Evil dragon has a warm heart
Chapter 562 - 562 560 Monarch and Minister

Chapter 562: Chapter 560: Monarch and Minister Chapter 562: Chapter 560: Monarch and Minister Dragon Calendar Year 5585, June 26th, the welcoming delegation from Red Castle had descended from the snowfields and arrived at the small oasis of Cloud Dream Marsh.

Constantly moving, they traveled along the newly repaired asphalt road – Cloud Dream Avenue, heading straight for Cigar Castle.

Along the way, the proclamation knight loudly announced the purpose of the delegation to the passing estates.

“His Highness Shadowflame and the Council of Elders have unanimously decided to welcome Count Thunderflame Russell Fluorescent Fungus to Red Castle to inherit the position of Grand Duke!”

“Count Thunderflame Russell Fluorescent Fungus, promoted to Phantom Dragon Knight, has made great contributions to the nation, and will soon ascend to the throne as the Grand Duke!”

“Welcome Count Thunderflame Russell Fluorescent Fungus, to Red Castle to inherit the grand dominion!”

With the proclamation knight’s announcements, it wasn’t long before all the residents of the small oasis in Cloud Dream Marsh knew that Russell was about to inherit the position of Grand Duke.

“Mr. Russell is going to be the Grand Duke!”

“Under the watchful eyes of the dragon, praise Lord Russell!”

“Praise the Fluorescent Fungi Family, praise Mr. Russell!”

“Lord Russell should have ridden the dragon to become the Grand Duke long ago, Lord Russell will surely lead the Knight Regiment to defeat the Snow Demon!”

“I knew it, I knew it!”

“I’ve seen Mr. Russell, he often visited our Yuanguang Town when he was a child, and back then everyone respected him, and they expected him to become a Dragon Knight!”

“Just like in the plays, Lord Russell is going to Red Castle to marry the princess, then slay the Snow Giant!”

“Praise the lord!”

The cries for Russell to ride the dragon had always been loud, but until then Russell had restrained his followers and kept silent, so the citizens didn’t know whether their lord could actually mount a dragon.

But now, as Russell was going to Red Castle to become the Grand Duke, naturally, everyone knew that Russell was going to ride the dragon.

Otherwise,

it would make no sense for a foreign-knight to ascend to the throne at Red Castle.

Of course, the people didn’t understand or care about the specific reasons; they only knew that their lord was going to be the Grand Duke, and that was enough for them.

They would share in his glory!

Most importantly, once the lord ascended to the position of Grand Duke, he would surely distribute money in his territory, and that was the true sharing in his glory.

Hooray!

Bipedal Flying Dragons escorted the delegation’s convoy, arriving at Cigar Castle.

Charles, Eric, and others were already waiting at the arched gateway of Cigar Castle to greet the delegation. Upon the Dragon Knights’ landing, everyone, including Chief Steward Lord Kunbei holding the decree, quickly approached the main gate.

Russell stood at the entrance, calmly watching the arrival of the welcoming delegation.

Standing before Russell, Lord Kunbei performed a knight’s salute, then unfolded the decree and began to read, “By the command of the supreme ruler of the Shadowflame Grand Duchy, the eternal presence of Shadowflame Volcano, protector of all citizens, the Shadowflame Dragon welcomes Count Thunderflame Russell Fluorescent Fungus to inherit the position of Grand Duke!”

The content of the decree was straightforward.

However, the issuer being the Shadowflame Dragon meant that this decree’s value was unparalleled.

At least in the past twenty-five years, whether decrees from Grand Duke Kunstan or from the Council of Elders, none could match this one issued by the Shadowflame Dragon in terms of weight, authority, and legality.

After reading the decree,

Lord Kunbei immediately closed it, then knelt on one knee, “Please, Count Thunderflame, accept this decree and proceed immediately to Red Castle to inherit the position of Grand Duke!”

With a rustling sound, everyone in the welcoming delegation, following Lord Kunbei, knelt on one knee, urging Russell to accept the decree and ascend to the throne.

“The position of Grand Duke has been vacant for too long, please, Lord Russell, place national affairs first, ascend as Grand Duke, and protect us all!”

Charles, Eric, and others also knelt on one knee, “Sir, please place national affairs first, ascend as Grand Duke, and protect the citizens!”

“Please, Lord Russell, ascend as Grand Duke!”

“Please, Lord Russell, ascend as Grand Duke!”

“Please, Lord Russell, ascend as Grand Duke!”

The calls were continuous, instantly creating a ceremonious atmosphere at the scene.

