Evil dragon has a warm heart
Chapter 233 - 233 232 Lord Kunbifu Shadowflame

Chapter 233: Chapter 232: Lord Kunbifu Shadowflame Chapter 233: Chapter 232: Lord Kunbifu Shadowflame The Fire Ant Swamp is connected to the Volcanic Oasis by the Huoyun Trade Route, which is shorter than the Mountain River Trade Route that connects the Glowing Valley to the Volcanic Oasis.

Therefore, on the second night of traversing the snowfields, the Knight Regiment had already descended from the snow plains and entered the territory of the Fire Ant Swamp.

The envoy of welcoming from the Swan Baron had been waiting early in the cavern.

Upon seeing the Knights of the Glowing Valley, they swiftly led the Knight Regiment along a somewhat muddy road towards Swan Lake, at the heart of the Fire Ant Swamp.

Swan Castle, the castle of the Swan Baron, is situated beside Swan Lake.

This swampy lake is shaped like a swan with its wings folded, and it does indeed harbor flocks of swans. Among them are the region’s special breed of Primordial Beast, the Black Swans, renowned throughout the entire Grand Duchy.

Decades ago, the entire territory of the Fire Ant Swamp was directly governed by the Shadowflame Family.

It has only been in these past few years that it became the Baron’s domain.

“The Huyang Gobi Knights arrived first, personally led by Baron Gevedas… followed by the Tributary River Mouth Knights, the old Baron did not come; it was the Knight Regiment led by Viscount Mejie… then it was your Glowing Valley Knight Regiment.”

On the way, the envoy briefed the situation in the Fire Ant Swamp.

“How many troops have come from Red Castle?” Baron Roman asked.

“Most of the Lords and Knights of the Sandy Province, Cloud Marsh Province, Mountainous Province, and the Thousand Lakes Province have arrived at Swan Castle under the Grand Governor’s leadership. Only a few Lords from other provinces have not yet arrived,”

the envoy replied. “As for Red Castle, four Flying Dragon Knights have been dispatched to monitor the Snow Demon Legion around the clock.”

“Has anyone from the Grand Duchy or the Dragon Blood Knights sent word on when they will arrive?”

“I don’t know.”

The envoy did not know much, so Baron Roman did not inquire further. Afterward, the party hastened another hour of night travel, arriving at Swan Castle by Swan Lake.

Swan Castle was ablaze with lights, with a large group of nobles waiting at the castle gate for the arrival of Baron Roman and his party.

At the forefront was an elder with a thick beard, who laughed heartily, “Roman, you’re a bit slow!”

“Lord Kunbifu, the road was not easy to travel, but I have come as fast as I could,” Baron Roman came forward and embraced the bearded elder, “Seeing everyone here, I assume the frontline situation is quite stable.”

“We’re at a standoff. The Snow Giant Da is assembling the Snow Demon Legion, which needs some time, but this also gives us a buffer,” the bearded elder laughed.

He is the Lord of the Fire Ant Swamp, the Swan Baron Kunbifu Flame-shadow, and from his surname, it is evident that he was born into the Flamecrest Dragonblood Family.

He is a paternal cousin of the former Grand Duke Quentin III Flame-shadow and also a Flying Dragon Knight.

With his distinguished military accomplishments and noble lineage, he was awarded the title of Baron and given governance over the Fire Ant Swamp, a warm enclave.

Otherwise, ordinary members from the branches of the Shadowflame Family would at most be conferred the lifelong title of Lord, not an hereditary noble title that passes from generation to generation.

“Is this your son, Russell?” After embracing Baron Roman, Kunbifu turned to look at Russell, who was following behind Baron Roman.

Hearing this, Russell stepped forward and bowed, “Russell greets Sir Kunbifu.”

“The young man is spirited, truly remarkable. One could vaguely see the shadow of the old Baron,” Baron Kunbifu lavished praise on Russell, “To join your father on the battlefield at such a young age will surely become a wonderful tale!”

“You flatter me, sir, there’s still much I need to learn about the matters on the battlefield,” Russell humbly responded.

“Keep up the hard work,” Baron Kunbifu patted Russell on the shoulder.

