Chapter 38 The red blood sword inlaid with gems

The following morning, Liszt, with slightly dark circles under his eyes, had already packed his belongings.

He enjoyed a breakfast in his room – bread, fried eggs, pastries, jam, milk, honey, and coffee.

After Levi and Li Weiwei were also ready, the three siblings prepared to bid farewell to the Marquis. The Marquis had risen early and was seated in his wheelchair, engrossed in writing.

"Did you sleep well?" the Marquis paused his writing, lifting his gaze to look at the tall trio. "I heard that you all had a wonderful time at the ball last night?"

Levi replied with a smile, "It was a very delightful evening, Grandfather. Cousin's ball was most enjoyable. We met many noble ladies, and I must say, there were a few charming ladies who caught my eye."

"That's good to hear. Seize the moment while you're young; if your heart is moved, act on it."

After a brief conversation, the siblings expressed their intention to leave. The Marquis didn't insist on them staying but said to Liszt, "I missed your coming-of-age ceremony, and to make up for that, I have a gift for you. Meopo, bring over the prepared gift for Liszt."

Meopo promptly entered, carrying a long box.

Upon seeing the box, Liszt immediately realized that his guess was correct. The gift from the Marquis was indeed something that elders often gave to the younger generation – a weapon.

"What kind of magical weapon might it be?" he wondered eagerly.

Meopo handed the box over, saying, "Liszt, Grandfather bequeaths this Crimson Blood Sword to you, hoping that you'll wield it to cut through obstacles and shine with the resplendent glory of a knight."

"Crimson Blood Sword?"

Liszt opened the box, revealing a dazzling white and luminous two-handed sword for knights.

The slender blade, guard, and hilt formed an appearance reminiscent of a German two-handed sword. At the juncture of the guard and hilt, a fiery red gem was embedded in its entirety. One could sense the magic emanating from the crimson gem just by looking at it, as it seemed to flow continuously along the entire length of the sword.

Even faint, blood-like red streaks were visible on the blade.

No wonder it was named the Crimson Blood Sword despite appearing snow-white.

Most importantly, this wasn't a magical weapon but something even better than that—a gemstone weapon!

"Red Ruby?" Li Weiwei gasped when she saw the red gem on the guard and hilt, her eyes instantly filled with intense envy and jealousy.

A typical magical weapon would cost around a hundred gold coins.

In contrast, a gemstone weapon was worth a thousand gold coins, ten times the value of a magical weapon.

Merely this single Ruby Blood Sword was probably equivalent to the tax revenue of a prosperous town for several years. Her own Hawk Town was comparable to such a prosperous town, and only through years of frugal living would they barely be able to afford a gem-encrusted weapon—except she could never give up her luxurious lifestyle, so it was highly unlikely that she would ever be able to buy one.

Brimming with envy, due to her straightforward nature, she blurted out, "Grandfather, you're being too biased towards Liszt. You only gave me a dress for my coming-of-age ceremony."

"The kid from Coral Island already gifted you a little elf and even made you a baron. Yet, Liszt doesn't receive such privileges. You allow the kid from Coral Island to be biased, but not me?" The marquis spoke in a matter-of-fact tone, revealing his dissatisfaction with the Earl of Coral Island.

Liszt, who had benefited from the situation, promptly expressed his gratitude. "Thank you for the gift, Grandfather. I'll take good care of the Ruby Blood Sword and ensure its brilliance is never tarnished."

A gem-encrusted weapon could be immediately sold for a thousand or two gold coins, which was quite lucrative—of course, he had no intention of selling it. The rubies embedded in the sword clearly possessed a fiery attribute, which could aid him in his cultivation. This was more effective than using magical ingredients for cultivation.

Dragons produced nothing but the finest.

...

With the Ruby Blood Sword in tow, Liszt prepared to depart under the watchful eyes of Meopo and a large group of servants.

His brief visit to Longtaro Castle had come to an end. He didn't feel much reluctance since there were still many matters awaiting him back in Flower Town; no golden or silver nest could compare to one's own humble abode. Just as he was about to board the carriage, someone called out to him, "Liszt, wait a moment."

Looking back, it was Athena.

"Good morning, Miss Athena."

"Good morning." Athena was slightly breathless, probably from running over from the castle. "Are you leaving?"

"Yes."

Levis, who had climbed into the carriage and then stepped out again, suddenly interjected, "If there's a beautiful lady waiting for me, I'd rather not leave."

Liszt turned to glare at him. "Brother, please get in the carriage."

Levis shrugged. "Miss Athena, you two chat."

"Thank you, Sir Levis."

With space left for Liszt and Athena, she fidgeted with the corner of her dress. "Won't you stay for a few more days?"

"There are many matters in the town that need my attention."

"Would you honor the White City with a visit, then?" Her eyes sparkled with anticipation.

Liszt politely declined with a smile. "I'm afraid not. I have no reason to call on your family. I don't know your father, and we have no social connections."

Among the nobility, there always had to be an excuse for visits, not just random drop-ins.

"You could come to see me," Athena suggested before lowering her head, leaving no room for misunderstanding—the unspoken implication being that as two unmarried individuals, such a visit could only signify one kind of relationship.

Liszt sighed inwardly.

Feeling that his next words might hurt the lovely young lady's heart, he had to say, "Miss Athena, thank you for your affection, but I haven't considered the possibility between us. Please don't concern yourself with me. You're so beautiful, there must be many others more excellent than me pursuing you."

Athena's eyes dimmed swiftly, but she quickly regained her smile. "Thank you for your honesty, Sir Liszt. I wish you all the best on your journey."

"Thank you, take care," Liszt said before turning to enter the carriage.

The coachman raised his whip, and the horses pulled the carriage, racing swiftly down the mountain. On the cobblestone road, no dust was stirred; only the clattering sound of wheels rolling could be heard.

"List, you just rejected a noble lady's confession. You have a cruel heart," Li Weiwei expressed an indiscernible emotion, perhaps doubting that her timid brother could actually refuse someone.

"Without feelings, why force it upon oneself, causing harm to both yourself and others?"

He turned around and, through the carriage window, saw Athena still standing at the entrance of the distant castle. Her dress, hugging her delicate frame, danced gently in the wind.

She was brave, but he couldn't accept her.

He really wanted to muse about this for ten minutes.

However, Li Weiwei's cold snort disrupted the atmosphere. "Noble marriages require no emotions."

"Not necessary? Then why don't you just marry someone with good conditions?"

"Because I don't wish to become a subordinate. Even if I were to marry, it must be the man who comes to Falcon Town! Or, they must have such allure that I'd be willing to abandon Falcon Town and live in their castle. If I were to encounter such a person, what's wrong with giving them my heart and soul?" Li Weiwei declared proudly.

Liszt remained silent on the matter.

After a moment, Li Weiwei stretched out her hand. "Let me see the Red Blood Sword."

As she caressed the exquisitely crafted Red Blood Sword and the vibrant red ruby, Li Weiwei's envious expression was plain to see. "Why is Grandfather so kind to you? A gem-encrusted sword like this might be beyond my means in my entire life! Liszt, it's too wasteful for you to use it. Give it to me, and I'll give you a hundred Neldars!"

"Out of the question."