Rules Matter

"My God, Eric had really stepped in dog shit!" When Charles learned what had happened that morning, his mouth twisted with envy.

Contracting a Phantom Beast and advancing to Phantom Beast Knight.

For a knight, it was practically like getting hit on the head by dragon dung, not merely receiving Dragon's Gaze.

"Teacher Charles, if you can cultivate yourself into a Great Knight, you might still have a chance to contract a Phantom Beast." Russell was in an excellent mood.

Eric was his follower, and now he would have a Phantom Beast Knight under his command. The sense of security in the territory had instantly maxed out.

From now on, he would no longer have to fear assassins breaking in while he slept at night.

"I... sigh, I'd better forget it. I don't have the talent for cultivating Battle Aura... Actually, I worked hard at it when I was young, but I just never succeeded." Charles fretted to himself. "My God, when I see Eric again, I'll have to call him Lord!"

A knight who had contracted a Phantom Beast and one who had not were separated by a chasm as vast as heaven and earth.

Among the more than sixty thousand people in Guangguang River Valley, including the newly advanced Eric, there were only eight Phantom Beast Knights so far.

It could be said that these eight Phantom Beast Knights represented the upper limit of Guangguang River Valley's combat strength—Lord Ross was not included.

"Then you'd better adjust your mindset quickly, Teacher Charles."

"Sigh, how did this... My lord, can you tell me exactly how Eric got so lucky and became a Phantom Beast Knight? I just can't figure it out. How did a Half Ghost Beast evolve into a Phantom Beast and get contracted by Eric?"

"Perhaps a dragon happened to notice this place and healed Kevin." Russell smiled casually. "Didn't you always say that Dragon's Gaze was upon me? It was that simple."

"Uh..." Charles was speechless.

He discovered that his lord was quite good at telling jokes.

But on second thought, the joke seemed somehow... rather logical. Ever since Russell had arrived at Wuyou Snake Manor, he had first found a pearl while eating a river clam, then obtained a Birch Worm after planting Worm Grass, and now a Half Ghost Beast had arrived and actually evolved into a Phantom Beast!

At this thought,

Charles cautiously raised his head and glanced at the sky outside, muttering inwardly, Could the Grand Duke's Shadowflame Dragon really be watching this place... I'd better stop sneaking into the wine cellar to steal drinks so often.

If the Shadowflame Dragon discovered him and breathed down a mouthful of dragon flame... the consequences would be unimaginable.

Eric and Kevin the wolfhound had wandered outside until noon before returning. Both man and dog were panting hard, yet brimming with energy.

"My lord!" Eric's usually stern face was now blooming with a chrysanthemum-like smile.

"Awoo." Kevin the wolfhound also approached Russell and affectionately rubbed his head against Russell's trouser leg. Although he had become Eric's Contract Partner, he still knew who his lifesaver was.

"Come, let us welcome Lord Eric, our newly advanced Phantom Beast Knight!" Russell led the applause.

Butler Morris and the servants, along with Charles and the four Knight Retainers he reluctantly led, all applauded Eric in greeting.

A Phantom Beast Knight deserved such treatment.

Eric calmly accepted the greetings, then reined in his smile and said seriously, "My lord, news of my advancement to Phantom Beast Knight should be kept secret for now."

"Why?"

"It will not be too late to announce it after we deal with Lone Wolf Lisbon." Eric never forgot the hatred of the Snow Ghost invasion. It had been Lone Wolf Lisbon's provocation toward Wuyou Snake Manor, and toward Russell.

And provoking Russell meant provoking every one of Russell's followers.

"Very well. Butler Morris, have the servants keep the secret." Russell then looked at Charles and the others. "The same goes for you. You are not permitted to reveal this secret when you go out. Whoever leaks the news will be severely punished."

"Yes, my lord."

"Yes!"

"Good. Though the news must remain secret, that does not stop us from holding a celebratory feast. Drink as usual, but do not get drunk."

"My lord, you are always so wise and generous!" Charles laughed heartily.

"Do not get drunk, Teacher Charles. You still have to supervise the construction of Windmill Mill this afternoon." Russell could not help adding another reminder.

"Rest assured, my lord."

After the luncheon, with Russell's instructions given beforehand, no one dared overdrink and get drunk. Thus, everyone was able to work soberly that afternoon.

Charles went to Alfalfa Tunic to oversee the construction of Windmill Mill.

Russell, meanwhile, took Eric and Kevin the wolfhound on an inspection of the territory. Although Kevin had advanced into a Phantom Beast, apart from his golden and silver eyes, there was nothing especially extraordinary about him, so there was no need to worry that others would recognize him as a Phantom Beast.

"What did Origin Breath feel like compared to Battle Aura?" Russell asked.

He was full of curiosity about Phantom Beast Knights. Although his father, Baron Roman, was already a high-ranking Phantom Beast Knight, he had rarely spoken to the original Russell about Phantom Beast Knights. He had only told him to focus on cultivating Battle Aura and not aim too high or become restless and impatient.

As a result, Russell still knew only a little about Phantom Beast Knights.

Eric considered for a moment before replying, "Battle Aura is like a horse—it needs someone to control and guide it. Origin Breath is like a part of the body, used naturally... I'm still not skilled enough, and my coordination with Kevin has only just begun."

"I see." Russell roughly understood.

He did not ask further. After all, he was already a bona fide Dragon Knight; a mere Phantom Beast Knight was nothing remarkable.

Assuming Little Dream Dragon truly was a dragon.

With a Phantom Beast Knight accompanying him, Russell felt exceptionally secure during this inspection of the territory. He no longer worried about a sudden group of Snow Ghosts appearing and threatening his life.

"The territory's agricultural development is still far too backward." He casually pointed at a stretch of farmland and sighed. "The soil is poor, livestock and farm tools are lacking, and the serfs rely entirely on manual labor to plant a little wheat, barley, and broad beans. The yield is far too low."

Eric remained silent. He was responsible only for the territory's security, not its production.

Russell did not expect an answer. He simply continued sketching out his ideal blueprint, planning how the manor should be developed in the future.

Only after Russell's enthusiasm faded did Eric speak. "My lord, should we notify the Wildcat Sisters?"

Kevin had already been saved and had even advanced into a Phantom Beast.

Russell had fulfilled Katie's request beyond expectations.

Yet he shook his head. "There is no need to seek out the Wildcat Sisters. Let them come to us on their own initiative. After all, they are the ones asking for help."

Although it was his first time being a lord, the original Russell had absorbed much from Baron Roman's influence and naturally understood certain methods of lords. In dealing with people, beasts, and dragons, excessive enthusiasm and impatience always put one at a disadvantage. Only patience allowed one to seize the initiative.

"Yes, my lord." Eric nodded.

"Why is it that Katie and Catherine clearly have a dog with them, yet they are called the Wildcat Sisters rather than the Wild Dog Sisters?" Russell suddenly noticed a blind spot.

Eric could not answer. "I don't know."

"Never mind. Whether they are wildcats or wild dogs, once they enter the territory, they must follow the rules." Russell was someone who valued rules deep down. Perhaps that was why he had adapted to his identity and integrated into this world so quickly.

Of course.

What he preferred even more was making others follow the rules he set.