have confidence in them, my lord."

"Let's not talk about that anymore. Have you heard any news from that old man Wallace recently?"

"All is quiet on Deep Throat Island. It's said Marquis Wallace is in good health, capable of eating three pounds of Magical Beast Meat in one sitting."

The more Marquis Merlin thought about it, the angrier he became, "That old scoundrel, about the same age as me, still hopping around, chasing young men on the battlefield, it's shameless!"

What's even more irksome is that the progeny of Marquis Deep Throat, Wallace Pineapple Green, are many in number; with three sons all married with children, and his eldest son even has a grandson.

Comparing oneself to another is indeed infuriating.