Chapter Summaries

Russell received news that the Serf Trade restrictions had been lifted and planned to travel to Fluorite Castle to arrange a purchase. Aunt Roby’s letter also revealed that Sir Dave would come to oversee Wuyou Black Pig breeding, while Horace proposed recruiting Big Clumsy Bear Grove to attract skilled Cave Freemen.

• Russell read Roland’s reply explaining that Grand Duke Kunsitan had lifted Serf Trade restrictions while imposing limits on serf mortality.
• Russell read Aunt Roby’s letter, which scolded him for not writing, congratulated him on acquiring two sprites, and said Sir Dave would come to manage Wuyou Black Pig breeding.
• Russell summoned Charles and Horace, telling Charles to accompany him to Fluorite Castle and assigning Horace to arrange serf purchases and recruit freemen.
• Horace proposed recruiting Big Clumsy Bear Grove, an Armored Knight who had fled the Volcanic Oasis after crippling a lord’s son for violating his childhood sweetheart.
• Russell agreed that recruiting Grove was worth trying, and Horace claimed his reputation would help attract Cave Freemen to the territory.

Russell attended Baron Roman’s negotiations over the Serf Trade, then discussed cigar production with the gathered lords. Baron Roman arranged for Russell to travel with the Thunder Beast wagons and visit Red Castle, while Russell planned how to buy and train serfs.

• Russell left the Serf Trade negotiations to escape the Glow Scorpion’s constant Phantom Beast Whisper and the tedious discussions.
• Russell told the lords that the White Dew Cigar quota was already allocated, promised them Cloud Mist Cigars in the future, and explained that defective cigars were destroyed.
• Baron Roman agreed that the lords would cover the costs of ten Thunder Beasts and that he would cover the other ten.
• Baron Roman told Russell to travel with his Knight Captain to the Volcanic Oasis and Red Castle when the Thunder Beast wagons set out.
• Charles reported that serfs cost twenty to thirty Silver Coins, with female and skilled serfs costing more, and said the agreed purchase would be split between males and females, with cheap children considered for training.

Russell and Lord Dave arranged for Golden Plains pig herders and ten Golden Black Sows to help cultivate the Wuyou Black Pig into a new breed, renamed the Wujin Pig. After settling the breeding arrangements, Russell traveled with Lord Dave and his companions to Fluorite Castle to await the merchant caravan’s departure for the snowfields.

• Lord Dave told Russell that Baron Davis had sent pig herders and ten Golden Black Sows to help cultivate the Wuyou Black Pig as a Cultivated Origin Beast breed.
• The pig herder technicians examined the Wuyou Black Pig and planned its training, while Russell arranged for them to teach the farm apprentices.
• Lord Dave asked Russell to rename the breed the Wujin Pig, and Russell agreed to share half of the future piglets with Kingtop Castle.
• Russell asked the pig herders to stay and teach the apprentices pig breeding and castration, and Lord Dave agreed they would remain until the piglets had grown.
• Russell traveled with Lord Dave, Eric, Horace, and Big Clumsy Bear Grove to Fluorite Castle to await departure for the snowfields.

Horace discovered that Grove was already a Great Knight and agreed to tell Russell, who had unknowingly noticed Grove’s magical aura during a nighttime ride. The next morning, Horace brought Grove to Russell to report the discovery.

• Horace learned that Grove had become a Great Knight by meditating and training in Savage Cave, though Grove had never told Russell because he had no ambitions.
• Grove explained that he had already taken revenge on the man who violated Jenny, and that Jenny had later married the man and raised three children with him.
• Horace decided to report Grove’s strength to Russell, who spotted a Great Knight’s magical outline near Horace’s room while riding Little Dream Dragon.
• Russell and Little Dream Dragon searched near Dagger Mountain for Snow Ghosts but found none, then Russell woke in Fluorite Castle the next morning.
• A servant told Russell that Carter had dismissed Thomas for stealing and drinking the master’s stored wine.
• Horace waited with Grove at the castle entrance and told Russell he had new information about Grove to report.

Russell discovered that Grove had already become a Great Knight and decided to watch his performance on the snowfield before helping him find a wife. Russell then joined Marcus’s caravan as it crossed the Ice Snow Great Wall into the snowfield, where Little Dream Dragon’s mark began to burn.

• Eric confirmed that Grove had been a Great Knight for some time, and Grove explained that he had not mentioned it because Russell had not asked.
• Horace told Russell how Grove had lost his drive after his former lover Jenny found happiness with someone else.
• Meigan delivered Madam Meryl’s warning, and Russell reassured Laura before leaving Fluorite Castle.
• Russell joined Marcus’s Thunder Beast caravan and rode with the convoy toward the snowfield.
• As the caravan entered the snowfield, Russell’s mark burned with Little Dream Dragon’s longing, and Russell told Grove to perform well so he could arrange a wife for him.

