Evil dragon has a warm heart

Squeak, squeak, crunch!

Horse hooves stepped on the charcoal-covered road, creating a fine sound as three knights leisurely admired the manor bathed in sunlight at a distance.

A tilted sign by the road read "Wuyao Snake Manor."

Below that, in smaller letters: "Beware of the venomous Blackwaist Serpents nearby."

Seemingly concerned that some might be illiterate, next to the small text, a black, coiled snake was drawn with charcoal, and marked with a large "X."

"Out of the 19 manors in Glowing Valley, Wuyao Snake Manor is a large one. Covering roughly 20,000 hectares of land, it houses 580 serfs, approximately 3,500 people," said the middle-aged knight on the left, his beard scruffy and teeth yellowish-brown.

He flicked his whip leisurely and said, "Lord Baron giving you this manor as your fief shows his high regard for you, Russell."

"The burden is also heavy," replied the handsome young knight in the middle, with arched eyebrows and starry eyes, lips red and teeth white. Without wearing a knight's helmet and his pale blond hair particularly soft, he gently smiled, "Mr. Charles."

The bearded middle-aged knight, Mr. Charles, laughed and said, "At the downstream of Glowing Valley, beyond Wuyao Snake Manor, there's a vast expanse of caverns. The serfs there are the best natural moat, so you needn't worry at all."

Upon hearing this,

the knight on the right, speaking in a muffled voice, said, "The freemen of Echo Water River Cavern are unreliable."

Mr. Charles casually responded, "Isn't that where you come in, Eric? As Russell's Guardian Knight Leader, safeguarding the security of Wuyao Snake Manor is indisputably your responsibility."

Eric, roughly in his thirties with a square face, replied, "I'll do my best."

"All right, my two mentors, Wuyao Snake Manor hasn't been handed over yet. Let's wait for the handover, then we'll make detailed plans," the young handsome knight gently kicked his horse's belly, and the majestic black horse beneath him instantly galloped on the charcoal road.

Directly towards Wuyao Snake Manor.

The wind wailed in his ears.

The weather was still quite cold, tiny ice crystals in the air hitting his face.

But the continuously rising fighting spirit within effectively mitigated the coldness, keeping his body warm even with thin clothing.

"Fighting spirit!"

Even after experiencing it for a whole week, Russell still found this magical power incredible.

The horse hooves raced.

As he was about to reach his fief, the edges of his mouth involuntarily curled up.

In his heart, he silently admired, "Roman Roland once said that the only true form of heroism in the world is to love life fervently even after understanding the realities of it… As a transmigrator, I am satisfied with my current life..."

Born into a noble family!

His father's name was Roman, his elder brother was named Roland... and he had a sister named Rolin, um, and another sister named Lola.

But their family surname wasn't "Ro."

Their last name was "Glowing Mushrooms," a noble surname named after a kind of mushroom, originating from his great-grandfather, the first Baron Youguang.

His grandfather inherited the title and became the second Baron Youguang.

His father then succeeded the title and became the third Baron Youguang.

In his generation, his ambitious elder brother, Roland Yingguangjun, was already prepared to inherit the title of Baron Youguang and the fiefs of Glowing Valley at any moment.

Of course,

his father, Roman Youguangxun, was still in the prime of life with no plans of passing away any time soon.

Thus, being somewhat a good-for-nothing junior baron, he could rely on his parents' love after his 16th birthday and was ennobled as a knight with his own small piece of land—nearly 20,000 hectares of Wuyao Snake Manor.

Though called a manor, its area was almost as large as the town where Russell originally lived on Earth.

But with a much smaller population.

580 households, about 3500 people—my old village on Earth might have had just about that many people. Fortunately, these serfs belonged entirely to Russell.

"Phew!"

As I sprinted to the entrance of Wuyao Snake Manor, I could see the vast expanses of farmland along both banks of the Glowing River, where many serfs were bent over working the fields.

Clustered around the farmland was a collection of low, flat-roofed houses, none taller than two stories.

The faint sounds of chickens clucking and dogs barking could be heard.

Pat-pat, pat-pat.

The horses' hooves stepped off the main road and onto the riverside stones.

"Russell, aren't you going inside to take a look?" Charles asked, following behind Russell.

"No need, today is just for a look. Once the handover is complete, there will be plenty of time to explore," Russell said.

The coming-of-age ceremony had just passed, and Wuyao Snake Manor had yet to be handed over; there were only some serfs and the serf supervisor here.

He still needed his parents to recruit attendants and servants for him and grant him sufficient wealth before he could comfortably settle into Wuyao Snake Manor.

"This will be the ground where your empire rises," Charles said, flattering him, then pointed across the Glowing River to a two-story stone building, "There, the Baron's private residence could serve as your castle. Would you like to name it first?"

Russell shook his head: "No need."

It was just a small two-story building. Though slightly bigger than the rural villas back on Earth, it was nowhere near a castle.

How could I dare to name it?

Charles laughed, guessing what Russell was thinking: "Don't underestimate this place. Every noble starts as a lord. Russell, your starting point is steadier than anyone's. Strive for ten years, make your military achievements; perhaps you could ascend to Baron."

Eric, somewhat subdued, nodded in agreement: "Indeed."

Russell responded with a light smile.

Suddenly, Charles changed the topic, speaking mystically: "Of course, I think the most secure advancement is to get on good terms with Mr. Ross. Really, Russell, if you could forge a pact with Mr. Ross, perhaps the barony itself could be yours!"

"Stop right there, Mr. Charles, don't mention such things anymore," Russell said, his smile fading as he calmly glanced at Charles.

At this, Charles chuckled sheepishly, "Ah, the ice age this year is withdrawing later than usual. At this time in previous years, the Glowing River's waters would already be roiling and muddy, but this year it's still just a shallow layer."

The topic thus diverted, the trio walked their horses slowly along the riverbank, briefly surveying the general situation of Wuyao Snake Manor.

As the sun leaned westward, Russell turned his horse's head: "Let's go back."

His black horse, like a swift arrow, charged onto the main road toward the direction from which they had come.

Charles also turned his horse, watching Russell's swiftly retreating figure, and whispered to Eric beside him: "I told you, it's a good shortcut, isn't it? Getting Mr. Ross's approval is more effective than any military achievements."

Eric replied in a low voice: "This is Lord Baron's family business, Charles."

After saying this, he galloped after Russell.

"Really… we've already been stamped with Russell's seal; Russell's rise is our rise… why aren't they more concerned, ignoring the shortcut!" Charles muttered to himself, then quickly caught up with Russell and Eric.

Meanwhile.

Russell, speeding ahead on his horse, was far from calm.

This was a bizarre world, a world of supernatural powers: "Snow Demons freezing the land… volcanoes nurturing oases… knights, battle spirit… elves, mushrooms, phantom beasts… but most importantly, dragons!"

Dragons could determine everything!

And Mr. Ross was a dragon, a dragon of the Glowing Mushrooms Family!

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First time writing a book, hope everyone supports and follows, love you guys~