Evil dragon has a warm heart
Chapter 302 - 302 301 Evernight Castle

Chapter 302: Chapter 301: Evernight Castle Chapter 302: Chapter 301: Evernight Castle Arriving at Red Castle, it was already the end of May.

Roland had his own friends to visit, and lovers in the little courtyard who needed soothing, so Russell moved alone.

He first went to visit Count Merlin.

“Grandfather, here are one hundred boxes of Frost-Rain Dragon cigars for you,” Russell gestured for his subordinates to carry in a hundred boxes of cigars, “After a period of ice fermentation, these Frost cigars have reached the perfect quality.”

The tobacco leaves, endowed with magic power, could reach the best taste after simple fermentation.

“Good, I have finally waited for the Frost cigars,” Earl Merlin directly had someone open a box of Frost cigars and lit one up to take a delicate taste, “The flavor surpasses that of White Dew and Cloud Mist by a great deal, not bad, not bad!”

“It was also after several refinements that I finally determined the taste of the Frost series,” Russell said with a smile.

He then began to add prestige to the cigars: “If one says that a cigar represents a knight’s life, and smoking one from start to finish allows one to fully savor the life of a knight, then the Frost cigar symbolizes the knight’s nonchalance towards life—it’s nothing but a bit of frost and rain.”

Earl Merlin’s eyes sparkled, and he laughed heartily, “Well said, the commotion in this world is nothing but a bit of frost and rain indeed!”

As a Flying Dragon Knight and a long-time governing member of the Council of Elders, Earl Merlin had seen far too many things.

From the Scorching volcanoes to the frigid Snowfields, his footprints covered the entire Grand Duchy of Shadowflame. Perhaps his absolute rule was criticized for being cold and ruthless, but at least he was a rock-solid support for the operation of the Grand Duchy.

For him, worldly fame and disgrace were truly just a little bit of frost and rain.

Seeing this, Russell immediately suggested, “Grandfather, I would like to advertise in next month’s estate newspaper to promote the Frost-Rain Dragon Cigars.”

“Advertise?”

“That means to spread the word widely so that the entire Shadowflame Grand Duchy will know what the three series of Frost-Rain Dragon Cigars stand for,” Russell explained.

Earl Merlin narrowed his eyes, in principle he did not agree with Russell placing an advertisement—the estate newspaper was the estate newspaper, representing the authority of Red Castle; it could not simply allow others to advertise on it. However, he was deeply captivated by the Frost-Rain cigars and he also wanted people to understand the meaning represented by Frost.

He did not hurry to agree but asked instead, “I’m aware of the meaning of Frost, but what do Cloud Mist and White Dew signify?”

“Green hills enshrouded in Cloud Mist signify a place where the heart finds peace; Cloud Mist represents the unyielding nobility of the nobles. Even in the most difficult situations, they remain as calm and detached as the mist,” Russell fabricated pompously on the spot, going for grandeur as much as possible.

After a pause, he continued, “As for White Dew, it’s affordable for Ordinary Knights. After smoking a cigar, with White Dew turning to frost, finishing a White Dew cigar is like waiting for the rising sun, symbolizing that warmth will surely return!”

“Not bad,” Earl Merlin nodded his head.

Although Russell’s lines were somewhat far-fetched, they did a fine job in creating the right tone. A puff of White Dew, and the knight basks in the sun; a puff of Cloud Mist, and the noble’s heart finds its home; a puff of Frost, and the troubles of the world are no longer bothersome.

“Grandfather, can I now advertise in the estate newspaper?”

“You may.”

“Thank you, grandfather,” Russell said with a smile, having seen through Earl Merlin. His integrity was beyond reproach, but in the end, he could not escape the longing for reputation.

After leaving Earl Merlin, Russell proceeded to pay a visit to Marquis Arno Sunfire.

Marquis Arno had recently returned from a trip to the Scorching Torrent Kingdom and after coming back to the Shadowflame Grand Duchy, he planned to settle here for a long time. He would only end his role as “election overseer” once one of the three candidates succeeded in becoming the new Duke.

As he did not participate in the affairs of the Council of Elders, Marquis Arno had quite a leisurely life, thus he invited a group of literati to his Independent Castle near Furious Wind City.

They composed plays and recited poetry.

Especially after the ban on feasting was lifted, dance parties were held in turns. With music and song continuing day and night, it gradually became a glorious scene of Furious Wind City.

Marquis Arno even specifically renamed his castle “Evernight Castle” to have lights shining bright all through the night.

