Eric kept his head down and ate, while the brothers Russell and Roland drank red wine and discussed the war on the snowfields.
The petite Bar nestled against Roland's side, occasionally serving him food and pouring him wine.
At an exciting point in the conversation, Roland could not help but slap the table. "I wish I could go to the battlefield myself and cut off a Snow Demon's head!"
"Big Brother, are you still not planning to contract a Phantom Beast? Cousin Mel has already contracted one," Russell asked.
"Alas." Roland sighed. "Russell, do you think I really have no chance of gaining Lord Ross's recognition?"
Russell raised an eyebrow.
Grand Duke Kunsitan's death clearly had a profound impact on Roland. Roland had always been brimming with confidence, treating Lord Ross as something already in his grasp. He had never shown such pessimism about riding a dragon.
Like Grand Duke Kunsitan, he wanted to gain a dragon's recognition in his "pure state."
Yet before the dragon could recognize him, Grand Duke Kunsitan had died.
If Grand Duke Kunsitan had contracted a Phantom Beast first and become a Phantom Beast Knight, the outcome would never have been so hasty.
"Big Brother..." Russell thought for a moment. Seeing that Eric had finished eating, he said, "Teacher Eric, go take a walk first. I need to discuss something private with Big Brother... and you, madam, should leave as well."
Only after sending everyone away did he say to Roland, "Big Brother, Father, Uncle Rosen, and I all suspect that Lord Ross may have been scared out of his wits by Snow Giant Da. During the second Battle of the Fall, Lord Ross clearly did not follow orders to harass Snow Giant Da and support the Shadowflame Dragon."
"Ah!" Roland's eyes widened.
Russell continued,