Chapter 488: Grandpa’s Gift

Acheronides's role is so significant that Liszt sometimes feels it's overwhelmingly large. What he can give to Acheronides pales in comparison to what he receives from her, truly a case of reaping huge profits from a small investment.

Now, the fallen sky ship is once again entrusted to Acheronides for salvage. Any valuable items can be sent directly to the seaside villa in Flower Town.

Then, he can return to Flower Town with peace of mind to prepare for the New Year's Eve banquet at Tulip Castle. Although he has been enfeoffed elsewhere, since the family is still connected, all members of the Tulip family must return to Tulip Castle for the New Year's Eve banquet, unless there are special arrangements, like last year when he spent the New Year at Longtaro Castle.

This year, the New Year's Eve banquet at Tulip Castle will have one more person, or rather, two more people, as Gloria Golden Wheat is now pregnant, and Liszt is about to have a junior born. He is very much looking forward to the birth of this little baby; perhaps witnessing the arrival of a new life will make him feel more integrated into the Tulip family.

On the 29th, he presided over the year-end summary in Port Town.

On the 30th, he presided over another year-end summary in Flower Town.

On the morning of January 1st, 153rd year of the Blue Sapphire calendar, Liszt rode on Loki, who was still evolving, and led his Blizzard Beast team towards Tulip Castle. He also brought along the corn spirit bug Mickey, as both the Count and Penelope wanted to see it.

The birth of every spirit bug is a great honor for the Tulip family.

Loki's speed is so fast that the attendants on horseback couldn't keep up. Therefore, he had the attendants lead the Blizzard Beasts and walk slowly on the ground. He himself rode Loki, gliding and galloping at low altitude, and including rest time, he arrived at Tulip Castle in just an hour.

Deputy housekeeper Silva, who was directing the servants to clear the snow from the roads, was very surprised to see Liszt arriving on a large bird: "Good morning, Master Liszt, Silva greets you. I didn't expect you to arrive at Tulip Castle so early; you must have gotten up very early."

"No, it's just that my mount is very fast."

"Ah?" Silva was puzzled.

Liszt didn't explain; he wasn't particularly fond of Deputy housekeeper Silva. In his memory, the old housekeeper Louis was very good to the Count's four children, but Silva leaned more towards Levis.

"Have someone feed Loki for me. Remember, Loki likes to eat wheat grains, preferably barley grains, not too much at once—three pounds will do—but it needs to be fed again every two hours; it's growing now. Also, give it some fruit, juicy fruit."

"Yes, Master Liszt," Silva replied respectfully. "I will go and inform the master, mistress, and the young masters and ladies of your arrival."

"Silva, where is Grandpa Louis? He used to come out to greet me."

"Housekeeper Louis is recuperating from illness; the master has allowed him to retire, and I am currently serving as the housekeeper of Tulip Castle. Master Liszt, if you have any needs, please feel free to command me."

Louis is ill; Silva has been promoted.

Liszt frowned and decided to visit Louis. He liked it when Louis used the word 'home' every time he came to Tulip Castle; it made him feel like he was not a guest, but the master of Tulip Castle, and it felt more like home.

Now Silva did not use the word 'home,' indicating that in his eyes, Liszt is just a guest.

Of course, from the perspective of enfeoffment, Liszt is indeed a guest of Tulip Castle; he no longer lives in Tulip Castle, but he always feels a bit uncomfortable in his heart.

The old housekeeper Louis, after retiring, has moved out of Tulip Castle and into a manor cottage near the castle, where he can also help take care of the manor.

Seeing Liszt walking through the snow, Louis, wrapped in a thick cotton coat, his pale face suddenly lit up with a gleam: "I knew that today the most glorious descendant of the master would definitely come to attend the New Year's Eve banquet, unfortunately I am ill and couldn't personally welcome you."

"I came specifically to visit you, hoping you will recover soon." Liszt smiled gently.

Louis is living well, the manor's fireplace is burning charcoal, the room is very warm, and there are two servants cleaning—for the old housekeeper who has contributed to the family for a lifetime, the Count obviously wouldn't let his later years end in desolation.

After chatting for a while.

Listening to Louis tell stories of his childhood, the scene was very warm.

But soon Levis came looking for him: "Liszt, I was wondering where you went, so you're at Grandpa Louis's place, I was just looking for you."

"Young Master Levis, Young Master Liszt, if you have matters to attend to, please go ahead."

"Grandfather Louis, rest well and recover. If you need anything, just let me know," Liszt stood up.

Levis directly said, "Don’t worry, Liszt, I’ll make sure Grandfather Louis is well taken care of… Let’s grab a drink and chat about some lucrative deals. Thanks to the glory of knighthood that favors you, I’ve made quite a bit of money this year, hehe."

Black Tulip, Flower Brew, Black Pearl.

Along with some other trades.

As a middleman, Levis has been eating just as well as Liszt, and his wallet is getting fatter. That’s why he’s growing closer to Liszt, not just because of the money, but also because of the talent Liszt has shown—a seventeen-year-old Sky Knight, whose future strength is certain to surpass the Count.

How could one not be affectionate towards such a younger brother?

Though family ties bind people together, interests are the eternal theme of social interaction.

"Business talk, brother? Let’s leave it to Mr. Frank and Advisor Gort to discuss. I’m not really interested in these things."

"Now that you’ve become a Sky Knight, indeed, there’s no need to bother with such small business matters," Levis clicked his tongue, quickly realizing he and Liszt are no longer equals. Liszt used to often pull him into business talks, but now he looks down on business.

Indeed, different strengths bring different perspectives.

He then changed the topic, "Did you bring your corn spirit bug? Grandma has been mentioning it several times… Also, thanks to your glory of knighthood, the gift Grandma is giving us this year is still potted plants! I’ve received several pots from her, but not a single spirit bug!"

Everyone’s been grumbling about Penelope’s potted plants.

Only Liszt is delighted, having already received a nightshade bug and a fig bug from Penelope, gifts of great value.

"By the way," Levis added, "Grandfather, uncle, and cousin have all sent you gifts to congratulate you on becoming a Sky Knight. They’re in the castle. Do you want to go see them now?"

Liszt immediately looked forward to it, "Gifts to congratulate me? Then let’s go see them."

Getting gifts is always a delight, especially those from noble relatives, whose value is unknown. Entering Tulip Castle, soon the servants brought over three boxes.