Evil dragon has a warm heart-Chapter 171 - 170 The Mysterious Librarian

Chapter 171: Chapter 170: The Mysterious Librarian

Chapter 171 -170: The Mysterious Librarian

In the carriage, Lady Meryl called Russell over for some reminders, insisting that Russell should not indulge himself over the next month.

“Your great-aunt is the aunt of the Duke, you must not lose your manners in front of her, as it will affect your future relationship with the Duke… Your older brother has already made mistakes, I don’t want to hear that you have made mistakes too,” she said.

“Don’t worry, mother, have some faith in me,” Russell replied with a smile.

“Your older brother also assured me, but who knows what he’s done behind our backs; just remember, you must not bring shame to our family,” she advised.

“Understood.”

After his mother finished her advice, Russell then spoke up, “Father, mother, I have a matter to discuss with you.”

“Speak,” Baron Roman said.

“The Rain Dragon Cigars, named by grandfather, are in high demand, so I plan to rapidly produce a batch and then sell them,” Russell began. “First, this is to slightly compensate for the deficit in the manor’s income, and second, to maintain the reputation of the Rain Dragon Cigars.”

With the prestige of Count Merlin’s name, the Rain Dragon Cigars had become well-known and would surely be sought after for some time.

But if the Rain Dragon Cigars fail to enter the market soon, this enthusiasm will cool down rapidly.

And even.

If someone with a keen sense of opportunity got ahead, then Russell’s efforts would purely benefit someone else.

Baron Roman was intrigued, “How do you plan to produce them?”

He also liked the Rain Dragon Cigars, not so much for the taste, but because Russell’s slogan of “A knight burns brightly throughout life” seemed very sophisticated. It was time to distinguish his smoking habits from those of ordinary people.

“I won’t produce them, father,” replied Russell with a laugh, “I’ll just transport… I plan to let Fluorescent Castle handle the production, while I will promote the brand of Rain Dragon Cigars and take care of sales.”

There’s nothing much to say about the production and sales of cigars.

They don’t involve any technical content.

Baron Roman commented, “You’re quite the businessman, letting Fluorescent Castle do all the hard work while you just collect the money?”

“Father, you’re mistaken. Although I haven’t put in much physical effort, the Rain Dragon Cigars are my idea and I’m the one who has spread their fame. For now, the nobles of Shadowflame Duchy will surely only buy Rain Dragon Cigars.”

“You do have a point, but Fluorescent Castle can’t work for you for nothing,” said Baron Roman. “You will have to share half of the profits to cover Fluorescent Castle’s channel costs.”

“That’s an exaggeration, father!”

“Channels are the most important thing, son. You should appreciate the sacrifices of the family. Every year many knights fall on the Snowfield.”

“I can have cousin Mel take care of production for me.”

“What, are you planning to switch allegiance to your grandfather and become a vassal at Tributary River Mouth?” Baron Roman stared into Russell’s eyes.

Faced with his father’s unreasonable behavior, Russell had no choice but to compromise, “Alright, I can subsidize the channel costs, but I can only spare a quarter of the profits.”

“One-third.”

“Deal.”

Having reached an agreement, Baron Roman extended his hand, and with a slightly surprised look in his eyes, Russell shook hands with him.

Baron Roman then said calmly, “You’re an adult now, Russell, and as an adult, you’re destined to be surrounded by the smell of money. As a Knight Lord and a manor knight, the family will protect you, but at the same time, it will also tax you.”

Russell raised an eyebrow and exclaimed, “Father, surely you’re not saying I have to pay a business tax to you for selling Rain Dragon Cigars?”

“Rain Dragon Cigars are a product, and as such, they should be taxed.”

“But I’ve already compensated the family for channel costs.”

“Channel costs are channel costs, and business tax is business tax unless you organize your own trading party. In that case, I could waive the channel costs for you.”

“I should have gone to negotiate with my elder brother, Father.”

“Then he would have asked for even more than I do, Russell,” Baron Roman said, narrowing his eyes and smiling with pride. “I am your father, trust me, my paternal love has helped you prop up the business of Dragon Rain cigars.”

Lady Meryl, who had been watching her husband and son haggle with a smile, spoke up in support of Russell, “Alright, dear, Russell has just come of age, don’t dampen his spirit… Let’s waive the business tax for the first year.”

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“That’s your maternal love,” Baron Roman chuckled.

“Father, Mother, once we return to our lands, please start producing Dragon Rain cigars,” said Russell as he prepared to dismount the carriage.

“Don’t worry, I will arrange for all the tobacco farmers in our land to switch to producing Dragon Rain cigars.”

“For the production techniques, please consult Court Chief Hans from my lands; he’s the former manor overseer and he knows how to make cigars,” Russell instructed.

“Alright, off you go,” Baron Roman waved his hand and then emerged from the carriage himself, mounting a Nightmare Specter Horse. “Mel, Russell, this is where we part ways. The journey ahead is long; to accompany us further would mean leaving the Estuary Plains.”

“Then, uncle and aunt, I wish you a smooth journey,” said Cousin Mel as he brought his warhorse to a halt.

Russell also reined in his warhorse, and together with Cousin Mel, watched as his parents’ convoy slowly disappeared from view.

After a long while.

Cousin Mel turned his horse around and said to Russell, “From here on out, it will be just the two of us in the Tributary River Mouth.”

“Cousin, what are the plans moving forward?” Russell asked with a smile.

“We’ll spend today quietly. Tomorrow, I’ll take you around the entire Tributary River Mouth to experience a different landscape and atmosphere from that of the Glowing Valley,” Mel said, then mysteriously added, “Of course, there’ll also be a different local culture.”

“Before leaving, Mother repeatedly warned me not to make the same mistakes Roland did. Cousin, please don’t lead me astray.”

“Relax, the Tributary River Mouth is my territory, I’m more than familiar with the local culture. How could I harm you? Or don’t you trust me?”

“Then I’m looking forward to experiencing a different local culture.”

“Haha, that’s the spirit, let’s go!”

The two of them, one after the other, galloped off, with members of the knights’ escort team following closely behind to ensure their safety.

Trailing behind Russell’s warhorse was the Red-eyed Rat King, who had been indulging for the past few days and was close to becoming round—these days, the Rat King had truly been living a divine life, as the cuisine at Bluebird Castle was a few notches higher than in Wuyao Snake Manor.

“Red-eye, stop dawdling, catch up!”

“Squeak squeak!”

The Red-eyed Rat King exerted all its strength to barely keep up with the galloping warhorses. If it got any fatter, it would have to resort to using “Magic-Bloodthirsty Flicker” to catch up.

Returning to Bluebird Castle.

Since Cousin Mel had no specific plans for today, Russell hid away in the castle’s library to eagerly browse through the volumes.

It must be said, Bluebird Castle indeed had deeper heritage than Fluorescent Castle, with the library practically serving as a public library. Shelves were stacked high with books; the ones on the topmost level required a long ladder to be reached.

“Mr. Russell, if you need any particular kind of books, you can tell this old man, and I will help you find them,” said the library’s caretaker, a white-haired old man.

But his attire wasn’t that of a servant; he was dressed in work clothes with several pockets and even had a pipe in his mouth.

Normally, servants wouldn’t dare smoke inside the castle and would have to hide in the servants’ lounge if they wished to smoke.

Moreover, Russell noticed a badge that resembled a scepter pinned on the old caretaker’s chest.

“Scholar Medal?” Russell recognized the badge, which was the Scholar Medal awarded by Red Castle to erudite scholars, serving as a proof of identity.