Recaps

Russell returned to the Shadowflame Grand Duchy after escorting the Shadowflame Dragon with King Ares, reflecting on the responsibilities of Dragon Knights and Little Dream Dragon’s potential. Back at Red Castle, Mel suggested that Russell, Mel, and Kunsley were only a smokescreen for a Grand Duke whose successor had already been chosen.

• King Ares told Russell he had ordered Baron Yamal to spend the year fighting on the snowfields for failing to properly receive him.
• King Ares escorted Russell and the Shadowflame Dragon back toward the Shadowflame Grand Duchy, and Russell resolved to one day shelter humanity as a Dragon Knight.
• Polly reminded Russell of his promise to help the Shadowflame Dragon reclaim its lost hope, while Russell speculated that Little Dream Dragon might become powerful enough to face the Frost Trolls and Snow Giants.
• The Shadowflame Dragon returned to Shadowflame Volcano, and Russell headed to Red Castle to report on his diplomatic assignment and remove the Extreme Ice Sacred Artifact.
• Mel told Russell he intended to marry Annie Xuanfuhua and criticized Marquis Arno for abandoning his responsibilities to indulgence.
• Mel told Russell he suspected the selection among himself, Russell, and Kunsley was a smokescreen because the next Grand Duke had already been chosen.

Russell returned the Extreme Ice Sacred Artifact to his territory and helped Harpe seek the power beneath Cold Spring Point, which she believed would let her advance into a Pseudo-Dragon. He buried her at her request and waited anxiously as she began to approach the brink of life and death.

• Russell reassured Mel that he did not intend to take the Grand Duke's position, then reported his diplomatic mission to Count Merlin.
• Russell retrieved the Extreme Ice Sacred Artifact from Shadowflame Volcano and placed it atop the Dragon Coiled Pillar for Rosai to guard.
• Harpe told Russell she had comprehended her ancestors' insights into life and death and sensed a power beneath the great tree at Cold Spring Point.
• Russell dug a pit at the tree's roots, and Harpe asked him to bury her so she could draw closer to the power.
• Russell monitored Harpe's weakening presence while she urged him not to rescue her, and he named the mysterious force Dragon Tribulation Power.

Harpe comprehended the mystery of life and death and advanced into a Pseudo-Dragon with Russell’s help. Their new power opened a Warm Enclave in the snowfields south of Blackfire Land, where Harpe celebrated its newfound strength and independence.

• Russell worried that Harpe’s weakening aura meant it might fail, but Ouroboros sensed that Harpe had comprehended the mystery of life and death.
• Harpe flew northeast and stopped in the snowfields south of Blackfire Land, where it told Russell it had to advance immediately and asked for his help.
• Russell fused with Harpe while Polly and Ouroboros waited at a distance, and they endured the raging winds as their bodies and primal aura transformed.
• Russell and Harpe completed their advancement together, becoming the Pseudo-Dragon Harpy and gaining Pseudo-Dragon primal aura.
• Russell and Harpe’s winds melted the snow and ice, rapidly opening a Warm Enclave as Harpe declared that its new power let it control its own fate.

Harpe advanced into a pseudo-dragon harpy, strengthening Russell and revealing her new form. Russell named the newly formed territory Azure Hills, which could connect with Blackfire Land through Warmth Resonance.

• Harpe’s advancement raised Russell’s rank to Tier 2 High Dragon Domain Lord and strengthened his power.
• Harpe emerged with a larger, wyvern-like body and an owl’s head, and Russell praised her appearance.
• Harpe merged with Russell and combined her wind mark with Polly’s Lord of Thunder Mark.
• Russell considered Polly’s and Harpe’s elemental powers and suspected Ouroboros was earth-elemental.
• Russell named the hilly Warm Enclave Azure Hills and noted that it lay close enough to Blackfire Land for Warmth Resonance.

