Evil dragon has a warm heart
Chapter 598 - 598 596 Portal

Chapter 598: Chapter 596: Portal Chapter 598: Chapter 596: Portal In the year 5587 of the Dragon Calendar, Russell received a large number of chicken eggs, a fixed program each year during the Dragon Birth Festival where the commoners offered eggs to their lord.

The climate grew gradually colder, and at night, returning to Cigar Manor, Russell could already feel the biting chill in the air.

However, what pleasantly surprised Russell was that he saw the Pseudo-Nightmare Beast Dragon, Senbula.

“Senbula, have you memorized Changting in the Molten Fire Duchy?” Russell asked delightedly. A few days before, Mell’s delegation had already arrived within the Molten Fire Duchy, with Senbula as part of the group, responsible for opening the Portal.

“Yes, Russell, I have memorized Changting and can teleport there instantly using Quiet Dream,” Senbula responded.

“Very good!”

The next day, Russell could hardly wait to mount Senbula and set out using the Quiet Dream teleportation. In an instant, the surrounding scenery shifted—he went from the Cigar Manor and directly teleported to a side hall in Changting, taking a step out and returning to reality.

The servants cleaning the yard jumped at the sudden appearance of Russell and Senbula.

But they quickly recognized Russell and hastened to salute, “Greetings, Your Highness.”

“Does Mell reside here?”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

A servant sent word, and soon Mell came hurrying out, “Greetings, Your Highness. When Senbula returned yesterday, I knew you would come over. I didn’t expect that you wouldn’t sleep in at all, considering it’s still Dragon Birth Festival back home.”

“How is the situation in the Molten Fire Duchy?”

“I’m still sorting out the relationships between the nobles. However, the Scorching Torrent Kingdom’s delegation is quite active. But they disdain the commoners and are more interested in wooing over the knightly class,” Mell explained.

“Is that so,” Russell narrowed his eyes, “then you and Fred should focus as much as possible on the commoners; their population is far more important than the knights.”

“I understand.”

“You’re not blaming me for separating you from Annie, are you?”

“How could I?” Mell said with a smile. “You are my Grand Duke, and serving the Grand Duke is the duty of every vassal.”

“That statement implies you’re complaining about me.”

“Really, I’m not,” Mell said. “Annie was a bit reluctant, that’s why I delayed for a couple of days. In fact, I was eager to set out sooner. Roaming the various countries isn’t only your dream; I share that dream, too.”

The two chatted for a while.

But Russell could distinctly feel that their relationship was no longer as relaxed as it once was; a sad, thick wall had been erected between them.

Perhaps it began the moment Russell ascended the throne.

Or maybe it started when Russell decided to establish the dignity of the Grand Duke due to Marquis Merlin’s contempt.

Afterward, the two of them headed to Changting Palace to meet Viscount Fred.

“After Archduke Fritz’s funeral, some ministers suggested that Viscount Fred temporarily assume the role of Grand Duke, but the proposal did not gain enough support. After the fall of the great dragon, the authority of the Moltenfire Family has been shaken. If not for Fred’s personal prestige being quite good, the major nobles would likely have dispersed already.”

“How are the internal affairs of the Molten Fire Duchy being handled?”

“Fred and several major nobles are discussing matters together, somewhat similar to our nation’s former Council of Elders,” Mell explained.

Russell shook his head, “Authority needs the backing of strength, no doubt about it.”

“Indeed, when Kunstan succeeded to the throne, no one took him seriously, but now that you’ve succeeded as Grand Duke, no one within the nation dares to disobey,” Mell said, half in jest and half in compliment.

“I’ll discuss matters with Fred later, mainly about the Bone Dragon issue. As for refugee migration, you negotiate with Fred.”

“Alright.”

The guard in Changting was already lax.

The nation was on the verge of downfall, people’s hearts had scattered, and many knights had left Changting, preparing to fend for themselves.

“Your Grace the Grand Duke, Lord Mell,” Viscount Frel personally went out to welcome Russell and his companion.

