Chapter Summaries

Russell learned that the Treasure Seeking Mouse Squad had found an Amber Bug sealed in amber, and he formed a blood contract with it. As the dried-up lizard inside began to awaken, rumors about Russell spread and playwright Nicholas prepared a play inspired by him.

• Nobles and tavern patrons across the Shadowflame Grand Duchy discussed Russell becoming a Wyvern Knight, while playwright Nicholas began writing Riding the Dragon Youth Journey under the name Suluo.
• Katie brought Russell an Amber Stone that Jerry had received from the Treasure Seeking Mouse Squad after they found it in the Blackfire Land.
• Russell rewarded Jerry for finding the Amber Bug, then confiscated the promised Magic Potions as a teasing punishment and asked Katie to reward him with food.
• Russell explained the Amber Bug’s value to Katie and promised her a pearl necklace for discovering it.
• Russell formed a blood contract with the Amber Stone, and the sealed lizard began to awaken.

Russell freed the Gecko Amber Bug from its Amber Stone and gained its Limb Regeneration ability, while it expanded the Dark Dreamscape clone. After celebrating with his Amber Bugs, he began training as a Wyvern Knight with Rosai.

• The Gecko burst out of the Amber Stone, merged into Russell, and gained the name Gecko Amber Bug.
• Russell discovered Gecko Amber Bug could regenerate severed limbs, provided he had enough magic power and time.
• Russell found that Gecko expanded the Dark Dreamscape clone's radius to six meters, and Little Dream Dragon agreed to search for more Amber Stones.
• Russell and the Amber Bugs searched the summer snowfield for Snow Ghosts but found none, so Russell promised to hunt Snow Demons with Rosai after the Dragon Riding Ceremony.
• Russell trained his synchronization with Harpe and his Sword Control Technique, then began practicing Battle Qi Dragon Martial Arts with Rosai.

Lord Minol discussed his son Mickel’s marriage to Malena and prepared to travel to Guangguang River Valley for Russell’s Dragon Riding Ceremony. At a teahouse, he learned that Rain Dragon Cigars had become scarce and expensive, and his friends urged him to use his ties to Marcus to obtain more.

• Lord Minol and his wife agreed that Mickel and Malena’s marriage looked promising now that Russell’s fame had raised the Fluorite Mushroom Family’s standing.
• Minol decided to travel to Guangguang River Valley and told his wife to have Mickel invite Malena along.
• At a teahouse in Furious Wind City, Minol’s friends praised Russell’s cigars and said even White Dew Cigars had become difficult to find.
• Minol learned that White Dew Cigars now sold for ten silver coins each on the black market and considered buying crates to resell.
• Minol’s friends planned to bring back cartloads of Rain Dragon Cigars from the Dragon Riding Ceremony and urged him to ask Marcus to help them obtain cigars.

Russell rejected further expansion of tobacco cultivation and planned to protect the Cigar Factory’s quality while preparing it for visiting nobles. After Old Hans volunteered Tall Hans to help survey Blackfire Land, Russell trained his elder brother Roland in swordsmanship and found his own skill nearing another breakthrough.

• Russell told Old Hans to buy tobacco from Sancha River Mouth rather than reduce grain production, and instructed him to maintain cigar quality and prepare the factory for the Dragon Riding Ceremony.
• Russell directed Old Hans to improve the factory’s appearance and establish a laboratory to study cigar-making, while postponing research into cigarettes.
• Old Hans asked Russell to send his son Tall Hans to help survey the Hot Spring Area in Blackfire Land, and Russell agreed.
• Russell reflected on his shortage of capable people and his plans to attract knights and serfs after the Dragon Riding Ceremony.
• Roland arrived at Wuyou Snake Manor to seek swordsmanship guidance from Russell, and Eric, Grove, Katie, and others joined their lesson.
• As Russell taught the group, he noticed subtle flaws in his technique and sensed that his swordsmanship was about to advance.

A special gazette announced Russell’s dragon riding, new title, and territory, prompting Baron Davis and Roby to prepare for his Dragon Riding Ceremony. Their discussion left unresolved their disagreement over whether Diana’s future child could inherit Kingtop Castle.

• A Messenger Knight delivered an extra issue of the gazette to Kingtop Castle celebrating Russell’s dragon riding.
• Baron Davis read that Russell had been granted the title of Grand Duchy Nobleman and the Black Oil Dragon’s Warm Enclave as his territory.
• Baron Davis reconsidered going out and agreed with Roby that they should prepare for Russell’s Dragon Riding Ceremony.
• Roby argued that Diana’s future child should be eligible to inherit, but Davis insisted it was different and redirected the discussion to Russell’s gift.

