11 Chapter 0011: The Revival of the Peanut and the Gestating Bud

"Teacher Goltai, how is the progress of finding a suitable location to settle the Elf Bugs? They have been asleep for a month, and I hope to revive them soon, rather than let them waste their potential."

Elf Bugs are a kind of magical creature.

They can recognize an owner; just a bite on a finger and a drop of blood as an inducement are needed to form a magic contract—they are the spirits of nature, the essence of plants, and the messengers of magic.

Planting their Cordyceps would affect the growth of the surrounding plants.

Cordyceps are the plant body that nurtures Elf Bugs and can be considered an essential magic treasure belonging to the Elf Bugs. They can store and release energy. They can be planted as well as enter dormancy.

The growth of Cordyceps is the growth of the Elf Bugs.

If the Cordyceps die, the Elf Bugs will also die.

Now, the Cordyceps is inside the stomachs of four Elf Bugs, lacking nutrient supply, the Elf Bugs can only sleep soundly. This not only wastes productivity but also delays the possibility of the Elf Bugs' evolution—without absorbing any nutrients and without influencing the growth of crops, none of the Elf Bugs can evolve into Little Minor Elves just by sleeping.

Although the hope is slight.

Liszt still wanted to try and see if his Elf Bugs could evolve into Little Minor Elves.

Goltai answered, "Alfalfa Bugs are suitable for planting on the dairy farm, where there's a large pasture. Replacing the grass with alfalfa should work; Millet Bugs are hard to find a suitable place for, as Fresh Flower Town primarily grows wheat and no one plants millet; Tulip Bugs should, of course, be planted at Fresh Flower Farm, even though the place is nearly abandoned... As for Thorn Bugs, Liszt, you know they're of little value."

"I don't care whether they have value, what I need is for them to have a field of their own, to grow!"

"I can start planting alfalfa and tulips first. The lazy serfs should get to work, but Liszt, I need more hands. The clerks are all lazy fellows, they simply can't get anything done!"

"You may conscript the townspeople at will and have the castle pay their wages."

"Good heavens, the castle is paying wages? You really are a generous Lord Landlord. But there's hardly anyone in Fresh Flower Town who can read, and you still want me to organize a census. They can't even write their own names, I can assure you, they won't get anything done, you can't expect much from the commoners."

This was a problem.

Fresh Flower Town had no school, there was no education here, and illiterate people serving as officials was truly unreliable.

"So, Teacher Goltai, do you know any literate people willing to settle in Fresh Flower Town? So long as they're willing to serve as officials, I can pay them wages, at least twice that of officials in other towns... My castle should still have quite a few Gold Coins."

No matter how unpopular, Liszt was the son of an Earl, and he had received a substantial amount of Gold Coins when he came of age and was granted his inheritance.

Goltai fell silent for a moment, seemingly weighing his words: "Liszt, I can see you have big ambitions for Fresh Flower Town. I also do know some unrecognized but educated individuals. However, as your family tutor, I must remind you, Fresh Flower Town is already struggling to support one Landlord, and bringing in more people might be too much to bear."

"I understand that, don't worry, I'll take care of it; feel free to invite them all," Liszt said easily. With the right talent, he could create wealth.

In his view, Fresh Flower Town was an unexploited virgin land.

Although it was difficult to become wealthy through farming without Elves, means to create wealth weren't limited to just farming.

At the same time, a voice in his heart said, "I have the Smoke Mission, my personal golden finger; maybe it could bring me even more wealth!"

As they were discussing these matters,

Butler Carter knocked and entered, "Sir, Old George from Peanut Hamlet seeks an audience with you."

"Oh, what's the matter?"

"He said, the peanuts in Peanut Hamlet magically revived to lush green overnight. The central field that you specifically instructed to look after even has a peanut plant with a very large bud,"

"Really, let him come in," Liszt was very surprised.

He had just fertilized the fields, and he had not expected the Peanut Fields to recover so quickly. The urge to find a place to be alone and check if the Smoke Mission had been updated was nearly overwhelming.

By the time Old George entered the castle with anxious, tiptoe steps, Liszt had already regained his composure, "Old George, tell me in detail about Peanut Hamlet."

"Yes... Lord Landlord... Your great radiance... shines upon every corner of Peanut Hamlet..."

Just as Carter reported, Peanut Hamlet turned lush green overnight, and one of the peanut plants underwent a mutation, sprouting a very large bud. The serfs could not contain their joy. Ignoring his limp, Old George ran like the wind, panting heavily as he sought an audience with the landlord. His formerly numb and desperate gaze had been replaced by hope.

Goltai had already figured it out, his mouth agape, "Oh my, Liszt, this... could it be that a... a Peanut Bug has been bred in the Peanut Fields?"

Liszt smiled faintly, "Quite possibly."

"Oh my, Liszt, you truly are a noble blessed by heaven! Who would have thought that such a remote and small town like Fresh Flower Town could breed an Elf Bug; it's simply incredible!"

"Whether it's unbelievable or not, we'll know once we see it. Mr. Carter, prepare a horse for me, I'm going to Peanut Hamlet."

"As you wish, my lord."

At the castle gates.

Liszt and Goltai each mounted their steeds, while Carter inquired, "My lord, your Retainer Knights have not yet arrived. Shall we wait a bit?"

Thomas stepped forward, as if wanting to say something, but didn't dare to speak out.

Liszt noticed and glanced over at Thomas and Old George, then said, "Thomas will ride with me, and yes, take Old George along too."

Like hearing celestial music, Thomas trembled with excitement, "Thomas is at your service, my lord!"

This was the first time Thomas was allowed to attend to his lord closely on an outing. A personal valet's closeness, synonymous with being a constant companion, is the heart and soul of a noble's entourage. Many valets to the great Nobles were indeed Knights who had fought shoulder to shoulder with them on the battlefield.

Four men, three horses.

The Fire Dragon Horse took the lead, galloping swiftly to Peanut Hamlet.

Looking out, the Peanut Fields that were yellow and wilted the day before were now a lush green, all the peanut sprouts stretching out their leaves.

It was spring, and it was not yet the blooming season.

Yet, in the middle of the field, the largest peanut plant had a fist-sized bud on its stem above the root, about to bloom. Its tender lush green was extraordinarily heartwarming.

"This truly is the bud of an Elf Bug, heaven's blessing, Liszt, Fresh Flower Town is a land favored by heaven!" Goltai exclaimed, somewhat exaggeratedly.

Liszt was actually very excited inside, but his face still bore the noble's composure and a gentle smile, "The Elf Bug plays a crucial role in the agriculture of Fresh Flower Town, which is why this Peanut Field must be protected. Old George, you and the farmers must assign someone to guard it every day."

"Lord Landlord, Old George would guard it even without eating or drinking!"

"There's no need to go without food and drink; take turns standing guard," Liszt said to Thomas behind him, "Tell my Retainer Knights on your way back that I need one of them to be stationed in Peanut Hamlet every day to guard the Elf Bug."

"Yes, my lord!"