The Mighty Dragons Are Dead

Chapter 218: Deserving of an Oscar (First Update)
If a thief suddenly emerged, even if she were a woman, Liszt would find an opportunity to eliminate her—how could he let someone who threatened his own life to grow fond of him?

But as the reward for the Smoke Mission.

Eliminating her would be like throwing the reward away, after all, the Smoke Mission had already given a “hint”—the serf Maggie.

The apprentice maid Maggie was the key to unlocking the reward, the key to having control over this female mercenary or female magician. As for how to use the key to open the treasure chest, it certainly wasn’t about capturing Maggie and threatening the other party. The best way would likely involve love.

“Maggie has already formed a contract of mother and daughter with Mrs. Harriet from the general store; counting that, this female mercenary is practically half a Fresh Flower Town’s person!”

Since she was one of his own people, Liszt’s mood suddenly brightened.

And he began contemplating how to best play his cards—Maggie and his personal reputation.

At this moment.

The female mercenary had already stated who she wanted to take away, “I want to bring a maid from the castle with me, does the Baron agree?”

“A maid from the castle?” Liszt pretended to ponder for a moment before speaking, “There are sixteen maids in the castle, which one would you like to take away?”

“Eileen.”

“Eileen Four Fingers?” Liszt looked at the female mercenary in surprise; he hadn’t expected her to play mind games with him. If he hadn’t already speculated, he would have been fooled, “Why take Eileen away? Give me a reason to agree to it.”

“She’s just a maid, what reason do you need. Baron, if you want to test whether my sword is sharp, I don’t mind letting you find out.”

“My sword hasn’t rusted either.” Liszt stood his ground as he met the bright eyes of the female mercenary.

He was half performing, half confident.

With Douson, with the Crimson Blood Sword, as an Elite Earth Knight.

As long as she was not a Sky Knight, she would have no advantage over him.

With confidence, he could perform at ease—show the Landlord’s affection for his people, his own tough side, display the nobility image that met the common people’s expectations—in a knight system, equality does not exist, brave and merciful Lords are the incarnations of justice.

The worn leather armor of the female mercenary clearly indicated her lower social status.

A moment later.

She indeed took a step back, “Eileen is my sister, is that reason enough?”

“Your sister?” Liszt smiled, “If it’s true, I will call her over for you to identify in person. I have no opposition to family reunions. In fact, you could have approached me directly as her relative. Eileen applied for the maid position herself in Coral City, it’s her own choice to stay or leave.”

“She doesn’t know she has a sister like me.”

“Sorry, that reason does not hold. Eileen’s parents are in Coral City working the fields for Tulip Castle. I don’t think she would suddenly have a thief, mercenary, or magician for a sister. Therefore, until Eileen confirms it herself, I cannot let you take her away.”

“What if I insist on taking her away?”

“It seems my actions have led to a misunderstanding.” Liszt suddenly placed his hand on the hilt of the Crimson Blood Sword, speaking earnestly, “Serfs work for their Lord, and the Lord protects the safety of his serfs. This is the knightly honor I live by. I don’t allow, and you shouldn’t think of taking away anyone from Fresh Flower Town!”

This series of actions was full of momentum, the words spoken with passion, resonating with conviction.

Paired with his handsome face, the sense of justice was overwhelming.

Of course, there was the suspicion of trying a bit too hard—a Lord with such a strong sense of justice seemed somewhat grandiose and empty.

Across him, sitting on the chair, the female mercenary’s bright eyes were glinting, not responding to Liszt’s righteous rebuke for a moment. Just when Liszt was about to feel awkward, she finally spoke slowly, “You’re different from the other Lords I’ve killed, Baron. I will stay in Fresh Flower Town for a few days to see what makes you different from the other Lords.”

She then stood up, roughly one meter seventy-five tall, quite tall.

Liszt narrowed his eyes.

He felt that whether he let her go out or stopped her from leaving would not be a good solution—the key point, he couldn’t gauge the other party’s strength.

It certainly wouldn’t be weak.

If the strength was insignificant, the Smoke Mission wouldn’t need to be so formal in considering her as a type of reward.

As she arrived at the door of the study, ready to open it, Liszt stood up and followed her, “I don’t know why you are targeting Eileen, but I must warn you not to attempt to harm Eileen. Do not have any ill intentions in Fresh Flower Town, and, leave your name.”

“Swann.” The female mercenary smiled, unconcerned with Liszt’s threat.

It wasn’t a standard female name; probably an alias, Liszt guessed.

Thomas, who was arranging the living room, saw Liszt follow a female mercenary out and was stunned. He then came forward to greet, “Master.”

Liszt said, “Thomas, escort this uninvited guest, Miss Swann, out of the castle. Also, inform Consultant Goltai that she can be accommodated in a new house in town.”

Feeling that such an enticement was too deliberate, he added, “Her board and lodging costs should be the same as for the foreign merchants.”

Although Thomas was puzzled about how such a woman in that attire appeared in the castle, he still respectfully accepted the command, “Yes, Master. Miss Swann, please follow me.”

After Swann left the castle with Thomas.

Butler Carter, filled with confusion, asked, “Master, I haven’t seen Miss Swann enter the castle, I’ve been dusting in the hall the entire time.”

“She climbed over the wall to get in,” Liszt stood at the doorway, watching Swann’s figure disappear down the road, “I will tell you about her origins when the time is right. For now, pay more attention to the servants in the castle, especially the maids. If they have any grievances, they should be resolved promptly.”

Carter, of course, did not ask further, “As you wish, Master.”

“By the way, Mr. Carter, call Eileen to my study, I have some questions for her.” Since the female mercenary claimed she came for Eileen, he had to act accordingly.

Eileen hurriedly came to the study.

“Master, did you call for me?”

“Eileen, how many siblings do you have in your family?”

“I have two younger brothers.”

“No sisters? Or any cousins?”

“No, Master.”

“Are you sure you don’t have any, like a sister who was given away to someone else when she was a child?”

“I wouldn’t know about that, but my mother was only seventeen when I was born, so I don’t think there would be another sister.”

Therefore, the possibility that Swann was Eileen’s sister was essentially eliminated; she was just being cunning. Liszt felt a great relief, his tone became even more amiable, “How is the work in the kitchen going?”

“Everything is going well, Master.”

“Good to hear, if anything comes up, you can report directly to Mr. Carter. You should take good care of the young maids in training in the kitchen, as their elder sister, don’t let them be mistreated.”

“Of course, I will.”

With the conversation over, he sent Eileen away.

Liszt carefully went over his response after encountering Swann, feeling that there were a few details that were not well managed, with some small flaws, but overall, he had handled things quite well.

There was no inappropriate enthusiasm, no deliberate hostility.

The courage and benevolence that needed to be shown were also displayed, achieving an amiable demeanor as if bathed in the spring breeze.

Worthy of an Oscar… or at least a Golden Rooster.