Evil dragon has a warm heart
Chapter 268 - 268 267 Cigar Diplomacy (Added Chapter

Chapter 268: Chapter 267 Cigar Diplomacy (Added Chapter, Requesting Monthly Pass) Chapter 268: Chapter 267 Cigar Diplomacy (Added Chapter, Requesting Monthly Pass) Under Russell’s guidance, and with honey as bait, the simple and silly Wind Blade Brown Bear clearly couldn’t resist Grove’s onslaught.

On the eve of their arrival at Red Castle, the Wind Blade Brown Bear finally accepted Grove, allowing Grove to probe into its body with the chains of Battle Qi.

“Roar!”

“Ah!”

Thus, Russell witnessed the birth of his second Phantom Beast Knight as Battle Qi and Prime Force merged into Prime Breath, marking Grove’s metamorphosis from a Knight of Battle Qi to one of Prime Breath Tier.

After practicing his punches outside the post station for half an hour, Grove finally calmed the tumult of his promotion and came before Russell, kneeling on one knee again.

“Grove thanks Sir for everything bestowed upon me!” He pounded his chest frantically with his right hand, expressing his loyalty, “Bill and I will forever be loyal to Sir!”

Bill was the name Russell had given to the Wind Blade Brown Bear.

“Very well,” Russell said, lifting Grove with satisfaction, “I hope the contract with Bill inspires you to be more proactive and to stop laying low.”

Grove scratched the back of his head and smiled sheepishly.

He truly felt like his life had lost all meaning before, sacrificing everything for love, only to have his beloved marry someone else, bear children, and even fall in love. But now, with Bill, feeling Bill’s enthusiasm for life, he felt his own life regain its meaning.

And he began to look forward to rekindling the warmth and expectations for his wife and child.

“Sir, about Mrs. Fanny that Lord Charles introduced me to last time… I actually quite like her…” said Grove hesitantly.

Russell laughed heartily, “Now that you’re a Phantom Beast Knight, are you still interested in Mrs. Fanny?”

“Yes!” Grove nodded vigorously, “I like Mrs. Fanny’s cheerfulness.”

“Then it’s settled, when we return, I’ll have Charles introduce you again,” said Russell. Mrs. Fanny was a young widow, whose husband had been a knight and had died on the Snowfield, leaving her alone.

Charles had a period of friendship with Mrs. Fanny’s father, so he had introduced her to Grove.

That night, Russell slept soundly in the station.

Grove, on the other hand, tossed and turned, his new contract partner Bill already snoring loudly in the post station’s Fantasy Beast dormitory. But Grove’s restlessness wasn’t due to Bill’s snoring nor thoughts of Mrs. Fanny.

Instead, he reflected on his life thus far, as if it all had been a dream.

“How could I have been so lost for so long because of Jennie?” Grove wondered, as he was once a knight full of promise and talent.

Then he thought, “Thanks to Halls for bringing me out of that dungeon… Thanks to Sir, without whose help I would still be lost… Thanks to Bill, though you’re clueless, you are my lifelong partner!”

…

Grove didn’t sleep well that night, showing up with bags under his eyes, but Russell slept quite comfortably, although he did not see the Little Dream Dragon.

As they neared Shadowflame Volcano, the Little Dream Dragon naturally went into hibernation, and even its M-shaped mark ceased to flicker.

Upon reaching the town of West Arch Gate by the shore of Mirror Lake, Russell showed his credentials and Scholar Medal, declaring his identity.

The Guard Knights at West Arch Gate allowed Russell and his entourage to enter without needing to be announced.

It was only after crossing the long bridge and entering within the city walls that the royal guards came to lead him to a waiting room to wait.

Russell had thought his brother Roland would come to meet him, but the person who arrived was surrounded by an entourage of servants and guards, showing it was none other than his cousin Mel, one of the three candidate princes.

“Haha, Russell!” Cousin Mel wore a set of gorgeous viscount attire, displaying his handsome features without any doubt.

“Cousin, no, I mean, Mr. Heir-Apparent,” Russell chuckled.

