Chapter 299: Slave Trading Is Not My Fault

The export of flower wine would require some more time to prepare, as the current production volume is insufficient, and the stability of quality is somewhat lacking.

March had just arrived, and following the Earl's departure to Blue Dragon Island to attend the royal conference, he took the opportunity to market the premium flower wine packaged in gem-encrusted crystal bottles to the Duke of Sapphire. Meanwhile, Levis left Tulip Castle as planned and headed to Golden Island to visit the Golden Wheat family.

His visit was to finalize betrothal arrangements with Roderick Marquis' daughter, Loria Golden Wheat.

The responsibility for selling the flower wine was handed over to Frank.

Liszt also delegated the sales task to Gort.

The tone for the flower wine had been set, and the remaining work would naturally be handled by his subordinates. Liszt's own important work was training his dogs and personal cultivation.

Before long, the scorching sun of March 5th was blazing.

On that day, the Tulip Merchant fleet returned, and the 2,500 serfs whom Liszt purchased arrived with the ship. The handover was arranged at Flower Harbor.

Ever since Flower Town had a dock of its own, there was no need to go through the transit at Coral City's dock anymore.

"2,500 serfs, plus the losses from the last slave trade, totaling 2,700... The loss this time might still be quite significant, but the quality is good, with a considerable number of craftsmen mixed in." Frank, who had accompanied the fleet to Flower Town, was responsible for overseeing the serf handover.

The town had a prior plan for the serfs' arrangement.

Therefore, there was not much chaos. Bilingual receptionists who knew Serpent Tongue and Wind Language, under the direction of town officials, quickly completed the count of serfs, screened their skills, and recorded their identity information.

"A total of 2,226 serfs, of whom 37 were possibly suffering from severe illnesses that could not be cured..." Gort returned to the dockhouse to report to Liszt.

Hearing this, Frank started calculating with his fingers: "So, based on 2,100... 2,189 serfs, the total loss is... the loss is..." He tried calculating twice but found it quite difficult and was unable to arrive at the result.

Liszt, who was proficient in addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, had already calculated: "A loss of 511 serfs."

"Oh, yes, yes, a loss of 511 serfs." Frank shrugged, not feeling embarrassed at all about his poor math skills.

The people here generally weren't good at math.

He also didn't feel any remorse about the large number of deaths. Smiling, he said, "If you continue to trade serfs, you can offset the losses in the next transaction. Well, you can make up 300 serfs, and another... over 200 serfs, classify them as normal losses."

"Agreed." Liszt nodded.

The death of over 500 people due to the slave trade had started to numb him, though it still felt somewhat suffocating. Without trade, there would be no harm, but without buying serfs, how could he develop his territory and achieve his goal of riding a dragon? He could only offer a silent apology to the souls of the deceased.

To be born into this world, where people prey on each other, was a tragedy in itself.

A moment later, he dispelled the false sympathy or genuine emotion of "a crocodile tear." Stepping outside, he looked at the busy dock square.

The serfs were being categorized.

Patrol team member Carl Hammer was selecting able-bodied men to form a new patrol team.

Rom Barrel was doing the same, choosing the men that Carl had not selected to arrange into his bug protection team, assigning them to various settlements to farm and guard the crops.

Earth Knight Lassie Rondo and Rick Footprint were in charge of selecting strong young boys for training and dividing all the children into groups. From now on, these children would begin training in combat skills.

Having endured torment during the journey to Flower Town, they would begin new lives upon setting foot on this land.

Butler Carter and Mrs. Mossen, along with the castle servants, were also selecting from the serf group, mainly choosing suitable attendants and children for the castle. Liszt's castle would eventually expand and gain prominence, and at that time, many servants would be needed.

"Mrs. Mossen, select about ten young women under the age of twenty who appear clever and have a delicate appearance. The castle needs a group of maids who can handle heavy work. With just a few of you, many tasks cannot be fully taken care of," Carter instructed.

Mrs. Mossen nodded. "I understand. I will select the eligible maids."

The scribes were busy directing the serfs, delivering food and water, and arranging for the leftover serfs to be sent to various townships for farm work.

Currently, only the serfs assigned to farming were being organized, including the craftsmen and laborers. They, too, were assigned to agricultural work.

They would only be relieved from farm work and allowed to return to their original occupations when appropriate positions became available, so they could put their skills to use.

Liszt walked onto a stone and gazed at the harbor scene. No one was by his side, except for Hiddleston. Suddenly, Hiddleston's nose twitched, and he barked at the nearby air.

"It's me, Hiddleston," he said.

Someone made a sound, and Hiddleston continued to growl uneasily until Liszt stroked his neck, soothing him.

Without turning around, he asked, "Why are you in hiding?"

"Nothing much, just don’t feel like appearing... My sister was also sold to Flower Town, wasn't she?" said Parris, the black dragon abettor.

"Maggie was fortunate. She was among the first batch of serfs bought by Flower Town. It wasn’t the optimal season for slave trading back then, and each serf was considered valuable, so they received relatively good care on the ship. These serfs, however, are not as fortunate. Many were packed together, and those who fell ill were cast into the sea."

Remaining invisible, Parris spoke in a low voice, "Lord Baron, why does such a conscience-deadening practice as slave trading exist?"

"Because they haven’t encountered a lord who treats his people well. At least in Flower Town, they will never be harmed again," Liszt replied casually.

He was part of the evil, so he had little to say. All the responsibility could be shifted to others. Naturally, he took the opportunity to portray himself favorably. While other lords were evil, he was the embodiment of justice, the lord who brought hope to the serfs. Perhaps due to their lack of intelligence.

Though Liszt couldn’t see her, Parris nodded in agreement. "For them, coming to Flower Town is indeed a fortunate event. Here, they don’t have to worry about food or security, nor do they have to fear mercenary attacks. I’ve already come to enjoy the peaceful life here."

"But the peace won't last forever. In the near future, I will go to war to realize the ideals I believe in," Liszt said, touching the red blood sword at his waist.

The red sapphire embedded in the sword glimmered, exuding a strange scarlet hue. The glow of the setting sun bathed his handsome face, making him appear especially sacred and righteous. His sapphire-colored pupils could rival an actual sapphire. He spoke loudly, "My horse, my sword, my spear, my knight, will spread my ideals of justice and uphold the way of the knight."

Parris was entranced, unable to say a word.