Chapter 36

It's six o'clock at night.

Six o'clock at night.

Maple Leaf Castle.

Maple Leaf Castle.

Internal Affairs Steward Abulu reappeared, politely inviting: "Your Highness, Baron, Count Sir invites the two of you to dine together."

Internal Affairs Steward Abulu reappeared, politely inviting: 'Your Highness, Baron, Count Sir invites you two to dine together.'

We need to keep the quoted speech exactly as translated.

Rosen then took Serena's arm and followed behind Abulu.

Translation: "Luosen then took Selena's arm and followed behind Abulu."

Bright magical lamps were lit on both sides of the corridor, but because the space was extremely spacious, the corridor still seemed somewhat dim.

Translation: "Bright Shushu Deng were lit on both sides of the corridor, but because the space was extremely spacious, the corridor still seemed somewhat dim."

After walking a stretch, Rosen casually asked, "Mr. Abulu, has the Count been busy lately?"

Translation: "After walking a stretch, Luosen casually asked: 'Mr. Abulu, has the Count been busy lately?'"

Abulu nodded: "Yes, Baron."

Translation: "Abulu nodded: 'Yes, Baron.'"

"Are the problems you've encountered very troublesome?"

Translation: "'Are the problems you've encountered very troublesome?'"

"Not particularly troublesome, just somewhat difficult to decide."

Translation: "'Not especially troublesome, just somewhat difficult to decide.'"

What Abulu said was somewhat vague; he didn't want Rosen to keep asking, because he couldn't reveal his master's secret, and refusing a guest would be extremely rude.

Translation: "What Mr. Abulu said was somewhat vague; he did not want Luosen to keep asking, because he could not reveal his master's secret, and refusing a guest would be extremely rude."

"Baron, when we get to the dining hall, you can ask the Count yourself."

Translation: "'Baron, when we reach the dining hall, you may ask the Count yourself.'"

"I was just thinking of doing that."

Translation: "'I was just about to do that.'"

Along the way afterward, Abulu remained silent.

Translation: "Along the way afterward, Abulu remained silent."

He led Rosen and Serena through the middle courtyard corridor, and eventually turned into the inner court.

Translation: "He led Luosen and her through the central courtyard corridor all the way, and finally turned into the inner court."

This is the Count family's most private living area; ordinary outsiders are never invited.

Translation: "This is the Count family's most private living area; ordinary outsiders are never invited."

Although Rosen is Lady Agnite's apprentice, he is widely considered a worthless apprentice. As for Serena, although she is a princess, she is also an exiled princess.

Translation: "Although Luosen is a disciple of Lady Agnite, he is nevertheless a widely recognized worthless disciple. As for Selena, although she is a princess, she is also an exiled princess."

Her princess status can make commoners bow their heads, but it carries little weight against a high-ranking minister like the Count.

Translation: "Her princess status can make commoners bow and submit, but it holds little deterrent power over a high-ranking minister like the Count."

By common sense, to spare the Duke's dignity, the Count should avoid letting the princess enter the inner court for a private family banquet.

Translation: "By common sense, to preserve the Duke's dignity, the Count should avoid letting the princess enter the inner court to attend a private family banquet."

Yet now she has been invited in, and the implications are certainly worth pondering.

Translation: "Yet now they have been invited in, and the implications are certainly worth pondering."

Serena sensed this, and whispered telepathically to Rosen: "The Count indeed still has designs on me; after all, this is his territory, we need to be on guard."

Translation: "Selena sensed it, and using Spiritual Whisper she said to Luosen: 'The Count indeed still has designs on me; after all, this is his territory, we must be on guard.'"

Nobles' private lives are quite chaotic.

Translation: "The private lives of nobles are quite chaotic."

It's commonplace for high nobles to take the wives of lesser nobles; often, some lesser nobles, seeking favor from a high noble, will willingly offer up their own wives.

Translation: "High nobles taking the wives of low nobles as their own is commonplace. Often, some low nobles, to gain the favor of high nobles, will actively offer up their own wives."

