Chapter 184: Inexplicable Kindness

"Also, I wonder how Father and Brother are faring in the war in Eagle Kingdom, and how much profit we've gained this year." After practicing *Fire Dragon Drill* and *Flame Wave*, Liszt took up his bow and arrows to continue training *Multiple Arrows*.

Ever since he started taking potions, as an elite Earth Knight, he had been feeling a surge of blood and vigor, eager to charge into battle to showcase his prowess.

It was like suddenly becoming wealthy.

Although reason would tell him to keep a low profile, emotionally, he couldn't help but want to show off.

"After I further refine my combat techniques, I must have a duel with Marcus one day. With the Red Blood Sword and the Black Dragon, even if I lack experience and my combat technique isn't as refined as Marcus's, I can still defeat him!" He was confident in his abilities, supplemented by his equipment.

Of course, the duel must be held in private.

If Liszt were to accidentally lose, as long as no one mentioned it, it wouldn't affect his reputation.

With this thought, he became more engrossed in his practice. He drew the bowstring and released two sharp arrows, side by side, guided by his aura. They collided mid-air, slightly altering their trajectory, and shot straight towards two targets a hundred meters away, ten meters apart.

*Bang! Bang!*

Two crisp sounds echoed.

Liszt looked up, and the arrows had already struck the thick centers of the targets precisely. His vision, enhanced by frequent use of the Magic Eye, had greatly improved.

Combined with *Multiple Arrows*, he could easily hit any target with precision. Hitting a target from a hundred paces wasn't difficult; even a thousand paces wasn't too challenging. However, due to the distance, the aura attached to the arrows would dissipate halfway, leaving them to rely solely on kinetic energy for flight, reducing both their power and trajectory control.

"Many Earth Knights train *Multiple Arrows*, but there aren't many gifted archers. Marcus is one, but I am even more talented." In Flower Town, Liszt enjoyed comparing himself to Marcus to gauge his own strength. "Just with this dual arrow technique, I surpass Marcus!"

Sweat dripped as he continued to practice *Multiple Arrows*.

He hadn't yet mastered the ultimate technique of Multiple Phantom Arrows,

but his basic dual arrows were already masterfully executed.

*Clatter clatter.*

The sound of a merchant caravan approached. The team transporting newly purchased wheat had passed through the castle gates and headed straight for the granary. Officials led a large group of waiting serfs to unload the wheat and stack it inside the granary.

Everyone wore smiles on their faces.

Though the stored grain belonged to the lord, having food in the castle meant the serfs could benefit—especially since the lord wouldn't seize their winter reserves.

After the caravan finished unloading the wheat,

"Should be about a hundred tons of wheat now?"

Liszt had just finished practicing *Multiple Arrows* and, seeing the caravan return, summoned a smoke task while riding his horse.

"Complete the task, reward: Serf Maggie's goodwill."

Serf Maggie's goodwill?

Judging by the name, she was a female serf.

Confused, Liszt instructed his personal servant Thomas, who followed behind him: "Find out if there's a serf named Maggie... don't make a big fuss, just gather some information about her."

Thomas went off to do as told.

As Liszt rode toward the castle, he continued to ponder the task reward: "What does the goodwill of a serf mean? Could this serf be problematic or have some talent that I need to discover... Her name suggests she's a woman, so..."

A sudden thought crossed his mind.

Excitement surged: "Could the smoke task, seeing my recent interest in secretaries, be telling me there's a beautiful female serf in Flower Town for me to recruit as a secretary?"

While this seemed unlikely,

what if it were true?

Fortunately, his rationality prevailed, and he saw a new task.

"Task: The sailors are well-trained, the captain ambitious, and the Sea Stabilizing Pearl nearly complete. The only large ship in Flower Town, the Flower Town, is ready for its maiden voyage. Please personally complete the first voyage. Reward: Black Dragon horses."

The reward was not surprising.

Black Horse Island was known to host a herd of Black Dragon horses.

However, the task's content left Liszt somewhat displeased: "Why must I personally complete the maiden voyage? Even with the Sea Stabilizing Pearl, Kosto and his crew face dangers at sea. The smoke task is irresponsibly putting me at risk!"

His original plan was to send Marcus and others to scout Black Horse Island first.

Only after confirming safety would he set sail.

But then he reconsidered: "Actually, I don't have to go. If my subordinates find the Black Dragon horses and claim the reward early, the task will change... Still, I should go and prepare thoroughly to minimize risks. It shouldn't be a problem."

The refugees from Little Papa Island managed to drift thousands of miles to Coral Island under Kosto's guidance. The distance between Coral Island and Black Horse Island is similar, and with trained sailors, navigation shouldn't be too difficult.

Having made his decision,

Liszt didn't hesitate and quickly found Kosto: "Captain Kosto, I'm preparing to sail to Black Horse Island. During this time, you and my knights must work together closely."

"Rest assured, Lord, Kosto will ensure your safety!" Showing his commitment, Kosto asked, "Lord, when will the Sea Stabilizing Pearl be completed?"

"No later than three days."

"Then please have your retinue knights come aboard the Fresh Bloom for training during these three days, ensuring they can protect you at the first sign of danger."

"Agreed." Suddenly, Liszt added, "I plan to take Hiddleston out to sea with us. What do you think?"

Kosto thought carefully and replied, "Hiddleston is a terrestrial beast. On its first voyage, it will definitely suffer from seasickness. Even with three days of continuous training, it might not overcome it."

"Let's give it a try and see if Hiddleston gets seasick."

He had never considered sailing to Black Horse Island himself, let alone taking Hiddleston. But Hiddleston would undoubtedly accompany him into battle in the future; it was the ideal bodyguard. Therefore, a sea trial was necessary to prevent seasickness.

Not one to dither, the next day, Liszt led Hiddleston aboard the Fresh Bloom.

Once on the ship, Hiddleston's curiosity got the better of it, bounding around the deck with each leap causing the Fresh Bloom to tremble on the waves.

A creature weighing over a ton has that kind of power.

However, Hiddleston feared water and dared not approach the ship's rail. When Liszt tried to drag it closer to the rail, it refused to move, refusing even to look down into the sea.

Especially when the Fresh Bloom left the makeshift dock made of a few logs tied together.

As they sailed across the sea, Hiddleston's usually lively spirit wilted, and it lay sullenly on the deck, too afraid to move.

From time to time, it whimpered, "Woof woof... whine whine..."