The Mighty Dragons Are Dead

Chapter 143: Strong Desire for Knowledge

“The item is in my castle; after all, it’s a valuable item. If you accept the cooperation, you can go to Fresh Flower Town,” Liszt said, still not trusting the magician.

He himself did not have enough strength, and merely relying on the prestige of the Tulip Family might not be enough to deter the other party.

If the other party ran off with the black pearl, there would be nowhere to find them.

However, Grandini shook his head, “Do you think that making a piece of magic equipment is an easy task? If your black pearl is really big enough and of high quality, it will need more materials to be forged into suitable magic equipment… In a countryside place like Fresh Flower Town, you can’t even buy the raw materials!”

“I have two caravans, whatever materials are needed, they can be delivered promptly,” Liszt said, unperturbed by others looking down on Fresh Flower Town as the countryside. He had the heart of a fierce tiger and naturally maintained a calm demeanor, “Moreover, Mr. Grandini, won’t you listen to what kind of compensation I can offer?”

“Oh, what compensation are you willing to give?”

“Viscount Levis has you make black pearl magic equipment—how much is he paying you… Give me a true figure, I can always go and ask Mr. Frank.”

“Fine then, nobles are really cunning. I can’t fool you. Viscount Levis is paying three gold coins, that’s just the artisanal fee; he provided all the raw materials himself. But his black pearl is only this big. If you have a much larger black pearl, the price won’t be so cheap.”

“In fact, I don’t have gold coins.”

“No gold coins?” Grandini glared, “Baron Liszt, are you mocking me?”

Liszt said evenly, “But I have a black pearl, don’t I?”

Grandini’s eyes quickly lit up, “Oh, so you are planning to use this black pearl to pay for the services?”

“You think too highly. Do you know how much a black pearl is worth? This black pearl is worth at least two hundred gold coins. With that amount, I could hire a grand magician to make magic equipment for me,” Liszt said, spinning the black pearl in his hand, “Of course, if you want to earn it, it’s not that hard.”

Clearly, the black pearl was attractive to Grandini; he licked his lips, “State your terms.”

“First, help me make the black pearl that suppresses storms, providing the raw materials yourself. Second, teach me magic, provide me with knowledge and books. Third, I have some crystals, you help me make them into crystal lamps. The remaining value of this black pearl can be considered my sponsorship for your pursuit of the Truth.”

To Liszt, the black pearl itself wasn’t of high value—in Coral Island, aside from Levis, nobody would likely be a fool enough to buy it.

“You want to learn magic?” Grandini was surprised, “That’s not typical for your nobility. Moreover, magic and Dou Qi are mutually exclusive. Are you willing to give up your noble status to become a magician?”

Dou Qi refines the magic power within oneself, while magic draws on the magic power around oneself.

Despite both being magic power, in cultivation, they repel each other—there have been nobles who considered practicing magic, but it is difficult to succeed. This is like how magic requires the mind to remain rational and clear at all times, yet Dou Qi demands a state of passionate fervor. Cultivating both magic and martial arts could lead to a split personality.

Liszt spoke, “I simply wish to understand the principles behind the casting of magic.”

As a soul with the scientific literacy of the 21st century, it was only natural that he possessed a strong desire to learn about this Different World filled with magic power. He had already encountered and begun to practice Dou Qi; his understanding of Dou Qi was quite profound, yet he knew nothing about magic.

Getting close to a magician, understanding magic, was something he had always wanted to do.

With the territory development now on the right track and having a certain ability to protect himself, he could pursue understanding more information about the outside world at his own volition.

“It seems you are a noble with a strong curiosity. Well, I’ll take this black pearl,” Grandini said after a moment of thought, agreeing to the terms.

“I hope you have a pleasant time in Fresh Flower Town for the next while. Oh, by the way, in Fresh Flower Town, I have houses for you to stay in, and you can transport the necessary materials and equipment to Fresh Flower Town through the Fresh Flower Caravan.”

“I don’t plan to stay in the countryside for long. Once the magic equipment is made and you understand what magic is, I’ll return. Moss Town is only a quarter-hour’s journey from Coral City, and the city’s prosperity makes it hard to leave.”

He walked to the window and looked in the direction of Coral City.

In his eyes, the city piled with waste was a symbol of prosperity.

With a glance from the corner of his eye, he saw a line of people waiting outside the small building and the huge Douson, “Is that your pet? A Fierce Earth Dog magical beast? Why is it so big? I don’t remember Fierce Earth Dogs ever growing that large.”

“Because it eats well.”

Magician Grandini Truth needed time to prepare before he could rush to Fresh Flower Town.

Liszt led his people back in advance.

Meanwhile.

In Coral City, near Tulip Castle, within a two-story small building with a garden, Frank had just finished his nap. He came downstairs to the living room and sat down on a chair.

A servant immediately brought him tea.

He was a noble, an Honored Knight, with his own fief, a small village. Compared to bankrupt and fallen nobles like Goltai, his fief was relatively prosperous, bringing him nearly ten gold coins in surplus each year, plus his salary as a tutor for the Levis family, life was quite delightful.

“Has the lady and the young miss not returned from walking in the flower fields?”

“They have returned. They are taking a cool break in the little garden.”

After a short while, his wife and daughter returned to the house.

“Frank, have you woken up?” the middle-aged woman dressed in the currently fashionable hoop skirt asked, despite the heavy makeup she couldn’t conceal the fact that she was aging, “Do you still have to work for Tulip Castle this afternoon? Sherry wants you to accompany her back to the manor; she left her clothes in the wardrobe.”

Frank looked at his daughter, “I remember you brought many outfits, and you bought some on Iron Hoof Island as well, aren’t they enough?”

“But I forgot to bring a black long dress, I really like it, daddy,” Sherry swayed her slender waist.

“Let the servant go back and fetch it. I don’t have time, my dear,” Frank spread his hands, addressing both his daughter and explaining to his wife, “Levis is still on the battlefield. I’m responsible for all his properties, and the Earl has given him partial authority to govern Coral Island, which also falls under my responsibility.”

“I understand, now is a great opportunity for you to make a name for yourself, but I hope you can make some time to pay more attention to Sherry. She is already fifteen.”

Fifteen meant the age to start socializing.

Noble girls were expected to marry around the age of sixteen or seventeen.

Frank looked at his increasingly beautiful daughter and felt very satisfied, “Of course, I know. Sherry is already a big girl. In fact, this morning, I was worrying about her future. There are not many suitable nobles for Sherry on Coral Island, and I want her to have the best happiness.”

His wife’s interest piqued immediately, “What did you worry about? Have you found someone for her?”

Sherry also gazed expectantly at her father. As a noble young lady, socializing was a skill she had to learn, discussion of marriage was never something to be shy about.

At Bull Horn Academy, how to choose a suitable noble and get married had already become a public course.