Chapter 581: A Smile Between Father and Son

This chapter is an additional update for the "Appreciating Flowers and Jade" reward tier.

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Although Liszt wasn't fond of Lytton, he answered his questions about cultivation when asked. The reason he wasn't fond of Lytton was largely influenced by the memories of his past self—in those memories, Lytton didn't favor him, and he also disliked Lytton.

However, as his perspective widened and he grew more detached from worldly concerns, he no longer cared about the so-called sibling rivalries.

In fact, he was quite looking forward to Lytton also advancing to become a Sky Knight.

If the Tulip family had four Sky Knights, it would be quite a spectacle, especially since the family would be a great asset if he were to establish a country.

Shortly after, Lvera arrived at the castle with Penelope.

The first thing the old lady said upon seeing Liszt was, "Remember to pick a potted plant from my castle when you go back."

"Grandmother, how many new potted plants have you cultivated?" Liszt asked with a smile.

The potential of the three spirit bugs—dragonfruit, fig, and green ingot—had completely immersed Penelope in her potted plants, to the point of being utterly absorbed. Perhaps she had initially used the potted plants as a pretext to reduce gift expenses, but now she had become genuinely obsessed.

She truly believed that cultivating potted plants had a high probability of producing spirit bugs.

When the topic turned to potted plants, she grew particularly animated: "I've recently become obsessed with a batch of succulents. I found them very easy to care for, each pot thriving, plump, and lush. My cactus is about to bloom."

"Then I’ll definitely take one with me."

The rest of the conversation was light and casual.

First, they talked about emerald silk, and everyone praised the fabric, believing it was only a matter of time before it became a sensation among the nobles. Then they discussed the new plays staged by the Black Horse Island Theater Troupe, which had become a must-see for the nobles of Coral City.

Many comedy troupes began emulating the Black Horse Island Theater Troupe, gradually transitioning to stage plays.

However, they mainly copied the plays of the Black Horse Island Theater Troupe, lacking originality. Adapting a classic play was not an easy task. Only Liszt, in his spare time, would select suitable knight novels for Avril Mask to adapt.

There was no other way.

In the entire Coral Island, he was probably the one with the most extensive reading of knight novels.

He had a keen sense of how to adapt knight novels, knowing what kind of plots people loved to watch.

...

By evening, the Count and Countess had finally returned from Coral City, and the banquet began shortly after. During the banquet, the Count mentioned some preparations for this year's campaign order. According to messages from the court envoy, the Grand Duke might be planning a more extended campaign this year.

"Now that both you and I are Sky Knights, and with the Blizzard Beast Squad attacking cities, I believe we can vie for military honors no less than those of the Marquis," he declared with confidence. "To gain an advantage in the competition for titles, we can’t afford to stay low-key this year."

Last year, after capturing a Count's castle, the Coral Island Knights did not continue their campaign, to avoid drawing too much attention.

If they attracted the siege of multiple Sky Knights, even Lee William, the Wave Sword Saint, would struggle to hold them off.

But this year, with Liszt, who others didn't know but Lee William clearly understood, Liszt's combat power far exceeded his own. Together, they could handle most situations.

Therefore.

It was time to make a bold move.

Liszt nodded and replied, "I’ll give it my all to help you, Father, in securing military honors. However, I hope the family fleet can support me more in transporting serfs. My territory is undergoing extensive development and requires a large number of serfs. This year, I plan to mainly receive serfs during the campaign."

"How many serfs are you planning to transport?"

"At least twenty thousand, and if we can obtain a substantial amount of grain, I hope to bring back thirty thousand serfs."

The industries on Black Horse Island are numerous, and given the potential for territorial development, it could easily accommodate a hundred thousand inhabitants. However, the primary constraint is food supply. Relying solely on farming and fishing clearly cannot meet the food demand. Currently, the territory has a population of over thirty thousand, and the daily food consumption is barely enough.

Bringing back another twenty thousand serfs would require efforts on multiple fronts—marine products still have potential to be tapped, with seaweed and Giant Kelp being edible. Although Giant Kelp isn't palatable, it can at least replace livestock feed. Additionally, the large-scale production of single-masted sailboats has increased offshore fishing.

Eating only fish isn't ideal, but we can trade with Tulip Castle for grain.

In summary, according to the calculations of the territory's officials, an additional twenty thousand serfs won't lead to a famine in the territory. However, any more than that would require bringing in a large amount of grain from elsewhere.

The Earl was surprised: "Moving thirty thousand serfs? That's no small number. The territories of Eunas and Trick have populations totaling sixty thousand and fifty thousand respectively. You've been developing for less than a year, and your population is about to surpass theirs. Can your territory really manage it?"

"Currently, the territory has a population of thirty-five thousand one hundred. Accommodating another twenty thousand is no problem, and with enough grain, thirty thousand is not an issue."

"As long as you're confident, I'll arrange for the family fleet to focus on your needs."

At this point, Levis interjected: "Levis, your Black Horse Island has also gathered a number of double-masted cargo ships, right? You can combine them with the family fleet for the expedition."

"My fleet is too small, currently only fifteen ships. I need to keep at least seven for territorial freight, so I can only send eight to join the family fleet."

"Eight ships still offer significant transport capacity."

"Then it's settled."

And so.

The banquet continued until it ended.

The Earl convened this family banquet mainly to inform Levis, giving him the confidence to go to the Blue Sky Mountain Palace to discuss how to participate in this year's expedition.

In the evening, the father and son spoke privately in the study.

The main topic was the Earl's inquiry: "Levis, how is your strength progressing?"

"I feel I've made significant progress, reaching a new level every day. My current strength should far exceed that of a peak sky knight. Hunting the Shoebill Stork wasn't too challenging."

"Already that strong?"

"Yes, does father need to consider it?"

"Never mind." The Earl coughed and changed the subject, "Speaking of that Shoebill Stork, I think it likely killed the Purplesand Crocodile on the island. I went to see the crocodile's habitat, and there were signs of a fierce battle... I was waiting for the crocodile to breed, but it was killed by that big bird."

Although the meat eventually ended up in Levis's mouth, the Purplesand Crocodile was indeed killed by the Shoebill Stork—Levis just watched.

His conscience was slightly uneasy.

After some thought, he said: "If I get the chance, I'll explore the forests of the mainland. If I encounter a suitable magical beast, I'll capture one for you, father."

The Earl raised an eyebrow: "You're too kind."

"It's the least I can do."

The father and son exchanged a smile, a warm moment, though their true thoughts at that moment remained unknown.