Evil dragon has a warm heart
Chapter 312 - 312 311 Seizing the Title of Number One

Chapter 312: Chapter 311: Seizing the Title of Number One Shadowflame User Chapter 312: Chapter 311: Seizing the Title of Number One Shadowflame User Adorned with the Scholar Badge, Russell returned to Fluorescent Castle.

Baron Roman was still leading the Knight Regiment, combatting in the icy snowlands, hunting Snow Ghosts. Roland, who had come back earlier, had also joined the Knight Regiment.

Therefore, only Lady Meryl was left in Fluorescent Castle, taking care of Lola.

“It’s truly unbelievable that my son is not only a mighty knight but also a wise scholar,” said Lady Meryl, filled with emotion as she toyed with the Scholar Badge passed to her by Russell.

Who would have thought the once invisible second son would achieve such feats?

Lola was gazing at the somewhat shy Wheat Elf Hewitt, who was reluctant to move into the Elf room to socialize with the elves of Fluorescent Castle.

Hewitt looked quite ordinary, not as beautiful as Tobacco Sprite Niko or Rain Flower Sprite Lorey, but the clump of golden wheat on its head was very eye-catching, giving it an additional sense of liveliness and noble finesse.

“Chirp,” whispered Hewitt as it grabbed onto Russell’s hair and stood on his shoulder, sneaking a glance at Lola.

Russell handed over a piece of jade fragment for Hewitt to nibble and play with.

He then said to Lady Meryl, “You knew all along, didn’t you? I had invented reading glasses before and I also invented cigar smoking.”

“Yes, I knew, but those things seem more like… casual trinkets, while the Retting Fertilization Skill is different. It’s a new technology that received high praise from the Grand Scholar Roundtable. Even Princess Anxia has given you a Little Sprite to express her gratitude!”

In the eyes of the noble ladies like Lady Meryl, Princess Anxia was held in high regard, as she came from such a high birth.

The princess of the kingdom!

The more aristocratic they were, the more they cared about lineage and the hierarchy it created. Even if Princess Anxia had a marred reputation, she was still the most noble woman in the Shadowflame Grand Duchy.

“Yes, Princess Anxia helped me a lot,” Russell smiled. “The Glowing Mushrooms cultivated by Rosy can grow in the icy warm season, continuously replenishing the Magic Potion; and the wheat cultivated by Hewitt can greatly increase the production of Magic Potion in one harvest. I no longer have to worry about Magic Potion supplies.”

Compared to seasonal plants, like orpine, dill, and dandelion, which are used in Magic Potions, the production of mushroom-based Magic Potions is stable, and the yield of grain-based Magic Potions is abundant. They are a major source of raw materials for Magic Elixirs and hence are more valuable.

“Now you have three Little Sprites to choose from for a family name,” said Lady Meryl with a smile.

Once elevated to a baron and becoming a hereditary noble, Russell could choose a noble family name to pass down through the generations.

“I haven’t considered this point yet.”

“It’s time to think about it.”

“There’s no rush, Mother,” Russell shook his head, truthfully not very satisfied with any of the three types of Little Sprites.

Tobacco and wheat were too common. As a family name, they lacked prestige.

As for the Glowing Mushrooms, they sounded fairly nice, but once he branched out on his own, he would have to consider whether he needed to change the family name.

The mother and son chatted about the Little Sprites for a while before the conversation soon turned to Populus Gobi.

“I really didn’t expect Baron Gevedas to be such a faithless man, who although he had verbally agreed to an engagement, would break it off for a prospective Flying Dragon Knight,” Lady Meryl suddenly glanced at Russell. “As if nobody else has a Flying Dragon Knight!”

“Please calm down, Mother. At least Miss Gwyn’s heart is with my elder brother,” Russell comforted.

“This is the only good news from your journey,” Lady Meryl shook her head. “When your elder brother came back and told me this, I was so angry I couldn’t sleep for two whole nights… Your father, if he knew, would certainly be furious as well.”

“It’s okay. Miss Gwyn has already promised my elder brother that if Baron Gevedas decides to arrange an engagement with Drella, she will let my elder brother know in advance.”

Russell reassured her, “If that happens, I’ll accompany my elder brother to Populus Gobi again to see if Baron Gevedas truly values Drella so much and neglects such favorable conditions from our Fluorescent Fungi Family.”

“That’s good, you are brothers, you must support each other,” Lady Meryl said with relief.

