Chapter 553: Curtain Call
Russell!
The new Grand Duke of Shadowflame Grand Duchy!
The nobles, commoners, and serfs who were enjoying the warm sunshine of the warm season at this moment did not know that the new Grand Duke had been selected in the Shadowflame Volcano.
On the trade road connecting the Fire Ant Swamp to the Volcano Oasis, Cousin Mel rode the Iron-feathered Gray Crane Mora, looking forward to the future with excitement. Anne Inula sat in the carriage, lifted the curtain, looked at Mel's back, and also had a happy smile.
The end of the trade road ahead.
The vassal lords of the Yujiuhua family were already waiting at the market near the cave to welcome Mel and others.
The market was bustling with people, and the caravans coming and going stayed here. Whether they were small vendors or serf traders, they were all shouting hard.
There was a manor nearby.
In order to reward the hard-working serfs, the lord specially invited the theater troupe from Windfury City to perform a newly released drama "Chronicles of Darkness" for the serfs. This is the new work of the drama master Nicholas.
At the beginning of the drama, he first thanked Earl Leiyan for providing inspiration, and then thanked Marquis Arno for helping to revise it.
The story of the dark age was presented on the simple stage of the manor in the form of a drama.
The powerful ice giants, the tenacious dragon domain lords, and the countless human ancestors fighting desperately made the serfs watch the climax and scream.
"It's as good as the Sora trilogy!" The knights who were mixed in with the serfs and watched the drama together commented.
The opera house far away in Windfury City was also showing "Chronicles of Darkness".
The opera house was crowded, and the audience liked this kind of passionate drama with constant fighting and slapping.
However, the drama critic in the corner kept shaking his head: "It is the same as the Solo trilogy, which is full of excitement but lacks art. Nicholas is exaggerating and does not deserve the reputation of a drama master. He is just a vulgar playwright who caters to the masses!"
Whether it is the Solo trilogy or this "Dark Chronicles", Nicholas, inspired by Russell, focuses on one word-cool.
There is no dog-blood love, no rough life experience, and no destined fate.
Just do it!
It is to pull down and slap in the face to mobilize emotions.
Put it in Russell's hometown on Earth, this is definitely a Hollywood commercial blockbuster, which naturally kills a group of slow-paced art films.
Winning the box office, every show is full, Nicholas made a lot of money, but at the same time, he was also scolded by drama critics and colleagues. But in the aristocratic circle, few people scolded him, for no other reason, the Solo trilogy is based on Russell.
And everyone knows that Russell is about to become a dragon knight and the master of this country. Who dares to scold his own monarch?
The atmosphere in the field of literature and art is open, and Russell will not go to the corners of those drama critics and playwrights.
But if the nobles dare to scold, they may be driven to the snowfield by Russell one day to accompany the snow ghosts.
"I spent a lot of money to find out the latest news about Sir Russell. Nicholas, write well and make the Su Luo series a classic in the history of drama!" In the Never Night Castle, Marquis Arnold, who was pregnant, said while smoking a cigar.
Nicholas carefully recorded in his notebook and exclaimed: "For the fourth part of the Su Luo series, I originally planned to interview Sir Hape and write a story about Sir Russell and Sir Hape. Now it seems that there is better material!"
"The part about Hape can be added, but the Magic Dragon Knight is the focus, and Sir Russell and the Frost Troll Da's battle in the snowfield must be described in detail... When Earl Ade's convoy arrives, I will ask for clarification immediately."
"Thank you, sir!" Nicholas thanked.
Marquis Arnold chuckled and shook off the cigar ash: "You have to portray my role well."
"Please rest assured, sir!"
"It's not that I am just a name, but I am blessed to witness the rise of a dragon knight. Moreover, what we are witnessing may be an unprecedentedly powerful dragon knight, even..."
Marquis Arnold exhaled a puff of smoke: "After Mr. Russell rides on the dragon, I believe that the dragon can return to ancient times!"
"Return to ancient times!" Nicholas' eyes were full of longing.
He had naturally heard Marquis Arnold say that dragons all had the hope of returning to ancient times, but apart from sporadic records in historical materials that were not true or false, there had never been a dragon returning to ancient times.
Even the concept of "returning to ancient times" was unknown to anyone.
