Evil dragon has a warm heart
Chapter 202 - 202 201 Robys Letter

Chapter 202: Chapter 201: Roby’s Letter Chapter 202: Chapter 201: Roby’s Letter Roland’s reply was brief, mentioning only a little about his daily life at Red Castle before answering Russell’s questions.

Not long after Russell had returned to his own territory, he had sent a letter to Roland, inquiring about the serf trade.

In his reply, Roland clearly informed Russell that Grand Duke Kunstan had lifted the restrictions on the serf trade, allowing the manor lords of the Volcanic Oasis to sell their serfs to the Warm Enclave, though severe restrictions were placed on the death rate of the serfs.

“Sigh, they’ve finally relaxed the restrictions on the serf trade…” Russell felt somewhat conflicted.

It was something he had longed for, yet it evoked images of the slave trade back on Earth, which stirred a sense of guilt within him.

Fortunately, the safety of the serfs was guaranteed; the lords of the Warm Enclave would never disregard the lives of the serfs. Moreover, as soon as the serfs arrived at the Warm Enclave, they were immediately allotted land to farm on, receiving no different treatment from the local serfs.

“It’s basically a transfer of population,” he put down Roland’s reply and consoled himself, “And I treat the serfs better than any lord would.”

Immediately afterward,

he instructed his personal servant Ram, “Go to the Temporary Office, ask Chancellor of Records Charles to come here, and have Halls join too.”

“Yes, Master,”

When Ram left, Russell then opened the third letter.

This one was also a reply, sent from Golden Top Castle located in the Golden Prairie, signed by Ruby Glowshroom.

“Aunt Ruby’s reply… tsch, quite the sharp tongue,” Russell glanced at the letter, for Golden Top Castle was the fortress of Baron Gold, and Aunt Ruby was the Baroness.

The very beginning of the reply laid into Russell.

The reason she scolded him was simple; Russell had never written to her, showing no regard for this aunt in his heart.

Over the years, because of ill health and the fact that there was no trade route established between the Golden Prairie and Glowing Valley, requiring a detour through the Volcanic Oasis each time, Aunt Ruby seldom returned due to the journey being both time-consuming and exhausting.

Her contact with family members was limited to writing letters.

She corresponded with Lady Ingrid nearly every month, sometimes sending out more than a dozen letters written at different times.

While living at Fluorescent Castle, his parents usually wrote to Aunt Ruby on behalf of him and Lola, so Russell had no sense of initiative to write letters himself. It wasn’t until today, when he wrote to inquire about the Golden Black Pigs, that Aunt Ruby finally caught him and gave him a scolding.

The letter was long, and after the scolding, Aunt Ruby proceeded to ramble on about the matters of Golden Prairie and Golden Top Castle.

“Your sister, Diana, will be ten years old next year. She can hardly remember what you and Lola look like anymore. Only your big brother Roland has a bit of conscience, visiting Golden Top Castle every year to see his sister.”

“Hmm, Diana…” Russell tried hard to remember.

In his memory, a few years back, Aunt Ruby had brought cousin Diana Golden Cap for a visit to Fluorescent Castle once.

At that time, Diana was just a young child of a few years, and it seemed she got along well with Lola, but that was all the impression he had.

After all, the host’s personality had been somewhat gloomy and introverted, wholly devoted to his arduous practice, with little emotional connection to his relatives.

“Speaking of which, ‘I’ was indeed somewhat cold to Aunt Ruby’s family in the past. Now that I have received my own fief, I really should write to Aunt Ruby more often,” thought Russell. Even though he was a transmigrator, this body’s blood ties were unchangeable.

Whether it was from his grandfather Earl Merlin’s side or Uncle Roson and Aunt Ruby’s side, they were all his relatives.

Continuing to read the letter,

after venting out daily trivialities, Aunt Ruby began to congratulate Russell, wishing him pride in the Fluorescent Fungi Family for possessing two Little Sprites, and believing he would one day ride a Bipedal Flying Dragon.

Finally, at the end of the letter, she finally mentioned the Golden Black Pigs.

“The Black Pigs hold great promise as new breeding Primordial Beasts. Your Uncle is very interested in this, therefore he is sending Lord Dave to your territory to handle the breeding matters of the Black Pigs. Discuss the details with Lord Dave.”

Closed the letter.

Russell stroked his chin, “Baron Davis actually sent Lord Dave over, it seems he truly values the Black Pig.”

While pondering, Charles and Halls had already hurried over to Cigar Courtyard.

“Sir, did you need us for something?”

“My elder brother Roland has already replied to my letter, Grand Duke Kunstan has decided to lift restrictions on serf trade, so I plan to make a trip to Fluorescent Castle to discuss the purchase of serfs with Father, and Charles, you will accompany me.”

“Is that so, that’s indeed great news,” replied Charles.

Russell then looked towards Halls, “When the time comes to purchase serfs, I hope you follow along with the convoy from Fluorescent Castle and take charge of the specifics of the purchase. Also, you could use this opportunity to recruit a batch of Freemen.”

Halls, as the manor’s defender attorney and also in charge of the trade market in Grotto Village, immediately nodded in agreement.

His tone was very spirited, “Yes, Sir, I assure you I’ll complete the task!”

“Halls, you go back and get ready. After Charles and I go to Fluorescent Castle and discuss how to purchase serfs, you’ll follow the convoy and set off.”

“Yes, Sir,” Halls replied.

He then said, “Sir, before we set off, I’d like to recruit a local from the Cavern Freemen, perhaps he can help with attracting the Freemen of Volcanic Oasis to our territory.”

“Who is it?”

“Big Dumb Bear Grof from Wildman Cave,” Halls named a person.

Russell raised an eyebrow, “I’ve heard of this man, wasn’t Lone Wolf Lisbon planning to ambush Big Dumb Bear Grof, only to be intercepted and killed by me?”

“Yes, that’s him.”

“Why would recruiting him help attract the Cavern Freemen from the Volcanic Oasis?” Russell asked curiously.

Halls then told a story.

Big Dumb Bear Grof wasn’t a Ranger, but an Armed Knight with formidable strength. About seven or eight years ago, he fled from a foreign land to Glowing Valley and settled in the caves of Wildman Cave on Curved Blade Mountain.

He’s been living there ever since, eating when there’s food, starving when there’s none, never stealing from nearby manors.

“I only recently learned from the Freemen of Wildman Cave about Big Dumb Bear Grof’s situation. He used to be a Knight serving under a Lord of Volcanic Oasis. When the Lord’s youngest son violated his childhood sweetheart, in a fit of rage, he destroyed the offender’s Qi Seed and fled here,” Halls explained.

Big Dumb Bear Grof liked his drink, and it was after a few that he revealed this past.

“Grof’s experience shadows that of many Cavern Freemen, and unlike us Rangers, being a genuine Knight, I believe his presence will be more convincing and attract those skilled Cavern Freemen to long for your territory, Sir,” Halls elaborated.

“Hmm,” Russell was non-committal.

This line of reasoning was somewhat far-fetched, but upon consideration, he still thought it might be worth a try.

After all, while serfs could be acquired through trade, it wasn’t so easy to obtain talented individuals.

Perhaps Big Dumb Bear Grof truly could attract skilled individuals among the Freemen.

“Are you confident you can recruit Big Dumb Bear Grof?”

“Of course,” Halls thumped his chest loudly, “Your kindness and fame, Sir, have echoed throughout the entire Glowing Valley, all the Freemen who come to the trade market can’t stop praising you.”

Russell restrained a smile, “Is that so.”