Chapter 638: Dazzling Noble

"Wah!"

Jela, who had been locked in the box, let out a reluctant protest but ultimately couldn’t resist Liszt’s discipline, obediently lying down and falling into a deep sleep.

Only then did Liszt find some free time to ride his bird-like mount Loki and head toward the seaside castle.

Acheronides wasn’t in the castle, and Rainbow Whale Rosi wasn’t there either. Only the Giant Kelp Grand-Sprite Pike, along with three Giant Kelp Sprites and eight Giant Kelp Spirit Bugs, swam freely in the pool.

Upon seeing Liszt arrive, Pike bared his sharp teeth. "Wow, Liszt, you're back! Acheronides said you were fighting a war—did you win? I’ve never lost a battle in the sea. Want me to teach you?"

"Thanks, Pike." Liszt reached out and shook Pike’s hand. "But I fight on land, and so far, I haven’t lost either."

"Haha, as expected of Liszt, who’s as handsome as Pike! We’re both masters of war."

"Indeed."

After casually humoring the eccentric Pike for a bit, Liszt asked, "Where’s Acheronides?"

"She went out with that dumb, ugly rainbow whale to look for bugs. So boring—what’s so great about those little bugs? I can’t stand them! If any bugs dare come into my territory, I’ll tear them in half!"

"Don’t be like that, Pike. You evolved from a Spirit Bug too!"

"Haha, but I succeeded in evolving! I’ve moved past that, while they’re still just dumb, ugly little bugs."

The reasoning was so twistedly sound that Liszt found himself at a loss for words.

He had no idea how this Giant Kelp Grand-Sprite had developed such a sarcastic, arrogant, and narcissistic personality. He decided he should probably interact with Pike less in the future to avoid being influenced by him.

The Spirit-Bug contract was a peculiar thing—a two-way bond.

It seemed to rely on mental strength to determine the dominant party.

When the Spirit Bug was weak, the human was the dominant one in the contract. For example, Spirit Bugs can’t disobey their master’s orders, and even Sprites found it difficult to defy commands. But as the Spirit Bug grew stronger, the balance of the contract shifted. Liszt couldn’t directly order the Grand-Sprite Pike around anymore.

If it were a Dragon Sprite—stronger than a Grand-Sprite—the contract might become completely equal.

Liszt even speculated that if a Spirit-Bug King existed, it might seize dominance through the contract and become the master of humans.

Of course, he had never even seen a Dragon Sprite, let alone confirm the existence of a Spirit-Bug King.

Not wanting to waste more time chatting nonsense with Pike, he asked directly, "Pike, do you know when Acheronides will be back?"

"The handsome Pike doesn’t know."

"Alright, keep playing. I’m leaving."

"Don’t go! Let’s chat some more!"

...

That night, another grand banquet was held at the Nameless Castle in Flower Town to celebrate Liszt’s triumphant return. Phrases like "The glory of knighthood!" were frequently heard.

Meanwhile, at Tulip Castle on Coral Island,

One of Lee William’s squire-knights was reporting the news to Levis, with Lady Mary, Gloria, and Lytton listening nearby: "...And that’s how the expansion campaign unfolded. After holding Dragon-Trapping Mountain’s Iron Mine for five days, Lord Liszt returned by ship to avoid retaliation from the Dragon Knights. He arrived back in Flower Town this afternoon."

After hearing all the details of the frontier campaign,

Lady Mary couldn’t help but exclaim in surprise: "Ah!"

The squire knight was not a good storyteller, making the dramatic war scenes come across flat, yet the intensity still resonated with everyone present.

Levis shook his head in disbelief. "A Domain Knight? A Domain Knight stronger than a perfected sky knight? Liszt actually defeated a Domain Knight single-handedly? And even seized a mine containing a million tons of iron ore?"

As he spoke, he suddenly realized something and grew instantly excited. "A million-ton mine—you’ve already transported half of it back?"

"Yes, Sir Levis."

Lytton exclaimed shrilly beside him, "Even Marquis of Raging Waves, channeling the united battle aura of an entire knight order, couldn’t defeat Brother Liszt? And he captured several sky knights, with one sword saint even becoming his follower?"

"Indeed."

A heavy silence followed, accompanied by sharp intakes of breath.

Mary, recovering from her shock, clenched her hands and asked, "So, in this expansion campaign, the Tulip family has achieved distinguished military service?"

"From what I overheard between Marquis Tulip and Lord Liszt, the merits are sufficient for a promotion to Marquis. If the remaining 500,000 tons of iron ore are successfully transported back, the promotion could happen much sooner—possibly right after the campaign ends."

"All praise to Liszt and Father!" Gloria pressed her hands together devoutly over her chest. "May the glory of knighthood always favor the Tulip family!"

Then, she added, "Has Father mentioned when he’ll return from the Kingdom of the Eagle? And what about my father—has he said when he’ll be back?"

"Once the iron ore shipment is complete, the campaign will essentially conclude. The lord, Marquis Roderick, and Lord Mexiro should all return together."

Levis was too excited to sit still, pacing around the hall while repeatedly asking for battlefield details. He also sent servants to notify Lady Penelope and Lvera. When the elderly lady and Lvera arrived at Tulip Castle, there was another round of astonishment and praise.

Lady Penelope proclaimed immediately, "Tomorrow, we shall all go to Flower Town. Since the most outstanding bloodline of our Tulip family has returned from the battlefield, we must celebrate his glorious victory!"

After over an hour of commotion, Tulip Castle finally quieted down.

Levis and Gloria, after completing their evening ablutions, returned to their room and went straight to the crib where their infant was being tended by servants. Gazing at the sleeping child, the couple wore tender parental expressions.

Levis gently stroked the baby’s soft cheek and said, "Let’s take Richard to Flower Town tomorrow so Liszt can meet his nephew. He’s now a preeminent warrior second only to dragon knights, and with all the spoils of this expansion, his gains must be immense."

Just half a month ago, Gloria had given birth to a healthy baby boy after ten months of pregnancy, making him the primogeniture heir of the Tulip family.

Following the name chosen by the earl before his departure, the child was named Richard Tulip.

Gloria expressed hesitation, "But isn’t Richard too young? The journey might be too bumpy..."

"Don’t worry. Have the servants keep a close eye on him and pad the carriage abundantly with quilts. Liszt is his uncle—and one of such formidable power. We can’t afford to slight him. The Tulip family’s elevation to marquisate on Ironhoof Island will rely heavily on Liszt’s support to secure our position."

Perhaps it was the sheer demonstration of power, or perhaps parenthood had altered his worldview, but Levis now fully recognized Liszt’s might.

Gloria nodded in agreement. "You’re right. Liszt is the family’s most formidable supporter, and we must maintain close ties with him."

Then, she lowered her head, gazing lovingly at Richard.

"My son, you truly are a blessed child. Your grandfather is the Marquis of Golden Isle, your father will be the Marquis of Ironhoof Island, and your uncle’s future is boundless. And you—you are destined to become the most radiant aristocrat of the Sapphire Duchy."