Evil dragon has a warm heart
Chapter 260 - 260 259 Promoting the Retting Fertilization

Chapter 260: Chapter 259: Promoting the Retting Fertilization Skill Chapter 260: Chapter 259: Promoting the Retting Fertilization Skill Charles, Eric, and others’ descendants desired to follow Russell and establish their own careers, but they still had to wait for many years.

However, Russell urgently needed a troop of knights to accompany him on his campaigns in the snowfield, hunting Snow Ghosts and even hunting Snow Demons, in order to nurture the Black Oil Dragon Egg and provide extra supplies for the Little Dream Dragon—after all, he couldn’t rely solely on the Little Dream Dragon to hunt for itself.

“Charles.”

“Sir.”

“You know a lot of people. Introduce a suitable lady to Grove to help him settle down here,” Russell entrusted Charles with a task.

Charles cheerfully replied, “Rest assured, Sir, there are plenty of young women in Yuanguang Town for a Great Knight like Grove to choose from.”

After the Second Starfall Battle, Grove’s loyalty had been proven. He truly was a laid-back Great Knight, but at least he didn’t hesitate in battle, which is why Russell planned to develop Grove next.

After all, he was about to open his own Warm Enclave, yet he only had Eric, a Phantom Beast Knight, under his command, which felt rather inadequate.

If possible, he would also go to the Volcanic Oasis in the future to recruit some knights to bring back.

Of course.

It was also urgent to train young knights on his own.

“I’ve been developing very discreetly, and yet I’ve grown too swiftly; my team can’t keep up with the training, we’re really facing a talent shortage!” Russell lamented in his heart. He had thought it would take three to five years before he could become a Phantom Beast Knight.

Who could have expected that in less than a year since his transmigration, he would almost be promoted to a Flying Dragon Knight.

It had to be said.

The welcoming gift from the Shadowflame Dragon was extraordinarily generous.

Upon leaving the official residence building, Russell took Charles for a stroll near the small market to inspect his own territory.

With the ice age coming, the weather grew colder day by day, and many serfs had already huddled at home, ready for wintering. Therefore, there weren’t many people in the small market, but occasionally some who saw Russell would immediately kneel and bow deeply as a greeting.

“What’s going on?” Russell frowned upon seeing this; he had clearly instructed that his subjects only needed to bow as a greeting.

Charles chuckled and said, “Sir, your status is no longer what it used to be. You are both a lord and a Grand Scholar, and now you have also ascended to be a Phantom Beast Knight… So I thought that a simple bow was no longer sufficient to express their respect for you…”

“So you’ve secretly changed the rule?”

“Ah, please forgive me, Sir, this was a unanimous decision passed after a meeting at our public office.” Seeing that Russell was not very angry, Charles boldly continued to flatter him, “From now on, when the subjects see you for the first time each day, they will perform the kneeling greeting; after the second time, they may bow.”

Then, Charles continued to chatter, listing various reasons to justify the necessity of the kneeling greeting.

Things like reflecting Russell’s authority, preventing assassin attacks, aligning with the Grand Duchy’s customs, and differentiating the treatment of followers from subjects.

All sorts of reasons.

He successfully touched upon Russell’s small prideful thought—he himself had to kneel on one knee in front of the Shadowflame Dragon.

However, Russell still kept a stern face, scolding, “Change it back, I don’t need others bowing down to worship me!”

Charles quickly nodded, “Yes, Sir!”

Unknowingly, they rode to Magic Medicine Tun. In contrast to the desolation of other places, Magic Medicine Tun was still bustling. Especially in the fields of Tobacco Potion, the serfs were busy picking tobacco leaves, bundling them, and placing them on the carts by the road.

The Potion Tobacco plants were very tall, taller than a person, with their tops cut off so they wouldn’t flower, ensuring only leaves would grow.

The bottom tobacco leaves have all been harvested, leaving only the bare stems, with a few immature tobacco leaves remaining at the top.

“As per your instructions, we began picking the tobacco leaves a month ago. Most of the defective leaves were sent to Fluorescent Castle to make the Magic Elixir. Only the complete leaves were kept for making cigars.”

“So, has production of the Cloud Mist and Frost Series cigars begun?”

“It seems not yet, they’re still being aired out. We’ve had fewer sunny days recently, so the drying effect hasn’t been sufficient,” Charles said. “Of course, this is all under Hans’s responsibility. I’m just asking around.”

Hans, the Court Chief, is now practically living at the town’s Cigar Factory, returning once a week to preside over the manor’s court.

Charles seemed to remember something and added, “Sir, I may as well report to you: your invention of the retting fertilization skill is truly remarkable. In the same field, the crops that used the retting fertilizer yield at least 30 percent more than those that didn’t.”

“Really, the effect is that good?” Russell couldn’t help feeling proud.

When he originally ordered the collection of feces, he could feel many people muttering behind his back, thinking it was an absurd act.

Now the facts proved that the retting technology indeed has great value.

Since it’s better to share joy than to enjoy it alone, Russell immediately said, “The retting matter is managed by Catherine, right?”

“Yes.”

“You and Catherine summarize the retting fertilization skill together, including the effects, and then compile it into a document.” Russell stroked his chin, “I plan to send the information to the Grand Scholar Roundtable and benefit the entire Shadowflame Grand Duchy.”

One reason was to boost his fame and prove his title as a scholar wasn’t unwarranted.

The second reason was that promoting retting fertilization would definitely enhance the power of the Shadowflame Grand Duchy, and in turn, the Shadowflame Dragon would benefit from it as well. This was Russell’s way of repaying the Shadowflame Dragon.

“Yes!” Charles immediately became excited.

Russell quickly cautioned him: “I won’t interfere with normal work communications, but you are not allowed to take advantage of your position to mess with relationships.”

Charles chuckled: “Sir, how could that be? I, Charles, am not such a person…”

“It’s best if you’re not, but let me remind you, Katie is retraining her Battle Qi, and I’m very optimistic about her advancing to Great Knight. If there’s a chance, becoming a Phantom Beast Knight is not too far-fetched,” Russell said earnestly. “The Wildcat sisters share a deep bond, so you’d better think it through.”

“Um…” Charles suddenly froze, then awkwardly said, “Sir, rest assured, I’m going to make the documentation detailed and solid to help you make a name for yourself at the Grand Scholar Roundtable. The retting technology might even help you win the title of Grand Scholar!”

Advancing from a scholar is to become a Grand Scholar, representing the authority in knowledge and technological domains.

The recipes for a wide variety of Magic Elixirs and the forging techniques for various gemstones and metal weapons were all researched by Grand Scholars.

However, in this world ruled by knights, all glory fell upon the knights, and Grand Scholars lack sufficient attention—the most authoritative Grand Scholars, rank even below a Baron, and must pay their respects to the great nobles.

The great nobles are the true rulers of the nation.

Of course.

The status and position of Grand Scholars are higher than that of a Lord. They are members of the upper class, and their titles are officially conferred by the Red Castle.

This is fundamentally different from those great writers, wandering poets, painters, and musicians who managed to enter the upper class solely through their literary grace and the appreciation of nobility.

“A Grand Scholar, huh.” Russell smiled indifferently, “Grand Scholars have to frequently hold a roundtable meeting, and I don’t have that much free time. If the retting technology can be promoted and slightly enhance the power of the Grand Duchy, rewarding the Great Dragon for its attention to me, that’s enough for me.”

Charles immediately echoed, “Yes! The Great Dragon loves you, and you love the Great Dragon!”