Evil dragon has a warm heart
Chapter 553 - 553 551 Curtain Call

Chapter 553: Chapter 551: Curtain Call Chapter 553: Chapter 551: Curtain Call Russell!

The new Duke of the Shadowflame Duchy!

At this moment, the nobles and common folk, serfs basking in the warmth of the Warm Season sun, were unaware that inside Shadowflame Volcano, the new Duke had already been chosen.

On the trade route linking Fire Ant Swamp to the Volcanic Oasis, Cousin Mel rode atop the Iron Winged Grey Crane Mola, his heart pounding with excitement, looking forward to the future. Annie Helichrysum, sitting in the carriage, lifted the curtain to gaze at Mel’s silhouette, her face equally brimming with a joyful smile.

At the end of the caravan trail ahead,

a knight of the Rainflower Family, already at the market near the grotto, waited to welcome Mel and the others.

The market bustled with crowds; merchants and serfs traded vociferously, shouting to hawk their wares.

Nearby stood a manor.

To reward his hardworking serfs, the lord had special performances by a troupe from Furious Wind City, presenting the newly released play “Chronicles of Darkness,” a new work by the master playwright Nicholas.

As the play began, it opened by thanking Count Thunderflame for the inspiration and then Marquis Arno for his assistance with revisions.

The story of the Dark Age, through the medium of theatre, unfolded on the simple stage at the manor.

Powerful Snow Giants, resilient Dragon Domain Lords, along with countless human ancestors fighting fearlessly, had the serfs roaring with excitement and shouting at the climax.

“Just as good as the Su Luo trilogy!” commented a knight mixed among the serfs, watching the play.

Meanwhile, in the opera house of Furious Wind City, “Chronicles of Darkness” was also being performed.

The opera house was packed to the rafters, the audience loving the adrenaline-pumping, face-slapping and non-stop action drama.

But the critics tucked away in the corners shook their heads incessantly, “Just like the Su Luo trilogy, plenty of bang but little artistry. Nicholas exaggerates; his works are far from masterpieces, he’s just a populist pandering to vulgar tastes!”

Whether it was the Su Luo trilogy or “Chronicles of Darkness,” Nicholas had emphasized one thing under the inspiration of Russell—thrill.

No melodramatic love stories, no tortuous life histories, no predestined fates.

It was all about action!

It was all about stirring emotions by putting down others and smacking faces.

Back in Russell’s old Earth world, such a work would be a quintessential Hollywood blockbuster, naturally crushing all the slow-paced art films.

It clinched the box office, packed out every show, and made Nicholas a fortune, although it also earned him a barrage of criticism from reviewers and peers. However, few within the noble circles criticized, because the Su Luo trilogy was modeled after Russell.

And as everyone knew, Russell was destined to become a Dragon Knight, to become the sovereign of this nation—who would dare to insult their own lord?

The arts were a free-spirited realm, and Russell had no intention of clashing with these critics or playwrights.

But if nobles dared to do so, they might well find themselves sent off by Russell to the Snowfield to keep company with the Snow Ghosts.

“I have paid quite the price to obtain the latest news about Lord Russell, Nicholas, make sure you write well and let the Su Luo series become a classic in the history of theatre!” Marquis Arno said, puffing on a cigar in Evernight Castle, his belly protruding.

Nicholas jotted down notes in his notebook while marveling, “For the fourth part of the Su Luo series, I had planned to interview Your Excellency Hape and weave a tale about Lord Russell and Excellency Hape. But now, it seems I have even better material!”

“The part about Hape can be included, but the focus must be on the Phantom Dragon Knight, and remember to portray in detail the great battle between Lord Russell and the Frost Giant Da on the Snowfield… once Earl Ade’s caravan arrives, I’ll get the specifics right away.”

“Many thanks, Sir!” Nicholas expressed his gratitude.

Marquis Arno chuckled and tapped off his cigar ash, “Make sure you portray my character well.”

“Rest assured, Sir!”

“It’s not about vain glorification for me, but being able to witness the rise of a Dragon Knight is truly under the auspices of the Light’s blessing. Furthermore, what we’re witnessing might just be an unprecedentedly powerful Dragon Knight, even…” Arno took a puff of smoke, “once Lord Russell mounts the dragon, I believe, the dragon can return to ancient times!”

“Return to ancient times!” Nicholas’ eyes glittered with anticipation.

He had naturally heard Marquis Arno mention that dragons all harbored the hope of returning to ancient times, but apart from the sporadic records in historical documents whose authenticity could not be discerned, there had never been a dragon that returned to the ancient past.

