Chapter 176: Chapter 0176: Gao Ertai’s Art (Fourth Update, Additional for 400 Subscriptions)
Outside Coral City, a standalone castle.

“Old madam, you look even younger than when I last saw you,” Goltai exclaimed with exaggerated praise.

Lady Penelope replied happily, “No, I’m old, I’ve already heard Greg calling me from another world, to roam Tahiti City with him once again.”

Greg Wafers, the father of the Earl, grandfather to Liszt, and Viscount of Tahiti City.

In his hands, the family acquired their first Tulip Lesser Spirit, and began to collect various kinds of tulips, thus breeding more Tulip Spirits. Greater Elf Xiangxiang was later cultivated, thereby founding the Tulip Family lineage on Coral Island.

Yet, in the end, Greg died on the battlefield.

The very Tulip Lesser Spirit he had contracted with also perished.

Fortunately, he had contracted only that one Tulip Lesser Spirit as a memento. The other spirits were transferred to Li Weiliam upon coming of age, thus ensuring the Tulip Family lineage did not end.

Just as now, Li Weiliam had already transferred the spirits to Levis—preparing himself for the possibility of sacrifice on the battlefield.

As the future Earl, Levis’s participation in battle was more of a formality. The heirs of nobility need to prove to the world they are worthy of inheriting the title. Otherwise, followers yearning for noble glory might become disillusioned with a leader who offers no prospect of such honor.

Being the contract holder of all the spirits of the Tulip Family, his safety was of course a top priority.

For if he were to die, those spirits and the cordyceps would also perish; even if by some miracle any survived, they would be greatly weakened—likewise, spirits couldn’t be repeatedly released from contracts and transferred to others without causing significant harm to their vitality.

An Elf Bug, in its lifetime, can only be released from a contract once.

That is to say, it can only contract with two people.

A Little Minor Elf can only be released from a contract three times over its lifetime.

That is to say, it can only contract with four people.

A Greater Elf can only be released from a contract seven times over its lifetime.

That is to say, it can only contract with eight people.

A Dragon Elf… information about this is not commonly known to the public and is monopolized by the great nobles.

Elf Bugs have a ten-year lifespan, which makes them particularly suitable for enfeoffment to one’s followers. Little and Greater Elves, due to an increased number of allowable contract transfers, are more suited for family inheritance. But contracts must nevertheless be conserved, typically only transferred upon the coming of age of an heir, with the father’s approval.

Lady Penelope mentioned Greg whom Goltai had never met.

Still, he followed her lead in conversation, “I believe that even though the old senior may miss you in another world, he would surely want you to stay here, to continue watching over the Tulip Family’s lineage as they grow strong and healthy.”

With those words,

The old lady was very pleased, “That’s right, I must refuse him, I want to see the Earl’s four children grow up strong, they’re all such worrisome youngsters.”

“In fact, it’s because you care so much that you feel they need worrying about—as members of the Tulip Family lineage, each of them is outstanding among their fellow young nobles!” Goltai praised liberally, “The Baron Liszt I serve is no exception, the glory of knighthood constantly shines upon him!”

Lady Penelope sighed, “Liszt is indeed a fortunate young man, he has grown up.”

“‘Fortunate’ doesn’t suffice to describe the Baron, he has inherited the Earl’s excellent qualities and is destined to be a distinguished and great landlord. I’ve come to visit you today at the Baron’s behest, to invite you to the Little Minor Elf’s Birth Celebration held the day after tomorrow in Fresh Flower Town.”

“Little Minor Elf’s Birth Celebration?”

“Yes, a Thorn Bug evolved into a Thorn Minor Elf. It not only brought us joy but also endless wealth, as we now have Magic Medicine Thorns and Iron Wood Thorn. If you witnessed it with your own eyes, you would surely fall in love with this Little Minor Elf, its beauty is dazzling!”

Even Lady Penelope, who had weathered many storms, was still astonished by the news, “Is this true, Goltai? Liszt has his own little Minor Elf, and it can even cultivate Magic Potions and Iron Wood Thorn?”

“It’s true!”

“This is indeed a pleasant surprise, worthy of the Tulip Family’s offspring,” Lady Penelope laughed heartily. “I’ve started to take quite a liking to Melissa now; her children have never disappointed me.”

“Lady Melissa has brought the glory of the Long Taro Family to Coral Island, and the Baron has combined the honor of two noble families into one,” he said.

Goltai was proficient in the art of flattery, especially when dealing with an elderly lady; all it took was praising her grandchildren.

After chatting for a full half-hour, Goltai took his leave.

His next destination was Tulip Castle—where, this time, his flattery found no occasion to shine. After handing over Liszt’s invitation to Lady Marie and briefly inquiring about the reason, the temporary mistress of Tulip Castle sent him on his way with a smile.

One could not discern what she was thinking upon hearing the news.

“No wonder she’s the Earl’s wife, her composure is beyond my grasp… The task Liszt entrusted to me cannot be completed,” Goltai shook his head as he left Tulip Castle.

Liszt had instructed him to observe Lady Marie’s expression closely after delivering the message.

Goltai understood what Liszt was looking for, but the result was disappointing—Lady Marie showed no sign of surprise, shock, jealousy, or anger.

Fortunately, this task was just a bit of Liszt’s mischief.

It wasn’t mandatory.

Moments later.

He showed up at the home of Levis’s family tutor, Mr. Frank. The two tutors were not strangers to each other. However, Goltai’s position had previously been much lower; he had only been a family tutor for a baron in the countryside, while Frank was the future Earl’s tutor.

Now, things had changed.

After stating his purpose and feeling that Frank was finally treating him as an equal, the conversation became much more polite.

“Consultant Goltai, please convey my regards to Baron Liszt. On November 5th, I, along with my wife and Sherry, shall attend the Little Minor Elf’s birth celebration in Fresh Flower Town,” Frank said.

“Of course, on behalf of the Baron, I thank you for your attendance,” Goltai replied.

“Then let’s have a simple lunch here today. It’s been many years since we last drank together. I have a bottle of Juniper Wine that I’ve treasured for a long time.”

Having missed out on a meal at Tulip Castle, Goltai had planned to find a meal here and so did not decline: “Wow, Juniper Wine! Although I’m in a hurry to get back and invite other nobles to the celebration, it seems my legs can’t carry me any further at the moment. Thank you for your hospitality, Mr. Frank!”

At lunchtime.

Frank’s family and Goltai were seated separately as host and guest.

At the table, the bright young girl Sherry occasionally asked about Liszt, “Uncle Goltai, has Baron Liszt named the Thorn Minor Elf yet?”

“It doesn’t seem so, perhaps he will announce the name of the Thorn Minor Elf during the celebration.”

“Can his Wind Falcon fly now?”

“I’m sorry, the Wind Falcon has already returned to the blue skies. The Baron does not wish to restrain its proud spirit.”

Frank’s wife exclaimed in surprise, “Letting go of a Magical Beast just like that? Isn’t that a waste? It must be worth a lot of Gold Coins!”

Goltai had also quietly criticized the decision to release a veritable fortune’s worth of Gold Coins, but outwardly, he appeared unconcerned, “Fresh Flower Town is no longer what it used to be; a few Gold Coins are of little consequence.”