Evil dragon has a warm heart

Chapter 52 - 52 52 Prime Meat

?Chapter 52: Chapter 52 Prime Meat Chapter 52: Chapter 52 Prime Meat Great Dragons warm the world, knights fight for their habitats, and naturally, there must be officials to govern territories and scholars to unravel mysteries.

Grand Duke Yingyan’s Palace, also known as Red Castle.

It bestows the status of a learned scholar upon those who make significant discoveries in Battle Qi cultivation, significant innovations in magic-powered creations, substantial contributions to the inheritance of knowledge, and major inventions for daily life, highlighting their glory.

In terms of social status, a learned scholar is roughly equivalent to a Lord in the noble hierarchy.

Only without a fief.

However, Red Castle offers them an annual stipend, and the various Lords compete to hire learned scholars to serve as officials in their territories.

It could be said that being a learned scholar is a pass to high society.

But.

Is a pair of reading glasses sufficient to obtain the status of a learned scholar?

Russell didn’t care about this. For one, he didn’t need the status of a learned scholar to access high society since he himself was already part of it; secondly, the evaluation of a learned scholar was but a casual remark of the Shadowflame Family living in Red Castle.

Even if he hadn’t invented reading glasses, a letter from Lady Ingrid could still possibly result in Princess Anxia granting Russell the status of a learned scholar.

This could be seen as courting Baron Roman.

Of course, the third reason why Russell didn’t care was that.

If he could invent reading glasses, naturally he could also invent glasses for myopia, as well as telescopes, microscopes, and so on. Piled together, if these couldn’t earn him the status of a learned scholar, then it would mean there’s something wrong with the minds of those at Red Castle.

“It’s merely an imperfect pair of single-vision reading glasses, Grandmother. I have a better plan, one that would design glasses more suitable for you,” Russell said with a smile.

“My clever little will-o’-the-wisp, your filial piety is as visible as a Great Dragon,” Lady Ingrid embraced Russell tightly, “Grandmother is content with a single pair, but if you really want to make a better one, let Grandmother sponsor you. You shouldn’t bear the cost alone anymore.”

She laughed and said to the surrounding Lords and ladies, “Russell has just been granted a fief, and he hasn’t even reaped his first harvest, so we can’t let him starve.”

“Reading glasses are an excellent invention, my lady, and your sponsorship of Russell for improving them will become a delightful tale.”

“Indeed, you have a keen eye for talent, having discovered a young learned scholar.”

“Perhaps you could even pull some sponsorship from Red Castle.”

“A toast to the Fluorescent Fungi Family!”

The visiting Lords and their wives all extolled the wisdom of the old lady’s decision, making the scene even more lively.

“I never realized you had such a skill,” Roland, his elder brother, said with a satisfied smile, patting Russell on the shoulder, “I hope you truly earn the title of a learned scholar; our family has never had such an honor before.”

“I’ll do my best,” said Russell with a nonchalant smile.

Rolin squinted her eyes, staring intently at Russell until he felt a little uneasy; then she switched to a smiling face, “You’re worthy of being Rolin’s brother!”

“Is that so,” Russell tilted his head, noncommittal to the compliment.

Subsequently, the living room buzzed with talk of the reading glasses, primarily to lavish praise upon Lady Ingrid and incidentally upon Russell.

Only Baron Roman again expressed his heartfelt praise for Russell.

This second son, who seemed a bit of a weakling on normal days and not much was expected of him, had, after earning his fief, seemingly caught the eye of a Great Dragon.

His fortune had increased dramatically, finding the birch-borer and acquiring the title of Phantom Beast Knight; his cultivation was also catching up, able to defeat Rolin, who was more talented; and now he even had the prospect of gaining the status of a learned scholar, clearly possessing extraordinary wisdom.

“Keep working hard,” Baron Roman advised.

He now believed that Russell would certainly become a qualified Lord, tasked with guarding the southern gate of Glowing Valley.

At the same time, he could also smoothly take over from Roson, tirelessly socializing on behalf of the Fluorescent Fungi Family.

Russell smiled slightly, “I will, Father.”

…

The luncheon was quite grand.

An array of exquisite dishes streamed in one after another, with servants bustling to and fro, laughter and joyful conversation filled the air, yet Russell was seriously focused on preparing his meal.

Whether the food suited his taste was secondary; nutrition was his primary concern, especially as he was currently at the peak of increasing his Battle Qi.

Therefore, he specifically chose to eat the Primordial Meats.

“Ah, it would be great to eat Primordial Meat every day!” Feeling the warm current spreading in his stomach, transforming into fine Battle Qi in his limbs and bones, and gathering into the main meridian, Russell couldn’t help but rejoice. This feast would save him a whole half a day of arduous cultivation.

And the so-called Primordial Meat referred to the meat of bred Primordial Beasts.

Between ordinary wild beasts and powerful Fantasy Beasts, there exists a special class of bred Primordial Beasts. These are species of livestock, poultry, fish, and shrimp meticulously selected by humans, having the ability to subtly cultivate Magic Power, naturally imbued within their flesh.

Eating this kind of Primordial Meat not only helps ordinary people live longer and healthier but also helps knights strengthen their Battle Qi.

Fluorescent Castle had bred three types of Primordial Beasts: short-fleece rabbits, long-legged ducks, and brown dairy cows.

Russell had no plans to introduce them for the time being.

The reason was simple: breeding Primordial Beasts required a large amount of fodder to cultivate Magic Power, which much costlier than rearing ordinary livestock.

However.

As he ate the Primordial Meat, it suddenly occurred to him, “The golden black sow I bought, even if the Fantasy Beast baby didn’t gestate, I think the piglets’ quality should not be bad. If I rear them with care, might I breed a new variety of Primordial Beast?”

It was worth a try.

With this thought, Russell’s appetite improved further.

After eating and drinking his fill, and enjoying some afternoon tea, beautiful music resonated throughout the castle, the dance floor opened, and everyone young and old gathered together joyfully.

Lords from afar brought their families with them, and the local lords naturally brought theirs too, so the dance floor was not lacking in handsome men and beautiful women.

Russell was not interested in social dancing, neither as his previous self nor as he was now.

He poured himself a glass of champagne that more resembled a soft drink and then took a seat at the edge of the dance floor, silently appreciating the dancers.

Not only did the Baron and his wife take to the floor personally, but even Lady Ingrid was invited to dance by Lord Uterras of Red Falcon Manor.

“Lord Russell, may I have the honor of dancing with you?” While Russell was idly staring at the ceiling, bored, a noble young lady approached and invited him.

She wore a light pink figure-hugging long gown that nicely showcased her lovely figure; her ivory wide-brimmed hat set off her fair skin; a few small freckles dotted beneath her eyelids, complementing the dimple that appeared when she smiled.

Russell looked over and naturally recognized who it was.

The daughter of Baron Marcus, Malena, was one of the most beautiful young noblewomen in all of Glowing Valley.

Even through Russell’s previous life’s well-experienced eyes, Malena would score a solid seventy-five.

Furthermore, Baron Marcus was Baron Roman’s most capable assistant and vassal, and the only High-ranking Mythical Beast Knight in the entire domain besides the Baron himself. With such a family background, Malena had countless suitors in Glowing Valley and even more so from other territories.

“The honor is mine,” Russell said, smiling as he got up, took Malena’s hand, and walked with her into the dance floor.