Evil dragon has a warm heart
Chapter 557 - 557 555 Ritual Vessels and Instruments

Chapter 557: Chapter 555: Ritual Vessels and Instruments Chapter 557: Chapter 555: Ritual Vessels and Instruments Red Castle stood tall like a small mountain, bathed in the brilliant sunlight, casting a bright red reflection upon the surface of Mirror Lake.

Chief Steward Lord Kunbei, led by a few female guards, walked along the corridor leading to the Inner Fort Hall, his head lowered, deep in thought about how to communicate with Princess Anxia to soothe her emotions.

After all,

Princess Anxia was soon to face the change of dynasty within the Flamecrest Dragonblood Family.

“However, one would think Princess Anxia could accept all of this, as rumors have long been circulating in Red Castle that Lord Russell and His Highness Shadowflame have already… Princess Anxia has always been gentle and virtuous and will surely understand, but Princess Kunlaya…”

He contemplated the situation.

The Inner Fort Hall was now in sight.

“Chief Steward, Sir, please wait here. I will go and notify the old lady,” said the female guard as she turned to leave to inform Princess Anxia.

The title of Princess Anxia had long since passed.

Her position within the Council of Elders as the Regent Lady had also been abolished.

The current Princess Anxia merely lived within the Inner Fort of Red Castle, bearing the status of a widow of the Flamecrest Dragonblood Family. Officially, she only held the title of the mother of the Former Grand Duke, thereby referred to as the old lady.

It wasn’t long before Lord Kunbei met with Princess Anxia, who, dressed in simple attire, was just over forty years old.

Previously living a life of dignity and ease, she barely looked different from a lady in her late twenties.

However, in the years following the death of Grand Duke Kunstan, Princess Anxia’s aging was visibly noticeable; wrinkles had formed around her eyes and neck, and even her once-smooth face now bore a faint nasolabial fold, losing the radiance of her youth.

“You have come, Sir,” Princess Anxia greeted with a smile that held a touch of vicissitude.

Lord Kunbei sighed inwardly at the sight of the aging Princess Anxia, but quickly revitalized his spirit and bowed, “Lord Kunbei pays his respects to the old lady.”

“Please, have a seat, Sir,” invited Princess Anxia, signaling to her handmaidens to serve tea, “What brings you here this time, Sir? Is there something you need to inform me of?”

“There are indeed some matters. The Council of Elders just had a meeting…” Lord Kunbei began but soon digressed into daily trivialities, “The Warm Season this year is complicated. The Scholars’ Roundtable Council is still tracking it, and they’ve even set up an observatory. They say it’s for observing the world of Frost Giants…”

“I’ve heard about that too. Apparently, it was Lord Russell who invented the astronomical telescope, and they observed the Frost Star with it.” Princess Anxia commented, “It’s really strange, isn’t it? That Frost Giants could live on a star. How can a star support people?”

“Indeed strange. They also say that our Dragon Sleep Continent is a star as well, called Dragon Star,” Lord Kunbei shook his head.

He was getting on in years and frankly found it hard to accept.

A fine continent, flat and even, had turned into a sphere. If people walked around on this sphere, wouldn’t some have to stand upside down, only to fall into an endless abyss early on?

After discussing minor matters for a while,

Princess Anxia smiled gently, “Sir, you’ve spoken at length but haven’t yet stated your purpose for coming.”

“Indeed, it’s time to speak of it,” Lord Kunbei put down his teacup, clearing his throat, “Is the old lady aware that Lord Russell has been promoted to a Phantom Dragon Knight? A Phantom Dragon Knight represents another realm beyond that of a Dragon Domain Lord, a new frontier in the Way of the Knight.”

“Oh, Lord Russell has expanded the Way of the Knight again? What a young and heroic figure!” exclaimed Princess Anxia, “Sir, please tell me, what is a Phantom Dragon Knight?”

And so, Lord Kunbei went on to describe the Phantom Dragon Knight, an absolute champion who stands shoulder-to-shoulder with dragons, driving back the Xueda, and overall, a being who could protect humanity.

