The Defeated Dragon

The ice cream had propelled the festival's banquet into a climax. It was very good for alleviating the the heat from the scorching hot weather.

However, although the banquet had terminated, the aristocrats, who were reclining in their chairs to aid the digestions, were still discussing the ice cream. Lvera was the most enthusiastic one. She had fallen in love with the ice cream's delicious taste.

“Liszt, tell me how ice cream is made.”

“Ask Mrs. Abby, she will tell you. I just had the idea, Ms. Abby was the one to figure out the remaining procedure.” Liszt had no intentions of keeping it a secret.

If he could produce ice on a large scale, then the ice cream recipe would have to be kept safe as a means of fundraising.

However, there was no way to produce ice on a large scale, and therefore, there was no way to produce ice cream on a large scale. Also, there wasn't even a way to transport it a long distance to then be sold. Thus, there was no use keeping the recipe secret.

Of course, extorting Lvera was still a must.

“I will tell the ice cream recipe only to you and in turn, you are not allowed to disclose it to anyone else. Besides, for it to be a fair trade, you can't take my things for free, right?”

“What do you want?”

“I want pig iron or wrought iron.”

“One hundred catty (catty= 0,5 Kg) of pig iron, I can only give you this much. If you want more, then I would rather not having the ice cream recipe.”

“This much is fine.” If he could take advantage, then he would. Liszt understood that giving things free of charge was but foolish generosity – perhaps the other still treated him as a fool. But being too fierce was also not good. After all, they were blood related siblings and were supposed to watch out for each other.

When speaking of this small trade, he suddenly felt a little emotional.

He recalled that in his ‘youth', in other words, on Earth, he made ice cream by hand to win over girls. Although it was not enough to win over a belle, but the craft of making ice cream was learned. Now it could be seen that it was not in vain.

“Even if ice can be produced on a large scale, it would be still troublesome to make ice cream. It would be better to make popsicles instead. That would certainly be a money-maker… Even just the ice itself would be a money-maker.”

……

The ice cream recipe was sold to Lvera.

But when Levis came, he was directly offered the recipe.

“Levis, when will the Tulip Family's fleet be back?”

“According to the usual schedule, it will probably be back at the Coral City's wharf in a week.” Levis took out a cigar and lit it. “You want to talk about slaves?”

“That's right. The next time the Tulip Family's fleet goes out to into the sea to do business, I hope that you can help me purchase a batch of serfs.”

With the recipe secured, Levis was very affable: “It is possible, but what price are you willing to spend?”

“Ten silver coins per serf?”

“That was in the past. But now that there is no in fighting in the grand duchy, it is difficult to procure serfs.”

“But just a while ago I heard that the Small Kerchief Island's lord was killed by pirates and that the fief fell.”

“The Sapphire Grand Duke is very angry with this, he had already requested of all the major fiefs to help besiege these pirates. However, after the pirates laid the Small Kerchief Island waste, they have disappeared without a trace. Some believe it not to be the work of pirates, but rather that of some lord under the guise of pirates. The Big Kerchief Island had put a bounty of three hundred gold coins to gather clues on the pirates.”

Levis simply stated the repercussions brought about by the Small Kerchief Island's incident before adding: “However, apart from this incident, the grand duchy is tranquil. Therefore, to deal with slaves, one has to venture further. The best would be to go search at the borders of the opposing Eagle Kingdom and Steel Ridge Kingdom.”

“Then give me a price and I will agree to it if I can.”

“Twenty silver coins per serf, I can't go lower than this. Otherwise, I won't make any profit.” Levis gave his price, “In addition, if the number of serfs is too large, then you will have to pay upfront. Otherwise, I will not be able to justify the accounts to Father.”

Liszt contemplated for a moment and then nodded in agreement: “I will give you one hundred gold coins to help me bring back five hundred serfs.”

“No problem.”

“I have a little request. These five hundred serfs, I want them to be mainly young people. Also, purchase more female serfs. Additionally, prioritize skilled serfs if possible.”

“You mean blacksmiths, tailors, cobblers and the like? Those are not easy to procure. Many craftsmen are freedmen. The law of each state protects freedmen, so it is very difficult to sell them as serfs.” All aspects of urban operations were inseparably linked to freedmen. Therefore, it was normal for states' law to protect them.”

