Evil dragon has a warm heart

Contracting Unicorn Polly was not something Russell worried about at all; it was the self-confidence bestowed upon him by the whispers of the fantasy beast.

Therefore, in response to Roland’s sour inquiry, Russell replied with ease, "Big brother, what do you think brought Polly home? If Polly hadn’t accepted me, with her strength, I wouldn’t have been able to touch her."

Roland’s mouth twitched a little, "That’s not necessarily the case. The synchronization of thoughts is also very important. You must remember this."

Baron Roman waved his hand indifferently, "Why bother with so many troubles? If it doesn’t obey, just beat it. After being beaten enough, what thoughts can’t be synchronized? Do you think I made pacts with the King of Ebony-waisted Snakes and the Silver Winged Wind Fox because of love... It’s pain."

"Father, can violent constraints really achieve thought synchronization with fantasy beasts?" Russell asked curiously.

"Why couldn’t they? Don’t underestimate the intelligence of fantasy beasts. As long as you can make them submit, they will naturally sync their thoughts with you rather quickly. Of course, creatures like the Glowing Scorpions with their slightly silly brains need to be excluded."

Roland expressed concern, "So far, is there a Great Knight who can establish a close relationship with the Glowing Scorpions?"

"Dozens of Great Knights have tried, and none succeeded. If it’s not going to work, it’s not going to work. This bug is only interested in eating and nothing else," Baron Roman shook his head, also feeling troubled by this bug-type fantasy beast.

Without a pact, it’s difficult for a fantasy beast to exhibit its full combat potential; another day of care is another day of wasted resources.

Russell suggested casually, "I’ve just recruited a Great Knight follower with a calm temperament. Perhaps he could give it a try?"

Roland narrowed his eyes, "Are you willing to let him follow Sir Father?"

"I’d rather buy the Glowing Scorpion."

"The family has never had the practice of selling fantasy beasts, Russell. Better retract that idea of yours," replied Roland.

"Everything has a beginning, sooner or later."

Baron Roman didn’t like to see his sons bicker, so he interrupted, "Enough about the fantasy beasts... Russell, you’ve just arrived and probably aren’t clear about the discussions at Red Castle concerning Snow Giant Da. Let your brother fill you in."

Roland nodded, "Yes, father."

He then began to explain the situation to Russell.

Silver Dragon Knight Lord Sandra encountered Snow Giant Da awakening from beneath the ice cap while executing the lightning attraction plan on the periphery of the Fire Ant Swamp.

Afterward, Red Castle dispatched four Flying Dragon Knights to monitor Snow Giant Da around the clock. They discovered that Snow Giant Da did not leave the periphery of the Fire Ant Swamp or attack it. Instead, he sat down cross-legged on the spot and began to summon the Snow Demon Legion.

"This is the prelude to a great war. It seems that not only is our Grand Duchy unwilling to accept defeat from the battle twenty-one years ago, but Snow Giant Da feels the same," Baron Roman remarked with a touch of emotion.

"During the conference at Red Castle, Swan Baron was moved to tears, hoping the Grand Duchy would deploy to drive away Snow Giant Da..." Roland continued, "The Duke believes this is both a crisis and a divinely provided opportunity, venturing deep into the volcano himself to awaken the Shadowflame Dragon."

"What did the Shadowflame Dragon say?" Russell immediately asked.

"Naturally, the Shadowflame Dragon decided to face Snow Giant Da and end the battle that started twenty-one years ago!" Roland said, his eyebrows raised.

"Wasn’t it said that the Shadowflame Dragon was still recovering from severe injuries? Can it win?"

"Don’t worry about it." Roland said with a proud grin, "The Duke already had Princess Anxia send for reinforcements from the Scorching Torrent Kingdom at the earliest opportunity. You probably don’t know, but before ascending to power, the Duke had made an agreement with the Lieyang Dragonblood Family, asking the kingdom to dispatch a Great Dragon to assist the Grand Duchy in battle!"

"Really!" exclaimed Russell in surprise.

With that, the battlefield would see two Great Dragons against one Snow Giant. One could say the outcome was already determined.

