Evil dragon has a warm heart
Chapter 448 - 448 447 Quite Good

Chapter 448: Chapter 447 Quite Good Chapter 448: Chapter 447 Quite Good Russell’s Grand Scholar title arrived in December of Dragon Calendar year 5583, one of the lifetime noble titles.

It ranked just below Baron, but higher than Knight.

And the award from Red Castle to Russell was still serfs.

Of course, this time only ten thousand serfs were awarded to Russell—Regent Lady Princess Anxia was generous with others’ generosity, for under Red Castle’s rule, people could be given away at will, and with a new Grand Duke ascending the throne, she was stepping down anyway, so there was no need to be stingy.

The serfs can’t come to Blackflame Plains for the time being and will first be sent off to settle in You Guang Ji.

“With the two rounds of serf rewards before and after, adding on the serfs you’ve been steadily purchasing, Russell, your population is about to break through the hundred thousand mark!” Roland said enviously at the celebration banquet at Fluorescent Castle.

He would still be the one to receive the serfs this time.

Luckily, the little castle in You Guang Ji had been built, and Roland, living there, would not be slighted.

After the Dragon Birth Festival, his elder sister Gwyn would also go there, nominally to take care of Roland’s daily life, but in reality, to monitor Roland and prevent him from causing trouble outside.

“One hundred thousand serfs, barely enough to develop Blackflame Plains, but there will still be a huge shortage once Thunderflame Territory takes shape,” Russell said.

Baron Roman added, “It’s already much better than expected. Only with your exceptional talent and your grandfather in power at Red Castle could you have received the award of serfs. Otherwise, we could only slowly buy and sell serfs from Volcanic Oasis.”

Lady Ingrid nodded and said in full agreement, “When your great-grandfather started to open up Glowing Valley, the initial population was only two thousand people…”

The old lady rambled on about the hard days of the past: “During the time when your grandfather took over, Mr. Ross spent all the money he made from the clay mines on buying serfs, so much so that Fluorescent Castle was built on and off, and it took more than twenty years to finish.”

She glanced at her son and daughter-in-law.

The old lady continued, “You haven’t lived through the hard times. Back then, your grandfather and I would dream of fixing the castle gate so that others wouldn’t ridicule us for it, but we couldn’t afford it, so the gate could only be fenced up with a railing.”

“Mother, isn’t life getting better and better now?” Mrs. Roby chuckled.

“Yes,” Lady Ingrid praised, “now Little Ghost Fire is promising, and Cigar Castle will be built in no time.”

“It’s thanks to the family’s help,” Russell said with a smile.

Lady Meryl, full of pride, said, “The family is your strong backing. You win glory for the family, and the family consolidates the foundation for you. A hundred years from now, Glowing Valley and Blackflame Plains will still be tightly connected.”

“And Leize too,” his sister Lola interjected.

Cousin Diana added, “It should be said Thunderflame Territory, Blackflame Plains and Leize will merge into a new Warm Enclave.”

The two young girls’ words piqued the adults’ interest.

Baron Roman asked, “Your territory is called Thunder Fire Territory, so what should mine be called? Still Glowing Valley?”

“Isn’t the name good?” Lady Ingrid asked, “Your great-grandfather personally named it, and it’s very fitting.”

Lady Meryl smiled slightly, “Here can continue to be called Glowing Valley, but after it connects to Snowfield, it can have a new name. Roman, as a Baron, it should be for you to name the new territory.”

“Yes, Father, think of a new name!” Roland said excitedly as well.

The three Warm Enclaves merged, and Ros the Clay Dragon’s power also spread, expanding into the Snowfield by more than double.

The new territory of the Fluorescent Fungi Family was at least six thousand square kilometers.

“How about Glowing Mountains and Rivers?” Aunt Roby rushed to say, “Glowing River, Curved Blade Mountain, Sharp Knife Mountain, the territory has both mountains and rivers.”

