Evil dragon has a warm heart
Chapter 483 - 483 482 Count Thunderflame

Chapter 483: Chapter 482 Count Thunderflame Chapter 483: Chapter 482 Count Thunderflame “Honorable Elders, His Highness Shadowflame has commanded that Baron Thunderflame be richly rewarded, to commend Lord Russell for establishing a new Warm Enclave,”

Within the Elders’ Hall, the Volcanic Minister, Lord Welchi, conveyed the will of the Shadowflame Dragon.

The Chief Executive, Earl Merlin; the Chief Steward, Lord Kunbei; the Chief Justice, Earl Osclo; the Lord of the Treasury, Lord Gerard; the Lord Seal Minister, Lord Kunqiao; and the Foreign Minister, Baron Quimby, all displayed varying expressions upon hearing this.

The three Chosen Sons, Kunslai, August, and Mel, were also looking at each other, equally perplexed.

Everyone was caught off guard and completely unprepared for the news that Russell had opened up yet another Warm Enclave—and one created by a Pseudo-Dragon at that. This meant that Russell uniquely possessed two Pseudo-Dragon companions.

It was unbelievable.

Especially for Osclo and August, the father and son duo whose faces turned as ugly as if they had eaten something foul. Their Willow Clan, along with the Fluorescent Fungi Family backing Russell, had already become bitter enemies with unresolved grievances.

Even though the Willow Clan possessed three Bipedal Flying Dragons, imposing in their own right,

nobody had managed to successfully ride them, reducing the Flying Dragons to mere decoration. When Russell was first promoted to Dragon Domain Lord, he could severely wound a Three-headed Bipedal Flying Dragon with a single sword strike. Now that Russell had advanced to a 2nd-turn High Dragon Domain Lord, slaying Flying Dragons would be as easy as slicing vegetables.

Thus, the Willow Clan had almost no confidence in any form of retaliation.

This hatred could only be suppressed within their hearts.

Baron Quimby, of the Swan Clan, also deeply furrowed his brows. His grandson, Kunslai, stole a glance at him secretly.

The grandfather and grandson had indeed enjoyed a time of glory when the Torrential Flood Dragon arrived and had almost assuredly nailed down the position of the next Grand Duke. But now, with Russell’s rapid rise to power, everything had changed.

Particularly, the scenario where Russell rode beside the Shadowflame Dragon and was seen chatting and laughing easily with King Ares on their journey had already spread from the Scorching Torrent Kingdom.

Every sign indicated that even King Ares seemed to have acknowledged that Russell would become the next Shadowflame Dragon Knight.

How could this not unsettle Baron Quimby?

He had thought August was hopelessly clumsy and that his only competition was Merlin, Earl Merlin’s grandson. Unexpectedly, Russell, the despised second son of the Fluorescent Fungi Family, came out of nowhere. Even if it had been his older brother, Roland, it would have been easier for people to accept.

“The Dragon watches, the light protects!” shouted Lord Kunbei, “Lord Russell has once again established an extraordinary achievement for the Grand Duchy! Just as His Highness Shadowflame has said, he deserves substantial recognition. My lords, let us discuss how to reward him accordingly!”

“Indeed,” followed Lord Kunqiao immediately, “His Highness Shadowflame has already spoken, there is no need to further verify the matter, let’s discuss the rewards directly.”

“I second that,” nodded Lord Gerard.

Earl Merlin, calm as ever, smoked his Frost Snow Cigar. When it came to the achievements of his grandson, he had become completely numb. Especially after accepting the possibility of Russell becoming a Shadowflame Dragon Knight, it all made sense.

He blew out a puff of smoke and said, “Then let’s discuss it. Lord Kunbei, you first.”

Lord Kunbei nodded, “Lord Russell favors serfs as rewards. Now that he has three Warm Enclaves in urgent need of development, I believe we can continue to reward him with serfs… Given His Highness Shadowflame’s instruction for a rich reward, why not grant a hundred thousand serfs.”

A hundred thousand serfs was no small number.

The number of serfs a Baron’s family possessed might not even reach such an amount. For example, the Fluorescent Fungi Family, before the trade embargo on serfs was lifted, only had sixty thousand serfs.

After saying this, Lord Kunbei laughed and said teasingly, “In case that matter comes to fruition, it’s merely moving from one hand to the other.”

Earl Merlin, upon hearing this, immediately scolded, “Stop joking about things based on rumors at the Council of Elders.”

