Chapter 45 (2/2)

“I’m about to.” Liszt put the book back on the shelf and frowned at the smell of his hand. “Mr. Carter, please add a box of air freshener in the study. I can’t tolerate the strange smell of the thick-hide paper.”

The wagon of books offered by the earl carried a tremendous stink that could not be concealed with Liszt’s air freshener.

There was no clean white paper, but only the hard, stinky yellow thick-hide paper.

The paper was made with the materials inside animal skin after a special tanning process. The cost of the paper was high, and it was difficult to preserve it. Liszt was eager to replace the thick-hide paper with white paper, but he knew that it was not the right moment.

Firstly, white paper was not in demand.

Secondly, due to the lack of copyright laws, the grand nobles could steal the technology.

These were also the reasons why he hadn’t worked on horseshoes, saddles, or cement. Also, he had the basic structure of a schooner in his head. It would definitely be a boost to the sailing age once it was invented.

Most importantly of all, he was short of people.

The whole town only had a population of 1,991 people. Two seniors died recently, and three babies were born.

Ignoring the old and the young who could not work, only 1,500 people could be used. They had to farm, build roads, establish Oysterton, and craft fishing equipment soon.

As for Liszt, he was quite busy in improving himself, too.

He had picked up Dragon Drill and Furious Fire, but he needed more time to master them. After the Red Blood Sword was gifted to him, he practiced even more diligently, hoping that he could break the hold of gravity and leap into the sky someday.

Carter lit the air freshener.

Blowing the candle, he asked, “My lord, should we hire more servants for the castle?”

“Are we short of hands?” Liszt was surprised. Ten servants for him should be enough.

Carter, however, said solemnly, “The elvish insects are quite obedient, but the footmen have to take care of their wormgrass every day. It’s Jesse’s job for now, but after the millet insect and the thorn insect are settled, it will be too much for him.”

Pausing for a moment, he said, “Dudderson, Black Dragon, Fire Dragon, and the other horses all need tending. The seafood in the castle has to be gathered by servants until Oysterton is built. Also, Mrs. Abby is overwhelmed as more dishes are added.”

Castles and town halls had a lot of overlapping functions.

However, the castle focused more on feeding itself, and the town hall had to manage the whole territory and collect taxes. Liszt was not satisfied with the system and felt that the greatest obstacle of productivity was the castle. It was a twisted monster that controlled all the elves, the greatest source of productivity.

After all, the greatest function of the castle was to ensure the luxurious life of nobles instead of increasing productivity.

He knew that well, but he did not intend to change it. He was a noble himself, after all!

“Since we are short of hands, Mr. Carter, you will hire new servants.”

“All right, my lord.”