Evil dragon has a warm heart
Chapter 336 - 336 335 The Response of the Council of Elders

Chapter 336: Chapter 335: The Response of the Council of Elders Chapter 336: Chapter 335: The Response of the Council of Elders Elders’ Hall.

Count Merlin was reviewing a receipt, which was from Lord Kroia of the Steel Essence Dragon Knights, for the execution of the Thunderbolt Plan.

The Snow Giant Da had been repelled. Although it still lurked near the Shadowflame Grand Duchy, the threat had not been immediately lifted. Yet, the Grand Duchy still had its duties to attend to, the work must continue without interruption due to fear of the Snow Giant Da.

Such was the case with the Thunderbolt Plan.

The Flying Dragon Knights of Red Castle needed to continuously search the border areas of the Shadowflame Grand Duchy for Lightning Attraction Points to place Lightning Spears.

Only by channeling the power from the clouds into the earth through lightning could they accelerate the power of the Shadowflame Dragon and spread it over a broader expanse of the snowfield, thereby expanding their territory.

“Thirteen Lightning Attraction Points in the eastern border, Kroia has almost made a complete round, yet still has not encountered any trace of the Snow Demon,” Count Merlin frowned as he read the content of the receipt, the frost-covered cigar pinched between his fingers already burnt halfway down.

With neatly combed, silver strands of hair, the Chief Executive, who had gone white overnight, suddenly sighed, “The Snow Giant Da is becoming shrewder, no, rather, more… willing to use tactics. Could that legend possibly be true?”

He put down the receipt.

Drew a puff from the frost-covered cigar.

Count Merlin leaned back in his chair, exhaling a deep plume of smoke, and muttered in resignation, “How could the entire Shadowflame Grand Duchy possibly be the hunting grounds for the Snow Giant Da… Did it cross through the Portal to Another World just to hunt Great Dragons?”

Everyone knew that the Snow Demons had invaded the Dragon Sleep Continent from another world.

But what exactly the Snow Demon race was, and the nature of their world, remained enigmas.

In the history of more than five thousand years of dragon civilization, humans mounted on Great Dragons had hunted Snow Giants, and had also been hunted by Snow Giants. Yet, the overall situation remained — Snow Demons were powerful; humans were weak, continuously fighting for space to survive.

“Enough, why should I worry about such matters? That’s a Dragon Knight’s concern…” Count Merlin forced a wry smile.

He revitalized his spirit, ready to look at another document.

Then his assistant suddenly knocked and entered, “Sir, there’s great news that must be immediately shared with you!”

“Great news, to be shared with me?” Count Merlin raised an eyebrow, “What kind of good news?”

“Just now, Red Castle received a message from a messenger of the Fluorescent Fungi Family. Your grandson, Russell Fluorescent Fungus, encountered a newly born Black Oil Dragon on the snowfield and successfully gained its recognition, bonded with it, and ascended to a Flying Dragon Knight.”

The Black Oil Dragon was a grant from the Shadowflame Dragon, but this could not be openly stated.

Because this was an agreement reached privately between the Shadowflame Dragon and the Little Dream Dragon, it needed to be concealed for the time being, awaiting the growth of the Little Dream Dragon.

Therefore.

The Black Oil Dragon Rossay had become the “wild” Bipedal Flying Dragon that Russell had found.

“What!” Even Count Merlin, who was accustomed to grand spectacles and typically unflappable, couldn’t help exclaiming now, “Say that again, slowly, make sure I’m not hearing things!”

“Yes, Sir,” the assistant repeated the news, “It’s absolutely true. The messenger from the Fluorescent Fungi Family brought a personal letter from Lady Meryl.”

“So, it is true!” Count Merlin exclaimed in admiration, “Russell… truly is a knight favored by the Shadowflame Dragon.”

But soon, Count Merlin spotted an inconsistency, “Why wasn’t it a personal letter from Roman?”

“This… is still unclear.”

“Bring the Messenger Knight to me, I’ll ask the details myself,” said Count Merlin, unable to sit still any longer, starting to pace back and forth.

Before the Messenger Knight could arrive, Chosen Son Mel rushed over in a hurry, “Grandfather, have you heard? Russell has become a dragon rider!”

“Calm yourself.”

“Yes, Grandfather,” Mel sat down, but still appeared incredulous, “I thought sooner or later, he would ride Lord Medikalun; I never expected he would find a dragon himself on the snowfield!”

“Don’t jump to conclusions before everything is clear,” said Count Merlin.

“Yes.”

After a full half hour of waiting, the Messenger Knight was finally brought in.

The assistant hurriedly spoke, “Sir, the Messenger Knight had been detained by Regent Lady Anxia for quite some time. As soon as he left the palace, I immediately brought him here.”

