Recaps

At Count Merlin’s birthday banquet, Russell presented his newly invented cigars and explained their design and appeal. Count Merlin tried one and listened as Russell compared a cigar’s steady burn to a knight’s life, leaving the guests to judge his unusual gift.

• Lord Fishel presented the Grand Duke’s ornate staff to Count Merlin, and Lord Orte Willow offered a gemstone gift on behalf of Gravel Earl Oskro Willow.
• Baron Roman and Madam Meryl gave Count Merlin two bottles of Clay Dragon Blood Wine, which delighted him, and Roland presented the original manuscript notes for Snowflake Rhapsody.
• Russell introduced his cigars to Count Merlin, lit one, and guided him through his first puffs.
• Russell described the sun-cured tobacco and whole-leaf wrapper, then said cigars burned steadily to the end like a knight’s life lived to the fullest.

Russell impressed Count Merlin and the birthday guests with hand-rolled cigars, which Count Merlin named Rain Dragon Cigars. Russell planned to produce and sell them, and Cousin Mel agreed to block local imitators in exchange for a private commission.

• Russell presented Count Merlin with cigars and praised their smoke as befitting a knight's life, winning the old count's approval.
• Count Merlin gave the remaining cigars to the guests, who praised them and asked Russell to sell more.
• Russell said production was difficult and asked Count Merlin to name the cigar, and the count called it Rain Dragon Cigar.
• Roland resented Russell's success, while Russell told Cousin Mel he planned to produce cigars and offered him a private commission to suppress imitators.
• Cousin Mel accepted the arrangement and promised that Sancha River Mouth would sell only Russell's Rain Dragon Cigars.

Russell’s Rain Dragon Cigars won Count Merlin’s praise and drew orders from the nobles at the birthday banquet, prompting Russell to propose that Roland help produce and sell them. After changing for the ball with Mel, Russell headed to the ballroom, where Snowflake Rhapsody was being played.

• Count Merlin praised Russell’s Rain Dragon Cigars, and several lords ordered batches of them.
• Russell asked Roland to have the family arrange cigar production while Russell handled sales, and Roland agreed to discuss the plan later.
• Young noblewomen talked about Russell’s looks and planned to ask him to dance at the ball.
• Mel took Russell to his private dressing room, where servants and a makeup artist prepared him for the evening.
• Russell and Mel walked to the ballroom, discussing Russell’s focus on becoming stronger and Mel’s plan to help him meet someone.
• Russell and Mel took their seats as the musicians began playing Snowflake Rhapsody.

Russell learned why Count Merlin cherished Snowflake Rhapsody, then reluctantly joined the ball and danced with Julia. As they talked about their homes and lands, Julia asked about Wuyou Snake Manor, and Russell explained that Wuyou Snake was a kind of snake.

• Cousin Mel told Russell that Count Merlin loved Snowflake Rhapsody because it helped him bear his guilt toward his late wife, Olive Water Willow.
• Mel complained that Kunstan had pressured Count Merlin by invoking his good name over rumors involving Princess Anxia.
• Russell declined to dance until Julia invited him, and he immediately accepted.
• Russell and Julia danced while discussing their homes, the Volcanic Oasis, and Russell's life as a noble lord.
• Julia asked what Wuyou Snake Manor was named after, and Russell answered that Wuyou Snake was a kind of snake.

At a ball, Russell awkwardly danced with Julia and several other women while avoiding any romantic promises. After the ball ended, Cousin Mel teased him for not pursuing Julia and promised to find him someone who could make his heart race.

• Russell told Julia he would invite her to see his Small Castle but avoided making any commitment about their future.
• Julia asked whether Russell would strive to become a Grand Duchy Nobleman, and their conversation grew awkward.
• Russell declined one woman’s invitation with an excuse, then danced with another woman before rejecting further invitations.
• After the ball, Russell greeted Cousin Saisel, Cousin’s wife, and Saiswei as they headed back to rest.
• Cousin Mel asked why Russell had parted from Julia, and Russell said he had no plans to marry or have children; Mel promised to introduce him to a woman who would make his heart race.

Russell rejected Julia's romantic invitation and explained that he was focused on Battle Aura cultivation, then spoke with his family after the other guests departed. Count Merlin summoned the family and announced gifts for the younger generation, leaving their distribution for what came next.

