Evil dragon has a warm heart
Chapter 468 - 468 467 The Butler

Chapter 468: Chapter 467: The Butler Chapter 468: Chapter 467: The Butler Carrying the Sacred Ice Artifact, Russell returned to his own territory and placed the large metal stone on the Dragon Coiling Pillar, entrusting it to the Black Oil Dragon Ross for safekeeping.

“We’re about to build the Blazing Spire on the snowfield to the south of Glowing Valley. With the Torrent Scale Tower and the Blazing Spire guarding on either side, even if Shuang Da knows that I’ve obtained the Sacred Ice Artifact, he probably wouldn’t dare to steal it,” Russell mused.

Russell was in a good mood.

Previously, Shuang Da had invaded Leize three times, and each attempt had been thwarted with significant losses.

It was evident that the Frost Giants and Snow Giants were somewhat inept at exerting sufficient skill in the territory of dragons, left with no choice but to passively endure attacks.

“Besides, the Sacred Ice Artifact is just bait, tempting Shuang Da to stealthily come and deliver himself to us… The growth of Ice Cream and myself might just depend on him.” The M-shaped mark in his palm had gone quiet, a sign that the Little Dream Dragon was asleep again.

Stealing a middle finger from Shuang Da, which turned into a Frost Star that wasn’t very large, was nonetheless enough to let the Little Dream Dragon sleep for three to five days.

“Ross, keep a close watch on the large metal stone, and don’t you open it,” Russell instructed while standing on the Dragon Coiling Pillar.

Ross replied, “I understand, Father.”

“Good, I’ll have someone send a roasted cow to satisfy your cravings,” Russell said with a smile. Bipedal Flying Dragons don’t need to eat or drink, as the Power of the Earth provides them with all the magic power they need to survive, but Bipedal Flying Dragons do have a taste for delicacies.

Russell descended from the Dragon Coiling Pillar.

He glanced at his Cigar Castle. The main castle had already been built and occupied, while the other walls and towers were still under construction amidst the bustling efforts, despite the snow falling during the ice period and a large number of workers on site.

Roland had already completed the pioneering work, and now the successor was the acting governor of the Blackfire Province, Charles, who was overseeing the work.

As a trusted confidant of Russell, all of Charles’s policies were in implementation of Russell’s arrangements.

Currently, Blackfire Province had previously granted batches of serfs through the Red Castle rewards, including serfs who had migrated from Wuyao Snake Manor, continuous serf trade by the Fluorescent Fungi Family, and craftsmen supported by the Rainflower Family.

There were nearly a hundred thousand people.

Yet the pioneering had only continued for a year, and the land’s output was not nearly enough to sustain so many people, requiring the importation of food from outside areas.

Russell couldn’t possibly support so many people for nothing, thus he asked Charles to arrange some projects during the ice period, allowing the serfs of the territory to keep working, exchange work for food, and create a good order of production.

In the future, a batch of serfs could be converted into skilled workers.

“Master, welcome home,” Butler Morris had followed Russell and officially took charge of the domestic affairs of Cigar Castle.

The Cigar Courtyard at Wuyao Snake Manor was left with only two servants for upkeep.

Once the citizens and Cordyceps were all transferred here, Wuyao Snake Manor would officially be returned to the Fluorescent Fungi Family.

“Lunch as usual today,” Russell said offhandedly.

“As you wish,” Butler Morris followed Russell up the stairs, and continued, “Leona has officially started acting as the housekeeper, uh, Master, I have some concerns regarding the division of powers between the male and female housekeepers that I would like to report.”

Normally, the butler would bring a bottle of wine in the evening to the study and chat with the master about the castle’s trifles.

But since Russell was often not at home, this tradition had gradually faded.

So whatever Morris wanted to say, he had to seize the opportunity while Russell was home during the day, lest it be delayed for days.

“Hmm, go ahead,” Russell said.

“A butler can manage all the servants, but after appointing a female housekeeper, I will delegate the management of the maids to Leona. However, regarding the stewardship of the storeroom keys, castle personnel arrangements… in these areas, I think it would be inappropriate for Leona to interfere.”

