Recaps

After visiting the sprite gathering at Fluorite Castle, Russell left for his room while Marcus agreed to obtain five hundred crates of Rain Dragon Cigars for several Grand Duchy Noblemen. Marcus ended the night worrying about how he could fulfill the request.

• Russell visited the sprite house, greeted Nico, Rosie, and Whitt, then sent them back to the gathering.
• Two maids at Fluorite Castle admired Russell and privately discussed their romantic fantasies about him and the master.
• At Great Wind Manor, Grand Duchy Noblemen asked Marcus to help them buy Rain Dragon Cigars through Russell.
• Marcus agreed to request five hundred crates for the noblemen, hoping to preserve his pride and standing.
• After the card game ended, Marcus worried about where he could get five hundred crates of cigars.

Marcus sought a way to fulfill his promise of cigars to his friends, and Safali advised him to ask Russell directly. Russell granted Marcus five hundred cases of cigars and one case for himself as guests departed Fluorite Castle and Russell prepared to return to Wuyou Snake Manor.

• Marcus told Safali he had promised Minol and his friends five hundred cases of Rain Dragon Cigars, and she advised him to ask Russell for help.
• Russell decided to leave Fluorite Castle, cultivate at Wuyou Snake Manor, and eventually hunt Snow Demons, with the ambition of reaching their world through the Gate of Another World.
• Marcus brought Musk to thank Russell for accepting him as a follower and asked whether Musk could serve Russell now, but Russell suggested keeping him at home and sending him to the Knight Academy.
• Marcus asked Russell to purchase five hundred cases of Rain Dragon Cigars in advance for his friends.
• Russell transferred five hundred cases of White Dew Rain Dragon Cigars ordered by Cousin Mel to Marcus and approved one case of Cloud Mist Cigars for Marcus to buy.

Russell helped Roland prepare for a duel against Dreller, who planned to challenge him over Gewen at their wedding. Roland defeated Dreller, and Russell intercepted him afterward to ask who had prompted the challenge.

• Roland told Russell that Dreller planned to challenge him at his wedding, and Russell agreed to train him in the Three Sword Style Great Move.
• Roland said he wanted to face Dreller himself to prove his worth, while Russell continued helping him and completed his Battle Qi Dragon Martial Arts.
• Dreller challenged Roland at the wedding, but Gewen affirmed her love for Roland and refused to call off their marriage.
• Roland defeated Dreller with the Three Sword Style Great Move and had knights escort him from the banquet hall.
• Russell intercepted Dreller on the road and asked who had encouraged him to challenge Roland.

Russell exposed Dreller’s challenge as a scheme by Young Master Kunsley and sent him to spread a threat against Baron Kunbif, then returned to Roland’s wedding. Meanwhile, a popular opera based on Russell’s life premiered in Furious Wind City, ending with its playwright wishing Russell would defeat Snow Giant Da.

• Russell used Dragon Breath to overpower Dreller, who confessed that Young Master Kunsley had incited him to humiliate Roland and the Fluorite Mushroom Family.
• Russell spared Dreller but ordered him to tell Baron Kunbif that Russell would challenge him and to spread the message throughout Furious Wind City.
• Baron Roman arrived, and Russell admitted he had no intention of challenging Kunbif until he was certain he could win.
• Russell and Baron Roman returned to Roland’s wedding, where Russell reflected on how Roland had turned the attempted disruption into a favorable story.
• Young Master Mel watched Riding the Dragon Youth Journey, an opera by Nicholas that portrayed Russell’s rise to knighthood and victory over Snow Giant A.
• Nicholas praised Russell at the premiere and wished he would defeat Snow Giant Da, while Mel privately thought the task should be left to him.

Russell left the Shadowflame Grand Duchy with Rosai and Polly to hunt Snow Demons and raise Little Dream Dragon. Beyond the border, Rosai’s strength and recovery weakened without the Shadowflame Dragon’s influence, and they began advancing through the snowfields from Cold Spring Point to Cold Spring Point.

