Evil dragon has a warm heart
Chapter 527 - 527 525 The Dragon Knights Second Tide Call

Chapter 527: Chapter 525: The Dragon Knight’s Second Tide Call Chapter 527: Chapter 525: The Dragon Knight’s Second Tide Call With the dispatch of the invitations, the gradually subsided public excitement about the next Dragon Knight in the Shadowflame Grand Duchy had once again surged throughout the region.

Adding to the fervor was the third installment of the Su Luo series: “The Long Sword Dispels the Frost,” which premiered in October and had spread from the Volcanic Oasis to the Warm Enclave. Countless serfs and commoners watched Su Luo, the protagonist who defeated the Snow Demon on stage, and could not help but see Lord Russell in him.

Therefore.

At street corners and in the fields, behind houses and along the roads, everyone talked with hopeful anticipation that the Shadowflame Grand Duchy might once again witness the birth of a Dragon Knight.

“Once Lord Russell mounts a dragon, our Shadowflame Grand Duchy will be saved. That Snow Giant Da won’t dare to invade us anymore!”

“Wasn’t Snow Giant Da killed by Lord Russell?”

“Is he alive again?”

“Not alive, it was Snow Giant Da who was killed. Now there’s a Frost Giant Da. It’s mentioned in ‘The Long Sword Dispels the Frost’!”

“Ah, yes, I remember now!”

“Lord Su Luo must be able to ride a dragon, I’ve heard the Knight Lords say that the dragon almost agreed!”

“It’s Lord Russell, Lord Su Luo is from the play.”

“Same difference, Lord Su Luo is Lord Russell. Anyway, Lord Russell will definitely be able to ride the dragon. The knights say it’s like a widow remarrying, it can’t be spoken of directly, it must be hinted at, or else he would’ve ridden one by now!”

“Riding the dragon is a sure thing. Haven’t you heard? Lord Russell’s little sprite evolved into a great sprite. This must be the dragon’s doing behind the scenes, exerting effort stealthily, just like a noble marriage with a dowry being given!”

“So, do you think Lord Russell will move into Red Castle after he rides the dragon?”

“Isn’t that obvious? The entire Shadowflame Grand Duchy belongs to Lord Russell, he can live wherever he wants.”

…

“Did you hear that, Russell?” In the standalone little castle of Red Castle, Count Merlin stood by the window, puffing on a cigar and spoke softly.

Taking advantage of the Dragon Birth Festival, Russell had personally come to Red Castle to see Princess Anxia and Princess Kunlaya, and meanwhile, visited his grandfather.

As the Chief Executive, even during the Dragon Birth Festival, he had to stay at the Council of Elders.

He couldn’t return to Bluebird Castle at Tributary River Mouth to celebrate the festival with his family. In previous years, Cousin Mel had come to keep him company, but this year Cousin Mel lingered in the Scorching Torrent Kingdom, seemingly entranced by Annie of the Ade Family, and was reluctant to return.

“Heard what?” Russell asked.

“The people’s call, the cheers for the Dragon Knight,” Count Merlin turned his head back, looking intensely at Russell.

Russell responded with an easy smile, “Grandfather, you needn’t test me anymore. The decision lies in His Highness Shadowflame’s hands. I’m merely a humble Flying Dragon Knight; everything is left to fate, to nature’s course.”

Upon hearing this, Count Merlin frowned, “You and the dragon are both so indecisive, making a simple matter needlessly complicated and mysterious.”

“Haha, Grandfather, I haven’t been secretive,” Russell laughed, shifting the topic, “Niko’s evolution this time was actually quite surprising. Both you and I might have guessed wrong about its evolution.”

Count Merlin, no longer focusing on the Dragon Knight issue, asked, “What do you mean? How could I have guessed wrong?”

“Niko’s hand gestures and its mental expressions were unclear. I had guessed that we needed to sell Rain Dragon Cigars around the world to aid Niko; you thought that the more people smoked Rain Dragon Cigars, the more help Niko would receive.”

“Isn’t that the case?”