Baron Roman interrupted, "But we can’t solely rely on help from the Scorching Torrent Kingdom. Great Dragons also have disputes among themselves that cannot be easily settled. If the Shadowflame Dragon can’t even defend its own territory, it will severely impact its future development."

"What’s the solution to that?"

"I don’t know much, but just like with Bipedal Flying Dragons that have clear boundaries and don’t easily intrude on each other’s territory. Great Dragons have their own territories too, and trespassing in another’s domain will inevitably result in... taking something away."

"Take away something?" Russell still didn’t understand, "When my great-aunt married my granduncle, did Lord Medikalun count as invading Lord Mercedes’s territory?"

"Not at all," Roman said, "At that time, the Tributary River Mouth received a blessing from a great dragon, allowing Medikalun to integrate into the territory perfectly... This is also why the Tributary River Mouth was able to expand so immensely. The former Duke valued your grandfather highly."

The Tributary River Mouth of the past was not as vast as it is now; it only began expanding to its current size after Lord Medikalun’s arrival.

Ten times the size of Glowing Valley. 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

Russell’s mind raced as he continued to ask, "Father, do you mean that if another great dragon invades the Shadowflame Dragon’s range, it could cause the Shadowflame Dragon’s territory to shrink? Or weaken the power of the Shadowflame Dragon?"

"I don’t know, but it’s certainly a possibility," Baron Roman shook his head. These were secrets of the Dragonblood family, and outsiders could only speculate.

Russell asked no further but fell deep into thought.

Whether other great dragons would come, he did not know, but he and the Little Dream Dragon would certainly have to grow stealthily under the very nose of the Shadowflame Dragon.

Originally, his thought was to seek refuge only briefly until the Little Dream Dragon came of age, after which they would leave the Shadowflame Grand Duchy, expecting not to have much more involvement. Now it seemed that the connection was far more complicated than he had imagined.

Silently, he spread open the palm of his left hand, and an M-shaped mark quietly emerged.

He spoke to the Little Dream Dragon in hushed tones: "Are we now stealing the power of the Shadowflame Dragon?"

The Little Dream Dragon gave no response, and the M-shaped mark only showed a reddish shadow, like a spark smoldering in ashes.

Yet soon, Russell let go of his concerns: "Every sip and every peck is predestined; we too cannot be without the Shadowflame Dragon’s protection. If we are truly stealing his power, then when the time comes, we’ll return it!"

Of course, if the power cannot be returned, they can take extra care of the Shadowflame Grand Duchy in the future, offering help in times of peril.

After all, the Shadowflame Grand Duchy is his motherland.

...

The kitchen finished preparing the meals, and Russell, who hadn’t eaten or slept well in two days, devoured the food ravenously, feeling revived.

Baron Roman, with Mrs. Mitchell by his side, went for a stroll outside. After Russell had eaten, they returned.

They called Russell into the study.

Unlike the study in Fluorescent Castle, this small study had not a single book on its shelves, but instead, they were filled with various red wines, white wines, and champagnes.

"This war is what I’m most worried about, Russell," Baron Roman said.

"Father, I’ve come of age, I can take care of myself."

"Battling Snow Giant Da is not as simple as clearing the trade routes; we might face countless legions of the Snow Demon," said Baron Roman, "Twenty-one years ago, your grandfather chose not to send me into battle, but now I have no choice."

Baron Roman sighed helplessly.

Russell slowly nodded: "Father, I understand, this is the responsibility I must bear as the second son of our family."

If he had a choice, he wouldn’t want to face Snow Giant Da.

But Red Castle had called for war mobilization; every Knight must enter the battlefield, and only some could stay to guard their lands. Undoubtedly, between his two sons, Baron Roman could only choose to have Roland stay and guard the domain.

Because Roland was his heir, representing the future of the Fluorescent Fungi Family.

Seeing his increasingly understanding younger son, Baron Roman felt both relieved and regretful: "If only you had come of age a year later, or if I had ennobled you as a Lord one year later, it would have been much better."