Evil dragon has a warm heart
Chapter 396 - 396 395 Heartwarming

Chapter 396: Chapter 395: Heartwarming Chapter 396: Chapter 395: Heartwarming Russell had left, carrying with him the newly signed cigar trade treaty, as he stylishly departed from the somewhat damaged Evernight Castle.

“He who understands the times is a true hero,”

Marquis Arno looked at the cracks on the wall and consoled himself, “The strength displayed by Russell, aside from the Dragon Knight, none can achieve… the remaining twenty percent profit, I’m not at a loss either.”

He held the power over the trade between two countries, the portion of profit from the cigar trade wasn’t essential for him; even without it, he could still make a fortune.

“However…”

The gaze of Marquis Arno shifted from the cracks on the castle walls, he squinted his eyes, “The rise of this young man bears unpredictable fortune and disaster, I must write to His Majesty quickly… If the Shadowflame Dragon really abandons the Shadowflame Family and chooses this young man…”

With that thought,

Marquis Arno quickly returned to his study, and then he started writing a letter.

“Respected my king, Lord of Scorching and Torrent Territories…” Marquis Arno wrote down everything about Russell’s promotion, not omitting any details, even including the cigar trade negotiations.

However, he skipped over the profit sharing, merely mentioning in passing that the two were collaborating in selling the Rain Dragon Cigars.

Finally,

he described in detail the power of Russell’s single sword strike.

“At that moment, I truly felt that with just one sword strike, even if I merged with the Bipedal Flying Dragon, I would still be slain by Russell. Although this strength is not one ten-thousandth of Yours, my king, I believe that no second person in the kingdom possesses this power.”

He paused for a moment,

Marquis Arno thought for a while and continued to write, “The affairs of Shadowflame Grand Duchy might undergo unexpected changes due to Russell’s presence, I hope my king will be fully informed—Your servant, a devoted younger brother in service, Arno Sunfire.”

After finishing the letter, he instructed a trusted servant to hand it over to the Phantom Pigeon Knight, to be sent back to the kingdom immediately.

Marquis Arno then collapsed into a chair, limply extending his hands in front of him, closely examining his pale hands.

Though he wasn’t young, his hands showed not a trace of roughness, nourished at every moment by the Dragon Breath.

Unfortunately,

He could see from these hands that his strength was waning, “I… have been lying in the arms of luxury for too long.”

Recalling the scene where he was terrified by Russell’s thunderous swordsmanship, he was even more ashamed.

“In my younger years, I once fought bitterly against Riding Blue Skin in the Snowfield… How is it that now I am scared by a mere junior?” Reason told Marquis Arno that he ought to rouse himself and reclaim his past glory.

But his emotions and desires whispered secretly in his ear, “No, you don’t want to.””

Indeed.

Marquis Arno felt that he had lost the knight’s spirit of ambition; at this moment, all he wanted was to continue hiding in Evernight Castle, indulging in reckless enjoyment.

“Life, oh life, scarcely a hundred years, and I have already passed more than half, with grandchildren already born… Why trouble myself further?” He shook his head and chuckled bitterly, muttering to himself in self-mockery, “Even a peasant knows to enjoy time with his grandchildren; I, Arno, have toiled all my life, what’s wrong with enjoying some pleasures!”

Thus, he called for the butler.

“Sir,”

“What is the extent of damage to the castle, it doesn’t affect normal use, does it?”

“The craftsmen have inspected it once, some parts of the walls are somewhat loose, but it doesn’t affect the structural integrity of the castle. A slight repair and reinforcement with magic materials will restore it to its previous state,” the butler replied.

“Good, then have the craftsmen do the repairs,” Marquis Arno said with a sweep of his hand, “Announce that tomorrow’s banquet, dance, and salon will continue as scheduled, without interruption!”

“Yes, sir.”

…

“That sword strike of yours truly shocked the city,” Uncle Mejie said as he sipped his beer, full of emotion.

Russell had dinner in Mel’s independent small castle.

Not only was Chosen Son Mel present, but Uncle Mejie and his wife were there too, as was Grandfather Count Merlin, and even the aunt’s family was there.

With the family gathered, Uncle Mejie was very pleased.

He himself was just an ordinary Phantom Beast Knight, with no hope of becoming a dragon rider or reaching the second transformation, thus he all the more admired Russell’s achievements. Or rather, aside from a Dragon Knight, there was no knight who did not envy Russell’s accomplishments.

Flying Dragon Knight, Lord of the Dragon Domain.

This is the ceiling of dreams that most knights can hope for.