• Russell trained with the Radiant Sword Technique, then joined his parents in seeing off the guests at Bluebird Castle.
• Julia asked Russell to attend her upcoming birthday ball, but he honestly told her he would not consider romance anytime soon.
• Rowena teased Russell for rejecting Julia, and he said he would not lead her on.
• Madam Meryl worried that Count Merlin and Aunt Melinda would not resolve their estrangement, while Russell suggested Cousin Mel might help.
• Count Merlin praised the birthday celebration and the gifts from Roland and Russell, then announced presents for Roland, Rowena, Russell, Laura, and Cooper.

Count Merlin gave Russell a Light Snow Bow and then gifted him the Tobacco Elf Nicole as an adulthood present. Russell formed an Elf Contract with Nicole and agreed to grow tobacco and supply his grandfather with Rain Dragon Cigars.

• Count Merlin gave Roland, Rowena, Cooper, and Laura magical gifts, then presented Russell with the Light Snow Bow.
• Count Merlin learned that Melinda and her children had already left and offered Russell an overdue adulthood gift.
• Count Merlin revealed Tobacco Elf Nicole, explaining how he had raised her and why he believed the giant dragon favored Russell.
• With his parents’ approval, Russell accepted Nicole, and she formed an Elf Contract with him using Jade Powder and his blood.
• Count Merlin asked Russell to grow tobacco and provide him with Rain Dragon Cigars, and Russell agreed.

Russell received Tobacco Elf Nicole from Count Merlin, then spent the afternoon with Laura and Mel as the family dispersed for their own plans. Mel proposed exploring the Phantom Beast Hunting Grounds, and Laura eagerly joined the search.

• Rowena teased Count Merlin for giving Russell an elf, while the family praised Russell and urged him to serve the Grand Duke and earn military merits.
• Madam Kunna scolded Mel for speaking disrespectfully about Grand Duke Kunsitan and reminded him to remain loyal.
• Count Merlin dismissed everyone from his study, and the relatives made plans for the afternoon.
• Roland left for an appointment with Madam Kelly, and Mel explained that her late husband's ten-year inheritance period was nearly over.
• Mel suggested that he, Russell, and Laura explore the Phantom Beast Hunting Grounds and let whoever found a Phantom Beast keep it; Laura insisted she wanted to find one too.

Russell spent the day hunting with Mel and Laura without finding a Phantom Beast, then visited the elves at Bluebird Castle before sleeping and entering the Dark Dreamscape. There, he noticed a dim patch in one of the Wyverns’ lights and wondered if it was Lord Medicarren.

• Mel, Russell, and Laura hunted in the forest near the Turbid Water River but found no Phantom Beasts.
• Russell comforted Laura, who feared the Shadowflame Dragon would never gaze upon her, and the group returned to Bluebird Castle for dinner.
• Russell visited the elf room, where Vivi Your Excellency ate a roasted duck leg and reprimanded Jennifer and Cindy for quarreling.
• Russell dismissed Jennifer’s flirtatious hint and went to sleep, wondering whether Snowy would appear in the Dark Dreamscape.
• Russell found that Little Dream Dragon had rested for only three nights after swallowing an Ice Soul Bead and explored the Dark Dreamscape with her, Sword Butterfly, and Thorn.
• Russell spotted an unusually dim patch in one Wyvern’s flame-light and wondered whether it was Lord Medicarren.

Russell discovered that Snow Demon power might be trapped in a lingering wound on Lord Medicarren’s thigh, causing the dragon pain. After Medicarren acknowledged its suffering, Mel went to notify their grandfather, while Russell stayed behind and promised to help if the Wyvern Knight could not cure it.

• Russell examined Lord Medicarren’s magical-light figure and spotted a dark patch on its thigh that seemed to contain Snow Demon power.
• Russell and Little Dream Dragon explored Big Bay Wide River before leaving the Dark Dreamscape for the night.
• Russell asked Mel to take him to see Lord Medicarren and examined a faint scar on the dragon’s thigh.
• Lord Medicarren nodded when Russell asked whether it was in pain, shocking Mel.
• Russell urged Mel to summon their grandfather to treat the wound, and Mel went to notify him while Russell stayed with Medicarren.

Russell tested whether Lord Medicarren could detect Ice Cream and concluded the dragon only sensed her power indirectly, which might explain his unusual friendliness. When Count Merlin tried to examine Lord Medicarren’s old injury, the two nearly fought, and Lord Medicarren finally asked Russell to treat him instead.