Lady Meryl’s tone was gentle, but her attitude was firm, “Let Roman come up with it himself.”

Lady Ingrid chuckled, “Between siblings, helping each other out is a sign of family harmony.”

“Yes, that’s why Roman and Russell are always willing to help others, aren’t they?” Lady Meryl said with a slight smile, “But sometimes help isn’t accepted even when offered, and one must make their own decisions, so I teach Roland and Russell to respect others.”

Mrs. Roby’s complexion changed slightly.

Just as she was about to say something, she felt a kick under the table from Lady Ingrid. She turned to look at Lady Ingrid.

And saw Lady Ingrid, still smiling unchanged, say, “Indeed, Meryl, you really are the best at educating children.”

Lady Meryl responded with a smile, “It’s the children who are spirited. As their mother, I’m just quietly supporting them from behind. Whatever they want to do, I never stop them just because of my own likes and dislikes.”

As she spoke, she glanced at Mrs. Roby, then turned to Diana, and said softly, “How come there’s no Qi and Blood Ointment? Diana is in the midst of arduous Qi cultivation, and she needs to keep up with magic-powered ingredients… Carter, have the kitchen prepare a serving of Qi and Blood Ointment for Diana.”

“As you wish, my lady,” Carter, the old butler, turned to notify the kitchen.

Seeing this, Mrs. Roby’s hand trembled slightly holding her utensils—Lady Meryl wouldn’t stop her children from striving for what they wanted, which meant only she, Roby, was the one stopping her daughter from inheriting the baronetcy.

This was a thorn in her heart.

At the funeral, she had indeed maintained the dignity of a baroness and had given her deceased husband, Davis Golden Cap, the greatest respect in death.

But in the nights and days that followed, she had her regrets.

Clearly, with the strong backing of her brother and nephew, she could have claimed the inheritance for Diana, so why did she shrink back, just to maintain hers and her late husband’s dignity, both in life and in death, only to return to her family home in dejection?

Her actions of high moral standing, indeed, became a delightful tale in the Shadowflame Duchy.

Perhaps that’s what she wanted.

But who ever cared about Diana’s feelings? She clearly had the chance to become the heir to the Baron, even if it was just to let her future son inherit the title. So what if the Peat Dragon didn’t recognize it? With Russell’s support, no one would dare to make a move.

Lady Meryl’s few words had hit Mrs. Roby hard.

Lady Ingrid had no choice but to turn a blind eye, knowing that in this family, one’s status was based on one’s children. Ever since Russell was ennobled as Baron, Lady Meryl had become impervious, as good as gold. Behind-the-scenes whispering with Roby was one thing, but facing her directly was another matter entirely, something they dared not do.

The battle of wits between the women, veiled in smiles and conversation, had been going on for some time.

Roland was busy chatting with his wife, Gwyn, Russell was focused on the food before him, and Uncle Roson and Aunt Clara were all ears.

Baron Roman, with single-minded focus, pondered the name of his domain, then suddenly shouted, “Got it! The new domain will be called Glowing Territory, retaining the name Grandfather once gave to Glowing Valley and encompassing the new lands!”

Upon the name’s suggestion.

The ladies quickly ended their silent battle.

Lady Ingrid nodded in approval, “Although it’s not much of a change, the lack of change is the greatest change. It’s really fitting.”

“Oh, my dear, you really have a knack for naming!” Lady Meryl teased.

“That’s good, Big Brother, as long as you’re happy,” said Mrs. Roby, still not quite recovered from the previous blow, somewhat absent-mindedly.

Aunt Clara commented, “It does sound nice.”

With the ladies’ approval, Baron Roman, feeling proud, asked, “What do you think, Roson, Roland, and Russell?”

Russell glanced at his big brother and uncle, Roland looked at his younger brother and uncle, and Roson looked at his two nephews.

Then the three of them said in unison, “Quite good.”