Chapter 243: Chapter 0243: Goose Feathers Sent Thousand Miles (Third update, bonus for 2400 subscriptions)
The Earth Matron’s status in Fresh Flower Town could be described as pitiful. Ever since she was captured, she had not only been used as Douson’s breeding machine but had also been confined to a secret room. Her ferocity had long been worn away, leaving only subservience.

This was the destruction of life, the erasure of nature.

If there were animal protection organizations on the island, Liszt would definitely be nailed to the pillar of shame, subjected to the spitting and cursing of thousands. Unfortunately, there were none on the island, and humans had no sympathy for Magical Beasts—weren’t Magical Beasts born to be killed for their meat and to earn humans Gold Coins?

The snow was thick in Dog Prison these days; no one had come to clean it.

Although it was true that the Earth Matron no longer released magic, having almost forgotten the existence of Rock Spike, to ordinary people, she was still a huge threat.

“Lord Landlord, it, it really won’t kill me?” Old Difo followed Liszt shakily into Dog Prison. “I, I, I think I’ll just look at it from outside the Dog Prison.”

“Don’t be nervous, Old Difo, with me here, what are you afraid of?” Liszt said gently. “This time I want you to observe from up close, to have a clear idea of the approximate time of delivery for the Earth Matron… Don’t be nervous, look, I’m already standing here. Has the Earth Matron made any dangerous moves?”

Old Difo wanted to step forward, but his legs wouldn’t obey: “Lord Landlord, sir, a pregnant beast, when approached by strangers, will become enraged.”

“The Earth Matron will not.”

“I, I…”

Snap!

Out of patience, Liszt kicked Old Difo’s rear with his boot: “If you’re told to step forward and observe, then do it. Otherwise, go directly to my Retainer Knights and receive a hundred lashes!”

A hundred lashes could beat a strong man to death.

Kicked into a stumble, Old Difo finally overcame his fear of the Earth Matron and began to carefully inspect her condition around the cage.

The Earth Matron turned her head to watch Old Difo, her mouth slightly open, emitting a low growl.

Liszt casually threw a piece of jerky into the cage, and the next moment, the growling Earth Matron began wagging her tail and chewing on the jerky. Douson reached out its claw from outside the cage, eager to snatch the jerky; it had never known the concept of pity for the fairer sex.

After a moment.

Old Difo gave his conclusion based on his observations: “Lord Landlord, judging from the change in the Earth Matron’s physique and the moisture in her private area, she is not yet ready to give birth. She probably needs another half month of gestation. However, I can’t guarantee it; she might also give birth prematurely.”

Generally, dogs can give birth after two months of pregnancy. The Earth Matron is a Magical Beast, so her gestation period is somewhat longer, but, being a dog, it wouldn’t be much longer.

Old Difo, who had raised dogs for many years, was experienced with the gestation and birthing periods of ordinary dogs, but he could only guess when it came to a Magical Beast and couldn’t be sure.

Liszt had a rough idea in his mind.

His biggest concern was the offspring the Earth Matron would give birth to; it shouldn’t see anyone else but him when it opened its eyes—the reason Douson was so loyal was that it had seen Liszt upon opening its eyes.

If the Earth Matron gave birth in ten days, then Liszt could make it back from Red Crab Island before the young pups opened their eyes.

Otherwise, he would miss the moment the pups opened their eyes. By that time, the pups would likely see the Earth Matron first. Even though they could be trained from a young age, loyalty could not be completely assured. Liszt did not like this kind of uncertain loyalty—while humans could be bound by interests or kinship, it was difficult to control Magical Beasts other than through recognition of their master.

Take Marcus, for example; his family is all in Fresh Flower Town. Liszt trusts him greatly because the cost of Marcus’ betrayal is so high that it’s almost more than he can bear.

Essentially, these officials and knights find it very difficult to betray on Coral Island under the Tulip Family.

Consider Paris as well. The fact that she has a sister, Maggie, as a restraining factor means as long as Mrs. Harriet’s family can establish an unbreakable bond with Maggie, it’s also very hard for Paris to betray. Of course, there is still a risk of her betrayal, and establishing real trust will take time.

As a Black Dragon Childe, she possesses great research value, which makes it worth the risk for Liszt to keep her by his side—to study her slowly in the future.

After instructing the servants to clean Dog Prison thoroughly, Liszt, with Douson on a leash, reluctantly parted from Earth Matron.

…

He could only stay in Fresh Flower Town for one night.

Since the Fresh Flower Vessel was still docked at Black Horse Island, Liszt couldn’t retrieve his Calming Sea Pearl, which made him uncomfortable—it was high time he asked Grandini Truth to forge another Calming Sea Pearl. Without it, he always felt a bit unsafe at sea.

Upon reaching Tulip Castle, he met Ranieri, the deputy butler of Long Taro Castle.

Ranieri had exquisite curly hair and the most fashionable steel lingo of high society, even more standard than Liszt’s: “Young Master Liszt, Ranieri sends his greetings.”

“Mr. Ranieri, how is my grandfather’s health?”

“The old master can get out of bed and walk now, but he sustained serious injuries when he was young, leaving behind a chronic condition that Advanced Dou Qi can’t heal. This has significantly dragged down the old master’s health,” said Ranieri gravely. As an old Sky Knight, Merlin Taro had fought in many battles when he was young, resulting in countless injuries.

While Dou Qi can certainly heal physical wounds, injuries that seriously affect the internal organs are hard to heal with Dou Qi, which is more suited for external wounds.

“I believe in my grandfather’s incredible strength, enough to overcome any chronic condition and regain his health.”

“Thank you for your blessing; we all think so.”

After exchanging greetings with Ranieri, Liszt found Levis and Li Vera to inquire about their gift arrangements. As the heir to Tulip Castle, Levis naturally had a pile of gifts, all very high-end, including precious gifts from an earl to his father-in-law.

The gifts from Li Vera were much lighter—small but thoughtful presents. As a female noble, no matter how small the gifts she offered, no fault could be found.

“Let me see your gifts, Fresh Flower Soap and Fresh Flower oyster sauce? And what are these, egg rolls, bread, and longevity noodles?” After checking the gifts for Liszt, Li Vera asked, “What are longevity noodles?”

“It’s a very long noodle. Oh, I forgot you don’t know what noodles are yet. Noodles are a new food invented by Mrs. Abbie. A long strip of dough boiled in water, topped with condiments, and served with a couple of eggs makes a very delicious meal. Besides, the length of the noodles signifies longevity.”

“It’s very creative; I’m envious that you have a chef like Mrs. Abbie. My chef can only make bread and can’t even learn to fry an egg. But don’t you think these gifts are too light? Your grandfather once sent you a gemstone weapon. Are the gifts you’re sending worth a Gold Coin?”

“Probably… worth two Gold Coins,” Liszt admitted, feeling ashamed after Li Vera pointed it out. These gifts, while called local specialties, could also be seen as cheap local goods if seen less favorably.

After thinking it over, he added, “I’ll throw in a Black Pearl as well.”

A fist-sized Black Pearl can be made into defensive Magic Equipment worth over a hundred Gold Coins. With this addition, his gifts had both sentimental value and worth, no longer embarrassing.

“You have so many nice things.” Li Vera said with a hint of envy, “If your grandfather feels your sincerity, maybe he’ll send you another piece of gemstone equipment. What he gives me is always the latest fashion for noble ladies… I can make my own clothes!”