• Russell dismissed Riding the Dragon Youth Journey’s play as inaccurate and departed despite Charles’s suggestion that he stay for its performance.
• At Green Capital Snow Forest, Harpe reunited with the Owl-like Dragons, and Russell left her there to spend time with them while he continued with Rosai and Polly.
• Russell and Rosai crossed the Shadowflame Grand Duchy’s border and felt the Shadowflame Dragon’s influence disappear.
• Rosai told Russell that his strength had fallen to about half and his recovery had slowed, while Snow Demon Power was increasing.
• Russell ordered them to find a nearby Cold Spring Point and use it as a base to advance deeper into the snowfields.

Russell and Rosai hunted a Snow Demon in the snowfields, and Little Dream Dragon later found another and ate its Ice Soul Beads. The chapter left Russell realizing that Polly could use Dream Horn on the beads before Little Dream Dragon consumed them, but the Dark Dreamscape collapsed before he could explain.

• Russell inspected a Lightning Rod Gun, then led Rosai and Polly farther into the snowfields to search for Snow Demons.
• Russell, Rosai, and Polly defeated a Snow Demon and its Snow Ghosts, and Russell collected an Ice Soul Bead and more than fifty Hail Beads.
• Russell considered whether he might become a Dragon Knight and ride the Shadowflame Dragon, then reached Cold Spring Point without finding another Snow Demon.
• Little Dream Dragon joined Russell in the Dark Dreamscape and found a Snow Demon, whose two Ice Soul Beads it ate before falling asleep to digest them.
• Russell began telling Little Dream Dragon to let Polly use Dream Horn on future Ice Soul Beads, but the Dark Dreamscape collapsed before he finished.

After returning from the snowfield, Russell renewed his bond with Harpe and continued hunting Snow Demons between periods of rest. As Dragon Birth Festival approached, he accepted an invitation to Fluorite Castle and heard his officials’ year-end report.

• Russell returned to the Green Capital Snow Forest with Rosai, Polly, and three Ice Soul Beads, and Harpe flew out to greet him.
• Russell realized that Harpe needed freedom and time with the Owl-like Dragons to help their spiritual synchronization, and he promised to bring her roasted mouse meat and return soon.
• Russell resumed hunting Snow Demons for three days at a time, resting at Wuyou Snake Manor between trips as the year drew to a close.
• A Messenger Knight invited Russell to Fluorite Castle for Dragon Birth Festival, and Russell agreed to join Baron Roman and Madam Roman on the festival itself.
• Charles and the other territory officials gathered at Cigar Courtyard to give their pre-festival reports, and Charles began by describing the territory’s progress.

Russell reviewed Wuyou Snake Manor’s growth, weighed its finances and the approaching cold, and wondered about the Shadowflame Dragon’s decline and the world’s mysteries. The chapter ended with him seeing a meteor and resolving to uncover the truth by riding dragons.

• Charles reported that Fluorite Mushroom cultivation, potion production, and the territory’s population had grown substantially during the year.
• Charles said Wuyou Snake Manor had reached more than ten thousand people but remained in deficit because of the costs of serf purchases and trade-route subsidies.
• Russell told Charles he would discuss the trade-route subsidies with the Fluorite Mushroom Family, then joined the officials in a celebratory banquet.
• Russell considered the Grand Scholars’ prediction of an unusually cold Ice Age and worried that the Shadowflame Dragon’s weakening power might cause the country’s boundary to shrink.
• Hape confirmed that the weather felt colder, and Russell speculated about Snow Demons, Ice Soul Beads, and the Shadowflame Dragon’s hope of returning to ancient times.
• Russell saw a meteor streak across the sky, wondered how Snow Demons had reached Dragon Sleep Continent, and vowed to uncover the world’s mysteries by riding dragons.

At the Fluorite Castle banquet, Russell discussed the growth of Blackfire Land and the need for more serfs before turning his attention to helping Little Dream Dragon develop. A messenger from Red Castle then delivered the Demon Extermination Order, and Russell agreed to provide twenty Ice Soul Beads.

