Katie

Calculating the accounts, the gold coins and supplies are enough to maintain the operation of the manor's annex for half a year. After half a year, the magic potions and crops should be harvested, which will be enough to continue.

Moreover.

Russell can occasionally go to Fluorite Castle to freeload. In short, the lord's leisurely life doesn't need too much worry.

"Cheers, Morris."

"Cheers, Master."

After finishing a glass of red wine, Morris wisely picked up the wine bottle and left.

Russell also took a bath and went to bed. Perhaps it was the story Lord Ertlas boasted about in the afternoon that made him yearn for it, and he tossed and turned, unable to sleep.

He kept thinking about things like dragons, wyverns, snow giants, snow demons, and snow ghosts.

"Even the weakest snow demon is comparable to the combat power of a Phantom Beast Knight. I'm still far from it... Let me set a small goal: to fully open the meridians in my hands as soon as possible!"

Then, he flipped over.

He thought again, "It is said that if you form a contract with a dragon, you can directly be promoted to a Dragon Knight. Why is it that I ride Snowflake every day, but I don't see Snowflake lending me a hand, covering my Battle Qi with Dragon Flame, and letting me ascend to heaven in one step?"

Finally, he concluded, "It seems Snowflake is too weak, and this Little Dream Dragon is not working hard enough!"

To help the Little Dream Dragon grow, he decided to hunt snow ghosts whenever he had the chance and gather enough Hail Beads to feed the Little Dream Dragon.

Thinking of this, Russell felt sleepiness finally arrive.

However, before he could fall asleep, his door was knocked. "Master, are you asleep? There's a Miss Katie downstairs looking for you. She said she had an appointment with you."

"Miss Katie?" Russell frowned and thought for a moment, then suddenly realized, "Yes, Butler Morris, please invite her in."

When Russell put on his clothes and went downstairs, he saw a woman whose appearance was similar to the assassin Catherine from before, sitting on a chair, flipping through a knight novel he brought from Fluorite Castle. The book was titled The Story After the Smoke Dragon Died.

"Does Miss Katie also like reading knight novels?" Russell looked at the woman with bright eyes.

Compared to her sister Catherine, Katie appeared younger, as the nasolabial folds on her face were not very deep.

Moreover, her facial contours were softer, giving her a harmless, neighborly feel.

But Russell wouldn't naively think this person was harmless. After all, to earn the title of Wildcat Sisters in a place like the cave, it was no easy feat. Perhaps in unseen places underground, she had stained herself with a lot of human blood.

Hearing Russell's question, Katie quickly stood up.

She closed the knight novel in her hand and bowed, "I was just flipping through it casually, to see what kind of novels Lord likes."

"It's about a Smoke Dragon that died and possessed a knight named List, taking him to fly and save the world," Russell explained casually. "It's a novel to pass the time, not worth studying."

"Men, especially knights like you, Lord, must have had dreams of saving the world, right?"

"That's not necessarily true. For example, I just want to protect my territory." Russell gestured, "Sit down and talk. There's no need to stand."

Katie sat down after Russell, and then sat down herself, saying softly, "First, please allow me to apologize to you, Lord, on behalf of my sister Catherine for her rudeness that day. It is regrettable that you heard our sisters' names in such a manner."

"It was indeed a bit rude," Russell raised an eyebrow. "It made me wonder if my manor's annex had no gate."

"Uh..." Katie was speechless.

Russell made a sarcastic remark, suppressing Katie's momentum, and then said seriously, "Ms. Katie, if you have something to say, please get straight to the point. I am a straightforward person and hope my friends are the same."

"You are willing to be friends with the lowly people of the caves?" Katie narrowed her eyes.

"Why not? As long as they are upright and share my interests, unless they are a snow ghost, I will have no objections."

"You are indeed an open-minded and excellent lord."

"Your sister said something similar." Russell accepted it calmly. In his own estimation, no one was more outstanding than himself.

Katie complimented him at the right time, "Because it is obvious to all, especially after you hunted the snow ghost that the Lone Wolf leader attracted."

Russell smiled.

But he did not get lost in the flattery and asked again, "So, what is the purpose of your visit this time?"

"The main purpose was stated just now, to apologize for my sister's rude behavior," Katie replied. "Of course, there is also a secondary purpose. There is a Half Ghost Beast in the Xiangshui River Cave, and I would like to ask for your help in treating it."

"Half Ghost Beast? What is that?"

"It's a failed evolution of a Phantom Beast, my lord." It was not Katie who answered, but Charles, who had just put on his clothes and come downstairs.

As for Great Knight Eric, he had quietly appeared in a corner of the living room at some point, holding his steel longsword and staring intently at Katie.

After Charles sat down, he continued to explain, "When beasts evolve, with Earth Power as the main guiding force, they can evolve into Phantom Beasts. However, some Phantom Beasts are unfortunate. When they evolve in the snowy plains, they are interfered with by the power of snow demons and degenerate into Half Ghost Beasts."

Katie chimed in, "Yes, Half Ghost Beasts. The conflict between the two powers results in a terrible outcome... So I want to ask for your help."

The end for a Half Ghost Beast was basically only one: to degenerate into a Ghost Beast.

Charles rolled his eyes, "Just kill it. Why go to so much trouble?"

Russell also couldn't understand. If it were a Phantom Beast, there would be a reason to save it, but a failed Half Ghost Beast had no value in keeping it.

A hint of anger flashed in Katie's eyes, and then she calmly said, "This Half Ghost Beast is a companion that my sister Catherine and I have raised since we were young. It's no exaggeration to say it's like family to us, so my sister Catherine and I are unwilling to give up on it."

"Perhaps what I say is cruel, but the Half Ghost Beast's fate is sealed... If you Wildcat Sisters are reluctant to part with it, you can bring it to me, and I'll help," Charles said in a deep voice, thinking his act of helping others was gentlemanly.

Hearing this, Katie's expression darkened, and she looked at Russell, "Lord, if you are unwilling, then forget it. There's no need to say such things."

Charles looked innocent, "I was just telling the truth."

Russell saw this and said to comfort her, "Teacher Charles meant well, Ms. Katie, don't rush."

"Perhaps coming here today was a desperate measure."

"Since we're here, why not give it a try?"

"What do you mean, sir?"

"You can send the Half Ghost Beast over first. Whether it succeeds or not, I will definitely give you my best effort," Russell said frankly.

Katie thought for a moment.

Then she stood up, gave Russell a deep look, and slowly nodded, "Alright, I believe Lord is an upright person. I will bring the Half Ghost Beast to the entrance of the underground river section of the Glimmering River in the latter half of the night, and you can send someone to receive it."

Russell smiled, "No problem."

"Whether it succeeds or not, as long as you do your best, Lord, my Wildcat Sisters will owe you a favor." Katie bowed, "If you can save the Half Ghost Beast... my Wildcat Sisters will be at your disposal."

After speaking, she didn't linger.

She turned and left the manor's detached courtyard, disappearing into the night.

Watching her figure recede, Russell turned back into the living room and instructed, "Teacher Eric, arrange for the Retainer Knights to wait at the underground river entrance in the latter half of the night."

"Understood," Eric replied dully.