Evil dragon has a warm heart
Chapter 375 - 375 374 The Sorrow of the Golden Prairie

Chapter 375: Chapter 374: The Sorrow of the Golden Prairie Chapter 375: Chapter 374: The Sorrow of the Golden Prairie “Faust,” the voice echoed across the Snowfield, crossing the border of the Shadowflame Grand Duchy, and vanished at the edge of the Golden Prairie.

The Peat Dragon flapped its wings desperately, as if a great terror were behind it, continually burning its essence blood to speed up its flight.

Several gashes had opened up in its belly, from which an unknown amount of dragon blood had flowed; now that the Golden Prairie was within sight, the wounds had finally healed and stopped bleeding. However, its strength was completely exhausted due to excessive blood loss.

“Woo!”

With a mournful cry, scorching tears slid from the corners of its eyes, freezing into ice crystals in midair and dropping into the cavern’s courtyard.

A freeman searching for moss to stave off hunger in the courtyard was caught off guard by the falling ice crystal and then curled up on the ground holding his head. When he saw what had hit him, he curiously picked up the ice crystal, which was surprisingly warm.

And it instantly merged into his body.

He then felt the previously languishing fighting spirit within him burst forth vigorously, although it was not enough to burst forth completely.

At the same time, he was overwhelmed by a heart-wrenching sadness and could not help but burst into loud sobbing in the courtyard, “Woo, woo, woo, woo, woo, woo, woo!”

The Peat Dragon had already vanished into the distance.

Its form swayed, almost tumbling down but steadily did not fall, gliding in the direction of Golden Top Castle.

As soon as Golden Top Castle came into view, the Peat Dragon could no longer hold on, closed its dragon eyes, and like a falling star, plummeted.

Boom!

It crashed directly onto the lawn near Golden Top Castle, creating a massive crater.

“It’s Lord Howard!” the guard knights of Golden Top Castle quickly rushed over, recognizing the Bipedal Flying Dragon lying unconscious in the crater as the Peat Dragon from the lofty heights of the Golden Prairie, “Quick, inform the lady, Lord Howard has fallen!”

“He’s still alive, Lord Howard is still alive!” a knight called out loudly after checking the Peat Dragon’s breathing.

“Quick, quick, get the magic power potions, get the lady to bring more magic power potions, to treat Lord Howard!”

Moments later, the anxious Baroness Ruby Glowshroom had people bring a large batch of the castle’s stored magic power potions.

Upon seeing the unconscious Peat Dragon, she immediately turned pale with shock, “What happened to Lord Howard, what on earth happened?”

The knights were silent, none knowing what had transpired.

“Where is Davis, where is your lord?” Ruby shouted, but the knights only shook their heads; they hadn’t seen Baron Davis.

Ruby was completely panicked, “How could this happen, Davis, Davis, where have you gone!”

No one answered.

Ruby’s eyes watered, “Before you left I told you to be careful hunting the Snow Demon, you’re always so impatient…”

“Madam,” the castle’s Knight Commander stepped forward to report, “Lord Howard is critically injured, his life hanging by a thread. Let’s treat him first, and once Lord Howard wakes up, you can inquire about the lord’s whereabouts.”

“Yes, yes, yes,” Ruby, no longer having any ideas, responded, “Quick, treat Lord Howard!”

…

Nightfall, Red Castle.

Count Merlin, Chosen Son Mel, and Knight Russell dined in the isolated castle’s dining room, casually chatting about trivial matters.

About the Snow Giant Dako Territory and Knight Russell’s ascension as Dragon Domain Lord, Count Merlin had yet to convene the Council of Elders to discuss. He was also uncertain about how to promote this affair and whether to cancel the Demon Subduing Order.

Glancing at Mel and especially pausing for several seconds on Russell, Count Merlin cut a piece of steak and put it in his mouth.

After chewing and swallowing, he wiped his mouth with a napkin before sighing, “The youth of the Grand Duchy have grown up… I am also getting old.”

This year is Dragon Calendar year 5583, and Count Merlin is already seventy-four years old.

“Grandfather, you’re not old at all. You still have to live until one hundred ninety-five,” Mel hurriedly replied. “The Council of Elders also relies on you to sustain it. The Grand Duchy’s difficulties also need you to lead everyone out of them. You probably can’t retire yet.”