Russell announced that he had advanced to High Dragon Domain Lord after opening the Green Hill Warm Enclave, and he arranged a celebration across the Shadowflame Grand Duchy. He encouraged Velim and promised Gelontan a chance to become a Phantom Beast Knight, then went to welcome Baron Roman.

• Russell ordered Charles to hold a three-day celebration at Cigar Castle and sent Eric to invite his family from Fluorite Castle.
• Russell asked Velim whether his great-grandfather’s Pseudo-Dragon partner had left behind a Pseudo-Dragon Horn, but Velim said it had died alongside him.
• Russell encouraged Velim to visit Phoenix Plume Plains after the celebration and seek an opportunity with Lily.
• Russell promised to help Gelontan advance to Phantom Beast Knight by choosing a Phantom Beast from Red Castle’s Phantom Beast Paradise, and told him to travel there with Velim.
• Russell ordered Gelontan to announce an additional recruitment of followers during the celebration banquet.
• Hearing Clay Dragon Ross arrive, Russell went to the main gate to welcome Baron Roman.

Russell’s Harpie advanced into a pseudo-dragon, prompting Baron Roman to celebrate his own progress and compare Russell’s strength with the Shadowflame Dragon. The Shadowflame Dragon ordered a reward for Russell and wondered whether he and Snowcake could help change the duchy’s future, though it remained unsure what made Russell special.

• Baron Roman told Russell that he had balanced the minds of his three Phantom Beasts, opened a fourth contract slot, and advanced to a 4th Rank High Phantom Beast Knight.
• Harpie told Russell she was going to Oak Forest, then sped away faster than the speed of sound; Russell said he could escape the Shadowflame Dragon even though he could not defeat it.
• Baron Roman stayed for dinner at Cigar Castle and waited for Uncle Rosen, while Russell invited Charles to help enliven the gathering.
• The Shadowflame Dragon told Welch that Russell’s Phantom Beast had become a pseudo-dragon and ordered him to arrange a reward.
• After Welch left, the Shadowflame Dragon considered how Snowcake and Russell might alter the Shadowflame Grand Duchy’s fate, but remained uncertain why Snowcake had chosen Russell.

The Elder Council discussed how to reward Russell for creating another Warm Enclave, and Lord Welch proposed elevating him to an earl as well as granting him serfs. The elders agreed to name him Earl Thunderflame and award him one hundred thousand serfs, while Baron Kunbif privately resented Russell’s rise.

• Lord Welch relayed Shadowflame’s order to richly reward Russell for creating a new Warm Enclave with a pseudo-dragon companion.
• Lord Kunbei proposed giving Russell one hundred thousand serfs, and Oscro suggested repeating the sixty-five-thousand-serf reward used for the Thunder Marsh.
• Lord Welch argued that Russell’s achievements also merited elevation to an earl and declared that he should be named Earl Thunderflame.
• Lord Kunqiao, Lord Gerard, and Baron Kunbif supported Lord Welch’s proposal, though Kunbif privately cursed the elders for backing Russell.
• Count Merlin confirmed that Russell would be elevated to Earl Thunderflame and awarded one hundred thousand serfs, and Lord Kunbei was tasked with submitting the report for the Regent Lady’s seal.

Russell stayed behind in Green Hill after his family departed and practiced swordsmanship with his Meteor Butterfly Sword. By sensing the wind through Harpie’s pseudo-dragon essence, he developed a new technique, Mystic Art: Wind Sword.

• Old Madam Ingrid and Madam Meryl discussed Russell’s success and his support for Laura and Diana choosing their own husbands.
• Baron Roman escorted the family’s carriages back toward Blackfire Land while Russell remained in Green Hill with Uncle Rosen.
• Russell asked Uncle Rosen to return without him so he could get accustomed to Harpie and rethink his combat methods.
• Russell practiced his sword techniques with the Meteor Butterfly Sword, repeatedly performing Ultimate: Sword of Thunder.
• Russell sensed the wind’s path, infused his swordsmanship with wind, and created a technique he named Mystic Art: Wind Sword.