• Russell watched Lord Medicarren and used the burning marks in his palm to confirm that the Blue Crystal Dragon could not directly sense Ice Cream.
• Count Merlin arrived and questioned Lord Medicarren about his unhealed hind-leg injury, but the dragon refused to answer.
• Lord Medicarren blocked Count Merlin from examining him, and the two clashed with their auras until Mel stepped between them.
• Count Merlin criticized Lord Medicarren for refusing treatment, and the dragon nudged Russell to ask him to treat the injury.
• Count Merlin gave Russell permission to examine Lord Medicarren, saying the dragon’s fate would be his own responsibility.

Russell operated on Lord Medicarren’s thigh and removed a Snow Demon Crystal that had been preventing the wound from healing. After Lord Medicarren stopped the bleeding with Dragon Breath, he thanked Russell with Origin Dragon Breath.

• Russell told Count Merlin and Mel that he would cut into Lord Medicarren’s wound to find what was preventing it from healing.
• Russell used Dream Gaze to guide his sword as he opened Lord Medicarren’s thigh, while Count Merlin told Mel not to interrupt.
• Russell extracted a dark-blue Snow Demon Crystal from between Lord Medicarren’s flesh and bone.
• Count Merlin identified the crystal as a formation caused by Snow Demon Power contaminating Dragon Breath, and Lord Medicarren cauterized his wound with his own breath.
• Lord Medicarren breathed Origin Dragon Breath over Russell, and Count Merlin explained that it was the wyvern’s way of thanking him.

Lord Medicarren rewarded Russell for removing the Snow Demon Crystal by breathing Origin Dragon Breath onto him, leaving Russell eager to cultivate Battle Aura and discover its benefits. Mel urged Russell to become his vassal so they could become Wyvern Knights together, but Russell put off the decision and headed to the training grounds.

• Lord Medicarren breathed Origin Dragon Breath onto Russell, then exhausted himself and fell asleep on the arrow tower.
• Count Merlin explained that the Wyvern's Origin Power could help Russell make a leap forward and told him to cultivate Battle Aura.
• Mel ordered the servants to collect Lord Medicarren's blood and thanked Russell for discovering and treating the Wyvern's injury.
• Mel proposed that Russell become his vassal so they could both become Wyvern Knights, but Russell declined to decide for now.
• Russell chose to go to the training grounds and cultivate Battle Aura rather than visit town.

Russell used the Wyvern’s Origin Dragon Breath to rapidly open all seven groups of his main meridians and reach the completion of the Lesser Heavenly Cycle. As he practiced the Radiant Sword Technique, Count Merlin and Mel watched him display swordsmanship that culminated in Battle Qi Projection.

• Russell trained with a refined steel longsword and found the Origin Dragon Breath amplifying his Battle Aura as he practiced the Radiant Sword Technique.
• Russell opened the main meridians in his legs, neck, lumbar spine, back, and face, completing all seven groups of main meridians.
• Russell’s Battle Aura grew more than tenfold, and he reached the Lesser Heavenly Cycle; he planned to open his smaller meridians and advance to Great Knight.
• Count Merlin praised Russell’s swordsmanship to Mel and said it was close to that of a sword master.
• Russell completed his sword technique with a chopping strike that sent a faint white sword glow more than a meter ahead, displaying Battle Qi Projection.

Russell mastered Battle Qi Sword Aura after the Origin Dragon Breath helped him open the meridians in his palms. By drawing on the Sword Butterfly Amber Bug, he discovered he could release sword aura without a weapon and named the technique the Six Meridian Divine Sword.

• Russell unleashed sword aura with his refined steel longsword and practiced until he could use it casually.
• Russell wondered whether he could project Battle Aura without a weapon and went to the indoor training hall to experiment in private.
• Russell summoned the Sword Butterfly Mark and realized the Sword Butterfly could help him release sword aura barehanded.
• Russell performed the Radiant Sword Technique with joined fingers and fired sword aura from his fingertips.
• Russell drained his Battle Aura practicing the new technique, then named it the Six Meridian Divine Sword.

Roland was caught in bed with Madam Kelly and detained at Pine Forest Manor, prompting Bluebird Castle to negotiate with her son Carpenter and the lord knights. After agreeing to extend Carpenter’s inheritance period by five years, the family arranged for Roland’s release, while Russell and Mel recognized the incident as a planned trap.

