Chapter 28 (1/2)

The night was late. After the barbecue party, the knights went to town to rest.

Levis and Lvera returned to their rooms. Carter came to the study with a cup of apple cider.

“My lord, you seem quite sober.”

“Thank you.” He sipped the refreshing juice. The beer at the party was not strong enough to get him drunk.

Carter’s face was unnatural under the candlelight.

Liszt had noticed it during the day. “Mr. Carter, are you feeling unwell?”

“I’m fine, my lord.”

“You must tell me if anything is wrong. While this castle cannot leave its butler, your health is more important. Take care of yourself.”

“Thank you.” Carter almost shed tears.

“After the assimilation tomorrow, I’ll go to Coral City with the convoy and may be away for a few days. Please keep the castle under watch.”

“Rest assured, my lord.”

“I see no reason to worry. Other than the elvish insects, Dudderson and Black Dragon must be taken care of. Check the black tulip for me once a day. Also, don’t stop the construction of the horsefield outside of the castle. I want to settle the clover insect after I return.”

The mission was always the top priority.

After a brief conversation, he went to bed.

The next morning, the eight tulip elvish insects completed the assimilation of the black tulip. The convoy began to return. Liszt left with Marcus and Thomas and entrusted the castle to Carter, Goltai, and his squires.

“Mr. Goltai, I want to see the patrolmen from Thorn Hill to the East Coast after I return.”

“As you wish. I’ll train them well,” said Goltai, at ease.

“Then, I’ll be on my way. I’ll return with a couple of gins.”

“That will be fantastic!”

Liszt looked back at his castle from horseback. Carter and the servants were seeing him off at the gate in silence. Without further ado, he spurred on the horse and joined the team.

He was somewhat excited.

His former self was very familiar with Coral Island, but for him, it was technically his first trip outside of Flower Town, a medieval land covered in magic.

The land outside of Thorn Hill mostly belonged to the earl, although some of the towns were baronies given by the earl. The whole Coral Island had only one proclaimed viscount, Yonas Pebbles, who was one of the earl’s earliest followers.

Outside of Coral Island, there was a small island that belonged to another viscount follower of the earl, Patrick Humulus.

Altogether six cities stood on Coral Island. Coral City, right next to Tulip Castle, was the biggest one. North Valley City, Birch City, Elm City, and Snake Spear City belonged to the earl. Pebbles Castle and Pebbles City affiliated to it were Viscount Yonas’s territory.

To reach Coral City from Flower Town, one had to pass North Valley City and Birch City.

However, the convoy did not stop in the two cities. After having a simple lunch in the suburb of North Valley City, they went straight to Coral City. At three in the afternoon, when the horses entered an ocean of flowers, they arrived at their destination.

The flowers were all kinds of tulips.