"Welcome home in triumph, my lord!"
On the small bridge over the Glimmering River before the manor annex, Charles led several officials in welcoming Russell and his party back from the battlefield.
The serfs had not been summoned to join the festivities; that had been a rule Russell set before leaving.
He did not want such ceremonies to disrupt the serfs' normal work and lives. After all, during the coming half-year warm season, there would be no shortage of expeditions to clear the trade routes. Holding a grand welcoming ceremony every time would waste far too much manpower and resources.
"My respects, my lord." Charles removed his hat and bowed. Unlike a knight's fist-to-chest salute, this was etiquette between gentlemen.
"Is everything well at the manor?"
"Everything is well," Charles replied with a smile.
Old Hans stepped forward. "Old Hans greets you, my lord. Dragon's Gaze, Radiant Light Blessing—my lord has returned laden with glory."
"Not exactly laden. I just tagged along," Russell said with a smile, too embarrassed to flatter himself.
After all, he had been well protected throughout the entire journey. Each time, he had only faced a few isolated Snow Ghosts. Even when fighting one-on-one, he had only dared confront a Snow Ghost head-on under Eric's protection, never taking risks.
Still, the returns had been fairly decent.
He had received nearly fifty Hail Beads, along with two superior Hail Beads from large Green Skins. Together, they were worth seventy or eighty Gold Coins.
After deducting the losses in weapons, food, and Magic Potions, he had still earned fifty Gold Coins.
Later, he would have to share some Hail Beads with Eric and the four Knight Retainers.
But the larger share of his gains had come at night, when he rode Little Dream Dragon around to attack and