After seeing off the Fluorite Mushroom Family, Russell parted ways with his cousin Mel. He was going to Nevernight Castle to visit Marquis Arno Lieyang.
Nevernight Castle was unusually quiet today, devoid of its usual bustle.
All banquets, salons, and balls had been declined by Marquis Arno, all so he could receive the approaching Russell.
A mere baron was clearly not worth Marquis Arno going to such lengths for.
But if that baron was the foremost figure of the Shadowflame Grand Duchy, with the glorious record of slaying three dragons with one sword, and was also a Dragon Domain Lord who had survived Snow Giant Da's ambush, then all of this was entirely worthwhile.
"Haha, Lord Russell has finally arrived. I've been waiting for quite some time." Marquis Arno greeted him before the castle gates.
His Contract Wyvern had long since returned to the Scorching Torrent Kingdom. Without a sustained supply of Dragon Breath, he was now only at the level of a Phantom Beast Knight, and not even a particularly powerful one. He was merely second-rank.
Fortunately, his status was noble, and he had the Scorching Torrent Kingdom supporting him. His position within the Shadowflame Grand Duchy was beyond ordinary comparison.
The last time Russell had come to visit, he had needed to look up at Marquis Arno.
This time, the feeling was entirely different. Marquis Arno could no longer exert any pressure on him.
"Ever since I advanced to Dragon Domain Lord, I've been thinking of coming to Nevernight Castle for a visit. Today, I've finally fulfilled that wish." Russell did not look arrogant just because he had grown stronger, but confidence radiated from him inside and out.
"Haha, it is my honor."
Meeting him face-to-face, Marquis Arno could keenly feel the powerful presence and intense confidence emanating