After returning to Cigar Castle from training, Russell hosted a gathering of family, nobles, and followers. A message from Redcastle announced that he would be elevated to Earl Thunderflame, leaving his household and guests celebrating his rise.

• Russell said he planned to fuse his understanding of Wind and Lightning to wield both elements at once.
• Russell returned to Cigar Castle, where family, nobles, knights, and officials had gathered for a banquet.
• Russell greeted the guests and spoke with his grandmother and mother before Baron Roman summoned him away.
• A Shadow Guard knight delivered the Elder Council’s decision to elevate Russell to Earl Thunderflame and award him one hundred thousand serfs.
• The knight instructed Russell to attend the elevation ceremony at Redcastle on April 15 and submit his crest, banner, surname, and territory name.
• Russell accepted the announcement, and his guests and followers cheered his new title.

After becoming an earl, Russell appointed his father Baron Roman Chief Advisor to develop Thunder Flame Territory and explored the expanding Dark Dreamscape with Little Dream Dragon. The chapter ended with Russell setting out to search the Black Wave Mountain Range for Frost Da.

• Russell left the banquet and told Baron Roman and Madam Meryl that he planned to develop his territory, run experiments, and confront the Frost Trolls and Snow Giants alongside King Ares and the Shadowflame Dragon.
• Russell asked Baron Roman to become Chief Advisor of Thunder Flame Territory and his elder brother to serve as Deputy Advisor, and Baron Roman agreed.
• Russell slept beside Black Oil Dragon Rosai and entered the Dark Dreamscape with Little Dream Dragon, but Harpie did not join them and they could not find Saiban the fairy.
• Amber Bug joined the Dark Dream family, expanding the Dream Clone's radius to ten meters as Russell surveyed the still-forming Qingqiu and imagined connecting his territory to Volcanic Oasis.
• Russell told Little Dream Dragon to search the Black Wave Mountain Range for Frost Da.

Russell explored the Ancient Molten Land with Little Dream Dragon, while Frost Da and Ge argued over the Extreme Ice Sacred Artifact and the coming Frost Star. Back at Blackfire Land, Russell began training to combine Polly’s lightning power with Harpie’s wind power.

• Russell and Little Dream Dragon found no trace of Frost Da in the Black Wave Mountain Range or the Black Wave Snow Forest, then explored the harsh terrain of the Ancient Molten Land without finding much.
• Frost Da told Ge that an unknown force had turned the Extreme Ice Sacred Artifact into bait and refused to risk retrieving it.
• Ge vowed to retrieve the Extreme Ice Sacred Artifact and demanded Frost Da cooperate in creating a Frost Star Domain afterward.
• Russell trained with Ouroboros to improve their Phantom Beast Knight synchronization, then practiced merging with Polly and Harpie.
• Russell and Harpie’s wind power clashed with Polly’s lightning power, but their brief coexistence convinced Russell that they could develop a Wind-Thunder Form.

Russell mastered a new sword technique and spoke honestly with Polly about why his family planned to raise warhorses in the Thunder Marsh. He then met his brother Roland, discussed the workers and family responsibilities, and reaffirmed his wish to travel across the nations.

• Russell fused his wind and thunder sword arts into a technique he named Sudden Wind and Thunder.
• Russell explained to Polly that the Fluorite Mushroom Family planned to raise warhorses in the Thunder Marsh to see whether they could evolve into Hippogriff Dragons or Pseudo-Unicorn Dragons.
• Polly admitted that being mistaken for a horse troubled her, and Russell reassured her that she was born to be a unicorn; they resolved the tension between them.
• Russell met Roland in the Thunder Marsh, where Roland assured him that the serfs received generous pay, good meals, and limited working hours.
• Roland asked when Russell would find a partner, and Russell said he hoped to travel across the nations before settling down.

Russell received his hereditary elevation to Earl Thunderflame at a grand ceremony in Red Castle, where he called for the Snow Demons to be driven out and warmth brought to all. The celebration continued with a banquet, as nobles and admirers reflected on his remarkable rise.