Liszt clenched his teeth: “I have twenty more gold coins. Among the five hundred serfs, there are to be at least one hundred craftsmen.”

“That can be done.”

Begrudgingly, he gave Levis one hundred and twenty golden Naldas.

Looking at his shriveled coin pouch, Liszt was quite disconsolate. He originally had one hundred and fifty odd gold coins. With the continuous payment of the commoner's wages, he had already spent not a small amount of gold coins. Now, there were only sixteen gold coins left in the coin pouch. He was running the risk of it being emptied out at any time.

Fortunately, the road through the Thorns Ridge was being quickly cleared. So long as he established a caravan, then the Flower Town's seafood could be sold to the Coral City.

He was convinced that the delicious seafood could bring him a nice amount of wealth.

When the negotiations regarding the serfs were settled, Levis suddenly mentioned the saltpeter: “Liszt, can the production of ice be scaled up?”

“I wish it could, but the regretful thing is that it can't.”

“More saltpeter mines could be found.”

“Levis, it is not that there would be saltpeter mines for me to find just because I want so. In fact, after searched through the Flower Town, there was only this bit of saltpeter mine. I can give you a bit of saltpeter powder and the original ore from when saltpeter was found so you can look for it yourself. Perhaps there are other saltpeter mines on the Coral Island.”

“Very well, I will go look for myself. As long as ice can be made in the summer, then lots of gold coins can surely be earned.” Levis took a puff at the cigar. “Once I find more saltpeter mines, then I won't treat you badly. Could you tell that Madam Marie was instigating Father to meddle in saltpeter ice production?”

“I could tell.” Liszt was clear.

“Fortunately, Father does not care about saltpeter produced ice. In summer, he often goes to the court to a.s.sume the post of the grand duke's groom. In the court, there is a lot of ice to enjoy. There are many ice houses on the Blue Dragon Island. The biggest ice house, according to hearsay, is like a labyrinth, with the workers transporting ice loosing their way and freezing to death.”

Liszt didn't comment.

The greatest aristocrat he had ever met was Merlin Longtaro. Higher than that, he didn't know how the aristocratic life was like, especially of aristocratic families with dragons.

……

The sun had begun to slant to the west once digestion was concluded.

The count and entourage were ready to return. If they didn't leave now, they would not reach the Coral City before nightfall. Before leaving, the count followed behind Liszt. Both were on horseback.

“The Flower Town is not bad. I hope that you can maintain this entrepreneur spirit. However, merely becoming a qualified lord is not enough. The rise of the Tulip Family is due to military exploits. The grand duke is in the prime of his life and his pioneering spirit is yet to extinguish. Therefore, if you want to leave the Flower Town, then you must not renounce the craving for the glory of the knights.”

Wouldn't it be faster to enfeoff me as a viscount?

Liszt secretly complained. The count was clearly fond of him, yet still played the role of a strict father. Liszt felt a bit uncomfortable: “I understand.”

Then, the both of them had nothing to say. They just quietly rode their mounts.

A moment later, the count glanced at Blackdragon below Liszt: “This is a good horse, take good care of it. As a lord, it will become your most important partner.”

“Yes.”

Following which, the two returned and the count joined with the convoy. Under Carter lead, the servants stood at the castle's gate and respectfully sent the honored guests away.

Liszt said his goodbyes to them one at a time.

“Grandmother, be careful while boarding the carriage.”

“My little boy, if life in the Flower Town treats you badly, then return to the Tulip Castle. Despite the bad smell, there is everything one would need.” Said Madam Penélope in return.

“I will be frequently visiting the Tulip Castle.”

Lvera hugged him and said: “One hundred catty of pig iron, it will be waiting for you in the Coral City.”

“Alright.”

Madam Marie pulled the sulky Lytton, who wanted to ride a horse yet wasn't allowed, and just exchanged a smile and a ‘goodbye' with Liszt.

Captain Mickey and the other knights saluted according to the knight etiquette.

Probably to create a scene of affection between brothers in front of the count, Levis also hugged him: “Liszt, the Tulip Castle's gate is open to you at any time.”

“Thank you.”

Liszt sent the convoy away as it slowly set out on its journey.