• Russell told Baron Roman that Blackfire Land was taking shape and would cover about 3,500 square kilometers.
• Russell proposed sharing some magical-herb profits with serfs so the territory could support a larger population.
• After Dragon Birth Festival, Russell stayed home from hunting while Little Dream Dragon's speed and Dark Dreamscape continued to grow from eating Ice Soul Beads.
• Messenger Knight Mozart arrived at Wuyou Snake Manor and explained that Wyvern Knights had to offer Red Castle twenty Ice Soul Beads each year under the Demon Extermination Order.
• Russell agreed to gather twenty Ice Soul Beads for Red Castle as soon as possible.

Russell resumed hunting Snow Demons and mapping the snowfields, while planning to gather Ice Soul Beads for Little Dream Dragon. After Russell named the Black Wave Mountain Range and returned home, a malicious eye in the snow watched him, and giant footprints pursued Rosai to the edge of the Blackfire Land before disappearing.

• Baron Roman told Russell he planned to hunt for twenty Ice Soul Beads with him and Knight Captain Kendall after the Ice Age, and said he intended to grant fiefs to Kendall and Chris.
• Russell returned to Wuyou Snake Manor, prepared for another trip, and set out alone to hunt Snow Demons and gather Ice Soul Beads for Little Dream Dragon.
• Russell used the Green Capital Snow Forest as a supply point, hunted Snow Demons, and mapped the terrain south of the Shadowflame Grand Duchy.
• Russell explored a mountain range with Rosai, named it the Black Wave Mountain Range, and then turned back toward home.
• A malicious eye formed in the snow and watched Russell and Rosai, while giant footprint patterns followed them to the outskirts of the Blackfire Land before vanishing.

Russell inspected Blackfire Land and planned the layout of a future castle, then set out with Polly and Harpe to check the snowy border for Snow Ghosts. The castle remained a future project, while Russell continued exploring and developing his territory.

• Russell trained with the knights at Cigar Courtyard, then ordered Butler Morris to establish a dedicated training ground across from Charcoal Ash Avenue.
• Russell left on Polly with Harpe to inspect Blackfire Land while Rosai stayed behind at the Hot Spring Area.
• Russell reviewed plans for a fifty-mu castle above the hot springs, with forests, livestock grounds, and magic potion fields arranged around it.
• Russell decided to begin castle construction in the warm season using the stockpiled Slag Bricks.
• Russell rode with Polly and Harpe toward the territory's snowy edge to look for Snow Ghosts.

Russell trained with Polly and Harpy in the snowfields, testing their new techniques and growing confident in his strength. When a gigantic pale hand erupted from beneath the Ice Cap and seized him, Polly's Dream Escape Technique was delayed, leaving Russell gravely struck and Harpy unconscious.

• Russell and Polly practiced the Sword Control Technique, while Russell also trained with Harpy in Battle Qi Armor Transformation.
• Russell and Harpy used Hurricane Technique to destroy Snow Ghosts, and Russell killed a Great Snow Ghost with sword lights.
• Russell realized he could feel the cold and leaped into the air as the shattered Ice Cap exploded beneath him.
• A gigantic pale hand seized Russell, and his attempt to escape with the Green Ceramic Sword failed.
• Polly activated Dream Escape Technique, but the hand's power slowed it and struck Russell as Harpy's armor collapsed and she fell unconscious.

Shadowflame Dragon erupted from its magma prison while Russell lay near death after Snow Giant Da’s ambush. In the Dark Dreamscape, Polly chose to face whatever came next with Russell, who discovered his marks and bonded creatures were still acting to sustain him.

