Evil dragon has a warm heart
Chapter 459 - 459 458 Another Year of the Dragon Birth

Chapter 459: Chapter 458: Another Year of the Dragon Birth Festival Chapter 459: Chapter 458: Another Year of the Dragon Birth Festival King Ares came hurriedly and left just as swiftly, spending only a day and a night in the Shadowflame Grand Duchy.

“Hmm!”

“Roar!”

The Fiery Dragon, billowing with thick smoke, and the Torrential Flood Dragon, shimmering with the blue light of seawater, let out earth-shaking dragon roars.

They set off together, returning to the Scorching Torrent Kingdom.

Once the Shadowflame Grand Duchy completed the construction of the Blazing Spire, King Ares would return riding the Fiery Dragon to activate it.

At that time, Russell would also follow the Shadowflame Dragon to the Scorching Torrent Kingdom to activate the Shadowflame Spire.

From then on, the three great dragons between the two nations would unite as one, ever ready to defend against the invasion of Frost Giants and Snow Giants.

“Baron Youguang, Baron Thunderflame, the Regent Lady invites you to dine in the Inner Fort.” A knight from the Inner Fort came with the message.

“Very well, my son and I will be there shortly,” Baron Roman replied.

After the knight left, he jokingly said to Russell, “I’m basking in your glory. Princess Anxia rarely entertains male nobility. Your mother dined with Princess Anxia a few times, but that was a long time ago.”

In recent years, the widowed Princess Anxia had always kept a low profile, only hosting major feasts for noble ladies on significant holidays.

“I am surprised and honored by Princess Anxia’s gracious invitation,” Russell said.

“Who knows, I might end up being family with Princess Anxia.”

“Father, you jest,” Russell shook his head, “Princess Kunlaya is still a child; I’ve never thought about marrying her.”

“There will come a day when she grows up, won’t there,” Baron Roman remarked sentimentally, “In my eyes, you were a child just yesterday, and suddenly, today, you’ve become a grown man… Time, that thing, always slips away so easily.”

“It means that father is living happily. Happy people always feel like time flies by too quickly, while the unhappy ones feel every second is an agony.”

“You sure have a knack for reflection, my boy.”

The father and son chatted casually as they walked, quickly arriving at the Inner Fort. Guided by the fort’s guards, they reached the grand dining hall.

Princess Anxia and Princess Kunlaya were already waiting there.

“Greetings to the Regent Lady and the young princess,” Baron Roman bowed in salutation and then they all took their respective seats.

It was a family banquet in form.

The conversation was limited to the trivial matters among the nobility, such as how Lady Meryl was feeling, how the harvest on the estate was, how far along the Black Fire Plains had been reclaimed, or whether Rolado had grown up and had any intentions of marital alliance.

Russell was a taciturn character.

However, Baron Roman turned out to be quite the conversationalist, skillfully engaging everyone at the banquet, even telling a joke or two that made young Princess Kunlaya laugh.

“Indeed… My brother was so eloquent for a reason; it’s all inherited!” Russell reflected to himself.

The family banquet concluded amidst laughter.

At the end, Princess Anxia finally revealed the purpose of the meal: “Russell, Kunlaya has recently been practicing combat qi diligently, but she lacks a master teacher. Thus, I was hoping she could become your apprentice and learn from you, a renowned talent known in both our kingdoms.”

“I dare not presume to be a teacher, but if Kunlaya has any doubts during her training, she’s more than welcome to consult me,” Russell replied.

Princess Anxia smiled and said, “One student is teaching, two is the same. I shall have someone bring the tuition.”

“Then I will accept Kunlaya as my student,” Russell no longer demurred, “However, since I do not reside in Red Castle, there may not be much time for teaching; let’s forget the tuition. Even with my other student, Willem, I only accepted a symbolic fee.”

Regarding Weilim Ginnari, Russell barely taught him at all; instead, he had Willem train with other Great Knights and Phantom Beast Knights.

