Evil dragon has a warm heart
Chapter 334 - 334 333 Follower Glontan

Chapter 334: Chapter 333: Follower Glontan Chapter 334: Chapter 333: Follower Glontan At the banquet, Baron Geweidasi’s second son, Glontan, appeared somewhat distracted, occasionally stealing glances at Russell, who had already become the center of attention.

The way his father treated Russell had undergone a complete transformation since the last time.

Big brother Grungo and Roland hit it off as if they were long-lost friends, exceedingly enthusiastic, talking about their service days in the Dragon Blood Knights, full of emotion. Sister Gwyn kept looking at big brothers Roland and Russell with a tender gaze.

Even Kunnila Sunflower, who had recently become more proud, was now forced to squeeze out a somewhat insincere smile, joining her husband Grungo in ardently praising Roland and Russell.

All of this was because of one thing.

It all stemmed from Russell arriving on a majestic and ferocious bipedal flying dragon.

“Glontan, what are you staring at?” Mother Joanna noticed Glontan’s distraction and couldn’t help but turn her head to whisper, “Big brother Russell thinks highly of you and is willing to teach you swordsmanship, now go and propose a toast to him.”

“Oh, sure, mother.” Glontan softly replied.

Then, after Russell had finished eating, Glontan raised his cup for a toast, “Big brother Russell, I congratulate you on your success in dragon riding!”

Russell graciously raised his glass, “Thank you.”

He then sipped a little bit of the red wine and, smiling at Glontan, drained his glass—it was enough to taste and fulfill the gesture. This was how the great nobility typically managed endless rounds of toasts.

Once on the back of a bipedal flying dragon, Russell was undeniably a great noble.

“Lord Russell, let me toast to you once again,” Grungo also picked up his glass to honor Russell, “With your successful dragon ride, you are now the youngest flying dragon knight in the Grand Duchy. I feel honored to witness this moment firsthand!”

Russell raised his glass in kind, sipping it lightly.

This did not affect the mood of the banquet, as Baron Roman and big brother Roland did not refuse anyone’s toast, and laughter was constant from Baron Geweidasi.

For a moment, the Fluorescent Fungi Family and the Rootline Family seemed like one big, happy family.

After toasting, Glontan once again became invisible, mindlessly daydreaming to the side, unnoticed by others.

But inside, his heart was tumultuous.

“This is the authority of a Dragon Knight; even a baron like father puts on a smiling face for big brother Russell after his success in dragon riding… Yes, big brother Russell succeeded in riding a dragon, and since it was one he found himself, he will soon become a baron!”

Glontan was well aware of this; after all, which young man hadn’t fantasized about riding a dragon and founding his own inherited noble family?

“Big brother Russell truly is a knight worthy of the Shadowflame Dragon’s regard. Unicorn Polly is already incredibly cool, and now he’s ridden a bipedal flying dragon, setting a standard for us knights… And he brought another fantasy beast, a beautiful bird like an owl!”

The coolest war mount fantasy beast, a fantasy beast capable of flight, on top of a bipedal flying dragon, Russell almost fulfilled every knight’s perfect vision for a companion.

At this very moment.

In Glontan’s eyes, Russell was the knight he dreamed of becoming day and night.

“A follower… I want to become big brother Russell’s follower!” Glontan’s left hand, hidden beneath the table, clenched into a fist.

He glanced at his father who was laughing heartily with Baron Roman, then at his big brother who was flattering Russell, and even at his sister, who was exchanging meaningful looks with Roland, and made a resolute decision.

“I’m already fourteen years old!”

His determination solidified: “Perhaps if I stay in Populus Gobi, father might grant me a lordship, but… I don’t want to rely on my family’s shadow, to be a socialite lord. I want to follow big brother Russell and make my own mark!”

Russell was destined to become a baron.

In the process of becoming a baron, aside from assigning few lords on his own, he would also recommend a group of knights with distinguished wartime service to Red Castle, to become lords of the Grand Duchy—after all, the warm lands of a barony were limited, yet there was plenty of wasteland in Volcanic Oasis.

Red Castle is also willing to bestow knighthood and the status of Lord upon such knights.

After all, they are nobles who have earned their stripes through genuine military achievements.

“Even if father opposes me, I am determined to follow Big Brother Russell!” Glontan’s resolve was set, and no longer vague; he ate the dishes before him with great gusto.

…

After the feast.

Baron Roman revived old matters and proposed anew a marriage alliance, with his eldest son Roland seeking the hand of Baron Geweidasi’s daughter Gwyn.

This time, Baron Geweidasi did not refuse, but he also didn’t outright agree, instead saying, “It depends on my daughter’s wishes. If she consents to marry Roland, I, as her father, will not oppose.”

This was clearly just a way for him to save face.

Gwyn, to no one’s surprise, immediately accepted the proposal for marriage, expressing her willingness to marry Roland as his wife.

The matter was resolved satisfactorily.

Although there was no need for a race to wed, Russell felt a bit of regret, but he was also happy that his brother could unite smoothly with Gwyn.

At the same time, he couldn’t help but inwardly criticize how utterly pragmatic his brother Roland’s father-in-law, a noble to the extreme, was. The Fluorescent Fungi Family could be denied when they did not suit his interests, and welcomed with open arms when an alliance proved profitable.

Of course.

Russell was more deeply aware of his own status as a Flying Dragon Knight and its powerful influence on the outside world.

“Such is the illustrious authority of a Flying Dragon Knight!” he silently marveled to himself.

Of course, this referred to an independent Flying Dragon Knight; the authority wouldn’t be as great if one was a Flying Dragon Knight under Red Castle.

While a Flying Dragon Knight of Red Castle, as long as one performed meritorious military service, could similarly gain ownership of a Bipedal Flying Dragon and be ennobled as a Baron, the standards for such accomplishments were incredibly high, and not all would manage to amass enough merit in a lifetime.

At present, among the two Earls and five Barons of Shadowflame Grand Duchy, only Baron Swan Quinbylf Flame-shadow had been granted a Bipedal Flying Dragon by Red Castle, thus founding his family line.

But Kunbifu, as the cousin of Dragon Knight Quentin III Shadowflame, had the great advantage of his status.

An ordinary Flying Dragon Knight, after a lifetime of building a legacy, might eventually become only a Lord of the Grand Duchy.

“That Drella, even if she successfully rides a dragon, the best outcome is to become a Lord of the Grand Duchy… But by marrying Gwyn to my brother, the Rootline Family gains kinship with two Baronial families. Baron Geweidasi still knows how to play his cards right,” Russell thought.

Watching Baron Roman, the Geweidasi couple, big brother Roland, Mr. and Mrs. Glontan, and others continue to discuss the marriage alliance.

Russell yawned, stood up and said, “You all continue talking, I’ve been on the dragon and haven’t had a good rest since. I’ll take my leave to rest.”

“Go ahead,” Baron Roman said with a smile, more and more satisfied with this younger son of his, his eyes full of pride.

Baron Geweidasi said with a smile, “Have a good sleep.”

Mrs. Joanna stood up and said, “Lord Russell, let me show you to the guest room. You haven’t brought any servants; I have already made arrangements for you.”

“There’s no need, madam, I can find my way,” Russell replied.

Mrs. Joanna did not insist, but instead instructed Glontan, who was practically invisible, “Hurry up and show Big Brother Russell the way, guide him to the guest room to rest.”

“Oh, okay,” Glontan followed along.

Once he had escorted Russell to the guest room, Glontan entered, immediately knelt on one knee, and said loudly, “Big Brother Russell, I, Glontan Bainroot, admire you and wish to follow behind you to build a legacy of achievements!”