Evil dragon has a warm heart
Chapter 594 - 594 592 The Provocation of the Shadowflame

Chapter 594: Chapter 592: The Provocation of the Shadowflame Dragon Chapter 594: Chapter 592: The Provocation of the Shadowflame Dragon Dragon Calendar Year 5586 was quickly drawing to a close, and the collapse of the Molten Fire Duchy made humanity realize the severity of the crisis.

Thunder Sound Stations and Demon-searching Towers had rapidly been established across the ten human kingdoms of the Ancient Thornland and continued to spread to other human realms.

The blasts of thunder carried across the boundless snowfields, connecting humanity through communication.

The Demon-searching Towers closely monitored the movements of the Frost Snow Giants—both Frost Giants and Snow Giants were collectively referred to by humans as Frost Snow Giants.

In addition,

Nearby nations saw dragons collaborating with each other, erecting Scaled Towers on each other’s territories, offering support at any time. Sadly, this could only alleviate the pressure from the Frost Snow Giants but not substantially change the situation in the snowfields.

Humans were still under assault by the Frost Snow Giants.

Just as they were oppressed by the Snow Demon during the Dark Ages and by the Snow Giants during the Warm Age, now they faced even stronger and more cunning Frost Snow Giants.

Wooo wooo wooo!

The whistle of the train echoed through the Volcanic Oasis. The first railway had been completed, running straight from Furious Wind City to the capital of Marsh City in Mist Marsh Province. The speed was not fast, just forty kilometers per hour, and there were several stops along the way.

However, the advent of the train greatly accelerated the trade between the two places and increased the frequency of personal exchanges.

Most crucially, the emergence of railway transportation allowed for better development of industrialization.

Russell personally attended the ribbon-cutting for this railway and took a ride on a steam train painted black.

The slow speed nearly made him jump out of the window and fly away midway.

But the civilians on the train were filled with wonder and laughter, especially the merchants who had previously hired caravans to travel from south to north. They couldn’t stop smiling when they saw the train cars filled with goods.

“We must expedite the construction of the railway to the Populus Gobi, and then continue to build northward, until we reach the remote Coldwind Snow Forest. If possible, let the Railway Bureau’s managers and scholars finalize the designs for the under-ice train as soon as possible. We will keep building northwards, shortening the migration path.”

The Snowfield was filled with danger.

Before this, humans traveled along the Ice and Snow Great Wall, the trade route, but with the train, it became possible to build tracks beneath the ice, using the cover of the ice cap to create a subway-like railway—effectively avoiding Snow Demon invasions.

“The railway to the Populus Gobi should be completed before the Dragon Birth Festival,” said Roland.

He did an excellent job as the Industry Minister.

He had become Russell’s right-hand man, while Russell’s cousin Mel, who had enormous hopes pinned on him as the Foreign Minister, was not doing as well. Hesitant to leave for the Molten Fire Duchy to discuss the refugees’ situation, he dawdled for a long time before setting out.

He couldn’t bear to part with Annie Helichrysum at home and wished to stay in the castle for a lifetime, wallowing in Annie’s affection.

Fortunately, Viscount Fred had begun to follow Russell.

With Thunder Sound contact, Russell could remotely control the situation in the Molten Fire Duchy. Using the Viscount as a figurehead of the Molten Fire Dragon Blood Family, he had swayed many knights and civilians. Out of eight million people, at least three million could be persuaded.

The remaining five million, three million would migrate to the Scorching Torrent Kingdom, and the fate of the other two million had not been decided.

Because the Mist Marsh Grand Duchy and the Hurricane Thunder Kingdom were also carrying out lobbying efforts to attract the nobles of the Molten Fire Duchy—though farther away, it wasn’t easy to choose where to go.

Of course,

Out of these eight million people marching across the extensive snowfields, it’s feared that at least a quarter would eventually be laid to rest under the snow.

But they had to move; they couldn’t just freeze alongside the Molten Fire Duchy.

The technology for the under-ice train is no longer an issue, but the pressing problem we face is the lack of necessary metals,” Roland said. “Metal tracks that can resist freezing require an alloy with Nickelsilver, but our nation has no Nickelsilver Dragon.”

“Then continue researching other alloys, striving to replace Nickelsilver with other metals,” Russell added.

After a pause, he said further, “If that doesn’t work, then trade for Nickelsilver with the Scorching Torrent Kingdom.”

