Evil dragon has a warm heart-Chapter 40 - News of the Mushroom Bug
Chapter 40: Chapter 40 News of the Mushroom Bug
Chapter 40 -40 News of the Mushroom Bug
The loyalty ritual is a form of contract, and contracts are a part of the power rules of Dragon Sleep Continent.
“The Great Dragon watches over you.”
The people of Shadowflame Duchy often express this blessing, and it’s not just a simple wish; it could actually become a reality.
The reason is simple.
The entire Shadowflame Duchy managed to carve out oases as warm as spring amid the icy tundra, all thanks to the radiating power of the Shadowflame Dragon.
Beings like Ros the Clay Dragon had their origins in the power of the Shadowflame Dragon.
The Shadowflame Dragon’s blessing extends to every corner of the nation; naturally, contracts established in its name are influenced by the dragon’s power.
This influence may not be immediate, but over time, it is inevitable.
Followers can certainly break their oaths of loyalty without immediate heavenly punishment. But one day in the future, they will suffer retribution through the power of the Shadowflame Dragon, paying a sufficient price through the mysterious rules of the universe.
It could be falling into demonic madness during cultivation, a series of close relatives dying one after another, or getting lost in a blizzard.
Therefore.
A vow of loyalty must never be made lightly; once made, no one dares to break it.
“It’s possible that the noble lords use the dragon merely as a scarecrow to solidify their rule, to frighten their followers,” Russell thought idly after accepting the wildcat sisters because he had felt no mystical effects.
A knight’s oath of loyalty is just an ordinary ceremony.
But he certainly wouldn’t show it; the watchful eye of the dragon is a very sacred belief for the natives of Dragon Sleep Continent.
In any case, subduing the wildcat sisters was a matter of course. Russell was very self-aware. It wasn’t his royal aura that made people bow their heads in awe.
In fact, many of the Cavern Free People would willingly swear fealty if a lord would accept them, eager to live under the sunlight. The pursuit of freedom, for most, is just to gild their own face, covering up their origin.
“Sir, the wildcat sisters have a rather clean background. They might be descendants of serfs who escaped in the past. In Glowing Valley and the manor territories of several lords, we found no records of fugitives or even any criminal records,”
Knight Attendant Tom, whom Russell had sent earlier to investigate the criminal records of the wildcat sisters, reported back to him.
This made Russell relieved.
Half of the Freemen were descendants of serfs who had fled from noble lands. Because most serfs did not have the freedom to marry as they pleased, they were restricted to marriage within the manor, and if they wanted to marry someone from another land, they had to pay a hefty marriage tax.
If they couldn’t afford it but wanted to be together,
They would have to run to the caverns—a place not local to their manor and often together with a merchant caravan to other lordships’ surrounding caverns.
For some unknown reason, lords often turned a blind eye to the escape of serfs.
“Very well, Tom, you’ve had a long journey, go rest,”
“Understood.”
After sending Tom off, Russell entered the dining room with Charles.
The wildcat sisters were wolfing down their dinner. The main staple in the caverns consisted of mushrooms, moss, and the occasional snake or rat, hardly comparable to the variety of delicacies prepared in the manor’s detached kitchen—though Russell didn’t think they were that great.
“Sir.”
“No need to stand up, you continue eating. Let’s talk while we eat,” Russell sat down.
He had already planned how to arrange for the wildcat sisters, “The news of your loyalty to me, and the news of Eric’s advancement to Phantom Beast Knight, have been sealed by me. I believe you’ve guessed the purpose.”
“Is it to move against Boss Lone Wolf?” Katie asked.
Russell smiled and said, “Taking action against Lone Wolf Lisbon is only the first phase of the objective, the real goal is to take control of the entire Xiangshui River Cavern.”
“Once you leave the Blackwaist Serpent Manor, you reach the border of Glowing Valley,” Charles interjected, “but Sir, you are not satisfied with just the land of Blackwaist Serpent Manor, hoping to expand your territory to encompass the entire Xiangshui River Cavern.”
“Sir would also be interested in the Xiangshui River Cavern? To be honest, it’s very barren and won’t return much profit to you, Sir,” Katie voiced her doubt.
“Even the most barren land has its value. In any case, I want the Xiangshui River Cavern, as well as the labor force of the Cavern Freemen.”
“Yes, I understand, Sir,” Katie nodded. “Just say what you need us sisters to do, and we shall follow your orders, Sir.”
“First, I need Lone Wolf Lisbon’s whereabouts, and it would be best if we could lure him out of the Xiangshui River Cavern. Second, I need to recruit Freemen, skilled craftsmen can run businesses in my territory, and the strong can sell themselves as serfs… of course, those with blood on their hands and dishonest individuals must be excluded.”
Katie frowned and hesitated before speaking, “Sir, it’s hard not to have blood on your hands in that environment. I must be honest with you, Sir, we sisters have killed people before. There were times when men tried to take advantage of us, and in the end, we killed them.”
“They wanted to take advantage of my sister… and me,” Catherine added, but her last “and me” was spoken with less confidence.
“There’s a difference between killing on the offensive and in self-defense. Since I have taken you under my wing, I won’t hold the past against you,” Russell said.
If it were peacetime, Russell would definitely stay away from murderers.
But this world was different, and Russell’s moral standards naturally had to adapt flexibly to the rules of this world.
“Thank you, Sir, for your understanding.”
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“Mm.”
“Please rest assured, Sir, after we finish this dinner, we sisters will return to the cavern and pretend to join Lone Wolf Lisbon. Then we’ll find an opportunity to lure him out. Once Sir takes care of Lisbon, we’ll be able to consolidate the Xiangshui River Cavern and present the land and population to you, Sir.”
“Good, I look forward to our success. When the time comes, you’ll be free to walk in the sunlight,” Russell raised his glass.
Charles added cheerfully, “Beautiful women are meant to walk openly on the streets.”
His eyes kept roving over Katie and Catherine.
Russell cast a strange glance at Charles, truly unable to understand how he could find the Wildcat sisters beautiful.
Was it because of their deep nasolabial folds, their pale white skin, or their sunken eye sockets?
Or perhaps, because they looked like women in their thirties or forties despite being in their twenties, they had a certain mature charm?
The four of them clinked glasses and drank together.
Afterward, Katie hesitated before speaking, “Sir, there’s a rumor of uncertain veracity that I thought I should inform you about.”
“Please do.”
“Here in the Xiangshui River Cavern, there’s a rumor that Lone Wolf Lisbon found a mushroom bug, and it’s said that it’s with the help of this mushroom bug that he has enough resources to cultivate and hence was promoted to a Great Ranger,” she reported.
“Oh!” Russell’s interest was piqued, “How likely do you think that might be?”
“I think it’s very likely. Lisbon was just an ordinary Ranger before, and then he suddenly got promoted to a Great Ranger these past few years!” Catherine said confidently, “Without the help of a mushroom bug, he wouldn’t have been able to gather a group of people and aim to dominate the cavern.”
Excitedly, Charles said, “Sir, this gives us yet another reason to sweep through the Xiangshui River Cavern!”
“Indeed, whether the rumor is true or not, we’ll have to capture Lisbon for questioning,” Russell had already come to view the Xiangshui River Cavern as his own turf.
Since it was his turf, all its magical creatures naturally belonged to him.
Lone Wolf Lisbon was committing theft and robbery!
“Katie, Catherine, once you return, remember to inquire more about the mushroom bug, and if you need to send messages, let Kevin do it. I’ll arrange for Eric to coordinate with you.”
“Yes, Sir!”