Russell heard a wild Phantom Beast whispering from a snow forest near the caravan’s Cold Spring Point and went to search for it with Eric, Kevin, and Jerry. He returned without finding it, but planned to explore again in the morning, suspecting a horned Phantom Beast was hiding there.

• Russell heard a wild Phantom Beast say it was hiding in the snow forest and rode there with Eric, Kevin, and Jerry.
• Marcus saw Russell and Eric leave, scolded the sentry, and stayed behind to watch the caravan in case they needed help.
• Russell searched the snow forest but found no sign of the Phantom Beast or a sprite.
• As Russell rode back, he heard the Phantom Beast say it liked his golden hair and wanted him to touch its horn if he could find it.
• Russell told Eric that something seemed to be watching them and ordered him to wake him early so they could search again.
• Marcus reprimanded Russell for leaving the caravan, but Russell defended his choice and said he would explore the forest again the next morning.

In the Dark Dreamscape, Russell discovered a Phantom Beast that could see and hear him, and learned that it was a Unicorn Phantom Beast hiding in the snow forest. He decided to lure it out with materials that could keep it warm, planning to buy wax rubidium and red agate in Furious Wind City before returning to Cold Spring Point.

• Russell and Little Dream Dragon searched the snow forest but found no Phantom Beasts or sprites.
• A Phantom Beast whispered that it had seen the pale golden-haired human, and Russell realized he could hear Phantom Beast Whisper in the Dark Dreamscape.
• Russell called out to the hidden Unicorn Phantom Beast, which answered in whispers and admitted that it liked his hair but feared humans and hated the cold.
• Russell decided that capturing the Phantom Beast by force would be difficult and considered using its fondness for his hair and its dislike of the cold to lure it out.
• Russell planned to buy Wax Rubidium Essence and red agate in Furious Wind City, then return to Cold Spring Point and stay until he had dealt with the Phantom Beast.

Russell failed to find the Snow Ghost, but his talk about buying cold-resisting materials drew a Unicorn Phantom Beast’s attention and persuaded it he would help it. After crossing Torrent Province, Russell reached Furious Wind City and headed for the Red Keep while Little Dream Dragon hid from the nearby Shadowflame Dragon.

• Russell and Eric searched the snowy forest again, found no Phantom Beast, and Russell spoke aloud about buying red agate and Wax Rubidium Essence to attract the Unicorn’s attention.
• Russell returned to the convoy and continued the journey, searching for Snow Ghosts at night while Little Dream Dragon went hungry for a Snow Demon.
• The caravan stopped at Glimmering Market, then traveled through Torrent Province as Phantom Beast Whispers reached Russell from the forests.
• Russell entered Raging Wind Province and saw Furious Wind City and Shadowflame Volcano, while Little Dream Dragon concealed her presence out of fear of the Shadowflame Dragon.
• Russell sent Horace and Grove to purchase serfs and rode with Eric toward the Red Keep.

Russell visited Red Castle with a gift of White Dew Rain Dragon Cigars and met Grand Duke Kunsitan for the first time. He left the Grand Duke impressed by the cigars and promised an exclusive Frost Series for him and two other nobles.

• Russell and Eric passed through the West Archway after Russell identified himself as a knighted lord and scholar.
• Roland welcomed Russell, received letters from their family, and escorted him through Red Castle toward the Grand Duke.
• Russell gave Roland twenty crates of cigars and brought one hundred crates for Grand Duke Kunsitan.
• Russell met Grand Duke Kunsitan, presented him with a cigar, and personally lit it.
• Russell described the planned Frost Series, offering up to one hundred crates a year each to Grand Duke Kunsitan, Count Merlin, and his father.

Russell met Grand Duke Kunsitan, learned of his interest in riding a dragon, and told him how Blue Crystal Dragon Medicarren had helped his Battle Aura cultivation. As they gathered for dinner, Russell saw Grand Duke Kunsitan’s young sister, Princess Kunlaya.