• Madam Meryl worried when Roland failed to return, but Count Merlin and the others urged her to let him enjoy his visit.
• The steward reported that Carpenter and his two uncles had caught Roland with Madam Kelly and detained him at Pine Forest Manor.
• Carpenter accused Roland before Bluebird Castle and summoned lord knights to demand an explanation.
• Viscount Meijie agreed to extend Carpenter’s inheritance period by five years, and Carpenter accepted the settlement.
• The lord knights departed with Carpenter, and the steward reported that Roland was unharmed and would be brought back.
• Russell and Mel concluded that Carpenter and Madam Kelly had set a honey trap for Roland and discussed the need to investigate before pursuing an affair.

Roland returned to Bluebird Castle after an embarrassing ordeal and was harshly scolded by Madam Meryl, who warned both brothers to behave responsibly. Afterward, Russell considered the Snow Demon Crystal, his new powers, and the possibility of earning Lord Medicarren’s acknowledgment as he drifted to sleep.

• Roland returned to Bluebird Castle with the knight squad, and the family kept silent about his ordeal during dinner.
• Madam Meryl condemned Roland’s recklessness and his plans for handling his mistake, then warned Russell to restrain himself when outside family lands.
• Baron Roman refused to interrupt Madam Meryl’s lengthy lecture, and the brothers left together once she dismissed them.
• Russell examined the Snow Demon Crystal and reflected on his surgery, Origin Dragon Breath, newly opened meridians, and Battle Qi Sword Aura.
• Russell considered whether Lord Medicarren might acknowledge him as a rider, then fell asleep imagining Snowy eating the crystal.

Madam Kunna argued with Viscount Meijie over Lord Medicarren’s origin dragon breath and their family’s political disputes. In the Dark Dreamscape, Russell discovered that Ice Cream could not tolerate the Snow Demon Crystal and wondered whether he and his magical companions existed there as Primordial Spirits.

• Madam Kunna accused Viscount Meijie’s father of giving Russell Lord Medicarren’s origin dragon breath, and Meijie defended his father and Russell.
• Meijie overpowered Kunna when she tried to strike him, then reminded her of her family’s political dependence on his father.
• Kunna blamed Meijie’s father for holding on to power, while Meijie told her to behave like a viscountess and prepare to see Roman and his wife off.
• In the Dark Dreamscape, Russell offered Ice Cream a Snow Demon Crystal, but the Little Dream Dragon recoiled and refused it.
• Russell guessed that he was a Primordial Spirit and considered whether Ice Cream, Brambles, and Sword Butterfly also had Primordial Spirit forms.
• Ice Cream flew around Lord Medicarren’s glowing body and cried out smugly.

Russell discussed riding a Wyvern with Ice Cream, who refused to let him ride any of the nearby Wyverns. The next morning, the Roman family departed Bluebird Castle, leaving Count Merlin watching their convoy go with a lonely air.

• Russell asked Ice Cream whether he could ride Lord Medicarren, Lord Mercedes, or Lord Ross, but Ice Cream firmly refused.
• Russell promised to help Ice Cream grow and said he would first ride Phantom Beasts and flying dragons before aiming for a giant dragon.
• On September 12th, Russell and his siblings dressed for the warm season and joined their family for breakfast with Count Merlin and the others.
• Count Merlin urged Baron Roman and his family to leave early for the long journey to the Double River Trade Route.
• Mel and Russell escorted the Roman family's convoy away from Bluebird Castle, while Count Merlin watched them depart and returned inside looking lonely.

Russell negotiated with Baron Roman over producing and selling Rain Dragon Cigars, then arrived at Bluebird Castle with Mel. The chapter ended with Russell meeting the castle library’s scholarly administrator, whose badge identified him as a bearer of the Scholar’s Medal.

• Russell told Baron Roman and Madam Meryl that he planned to have Fluorite Castle produce Rain Dragon Cigars while he handled their brand and sales.
• Russell agreed to give Fluorite Castle one-third of the profits, and Madam Meryl persuaded Baron Roman to waive Russell’s commercial tax for the first year.
• Baron Roman agreed to arrange cigar production and consult Court Elder Hans about the process before his party departed.
• Mel and Russell returned to Bluebird Castle, where Mel planned to show Russell around Sancha River Mouth the next day.
• Russell spent the day reading in Bluebird Castle’s library and recognized the administrator’s badge as a Scholar’s Medal from Red Castle.

