Chapter 56

Chapter 56: Bright Prospects For Potaton

After lunch, Liszt said to Goltai, “There’s a farmer in Potaton named John Stretchers. His potatoes are big and delicious. Let’s see what’s special about them.”

Goltai found it strange. “Liszt, how did you know?”

“Observation and listening. Mr. Goltai, a qualified liege has to know everything that’s going on in his dominion.”

“Okay.”

Goltai was still puzzled about how Liszt knew something he didn’t know. Maybe Liszt had spies in the town?

Thinking about the mysterious operation in the morning, he decided that he needed to work harder, because Liszt must be observing him.

It was not a good sign. He might lose his lord’s trust at any time.

…

“My lord, this is John Stretchers.” The clerk pointed at a numb serf.

John Stretchers, with his wife and his children, knelt to Liszt. “My lord.”

He was quite nervous, wondering why his lord asked for him.

If the tax-collecting knight who reigned the place earlier asked for him, he would’ve pissed his pants, but Liszt’s reputation was much better, so he was only anxious.

The lord of Flower Town smiled gently. “Don’t panic, John. I heard that you grow the best potatoes, right?”

“Yes, my lord.”

“Do you know why yours are the best?”

“No, my lord, but my potatoes are getting even better this season. The free folk in town like to buy my potatoes. Even Mrs. Abby in your castle praises my potatoes,” he declared proudly.

Nothing was more delightful for the serfs than the approval of the castle.

Without further ado, Liszt simply said, “In that case, take me to your plantation.”

Following John Stretchers, they soon came to the plantation of Potaton. Potatoes were not grown like wheat but divided into smaller sections. John’s land was at the center of Potaton. The potatoes there were obviously growing better.

Of course, his land was essentially Liszt’s land.

“My lord, these are my potatoes,” John said ecstatically. “The officials in the town taught us how to farm. I fertilize them with sludge and feces every day. They’re growing better and better.”

The seedlings in the land were all quite thick and strong. It was hard to tell which of them had an elvish insect.

However, Liszt had a new way to figure it out now.

He activated Eye of Magic Power and observed the land. Soon, he discovered a potato seedling with green magic power. It was undoubtedly a wormgrass.

“I think I’ve figured out the reason.” Liszt deactivated Eye of Magic Power and said to Goltai, “An elvish insect is growing here. Mr. Goltai, you have more work to do. Protect John’s potato seedlings, particularly this one. It will be a wormgrass.”

“Oh, heavens. Really? Another elvish insect is to be born?” cried Goltai. “Glory of the knight favors you, my lord! Flower Town is on the rise! Rest assured, I’ll certainly protect the lovely fellow and ensure that it grows safely.”

Marcus, who had followed them here, was amazed, too. “Two elvish insects after such a short time. My lord, you are indeed favored by the glory of the knight.”

He felt that his loyalty was worth it.

All signs indicated that Liszt was no common small noble. His personality, his decisions, and his luck all said otherwise.

Luck, in particular, was more important than strength.

Liszt smiled. There were always surprises with the misty missions. As calm as before, he announced, “The potato insect will bring a brighter future to Potaton. For John Stretchers’s hard work, I’ll given him a Nelda.”

“What a lucky serf.”Read the next chapter on our novelhall.com

Goltai was not entirely unjealous. His salary was ten coppers a day, which meant that he could only save a gold coin after three months, on the condition that he did not buy any drink or meat.

…

An elvish insect?

A Nelda?

His lordship gave me a Nelda?

John was dizzy when Liszt left with his team. He had earned a gold coin just by growing potatoes. It must be noted that a serf might earn one silver coin after a year of farming. Many of them had never seen a Nelda their entire life, but he owned one now.

“Dad, Dad, show me the Nelda. Wow, I’ve never seen a Nelda before!” his eight-year-old son clamored, trying to steal the gold coin.

John finally returned to himself. He clenched the coin and glared at his son. “Go away! This is too precious for you!”

He extended his trembling hands to his wife. “Anne, look, a Nelda! His lordship gave it to me! We’re rich! We have a Nelda!”

Anne was also trembling in excitement. “Oh god, John, is it true? I am not dreaming?”

“You’re not, and neither am I. It’s true. His lordship gave it to me in person! Anne, we’re rich people now!”

“Oh! We’re rich!” His four-year-old daughter cheered and applauded.

“Dad, show me the Nelda!” His son was still asking for the coin.

John ignored his son and rejoiced at the future. “With his lordship leading us, Flower Town will become wealthier and wealthier.”

Anne touched the Nelda carefully, her square face full of gentleness. “John, we can trade this Nelda for our freedom!”

“For our freedom?” John shook his head. “I don’t want to.”

“Why? Didn’t you always want to leave Flower Town and live in another town as free folk?”

“That’s because we were never full in Flower Town. But right now, Anne, we have cheap seafood. One copper can buy plenty of clams. Look at Carl and Lucy. They’re both putting on weight! It’s all because of his lordship that we can be fed in Flower Town!”

He said zealously, “I believe that his lordship will make Flower Town better and better! I want to farm for his lordship for the rest of my life! Anne, do you support me?”

“John, you are the man of the house. Also, I’m used to life in Flower Town,” Anne responded with a smile. “I’m going to prepare supper. How about white bread tonight?”

“Haha, that would be great. I miss the fluffy, sweet white bread of our wedding night.”

His daughter clapped her hands and grinned. “Ohhhhh, we’re going to have white bread tonight!”

His son, on the other hand, was crying. “Mom, show me the Nelda. Mom…”