Finally,

Lord Kunbei casually mentioned, “His Highness Shadowflame personally welcomed Lord Russell’s return and has decided that Lord Russell will succeed the title of Grand Duke… The Council of Elders has already begun preparations for Lord Russell’s succession ceremony.”

Having said this,

he watched Princess Anxia intently.

But Princess Anxia merely raised her eyebrows in surprise before relaxing them and, with a silent, bitter smile, shook her head.

“Old Madam…” Lord Kunbei tried to say something.

Princess Anxia interrupted him and said indifferently, “Since the selection of the heir, it hasn’t mattered to my daughter and me who becomes the Grand Duke. Hearing today that it’s Russell who will inherit the title, on the contrary, I am relieved. Such a young and outstanding individual is naturally recognized by His Highness Shadowflame as fitting.”

“Indeed, Lord Russell has a talent given by heaven which even His Highness Shadowflame could not ignore,” Lord Kunbei sighed.

He did not know how other Dragon Knights formed their contracts.

But this time, he saw clearly that between Russell and the Shadowflame Dragon, it seemed the Shadowflame Dragon was more proactive.

For a dragon to take the initiative was exceedingly rare in the world!

Even those Bipedal Flying Dragons, each haughty as could be, would require knights to grovel behind them constantly to form a contract. Not to mention a dragon; countless knights wouldn’t even get the chance to grovel, let alone contract.

In the five thousand years of the Warm Age on the Dragon Sleep Continent, dragons taking the initiative could likely be counted on one hand.

The Shadowflame Dragon this time was certainly among them.

Of course.

Lord Kunbei did not find this difficult to accept, for Russell was also a peerless genius, a rare sight in the history of human civilization spanning thousands of years.

Twice he had created a new pinnacle for the Way of the Knight!

Dragons are proud because no knight has caught their eye, but when they truly meet a genius knight like Russell, dragons, too, will take the initiative. Just as those lofty goddesses, restrained and dignified, are so only to the unworthy.

Lord Kunbei, who had frequented the courts of pleasure for most of his life, understood this principle long ago.

“Old Madam,” Lord Kunbei collected his thoughts and continued, “At Lord Russell’s coronation, we still need you to come forward, representing the Flamecrest Dragonblood Family, to hand over the Grand Duke’s three ritual implements—the scepter, crown, and seal; and the three ceremonial accessories—the ring, sword, and morning dress, to Lord Russell.”

The ritual implements are symbolic items that a monarch needs to wear on major holidays.

The ceremonial accessories are the items representing the monarch’s status during daily court sessions.

“Alright,” Princess Anxia did not hesitate. Since she had acknowledged Russell’s succession to the Grand Duke’s seat, she naturally would not obstruct it.

However, she asked with concern, “Sir, after Russell’s ascension, where should Princess Kunlaya and I go? I seek your guidance on this matter.”

“Traditionally, with the Flamecrest Dragonblood Family changing rulers, you and Princess Kunlaya should move out of the Inner Fort. But this is after all a peaceful transition of power, you and Princess Kunlaya deserve to be treated with ample dignity.”

“Did His Highness Shadowflame mention anything about my daughter and me?” Princess Anxia inquired further.

“This…”

“I understand.” Princess Anxia no longer held any illusions and nodded gently, “Then let us leave the fate of my daughter and me in the hands of the new Grand Duke.”

“Old Madam, you and Princess Kunlaya need not worry at all. Lord Russell is powerful and invincible, kind and humble, embodying the strength and virtues of a knight. He will surely give you both due respect.”

“I hope so,” Princess Anxia shook her head.

She had met Russell a few times, even invited him for meals, and Princess Kunlaya had even taken lessons from him.

But from ancient times to present, the human heart is unfathomable.

There are no shortages of those who change completely once they come into power, and she could not guarantee that Russell would not alter his temperament after ascending, and then oppress her and her daughter.

She could only pray.

After seeing off Lord Kunbei, Princess Anxia sat in her chair, lost in thought for a good while, before she stood up and ordered her maids, “Prepare Princess Kunlaya’s and my personal belongings, then rent a small castle suitable for seclusion near Furious Wind City.”