Evil dragon has a warm heart
Chapter 556 - 556 554 Hopefully the Wind and Snow Will Stop

Chapter 556: Chapter 554: Hopefully the Wind and Snow Will Stop Chapter 556: Chapter 554: Hopefully the Wind and Snow Will Stop Sacred Unicorn Polly captivated the members of the Fluorescent Fungi Family with its flawless perfection.

The unicorn before, though beautiful, was too large and always seemed conspicuous when compared to humans.

Now, the Sacred Unicorn’s texture was more crystalline and its size perfectly matched a knight, without any awkwardness. With Russell standing alongside, it was as if they were a naturally unified pair, a knight and his steed in harmonious unity.

“Alright, stop being disrespectful to Lady Polly,” Mr. Luo Man commanded, ending everyone’s admiration.

Polly was not quite used to being the center of attention and quickly transformed into a bolt of lightning that branded itself on Russell’s forehead.

“The mark has changed too!” his sister Lola exclaimed in surprise.

She was already fifteen this year, blossoming into a tall and graceful young lady. Unfortunately, she inherited her sister Rolin’s plain looks—not outstanding, a pity, since the Fluorescent Fungi Family’s survival strategy had shifted from keeping a low profile to expanding, yet the attitude hadn’t quite caught up in time.

“I brought back a lot of gifts for you all from the Scorching Torrent Kingdom, but they’re with cousin Mel’s caravan, so they haven’t arrived yet,” Russell said.

Soon after, the group returned to the castle.

No sooner had they seated themselves than Gwyn, carrying a baby, came over with Roland.

“Russell, meet your grandnephew!” Roland chuckled.

“When was he born?” Russell gently teased the baby, who was sound asleep with a wrinkled little face, not yet fully unfurled, “Big brother, sister-in-law, have you named him… I forgot to prepare a welcome gift!”

“There’s no need for a welcome gift, and, you being promoted to Phantom Dragon Knight is the best gift for Luo Jie… His name is Luo Jie, born on May 3rd!” Roland announced excitedly, puffing with the pride of a new father.

He then added, “Father Sir named him.”

Gwyn woke Luo Jie, and when he was about to cry, she quickly turned his gaze towards Russell. “Luo Jie, come and look at your uncle, your Uncle Russell Fluorescent Fungus, the first Phantom Dragon Knight on Dragon Sleep Continent!”

Luo Jie glanced at Russell, completely unfazed, and burst into tears.

Gwyn promptly passed Luo Jie back to a maid and said with a smile, “This little guy, aside from eating, drinking, and sleeping, just knows how to cry.”

Russell laughed heartily, “Crying means he’s healthy and spirited, that’s excellent!”

Lady Meryl quickly instructed the maid to carefully feed Luo Jie, with Baron Roman’s gaze following the baby.

At that moment,

Russell could feel the heart of the whole family shifting with Luo Jie—at least the grandparents’, parents’, brother and his wife’s. Even Lady Meryl who usually doted on Russell, was now fully focused on Luo Jie.

“So this is what inheritance looks like?” Russell mused inwardly.

He smiled to himself and didn’t feel unsettled by no longer being the center of attention, though he did somewhat feel like an outsider.

At that instant, he turned to see Uncle Rosen.

Uncle Rosen also smiled at him, and within that smile, Russell caught a significant meaning—a smile of understanding between family seconds, even if Russell, as a Phantom Dragon Knight, couldn’t change his status as the second son.

Of course,

Although both he and Uncle Rosen were seconds, there was a difference.

In the past, Uncle Rosen was merely a spare to Baron Roman, but Russell today was destined to establish a new family branch and thus leave the Fluorescent Fungi Family behind.

If Russell had wanted to inherit everything from the Fluorescent Fungi Family, then Roland would have been the spare at any moment.

One was passive, the other active.

Their destinies were entirely different, and so were their mindsets.

“Where is Royal, Uncle?” Russell walked over to inquire.

“I sent him to work with Knight Raphael at the Cloud Dream Ranch,” Uncle Rosen replied.

“Mhm.”

“Are you planning to take Royal as a follower?” Mrs. Roby asked from the side.

“There might be some unforeseen circumstances, so I’m preparing to have Royal follow me,” Russell said nonchalantly.

He would soon be ascending to the throne as Grand Duke.

At that time, ordinary knights would lose the opportunity to become followers, for theoretically, unless born in the Warm Enclave, every knight is a natural follower of the Grand Duke and needs not undergo another loyalty ceremony.

However,

The Inner Fort vassals and ordinary knights would certainly be treated differently. Now that Russell had accepted Royal, Royal became one of his Inner Fort vassals.