“But we need a large amount of Nickelsilver, relying solely on purchasing it from the Scorching Torrent Kingdom would be too costly. For the sake of building the under-ice railway, the investment would not pay off.”

“Let’s just start by doing some research,” Russell said.

After the conversation ended, he immediately went to Shadowflame Volcano. With Little Dream Dragon’s awakening imminent, his relationship with the Shadowflame Dragon was rapidly heating up.

Entering the volcano,

Russell directly stated his purpose, “Shadowflame, do you have any premonition of when another Bipedal Flying Dragon will be born?”

“I can’t predict that.” The Shadowflame Dragon responded with its eyes closed. During this time, it had been wholly immersed in perceiving the hope of Meltdown Dragon’s return to ancient times.

“Then can you control the attributes of the Bipedal Flying Dragon? The nation needs a Nickelsilver Dragon,” Russell said. “Like when you bred the Black Oil Dragon Rossay.”

“That is very difficult.” The Shadowflame Dragon opened its eyes. “It would take a considerable amount of dragon essence blood and origin. Russell, are you willing for Shadowflame to drain its own body, just to cultivate a Nickelsilver Dragon for you?”

“Alright, of course, I wouldn’t want that.”

“But it’s not without a solution,” the Shadowflame Dragon’s tone shifted. “The essence blood and origin of Shadowflame are too precious. However, those fallen Bipedal Flying Dragons from the Molten Fire Duchy could perhaps be recycled.”

“How would we do that?”

“Catch them and toss them into Shadowflame’s volcano to let Shadowflame refine them. About ten Bipedal Flying Dragons should yield one dragon egg,” the Shadowflame Dragon said enticingly. “Instead of letting them fall into degeneracy on the snowfield, why not use them to strengthen Shadowflame’s kingdom?”

“What benefit would you get?”

“Of course, there are benefits. Shadowflame doesn’t want to waste time on deals with no advantage.” The Shadowflame Dragon narrowed its eyes. “The bones of the Bipedal Flying Dragons rolling in the magma and distilled into essence are no less effective than those of Frost Star Beads.”

After a pause, the Shadowflame Dragon added, “The key point is that these Bipedal Flying Dragons are from a foreign land. Their power doesn’t require Shadowflame’s provision.”

The Bipedal Flying Dragons from their homeland all originated from the Shadowflame Dragon.

Even if it killed the Bipedal Flying Dragons for refinement, the Shadowflame Dragon would gain no power enhancement. On the contrary, if the Warm Enclave were to extinguish, it would result in a loss of its power.

But.

If they were another family’s Bipedal Flying Dragons, there would be none of these drawbacks.

“I understand.” Russell nodded. “My partner Sonbra is already en route with the envoy team, soon to arrive at the Molten Fire Duchy. I will personally negotiate with Viscount Fred to see if we can acquire ten fallen Bipedal Flying Dragons.”

“It might not sound very noble, but when one falls from glory, Shadowflame feasts!” The Shadowflame Dragon was in high spirits.

Looking at Russell, it felt increasingly satisfied, “Let that group of refugees enter Shadowflame’s realm, and Shadowflame will ensure their safety! Population, industry, elves, knights… The strength of Shadowflame’s kingdom will keep growing, stronger and stronger!”

“Rest well, don’t get too excited. We may not get ten fallen Bipedal Flying Dragons,” Russell waved his hand and left Shadowflame Volcano.

Before he had even left the mouth of the volcano,

The murmuring magic language of the Shadowflame Dragon once again echoed throughout the volcano, “Russell, send my regards to Ice Cream.”

“I will.”

“Tell it, if the volcano still won’t erupt, if we still need to wait, then perhaps it should offer the first contract spot to Shadowflame!”

“Um!” Before Russell could respond,

The M-shaped mark on the palm of his left hand suddenly burst into intense flames. It was the soundless protest of Little Dream Dragon in its light slumber.

Waving his hand, Russell flew away from Shadowflame Volcano.

Speaking slowly to his own left hand, he said, “Don’t worry, Ice Cream. Rest assured, no matter what Shadowflame says, you will always be my first contracted dragon. If a knight can only contract with one dragon, it has to be you!”

Reassured by Russell’s words, the M-shaped mark finally calmed down and dissipated into sparks that scattered with the wind.

————

It’s the last day, Old Bai shamelessly asks for your monthly vote~