“It might have nothing to do with that at all. The real catalyst for Niko’s evolution was that morning when I took just one puff of the cigar. After just one puff, Niko swiftly evolved into a great sprite right before my eyes.”

“Oh,” Count Merlin exclaimed in surprise, “Just one puff of the cigar, and it triggered the evolution.”

Russell nodded.

But Count Merlin shook his head, “Perhaps not exactly so. This snow cigar is merely a lure; the true help comes when everyone smokes the cigar together… In short, if the little sprite wants to evolve, we must make thorough preparations for it.”

“That is true.”

“Likewise with you, if there’s a chance, you must seize it with all your might,” Count Merlin steered the conversation back, “Remember, not only is the Fluorescent Fungi Family your strong backing, but the Rainflower Family is just as much.”

“Understood, please rest assured,” Russell responded with a smile.

After chatting about some trifles for a while, Count Merlin cursed, “Your cousin Mel has surely been bewitched by that Annie from the Ade Family, casting some love spell on him. To spend half a year gallivanting in the kingdom and still not return.”

“It’s good for cousin Mel to relax a bit in the kingdom,” said Russell.

“Alas, ever since the selection of the young master, Mel indeed… I did kind of rush him into position. This boy is not like you; he lacks a sense of responsibility for taking on matters.” Count Merlin felt somewhat frustrated, “If only he had half your grace, I would have long retired and helped him into the saddle!”

Russell smiled, without arguing.

But he thought to himself, “Grandfather, would you really be willing to retire? Even when Grand Duke Kunstan was crowned, you still couldn’t bear to step down.”

Count Merlin’s reluctance to retire had become a consensus in the Grand Duchy.

After having lunch and a cup of tea in the small castle, Russell was ready to leave. Count Merlin saw him out: “Won’t you sit for a while in Shadowflame Volcano?”

“No,” Russell waved his hand, “I have to go to the Great Scholar Tower and discuss the construction of the observatories with several Grand Scholars.”

Regarding the Shadowflame Dragon, his attitude was not to take the initiative nor to refuse: everything would be decided after the eruption of Little Dream Dragon Volcano.

The Shadowflame Dragon probably had the same thought.

After heading to the Great Scholar Tower, the guide Alus immediately greeted him: “Sir Russell, the Grand Scholars are all waiting for you in the meeting room.”

“Hmm.” Russell followed Alus, took the elevator to the top floor of the Great Scholar Tower, and into the conference room.

He pushed the door open.

The Grand Scholars, who were smoking and chatting leisurely, all stood up and greeted him warmly: “Welcome, Grand Scholar Russell!”

Since Russell’s promotion to Grand Scholar, he had hardly visited the Great Scholar Tower, let alone attended the meetings of the Scholar’s Roundtable Council.

However, Russell’s research outcomes had never ceased—the many results published by the Blackfire Tower of Scholars were all completed under Russell’s guidance.

“You flatter me.” Russell waited for the applause to subside, gave a slight bow, then took his seat, “On the fifteenth day, at the grand elevation ceremony of the sprites, I hope you’ll honor Cigar Castle with your presence.”

Grand Scholars were part of the nobility ranking, lower than Barons but higher than Lords.

The Grand Scholars expressed that even if they couldn’t attend personally, they would send a relative or a student to send their greetings in their stead.

The meeting began.

Mainly led by Russell’s exposition: “… This planet eclipsing the sun has disappeared; Sharp Knife Mountain Observatory has not captured it again… It’s very likely that ‘Missing Number One’ is the planet where the Frost Giants reside, which is why I suggest building observatories throughout the Grand Duchy to track its orbit!”

Although the Grand Scholars were somewhat skeptical of Russell’s claims.

But given Russell’s expertise in scholarly pursuits, and the observational results of stellar phenomena by Sharp Knife Mountain Observatory, the Grand Scholars quickly passed Russell’s proposal, deciding to immediately apply to Red Castle for funding to build the observatories.

With the Frost Giant in question, no negligence could be afforded.