“It’s chiefly because Marquis Arno still refuses to accept reality, so I had to show a little of my skills,” Russell said with a smile.

Count Merlin stroked his beard. “Arno is a man who changes too quickly. I met him when I was young. Back then, he was a spirited Flying Dragon Knight. Who would have thought that in just over a year, he would become a foolish man living in a drunken stupor?”

“Everyone has their own aspirations. Perhaps Marquis Arno, having toiled for half his life, just wants to enjoy himself,” Russell said.

Count Merlin rebuked, “Such thinking is unacceptable for you, young man. We knights, having consumed so much of the nation’s and territory’s resources, must not indulge in pleasure. Dying in the snowfield, having our bodies consumed by fire, that is the ultimate fate of knights.”

Shaking the ash from his Frost Snow Cigar, Count Merlin squinted and said, “Just like this cigar, burning until the last moment.”

Russell’s rise was meteoric.

Cigars had become synonymous with knights; smoking cigars had become the fashion for every knight in the entire Shadowflame Grand Duchy.

Even following the trade routes of cigars, it started to form a similar fashion in the Scorching Torrent Kingdom.

“Father, have a drink,” Uncle Mejie, raising his wine glass, then turned to look at Saisiluo, who was sitting silently at the dining table eating, “Saisiluo, you toast to father too.”

Saisiluo was Russell’s uncle by marriage.

Russell’s Baron promotion ceremony, naturally, required the presence of all relatives, so his aunt’s family also came to Red Castle for the event.

Hearing Uncle Mejie’s call, Saisiluo immediately picked up his wine glass uneasily and looked at Count Merlin, “Father-in-law, Saisiluo toasts to you.”

Count Merlin’s wine glass paused mid-air.

Aunt Melinda looked expressionlessly at her husband, while stealthily glancing at Count Merlin. Her cousin Saither, her cousin-in-law Nella, and her cousin Saither Wei all dared not even breathe a bit loudly; another cousin simply lowered her head.

They were all terrified of the potentially embarrassing moment.

Being grandchildren to Count Merlin, their life circle until then had been limited to that rural estate.

Fortunately, Count Merlin merely paused for a moment before carelessly sipping from his wine glass, which he seemed to accept as Saisiluo’s toast.

Aunt Melinda looked deeply at Count Merlin, saying nothing. Her cousin Saither, cousin-in-law Nella, and cousin Saither Wei all breathed a sigh of relief, and even felt a spontaneous surge of joy inside.

If Count Merlin’s attitude softened, then Saisiluo could become a true son-in-law to Count Flo Pot.

Their family’s life would undergo a tremendous change as well.

Seeing this, Russell smiled and lifted his wine glass, “Uncle, uncle-in-law, I toast to you.”

Uncle Mejie laughed heartily, “Good, a toast from the Lord of the Dragon Domain, that’s a privilege not everyone enjoys.”

Saisiluo, his uncle-in-law, was somewhat overwhelmed, “Good, good.”

Not knowing what else to say, he merely lifted his head and downed the red wine in one gulp, then gratefully looked at Russell.

Had it not been for Russell’s invitation, their family would have had to continue nesting in the rural estate, without finding an opportunity to reconcile with Count Merlin—Tributary River Mouth being so vast, even another baron or two could easily be accommodated; how could Saisiluo not be moved?

After a few drinks, the atmosphere eased.

Especially after Aunt Melinda, who had been arrogant for many years, took the initiative to toast Count Merlin, the atmosphere became completely harmonious.

Count Merlin looked at Aunt Melinda’s family with a smile unlike his usual icy expression.

Especially touched by the greetings from Saither’s young children, four-year-old Saiken and two-year-old Saihan, who wobbled over with their juice glasses, crisply calling out, “Great-grandfather,” he, like a typical old man, lifted his glass and bent down to clink glasses with the two little ones.

The scene was somewhat heartwarming.

However, Russell could feel that not everyone present was happy to see this scene.

At least Lady Kuna, his great-aunt, merely offered a faint smile.

She had previously looked down on Lady Meryl, who was married to Mr. Luo Man, so how could she look highly upon Aunt Melinda?

Of course.

Now, Lady Kuna’s superficial smile for Aunt Melinda’s family remained, but for Lady Meryl and Russell, her enthusiasm was overwhelming; this was a strong boost for her son in securing his position as Grand Duke.

“Russell, your great-aunt also toasts to Baron Thunderflame of our Shadowflame Grand Duchy,” Lady Kuna said with a smile, raising her glass.