Chapter Summaries

The Elder Council stripped Baron Roman of his post as Minister of Finance and sentenced him to three years of Combat Hard Labor for preventing Clay Dragon Ross from answering the dragon horn. As Roman left Red Fortress with Roland and Russell, Ross unexpectedly chose to carry Roman into the sky, leaving his sons behind.

• Count Merlin sentenced Baron Roman to three years of Combat Hard Labor and removed him from his ministerial post.
• Roman told Roland to contract his chosen Nightmare Ghost Horse and visit Baron Gevidas, while Russell prepared to return to their territory.
• Russell said goodbye to Mel and promised that his family would continue supporting him.
• Roman and his sons left Red Fortress, and Lord Ross waited for them on the highway.
• Lord Ross rubbed against Roman, who mounted him, and the dragon flew away with Roman while Roland and Russell watched.

After Baron Roman became a Dragon Knight by riding Clay Dragon Ross, Roland mourned the loss of his own chance to ride Ross but resolved to work harder. Russell then agreed to escort Grand Scholars Alex and Robert to his territory so they could investigate Fermented Fertilizer Technology and consider pilot programs near Furious Wind City.

• Clay Dragon Ross carried Baron Roman away, leaving Roland to grieve that he had lost his chance to ride the dragon.
• Roland vented his accumulated disappointments, then resolved to contract a Phantom Beast, train, and seek an opportunity to obtain a Wyvern.
• Knight Captain Buscoock told Russell that Grand Scholars Alex and Robert wanted to inspect Fermented Fertilizer Technology in Russell's territory.
• Alex and Robert arrived with their guard knights, praised the promise of the technology, and joined Russell and Roland on the journey.
• At a relay station, Roland asked Russell about fermented fertilizer, and Russell explained that human and animal dung could be useful depending on how it was used.

Russell and Roland returned to Fluorite Castle with two Grand Scholars after finding no Snow Demons on the route. Baron Roman celebrated his new status as a Dragon Knight, while his family praised him and anticipated Russell’s future.

• Roland guessed that Snow Giant Da had depleted the Snow Demon ranks during the great battle, and Russell agreed after the party found none on their journey home.
• Russell gave Roland Hail Beads for Rosay and spoke with him about their family’s future and preparing a dowry for Laura.
• The party reached Red Bat Cave and returned to Fluorite Castle, where Baron Roman hosted a celebratory banquet for the two Grand Scholars and the guard knights.
• Grand Scholar Robert and Grand Scholar Alex congratulated Baron Roman on becoming a Dragon Knight, and the guests toasted with fruit juice in place of wine.
• Old Madam Ingrid and Madam Meryl celebrated Roman’s achievement and expressed confidence that Russell would become a Dragon Knight too.

Count Merlin learned that Roman had finally succeeded in riding a dragon and recalled Roman’s family history as he urged Mel to train harder than Russell. Roman then planned to lead the Gloomlight River Valley Knight Order to the snowfields, while he and Russell agreed on support for Russell’s fief, leaving Roland feeling sidelined as his father’s respect shifted toward his younger brother.

• Count Merlin celebrated Roman’s long-delayed success as a Dragon Knight and reminisced to Mel about Rhode, Ingrid, and Roman’s family history.
• Count Merlin told Mel that Russell’s swordsmanship was formidable, prompting Mel to leave and train.
• Roman announced that he would lead the Knight Order to the snowfields for three years of Combat Hard Labor and to gather Hail Beads for Ross’s hatching.
• Roland offered to join Roman on the snowfields, and Roman told him to contract a Nightmare Ghost Horse first while teasing Grand Duke Kunsitan.
• Roman, Russell, and Roland toasted the Fluorite Mushroom Family, and Russell offered to buy the Knight Order’s Hail Beads on credit for his fief.
• Roland felt bitter as Roman treated Russell as an influential figure and gave him generous repayment terms.

Russell returned to Wuyou Snake Manor, assigned the Grand Scholars to inspect Fermented Fertilizer Technology, and set out to assess his territory. His inspection found strong overall progress, though the greenhouse vegetable experiment had failed, and he encouraged Mrs. Sharby to keep trying.

• Russell arranged lodging for Grand Scholars Robert and Alex, assigned Catherine to receive them, and told Eric to take Sir Buscoock's knights hunting Snow Ghosts if they became bored.
• Russell rejected Charles's suggestion of a celebration, then asked him to help Grove reconnect with Fanny and summon Old Hans to discuss the Cigar Factory.
• Russell toured the snow-covered territory, praised Rosie and Nicole, and learned from Jack that the expanding birch forest supported Fluorite Mushroom production and attracted wildlife.
• Russell inspected the tunics and found the Bear Bee farm had grown to ten queen bees and the Wujin Pig had impregnated the Golden Black Sows, while other seasonal fields remained empty.
• Mrs. Sharby apologized because vegetables in the wooden warm sheds had failed to grow, and Russell reassured her while noting that her Bean Sprout experiment had succeeded.