How many noblewomen from Furious Wind City and Red Castle have squandered fortunes competing for invitations to the soirées and salons at Evernight Castle? Each poet, dramatist, and painter who could freely enter Evernight Castle became the new favorite of these ladies.

Since so many wished to visit Marquis Arno, Russell started queuing from the afternoon and wasn’t ushered into the study of Evernight Castle until nine o’clock at night.

“Are you Russell, the second son of Mr. Luo Man?” Marquis Arno had seen Russell, but he had already forgotten him.

He met too many people every day, and there were no shortage of handsome faces among them.

“Yes,” Russell replied, bowing, though he was already seething with frustration. He had sent his calling card over yesterday, and although he’d been given an appointment for the afternoon, they had kept him waiting until nine o’clock in the evening.

“What brings you to visit me?” Marquis Arno asked languidly.

“My territory produces a unique product, the Rain Dragon Cigars. You may have heard of them, Sir. There are three series of Rain Dragon Cigars: Dew, Mist, and Frost. Only three hundred boxes of Frost are produced each year, one hundred are sent to my father, one hundred to my grandfather Count Merlin, and the remaining hundred were originally promised to Grand Duke Kunstan…”

Russell suppressed his dissatisfaction, since he was there for business after all—to make money and gain fame. He could tolerate a bit of slighting.

“Now that the era of choosing a successor has started in the Grand Duchy, and you, Sir, are overseeing the selection, I wanted to offer these one hundred boxes of Frost cigars exclusively to you.” Russell placed a box of Frost cigars that he had brought with him on the table.

“Exclusively for me?” Marquis Arno raised an eyebrow.

“My grandfather has said that within the Grand Duchy, no one but you, Sir, is worthy of enjoying the Frost cigars.”

“Ha ha!” Marquis Arno laughed out loud upon hearing this. “Count Merlin is too kind. My role in selecting the successor is only temporary… Since Count Merlin has said so, I will accept these Frost cigars.”

With Russell’s guidance, Marquis Arno lit a Frost cigar.

Cigars made from magic tobacco were indeed potent when smoked.

Russell tactfully repeated the phrase “just a touch of frost” as he pitched the product to Marquis Arno.

“Indeed, it’s excellent tobacco!” Marquis Arno grew increasingly satisfied with the Frost series of Rain Dragon Cigars. An exclusive cigar that only three people in the Grand Duchy could enjoy—a single cigar equaling a knight’s lifetime, yet just a hint of frost. It was a distinction too grand to ignore.

It perfectly fit the status he conferred upon himself as a high noble.

Ordinary tobacco on the market could be smoked by anyone, unlike the Rain Dragon Cigars, which were clearly graded and matched one’s status.

However, when Russell mentioned his desire to include Rain Dragon Cigars in trade relations and sell them to the Scorching Torrent Kingdom, Marquis Arno dodged the issue and refused to agree, indicating that the Scorching Torrent Kingdom had better tobacco for making cigars.

“Sir, the Rain Dragon Cigar is the premier cigar on the Dragon Sleep Continent—an undiminishable honor,” Russell calmly responded.

“Aside from Rain Dragon Cigars, no imitation can better represent the status of a knight or the prestige of nobility.”

“I admit that,” Marquis Arno said, looking at the young and handsome Russell with detachment, “but what does it matter to me whether others smoke Rain Dragon Cigars or not? One hundred boxes of Frost cigars every year are more than enough for me.”

“Let’s do this, Sir. If I can sell Rain Dragon Cigars to the Scorching Torrent Kingdom, you take half of all profits!” Russell made a generous offer.

Marquis Arno, previously aloof, now smiled anew, “You’ve got guts, boy. I will include Rain Dragon Cigars in the trade list between our two countries, to support the youth. But half of the profit is not enough, I want eighty percent!”

“Eighty percent!” Russell’s eyes widened.

“The trade routes between our countries are tough; eighty percent of the profit will merely be a subsidy for the knights’ hardships on the journey,” Marquis Arno said, picking up his teacup, gently blowing on the steam, and sipping the tea with nonchalance.

Russell took a deep breath, “Alright, we’ll settle on eighty percent profit.”

Moments later, as he stepped out from Evernight Castle, Katie and the others immediately came up to him, “Sir.”

“Let’s go,” Russell mounted Unicorn Polly, glancing back at the brightly lit Evernight Castle, where songs were softly playing.

In his heart, he silently vowed, “Arno the thief, how dare you wrong me! Once I become a Dragon Knight, I’ll make you cough up every single coin with interest!”