Evil dragon has a warm heart
Chapter 502 - 502 500 The Answer

Chapter 502: Chapter 500: The Answer Chapter 502: Chapter 500: The Answer The senior members of the Council of Elders, accompanied by the three chosen sons, entered the heart of Shadowflame Volcano to engage in direct dialogue with the Shadowflame Dragon.

Meanwhile,

Outside Furious Wind City, on the trade road, two young men hugged each other in farewell.

“Willem, when will you return home this time?” Grontan Bainroot asked, reluctant to part.

Opposite him was Weilim Ginnari, who mounted his Contracted Phantom Beast—Pseudo-Kinari Dragon Lily.

Waving from atop Lily’s back, he said, “My teacher said that Pseudo-Dragon horns are very important for Lily’s advancement, so I plan to take some time to search the snowfield where my great-grandfather fell in battle… Let’s say one year later, after one year I will come back to seek further instruction from the teacher.”

“Alright, good,” Grontan said, also mounting a phantom beast.

This Phantom Beast resembled a massive antelope with rugged fur, which was so hard that only a knight with magic power to protect his body wouldn’t find it prickly to sit on.

“Then I’m off,” said Willem.

“Good!”

“Train hard, and when I come back to Shadowflame Duchy, we must have a match,” Willem called out, already galloping down the trade road on Pseudo-Kinnaly Dragon Lily.

Watching Willem’s retreating figure, Grontan Bainroot sighed with a mix of emotions.

Perhaps it was because they were both born into noble families—one’s family on the verge of decline and the other a younger son in his—under Russell’s banner, he and Willem had the closest relationship, sharing meals, sleep, and training together.

“A year before we meet again,” Grontan muttered, stroking the neck of the antelope illusion beast he was riding, “Antleup, we must seriously train to achieve our bond soon. We have to surprise Willem when he comes back.”

“Meh,” the Antelope Illusion Beast responded.

Originally an ownerless beast in Red Castle’s Fantastical Beast Park, it was caught and kept until Grontan chose it.

After his promotion to Earl, Russell did not forget his follower and directly bought a quota for a phantom beast from Red Castle’s Fantastical Beast Park to assist Grontan in selecting this sturdy-haired antelope—Antleup.

Grontan had been in harmony with Antleup for some time.

However, a phantom beast contract required a mental connection, and neither Grontan nor Antleup was ready yet.

“Let’s go, back to the city,” Grontan said, waving his hand, “I still need to help organize the serf transportation. Ten thousand serfs, there’s a lot to do these days.”

Back in Furious Wind City,

Grontan promptly met with the busy Lord Charles: “Chief Executive, I have returned.”

Lord Charles, now serving as the Governor of Blackfire Province and as Russell’s special advisor, essentially acted as Russell’s steward. In other words, he was the Chief Executive Officer of the Thunderflame Territory.

“You’re back just in time. Take this token from Count Thunderflame, go to the three estates north of Shadowflame Volcano, coordinate with the local leaders, and select a thousand serfs to bring back,” Charles commanded, instructing a clerk to bring a token.

The token was essentially a pass for conducting official affairs and necessary for the transfer of duties.

Once Grontan had taken the token and learned the locations of the three estates, Charles continued, “Will two days be enough? If so, hurry on your way… hmm, Sir has ordered a male-to-female ratio of three to four, got it?”

“Understood, I’ve got it,” Grontan affirmed.

“Go quickly,” Charles urged, “It would be even better if you could bring back more female serfs—there are too many bachelors in our territory!”

No sooner had Grontan left than another knight arrived on horseback: “Lord Charles, Mr. Roland requests your presence at the office for an impromptu summary meeting on family serf trade, and there’s a banquet tonight that requires you to accompany Mr. Roland.”

“Understood, I’ll change and be right there,” Charles replied.

Then, in front of a group of stewards from the Fluorescent Fungi Family, he put on airs: “Ah, not a moment’s rest. With these non-stop banquets, I feel like in a few more days, I’ll know all the lords of the Grand Duchy by heart.”

“Haha, the capable have much demanded of them, Lord Charles, you are Lord Russell’s most loyal follower!”

“All the affairs of the Thunderflame Territory couldn’t possibly proceed without your leadership, Sir.”

“Indeed, Sir, Lord Russell trusts you the most.”

“Please go attend to your duties, we’ll handle the trivial matters here,” said the steward knights, chiming in one after another until Charles was sent off. They then exchanged glances, each wearing an ambivalent expression.