• Grand Duke Kunsitan accepted Russell’s annual tribute of Rain Dragon Cigars and invited him and Roland to dinner.
• Roland told Russell that Grand Duke Kunsitan was waiting for a chance to ride a dragon and warned him not to speak ill of the Shadowflame Dragon near the volcano.
• Grand Duke Kunsitan asked Russell about his training and learned that he had finished opening his main meridians after receiving Origin Dragon Breath from Blue Crystal Dragon Medicarren.
• Grand Duke Kunsitan urged the brothers to fight for chances to ride dragons and said he hoped more Wyvern Knights would emerge from the younger generation.
• Princess Kunlaya arrived and asked her brother why he was eating in the small courtyard instead of with her and their mother.

Russell met Grand Duke Kunsitan and Princess Kunlaya, then attended a lavish dinner where the Grand Duke urged him to pursue a bond with the wyvern Medicarren. Afterward, Russell and Roland argued about his taking home the leftover food, and Russell considered the obstacles to riding Medicarren.

• Russell introduced himself to Princess Kunlaya, who left after Grand Duke Kunsitan sent her back to their mother.
• Russell ate the Magic Cuisine eagerly and asked to pack the leftovers, which Grand Duke Kunsitan permitted.
• Grand Duke Kunsitan discussed expanding the Grand Duchy's territory and encouraged Russell and Roland to become Wyvern Knights.
• Russell and Roland left the manor and argued over Russell carrying home the packed food.
• Russell told Roland that his eldest aunt might prevent him from bonding with Medicarren until Cousin Mel took charge.

Russell left Red Castle after finding Roland content to sleep late and serve Grand Duke Kunsitan, then reached Furious Wind City to arrange purchases for the estate. The chapter ended with Russell directing Horace and Grove to buy serfs and recruit freefolk for the next caravan.

• Russell found that the Shadowflame Dragon suppressed most of his special powers, though he could still summon Sword Butterfly and Thorn.
• Russell learned that Roland slept late and attended only afternoon meetings at Red Castle, then told him he was leaving for Furious Wind City.
• Russell departed Red Castle with Eric, Jerry, and Kevin, and reflected that Grand Duke Kunsitan seemed idle rather than ambitious.
• Russell reached the caravan’s manor outside Furious Wind City, where Horace and Grove reported the serf prices they had negotiated.
• Russell ordered Horace and Grove to buy five hundred adult serfs, one hundred children, and several skilled serfs, then recruit freefolk at Volcanic Oasis.

Russell escorted the purchased serfs toward his territory while tracking a Phantom Beast near Cold Spring Point. Using Dream Gaze and Hail Beads, he found a unicorn-like creature flying through the snowy forest and tried to lure it with magical creations.

• Russell bought serfs, Wax Rubidium Essence, and Red Agate, then led the caravan out of Furious Wind City.
• Russell’s marks warmed after leaving the volcanic region, and he reunited with Little Dream Dragon, the Sword Butterfly, and the Thorn in the Dark Dreamscape that night.
• Russell and Little Dream Dragon hunted Snow Ghosts across the snowfields, collecting only a few Hail Beads before the caravan reached Cold Spring Point.
• Marcus watched Russell and Eric ride into the snowy forest and suspected they were searching for a Phantom Beast.
• Russell used Dream Gaze and Hail Beads to spot a unicorn-like Phantom Beast flying between the trees.
• Russell followed the creature to a snow cedar and called to it, offering Wax Rubidium Essence and Red Agate.

Russell befriended the hidden unicorn by approaching her alone and offering magical items to keep her warm. He named her Polly and rode her back to Eric, beginning their journey home.

• Russell used Dream Gaze to locate the unicorn and learned she wanted him to approach alone with something warm.
• Russell found the unicorn beneath a snow cedar and introduced himself, stopping when she showed unease.
• The unicorn let Russell touch her horn and hang Red Agate and Wax Rubidium Essence on it, warming and brightening it.
• The unicorn accepted Russell as a companion, and he named her Polly.
• Russell mounted Polly, who carried him swiftly back to Eric, and they set off for home.

Russell found Unicorn Polly in the snowy forest and won her approval, deciding she would become his Contract Partner. After celebrating with Lord Marcus, Russell entered the Dark Dreamscape with Little Dream Dragon, where Polly revealed her fear of the dragon.

• Russell returned to camp with Polly and told Lord Marcus that the unicorn had chosen him as her future Contract Partner.
• Marcus congratulated Russell over drinks but privately seethed with jealousy and regret that Russell had rejected his daughter Malena.
• After Marcus left, Russell went to sleep and entered the Dark Dreamscape with Little Dream Dragon, where Polly watched them.
• Russell introduced Little Dream Dragon as Snowcake, and Polly murmured that the dragon's aura terrified her.
• Russell reassured Polly, then flew with Little Dream Dragon into the snowy depths to search for Hail Beads and Ice Soul Beads.

