Evil dragon has a warm heart
Chapter 591 - 591 589 Division of the Family

Chapter 591: Chapter 589: Division of the Family Chapter 591: Chapter 589: Division of the Family “Do you wish to follow under my banner?” Russell felt somewhat surprised, “I thought you would seek refuge in the Scorching Torrent Kingdom.”

For someone whose nation had been destroyed, it would certainly be desirable to go to a powerful country to prevent it from happening again.

The Shadowflame Duchy, compared to the Scorching Torrent Kingdom, was indeed much weaker.

Moreover, the last two generations of Grand Dukes had died in battle on the Snowfield, and their reputation was indeed somewhat tarnished. Had it not been for Russell’s rise, it might have already met the same fate as the Molten Fire Duchy, with the Frost Giants breaching the Oasis and slaughtering the Shadowflame Dragons.

“King Ares is one of the mightiest in the world, and the Scorching Torrent Kingdom is also one of the only three kingdoms in Ancient Thornland,” Fred said earnestly, “But I firmly believe that Your Grace the Grand Duke is the one who can usher in a new era.”

His tone was very determined.

Russell could feel that Fred was not simply flattering him, but truly believed in him and earnestly wished to follow him.

This trust invigorated Russell: “Why do you believe that?”

“For five thousand years during the Warm Age, humankind gave birth to many Dragon Knights, as well as many Dragon Domain Lords. Yet no one has been able to create a new situation; humanity is still surrounded by the Snowfield, living in a state of constant fear and trepidation.”

Fred said slowly, “But Your Grace, you have pursued a Way of the Knight that is utterly different. High Dragon Domain Lords, Phantom Dragon Knights, all these are paving the way for humanity’s future… Most importantly, I see the prospect of industrialization.”

Steam-powered cars and trains that race upon boiling water, thunders that communicate over tens of thousands of miles, and one new-style factory after another…

All of this was a huge shock to the Dragon Sleep Continent that had developed steadily for thousands of years.

Fred saw the possibility of a new era, so he believed in Russell, who would surely change the Dragon Sleep Continent given enough time. And Russell had already been enthroned as Grand Duke, his status as a Dragon Knight was iron-clad.

Not to mention, living for one or two hundred years was absolutely no problem.

“If you realize that a new era is coming, then you share my aspirations,” Russell responded to Fred’s sincerity, “I accept your allegiance. After the Moltenfire Family migrates to the Shadowflame Duchy, I will confer upon you the title of Earl.”

The highest hereditary title that a Grand Duke could bestow was that of an Earl.

Upon hearing this, Fred immediately knelt on one knee: “Fred swears to follow Sir, to assist Sir in creating a new era!”

The mentality of this heir to the Grand Duke changed swiftly.

After all.

With the death of the Meltdown Dragon and the decline of the Bipedal Flying Dragons, the Moltenfire Family’s only way out was to find a lord to follow and thus receive protection.

It was just that Fred, between King Ares and Russell, chose Russell.

“Rise, Fred,” Russell raised his hand in a gestured lift, “This Volcanic Oasis can still hold out for a few years; your main task for these years is to arrange for the migration of the citizens. Both King Ares and I will cooperate fully.”

“Thank you, Sir!” Fred replied.

“You need to inspire your people, so let’s not announce your allegiance to me for now. You may still address me as Your Grace the Grand Duke,” Russell said. He was here to offer condolences, not hasty to annex the nation.

“Yes, Your Grace the Grand Duke,” Fred nodded, “But Your Grace, with the nation on the brink of collapse, it’s difficult for me to influence the nobles’ choices, and I fear I cannot decide the migration choices of everyone.”

“That’s alright; whether people choose to migrate to the Scorching Torrent Kingdom, the Shadowflame Duchy, or even other countries, is up to their freedom. All you need to do is guide the citizens of the Volcanic Oasis to choose the Shadowflame Duchy as much as possible.”

“I will do my best to guide the people’s choices,” Fred bowed, “If there is nothing else, Your Grace, I will take my leave now.”

“Go ahead.”

After sending off Viscount Fred, Russell sat cross-legged within the volcano, intimately perceiving the essence of this extinct volcano.

Feeling how the power of the volcano was fading, dissipating.

This involved the secrets of dragons, and the opportunity was once in a blue moon, as the scene of a dragon’s demise was exceedingly rare. After the dragon died, all the secrets of the volcano were unveiled, laid bare before him and Polly.

“Polly.”

“What is it?”

“Feel everything here with your heart. I’m thinking, if we can break through the ceiling of the Pseudo-Dragon, there’s no reason we can’t break through that of the Phantom Dragon. If we comprehend the secrets of the dragon, maybe one day, you and I can advance even further!”

“It’s going to be hard, but I’ll try my best,” Polly quickly replied.

…

For three consecutive days, Russell was in Meltdown Volcano, pondering the mysteries of extraordinary powers, occasionally capturing a Bipedal Flying Dragon to study its deteriorating Dragon Breath.

Meanwhile, on the other side.

Viscount Fred was preparing his father, Archduke Fritz’s, funeral while incessantly negotiating with a few hereditary nobles. They discussed how the doomed nation should struggle to survive.

With the dragon fallen in battle, Fred was merely an heir to a Grand Duke, lacking in authority.

Unable to sway the decisions of the great nobles.

Even within the Moltenfire Family, there was no consensus. Fred was resolute in aligning with Shadowflame Duchy, whereas his brother Fletcher wished to head to Scorching Torrent Kingdom. The family was divided—half in support of Fred, half in support of Fletcher.

“Then let’s divide the family.” Fred did not force his brother, “The Moltenfire Family ends here. Of the ten great sprites, let’s each take five. As for the family knights, those who wish to follow you, go and win them over yourself.”

“Brother, you will regret your decision. The Snowfield is becoming increasingly dangerous, only the Kingdom can shelter us!”

“Say no more, Fletcher,” Fred looked at his brother, “My decision to let you lead part of the family away is my mercy. Go, persuade your knights; from now on, we are no longer a family!”

Fred waved his hand, dismissing his brother.

He then turned to his weeping mother, inquiring, “Mother, will you join me in the Shadowflame Duchy, or will you follow Fletcher to the Scorching Torrent Kingdom?”

“Do we have to part ways?”

“Separating is the best survival strategy for the Moltenfire Family. Mother, the strength of Fletcher and I is not enough to protect the entire family. Aligning with the stronger is our only choice. But every choice is fraught with peril, which is why I allowed Fletcher to separate from us, to grant us an additional glimmer of hope.”

“Then I… We still have time to be together, don’t we?” The Duchess looked hopefully at Fred.

Fred already knew the answer from her words, “Yes, we can still spend some more time together. If the migration goes smoothly, it will take at least a year or two. Even after the migration, I’ll still come to visit you.”

The Duchess turned her head away, not daring to look at her eldest son any longer, and hastily made an excuse, “I’ll go instruct the kitchen to prepare dinner.”

Watching his mother hurry away,

Fred sighed.

That night, he went alone to Meltdown Volcano and shared the Moltenfire Family’s decision with Russell.

“This choice is the safest for the Moltenfire Family.” Russell understood; for the sake of lineage, nobles naturally wouldn’t put all their eggs in one basket.

“Sir, I will take five of the family’s great sprites. Once I arrive in the Shadowflame Duchy, I will present four of them to you, keeping only one great sprite to serve as my future surname,” Fred said. The surname Moltenfire had perished with the fallen dragon.

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The last two days, Old Bai shamelessly asks for a monthly ticket~