Compared to the welcome ceremony at Fluorite Castle, the reception at the manor estate was truly shabby.
Among the nobles—those standing to the left of the main gate—there was only Russell. Charles, a down-and-out fellow, was there too. Fortunately, Phantom Beast Knight Eric helped lend some prestige to the occasion—though outsiders did not yet know he was a Phantom Beast Knight.
Among the servants, Butler Morris stood proudly to the right of the main gate. The three male servants and four maids beside him looked quite spirited as well.
It was just that, in terms of looks, they fell far too short.
"Welcome, my sister. Welcome, Lord Cooper. Welcome, Laura." Russell smiled as he greeted each of them.
"Nothing here has changed. I came to Wuyou Snake Manor once a few years ago with Roland. He said there were traces of the Wuyou Snake King here, but unfortunately, we never found it," Rowena remarked.
"Forget the Wuyou Snake King—even Wuyou Snakes are rarely seen now. After the farmland was reclaimed, they found it difficult to survive here," Russell said with a smile.
"You're lying, Russell!" Laura said angrily.
"Why?"
"You always said you would bring me to Wuyou Snake Manor, but you never did! My sister was the one who brought me!"
"I was planning to bring you out for fun the next time I went to Fluorite Castle. Really." Russell rubbed his nose.
Perhaps because Laura had always been so quiet at the castle, he forgot all about her every time he went there.
"Hmph." Laura was full of resentment.
Since it was already nearly noon, they did not chat for long before Russell led the group straight to the second-floor dining room.
The banquet could certainly not compare to the luxury of Fluorite Castle's, and Russell was not