Although she knows Rosen likes her a lot and is very talented, he is ultimately a minor noble lord; if the Count were to exchange borrowed troops as a condition, Serena would indeed worry a little that he might waver.

Translation: "Although she knows Luosen likes her very much and is quite talented, he is ultimately a low-ranking noble lord; if the Count exchanges borrowed troops as condition, Selena really does worry a little that he might waver."

Rosen read her expression, roughly guessed her thoughts, patted the magic sword at his waist, and said in a gentle but firm tone: "Lady, haven't you forgotten? I am still your guardian knight. As long as I'm here, no one can force you to do anything."

Translation: "Luosen read her expression, roughly guessed Selena's thought, patted his waist sword, and spoke in a gentle but firm tone: 'Madam, have you forgotten? I am still your guardian knight. As long as I am here, no one can force you to do anything.'"

Serena's mind instantly settled, and she chuckled: "It's actually you, my guardian knight, who bullies me the most."

Translation: "Selena's heart settled at once, and she lightly laughed: 'Clearly, it's you, my guardian knight, who bullies me the most.'"

Rosen also laughed: "Is that bullying? Clearly, I'm just serving the princess."

Translation: "Luosen also laughed: 'Is that bullying? Clearly it's serving the princess.'"

"Get lost~"

Translation: "'Get lost~'"

While joking, the two entered the castle's inner court, then walked along a maze-like corridor for about five or six minutes, finally reaching a spacious hall.

Translation: "While joking, the two entered the castle's inner court, then walked along a maze-like corridor for about five or six minutes, finally reaching a spacious hall."

The hall is rectangular, employing flying buttresses to support a very tall, exquisite glass dome; through this beautiful glass roof, one can faintly see the moon and stars in the night sky.

Translation: "The hall is rectangular, employing a flying-arch structure to support a very tall, very exquisite glass dome; through this exquisite glass roof, one can faintly see the moon and stars in the night sky."

Beneath the dome hangs a row of crystal magical lights like stars, illuminating the entire hall brightly.

Translation: "Beneath the dome hangs a row of crystal Shushu Deng like scattered stars, illuminating the entire hall brightly."

Below is a long wooden table carved with dragon patterns; the walls around it are inscribed with constant-temperature sigils, ensuring the hall stays warm like spring year-round.

Translation: "Below is a long, long dragon-patterned wooden dining table; the walls around it are painted with constant-temperature magic seals, ensuring the hall stays warm like spring year-round."

When Rosen and Serena arrived, many people were already seated at the luxurious long table.

Translation: "When Luosen and Selena arrived, many people were already seated at the luxurious long dining table."

Naturally at the head sat Count Robert; opposite him was his wife, Lady Adelina, sister of the Highland Marchioness.

Translation: "Naturally at the head sat Count Robert; opposite him was his wife, Lady Adelina, sister of the Earl of Highlands County."

On the right side of the table sat five boys and girls, the eldest about fifteen or sixteen, the youngest eight or nine, all quite lovely—likely the Count's children.

Translation: "On the right side of the table sat five boys and girls, the eldest about fifteen or sixteen, the youngest eight or nine, all quite lovely—presumably the Count's children."

When Serena entered the hall, Count Robert looked over with eager anticipation.

Translation: "When Selena entered the hall, Count Robert looked over with eager anticipation."

But when he saw Serena's appearance clearly, the light in his eyes noticeably dimmed.

Translation: "But when he saw Selena's princess appearance clearly, the light in his eyes noticeably dimmed."

He said, "Oh~ Your Highness, you look truly exhausted."

Translation: "He said: 'Oh~ Your Highness, you look truly exhausted.'"

As he spoke, Rosen and Serena, guided by Abulu, took their seats as guests.

Translation: "As they spoke, Luosen and Selena, guided by Abulu, took their seats as guests."

In fact, they were the only guests, so once seated, the servants began bringing out dishes one by one.

Translation: "In fact, they were the only two guests, so once seated, the servants began bringing out dishes one by one."