• Shadowflame Dragon escaped the magma, unleashed dragonfire to the south, then sank back into the volcano as knights and Elder Council members hurried to investigate its roar.
• Polly used Dream Escape Technique to bring herself and Russell into the Dark Dreamscape, where their shattered bodies and strength stabilized but remained gravely damaged.
• Russell recalled Snow Giant Da’s ambush and prepared to sever his contracts to protect Polly, Rossay, and Hape from his injuries.
• Polly refused to abandon Russell and said they would face life or death together as Contract Partners.
• Russell noticed he could feel his left hand and sensed Sword Butterfly guiding his Battle Aura, Thorn holding his body together, and Tick sucking his blood.

Russell survived Snow Giant Da’s ambush with Polly, Snowflake, the Amber Bugs, Little Dream Dragon, and Harpe’s help, then fused with Polly and advanced to Dragon Domain Lord. He drove Snow Giant Da off and learned that Polly had become a true unicorn as Rossi arrived.

• The Tick Amber Bug restored Russell’s lost power while the Gecko Amber Bug repaired his body, and Russell discovered that Snowflake had stopped time in the Dark Dreamscape to save him and Polly.
• Polly fused completely with Russell, and the four Amber Bugs used a mysterious reserve of energy to restore his energy body until the Dark Dreamscape resumed flowing.
• Russell and Polly broke through to Dragon Domain Lord, and Russell escaped Snow Giant Da’s grasp as the Dark Dreamscape collapsed.
• The Shadowflame Dragon burned Snow Giant Da, and Russell pierced his head with a lightning-charged greatsword, but concluded that Snow Giant Da had escaped.
• Russell found unconscious Harpe, thanked her for shielding him, and promised to help her advance; Polly realized she had once been a Pseudo-Unicorn Dragon and was now a true unicorn.
• Russell watched his lightning power melt the ice and snow across the land, and Rossi’s roar announced his arrival.

Russell survived Snow Giant Da’s assassination attempt and advanced with Polly to become a Dragon Domain Lord, leaving him as the strongest expert in the Shadowflame Grand Duchy. After Polly revealed her new lightning-wielding unicorn form, Russell discovered that his clothes had burned away during the battle.

• Black Oil Dragon Rosai rushed to the battlefield after sensing Russell was in danger, but arrived after Snow Giant Da had fled.
• Russell showed Rosai his Dragon Domain Lord combat form and declared himself the strongest beneath a Dragon Knight.
• Russell and Polly ended their merged combat form, revealing Polly’s larger unicorn body, golden lightning-patterned horn, and enormous wings.
• Russell examined how Polly’s new pseudo-dragon essence breath had changed his power and celebrated their shared mastery of lightning.
• Polly teased Russell about feeling chilly, and Russell realized he was completely naked because his clothes had burned away in the battle.

Russell survived an ambush with Harpe and explored the newly formed Warm Enclave created by Polly, naming it Thunder Marsh. He wondered whether it could eventually resonate with nearby Warm Enclaves and form a larger territory.

• Polly transformed into silver armor and a lightning mark for Russell, while Harpe woke and recovered from the ambush.
• Russell rode Rosai through Thunder Marsh and cleared Snow Ghosts from its expanding waters, collecting their Hail Beads.
• Russell noticed that Thunder Marsh's water seemed unable to drain and considered digging a lake and canals to prevent it becoming a swamp.
• Russell named the Warm Enclave Thunder Marsh and wondered whether it could resonate with the nearby Blackfire Land and Guangguang River Valley to form a larger domain.

Russell returned to Cigar Courtyard as a Dragon Domain Lord, with Polly newly evolved into a pseudo-dragon, and announced that a new Warm Enclave was opening east of Blackfire Land. He revealed that Snow Giant Da had ambushed him inside the duchy but had been driven off, though it could return.

• Russell returned to Cigar Courtyard, changed clothes, and let Polly transform into her new winged pseudo-dragon form.
• Russell announced his advancement to Dragon Domain Lord and the opening of a new Warm Enclave east of Blackfire Land to his gathered followers.
• Charles explained the legends of Dragon Domain Lords and pseudo-dragons, and Russell said he and Polly had faced a life-and-death crisis against Snow Giant Da.
• Russell told his followers that he and the Shadowflame Dragon had driven Snow Giant Da back after Russell stabbed it in the forehead.
• Russell recounted how Snow Giant Da had ambushed him in the duchy and how Harpe, Polly, Little Dream Dragon, and the Amber Bugs helped him survive and advance.

