Russell had thought that the establishment of the Elder Council had little to do with him, aside from Baron Roman becoming Minister of Finance.
But he soon received a decree from the Elder Council.
"A decree ordering me to go to the Elder Council in Red Castle and serve as Assistant Volcano Minister?" Russell looked utterly confused as he faced the decree delegation from Red Castle. "Sorry for the trouble, Commander Lucas, but are you sure this is an official decree issued by the Elder Council?"
The leader of the decree delegation was Lucas, the Phantom Beast Knight who had previously come to grant Russell the title of Scholar.
More precisely, he was Lord Lucas. Not long ago, he had been knighted by the Elder Council for his outstanding military achievements.
"Of course it is a decree signed by the Elder Council. Aren't Lord Merlin's and Lord Mel's signatures on it?" Commander Lucas said with a smile.
Russell frowned. "But I am not a vassal of Red Castle. I am my father's vassal."
"Don't worry, Lord Russell. Baron Roman asked me to bring you a message," Commander Lucas said. "Baron Roman wanted me to tell you that Lord Mel proposed this decision, and the Elder Council passed it after discussion. The reason is that the Shadowflame Dragon favors you."
Lucas then added some unofficial gossip. "Apparently, Lord Quintke, the Minister of Volcanoes, is old and frail and preparing to step down. He recommended several successors to the Shadowflame Dragon, but the Shadowflame Dragon was dissatisfied with all of them."
"And then?"
"Then someone told Lord Quintke that, after the great battle, you had received the Shadowflame Dragon's attention. So Lord Quintke submitted your name. Who would have thought that the Shadowflame Dragon would actually approve of you? That is why