Serena sighed, looking sorrowful: "My only close relative is my brother; I respect and love him, yet he treats me as a pawn in his bargain."

Translation: "Selena sighed, looking sorrowful: 'My only close relative is my brother; I respect and love him, yet he treats me as a pawn in a trade.'"

"I am deeply hurt, and having traveled nearly two weeks through the wilderness without proper rest each day, I am indeed quite worn out."

Translation: "'I am deeply hurt, and having traveled nearly two weeks through the wilderness, resting poorly each day, I am indeed somewhat exhausted.'"

Count Robert did not want to criticize the Duke, because he understands the Duke, and also feels the princess is a bit too willful.

Translation: "Count Robert did not wish to criticize the Duke, for he understood the Duke, and also felt the princess was a bit too willful."

At this moment, seeing her so exhausted, the former striking brilliance almost completely vanished, and any dark thoughts in his heart faded away.

Translation: "At this moment, seeing her so exhausted, her former dazzling brilliance almost completely vanished, and the dark thoughts in his heart instantly faded."

Thus, he spread his hands and replied perfunctorily: "The Duke has indeed gone too far."

Translation: "Thus, he spread his hands and replied perfunctorily: 'The Duke has indeed gone too far.'"

His wife, Lady Adelina, sitting opposite him, knows his temperament best; seeing him suffer a setback, she felt a certain satisfaction.

Translation: "Sitting opposite him, his wife Lady Adelina knew his temperament best; seeing him suffer a setback, she felt quite pleased inside."

She softly consoled: "Your Highness, men are all like that—having only power and wealth in mind, yet always neglecting family."

Translation: "She softly comforted: 'Your Highness, men are all like this; they have only power and wealth in their hearts, yet always neglect family.'"

"So don't expect too much from them, nor lose heart; after all, you are still young."

Translation: "'So, do not hold them to great expectations, nor lose heart, after all you are still young.'"

After speaking, the Countess glanced at the Count, her eyes revealing barely concealed resentment; he noticed, slightly spreading his hands with a weary expression that said, "You're being unreasonable."

Translation: "After saying that, the Countess glanced at the Count, her eyes revealing barely concealed resentment; he noticed, slightly spread his hands, and wore a helpless expression of 'You're being unreasonable.'"

"Thank you, lady."

Translation: "'Thank you, madam.'"

Serena nodded gratefully.

Translation: "Selena nodded gratefully."

Strangely, after sitting down, no one spoke to Rosen, as if he were an invisible nonentity.

Translation: "Strangely enough, after sitting down, no one spoke to Luosen, as if he were an invisible nonexistent person."

Rosen was already accustomed to such neglect, so he simply followed ordinary noble etiquette—eating when he should, drinking when he should.

Translation: "Luosen had long grown accustomed to such neglect, so he simply followed proper noble etiquette—eating when he should, drinking when he should."

Count Robert finally remembered him, looking at Rosen: "Young man, are you Ted's son?"

Translation: "Count Robert finally remembered him, looked at Luosen, and said: 'Young man, are you Ted's son?'"

Ted is the name of the old baron of White Sturgeon Island.

Translation: "Ted is the name of the old Baron of White Sturgeon Island."

Rosen was cutting lamb chops; hearing this, he immediately put down his knife, stood, and replied respectfully: "Yes, my lord Count."

Translation: "Luosen was cutting lamb chops; hearing this, he immediately put down his knife, stood, and respectfully replied: 'Yes, Count Sir.'"

"I've heard my sister mention you many times; she always said you're a blockhead."

Translation: "'I have heard my sister mention you many times; she always said you are a blockhead.'"

"But in this recent letter of introduction, she praised you greatly, saying that although you are somewhat dull in magical training, you are proficient in combat spellcraft, have great talent at victory chess, and even defeated Sir Humphrey."

Translation: "'But in this recent letter of introduction, she praised you greatly, saying that although you are somewhat dull in magical cultivation, you are proficient in combat spell techniques, have great talent in Victory Chess, and even defeated Knight Humphrey.'"