There was no formality of thrice refusing.

Russell took the decree directly and then let out a slight sigh, “The Grand Duchy is not my desire, but may the snowstorm cease!”

He immediately held up the decree and said to the crowd, “The threat from the Snowfields has never ceased, and now with the nation in peril and the livelihood of the people deteriorating, I, Russell Fluorescent Fungus, favored by the Shadowflame Dragon, can’t just sit idly by and watch everything fall apart!”

He lowered his arm.

Russell spoke loudly, “Everyone, please rise, I will set out immediately to ascend the throne at Red Castle!”

“Lord Duke, set out to ascend the throne at Red Castle!” Lord Kunbei stood up and shouted loudly.

“Lord Duke, set out to ascend the throne at Red Castle!” The crowd followed suit, shouting together, making the scene even more fervent.

“Roar!” The Black Oil Dragon Ross leaped down from the Dragon Coiling Pillar and came before Russell.

Russell leaped onto the back of the Black Oil Dragon, then waved his hand, “Everyone! Follow me to ascend the throne at Red Castle!”

“Follow His Highness!”

“Follow His Highness!”

The knights shouted while some mounted dragons and others horses, forming an escort for the welcoming delegation, following Russell as they left Cigar Castle.

They didn’t eat or drink, simply making a quick stop in front of the gates of Cigar Castle.

Of course, when they passed by Fluorescent Castle, the welcoming delegation finally took a good rest, eating and drinking as they should, and spending the night within Fluorescent Castle.

Although he had yet to ascend the throne.

After receiving the decree, everyone started addressing Russell as His Highness and treated him with the respect due to a duke.

“Although His Highness can travel to and from Red Castle in an instant, the proper journey must still be taken,” Lord Kunbei said to Russell after dinner, “So please endure the journey along with the welcoming delegation on the return trip.”

“I understand this rule,” Russell nodded, “Anyway, there’s no rush in these next few days.”

The next morning, the welcoming delegation set out again. This time, more people joined, including members of the Fluorescent Fungi Family.

It was now the Warm Season.

The power of the Snowfields was weak, no need to worry about a large-scale invasion by Snow Demons, thus the safety of the territory was assured.

The group entered the Mountain River Trade Route, spending three days crossing the Snowfields, then walked through the Volcanic Oasis for two days, and arrived at Red Castle on July 4. Along the way, more nobles joined the delegation, escorting Russell for his ascendancy.

“Prince Russell, the coronation ceremony is scheduled for July 8. Please stay at the small castle outside the main compound until the ceremony begins.”

“Alright.”

During these three days, Russell didn’t receive any visitors, staying quietly in the small castle, briefly rehearsing the necessary steps for the coronation ceremony.

“Sir, Young Master Roland and Young Master Mel have arrived,” Butler Morris said, somewhat nervously. He had come with Russell and would serve as the chief steward in Red Castle, a position with a much heightened status but immense pressure.

After all, he started as a steward in a minor residence, not even a castle butler.

Now he was rising to great heights, soon to be the chief steward of the largest castle in the Shadowflame Grand Duchy, Red Castle, managing at least ten thousand servants. One could only imagine the pressure he was under.

“Let them in,” Russell said, quite calmly. His confidence came from his own strength, so he was not at all nervous.

Let alone the title of duke, he wouldn’t be uneasy even if asked to be the king of the Scorching Torrent Kingdom.

Roland and Cousin Mel arrived together.

Upon entering, they immediately greeted respectfully, “Your Highness!”

“Have a seat,” Russell put down a book he was holding, “Is everything ready for the coronation ceremony?”

“Everything is set; we’re just waiting for your accession tomorrow.”

“That’s good,” Russell smiled. “The coronation is just the beginning. Once I ascend, you’ll both have plenty to do.”

Roland said with a smile, “Serving the duke is our duty.”

Mel chuckled bitterly, “You wouldn’t deny me time for my own wedding, would you?”

“Ha ha, of course not. I will give you a three-month-long holiday. After you return from your honeymoon, you can come and help me,” Russell had already told them that once he ascended, he would rely heavily on both of them to participate in forming the Cabinet.

The purpose was to cultivate them as his close advisors.

Of course, given their ages, they couldn’t be Cabinet Ministers, but they would carry the responsibilities of one.

“That’s perfect, three months is quite enough!” Mel said with a laugh.

“It’s hard to imagine,” Roland suddenly remarked, “that from tomorrow, we brothers will be sovereign and subject.”

Russell smiled faintly, “Though sovereign and subject, we are still brothers.”