Chapter 219 A Choice in the Interests

The mercenary Swan decided to stay in Flower Town for a few days to observe.

This was a good sign, indicating that she had developed some affection for Flower Town and Liszt. The coming days would be crucial for solidifying this affection.

Of course, there was also the possibility that her affection could turn into aversion.

But the probability was low.

Liszt was confident about this: "Flower Town is now clean, hygienic, with wide roads. Commoners have houses to live in, clothes to wear, and food to eat, and they even have some savings; the patrol teams are no longer gangs of thugs, and while we can't say that doors are left unlocked at night, at least there are no thefts."

Although the town was rural and not prosperous, it had seen significant improvements over the past six months of governance.

This undoubtedly added many positive impressions.

"Selling serfs is indeed an unglamorous act, but most nobles engage in it, not just me. Moreover, the serfs who come to Flower Town do not suffer; they are given houses, clothes, and food, and allocated land. Their quality of life may even improve. This won't earn me extra points, but it won't lose me any either."

Such was the social system.

Swan claimed to have killed many barons, a claim hard to verify. But she must understand that Liszt's actions were among the better ones for a noble.

"The most important point is that Maggie is living well in Flower Town and has a new family... She has formed a mother-daughter contract with Mrs. Harriet, which is a stroke of genius!" Thinking of this, Liszt felt there was no reason why he couldn't keep this well-built mercenary.

A mother-daughter contract is legally and morally equivalent to a real mother-daughter relationship.

If Swan wanted to take Maggie away, she would first have to break their mother-daughter bond. But the key question was, would Maggie agree? Liszt had been closely observing Maggie and knew that Mrs. Harriet treated her like a real daughter. The little maid's heart had long been melted.

Maggie was not a cold-hearted girl. If she understood gratitude, she would certainly not want to make Mrs. Harriet sad.

"So, I need to secretly send someone to remind Mrs. Harriet. When the time comes, she should persuade Maggie to stay, and through Maggie, persuade the mercenary... On Irene's side, we must continue to strengthen the bond, making the maids feel the love of the castle and the warmth of a large family."

Finally, using his experience from multiple failed attempts at courting women, he made the most important decision: "Women are emotional. Even if Flower Town has countless advantages, the mercenary might not appreciate them. However, a heartfelt and warm gesture to win people's hearts might change her mind."

At the banquet that evening, only Gort and Isaiah attended, while others continued to arrange for the new serfs.

Gort, without waiting for the dishes, asked, "My lord, what is Lady Swan's status? Is it appropriate to house her in the new residence in the noble district?"

"Perhaps an enemy, perhaps a friend, it depends on her choice," Liszt did not directly reveal her identity. He said, "Adviser Gort, please inform Karl and Rom to pay more attention to her movements. Do not allow her to approach the flame mushroom processing workshop, the soap-making workshop, or the brewery. The insect protection team must guard the insect grass, especially the insect grass in the Thorn Garden."

"You've confused me."

Gort shrugged, "But as you wish, I will instruct Karl and Rom."

Liszt then said to Isaiah, "With the arrival of the new serfs, their clothing, food, and housing must be properly arranged. I will have the caravan urgently purchase more cotton quilts and coats. Don't worry about spending money; taking care of the serfs' lives is most important. We must make the serfs feel that the winter in Flower Town is as warm as home."

Gort patted Isaiah's shoulder and winked, "Yes, we must make the serfs feel the warmth of home, and Lady Swan should see this and feel the warmth of Flower Town."

Isaiah was not stupid and quickly grasped the meaning, "Certainly, Lord Liszt is a kind lord. For all commoners, this place is a warm home."

Liszt smiled and raised his glass, "Cheers."

"Cheers."

...

That night, before going to sleep, Liszt used the Magic Eye to carefully inspect the castle, ensuring that no mercenary was hiding. He then brought Hiddleston to the castle's hall and let it sleep there.

He watched as Carter locked the castle gates.

Only then did he lock his bedroom door and lie down in bed. He found it hard to sleep, his thoughts filled with the mercenary Swan. His feelings towards this "thief who spies on the lord" were complex.

Due to the Fog Task, he naturally felt that subduing her would align with the reward's purpose.

However, the information Swan revealed might have influenced his perception. She claimed to have killed many barons, clearly positioning herself against the nobility.

Liszt was also a noble, and his position dictated his thinking. He would not tolerate anyone who sought to undermine the rule of the nobility.

"Swan is Maggie's sister, so she should be from the Eagle Kingdom, and the barons she killed should be from the Eagle Kingdom, I hope. If she killed people from the Sapphire Kingdom, then I should not keep her... Perhaps I am being too hasty."

He turned over and continued to think.

"I should first investigate her background before deciding whether to subdue her. The Fog Task has influenced my judgment, and I must restrain this dependency!"

He originally thought the Fog Task was the plot of some hidden mastermind, one that he could not resist.

But now, he guessed that the Fog Task was a product of the Fog Dragon, merely a matter of fate. This gave him the power to make independent choices.

"A person's destiny should be in their own hands, not as a puppet. What benefits me, I will accept; what harms me, I will discard."

His restless thoughts gradually calmed: "No matter how beautiful Swan's face is under her veil, if she does not align with my interests, she must not be kept! Even if, for Maggie's sake, she poses no threat to Flower Town or my rule, she must still be sent away."

Of course, these were all assumptions.

Having only met her once, it was difficult to determine the truth of what this woman calling herself Swan said. Her background was hard to guess.

From Maggie, he learned that her sister went to study magic; from Swan's attire, she seemed to be a mercenary, practicing martial arts; yet she also knew invisibility techniques, which, though unclear in principle, were likely a form of magic; and according to the Fog Task's description, she was referred to as a thief.

So, whether she was a knight or a mage remained unknown.

Whether she was a mercenary or a thief was also uncertain.

Touching the Red Blood Sword by his bedside, Liszt had completely calmed down: "Since she has come, she must settle. I cannot control whether she comes to Flower Town, but I will decide whether she stays!"

The Red Blood Sword was not just for show; it could truly draw blood.