Russell returned to Fluorite Castle with Unicorn Polly, a Phantom Beast whose Wind Walk and Dream Walk abilities made her exceptionally valuable. After recounting his successful visit to Red Castle, his parents discussed his growing status and his apparent interest in Princess Kunlaya, leaving Madam Meryl worried about finding him a suitable match.

• Russell and Marcus stopped at Great Wind Manor, where Rosen Fluorite Mushroom praised Russell and welcomed Polly before the convoy continued to Fluorite Castle.
• At Fluorite Castle, Russell sent Eric to escort his purchased serfs to Wuyou Snake Manor, while Madam Meryl asked him to stay the night.
• Russell explained Polly's Wind Walk and Dream Walk abilities to Baron Roman and described how Dream Walk let her disappear from ordinary sight.
• Over dinner, Russell told Baron Roman and Madam Meryl about meeting the Grand Duke and Princess Kunlaya, buying more than a thousand serfs, and recruiting over a hundred Cave Freemen.
• Baron Roman told Madam Meryl he hoped Russell might someday develop a relationship with Princess Kunlaya, while Madam Meryl worried about finding a suitable young lady for him.

Russell returned to Wuyou Snake Manor with Unicorn Polly and arranged for the newly purchased serfs to be settled and supplied. He also planned new appointments, learned that Katie had successfully recultivated Battle Aura, and examined her progress.

• Russell returned to Wuyou Snake Manor riding Unicorn Polly and confirmed that the nearly fourteen hundred newcomers had been distributed among its seven tunics.
• Russell ordered Charles to buy more grain and provide the new serfs with tools, clothes, and quilts, then assigned Grove as Knight Captain of the manor guards and Eric as Patrol Knight Captain.
• Charles told Russell that Katie had recultivated Battle Aura and opened the primary meridians in her arm.
• Russell cut several bamboo stalks off from the Worm Grass to test whether they could grow independently.
• Russell examined Katie's arm, praised her progress, and told her to open the remaining primary meridian sets if she hoped to become a Great Knight.

Russell expanded Wuyou Snake Manor’s population, farms, and food production as the Ice Age approached, while continuing to train toward becoming a Great Knight. He ended the chapter by arranging a spar between Grove and Katie as he prepared to cultivate her into a powerful knight.

• Russell considered gathering Ice Soul Beads through Phantom Beast Knights to help Little Dream Dragon revive and eventually ride a dragon.
• Russell organized bonfire parties to help newly purchased serfs settle in and directed residents to expand pig, bee, mussel, fish, vegetable, poultry, and livestock production.
• Grand Scholars at Red Fort predicted that the warm season would end by late December or mid-January, bringing the Snow Demons and another Ice Age.
• After months of training, Russell opened another tiny branch meridian and believed he would become a Great Knight by the end of the year.
• Russell sparred with Grove, then encouraged him to find a partner and ordered him to spar with Katie, who had rebuilt her Battle Aura.

Russell visited his family at Great Wind Manor, where Old Madam Ingrid recounted the history of the family and the Snow Giant Da. The chapter ended with a messenger summoning Rosen and Russell to Fluorite Castle for a meeting about Da.

• A silver-armored knight and Kurara planted a Lightning Rod Gun in the Ice Cap, where lightning struck and a gigantic hand began breaking through the ice.
• Old Madam Ingrid told Russell and his family how Lord Ross emerged from a hot spring and became the family's guardian dragon.
• Old Madam Ingrid recounted how Snow Giant Da killed the former Grand Duke and grievously wounded the Shadowflame Dragon during the Battle of the Fall.
• A messenger arrived at Great Wind Manor and summoned Rosen and Russell to Fluorite Castle for a meeting about Snow Giant Da.

After Snow Giant Da emerged from the ice near the Grand Duchy, Baron Roman ordered the lords of Guangguang River Valley to mobilize their knights and prepare for war. Russell returned to his manor to summon his knights, hoping the Shadowflame Dragon could hold out long enough for him to grow stronger.

• Russell and Rosen rode to Fluorite Castle, where Baron Roman and the other lords gathered for an urgent meeting.
• Baron Roman revealed that Snow Giant Da had been sleeping within the Lightning Rod Point's range and had now emerged from the ice.
• Baron Roman reported that the Grand Duke had gone to awaken the Shadowflame Dragon and summoned the noble lords to Red Castle.
• Baron Roman ordered the lords to return to their fiefs and assemble their knights, assigning Rosen to drill the Knight Order until further orders.
• Russell returned to summon his knights and prayed that the Shadowflame Dragon would hold out while he and Snowcake grew stronger.