“Yes, Grandpa, you’re old but vigorous,” Russell followed up.

Count Merlin chuckled, “Indeed, this old man still has at least ten more years to invigorate before feeling at ease handing over the state affairs to you young people. The situation is tough; only if I pave the way can you young people take over smoothly.”

Mel nodded repeatedly.

Russell, however, couldn’t help but twitch the corner of his mouth. His grandfather, indeed as rumored, was particularly fond of power. If it hadn’t been for Grand Duke Kunstan spreading false rumors last time, he’d likely be unwilling to dissolve the Council of Elders so soon.

Now that he was back in charge of the Council of Elders, he was preparing to work hard for another ten years.

From his perspective, it seemed he couldn’t decide on the right Grand Duke candidate before ten years—thinking the young ones weren’t up to the task.

Moreover, Mel had mentioned before that Count Merlin was planning to retire soon and even pass on the Manganese Steel Dragon. But now, it seemed Mel might have to wait another ten years. As long as Count Merlin didn’t step down, he’d need the identity of a Dragon Knight every day.

Russell didn’t dwell on this, after all, he wasn’t the chosen son.

He inquired, “Grandpa, during your term, will the serf trade continue? My domain has just been opened, and there aren’t enough people to till the land.”

Mentioning this, Mel bitterly said, “Russell, you now have two Warm Enclaves!”

“Yes,” Russell smiled.

Mel continued bitterly, “If I had known, I’d have also strolled around the Snowfield a few times. Maybe I’d have lucked out and found a Bipedal Flying Dragon.”

Russell feigned arrogance, “Who can say otherwise.”

Mel immediately became irked, “I truly can’t stand staying in Red Castle any longer, endlessly needing to deal with social engagements, even squeezing out time at night for training… My Bipedal Flying Dragon, still waiting for me on the Snowfield!”

Glancing at Russell, he continued vexedly, “And Mola and I, we might even live and die together, and ascend to be lords of the Dragon Domain!”

His phantom beast was Mola the Iron Winged Grey Crane.

At this moment, Count Merlin glanced at his grandson, “What about it, Mel, have you also been looked at with interest by the Shadowflame Dragon?”

“Uh,” Mel paused, then chuckled awkwardly, “Grandfather, rest assured, I will eventually earn the direct attention of His Highness Shadowflame!”

Now the blessing “Dragon’s Gaze” has broadened its meaning to “being directly looked at by a Dragon.” After all, the last knight, Russell, to be looked at with open eyes by a dragon had already become the future Baron of the Grand Duchy.

“Don’t aim too high and miss out on realities; only by doing practical deeds can you gain everyone’s approval,” Count Merlin advised.

“Yes, Grandfather,” Mel said earnestly.

However, under the table, he subtly flipped Russell the middle finger.

Shortly after the meal ended, Mel and Russell continued to accompany Count Merlin to the study for some red wine and cigars.

Lighting a Frost Snow Cigar, Count Merlin took a deep puff and then exhaled a cloud of smoke, “Russell, what reward do you desire?”

“What?”

“Being promoted to lord of the Dragon Domain, establishing a new Warm Enclave, has undoubtedly expanded the territory for the Grand Duchy of Shadowflame and infused new strength into the Shadowflame Dragon,” explained Count Merlin. “The Council of Elders must certainly acknowledge your contributions.”

The Bipedal Flying Dragons draw upon the energy of the Shadowflame Dragon to exist. Thus, merely expanding territories with a Bipedal Flying Dragon doesn’t enhance the Shadowflame Dragon’s strength.

Only the prosperity of a Warm Enclave can reciprocate strength back to the Shadowflame Dragon.

If the Shadowflame Dragon is willing to bleed, it might even foster a few more Bipedal Flying Dragons, but that wouldn’t be significantly meaningful.

However, being a lord of the Dragon Domain is different.

A knight and his Pseudo-Dragon themselves break through life-and-death challenges, thus gaining immense power and establishing a Warm Enclave. This undoubtedly supplies additional energy to the Shadowflame Dragon, significantly nourishing it, so the reward will certainly be substantial.

“Reward…” Russell pondered.