Past Events

Successfully hunting twelve Snow Ghosts immediately secured Russell's position as Lord, earning him even more approval from his parents.

However, this time Russell only had lunch in the castle and told stories to his sister Laura before leaving empty-handed.

He couldn't take another batch of supplies with him.

Even if a Baron has a large estate, he can't afford to send out a batch of supplies every time Russell visits. A few more visits like this and the castle would be emptied.

Upon returning to Wuyou Snake Manor, he saw a long convoy heading into the manor.

They weren't the four-wheeled carriages used by nobles, but two-wheeled carts resembling flatbeds, pulled by mules.

The flatbeds were piled high with logs, almost bending the wheel hubs. A group of ragged serfs followed alongside the carts, steadying the wood and pushing with all their might. It was especially difficult when going over bumps, requiring them to push together while shouting slogans.

"My Lord, you're back," Charles greeted him with a smile. "Lord Ertlas himself led the convoy to deliver the lumber."

"Oh, Lord Ertlas is here too?"

"He's having tea in the manor's annex."

Russell quickly returned to the manor's annex and met Lord Ertlas, the Lord of Red Falcon Manor and a Phantom Beast Knight.

"Lord Ertlas, I didn't expect you to come in person."

"Haha, Russell, you've grown!" Ertlas reached out and patted Russell's arm. "You have more resilience than when you came of age. It seems the life of a Lord truly allows one to mature quickly. When I was your age, I hadn't killed any Snow Ghosts."

He was Baron Roman's right-hand man, one of his five Noble Vassals, and had fought alongside the Baron for many years, possessing great strength.

The transfer of lumber was handled by Charles and his subordinates.

Russell simply accompanied Ertlas, drinking tea, chatting, and listening to Ertlas brag about past events in the snowy plains.

"I followed the Baron to fight in the snowy plains and clear the trade routes. Over the years, I've killed countless Snow Ghosts. They seem to be endless," Ertlas sighed. "They say Snow Ghosts are the reanimated dead, but I don't believe it."

"You don't agree with that theory?"

"Of course not. How many of us humans have died in such numbers? Moreover, only dead people who have cultivated Battle Qi can transform into Snow Ghosts, which further reduces their numbers. Yet, look at how many Snow Ghosts we've killed from ancient times to the present, have their numbers decreased?"

"Indeed, they haven't."

"See? That's why Snow Ghosts aren't transformed humans at all... uh, how should I put it? Perhaps some are transformed humans. After all, I've personally seen fallen comrades suddenly reanimate and become Snow Ghosts... It's hard to say."

The idea that Snow Ghosts were transformed from cultivated dead people had almost become a consensus.

But after Ertlas's explanation, Russell also felt something was amiss. How many people would have to die to provide enough sustenance for humans to hunt for thousands of years and still not deplete their numbers—even with the continuous deaths of humans, the rate of hunting was far from being matched.

Especially with the Knights of today, who, when fighting in the snowy plains, would humanely destroy any fallen comrade to prevent them from transforming into Snow Ghosts.

This left no opportunity for transformation.

So, where the Snow Ghosts actually came from remained a mystery.

The conversation soon turned to Snow Demons, and Russell asked, "Lord Ertlas, have you fought Snow Demons?"

"Haha, of course, I have!" Ertlas's beard bristled at the mention. "We call Snow Ghosts 'blue skins' and Snow Demons 'red skins.' They are taller than the big blue skins, and some even ride Snow Beasts. Do you know what Snow Beasts are? They're not trash like Ghost Beasts!"

Snow Ghosts were transformed humans, while Ghost Beasts were transformed animals, both reanimated by the power of Snow Demons.

Thus, they were both called "Ghosts."

The root of the disaster on the frozen Dragon Sleep Continent was the Snow Demons.

Legend had it that Snow Demons came from another world, taking away the "fire seed" of the Dragon Sleep Continent, leaving behind endless ice that even sunlight couldn't melt.

There were two types of Snow Demons: humanoid Snow Demons and beast-shaped Snow Demons, also known as Snow Beasts.

"When we see red skins riding Snow Beasts, we basically just flee, haha. Only Wyverns can deal with these 'mounted red skins.' Your grandfather, back then, rode Lord Ross and killed a mounted red skin, earning himself a great reputation."

Ertlas reminisced about the past with a sigh. "It's a shame you weren't born yet when Old Lord Rhode died fighting the Great Duke in the snowy plains. Alas... the Baron couldn't ride a dragon, so when we encountered mounted red skins, we turned and ran."

Russell sighed in agreement.

He knew of his grandfather's heroic reputation but had never met him. He occasionally heard stories from his grandmother, Old Madam Ingrid.

His grandfather, Rhode Fluorite, was the second Baron Gloomlight. He had ridden Lord Ross, meaning he was a Wyvern Knight.

Wyvern Knights were considered Dragon Knights.

The name Rhode the Dragon Knight was renowned throughout the Shadowflame Grand Duchy at the time. Unfortunately, five years before Russell was born, in the year 5560 of the Dragon Calendar, Rhode was hunting Snow Demons with the then Grand Duke when they unexpectedly disturbed a Snow Giant.

Snow Giants were the kings among Snow Demons, as massive as giants, capable of tearing Wyverns apart with their bare hands and fighting true Dragons.

As a result of this battle, the Grand Duke at the time perished, and the Shadowflame Dragon was wounded.

Rhode the Dragon Knight also fell beside the Grand Duke, only managing to send the then relatively young Lord Ross back to his territory.

"If it weren't for that battle with the Snow Giant, Old Lord Rhode wouldn't have died prematurely... The Fluorite Mushroom Family would probably have advanced further and become Earls with vast territories."

After speaking, Ertlas shook his head and chuckled. "Never mind, what's the point of dwelling on such things? True nobles rely on their own efforts. Russell, grow up quickly, and when the time comes, we will follow Lord Roman and surely fight our way to an Earldom!"

"Alright!"

By the time the lumber was handed over, it was already dark.

Ertlas only had dinner at the manor's annex before taking his leave, returning to Red Falcon Manor with his serf convoy under the cover of night.

"Five gold, twenty-three silver, and sixteen copper coins. Lord Ertlas's accompanying officials have tough mouths; they wouldn't even waive the odd copper coins," Charles said goodnight to Russell with a hint of drunkenness, muttering, "It must have been instructed by the Lord. He was so generous at dinner, yet so stingy in private!"

Russell waved with a smile. "Red Falcon Manor isn't in a good location and doesn't have many resources. They rely on lumber for their livelihood, so being meticulous about every coin is understandable... Hurry back to bed."

After sending Charles away, Russell went to the study.

Soon, Butler Morris knocked on the door carrying a bottle of red wine. "Master."

"You've come at just the right time, Morris. How much money do we have left in our accounts? Building a windmill mill shouldn't drain our savings."

"We can still manage for a long time, Master. I have the ledger with me." Morris put the ledger down and then began pouring a glass for Russell and himself.

In the evening, the butler accompanying the master for a drink and then settling accounts was a necessary daily routine for a noble lord.

Actually, Russell knew how much money was in the accounts. He had brought over a hundred gold coins from Fluorite Castle, and he hadn't spent much these past few days.

After all, the food and drink supplies were also brought from the castle back then, and they could last for several more months.