Before his words finished, a shout came from nearby: "Oh~ You actually managed to defeat my uncle at victory chess? That's unbelievable!"

Translation: "Before his words finished, an exclamation came from nearby: 'Oh~ You actually managed to defeat my uncle at Victory Chess? That's truly unbelievable!'"

Rosen turned toward the sound and saw Countess Adelina looking astonished, then began to scrutinize him seriously.

Translation: "Luosen followed the sound and saw Countess Adelina's face full of surprise, and she began to scrutinize him seriously."

Count Robert laughed: "Madam, don't doubt, this matter is indeed true, because not only did my sister say it in the letter, I also heard many people mention it."

The countess exclaimed in astonishment: "My uncle is a true chess master; you defeating him at such a young age is quite impressive!"

She added: "My eldest daughter Alice also loves Victory Chess and has good talent; ever since receiving my uncle's guidance, she has had no peers among her age group and has gradually become arrogant."

"I think this attitude is terrible; Baron, shouldn't you give her a lesson?"

As soon as she finished speaking, a purple-haired girl of fifteen or sixteen sitting opposite Luosen immediately protested.

"Mom, I'm not arrogant; I truly have no opponents!"

The countess spread her hands: "Well, a strong opponent has just arrived—aren't you interested?"

"Of course I am."

Alice looked at Luosen: "Baron, shall we play a few rounds later?"

Luosen Ziran naturally wouldn't refuse: "As you wish, Princess."

Seeing Luosen standing and listening, the count pressed down his hand: "Young man, no need to be so formal; sit down, eat and talk."

"Thank you, Count."

Luosen then sat down and replied: "My achievements in Victory Chess are actually thanks to the many chess manuals my teacher bought."

"The manuals my sister bought—hahaha—I always thought she was wasting money, but now they seem useful after all."

Count Robert laughed heartily, the gloom on his face lifting considerably; but after he laughed, the lingering gloom quickly gathered again.

Luosen had already placed a detection sigil on Abru, so he now knew much information and naturally understood why the count was troubled.

He didn't beat around the bush: "Count, I sense you've encountered some trouble."

"May I share one or two with you? If it's a magical problem, my wife and I might offer some advice."

The count stared: "How did you figure that out?"

Luosen answered seriously: "Count, don't forget my teacher is your sister; I often hear news about you from her."

"She said you've always been cheerful, yet tonight at this relaxed family gathering you've hardly laughed at all."

The count looked at Luosen in surprise: "You young man have a keen eye."

He lifted his cup of fire dragon liquor, took a sip, and exhaled a soft 'hiss': "Indeed, there is a matter concerning the establishment of a new-style bread factory."

"A new-style bread factory?"

Luosen raised his eyebrows slightly: "Does the count mean using food-creation magic to mass-produce edible bread in a new factory?"

Count Robert nodded repeatedly: "Exactly, exactly, that's it. It seems you've indeed learned something real from my sister."

"Here's how it is."

"A great mage from Kao came with his disciples to see me, claiming he had invented an extremely powerful food-creation spell; if I fund him, he can help me build a factory that outputs 100 tons of bread daily."

Upon hearing this, Luosen knew it was unreliable, yet the idea was highly deceptive.

Because this is currently a very hot magical research topic, its popularity rivals that of perpetual motion machines on modern Earth.

However, unlike perpetual motion machines, large-scale food-creation is not difficult to achieve; the real difficulty lies in production cost.

At present, all methods have production costs dozens or even hundreds of times higher than peasant farming.

Although countless mages strive to solve this problem, Luosen knows its solution is far off, perhaps even forever unattainable.

Because there may exist an otherworldly version of the 'law of thermodynamics'.

But precisely because of this, the bubble is huge, giving charlatans ample room to operate.

After thinking, Luosen asked again: "The great mage from Kao. Kao is a major magical nation with over two hundred masters, but I know every one of their names."

"Could you tell me the name of this great mage, Count?"

The count looked at Luosen again in surprise: "Young man, your memory is impressive."

