Chapter 28: Tulip Castle in Blood

The night was deep, and after the barbecue party, the knights headed to the town for rest.

Levis and Li Weiwei also retired to their separate rooms. Carter, the old butler, no longer carried a glass of red wine; instead, he held a cup of apple juice as he entered the study.

"Sir, you seem quite sober, not drunk at all."

"Thank you." He took the apple juice, sipping gently. The alcohol in beer could only upset one's stomach but was hardly intoxicating.

Under the candlelight, Carter's expression appeared unnatural.

Liszt had noticed this earlier during the day: "Mr. Carter, are you feeling unwell?"

"I'm perfectly fine, Sir."

"You must speak up if there is anything. Don't push yourself. Although the castle can't do without a butler's guidance, your health is more important. Take good care of yourself."

"Thank you." Old Carter was on the verge of tears.

"When the elf worm completes its assimilation tomorrow, I'll join the convoy and head to Coral City. I might be away from Coral Island for a few days, so please arrange matters in the castle accordingly."

"Sir, rest assured."

"In truth, there's not much to worry about. Hiddleston and the Black Dragon need to be taken care of, along with those few Elven Beetles. Also, check on the Black Tulip for me every day. And don't stop the construction of the stable outside the castle. I hope that when I return, I'll be able to accommodate the Alfalfa Beetles."

Duties always came first.

After a brief conversation, he retired for the night, and the hours passed swiftly.

The next morning, once the eight Tulip Beetle Elves completed their assimilation with the Black Tulip, the convoy set off. Liszt rode on his Fire Dragon Steed, accompanied by Marcus and Thomas. The castle was entrusted to Carter, the town to Gort, and his four squire knights were at their service.

"Teacher Gort, when I return, I expect to see patrol teams patrolling from Thorns Ridge to the eastern coast."

"As you wish, I'll train them accordingly," Gort said casually.

"Then I'll be on my way. Oh, and on my return, I'll bring back a few bottles of juniper wine."

"Woah, that's fantastic!"

From atop the Fire Dragon Steed, Liszt turned his head to see Carter, the butler, standing at the castle gate with the other servants, watching silently. Without hesitation, he gently nudged the horse's sides, and the Fire Dragon Steed darted forward, joining the convoy.

Feeling somewhat exhilarated.

The previous owner of his body was very familiar with Coral Island, but for him, in a strict sense, this was his first time venturing out of Flower Town to experience the world beyond.

It was a medieval landscape enveloped by magic, a society ruled by knights and nobles.

After leaving Thorns Ridge, most of the land they traversed belonged directly to the Earl, with only a few smaller towns being baronies under his jurisdiction. There were also even tinier villages and hamlets that belonged to the fiefs of knightly lords. The entire Coral Island had only one viscount, Jonas Stonebreaker, who had followed the Earl since the beginning of his rise to power.

Beyond Coral Island, there was another small island belonging to another viscount loyal to the Earl, Tric Knotweed.

Coral Island boasted a total of six cities, one large and five small—Coral City at the foot of Tulip Castle was the largest. North Valley City, Birchwood City, Yulin City, and Spear City all belonged to the Earl. Stonebreaker Castle and its affiliated Stonebreaker City were owned by Viscount Jonas.

To reach Coral City from Flower Town, one would have to pass through North Valley City and Birchwood City.

However, the convoy did not stop at either of these two small cities. They only had a simple meal at an estate within North Valley City's castle before heading straight for Coral City. At three in the afternoon, as the hooves of the horses stepped into a sea of flowers, they had arrived at Coral City.

These flowers were all varieties of tulips.

Most were magical herbs, while a minority were ornamental flowers—the Tulip Family of the Sapphire Grand Duchy was renowned for cultivating tulips.

The floral sea undulated along the slopes.

The main road veered left, leading to Coral City with its towering walls, nestled by the sea and bustling with activity at its docks. Liszt could even spot from afar a series of "advanced" two-masted sailing ships moored there.

This world was gradually transitioning from the oar and rudder era to the sail era.

It was through these sailing vessels that the initial conquerors of the Sapphire Duchy, hailing from the mainland, had ventured to the archipelago and established this island nation.

Across the vast ocean, only sailing ships could traverse.

"Sadly, sails seem to be the pinnacle of naval technology. There's not enough iron to forge the age of ironclad warships or even the steamship era," Liszt sighed inwardly, retracting his gaze and turning his attention to the right side of the road.

To the right lay a mountain range. The seaward side was a steep cliff, while the other side sloped gently. Tulip Castle stood proudly atop the cliff, with a broad cobblestone road winding down from its gates all the way to Coral City at the foot of the mountain. The grand castle resembled a flag, soaring high on the highest point of Coral Island.

Its sharp turrets pierced the blue sky.

Heavy rocks merged seamlessly with the mountains, encircled by vibrant flowers, exuding an imposing and solemn atmosphere that spoke of an impregnable fortress. In just a decade, Liszt recalled, his family had constructed such a magnificent and sturdy Tulip Castle on Coral Island, even at the cost of hundreds of lives of serfs.

To this day, the castle continues to expand in fits and starts.

The glory of nobility has always been built upon the spilled blood of others — this is but an earl's castle. Rumor has it that the construction of the Sapphire Duke's castle took a full century, and the pile of peasant slaves' corpses beneath its cliffside is said to be several dozen meters deep.

"It may appear ashen gray, but in truth, it's stained deep crimson. I'd rather reside in the small castle of Flower Town; at least there, I can rest easy."

Liszt's mood was somber.

Following behind his elder siblings, he made his way toward this familiar yet alien castle.

Along the way, they encountered a procession of knights emerging from the castle. The leader of the knights respectfully bowed to Levis and said, "Young Master Levis, may your journey be prosperous."

"Safe journey, Captain Mickey," Levis nodded respectfully.

Captain Mickey bowed to Li Weiwei once more, "Miss Li Weiwei, may your journey be prosperous."

"Safe journey, Captain Mickey,"

It was at this moment that Captain Mickey turned his gaze toward Liszt, executing a flawless display of etiquette: "Young Master Liszt, welcome back home."

"Long time no see, Captain Mickey," Liszt bowed slightly. The knight before him was the commander of the knights stationed at Tulip Castle, responsible for its security. Mickey himself was a baron, with his fief managed by his family while he served in Tulip Castle.

After being led by the knights, they arrived at the castle gates in a short while.

At the entrance stood Butler Louis, his aged face beaming with a warm smile. "Oh, what a joy it always is to see the master's offspring return to the castle like weary birds finding their nests."

"Grandpa Louis, it's been so long. You're still as strong as ever," said Liszt as he handed the reins of his Fire Dragon Horse to a servant and greeted Louis.

Louis was at least sixty years old and had originally served as a personal valet to Liszt's grandfather.

Now, as the chief butler of Tulip Castle, even an earl would show him respect—such was the honor and status that one who had dedicated their life to the Tulip family deserved.