She then sighed and said, “Although I have a good impression of Miss Gwyn, if your elder brother weren’t so insistent, this marriage alliance could be dismissed…”

“Elder brother indeed gets along quite well with Miss Gwyn, and… maybe he doesn’t want our family to lose face,” Russell said.

In fact, Russell was very clear in his heart that it was more likely Roland worried about his own face, and he didn’t want to be trifled with by others.

Today they are satisfied, so they agree to the engagement, but tomorrow they are dissatisfied, and they start to break off the engagement.

Who could swallow such indignity!

Of course.

Gwyn was probably Roland’s best choice at the moment. Given Roland’s pride, he would have trouble accepting a wife of common birth. Besides, Gwyn was already smitten with him, which made it even more impossible to give up on her.

After Lady Meryl retired to her room to rest, the quiet Lola suddenly tugged at Russell’s sleeve, “Will Gwyn become my sister-in-law?”

“She will.”

“Is she a nice person?”

“Quite nice, at least from what I remember, she really is a good person,” Russell quickly understood Lola’s unease and reassured her, “Don’t worry, Lola, no matter what kind of person Gwyn is, you don’t have to be scared.”

“But…” Lola was still worried.

Although she was only twelve, she had seen the power struggles in many noble families, including at Fluorescent Castle.

The subtle fights between Lady Meryl and Lady Ingrid were all seen by Lola. She disliked such atmosphere intensely, yet subconsciously, she felt it was a common occurrence.

“There’s nothing to worry about.” Russell took the opportunity to comfort her and ruffled his sister’s hair, “You can relax, with me here, no one will dare to bully you.”

“Boasting.”

“How is that boasting? Your second brother here is now an unparalleled Phantom Beast Knight of his tier!” Russell said with his head held high, filled with pride, “And soon, the title of the best fighter in Shadowflame Duchy is about to change hands.”

“Who?”

“Me!”

“Who was it before?”

“Your grandfather.”

Lola immediately rolled her eyes and then pulled a face, taunting, “Grandpa is a Flying Dragon Knight, Russell, you really know how to boast!”

“Tsk, kids these days know nothing,” Russell laughed out loud, “Your second brother will soon be a Flying Dragon Knight as well. Then, I will challenge Grandpa right away and snatch the title of the best fighter in Shadowflame Duchy, stunning everyone!”

Lola didn’t say a word, but the scorn on her face was evident; she didn’t believe a single word Russell said and just felt he was showing off.

…

After spending a night at Fluorescent Castle, Russell returned to his estate, Wuyao Snake Manor, the following day.

It was still the end of the ice age when he left, but now the grass was green and birds were singing, and the Glowing River was surging with muddy waters, nearly overflowing the small bridges.

“Welcome home, Sir.” Butler Morris stood in front of the gate, impeccably leading the servants lined up to greet him.

Several workers also stood at a distance, bowing and paying their respects to Russell.

Russell immediately spotted Rib Jimmy, the clam digger, who had just climbed out of the pond, walking towards Cigar Courtyard while speaking to Butler Morris, “Call Rib Jimmy over later, I want to ask about the clams.”

“Yes, Sir.” Butler Morris followed into Cigar Courtyard only after Russell had entered.

The servants followed suit.

Once Russell had bathed and changed into fresh clothes, he came downstairs to find not only Rib Jimmy present, but also Charles, Eric, and many other officials had gathered.

“Lord, our Wuyao Snake Manor is truly under the watchful eye of the Great Dragon. You’ve gained the recognition of the Grand Scholar Roundtable and received a Little Sprite as a reward. Lady Katie also succeeded in becoming a Phantom Beast Knight, one of the few female Phantom Beast Knights in the Grand Duchy,” Charles said everything he wanted to say, and Russell knew what was coming next, “Such celebratory events, one after another, surely call for a celebration!”

“A celebration,” Russell said in a good mood, smiling, “Not just for us to celebrate, but let all the citizens celebrate, sharing the glory the Lord has brought back with them.”

In the past, Russell had been low-profile, not hosting any banquets.

Finally getting a response today, Charles was very excited, “Rest assured, my Lord, I’ll make sure all the citizens can share in your glory!”

“Alright, take a seat here for a while and listen to Katie share her experience and insights on becoming a Phantom Beast Knight,” Russell gestured for his followers to sit down and then called Rib Jimmy to accompany him to the nearby clam pond.

He wanted to check on the pearl harvest.