"Wait, there will be such a day sooner or later." Marquis Arnold lay down in the sofa chair and smoked a cigar in small sips.
He said with deep emotion: "When you wrote "The Dragon Riding Boy", you didn't expect that Mr. Russell could be promoted to Dragon Domain Lord; when you wrote "Dragon Domain Thunder", you naturally didn't expect that Russell would create a high-level Dragon Domain Lord realm."
Paused.
He smiled proudly: "Now that you are writing "Long Sword Shakes Ice and Frost", how could you have thought that Mr. Russell could be promoted to Phantom Dragon Knight... When you finish writing a book in the Su Luo series, you will find that Mr. Russell has created a new incredible thing."
Looking at the proud expression on Marquis Arnold's face, Nicholas couldn't help but say: "Mr. Marquis, I didn't expect you to be so optimistic about Mr. Russell."
"Haha!" Marquis Arnold laughed, and squeezed out two tears while laughing, "Since Mr. Russell slashed this sword at the gate of the Never-Sleeping Castle that day, I have truly seen what it means to be a child of destiny!"
He reached out to wipe away his tears, and his smile faded: "In this life, I have only been a dragon knight, and I cannot see a higher realm... Witnessing the rise of Mr. Russell is like me walking the path of knighthood myself."
Paused.
He gently recited a line from "The Chronicle of Darkness": "Knights... one after another..."
...
Earl Merlin led the ruling elders out of the Shadow Flame Volcano and walked in the underground passage full of gem lamps.
For a long time.
Earl Merlin said, "His Highness Shadow Flame has made his decision. Then, our Council of Elders only needs to do one more thing in the next period of time... complete the coronation ceremony of the new Grand Duke Russell Fluorescent Mushroom."
Lord Robert said softly, "I still don't understand. Will Lord Russell become a dragon knight after he ascends the throne?"
"Success or failure is no longer important." Lord Quinbe stroked his beard and smiled, "The Shadow Flame Dragon Blood Family has withered, and the power of the contract has also been invalidated... In the future, regardless of whether Lord Russell has signed the contract or not, His Highness Shadow Flame will choose the knight contract from Lord Russell's blood descendants."
"Yes, we have also witnessed the changes of an era." Lord Croa said with a slight sigh.
Lord Sandra said, "I thought the Grand Duke would choose from the three elected princes..."
At this time, Earl Merlin suddenly turned around and said, "I forgot one thing. Issue an edict immediately to abolish the elected prince system and revoke the titles of elected princes of Queensley, Mel, and Augustus. Explain the reasons in detail in the official newspaper."
After giving this order.
Earl Merlin left the Senate first. He handed over the preparations for the next coronation ceremony to Lord Quinbe, the chief steward of internal affairs.
Looking back at the Senate Hall, the chief executive who has been in power for fifteen years has too many complicated emotions in his heart.
Reluctant, unwilling, aftertaste, and nostalgia.
Unlike when Grand Duke Kunstan ascended the throne, he was reluctant to leave. This time when Russell ascended the throne, he had no reason to delay.
Russell's means, Russell's strength, and Russell's reputation, even without the coronation ceremony, can easily replace him-the reason why the Senate can still operate today is because he is Russell's grandfather.
If there was a new chief executive, I'm afraid the elders' council would have dispersed long ago, and the ministers would have reported to Russell long ago.
"Grand Duke..." Earl Merlin looked up at the sky, muttering the name of the Grand Duke, Quentin III Shadow Flame, and said to himself with a wry smile, "Since your death, Merlin has supported the Grand Duchy of Shadow Flame with both public and private interests..."
He turned around and staggered down the steps like an ordinary white-haired old man.
The followers and servants behind him did not dare to step forward to support him.
Earl Merlin whispered softly in a voice that only he could hear: "Now, this country will be handed over to an... an outsider... Merlin has failed your trust, and the Shadow Flame Dragon Blood Family is afraid to say goodbye... I, too, will say goodbye..."
The manganese steel dragon Mercedes hovering over the Red Castle seemed to have a premonition of something, and swooped in front of Earl Merlin.
Hovering, staring at Earl Merlin.
Earl Merlin raised his head, looked at his old partner, and smiled calmly: "Young Master Meier is about to get married, and I must give him a gift... Besides, you have always been optimistic about this child, haven't you?"