After advancing to Dragon Domain Lord, Russell planned to report Snow Giant Da’s ambush and question the Shadowflame Dragon about his condition. That night, Gelontan, Eric, Grove, and Katie each reflected on Russell’s achievement, while Katie resolved to train harder so she could protect him.

• Russell explained that Snow Giant Da’s ambush had been stopped by the Shadowflame Dragon and ordered Charles to hold a celebration while keeping the territory’s forces on guard.
• Gelontan remembered how Russell had become his ideal knight and vowed to follow him and witness him ride a dragon someday.
• Eric asked Kevin whether they could ever become Dragon Domain Lords, while Grove gave up on the idea after seeing Bill asleep.
• Katie realized Russell must have faced grave danger alone, then took up her sword and began training through the night so she could protect him.

Russell returned to Fluorite Castle and revealed that Polly had become a pseudo-dragon, making him a Dragon Domain Lord. After telling Baron Roman about Snow Giant Da’s ambush, Russell set out for Red Castle to report it and speak with the Shadowflame Dragon.

• Russell stopped at Fluorite Castle, where he told Old Butler Carter that Polly had evolved into a pseudo-dragon.
• Russell showed Polly’s transformation to Baron Roman, who realized Russell had become a Dragon Domain Lord.
• Russell recounted how Snow Giant Da had ambushed him and how he and Polly had advanced together.
• Russell told Baron Roman he planned to report Da’s border crossing at Red Castle and ask the Shadowflame Dragon about it.
• Baron Roman declined to advise Russell, and Russell flew north toward Red Castle on Rosai.

While flying north, Russell tested his and Polly’s speed, then used the memory of his strike against Snow Giant Da to break through to the ultimate of swordsmanship, which he named Ultimate: Sword of Thunder. His Sword Butterfly Amber Bug evolved into a Sword Butterfly Amber Elf and became the Meteor Butterfly Sword, leaving Russell confident in his new power.

• Russell tested his speed with Polly and found that her lightning-fast flight surpassed the speed of sound, while his own Wind Walk only matched Rosai’s pace.
• As Rosai carried him through Volcanic Oasis, Russell replayed his strike against Snow Giant Da and gained a flash of insight into swordsmanship.
• Russell used Polly’s manifested golden greatsword to unleash a horizontal slash that tore apart the air and wielded the Lightning Element through his swordsmanship.
• Russell named his new swordsmanship Ultimate: Sword of Thunder and realized that his strike could threaten Snow Giant Da when powered by greater strength.
• The Sword Butterfly Amber Bug evolved into a Sword Butterfly Amber Elf and transformed into the silver-white Meteor Butterfly Sword, which could wield Russell’s swordsmanship through their mental link.

Russell visited the Elder Council Hall and Shadowflame Volcano after advancing to Dragon Domain Lord, reporting Snow Giant Da’s ambush and seeking Shadowflame Dragon’s protection. Shadowflame Dragon promised to keep Russell and Snowy safe, even at the cost of sacrificing a Warm Enclave if Da attacked again.

• Russell arrived at the Red Keep on Rosai and told Count Merlin that he had become a Dragon Domain Lord and that Snow Giant Da had ambushed him across the border.
• Count Merlin gave Russell a pass to Shadowflame Volcano and asked him to visit afterward for a private talk.
• Shadowflame Dragon awoke to greet Russell, who learned from their conversation that a knight could contract only one dragon.
• Russell asked whether Snow Giant Da would attack again, and Shadowflame Dragon promised to protect Russell and Snowy and sacrifice a Warm Enclave if Da crossed the border again.
• Russell joked about which of his territories Shadowflame Dragon should sacrifice and left reassured by the dragon’s promise.

