Evil dragon has a warm heart
Chapter 539 - 539 537 Warm Welcome

Chapter 539: Chapter 537 Warm Welcome Chapter 539: Chapter 537 Warm Welcome After leaving Black Horse Snow Forest, the team traveled across the snowfield for two days, entering the territory of Scorching Torrent Kingdom.

Russell could clearly feel the radiating power of the Fiery Dragon, a comforting presence even amidst the snowfield.

“We’ve successfully reached Scorching Torrent Kingdom,” Cousin Mel sighed in relief, “I thought Shuang Da might attack you, the future great figure. Unexpectedly, we’ve crossed the snowfield smoothly without incident, which is somewhat disappointing.”

Russell, riding on the back of the Pseudo-Nightmare Beast Dragon Senbula, smiled and said, “This proves that I am not yet a significant figure, not worth Shuang Da’s attention.”

“He will regret it, regret not snuffing you out when you were weak.”

“Ha-ha, even if I stood here, Shuang Da couldn’t kill me,” Russell laughed confidently, his base of invincibility being the Gloomy Dreamland.

They continued their journey for another three days.

The group finally entered the familiar Warm Enclave, the location of the first Shadowflame Spire, the fief of Baron Wildcat Boske Bao Gai Cao – the Cat’s Eye Emerald.

“Lord Russell, Lord Mell, it must have been a tiresome journey from afar. Please, come quickly into the castle and rest!” Baron Boske had sent his men to wait at the edge of his domain, swiftly leading Russell and his companions to Emerald Fort.

“Lord Boske, you have put yourself to too much trouble,” Russell replied with a smile.

Baron Boske laughed heartily, “It’s an honor for Emerald Fort to host the High Dragon Domain Lord who is forging the future path of the Way of the Knight!”

He then introduced a middle-aged knight standing beside him, “This is the brother of Count Golden Pheasant, Lord Agger Helichrysum.”

Lord Agger Helichrysum stepped forward, thumping his chest in salute, “I have long known Lord Mell, and I am honored to meet Lord Russell for the first time today.”

Count Golden Pheasant was none other than Ade Riyang, who was to become Mell’s father-in-law. Agger Helichrysum was his younger brother. As a collateral member of the Lieyang Royal Family, Ade Riyang had earned the Lieyang Surname for his dragon-riding success.

Other members of the family continued to bear the Helichrysum Surname.

This was somewhat similar to Baron Swan Quinbylf Flame-shadow, who as a Flying Dragon Knight was entitled to carry the Flame-shadow surname, although his sons and grandsons could only carry the surname Sunflower.

“Lord Agger, you are too kind,” Russell responded politely.

After introducing his granduncle Saisiluo and others, the group, led by Baron Boske, entered Emerald Fort.

A feast, a night’s lodging.

The following day, bidding farewell to Baron Boske and following Lord Agger, they headed to the domain of Count Golden Pheasant, Yellow Flower Hill. Yellow Flower Hill was not part of the Warm Enclave, but a fief on the Volcanic Oasis, not far from the capital, Warm Sun City.

“Marquis Arno sent word that Lord Russell was coming, and the Earl is very pleased. He even went to the Royal Palace of Lieyang in person to invite His Majesty to the engagement banquet, and His Majesty has accepted!” Lord Agger said excitedly.

He paused, then laughed, “With the presence of His Majesty and Lord Russell at Annie and Mell’s engagement banquet, it promises to be a most illustrious occasion!”

King Ares was a Dragon Knight.

In the eyes of the nobles of both countries, Russell was also about to become a Dragon Knight.

An engagement party attended by two Dragon Knights was an honor without precedent, comparable only to when Princess Anxia married into Red Castle — back when Quentin III Shadowflame was still alive.

Three days later, the team successfully arrived at Yellow Flower Hill.

By mid-April the Warm Season had arrived, and the endless Yellow Flower Hill, dotted with Helichrysum flowers like little wild chrysanthemums, transformed the entire landscape into a dazzling yellow.

At the entrance station of the fief, Earl Ade had also sent another Lord to greet them.