Russell then ended his greeting to Baron Kunbifu and turned to face his uncle, Meijie Yujiuhua, “Uncle, Russell sends his regards.”

“You’re getting sturdier,” Viscount Mejie also patted Russell on the shoulder, relatives don’t need to say much.

Behind Viscount Mejie, Cousin Mel was standing, making faces at Russell.

However, the two brothers didn’t compete to speak; they just exchanged glances as a way of greeting each other.

Next, Russell turned his attention to another high noble, the lord of Populus Gobi, Baron Bullhorn Gevedas Baimaigen.

This was a middle-aged man of average appearance, but with a very gentle smile.

Incidentally, this man was also about to become related to the Fluorescent Fungi Family, as Russell already knew that Roland was very likely to enter into a marriage alliance with Baron Gevedas’s daughter, Gwyn Baimaigen, making the two barons in-laws.

After bowing politely, Russell greeted Baron Gevedas and then said, “Roland has also asked me to send his regards, he needs to stay in Glowing Valley and can’t come to the battlefield to greet you personally… Also, my regards to Miss Gwyn.”

“Roland is thoughtful,” Baron Gevedas acknowledged calmly with a nod, his smile gentle but not warm.

Russell wasn’t a sensitive person, but he could still feel the palpable distance in Baron Gevedas’s reaction.

“Is it because of Roland’s bad reputation, or something else?” Russell’s mind wandered briefly, “Has the news of him being tricked by a fairy at Tributary River Mouth spread, or is it because he sleeps until the sun is high in the sky every day at Red Castle?”

Unable to find an answer, Russell quickly cast aside the thought; such troubles were matters for his parents and brother, Roland.

They were none of his concern.

Continuing on, Russell greeted another middle-aged man: “Lord Kunstan, hello.”

“Lord Russell, welcome to Swan Castle. No matter how the war progresses, I hope you enjoy your time in Fire Ant Swamp,” replied the middle-aged man, who bore a resemblance to Baron Kunbifu and was indeed his son, Kunstan Xiangrikui.

Only direct descendants of a noble house could bear their family’s surname.

Kunbifu Flame-shadow, being an offshoot of the Shadowflame Family, should not have continued the “Flame-shadow” surname past his father’s generation.

However, because he successfully bonded with a dragon, he was allowed to keep the “Flame-shadow” surname and enjoy the privileges of the Flamecrest Dragonblood Family.

But his son could no longer inherit the “Flame-shadow” surname, hence he adopted the surname of the family’s great Sunflower Elf.

By Lord Kunstan’s side were his two sons, Lords Kunsley Xiangrikui and Kunsupu Xiangrikui—both older than Russell, both married, and both had been granted lordships.

By the time this ritual of welcome had concluded, it was almost nine o’clock in the evening.

After the banquet.

With a belly nearly round from eating, Russell was pulled aside by Cousin Mel: “Russell, can you tell what’s changed about me?”

“I can’t,” Russell shook his head.

“Haha, come on, I’ll introduce you to my partner, the Iron Winged Grey Crane Mora!” Cousin Mel said excitedly.

“The Iron Winged Grey Crane Mora?” Russell raised an eyebrow, “Cousin, have you advanced to a Phantom Beast Knight?”

“Of course.” Mel wore a triumphant smirk, “Since Lord Medikalun and I are not fated, and it’s not yet my turn with Lord Mercedes, naturally I can contract with a fantasy beast. Mora and I hit it off best, and I also like Mora the most!”

Although it had been established early on that Cousin Mel would eventually ride atop Lord Mercedes, becoming the new Flying Dragon Knight.

But Count Merlin had not yet passed away, and Lord Mercedes was not yet Mel’s to claim, so he had maintained his virginity up until now in the hope of contracting with Lord Medikalun, which would instantly make him a Flying Dragon Knight.

Without having to wait.

Nevertheless, as Lord Medikalun showed fondness but not enough approval of Mel, and had even given Russell a breath of Origin Dragon’s Breath, it undoubtedly made Mel realize that perhaps Lord Medikalun favored Russell more.

So he stopped waiting, decisively abandoning his pursuit of Lord Medikalun to contract with a fantasy beast instead.