Evil dragon has a warm heart
Chapter 457 - 457 456 Dont Take the Dragons Words Seriously

Chapter 457: Chapter 456 Don’t Take the Dragon’s Words Seriously Chapter 457: Chapter 456 Don’t Take the Dragon’s Words Seriously Dragons could live between three and five thousand years, theoretically spanning an entire human civilization’s Warm Age.

But in reality, there were no such long-lived dragons on Dragon Sleep Continent.

Since the establishment of the Holy Glint Empire, dragons had become prey to Snow Giants, with the vast majority ultimately falling on the Snowfields. And as the dragons fell, human dynasties also continually rose and declined.

Some of these dragons were hunted, while others sought death of their own volition.

The reason was simple: once dragons reached a certain age, they sought the elusive hope of returning to ancient times. But few succeeded; the majority ultimately perished on the journey back, maybe only those lost dragons mentioned in “Song of the Volcano” succeeded.

Becoming peculiar dragons born for vengeance, immortal and eternally existent.

Anyway.

Dragons were the longest-lived creatures on Dragon Sleep Continent, and Dragon Knights blessed with Dragonflame normally lived over a hundred years with no trouble, a lucky few to over two hundred, but there were no records of Dragon Knights living over three hundred years.

King Ares was only in his sixties this year, another hundred years of life should not be a problem.

So, for those present at the banquet, after a few decades, they should all decay, while it is very possible that King Ares would still be healthy.

Therefore, this period of time, as Earl Merlin said, is indeed just a small piece of the past.

“Gentlemen, to our victory!” After everyone had made their toasts, King Ares lifted his goblet, “May the friendship between our two nations last, banding together for warmth to collectively resist the Snow Demon.”

The nobles of Shadowflame Duchy, one by one, raised their goblets and stood up, echoing together, “Between our two nations, friendship endures, banding together for warmth, to collectively resist the Snow Demon!”

The welcoming banquet ended in such a harmonious atmosphere.

King Ares chose not to rest for a moment, but rather met with Russell in a side hall: “In Arno’s letters, I often come across your name, in the more than twenty years since Quentin III, only you can be considered a genius.”

“Your Majesty flatters me,” Russell responded.

“You need not be modest; young people should have the vigor and bursting ambition of youth,” King Ares admired Russell.

Russell managed a slight smile, keeping a high level of vigilance in his heart.

The seemingly mediocre middle-aged man before him was one of the few Dragon Knights standing at the highest point of Dragon Sleep Continent.

Each word may carry a deeper meaning; he had to be fully alert.

“I have written you a letter before, and the promise I made to you in that letter still stands, staying in Shadowflame Duchy is beneath your talents,” King Ares looked at Russell and spoke indifferently, “Should you have been born a prince, your future might be unpredictable, which is a pity since you are not one.”

“Your Majesty, I was born and raised here, and I am already Baron Thunderflame of Shadowflame Duchy, duly loyal to Red Castle.”

“Let it be, no more of that,” waving his hand, King Ares did not continue with attempts to recruit, some things were better said once, saying too much might detract from one’s dignity, “I heard that Willem has become your student, is that right?”

“Yes”, Russell nodded.

“Since Wester Kinari perished in battle, the kingdom might have not seen the rise of a Dragon Domain Lord for a long time”, King Ares said with some emotion, “In earlier years, I also aspired to become a Dragon Domain Lord, but alas, despite decades of warfare, I never encountered a life-threatening crisis.”

His words bordered on being boastful.

Let alone whether a Dragon Knight could encounter a life-threatening crisis, even if one really did, allowing a Phantom Beast to successfully become a Pseudo-Dragon, it wouldn’t change the grand scheme of things.

“Your Majesty is powerful, there should be no dangers on Dragon Sleep Continent that could pose a threat to you”, Russell said, then chuckled, “It seems that becoming a strong figure too early can also bring about some unnecessary troubles.”

“Haha,” laughed King Ares, “You too are a powerful figure, so what troubles you?”

“My trouble is that I am not strong enough.”

“Interesting!”

The two talked idly for a while, the conversation mainly driven by King Ares, with Russell simply playing the supportive role.

A quarter of an hour later, King Ares lost interest in the conversation, “Work hard, young man. I have high hopes for you.”

“Thank you for your kind words, Your Majesty,” Russell said, bowing as he took his leave.

Once Russell had left, King Ares summoned Princess Anxia, “I have met with Russell.”

“Father, what do you think of Russell?” Princess Anxia asked eagerly.

“He’s a decent young man, but that’s just it,” King Ares mused, recalling his brief encounter with Russell, “lacking the aura of a strong individual, and the vibrant vitality inherent to the young.”

“You don’t approve of him?”

“Approval is not what matters. In my lifetime, I’ve seen countless people. Some you can read like a book from the first sight, others often surprise you. Which one Russell belongs to, who can say for certain?” King Ares shook his head.

After so many experiences, he had long grown indifferent to life’s outcomes.

He wanted to join forces with Quentin III Shadowflame against the threat of the Frost Titan, but Quentin III was stealthily killed by the Snow Giant Da; he hoped to groom Kunstan to be the Grand Duke and control the Shadowflame Duchy, yet Kunstan perished on the battlefield.

Misjudgments and frustrations were too numerous to count.

So he was indifferent to what the future held for Russell, simply stating, “Kunlaya is still young, there’s no need to rush her marriage. While Russell is not bad, there are many capable individuals within the kingdom to choose from.”

“But, Father, the Shadowflame Dragon approves of him!” Princess Anxia couldn’t help blurting out what the Shadowflame Dragon thought of Russell.

The Shadowflame Dragon had clearly told Princess Anxia that it rather liked Russell, the young fellow.

“Is that so?” King Ares narrowed his eyes, “That suggests Russell indeed has a fair chance of becoming a knight of the Shadowflame Dragon… However, we shouldn’t take a dragon’s word too seriously. Let’s just wait and see how things unfold.”

“Even the words of a dragon… should not be taken seriously?” Princess Anxia was somewhat confused.

King Ares replied casually, “Humans can lie, boast, and break oaths. What makes you think dragons can’t? Faced with a better option, even a dragon betraying its master is possible. You should never try to bind a dragon with morals.”

“Ah?”

“As a child, you loved reading. Haven’t you read ‘Song of the Volcano’? The forsaken dragon betrayed its own country just to merge with Sigruft.”

“But that’s just a…”

“It’s just an example to dispel your biases,” King Ares looked at his daughter, still as foolish… naive as when she was younger, and heaved a heavy sigh, “Dragons create all possibilities, and even I, this dragon knight, am still exploring the future.”

He tempered Princess Anxia’s naive expectations.

King Ares prepared to leave, “It’s time for a serious discussion about the future between our two nations with Merlin and the others.”

…

Afternoon.

At Red Castle’s outer fortress, in the Elders’ Hall.

Chief Executive Earl Merlin gave up his usual seat at the helm and sat to the left of the chair, with Regent Lady Princess Anxia sitting to the right.

King Ares Sundazzle of the Scorching Torrent Kingdom took the primary seat.

Marquis Arno, Chief Justice Earl Osclo, Foreign Minister Baron Quimby… All the key members of the Council of Elders were present, and the three candidates for election were also seated, officially commencing the political discussions between the two countries.

Though Russell was a noble of high status, he was neither a key member of the Council of Elders nor a candidate for election, so he did not yet qualify to attend the meeting.