"His name is Luowakaduo; I had people check, and he is indeed a renowned master who attained that rank ten years ago—his ability is undoubtedly solid."

Upon hearing that name, Luosen shook his head: "Count, allow me to say frankly, I know Luowakaduo; his magical power has indeed reached Four-ring Master level, but his magical achievements are modest, even inferior to many high-tier mages."

"Moreover, his specialty is not food-creation but the longevity elixir branch of alchemy."

By now it's quite clear.

Yet Count Robert doubts Luosen, frowning: "Young man, are you merely a low-level mage?"

"Yes, Count."

"Since you're only a low-level mage, you shouldn't judge a master's scholarship."

Clearly, the count does not believe in Luosen's ability at all.

Meanwhile, Selena wanted to help persuade Luosen, but magical knowledge is vast; each mage can master only a small portion.

Although she is a high-tier mage and has studied many spells, she has learned only existing knowledge and is unaware of the latest developments in the magical world.

Thus she naturally lacks the confidence to speak; to avoid exposing her ignorance, she remains silent.

Luosen was not surprised by the count's reaction, for judging by magical power alone is a common mistake of laypeople.

If the other party were merely my teacher's brother, I wouldn't bother saying more, but he is still the count of Shire County who controls vast resources.

Therefore, this scam must be exposed.

So he said: "Count, I happen to specialize in food-creation and constantly follow its developments worldwide."

"Why not, when you next negotiate with Master Luowakaduo, give me a chance to sit in and ask them a few professional questions?"

The count was about to refuse outright, fearing Luosen would ask nonsense and annoy the Kao great mage.

But before he could speak, Countess Edeline spoke up.

"Grant, just bring Luosen along. He is Anna's apprentice and Ted's son; even if his ability is limited, he won't harm you, right?"

That makes sense.

But the count spread his hands: "But this would make the master think I disrespect him; you know mages' pride is extremely strong."

The countess was momentarily speechless.

Princess Selena added: "Count, I think you've mistaken a basic fact."

The fact is, right now they need your investment, the one handing over the gold coins is you; you should be cautious toward them, not you, Count.

The words made the Count pause, and after hesitating for a few seconds, he still shook his head and refused.

"Your Highness, the times have already changed~"

"In this era, knowledge is the most important, not money, and certainly not mere fighting prowess."

"I heard your husband Luosen defeated Aaron's Saras, which is indeed impressive, but in scholarly matters you must maintain a humble attitude."

"These Kao mages possess extremely precious, even unique knowledge, while wealthy lords are abundant in this world."

"I must respect them."

Seeing Selena still trying to persuade, he impatiently made a move.

"Alright, Your Highness, you have a heap of your own worries, so don't meddle in my trivial matters!"

This is already a very clear refusal; if you continue, he'll turn hostile.

Luosen immediately gave Selena a look, then smiled, "Lord Count understands the situation best; your judgment is certainly fine."

"It's fine as long as you know."

The Count nodded, his attitude noticeably much colder.

Obviously, this senior Count never truly regarded the two of them.

The Princess's noble status only grants the two the qualification to understand the Count's core affairs, but it does not mean they have a right to participate.

Luosen immediately shifted his focus, silently ate a few bites of pan‑fried fish, then looked at the Count's eldest daughter Ai Lisi.

"Princess Ai Lisi, regarding Victory Chess, I have a proposal."

"Oh~ tell me then?" Ai Lisi's girlish nature was instantly piqued.

"I'll let you make the first ten moves; if you can beat me, I'll teach you a marvelous Food Creation formula."

"In short, using maple tree trunks and soybeans to produce delicious fish flesh."

Ai Lisi is also studying magic; although only fifteen, she has already earned a formal mage qualification. Upon hearing Luosen's words, her violet eyes, resembling her aunt's by eighty‑nine percent, instantly sparkled.

"First, no one can beat me after giving ten moves. Second, no one can use Food Creation to produce fresh fish!"

Luosen smiled lightly, "Dare to try?"

Ai Lisi answered without hesitation, "What's there not to dare? If it's a test, then test it!"

(End of Chapter)