“Ah, becoming the Heir-Apparent was not my intention.” Mel, with Russell and Grove in tow, went to his residence in the Outer Fort, a stand-alone tower. “I’ve been arranged to live here; it’s not fully decorated yet, but I’ve already had your room prepared for you.”

“Do you live here? I thought you’d be staying in the Inner Fort.” Russell looked at the standalone tower, which was essentially a small castle.

“How could that be possible? Only the Flamecrest Dragonblood Family can reside within the Inner Fort,” Mel shook his head.

“Once you win the election, you can move in there, right?”

“I don’t know… Princess Anxia and Princess Kunlaya are still living inside. To be honest, I’m somewhat bewildered; I never imagined I would become the Heir-Apparent.” Mel seemed less enthused. “As for the position of Duke of the Grand Duchy, how should I put it? It’s not that important to me.”

“Why is that?”

“I’ve met His Highness Shadowflame, and, well, you know, some things can be decided just like that. His Highness Shadowflame doesn’t think highly of me at all. So, the title of Duke is just a nominal thing; what difference does it make if I assume the role?”

“Cousin, it looks like you haven’t lost your way,” Russell smiled. “Am I also staying here? It doesn’t seem proper. I should stay with my brother Roland instead.”

“Stay with me for now; someone will arrange a new residence for you later. After all, you are the Assistant to the Volcanic Minister, the future Grand Duchy’s Volcanic Minister,” Mel said. “To be honest, if you had blood from the Shadowflame Family, maybe…”

He gestured towards the volcano, the implication clear.

Since the Shadowflame Dragon was willing to have Russell take over as the Volcanic Minister, it naturally acknowledged him to some degree. If Russell also possessed the blood of the Shadowflame Family, it was very possible that he could successfully become a Dragon Rider.

After a pause, Mel sighed, “It’s a pity you’re not.”

Once settled, Russell eagerly asked, “Cousin, what exactly is this Assistant to the Volcanic Minister about, and what did grandfather and my father say?”

“Right now, Red Castle is a mess, with a myriad of issues. As an Heir-Apparent, I’m supposed to be able to take part in the Council of Elders, but in reality, I just do miscellaneous tasks. Like your appointment decree; once grandfather signs it, I just add my name to it.”

“So you’re saying, you don’t know either?”

“That’s right.”

“You could’ve said that earlier. Oh, by the way, I brought some gifts over.” Russell signaled to Grove, who took out a box of Cloud Mist Series Rain Dragon cigars from their luggage.

After presenting the Cloud Mist Rain Dragon cigars to Cousin Mel, he said, “These are Magic Power tobacco made Cloud Mist Rain Dragon cigars. Give them a try. And speaking of which, now that you’re leaving Tributary River Mouth, with the warm season coming, will there be any issues with the sales of Rain Dragon cigars there?”

“Of course not, I’ll arrange everything,” Cousin Mel took the Cloud Mist Rain Dragon cigars, lighting one up eagerly and took a puff, “Hmm, really good. Russell, this invention of yours is much greater than reading glasses!”

Then he added, “By the way, what about the Frost Dew Rain Dragon cigars?”

“I didn’t bring any.”

“Why didn’t you bring some over for me to taste?”

“I only had two horses, couldn’t bring too much stuff,” Russell said. “Besides, they’re for grandfather. If you want some, ask him for them in the future.”

“Hey, Russell, I’m the Heir-Apparent; aren’t you going to pay tribute to me with a hundred boxes of Frost Dew?”

“Let’s wait until you win the election, cousin.”

Russell didn’t stay long at Cousin Mel’s. After changing his clothes, he followed Mel’s arranged servant to seek out Baron Roman’s residence.

As the Finance Minister, Baron Roman’s residence wasn’t as grand as Cousin Mel’s small castle, but it was also a semi-independent tower, quite spacious. His brother Roland also lived here, assisting Baron Roman with his work.

Upon arrival, Russell placed several boxes of Cloud Mist Rain Dragon cigars, hoping to establish cigar diplomacy through his father’s hands.

He aimed to make the Rain Dragon cigars an indispensable status symbol among the nobility.