Russell oversaw Wuyou Snake Manor’s growing population and food production, then discussed Fermented Fertilizer Technology with Alex and Robert. As Lord’s Blessing Day approached, he chose to return the serfs’ offerings and share the celebration with his servants.

• Mrs. Sharby told Russell that serfs praised him after eating bean sprouts, yellow chives, and tofu, and she reported that newly arrived serfs were settling in peacefully.
• Alex and Robert questioned Russell about Fermented Fertilizer Technology, praised his work, and left after three days with their investigation findings.
• Grove visited with Ms. Fanny to announce their plans to marry, and Russell promised a gift and agreed to attend their meal.
• Butler Morris told Russell that Charles had moved one hundred Gold Coins from the private account to the public account, leaving twenty-five, and Russell ordered him to settle the accounts when funds arrived.
• Russell instructed Butler Morris to give Grove a gemstone longsword and to return the serfs’ Lord’s Blessing Day offerings while giving the servants an extra dish.

Baron Roman led the Gloomlight River Valley Knight Order west through the snowfields to hunt Snow Ghosts, while Russell explored a mapped Cold Spring Point near his future territory. The chapter ended with Russell and Polly uncovering the entrance to a nearly buried Cold Spring Point.

• Baron Roman ordered the Knight Order to push farther west, hoping to find Snow Demons and Ice Soul Beads as they hunted Snow Ghosts.
• Baron Roman reassured Lord Ross that their bond to the Shadowflame Dragon and the Fluorite Mushroom Family was their foundation, and Ross agreed to fight alongside him.
• Russell sent Eric and Grove to clear Snow Ghosts near the territory and told them not to take reckless risks.
• Russell rode with Polly west of Curved Blade Mountain to inspect his future territory, killing small Snow Ghost groups and avoiding larger packs.
• Russell and Polly found a nearly abandoned Cold Spring Point buried under snow and cleared its entrance through the Ice Cap.

Russell explored the snowfields, ruled out several areas for a future Warm Enclave, and discovered a vast, warm snow forest east of Guangguang River Valley. After hearing a hungry voice asking when the rats would appear, he was left wondering what creature lived in the forest.

• Russell and Polly searched Cold Spring Points across the snowfields, and Russell recorded that the rugged land west of Curved Blade Mountain was unsuitable for farming.
• Russell investigated south of Guangguang River Valley and sensed the boundary where the Shadowflame Dragon's influence ended, so he ruled out planting Rosai beyond it.
• Russell decided to explore east of Guangguang River Valley, where a Warm Enclave could bring him closer to Golden Plains and a possible trade route.
• Russell and Polly entered a vast, warm snow forest that was absent from the family map.
• Russell heard a strange voice complain that night had not come and that it was hungry for rats.

Russell and Polly searched a previously unexplored snow forest after Lucky Whisper revealed a phantom beast nearby. They found a lush Cold Spring Point and identified a snow-white owl-like phantom beast as a likely pseudo-dragon descendant, then Russell tried to lure it out with mice.

• Russell and Polly followed the phantom beast’s whispers deeper into the snow forest, where the trees grew thicker and the air grew warmer.
• Russell and Polly discovered a springlike garden that Russell suspected was a Cold Spring Point.
• Russell used Dream Gaze and saw dimly glowing owl-like creatures alongside a brightly glowing phantom beast in a tree.
• Russell concluded that the owl-like creatures were pseudo-dragon offspring and that the snow-white phantom beast was likely a pseudo-dragon descendant.
• Russell decided to capture the phantom beast and called out, offering it mice.

Russell camped in Green Capital Snow Forest, befriended a Harpy Dragon and the Owl-like Dragons by sharing roasted muntjac, and spent the night preparing to study them in the Dark Dreamscape. He left the chapter observing the creatures with Little Dream Dragon, hoping to learn more about his potential future companions.

• Russell named Green Capital Snow Forest and Green Capital Garden Cold Spring Point, then marked them on the family map.
• Russell roasted a muntjac and offered meat to the silent Phantom Beast and the timid Owl-like Dragons.
• The Phantom Beast swooped down to eat, and Russell recognized its white, wyvern-like form as a Harpy Dragon and named the Owl-like creatures Origin Beast Species Owl-like Dragons.
• Russell fed the Harpy Dragon and Owl-like Dragons until the Harpy Dragon stole meat from the smaller creatures, prompting Russell to toss it a larger piece.
• Russell soothed Polly's jealousy, went to sleep, and met Little Dream Dragon in the Dark Dreamscape.
• Russell stopped Little Dream Dragon from hunting Snow Ghosts and began observing the Harpy Dragon and Owl-like Dragons.