• Princess Anxia read the decree elevating Russell to Earl Thunderflame, and Russell accepted it and renewed his pledge to defend the Shadowflame Grand Duchy.
• Russell declared that his lifelong ambition was to drive out the Snow Demons and bring warmth to all, prompting the nobles and Princess Anxia to chant the slogan.
• Count Merlin and Marquis Arno joined the chant, while Count Oscro raised his arm without speaking and Gelontan fervently praised Russell.
• Rowena told her son Kuso to train to become a knight like Russell, while Cooper worried about the burden of that goal.
• Red Castle hosted a banquet for the celebration, where Nicholas recorded Russell's achievements and remarked on his apparent loneliness.

Russell gave Princess Kunlaya his new Meteor Butterfly Sword manual and asked her to help promote it. Meanwhile, a Snow Giant and three Dragon phantoms fought near the Blackfire Land as a hidden threat pursued the Extreme Ice Sacred Artifact, forcing Black Oil Dragon Rosai to flee with it while a Frost Troll chased her.

• Russell taught Princess Kunlaya swordsmanship, gave her the Meteor Butterfly Sword manual, and asked her to promote it through Red Castle's channels.
• A Snow Giant emerged from the Ice Cap near the Blackfire Land, where the Scorching Dragon, Torrent Dragon, and Shadowflame Dragon phantoms confronted it.
• A faint trail of footprints approached Cigar Castle, and Ouroboros warned Black Oil Dragon Rosai of danger.
• Rosai took the Metal Boulder containing the Extreme Ice Sacred Artifact and flew away from the Blackfire Land.
• A Frost Troll forced Rosai down with a blizzard and pursued her as she fled east toward the wilderness.

Black Oil Dragon Rosai led Frost Troll Ge on a desperate chase through Thunder Marsh while protecting the Metal Boulder, and the battle unleashed a hailstorm that endangered the workers there. Rosai’s strength failed, and it crashed with a broken wing, leaving it to face Frost Ge on the ground.

• Frost Troll Ge pursued Rosai through a storm, disrupting the elements and forming an icy hand that Rosai evaded.
• Rosai entered Thunder Marsh, where three dragon phantoms fought a Snow Giant, then led Frost Ge in circles to avoid joining either battle.
• Hail battered the Thunder Marsh worksite, injuring workers until the knight supervisor brought survivors to shelter and assured them Russell would come.
• After circling Thunder Marsh several times, Rosai weakened, and Frost Ge struck its back with a thrown club, breaking its wing and sending it crashing.
• Rosai struggled to rise while still holding the Metal Boulder and prepared to fight Frost Ge at close range.

Russell returned to the Thunder Marsh just in time to save Rosai and confront Frost Ge. He overwhelmed the Frost Troll with fused wind and lightning, then unleashed a powerful finishing technique as Frost Ge stumbled in the swamp.

• Rosai bit Frost Ge and burned his shoulder with Dragon Breath, but Frost Ge knocked Rosai unconscious and prepared to kill him.
• Russell arrived in a burst of wind and lightning, slashed Frost Ge's throat, and identified himself as Russell Fluorite Mushroom.
• Frost Ge charged Russell after realizing he could not take Rosai or the Metal Boulder without getting past him.
• Russell combined Ultimate: Sword of Thunder and Mystic Art: Wind Sword to batter Frost Ge with wind and lightning.
• Frost Ge stumbled into the swampy ground, and Russell unleashed Fusion Ultimate Art: Sudden Wind and Thunder.

Russell defeated Frost Ge with his strongest Fusion Ultimate Art: Sudden Wind and Thunder after Frost Ge empowered itself by devouring its severed member. As the people of Thunder Marsh celebrated Russell’s victory, Frost Da rescued the Snow Giant and escaped, leaving Frost Ge dead.