When it came to rewards and honors in the future, they would undoubtedly be given priority over ordinary knights.

Even though he could promote any knight to nobility on a whim, after becoming the Grand Duke, principles must be followed. And Inner Fort vassals were an unwritten rule, which was also why Roland initially sought to approach Grand Duke Kunstan through the Dragon Blood Knights.

Uncle Rosen didn’t know what changes lay ahead, but that didn’t stop him from rejoicing. “I’ll send someone to notify Royal first thing tomorrow morning!”

The banquet began shortly after.

After a round of toasting, Russell spoke up, “Everyone, please hold for a moment. I have important news to announce.”

All stopped their utensils.

Mr. Roman nodded, “Go ahead.”

“I have reached a preliminary cooperation with the Shadowflame Dragon and have already informed the Council of Elders. Next, I shall inherit the position of the Grand Duke of the Shadowflame Duchy,” Russell said directly, without beating around the bush.

Silence.

Ever since Lady Ingrid had begun eating, everyone had been stunned and then exchanged silent, wordless glances.

Everyone had imagined that Russell might ride the great dragon and even eventually ascend to ride it, becoming the Grand Duke.

But when the moment actually arrived, they didn’t know how to express their feelings—Grand Duke, the ruler of the nation, had become a reality!

In the end, it was Mr. Roman who first found his voice, “Russell, this topic is very…heavy. Please tell me you’re not joking.”

“Father, why would I joke about something like this?” Russell said calmly. “In a few days, people from Red Castle will come to escort me there to ascend the throne, so I wanted to give you a heads-up, to prevent any mishaps when the time comes.”

“Heavens!” Roland exclaimed. “With the dragon’s gaze and the light’s blessing, I had anticipated this day would come, but I didn’t expect it to arrive so soon!”

“This is really… this is really…” Lady Ingrid became so excited she was at a loss for words. “Old Rod, can you see this? Your grandson Russell, has become the Grand Duke of this country, the Grand Duke!”

Lady Meryl clutched Mr. Roman’s arm, incessantly asking, “Roman, Russell is going to be the Grand Duke!”

“Yes,” Mr. Roman steadied himself after the initial shock, gently patting his wife’s hand.

Then turning to face Russell with a smile, he inquired, “How is the Flamecrest Dragonblood Family dealing with this, and what discussions have taken place in the Council of Elders?”

“The Flamecrest Dragonblood Family is already in decline and will likely…,” Russell let his smile fade, “Father, I will look after Princess Anxia and Princess Kunlaya. Before the princess gets married, I won’t set foot in the Inner Fort.”

Pausing for a moment, Russell continued, “I will occupy a separate residence, or even live in Cigar Castle, just reporting to the Red Castle Hall every day… As for the Council of Elders, they came to this conclusion after discussions with the Shadowflame Dragon. After my ascension, the Council will be dissolved.”

“Russell, are you going to reorganize the Cabinet?” Roland asked eagerly.

Russell nodded, “Of course, the Shadowflame Dragon also hopes that I can extend the beginnings of industrialization across Black Fire land to the entire nation. So, big brother, you also need to prepare. I will need your help at Red Castle.”

Roland, unable to suppress his excitement, nodded vigorously, “Don’t worry, I’ll definitely help you!”

“No wonder you wanted Royal to hurry and follow you—it all makes sense now.” Realizing the situation, Uncle Rosen lifted his glass and said warmly, “To Russell—or rather, Your Grace the Grand Duke, soon to ascend—I raise my glass!”

“Uncle, you also need to prepare. After my ascension, I will need your help,” Russell toasted with Uncle Rosen from afar.

“Brother is going to be the Grand Duke!” Lola cheered.

Cousin Diana’s eyes sparkled, “Brother Russell, may I follow you? Can you make me a lady knight?”

“Haha, no problem,” Russell laughed and nodded.

Mrs. Roby immediately reproached in a whisper, “Diana, don’t speak nonsense; there’s no such thing as a lady knight.”

Diana held her head high, “Brother Russell promised me, and Brother Russell is the Grand Duke. What the Grand Duke says, goes!”

“Alright, Roby, it’s just the children playing,” Lady Ingrid smiled and raised her glass. “Here’s to our ghosts… to the Fluorescent Fungi Family, a toast!”

“Cheers!”

The banquet had entered a feverish atmosphere; everyone was cheering and leaping for joy—Russell’s ascension to Grand Duke meant the Fluorescent Fungi Family was now a branch of the Dragonblood lineage!

Russell also raised his glass towards the distant Red Castle and then reflected softly, “Becoming the Grand Duke is not by my own desire, but may the stormy winds cease!”