Russell examined Green Capital Garden and wondered about the origins of Pseudo-Dragons before noticing that the Harpy Dragon’s head feather bore a pattern like Polly’s horn. He speculated that Polly might also be a Pseudo-Dragon Descendant, then followed Little Dream Dragon out to hunt Snow Ghosts.

• Russell considered whether Cold Spring Points were places where Phantom Beasts evolved into Pseudo-Dragons and wondered if an ancient kingdom had once existed in the region.
• Russell vowed to uncover the Pseudo-Dragon mystery and someday drive the Snow Demons back with Polly and his companions.
• Russell noticed that the magical pattern on the Harpy Dragon’s raised feather resembled the pattern on Polly’s horn.
• Russell proposed that Polly might be a Pseudo-Dragon Descendant, and Polly wondered how that could be since she had lived on the snowfields.
• Little Dream Dragon impatiently flew out of the forest to hunt Snow Ghosts, and Russell prepared to follow.

Russell planned to educate Snowy and prepare for a long campaign to earn the Harpy Dragon’s trust. After returning to his territory, he handled reports and arranged to head back to the snowfields, leaving preparations for Lord's Blessing Day to Charles and Butler Morris.

• Russell decided to discipline Snowy and formulate a Dragon Growth Plan after reflecting on Little Dream Dragon’s growing independence.
• Russell left the Green Capital Snow Forest after the Harpy Dragon ignored his offer of breakfast, resolving to win her trust over time with gifts she liked.
• Eric and Grove offered to accompany Russell to the snowfields, but Russell refused because their mounts could not keep up with Polly.
• Charles arrived with territorial reports and twenty-two Hail Beads, including two high-grade ones, and Russell told him and Butler Morris to organize Lord's Blessing Day while he went to the snowfields.
• Russell summoned Jerry and told the Red-eyed Rat King to come to the snowfields with him and lose weight.

Russell spent days trying to win over the wary Harpy Dragon with roasted meat, but it refused to submit. He decided to stop feeding it and use its newfound taste for cooked food to pressure it into showing sincerity.

• Russell camped at Green Capital Garden Cold Spring Point and used roasted muntjac to lure the Harpy Dragon, while Jerry chased away the Owl-like Dragons that tried to approach.
• The Harpy Dragon snatched Russell’s bait but remained wary, so Russell continued feeding it for several days without making progress.
• Russell switched to roasting mice, drawing the Harpy Dragon into repeatedly stealing them while Jerry grew angry and secretly enjoyed the roasted mouse meat too.
• After another three days, Russell refused to use the Sleeping Potion and told Jerry to keep the forest mice away from the camp so the Harpy Dragon would have to show sincerity if it wanted cooked food.

Russell lured the hungry Harpy Dragon into acknowledging him as its master by promising it an endless supply of roasted rats, then named it Harpe. He left Green Capital Garden Cold Spring Point with his new companion, intending to continue surveying the area east of Guangguang River Valley.

• Russell used roasted rats to tempt the hungry Harpy Dragon while Lucky Whisper let him sense its thoughts.
• Russell promised the Harpy Dragon roasted rats and protection for the owls, and it flew down from the tree to acknowledge him as master.
• Russell welcomed the Harpy Dragon into his family and gave it the name Harpe, though he sensed that it was not yet warm toward him.
• Harpe bid farewell to the Owl-like Dragons, and Russell decided not to bring any of them back or reveal Harpe's identity.
• Russell rode Unicorn Polly away with Harpe, planning to survey the area east of Guangguang River Valley.

Russell tested Harpe’s powerful magic and suspected that both Harpe and Polly were Phantom Beast Pseudo-Dragon Descendants. After returning to Wuyou Snake Manor, he learned the Baroness wanted him to bring Rosay to Fluorite Castle and went to share dinner with Harpe.

• Harpe used a hurricane to tear through the snow and Ice Cap, and Russell confirmed that she also had a passive Wind Wall Technique.
• Russell suspected Polly was a Pseudo-Unicorn Dragon and discussed looking for related Pseudo-Dragon Offspring, including Hippogriff Dragons.
• Jerry used Bloodthirsty Flicker to catch up with Russell, then collapsed from exhaustion before Russell threatened to cut off his roasted rats.
• Russell returned to Wuyou Snake Manor with Harpe, where Butler Morris told him the Baroness wanted him to bring Rosay to Fluorite Castle.
• After bathing and eating, Russell brought dinner to Harpe at the terrace garden of Cigar Courtyard.