Even the concept of “returning to ancient times” was unknown to anyone.

“Just wait, the day will come eventually,” Marquis Arno said, lying back in the sofa, puffing on his cigar gently.

He reflected with deep emotion, “When you were writing ‘The Dragonriding Youth,’ you could not imagine that Lord Russell would ascend to become a Dragon Domain Lord; when you wrote ‘Dragon Domain Descends Thunder,’ naturally you could not foresee that Russell would pioneer the realm of High Dragon Domain Lord.”

He paused.

With a proud smile, he said, “Now as you write ‘The Longsword Sways the Frost,’ how could you imagine that Lord Russell would rise to become a Phantom Dragon Knight… Once you finish a volume of the Su Luo series, you will realize that Lord Russell has once again achieved the unthinkable.”

Watching Marquis Arno’s self-satisfied expression, Nicholas couldn’t help but say, “Marquis, I didn’t expect you to have such faith in Lord Russell.”

“Ha ha!” Marquis Arno laughed heartily, tears squeezing out amidst his laughter, “Ever since that day Lord Russell executed that sword strike at the gates of Evernight Castle, this old man truly saw what it means to be a favored child of the heavens!”

He wiped away his tears and his smile faded, “In this life, this old man has only reached the rank of Flying Dragon Knight and cannot see higher realms… Witnessing Lord Russell’s rise feels as though I myself have walked the Way of the Knight once more.”

He paused.

He quietly recited a line from ‘The Chronicles of Darkness’: “The Knight… predecessors fall and successors rise…”

…

Count Merlin led the governing elders out of Shadowflame Volcano, proceeding through the underground passage lit with gemstone lanterns.

After a long while.

Count Merlin spoke, “Since His Highness Shadowflame has made his decision, all that remains for the Council of Elders in the time ahead is one thing… to complete the coronation ceremony for the new Grand Duke, Russell Fluorescent Fungus.”

Lord Raub softly said, “I still don’t quite understand, after Lord Russell’s ascension, will he become a Dragon Knight?”

“Whether he does or doesn’t has become irrelevant,” Lord Kunbei said with a smile and stroked his beard, “The Flamecrest Dragonblood Family is withering away, and the power of their contracts will also be nullified… From now on, whether Lord Russell forms a contract or not, His Highness Shadowflame will choose knights for contracts from the descendants of Russell’s bloodline.”

“Yes, we have indeed witnessed the transition of an era,” Lord Croia said, his voice tinged with melancholy.

Lord Sandra said, “I thought the Grand Duke would choose from the three chosen sons…”

At that moment, Count Merlin suddenly turned back and said, “I’ve forgotten one thing. Issue an edict immediately, abolishing the chosen son system and dismissing the titles of the chosen sons Kunsley, Mel, and Augustus, detailing the reasons in the gazette.”

After commanding this.

Count Merlin took his leave from the Council of Elders, entrusting the preparations for the upcoming coronation ceremony solely to Chief Steward Lord Kunbei.

Looking back at the Elders’ Hall, this Chief Executive who had governed for fifteen years was overwhelmed with complex emotions.

Regret, unwillingness, reminiscence, yearning.

It differed from when Grand Duke Kunstan ascended to the throne when he lingered, unwilling to leave—this time for Russell’s ascension, he had no reason to delay.

Russell’s means, Russell’s power, Russell’s renown, he didn’t even need a coronation ceremony to easily replace him—the reason the Council of Elders still functioned was precisely because he was Russell’s grandfather.

If another Chief Executive were appointed, perhaps, the Council of Elders would have disbanded long ago, and the ministers would have been reporting to Russell already.

“Grand Duke…” Count Merlin looked up to the sky, muttering the name of Grand Duke Quentin III Shadowflame, and with a bitter smile, he talked to himself, “Since your fall, out of dedication or self-interest, Merlin has supported the advancement of Shadowflame Grand Duchy…”

He turned away, walking down the steps shakily like an ordinary old man with white hair.

The attendants and servants behind him did not dare to come forward and assist.

In a voice only he could hear, Count Merlin murmured softly, “Now, I must hand over this nation to… an outsider… Merlin has failed your trust, the Flamecrest Dragonblood Family may have to bid farewell… and this old man… must take his bow too…”

The Manganese Steel Dragon Mercedes, circling above Red Castle, seemed to sense something and swooped down in front of Count Merlin.

Hovering, focusing on Count Merlin.

Count Merlin looked up and met the gaze of his old companion, managing a faint smile: “Young Mel is about to wed, and this old man ought to present him with a wedding gift… Besides, you’ve always been fond of this lad, haven’t you?”