The Mighty Dragons Are Dead

————

The Secrets of Sea Serpent Aquatic Monsters?

“It’s actually not a book on powerful magic, but just a popular science book about sea monsters?” He was about to feel disappointed at being rewarded with an irrelevant book. Suddenly, he noticed the phrase “Sea Serpent Aquatic Monsters” on the title of the magic book, and his heart skipped a beat.

Sea Serpent Aquatic Monsters immediately made him think of Dulu Miqita, the Sea Sprite Ake that was being pursued—a gigantic sea serpent with six heads.

Then he remembered the Formless Dragon’s chain missions, which also involved magic books.

At this moment, he had a strong premonition that the crisis had always been lurking around him: “Maybe this time, it’s the chain missions of Dulu Miqita. That intermediate level Sea Monster, Dulu Miqita, might never have left this sea area and is hiding in the shadows, watching us!”

It was very likely.

Otherwise, there was no need to reward him with a science book about sea serpents.

However, faced with the threat of Dulu Miqita, he was only tense for a moment before relaxing. He had dealt with the incursion of Formless Dragon; facing another intermediate-level sea monster wasn’t going to be a big deal.

With the help of the Smoke Mission, dealing with this Sea Serpent shouldn’t be too difficult.

The power of fate is not to be taken lightly.

Moreover, sea monsters can only live in the deep sea. If it dares to come to the shallow waters, it’s asking for death. The present-day Fresh Flower Town, the present-day Liszt, has long since ceased to be weak.

“I’ll be more cautious during this period, complete more Smoke Missions quickly, gather more information about Dulu Miqita, and claim the rewards from the chain missions… Finally, resolve the hidden danger!”

As thoughts flickered.

A new Smoke Mission was released.

“Mission: Browse through the magic books brought by Elkerson. Do you feel that every book is stained with the pitiful screams of magic apprentices, those are the helpless and desperate cries after their souls have shattered, please cleanse the injustice from the magic books. Reward: A set of research notes.”

The injustice of magic apprentices?

Liszt’s brow furrowed as he considered, “What does this mean? Could it be that Elkerson has killed many magic apprentices to obtain these magic books? Surely not, Elkerson doesn’t seem like a murderer, and even if he killed magic apprentices, would that allow him to obtain the magic books?”

His intuition made him doubt that Elkerson would casually kill magic apprentices.

But his rationality told him that he must carefully scrutinize Elkerson, and not trust anyone easily: “If Elkerson really is a murderer, and I need to cleanse the injustice from the books, does that mean I have to kill Elkerson… I’d better return to Fresh Flower Town first, then make the next plan!”

On Coral Island, arbitrary killing is strictly forbidden; this is a rule issued by the Earl.

Even nobles cannot kill at will outside their territories, and even within their territories, arbitrary killing will be punished by the Earl—landlords indeed have absolute jurisdiction over their land, but behavior that oversteps the morality of nobility, the higher lord will naturally teach you a lesson.

Of course, nobles usually cherish their serfs and do not kill without reason, and higher lords do not interfere with what their followers do within their own lands.

There’s no need to quarrel with one’s followers over the lives of a few commoners.

However, magicians are not nobles, and if they dare to harm lives wantonly, nobles are bound to take action. Liszt greatly appreciated Elkerson, who was polite and not rigid, a fine collaborative partner. But as a noble, if he discovered Elkerson murdering at will, he would not be lenient.

After resting for the night.

The next day, he sailed back to Fresh Flower Town. During the voyage, Liszt was no longer bored as he had previously been. Goltai, who returned with him on the ship, was always bragging incessantly. Whereas he kept using his telescope to look around, ensuring that Dulu Miqita wasn’t stealthily approaching.

At sea, dealing with an intermediate-level sea monster was not easy.

He had already prepared that if he encountered Dulu Miqita, he would not resist. He would stop the ship and drift, retract the Calming Sea Pearl, and let Dulu Miqita wreak havoc while he hid in a wooden boat, barely surviving. Moreover, he would cover himself with the juice of Smoked Grass, waiting for Dulu Miqita’s rampage to end before rowing home.

This is not cowardice.

It is helplessness.

He had no choice but to return to Fresh Flower Town, but encountering Dulu Miqita in the vast sea without preparation meant resistance was merely a quick death.

However.

Without Sea Sprite Ake on board, Dulu Miqita might not be interested in the Fresh Flower Vessel—after all, it had sailed back and forth dozens of times without running into Dulu Miqita, indicating that sea monsters had little interest in ships.

In the midst of tension.

He safely returned to Fresh Flower Town.

Liszt headed straight for the castle and searched through the magic books brought by Elkeson True. Some of the books he was sure contained no “harmful” content had been given to Sea Sprite Ake to read, while others were left on the bookshelves in the study.

“During this time, I have only received two boxes of books from Elkeson, and the reward should be in there.” He searched quickly, and soon a copy of “Secrets of Sea Serpent Aquatic Monsters” was found tucked away in an inconspicuous corner of the bookshelf.

He hadn’t seen this book before; it was likely that Butler Carter had organized it and placed it on the shelf.

Before he started to read it, he called for the guard Paris.

“Baron, are you looking for me for something?”

“A small task, I hope you can help me with it, you know I like magic books.”

“Of course, everyone in town should know that the Baron likes to read.”

“These books were procured by Elkeson True on my behalf, but now I suspect that there might be some issues with their provenance. I would like you to help me investigate in secret and make sure they were acquired through legitimate means,” said Liszt, not wanting to directly question Elkeson.

For one, he didn’t want to alert the suspect, and for another, in case it was a misunderstanding, it would be awkward.

“It’s an easy task, I will complete it as soon as possible, Baron.”

“Then let’s talk about the remuneration for your task.”

Paris suddenly smiled, “It is just a minor task, consider it free of charge. After all, I’ve already drawn some gossip from local officials for taking money without working.”

“Gossip?” Liszt raised an eyebrow, it seemed some were not pleased with his salary arrangements, “I will put a stop to this kind of gossip.”

“There’s no need, Baron, I don’t mind it,” Paris said.

After saying this, she excused herself gracefully and left to carry out the task for free.

However, Liszt did not forget what she had mentioned and immediately called for Butler Carter, “Mr. Carter, are you aware of any complaints from people in town about Paris’s salary being too high?”

“I’m sorry, my Lord, I haven’t noticed anything about that.”

“Pass this on, when the servants go out, don’t forget to listen to what the town officials have been saying. If there’s any discordant content, inform me immediately.”

“Yes, my Lord.”

After giving instructions to Butler Carter, Liszt planned to investigate slowly.

When he was alone in the study, he picked up the milk tea from the table, his expression unreadable.

He just mumbled to himself, “I am a very reasonable person, as a landlord I have never let down those who follow me… If there are issues, they can be raised directly with me, but questioning my decisions behind my back is not what a qualified subordinate should do.”