• Frost Ge devoured its severed member, gaining a surge of power and fighting Russell with renewed ferocity.
• Russell used the Dream Escape Technique to evade Frost Ge’s attack and struck its head from behind with Fusion Ultimate Art: Sudden Wind and Thunder, killing it.
• The serfs, craftsmen, and steward knights in Thunder Marsh recognized Russell’s victory and cheered for him.
• The Snow Giant faltered after Frost Ge died, but Frost Da struck the Ice Cap and restored its awareness.
• Frost Da linked itself to the Snow Giant, then dissolved with it before the returning dragon phantoms could reach them.

Russell defended Frost Ge’s corpse from Shadowflame Dragon, insisting it belonged to him and Little Dream Dragon as spoils of war. Shadowflame relented and gave the corpse to Little Dream Dragon, then urged Russell to hunt down Frost Da, who had stolen another Snow Giant.

• Russell explained that Frost Ge had crossed the border to steal the Extreme Ice Sacred Artifact and credited Rosai with defending it.
• Russell claimed he had mastered the Power of Wind and Thunder Elements, and Shadowflame Dragon described him as a third-transformation Wyvern Knight.
• Shadowflame Dragon demanded Frost Ge’s corpse, but Russell refused, saying it was his and Little Dream Dragon’s spoils of war.
• Russell drew the Meteor Butterfly Sword and challenged Shadowflame Dragon, while Rosai took Russell’s side.
• Shadowflame Dragon ended the confrontation, granted Frost Ge’s corpse to Little Dream Dragon, and told Russell that Frost Da had stolen another Snow Giant.
• Russell promised to kill Frost Da and avenge Shadowflame Dragon.

After the battle in Thunder Marsh, the knights speculated that Russell had killed a Frost Troll and might have contracted the Shadowflame Dragon. Russell eventually fell asleep, and Little Dream Dragon appeared in the Dark Dreamscape to feast on Frost Ge’s corpse.

• Kendall told the knights that he saw Frost Da flee with a Snow Giant and guessed that Russell had killed another Frost Troll.
• The knights praised Russell’s strength and speculated that he had contracted the Shadowflame Dragon, but Kendall warned them not to spread rumors.
• Russell stayed awake, wondered whether the Shadowflame Dragon had been testing him, and then drifted to sleep beside Frost Ge’s corpse.
• Little Dream Dragon appeared in the Dark Dreamscape, eager to eat Frost Ge, and Russell urged him to consume the entire corpse.

Russell returned from killing Frost Ge while Little Dream Dragon devoured the Frost Troll’s essence in the Dark Dreamscape. Little Dream Dragon fell into a deep sleep, and Russell flew home with the Extreme Ice Sacred Artifact, planning to leave the hunt for Frost Da to King Ares.

• The Shadowflame Dragon told Welch that Russell had killed Frost Ge and credited his Dark Age swordsmanship, but refused to report the victory for a reward because Russell had brought back no loot.
• Little Dream Dragon sucked Frost Ge’s corpse into a huge frost star, swallowed the condensed star, and exhausted itself as the Dark Dreamscape collapsed.
• Russell awoke at dawn beside Rosai and found that Little Dream Dragon was unresponsive while the M-shaped Mark continued to burn.
• Russell had Hape merge into the Storm Lord of Thunder Mark and flew home on Rosai with the Metal Boulder, intending to let King Ares handle the hunt for Frost Da.

Russell recounted his victory over Frost Ge, reassured his territory, and traveled to Red Castle, where his family learned the details of the battle. His relatives praised his achievement and predicted that his name would spread across the nations.

• Russell told his followers that Frost Ge had been killed and credited the three giant dragons for helping defeat him.
• Russell flew over Blackfire Land, Thunder Marsh, and Guangguang River Valley to reassure the people, then left Black Oil Dragon Rosai and Ouroboros to guard his territory.
• Russell flew to Red Castle and learned that Count Merlin and his family had gathered at Mel’s castle.
• Russell described the battle to Count Merlin and his relatives, who recognized the Frost Trolls’ losses and praised Russell’s victory.
• Mel, Roland, and the others predicted that Russell’s name would be celebrated throughout the Shadowflame Grand Duchy and beyond.