They quickly got to the point, and Russell asked, “To what extent has the corruption of the Bipedal Flying Dragons progressed?”

“Their forms have withered to the bone, and their consciousness is almost gone.”

“Are you still able to control them?”

“It’s difficult, and there’s no longer any need to. All the Flying Dragon Knights within the Grand Duchy have severed their contracts with the Bipedal Flying Dragons. Without annulling the contract, the riders would be corrupted along with the dragons’ Breath.”

The Bipedal Flying Dragon could be said to rise by the dragons, and fall by the dragons.

Its power stemmed from the radiance of the dragons, so they peaked at birth. As long as the dragons lived, the Bipedal Flying Dragons could maintain their peak strength for three to five hundred years. However, it was tragic that the moment the dragons fell, the Bipedal Flying Dragons had no vitality left.

“I need ten Fallen Bipedal Flying Dragons, Fred. Can you do this?” Russell asked in a deep voice.

“Sir, may I ask, what do you need these Fallen Bipedal Flying Dragons for?”

“Refinement, to create a new Bipedal Flying Dragon. This is a secret of the dragons—they can manipulate this method to conjure a new Bipedal Flying Dragon with freely chosen attributes.” Russell spoke frankly, “I need a Nickelsilver Dragon; the railway tracks of the Ice Railway need to be fortified with Nickelsilver to resist frost.”

“That’s possible?” Fred heard of this for the first time.

But he quickly nodded firmly and responded, “Please wait, Your Grace. I will select ten Bipedal Flying Dragons and send them to the Shadowflame Duchy.”

“If this task is accomplished, it will count as a merit for you.”

“Building the Ice Railway, you’re also doing it for the convenience of the citizens’ migration. This is something Fred should do.”

Migration would need to be sustained for a very long time. Completing it within three to five years would already be highly efficient. Therefore, having the Ice Railway ready in advance could exploit the last moments when the Volcanic Oasis was frozen, allowing the refugees to be moved completely.

And for now, the necessary Nickelsilver could only be imported from the Scorching Torrent Kingdom.

After discussing official affairs, Russell visited Meltdown Volcano to feel the increasingly cool magma and the lifeless Power of the Earth.

He then captured a Fallen Bipedal Flying Dragon to observe its power.

The flesh of the Bipedal Flying Dragons had nearly rotted away, leaving only tattered skin that hung upon their skeletal frames.

From within their eyes sprouted an eerie green flame—the concentration of the corrupted Dragon’s Breath.

“What a terrible end,” Princess Polly remarked as she watched the struggling Fallen Bipedal Flying Dragon, sighing quietly.

Meanwhile, Harpies Hape silently experienced the power of the Fallen Bipedal Flying Dragon, absorbing all it could learn.

On this occasion, when opening the Portal to Senbula, Russell brought Hape along to deepen its understanding and accumulate experience for its ascension to a Phantom Dragon.

“Russell, I would like to stay and cultivate in this volcano,” Hape suddenly requested.

After thinking it over, Russell immediately consented, “Alright, I will inform Viscount Fred, and I will come over often. Let me know whenever you have a need.”

There was no reason for him to stop Hape’s pursuit of improvement.

After leaving Hape behind, he swiftly mounted Senbula, performed the Quiet Dream transportation, and in a moment, he was already in Cigar Manor.

“Thousands of miles away, yet returned in an instant, Senbula, your talents are truly extraordinary!” Russell did not skimp on his praise.

Senbula humbly replied, “I’m glad to be of help to you and Princess Polly.”

Then it asked, “Will you need transportation to Molten Fire Duchy tomorrow?”

“Not tomorrow. A trip once a week will suffice.”

“Then I will continue to train with Uroboros on the Snowfield.”

“Alright, stay safe,” Russell cautioned, although safety was not really a concern since these two Phantom Beasts possessed the talent to escape danger by slipping into the Gloomy Dreamland at any time.

Only Dream-Eater Boar Tapir, whose talents were somewhat different…