Chapter 423 Gifts Must Be Presented

Flower soap and flower wine obviously cannot be the main gifts, as they would greatly diminish Liszt's standing. After all, he is now a viscount of Black Horse Island, a mid-tier noble.

Moreover, the person getting married is his cousin, with whom he has a very good relationship.

Specialties, food, and resources—these are the three main categories of gifts nobles typically exchange in this era.

"The specialties of Flower Town, apart from delicacies, are flower soap and flower wine. We should include a generous amount of these three. As for resources, we can send a few small black pearls and pick some jade, crystal, and mythril. The total value of these gifts should adequately convey my sincerity."

Interactions among nobles, particularly high-ranking ones, are known for their lavishness.

Liszt felt resigned, but he had no choice—the gifts couldn't appear cheap. He reluctantly prepared a batch of resources: "If I remain unmarried for a long time, I probably won't be able to recoup these gifts... I rarely receive gifts in return, as I don't have many occasions to celebrate."

As a bachelor, he had no weddings, funerals, or birthdays to mark—except his own.

After careful consideration, he told his butler: "Mr. Carter, I will prepare a batch of precious gifts myself. Please help me select some additional gifts, preferably some unique specialties, mainly food."

"Very well, my lord."

The gift issue was resolved. It would undoubtedly be expensive, but Liszt was prepared to shoulder the cost. Meopo had been kind to him, and Marquis Merlin's gifts were worth repaying. He often studied those gifts, having memorized them thoroughly.

The insights of a sword saint at the pinnacle of their training, summarizing their experiences, were of immeasurable value.

He stood, mounted his fully recovered Fire Dragon mare, and headed to the magic workshop in Wheat Village. In the workshop, Cris was brewing potions while teaching Parris magic.

"My lord, Viscount."

"How is the magic training coming along?"

"Parris has an exceptional aptitude for light magic. What she lacks is only the spellcasting technique. Nevertheless, she is already capable of practicing magic arrays... Thank you for finding it, my lord. It has opened the door for me to advance to a grand magician."

"Oh, are you about to advance?"

Cris Truth replied modestly, "I'm working on it, but I can't promise when I'll succeed."

"Cris is not only highly skilled in magic but also an excellent teacher," Parris praised generously. "I have learned a lot of magic theory from her... You know, my lord, I don't enjoy reading. Cris always tells me magical knowledge as if she's telling a story."

"Hmm, tailoring teaching to one's strengths is indeed effective," Liszt suddenly asked, "Cris, which advanced magic are you focusing on as your path to becoming a grand magician?"

Cris shook her head: "I haven't decided yet. Currently, I have spellcasting techniques for advanced magic in water, fire, earth, wind, and ice, any of which could be a breakthrough."

Combined, Cris and Elkson's knowledge covered seven advanced magics: Water Wave Shield and Waterfall for water; Rock Grenades and Rock Wall for earth; Repelling Fire Ring for fire; Tornado for wind; and Eternal Frozen Ice for ice.

In fact, Parris's ability to manipulate light and shadow, derived from her light dragon magic power, could be classified as an advanced light magic—Invisibility.

However, this was her innate ability, without a systematic spellcasting technique.

Parris suggested, "I think you should learn Eternal Frozen Ice, Cris. With the weather so hot, mastering Eternal Frozen Ice and placing a large block of ice in the magic workshop would help cool things down."

"My basic freezing spell can already create ice, Parris," Cris rejected the suggestion. "I can make ice cream on my workbench. For a magician who isn't biased towards any particular element, summer isn't too hard to endure... Ice magic is quite challenging; I should choose a simpler advanced magic."

Liszt proposed, "I suggest choosing water or wind as your breakthrough. The Sapphire Duchy is an archipelago nation, where sailing is a significant part of life. Advanced water and wind magics are very useful."

"Then I will choose wind magic. If you take me sailing, Viscount, it could speed up our journey," Cris quickly decided.

She stole a glance at the strikingly handsome Liszt.

Magicians believe in truth and are prepared to dedicate their lives to it. She did not intend to continue the mundane institution of marriage but planned to devote her limited life to the infinite research of magic.

But it doesn't hinder working for an attractive lord; often seeing the confident smile on his face is enough to comfort the lonely nights. Whether man or woman, as long as one has hands, they can be self-reliant.

So.

After a brief chat with the two "Lises," Liszt got down to business: "Cris, how much of this batch of potions have you finished? I am about to attend a wedding at Red Crab Island and need a batch of potions as backup."

"Most of it is done, enough for your use for a week, Viscount."

"I will leave in three days. Can you prepare two weeks' worth for me by then?"

"Certainly."

"Then I leave it to you."

Cris smiled: "You are too polite. Cris is always willing to serve you, Viscount."

...

Three days later, Liszt, fully prepared, set off for Tulip Castle with his squire knight in tow. He rode on the six-legged bird Loki, leading the blizzard beasts Storm and Flame by the reins.

Hiddleston, Rock, Wave, Thunder, Light, Snow, and Shadow stayed in Flower Town.

He was now consciously training the eight little ones in outdoor discipline and obedience. They were intermediate blizzard beasts and had to adapt to various environments, maintaining absolute obedience to Liszt.

Only then could he freely command the blizzard beast squad to sweep through enemy lines during knight charges.

No one knew yet that they were all intermediate blizzard beasts, but they would soon find out. At that time, Liszt's name would once again shock everyone. With nine intermediate blizzard beasts as pets, military achievements would be easily attainable, and the title of count would almost be a certainty.

As long as his strength could break through to the level of a sky knight, the Duchy's regulations required that a count must be a sky knight, and if his descendants did not produce a sky knight within three generations, the title of count would be revoked.

A noble's strength is clearly linked to their title.

"Liszt, have you prepared my birthday gift?" At Tulip Castle, Levis asked after a hug. "This time I might not be able to celebrate my birthday at Tulip Castle; it will be at Longtaro Castle or on the way back."

His birthday is on August 19.

Meopo's wedding is on August 17, just two days apart.

"Oh, I forgot. Since we can't hold a birthday party, let's not have one. You can make up for it with a grand birthday party next year," Liszt suggested somewhat gloomily.

Levis chuckled: "The birthday party can be skipped, but the gift must be given."

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