Russell received the nobles’ praise for slaying Frost Troll Ge, while the Water Willow family’s resentment and Dai Wen’s longing for Russell grew. King Ares arrived at Red Castle in person and congratulated Russell, leaving the merit ceremony focused on the king’s unexpected visit.

• The nobles crowded around Russell to praise his victory, while Count Oscro, Madam Kunli, and Augustus disparaged him from the sidelines.
• Dai Wen silently rejected her in-laws’ hostility, resolved to support her brother Dyson’s alliance with Russell, and dreamed of Russell’s rise and the Water Willow family’s downfall.
• At the merit ceremony, Lord Kunbei and Princess Anxia celebrated Russell’s achievement and discussed Princess Kunlaya’s growth.
• The Scorching Dragon and Shadowflame Dragon roared in greeting, and Count Merlin led the nobles out to welcome King Ares.
• King Ares descended from the Scorching Dragon, briefly greeted Princess Anxia and Princess Kunlaya, then personally congratulated Russell for slaying Frost Troll Ge.

King Ares congratulated Russell for slaying Frost Ge and praised his swordsmanship, which they discussed as a possible legacy of humanity’s survival during the Dark Age. Welim and Gelontan reflected on Russell’s rising status, while Welim remained torn between loyalty to his king and the promise of following his teacher.

• King Ares personally congratulated Russell, and Welim watched in awe as the king treated his teacher as an equal.
• Marquis Arno told Welim that choosing Russell as his teacher had been wise, and Gelontan urged Welim to follow Russell and seek a new territory.
• Welim reaffirmed his dream of restoring his family’s territory, though he privately imagined establishing a new Jinnali family by becoming Russell’s confidant.
• Russell told King Ares that his own swordsmanship had been crucial to defeating Frost Ge, and the king praised his ability to wield elemental power through his will.
• Russell argued that exceptional swordsmanship may have helped humanity survive the Dark Age and resist Snow Giants, and King Ares considered how Russell had revived its glory.

Rumors spread that Russell had slain Frost Troll Ge and might become the Shadowflame Grand Duchy’s next Grand Duke. At Nevernight Castle, Marquis Arno recounted the battle to Nicholas and advised him to add swordsmanship to Dark Chronicles.

• Nobles and knights across the Grand Duchy debated Russell’s victory, with many believing he would become the next Grand Duke and others exaggerating the battle’s details.
• Marquis Arno told Nicholas that King Ares had congratulated Russell for slaying Frost Troll Ge and taken away the Extreme Ice Sacred Artifact.
• Nicholas recorded Arno’s account of the battle to develop the third installment of the Russell series.
• Arno urged Nicholas to revise Dark Chronicles around the power of swordsmanship, describing how it had helped humanity survive the Dark Age.
• Nicholas agreed to revise the play, while Arno suggested a protagonist slay a Snow Giant through swordsmanship.

As public support for Russell surged across the Shadowflame Grand Duchy, the Elder Council argued over whether to challenge the Selecting the Young Master system and make him a knight. Count Merlin ended the dispute by leading the ministers to ask Shadowflame directly, determined to push the dragon toward a decision.

• News of Russell's promotion and victory over Frost Troll Ge spread widely, fueling public enthusiasm for him throughout the Grand Duchy.
• Lord Welch and Lord Kunbei argued that the public's support for Russell signaled an opportunity to unite the nation, while Baron Kunbif defended the Selecting the Young Master system.
• Count Oskro mocked Russell and clashed with Lord Welch, who stood up to him and defended Russell's strength.
• The ministers and Selecting the Young Masters resumed arguing over Russell, the Selecting the Young Master system, and the threat of the Frost Giants.
• Count Merlin ordered the Elder Council ministers to accompany him to Shadowflame Volcano and ask His Highness Shadowflame directly, saying they must learn to push the dragon forward.