“He really struck it lucky, that Charles; he used to wear patched-up dress clothes, and now he’s actually become a lord!”

“Isn’t that the case? An utter down-and-outer who’s now a family tutor to Lord Russell.”

“The gaze of the dragon, why doesn’t it watch over us too?”

“That’s just the way the world works, a guy like Charles, with hardly any knightly virtues and even spat upon by readers, can occupy a high position!”

“You can’t really say that, though; Charles is quite diligent in his work, or else he wouldn’t have caught Lord Russell’s eye.”

“Give me a break. The work he does isn’t particularly difficult, could you or I not do the same?” a knight said indignantly, “Plainly put, we just haven’t had the opportunity, haven’t been able to become the confidants of a great man!”

Another knight glanced over and said, “If we work hard, Lord Russell will see us too. Last year, and again this year, he has taken on two groups of followers, and during this year’s Blackfire Festival, Lord Russell will take on another batch!”

During a celebratory banquet in the domain earlier, Russell had already recruited an additional group of followers. The arrangement was that of six Great Knights and twelve Armed Knights.

“Yeah right, for all you know, the decision’s already been made,” the knight complained.

“If that’s what you want to think, that’s your business,” the other replied. “Working hard might not be noticed by Lord Russell, but doing nothing will definitely go unseen by him.”

“Pfft!”

The steward knights dispersed, not particularly pleased, but whether anyone liked it or not, everyone started taking their work more seriously—everyone wanted to be noticed by Russell. The gaze of the dragon might just be a polite fiction, but gaining the notice of Russell could really lead to success!

…

In the midst of Shadowflame Volcano, on a platform above the magma, sat the council of elders and the select princes.

The head of the Shadowflame Dragon floated above the magma, its pupils level with the platform, allowing it to sweep across the expressions of everyone present.

Gurgle gurgle.

The magic dragon language resounded as Lord Volcanic Minister Welchi acted as the interpreter, “His Highness Shadowflame begins to inquire… do the people from various regions of the Grand Duchy really… ahem, are they really making up stories about the relationship between Russell and Shadowflame?”

At the word “making up,”

The eyes of Count Osclo, Baron Kunbifu, and the others lit up instantly, seemingly convinced that the Shadowflame Dragon was denying any such relationship.

Count Merlin responded, “Perhaps it’s because of Russell’s elevation to High Dragon Domain Lord, his execution of Frost Giant Ge that boosted people’s morale. Indeed, a significant outcry has erupted in various places, involving your knightly choices, Your Highness Shadowflame.”

Gurgle gurgle.

Welchi continued interpreting, “Then, how do you regard the relationship between Shadowflame and Russell?”

Count Osclo immediately raised his hand to speak, “Your Highness Shadowflame, I believe that someone as wise as you would not concern yourself with the impulsive cries of some serfs. You are the Guardian God of the Flamecrest Dragonblood Family, and you will continue to protect the Shadowflame Grand Duchy until eternity!”

However, the Shadowflame Dragon seemed to completely ignore his opinion.

The magic dragon language continued without interruption, and through Welchi’s voice, the dragon inquired, “Little Merlin, answer me.”

Count Merlin paused for a few seconds.

He replied softly, “Your Highness Shadowflame, Merlin respects your decision, and the entire Shadowflame Grand Duchy will respect your decision.”

“Clever little fellow!” the Shadowflame Dragon raised its head, looking up to the volcano’s mouth, “The Frost Giants are coming, Shadowflame feels it, and more will come… The times are changing, are you all prepared?”

Count Merlin respectfully said, “Please guide us in our direction, Your Highness Shadowflame!”

“Mist, layers of mist cloud my vision, Shadowflame cannot see clearly this crossroads of change, how to decide,” the eyes of the Shadowflame Dragon revealed a hint of confusion. Although it had lived for over four hundred years, most of that time had been spent in slumber.

Its judgment of the situation was equally bewildered.

“Then do you need a knight?” Count Merlin thought for a moment before asking.

“Needed,” Shadowflame Dragon gave an affirmative reply.

“Then are you willing to choose Russell?” Count Merlin asked directly, unwilling to beat around the bush with the Shadowflame Dragon any longer.

After a moment of silence,

The Shadowflame Dragon responded in a noncommittal tone, “Time will provide all the answers, Little Merlin, focus on your work, don’t overthink it.”