Russell questioned the Shadowflame Dragon about the Snow Giants, then returned to Count Merlin with the dragon’s view of their invasion. As the Elder Council faced the choice of continuing hunts beyond the border, Russell resolved to keep hunting on the snowfields.

• Russell asked the Shadowflame Dragon what the Snow Giants wanted, but the dragon said it did not know and described its mission as making warm land for humans to build civilization and save the world.
• The Shadowflame Dragon wondered why Snowcake had chosen the ordinary, mediocre Russell as an innate Dragon Knight, while Russell left the volcano feeling inspired.
• Lord Welch sensed a sharp, lightning-like pressure from Russell and wondered about the symbol on his forehead as Russell returned to Red Fort.
• Russell told Count Merlin that the Shadowflame Dragon considered Snow Giant Da’s attack a provocation and threatened to sacrifice a Warm Enclave if the Snow Giant invaded again.
• Count Merlin said hunting beyond the border and sealing the borders both carried dangers, then asked Russell what he would do; Russell said he would keep hunting and that Snow Giant Da would never get another chance to kill him.

Davis Golden Mushroom hunted Snow Demons beyond the Shadowflame Grand Duchy, but the wounded Snow Giant Da killed him and drove off his Peat Dragon. A mysterious blue monster identified Russell and two dragons as threats, then vanished as Davis’s corpse rose again as a Great Snow Ghost.

• Davis complained to his Peat Dragon about the Elder Council, Oskro’s pressure to name an heir, and the Water Willow Family’s interest in Dyson, then decided to keep his options open.
• Davis and the Peat Dragon defeated a Snow Demon, and Davis harvested its Ice Soul Bead.
• The Snow Giant Da burst from beneath the ice, crushed Davis, and struck the Peat Dragon, which escaped while bleeding.
• The Snow Giant Da recognized Russell and the dragons of Shadowflame Volcano and Fire Ant Swamp, while a blue monster appeared, inspected a map of the duchy, and roared, "Fast!"
• The Snow Giant Da melted into the snow, and Davis’s corpse reanimated as a Great Snow Ghost that joined a wandering group.

A wounded Peat Dragon reached Kingtop Castle and collapsed, leaving Baroness Roby Fluorite Mushroom fearing for Baron Davis. At Red Castle, Count Merlin discussed the Grand Duchy’s future and asked Russell what reward he wanted for becoming a Dragon Domain Lord and opening a Warm Enclave.

• The Peat Dragon fled to the Golden Plains, and one of its tears revived a freeman’s Battle Qi Seed while filling him with sorrow.
• The Peat Dragon crashed near Kingtop Castle, where the knights recognized Lord Howard and rushed to fetch Magic Potions.
• Baroness Roby arrived to treat the Peat Dragon and panicked when the knights could not tell her where Baron Davis was.
• At dinner, Count Merlin said he intended to lead the Elder Council for at least another ten years, while Mel complained about his life at Red Castle and his wyvern waiting in the snowfields.
• In Count Merlin’s study, he told Russell that the Elder Council would reward his advancement and asked what reward he wanted.

Russell asked Count Merlin for people as his reward, then helped persuade him to continue the Demon Extermination Order. Their resolve was shaken when they learned Snow Giant Da had ambushed and killed Baron Davis in the snowfields.

• Russell asked Count Merlin to reward him with enough people to develop his lands and support his future plans.
• Mel and Russell urged Count Merlin to keep the Demon Extermination Order in effect and send Wyvern Knights in groups to hunt Snow Demons.
• Count Merlin agreed to continue the order and began proposing an expedition into the snowfields.
• The castle steward reported that Snow Giant Da had ambushed and killed Baron Davis in the snowfields.
• The messenger explained that Davis had gone to prepare for a Snow Demon hunt, and only his badly wounded Peat Dragon had escaped.
• Count Merlin realized Snow Giant Da had ambushed Russell and Davis on consecutive days and was still hunting Wyvern Knights openly.