Russell used the Hail Beads his father sent to nourish Rosai, whose growing consciousness expressed its affection for him, though the Dragon Egg still needed several more bags before hatching. He declined a belated birthday banquet and reassured Laura that he would support her, leaving after teasing her about her hair.

• Madam Meryl gave Russell eight hundred ordinary Hail Beads and fifty-five superior Hail Beads from Lord Ross, and Russell recorded their value as a debt in the ledger.
• Russell fed the Hail Beads to the Black Oil Dragon Egg, and Rosai communicated its hunger and affection through their mental connection.
• Russell told Madam Meryl that Rosai needed a few more bags of Hail Beads, and she said the family would celebrate his birthday after he became a dragon rider.
• Russell explained to Laura that becoming a Great Knight was necessary to ride a dragon and promised to support her choices.
• Russell ruffled Laura's carefully braided hair and ran off laughing as she shouted after him, while Carter watched them fondly.

Russell visited his mother and sister, then received a separate invitation from Red Castle to celebrate the birth of the Great Autumn Rose Sprite, Lethenis. Believing the invitation was connected to the Shadowflame Dragon’s attention, he left the banquet arrangements to his family and returned to his territory.

• Russell told Madam Meryl that his successfully bred Wujin Pigs would be sent to Kingtop Castle under their partnership agreement.
• A messenger from Red Castle delivered invitations to celebrate Lord Lethenis’s birth, including a separate invitation addressed to Russell Fluorite Mushroom.
• Russell asked Madam Meryl whether Uncle Rosen had ever received a separate invitation and learned he usually represented the family at such events.
• Madam Meryl decided Uncle Rosen would attend on behalf of the family, while Russell also declined to go and asked him to bring a congratulatory gift.
• Russell rode away from the castle, and Madam Meryl prayed for the Shadowflame Dragon to continue looking favorably upon him.

Russell explored the eastern plains and chose a site for a future Warm Enclave and Dragon Egg, planning to connect it with Guangguang River Valley and eventually the Golden Plains. After Baron Roman returned with Roland, Russell discussed his progress toward Battle Qi Armor Transformation and mental synchronization with Polly.

• Russell reflected on Red Castle's newly promoted Great Elf and consoled himself that Snowcake would bring him more elves.
• Russell explored east of Guangguang River Valley, selected a site for a Warm Enclave, and planned trade roads linking it to the valley and the Golden Plains.
• Russell declared that he would plant his Dragon Egg on the eastern plains and agreed to ask Baron Roman for his opinion.
• Baron Roman returned from the snowfield with the Knight Order, accompanied by Roland, who had advanced to Phantom Beast Knight.
• Russell told Baron Roman that he had begun attempting Battle Qi Armor Transformation and expected his mental synchronization with Polly to reach perfection in a few months.
• Baron Roman praised Russell's progress and urged him to keep cultivating his vital breath even as he prepared to ride a dragon.

Roland traveled with Russell to the Poplar Desert to formalize his marriage agreement with Gewen, while Russell brought Katie and Jerry in hopes they would form a contract. The party joined a caravan carrying Rain Dragon Cigars and continued north, leaving their journey underway.

• Madam Meryl prepared Roland’s clothes for his meeting with Baron and Madam Gevidas, and Roland said he expected to marry Gewen.
• Russell introduced Katie, a female Great Knight, and brought Red-eyed Rat King Jerry along so Katie might contract him.
• Russell and Roland joined the caravan at Red Bat Cave and traveled through the snowfields within the Ice Snow Great Wall.
• At Cold Spring Point in the Four Seasons Flower Sea, Russell told Tom to protect the cigar crates and explained that he was delivering Rain Dragon Cigars to Red Castle and his relatives.

Russell and Little Dream Dragon hunted Snow Ghosts in the Dark Dreamscape, but found few because Snow Giant Da had hidden the Snow Demons. Russell realized Da was depriving Shadowflame Dragon of Ice Soul Beads, while Katie prepared to advance as a Phantom Beast Knight.

• Russell examined Little Dream Dragon's growth, then took it and Polly into the Dark Dreamscape to hunt Snow Ghosts.
• Russell and Little Dream Dragon found few Snow Ghosts because Baron Roman's sweeps had reduced their numbers, and Russell calmed the dragon when it grew frustrated.
• Russell woke the next morning and watched Quail-like Dragons in the flowerbeds while considering how Snow Giant Da had learned to hide the Snow Demons.
• Russell concluded that Snow Giant Da was withholding Ice Soul Beads to keep Shadowflame Dragon from recovering and Little Dream Dragon from growing.
• Katie told Russell breakfast was ready, and Russell anticipated that she would soon become a Phantom Beast Knight follower.