Chapter 23: Grunt

“A true gentleman should be sleeping in a separate room, shouldn’t he?” Baroness Meryl, lying in bed, looked at Baron Roman as he knocked and entered, teasing him with a smile.

The personal maid lowered her head and chuckled quietly.

Baron Roman was unashamed, raising his two thick eyebrows as he replied, “On my lands, a baron has the right to sleep wherever he pleases.”

“No wonder everyone wants to be a noble.”

“There must be some privileges to stir one’s ambition. Otherwise, who would dare lead the charge against the snowbeasts?” said the baron.

“Your Lordship has a point,” Meryl smiled.

Watching the couple tease each other, the maid slipped quietly to the door. “Madam, I’ll leave you and the lord to yourselves. I’ll be leaving now.”

“Go back and get some good rest,” the Baron waved his hand.

The couple lay together on the large bed. After a gentle kiss, they didn’t do anything else, just whispered to each other.

“Russell is very lucky. He’s only been in the territory for a few days, and he’s already picked up a sprite grub. And not just any, but the rare birch grub that can produce magic materials,” the baron lamented. Sprite grubs that could produce magic herbs were not rare, but a birch worm was something special.

“It seems that Russell is really lucky. Apart from having some luck when he was born, inheriting our Rainflower family’s good looks, this child hasn’t had much luck otherwise,” Meryl responded.

“That is not exactly luck. Take Roland, for example, who inherited the growing talent of the Fluorescent Mushroom family – now that’s luck,” the Baron said dismissively. To him, looks were secondary; talent was what really counted.

“Cultivation can be improved with potions. If Russell contracts with a fantasy beast in the future, he could still become a powerful fantasy beast knight,” Meryl countered. “But the appearance? That will follow Russell for his whole life.”

“At most, it’ll help him fool a few naive young girls.”

“Maybe even a dragon could be fooled.”

“Speaking of dragons… How should I put it? I don’t know what’s gotten into Lord Ross lately, but he seems very displeased with Russell, even showing hostility,” the Baron suddenly sighed, troubled by the matter.

Meryl comforted him, “Dragons are like that. They’re even more temperamental and unpredictable than us women.”

“How can that be?” the Baron replied, puzzled.

“How can it not be? You’ve been flattering Lord Ross for decades, and yet he’s never allowed you to ride him,” Meryl teased.

“Well, that’s different. The reason Lord Ross won’t let me ride him is because our compatibility isn’t right, and there are certain aspects that I haven’t met Lord Ross’ requirements for. Becoming a Dragon Knight isn’t something you can achieve with affection alone,” the Baron explained, scoffing at the suggestion.

“Maybe Russell can ride a dragon,” Meryl said thoughtfully.

Baron Roman chuckled, “There aren’t that many dragons for Russell to ride. The entire Fluorescent Mushroom family depends on Lord Ross… Sigh, I originally thought that whether it was Roland or Russell, as long as one of them could ride a dragon, the family would be able to take the next step”.

He shook his head, “Russell is growing up, but… now it seems he has almost no chance of riding a dragon. The family can only rely on Roland now.”

“Don’t you have Lawson’s two children?” Meryl remarked casually.

Without hesitation, the Baron shook his head. “No. Royal and Royell are not qualified to ride a dragon. Lawson is just my vassal now!”

Lawson Fluorescent Mushroom, the Baron’s younger brother, had two sons, Royal and Royell, who were the Baron’s nephews.

Meryl seemed pleased with the answer. “I’m glad you can tell the difference.”

The Baron asked in return, “Why would you think I can’t distinguish it? I have heirs, Roland and Russell, both excellent!”

“You and I can distinguish it, but your mother, Old Lady Ingrid, may not see it the same way,” Meryl pointed out.

“Yes, my mother is indeed closer to Lawson, but that has nothing to do with family succession. She just enjoys the hot springs at Lawson’s place,” the Baron admitted.

“I was just saying it offhand. Anyway, Baron, it’s time to sleep,” Meryl concluded.

“You’re always worrying about these unnecessary things.”

“All right, all right.” Meryl kissed the Baron and easily changed the subject. “Russell’s going back tomorrow. I want to give him another batch of supplies. I asked his personal servant, and it seems that life in the manor annex is quite humble.”

“A simple lord doesn’t need to keep up extravagant appearances. A little hardship isn’t a bad thing,” the baron said dismissively.

“He’s still growing, still developing,” Meryl remarked.

“Have it your way,” the Baron wasn’t interested in arguing about a few supplies.

Meryl sighed deeply again. “Ah, Russell is growing up… Roland is off to get closer to the Duke, Rowena is married, and now Russell has his own territory. In a few years Rora will leave me as well. I really can’t bear to grow old.

The Baron tenderly embraced his wife: “Such is life. Don’t worry, I’ll grow old with you.”

Meanwhile…

In Russell’s room, he had already fallen into a deep sleep, his breathing even and steady.

When his consciousness regained clarity, Russell was thrilled to find himself once again in the eagerly awaited dark dreamscape.

“Gah!”

A familiar call instantly made Russell tremble with excitement. “Snowcone! My Golden Finger! I knew you wouldn’t leave me!”

“Gah?” Little Dream Dragon slowly flapped its wings and tilted its head, clueless as to why this person was so excited.

“Where have you been the last few days?” Russell rolled over and mounted Little Dream Dragon, instantly lighting up the entire Dark Dreamscape with his magical aura, radiating everywhere.

“Gah?” Little Dream Dragon was still confused.

Its intelligence was very limited, unlike the legendary dragons that were said to be even smarter than humans. It could only understand simple commands.

Russell couldn’t get an answer from it, so he could only speculate: “Did the dragon flame from three days ago hurt you badly and you had to rest for the last three days?”

“Gah?”

“Gah, my foot!” Russell laughed, gave Little Dream Dragon a playful slap, and then shouted, “Take off, Snowcone!”

“Gah gah!” Little Dream Dragon understood and soared into the sky, carrying Russell as they flew around the familiar Fluorescent Castle.

Russell was well acquainted with all the magical creations in Fluorescent Castle, so he simply enjoyed joyfully flying with Little Dream Dragon.

After a while, Little Dream Dragon got tired again and called out, “Gah.”

Russell dismounted and waved to the returning Little Dream Dragon. “All right, get some rest, Snowcone. In the future, I’ll be riding you to conquer the entire Dragonmire Continent!”

The next morning…

Russell woke up feeling refreshed, the dark thoughts of the past few days completely gone. His mood was excellent, and he greeted everyone with a smile.

“You seem particularly happy today, Master Russell,” said the old butler, Carter.

“Being able to sleep in a comfortable big room, of course I’m happy,” Russell replied with a grin. “What’s for breakfast today?”

“Your favorite fish and egg casserole, with smoked cod flakes specially prepared by the kitchen. The cod was caught fresh from the seasonal ice caves.”

“Hmm…” Russell didn’t respond much, but he was clearly content.

Fish egg casserole had been his favorite dish in his past life, and he could eat two large bowls of it for breakfast, especially when it was made with cod flakes.

But now, he found himself missing Chinese food even more.