Splash!
A large pink fish leaped from the surface of Mirror Lake, then crashed back down heavily, sending up a huge spray of water.
"That's a Mirror Lake Red Pig." Count Merlin stood on the castle's viewing platform with his hands behind his back, gazing at the disturbed waters of Mirror Lake. "It's a fish unique to Mirror Lake. Adult Mirror Lake Red Pigs have a small chance of evolving into Phantom Beasts. Red Castle has a Phantom Beast Knight guard squad contracted with Mirror Lake Red Pigs."
"How do they fight with fish Phantom Beasts?"
"They don't need to fight on the snowfields. Their only duty is guarding Red Castle's safety. Of course, they can also patrol the vast manors and farms directly under Red Castle along the river downstream from Mirror Lake." As Count Merlin spoke, he sat down at the tea table nearby.
He then picked up a cup of warm tea and took small sips. "Russell, why did you refuse to become the Minister of Volcanoes' assistant?"
"I have my own reasons, Grandfather. You'll see soon enough," Russell said.
He had wanted to come clean to his grandfather and tell him that he was about to become a Black Oil Dragon Knight. But before they parted last night, his father, Baron Roman, had specifically warned him, invoking the Fluorite Mushroom Family's way of survival, not to reveal the news to outsiders.
His parents and elder brother were enough. His grandfather, aunt, cousin, sister, and the others were not to be told.
"Keeping a low profile is the only way to last," Baron Roman had said. "First, make your status as a Black Oil Dragon Knight official, then share this honor with everyone. Otherwise, if too many people know, trouble may come looking for you."
Fortunately, Count