Together with Lord Agger, they led Russell, Mell, and the party towards Summer Chrysanthemum Fortress in the heart of Yellow Flower Hill. The towering Summer Chrysanthemum Fortress was built mainly with yellow rocks, blending seamlessly with the surrounding yellow flowers.

At the castle gate, there was a row of nobles dressed in splendid clothes on the left, and on the right, servants in black and white uniforms.

As Russell and his companions reached the gates, the welcoming nobles and servants promptly burst into warm applause.

“Lord Russell, welcome to Summer Chrysanthemum Fortress,” Earl Ade and the Countess said together, standing in the center of the grand entrance.

Russell dismounted his horse, and the Mark of the Thunder Lord on his forehead added a mysterious aura to him. “Thank you for your hospitality, Earl and Countess.”

He then nodded his head in greeting to the other nobles one by one.

Finally, his gaze settled on a radiant lady, he stepped forward, took her hand, and performed a hand-kissing gesture. “You must be Miss Annie, truly beautiful and captivating. No wonder you’ve captured the heart of my cousin Mel.”

“Thank you for your praise, Lord Russell,” Annie Helichrysum replied with a smile.

Her mouth was somewhat large, but it did not detract from her beauty. Instead, it made her smile even more infectious.

When Mel approached, the soon-to-be-engaged couple immediately exchanged loving glances.

Russell stepped aside to make room.

Then, among the welcoming nobles, he saw a familiar face: “Willem.”

“Teacher,” Baron Phoenixbird Willem Ginnari immediately bowed respectfully, “Upon hearing that you would be attending the engagement party, I came to Summer Chrysanthemum Fortress early just to await your arrival.”

His aunt was the Earl Ade’s wife, which made him and Annie first cousins once removed.

“How far have you progressed in your training?”

“The Fighting Spirit Armor is still not proficient enough,” Willem admitted with a hint of embarrassment. He had been a Phantom Beast Knight for nearly two years now.

This pace of progress seemed too slow to Russell.

But Russell also knew it was unfair to compare ordinary people to himself. His training speed was considered one of the best across the entire Dragon Sleep Continent.

So he consoled him, “No worries, take your time.”

After the pleasantries, everyone followed Earl Ade into Summer Chrysanthemum Fortress. Once they were seated, guest and host alike, they began to discuss the engagement party arrangements in earnest.

Russell had no experience with this, so he just slowly sipped his tea, leaving it to his uncle by marriage, Saisiluo, to communicate with Earl Ade.

Eventually, they came up with a plan. The engagement party would be held at the end of April. It would be a small event, inviting only relatives and a few nobles on good terms with the Helichrysum family, without making a grand affair inviting multitudes of guests—having King Ares and Russell in attendance would make it prestigious enough.

“Please, Lord Russell, do stay at Summer Chrysanthemum Fortress for a while,” the Countess said with a smile.

“I would be honored to,” Russell replied.

…

After the meal, Russell finally found time to evaluate his student Willem’s progression and offered some guidance on his cultivation.

After a series of swordsmanship practices, Willem was sweating profusely.

However, his eyes shone brightly. With no one else on the training field, he gathered his courage and said, “Teacher, Willem would like to ask for your help to hunt down a Riding Blue Skin and retrieve the Ginnari’s Flesh Crown!”

“You’ve found the Ginnari’s Flesh Crown?” Russell was surprised.

The first Baron Phoenixbird, Dragon Domain Lord Wester Ginnari, had fallen in battle alongside his Pseudodragon Ginnari on the Snowfield.

The Pseudodragon’s horn, also known as the Flesh Crown, had been lost on the Snowfield as well.

To think that Willem had indeed found it, he responded, “Yes, Teacher, I and the knights of the family have searched the Snowfield where my great-grandfather fell for half a year. Eventually, we spotted the Flesh Crown on the head of a Riding Blue Skin.”

Unfortunately, the Riding Blue Skin was too powerful, elusive, and Willem couldn’t reclaim the Flesh Crown on his own.

Even an ordinary Flying Dragon Knight would not be confident in defeating the Riding Blue Skin.

Therefore, Willem had no choice but to seek Russell’s aid.