Lord Kunbei smiled and nodded, “Apologies, mine.”

Earl Merlin then turned to Osclo, “It’s your turn. Each Chief among the Elders must give a suggestion.”

Osclo, with a sour face, didn’t want to reward Russell with even a straw, but had no choice—he didn’t dare say such things, only coldly saying, “The last time a Warm Enclave was opened at Leize, sixty-five thousand serfs were awarded. Let’s do the same this time.”

“Welchi, what is your opinion?” Count Merlin asked again.

“Chief Executive, let me think for a moment,” Lord Welchi said, somewhat conflicted.

His daughter Veraley had married Chosen Son Kunslai, and to support her husband’s election, he naturally did not wish for Russell’s rise.

But as the Volcanic Minister, he could interact with the Shadowflame Dragon at close range every day. Recalling the dragon’s visibly pleased demeanor before, as well as the ambiguous stance of equality towards Russell within the language of magical draconic power, his heart beat with trepidation.

Just like Lord Kunbei’s tease earlier, that matter… was not impossible.

At the very least, it was quite clear that the Shadowflame Dragon had no special preference for any of the three chosen sons, treating them no differently than any other cat or dog. Compared with them, the Dragon’s evidently different treatment of Russell stood out even more.

His glance inadvertently swept over Kunslai, who was attending the meeting.

He sighed silently in his heart, “It is not that your father-in-law isn’t trying his best, it’s just that Russell has… a dragon!”

He then made a decision and declared aloud, “Gentlemen, I believe that the reward of a hundred thousand serfs for Lord Russell’s merits is not enough, and he should also be promoted to the rank of Earl. Whether it’s for his military achievements or his domain, Lord Russell has more than enough qualifications to ascend as an Earl!”

There was a pause.

Ignoring the stirring of the elder statesmen, Lord Welchi continued, “Especially for his military achievements, Lord Russell has established three warm enclaves in succession and also assisted His Highness Shadowflame and the Torrential Flood Dragon in severely wounding Snow Giant Da, an unprecedented feat!”

He looked around with confidence, completely disregarding the frowns of his in-law, Baron Kunbifu, and the look in his son-in-law Kunslai’s eyes.

He spoke deliberately, “Baron Russell Fluorescent Fungus should be promoted to Count Thunderflame!”

A clear position.

It wholly indicated that he had officially taken Russell’s side.

“I support Lord Welchi’s suggestion,” Lord Kunqiao followed, “We are already old, and the next era belongs to Lord Russell. I hope under Lord Russell’s leadership, the Grand Duchy can reverse its decline!”

Lord Gerard blinked, then nodded in agreement, “Seconded.”

Only Baron Kunbifu remained to state his position, but before Count Merlin could ask, Baron Kunbifu took the initiative and said, “I similarly second the motion.”

After he finished speaking, he did not look at the faces of the others, maintaining only a faint smile.

In fact, in his heart, he was furiously cursing Lords Kunbei, Kunqiao, Gerard, and Welchi.

“A bunch of weathercocks, always speculating on the Shadowflame Dragon’s intentions, not a shred of independent thought among them! Especially Welchi, that cur, I wouldn’t mind stripping him of his dragon-riding privileges, letting Kunslai marry your daughter, only to get… an ungrateful wretch in return!”

A solid situation was crumbling in an instant.

Baron Kunbifu even started cursing Marquis Arno in his heart, who wasn’t even present, “Useless man, I thought the tactics of the kingdom’s marquises were formidable, but damn if he isn’t just fattening himself up like a pig, utterly useless!”

Of course.

He had hoped to rely on Marquis Arno to win the support of the Scorching Torrent Kingdom.

However, Marquis Arno was only concerned with indulging in pleasures, living a life of debauchery, to the point where even King Ares began to show favor toward Russell.

“Damn it all!” Baron Kunbifu smiled faintly, his curses growing louder in his heart, “I am the best candidate for the Flamecrest Dragonblood Family, my grandson Kunslai should be the future Grand Duke, a bunch of idiots!”

Too bad.

His inner screams went unheard.

Count Merlin, with narrowed eyes, surveyed the room and said indifferently, “Since everyone agrees with Lord Welchi’s plan, then let’s settle this. Lord Kunbei, submit the report to Red Castle, please have the Regent Lady use the seal, promote Russell Fluorescent Fungus to Count Thunderflame, and reward him with a hundred thousand serfs!”