Russell visited Bluebird Castle’s library, learned about scholar Franken’s past, and borrowed a geography book while searching for information on magical creatures. He found a translated treatise by Ading Lieyang arguing that all magical creatures—and even knights—could evolve into dragons, and began reading to learn more.

• Russell learned that Franken had once earned the title of scholar for writing a book on the Shadowflame Grand Duchy’s geography, but had later been expelled from an academy and taken in by the old earl.
• Russell read Franken’s illustrated geography book and checked its map of Guangguang River Valley, which included Wuyou Snake Manor.
• Franken told Russell where to find books about magical creatures and dragons, and offered him a spare copy of his geography book.
• Russell searched the library for information about Amber Bugs but found none.
• Russell discovered Ading Lieyang’s thin book, which proposed that magical creatures and even knights could evolve into dragons, and turned the page to continue reading.

Russell learned about Amber Bugs and the proposed path by which creatures could evolve into pseudo-dragons while studying in the library. At dinner, he told Count Merlin and Mel about his inventions and predicted that the Grand Scholars would soon inspect his reading glasses.

• Russell read that Amber Bugs revived after amber preserved creatures and their lingering thoughts, and wondered whether fossils could do the same.
• Russell studied how phoenix birds could evolve through several stages toward the pseudo-dragon Jinnali, but questioned Ading Lieyang's claim that everyone could become a dragon.
• Russell spent the afternoon in the library learning about magical creatures and the Dragon Sleep Continent.
• Mel questioned Russell's interest in books and warned that girls would not like a scholar.
• Russell told Count Merlin and Mel that he had invented cigars, reading glasses, and Slag Brick, and said his grandmother had written to Red Castle about the reading glasses.

Russell’s swordsmanship improved through repeated spars with his cousin Mel, allowing him to challenge the Great Knight despite his inferior Battle Aura. Mel ultimately won by using his full strength, while Count Merlin and Viscount Meijie watched and discussed their family’s prospects.

• Russell refused the married ladies who invited him to stay at their manors, still searching for a girl who could make his heart race.
• Russell sparred with Mel and used his perfected Shadow Flame Asura Sword Technique to press Mel with elusive attacks.
• Count Merlin and Viscount Meijie watched the fight, praised Russell’s swordsmanship, and discussed Mel’s reluctance to assist Grand Duke Kunsitan at Redcastle.
• Mel unleashed his full strength and defeated Russell, though he admitted Russell could challenge even a newly advanced Great Knight.
• Russell laughed and asked whether he could call himself a half-step Great Knight.

Russell dueled Count Merlin in swordsmanship, then left Sancha River Mouth to return to his territory. As his convoy neared the snowfield, the M-shaped Mark on his palm began to burn as Little Dream Dragon stirred.

• Russell and Count Merlin fought a swordsmanship duel without Battle Aura, and Count Merlin admitted Russell had won after using a trick to break both swords.
• Mel offered to publicize Russell's victory, but Russell declined, and the cousins agreed not to make a name for him that way.
• Russell decided to leave after nearly a month away from his territory, and he formally bade farewell to Count Merlin, Viscount Meijie, and his wife.
• Russell set out on October 9th, 5581, with two carriages of gifts and an escort led by Knight Captain Karis, while Mel accompanied him for part of the journey.
• As Russell's convoy approached the snowfield, the M-shaped Mark on his palm burned and Little Dream Dragon stirred, eager to eat Hail Beads or Ice Soul Beads.

Russell searched Sancha River Mouth and the surrounding snowfields with Little Dream Dragon, hoping to find Amber Bugs and food that would help it grow. On the return journey, he met a merchant caravan at Cold Spring Point and learned that Lord Stephen was escorting it.

• Russell sent Nico and Rosie back into the carriage before reaching Cold Spring Point, where the exhausted convoy camped for the night.
• In the Dark Dreamscape, Russell reflected on the Thorn Amber Bug's growth and searched the snowfield with Little Dream Dragon, Snowcake, Sword Butterfly, and Thorn for Amber Bugs and Snow Demons.
• Russell and Little Dream Dragon found only ordinary Snow Ghosts on the first night, then feasted on Green Skin Snow Ghosts the next night without finding an Ice Soul Bead.
• On the return journey, Russell encountered Yellow-toothed Tom and learned that Lord Stephen was escorting the Bluebird Castle merchant caravan at Cold Spring Point.