The Messenger Knight pounded his chest in salute, “Raphael, at your service, Chief Executive Sir.”

“Raphael, recount in full detail the matter of Russell riding the dragon,” Count Merlin ordered.

“It is so, Chief Executive Sir, Mr. Russell encountered a newly born Black Oil Dragon about fifty kilometers east of the Glowing Valley, successfully completed the contract to advance to a Flying Dragon Knight and has named the Black Oil Dragon Lord Ross.”

Only after the Messenger Knight’s personal confirmation did Count Merlin truly assure himself of the news, and he couldn’t help but burst into laughter, “Ha ha, what a good event, truly a cause for great joy!”

After a few laughs, Count Merlin regained his composure, “Why didn’t Roman write about it himself?”

“Lord Baron has already gone to the Populus Gobi,” the Messenger Raphael replied, “After Mr. Russell rode the dragon, he too rushed to the Populus Gobi at once.”

“Gone to the Populus Gobi?” Count Merlin showed a brief flash of surprise, then understood, “Is it to discuss a matrimonial alliance at the Populus Gobi?”

“I do not know,” Raphael answered.

“Enough, you have had a tiring journey, go and rest well,” Count Merlin dismissed Raphael.

Melly could no longer contain himself, and exclaimed, “Grandfather, it’s true, Russell really has ridden a dragon!”

Indeed, he was both shocked and overjoyed.

Then he complained with a smile, “That lad, always so unassuming in everyday affairs, but he never blurs at crucial moments! Advanced to Phantom Beast Knight before me and now he’s become a Flying Dragon Knight before me as well… Now, he will truly make a name for himself across the Grand Duchy!”

“Life is unpredictable,” said Count Merlin as he took a puff of his frost and snow cigar, feeling increasingly that this cigar was more invigorating than a pipe.

At that moment, another government official arrived, sent by Princess Anxia to inform the Council of Elders about Russell riding the dragon.

And she requested that the Council discuss how to properly accolade Russell.

Finding a dragon in the wild, as opposed to noble families riding their own dragons or Flying Dragon Knights bred by the Red Castle, is different. Russell’s success undoubtedly greatly enhanced the nation’s power, and naturally, the Red Castle needed to reward this.

“Please relay to Regent Lady Anxia, that I will immediately convene the Council of Elders to discuss the award plan,” Count Merlin replied.

And with the convening of the Council of Elders, the news swiftly spread throughout the entire Red Castle.

The Shadowflame Grand Duchy witnessed the birth of the twelfth Flying Dragon Knight, accompanied by Russell Fluorescent Fungus, the youngest Flying Dragon Knight, and the thirtieth Bipedal Flying Dragon born within the boundaries of the Shadowflame Grand Duchy—Black Oil Dragon Ross.

The birth of a Bipedal Flying Dragon is a joyous event, and the advancement to a Flying Dragon Knight is another; truly, happiness was knocking on their door twice.

“Gentlemen, regarding the reward for the newly advanced Flying Dragon Knight Russell Fluorescent Fungus, do share any thoughts you have,” Count Merlin said from the main seat of the Council of Elders, feeling proud as Russell was his grandson and this honor reflected on him as well.

He could comfortably lean back in his chair, enjoying the expressions of the other Council of Elders’ members.

Chief Justice Earl Oskolo, with a face as hard as iron, stared at the table, uttering not a word, feeling increasingly anxious.

Russell riding a dragon, without a doubt, provided a significant boost to Chosen Son Mel, a severe blow for his own son, Augustus—despite having three Bipedal Flying Dragons at home, none could be ridden!

Finance Minister Baron Davis Golden Cap smiled gently,

But his eyes darted back and forth, now glancing at Earl Oskolo, now at Count Merlin, his thoughts inscrutable.

Foreign Minister Baron Kunbifu Shadowflame silently nodded, seemingly deep in thought on how to best accolade Russell.

Chief Steward Lord Kunbei, Volcanic Minister Lord Welchi, and Lord Seal Minister Lord Kunqiao, on the other hand, engaged in eager discussion.

Drawing from previous rewards given to Flying Dragon Knights, they deliberated and proposed an adequate reward plan.

“Lord Russell, being a retainer knighted by Mr. Roman, should, given his success in riding a dragon according to the Grand Duchy’s laws, be promoted to a Lord of the Duchy and granted the Warm Enclave as his own territory…” Lord Kunbei summarized, “Red Castle should immediately hold the investiture ceremony and issue a special edition of the gazette, announcing this to the entire nation.”

As for his noble title,

That was beyond the concern of the accolades as it required Russell to earn his advancement through future contributions.

Seeing the situation, Count Merlin inquired, “Does anyone have a differing opinion? If not, let us proceed with this arrangement.”