After listening, Russell nodded his head.

He recommended Leona for the role of housekeeper merely because he was very satisfied with her previous work as head maid, not to split Morris’s authority as a butler.

Hence, for the stewardship of important rights like the storeroom and personnel, it was still more reassuring to entrust them to Morris: “Agreed.”

“Thank you, sir, for trusting me!” Butler Morris sighed with relief and then generously added, “I can hand over the management of the Spirit Room and the kitchen to Leona. Of course, the servants’ rest room is an exception.”

The servants’ rest room is where the servants spend most of their time, and as the butler, Morris definitely did not want to relinquish control over it.

Allowing Leona to manage the kitchen was already quite generous of Morris.

After Morris finished reporting, Russell immediately called Leona over and then clarified the scope of responsibilities for both parties in person.

“I hope you two butlers can cooperate and manage the Cigar Castle well,” Russell said with a smile.

Butler Morris bowed and said, “Please rest assured, sir. My only wish in life is to become a model butler like Carter.”

The old butler Carter from the Fluorescent Castle could be said to be the most trusted butler of the Fluorescent Fungi Family, having dedicated his life to them.

Leona also hastened to express, “Sir, Leona also wishes to be a model like Butler Carter, to stay at the Cigar Castle for life, assisting Mr. Morris in managing it well.”

Upon hearing this.

Russell was silent for a while and then said, “Morris, Leona, although I was born into a noble family, I am not a feudal and conservative lord. Therefore, I do not wish for you to become like Butler Carter.”

“Sir…”

“Let me finish,” Russell waved his hand and said, “Everyone has the right to pursue happiness, so I don’t mind if my butlers choose not to marry in order to serve the castle. On the contrary, I hope you both can find your own happiness.”

Leona said, “Sir, ever since I became a maid, I’ve never thought about getting married. I truly want to serve the castle my whole life.”

“After getting married, you can still serve the castle, as long as you do your duties well in your position as butler,” Russell said, then began to hurry them along, “Alright, I’ve conveyed my thoughts, the rest is up to you to consider.”

He was not a matchmaker.

He had no interest in matchmaking for others, he merely conveyed his attitude. As for what Morris and Leona would choose, that was no longer his concern.

Now, he just wanted to sleep.

To make up for the exhaustion of running back and forth last night. Despite his strong spiritual power allowing him to stay awake for three days and nights without any issue, adequate sleep was what kept a person in their best condition—perhaps that was why dragons lived so long through extended hibernation periods.

Meanwhile.

Butler Morris and Housekeeper Leona went downstairs together.

At the stairway corner, Butler Morris exclaimed, “Sir is always so merciful, to us servants, or the serfs of the manor. Praise the dragons, serving sir is my greatest wish in this life.”

“Yes, sir is not like those high and mighty nobles, yet he possesses more of a noble demeanor than any noble,” Leona added with admiration.

“That’s why,” Morris chuckled, “I will still serve the Cigar Castle for life like Butler Carter, not considering marriage now or in the future.”

Pausing, he looked at Leona, “And I am already old, but you are different, Leona. The words from sir were mainly directed at you. You are still young; sir surely hopes you would marry and lead a happy life… Sir is always kind-hearted.”

“Mr. Morris, does not marrying mean unhappiness? I don’t think so,” Leona replied with a smile. “Staying at the Cigar Castle, looking after sir, and future young masters and mistresses, that to me is happiness.”

“Hmm,” Morris spread his hands.

Leona then raised her eyebrows slightly, “Be careful, Mr. Morris, maybe one day the Cigar Castle will welcome its first female butler, not just housekeeper.”

“Are you challenging me?”

“Why not,” Leona said. “I have already seen clearly at the Cigar Courtyard how to be a great housekeeper.”

“But that is far from enough,” Morris shook the keys in his hand showing the authority of a butler, “There is still much for you to learn. If it weren’t for sir’s recommendation, you would even hardly qualify as a housekeeper.”

Then, putting away the keys, he stepped away, “And with me here, Leona, just focus on being a good housekeeper and don’t think too much.”

Leona clenched her fists, “Unless you become like Butler Carter, wait for me to take over!”