Although Russell was a genius Flying Dragon Knight and lord of the Dragon Domain, his teaching methods might not necessarily be superior to others.

The only advantage he had was his experience in being promoted to a Dragon Domain Lord.

“Tuition still needs to be paid, a single piece of advice from you is something countless knights out there couldn’t beg for, it’s Kunlaya’s fortune to be your student,” Princess Anxia looked at Russell, more and more satisfied with each glance—good looks, excellent temperament, and most importantly, even Shadowflame Dragons liked him!

Soon, the palace servants brought over the tuition.

A bag of Gold Coins.

Then, Princess Kunlaya herself held it out to Russell and crisply called out, “Teacher!”

…

Accepting Princess Kunlaya as a student didn’t actually require Russell’s personal guidance—there were enough court knights in Red Castle who could instruct Kunlaya.

This was more like a political signal or a means of drawing closer.

“You, the number one person of Shadowflame, are now more popular than me,” Baron Roman remarked wistfully on the way back to his domain.

Once he too had aspirations of leading the way at Red Castle, but unfortunately, not two months had passed as finance minister before he was stripped of his position. Now, with three years of hard battle service still not over, Russell had suddenly risen, becoming a leading figure of his generation.

When it comes to the Fluorescent Fungi Family, most people think of Russell.

Not him, the actual head of the Fluorescent Fungi Family.

One could say his era hadn’t even begun before it was already over. Now in the Shadowflame Grand Duchy, once Earl Merlin steps down, no matter which candidate son rises to the stage, Russell will be the pillar of this era.

“Father, there’s no need to be disheartened,” Russell said with a smile from atop the Black Oil Dragon Rossay, “In the future, you will certainly have ample opportunity to flourish.”

Baron Roman shook his head: “I’m old now, the future is for you young ones to shine.”

Russell just smiled, saying no more.

Swift as the wind, father and son quickly returned to Glowing Valley. After agreeing to come to Fluorescent Castle for the Dragon Birth Festival, Russell flew straight back to Wuyao Snake Manor.

“Hape, Uroboros, I’m back!” Russell descended from the sky, while the Black Oil Dragon Rossay continued flying east to rest in the Black Fire Plains.

“Gua!” Harpy Dragon Hape responded cheerfully.

The Ouroboros Snake also slithered out of its tree hole, flicking its tongue at Russell—it was unable to make any sound.

At this moment.

Head Maid Leona approached: “Master, welcome home.”

“Hmm, why is it you coming to greet me, where is Morris?”

“Master, have you forgotten? Mr. Morris went to Cigar Courtyard with the male servants. The renovation there is almost complete, and Mr. Morris hopes the servants can familiarize themselves with the future work environment as soon as possible. Also, there is to be a Dragon Birth Festival feast held at Cigar Courtyard.”

“Hmm, now I remember,” Russell nodded.

The progress of developing the Black Fire Plains was promising, and since Russell had also knighted two lords, it was definite they’d have a feast with his followers during the Dragon Birth Festival to celebrate the birth of the Shadowflame Dragon.

Hence, Butler Morris had given him advance notice to prepare for Cigar Courtyard.

“Master, Mrs. Moore has also taken the kitchen maids to Cigar Courtyard, with only Mrs. Brown staying behind. Do you need Mrs. Brown to prepare dinner for you?” Leona asked.

“That would be fine,” Russell nodded, “but I want dumplings for dinner, with chive, egg, and glass noodle filling, accompanied by just three or five side dishes.”

“Alright, Master, I’ll notify the kitchen right away.”

“Also, Leona,” Russell suddenly said, “There are many servants at Cigar Castle, and they need a housekeeper. I’m planning to recommend you to Morris, so you should prepare.”

“Ah,” Leona exclaimed, “Master, I’m too young, how could I possibly take on the role of a housekeeper?”

“Why not?” Russell smiled, “I’ve kept an eye on your work at the Cigar Courtyard, and I believe you can definitely handle the position of housekeeper.”