Guests arrived at Fluorite Castle for Russell’s upcoming Dragon Riding Ceremony, including relatives and nobles eager to celebrate his new status as a Wyvern Knight. Russell showed them Blackfire Land and avoided Boris’s attempts to arrange a match with his sister.

• Viscount Meijie and Kuna arrived, and Russell exchanged warm greetings with them.
• Baron Curis and Madam Kunti arrived with Cooper and Rowena; Kunti treated Russell and Madam Meryl with conspicuous enthusiasm.
• Russell welcomed Cooper and Rowena, then Rowena asked to see his dragon and tour Blackfire Land.
• After the luncheon, Russell sent Eric, Grove, and Katie to guide the guests across the snowfield to Blackfire Land.
• Boris tried to introduce his sister to Russell, but Russell redirected the group to the hot springs and refused to entertain the match.

Princess Anxia’s convoy reached Fluorite Castle for Russell’s Dragon Riding Ceremony, where the nobles gathered to honor him and his dragon. As the celebrations approached, Augustus and Dai Wen’s strained marriage and the Water Willow Family’s ambitions came into view.

• Princess Anxia and Princess Kunlaya stopped at the Four Seasons Flower Sea Cold Spring Point, where Kunlaya saw Quail-like Dragons and wondered about the region’s past.
• The convoy arrived at Red Bat Cave, where Old Madam Ingrid and the gathered nobles welcomed Princess Anxia and praised Russell for riding a dragon and opening a Warm Enclave.
• Russell and Mel joked and embraced after Mel teased him about showing off before becoming the Manganese Steel Dragon Knight.
• The nobles gathered at Fluorite Castle for Russell’s Dragon Riding Ceremony, and Augustus envied Black Oil Dragon Rosai while his mother encouraged him to pursue a wyvern.
• Madam Kunli scolded Dai Wen for wandering away from Augustus, and Augustus dismissed his wife’s appeal for support while insisting her family help him become grand duke.

Russell’s Dragon Riding Ceremony was celebrated across Guangguang River Valley, while guests at Fluorite Castle sought to connect young knights to him as potential followers. Russell considered how to choose and train followers and attendants, and whether to establish a vocational school in Glimmering Town.

• The subjects of Guangguang River Valley celebrated Russell’s dragon ride, and the Fluorite Mushroom Family distributed two copper coins to each of its sixty or seventy thousand subjects.
• Serfs at Wuyou Snake Manor gathered in Small Market Town, where Old Barton and others praised Russell and hoped he would ride a giant dragon.
• At Fluorite Castle’s ball, Malena introduced her fiancé Mickel to Russell before the couple went to dance.
• Russell suspected Mickel wanted to become his follower and reflected that several noble families were hoping to place young knights under his command.
• Russell resolved to judge prospective followers by their character and strength, and considered training more knights, attendants, and technical workers.

At his Dragon Riding Ceremony, Russell reflected on his bonds, his wish to explore Dragon Sleep Continent, and Princess Kunlaya’s confinement at Red Castle. He spoke with Count Merlin about his future and the impossibility of contracting the Shadowflame Dragon, leaving him resolved to pursue achievements and a barony instead.

• Russell stepped away from the celebration, told Polly he wanted to travel beyond the Shadowflame Grand Duchy, and agreed they would explore the world together someday.
• Princess Kunlaya joined Russell, praised his territory, and said good night before returning to Red Castle with her matrons.
• Russell worried about Princess Anxia and Kunlaya’s futures after his cousin won the election, and resolved to help them if he could.
• Count Merlin asked Russell about his plans, and Russell said he wanted to earn a barony as soon as possible.
• Russell asked Count Merlin whether anyone outside the Shadowflame Family could contract the Shadowflame Dragon, and Merlin said dragons would not change riders without a contract.

Russell learned from Count Merlin that Snow Giants might be harvesting the Dragon Sleep Continent’s Earth Power, leaving him to wonder whether dragons were their true prey. Meanwhile, Baron Roman asked Clay Dragon Ross about his unease around Russell, and Ross sensed an aura like those of unicorns and owls.

• Count Merlin told Russell he feared the Scorching Torrent Kingdom was exploiting the Grand Duchy’s internal conflict and might be sacrificing it.
• Count Merlin explained the rumor that Snow Demons had frozen the continent to drain its Earth Power, and Russell considered whether Snow Giants hunted dragons to harvest their Origin Dragon Flame.
• Baron Roman noticed Ross watching the newly born Black Oil Dragon Rosai and asked why he was paying such close attention.
• Ross told Baron Roman that Russell carried an unfamiliar aura similar to those around unicorns and owls, which made Ross react badly.
• Baron Roman reassured Ross that Russell would not harm him and toasted the prosperity of the Fluorite Mushroom Family.

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.