Chapter 551: The Resentment of Marquis Merlin (Chapter 1)

On the day before setting out to search for Dodo Island, another joyous event occurred. The green ingot bonsai pot that Liszt received from his grandmother on his birthday finally saw the spirit bug it nurtured emerge.

After the contract was formed, it became Liszt's thirty-eighth spirit bug.

Up to now, including the spirits contracted by Acheronides, he owns one Grand Sprite, six small spirits, and forty-three spirit bugs. His household and estate have grown significantly, no longer as modest as when he first arrived in Flower Town. Compared to some earl families with shallow roots, he is not far behind.

Recalling the birthday banquet of Meopo, where he met the widow of the Earl of Diagonal Island, Mrs. Martha Yipeng.

When she mentioned that staying at her Daisy Castle for a while would earn him a spirit bug, he was almost swayed.

"Back then, I was deeply troubled for just one spirit bug, and now I have so many... but why do I still feel troubled?" He thought he could ignore the invitation from Daisy Castle, but found himself still hung up on that spirit bug.

Staying for a period could earn me a spirit bug—what could be more cost-effective in the world!

In his mind, the image of Mrs. Martha would occasionally appear, a noblewoman in her thirties, dignified and noble in demeanor, with an undeniable charm in her eyes. One could imagine that in her prime, she must have been a beauty scoring at least an 8 out of 10.

Unfortunately, after Meopo's birthday banquet, he never saw Mrs. Martha again.

Nor did they exchange contact information.

Although he didn't correspond daily with Mrs. Martha, Liszt maintained regular communication with the Tulip family. Coral Island and Red Crab Island maintained frequent trade relations, with flower wine, glassware, and flower-scented soap causing a sensation on Red Crab Island and receiving widespread acclaim.

At this moment, in the master bedroom of Longyu Castle, Marquis Merlin was once again bedridden as his old ailment flared up again.

He still couldn't rest, immersed in writing at a small table on his bed, summarizing his life's achievements. Meopo knocked and entered with a smile: "Grandfather, Liszt's letter has arrived. You would never guess what happened. I still can't believe it after reading the letter."

Marquis Merlin looked up, his face full of aged wrinkles, the flame of his life flickering like a candle in the wind: "Has he been promoted to sword saint so quickly again?"

"No, it's about spirits."

"Has he obtained another spirit bug?"

Speaking to Marquis Merlin, Meopo dared not beat around the bush and directly exclaimed: "A Grand Sprite! A Giant Kelp Grand Sprite, capable of planting vast areas of magic herbs, and it's in the sea!"

Marquis Merlin was stunned for a moment, then regained his composure: "A wild Grand Sprite encountered in the sea is indeed commendable, but how to overcome the numerous obstacles in planting magic herbs in the sea?"

"The letter didn't mention that, but Liszt wrote that he has planned to cultivate ten thousand acres of sea area with magic giant kelp. This way, he must have a method to plant magic herbs in the sea. I remember he has always been very interested in the sea, often sending me a lot of oyster sauce."

"Oyster sauce is indeed a fine condiment. The seafood he mentioned, enjoyed occasionally, has a unique flavor," Marquis Merlin nodded. "All of Melissa's beauty and wisdom were inherited by Liszt. Lee William is indeed a fortunate man!"

"Previously, Liszt was not valued in the Tulip family, and I thought it was due to his poor aptitude, so I always wanted to take more care of him. I didn't expect that he just hadn't shown his talent. In the two years since his enfeoffment, his development has been so rapid that he has already become a sky knight."

Meopo's eyes were full of envy, but his admiration was genuine: "The 'Liszt's Earth Notes' he sent me have greatly inspired my training. I feel like I'm on the verge of a breakthrough recently... perhaps in another year or so, I can be promoted to sky knight."

"I look forward to that day. The Longyu family will eventually be handed over to you."

"I understand!"

Marquis Merlin gestured for a servant to place a pillow behind his head, then continued: "That notebook is well written. Among all the descendants of the Longyu family, he has the deepest understanding of training and can innovatively think of many new training methods, far more outstanding than when he visited me the year before last."

"I wonder what Liszt's future potential is, Grandfather. Do you think Uncle Lee William could become the seventh Marquis of the Duchy?"

"The territory of Iron Hoof Island can accommodate three marquises, and the Grand Duke plans to expand the Blue Blood Alliance, which could squeeze out two more marquises. Among the five marquis positions, Lee William, barring any accidents, could seize one, and it might be a fiefdom on Iron Hoof Island. He probably wouldn't be interested in the Blue Blood Alliance."

The titles of the Blue Blood Alliance come with only one city, all resources relying on the support of the Sapphire family. Far less attractive than fiefdom titles, as who would want to be a henchman when they could be a local ruler?

Marquis Merlin paused, then continued: "As for Liszt, he is a rising star among the domestic nobility, with a bright future. Perhaps the Grand Duke has started to pay attention to him."

"Yes, after all, he is the youngest Sky Knight in the country."

"I have seen countless people, and Liszt's character is commendable and reliable. But the most important thing is to rely on oneself. This country... is going through troubled times."

"Grandfather, it can't be as bad as you think, right? When Angela went back to visit her family, the Duke and the Sapphire Dragon were both fine."

Marquis Merlin narrowed his eyes, his gaze flickering, as if recalling something, but eventually returned to a murky state: "Has Angela shown any signs of pregnancy yet?"

Meopo replied, a mix of embarrassment and anxiety in his voice: "We have been trying hard."

Then he quickly made an excuse and left Marquis Merlin's bedroom.

Watching his fleeing grandson, Marquis Merlin sighed with a complex expression, then buried his head in his desk, writing furiously as he organized his life.

The elderly butler brought a cup of green tea: "Master, this is the new tea sent by young master Liszt. The color and aroma after brewing are much better than the previous batch. You should rest after drinking the tea. You've been writing continuously for two hours and can't overwork yourself anymore."

"I don't have much time left."

"Master, you will surely live a hundred years."

"No need for comforting words. We've known each other for over fifty years, and although there is a master-servant distinction, at this age, the formalities of nobility need not be observed." Marquis Merlin smiled freely, then sighed, "I've had many splendid moments in my life and thought I could leave contentedly, but in the end, there are still many concerns."

"Master, are you concerned about the young master and the grandson?"

"The Meopo family has few heirs. I only have Mexiro as a son, Mexiro only has Meopo, and with Meopo, Angela hasn't shown any signs of pregnancy for most of the year."

"The young master and his wife are still trying. Master, you should have confidence in them."

"Enough, let's not talk about this. Any news about that old fellow Wallace Pineapple Green recently?"

"Deep Throat Island is very quiet. I heard Marquis Wallace is very healthy and can eat three pounds of magical beast meat in one meal."

Marquis Merlin grew more and more angry: "That old fellow, as old as I am, is still bouncing around and can chase young people on the battlefield. So shameless!"

More importantly, Marquis Wallace Pineapple Green of Deep Throat Island has many heirs. Three sons are already married with children, and the eldest son even has grandchildren.

Comparing people, it really is infuriating.