Chapter Summaries

Russell traveled with his family through the frozen wilderness toward Bluebird Castle, then explained the lost seasons to Laura beneath the stars. Roland shared a legend that a Frost Giant was the source of the Snow Demons, but he had little further information.

• At Great Wind Manor, Old Madam Ingrid sent birthday wishes and a gift for Old Earl with Roland's family.
• Russell and his family traveled through Red Bat Cave and reached the third Cold Spring Point by nightfall.
• Russell accompanied Laura outside to look at the stars and explained that spring, summer, autumn, and winter had once shaped Dragon Sleep Continent's seasons.
• Roland joined Russell and Laura with roasted sweet potatoes and told them the Frost Giant legend, claiming Snow Demons came from its frost and Snow Giants from its saliva.
• Russell asked Roland for more details about the Frost Giant, but Roland said he knew no more, so Russell led Laura back to sleep.

Russell and Little Dream Dragon hunted Snow Ghosts in the Dark Dreamscape, eventually devouring a Snow Demon before Little Dream Dragon fell asleep. The next day, Russell’s party left the Ice Snow Great Wall and reached the territory of Sancha River Mouth, heading for Bluebird Castle.

• Russell and Little Dream Dragon searched the snowfields and devoured three groups of Snow Ghosts on their first night.
• Russell and Little Dream Dragon found only one small group of Snow Ghosts on the following night.
• Russell stopped Little Dream Dragon from eating a Snow Demon’s Ice Soul Bead until it had devoured the surrounding Snow Ghosts.
• Little Dream Dragon absorbed the Snow Demon’s power, swallowed its Ice Soul Bead, and fell asleep.
• Russell’s party traveled from the Cold Spring Point into Sancha River Mouth, and Baron Roman ordered the carriages to hurry toward Bluebird Castle.

Russell and Roland discussed the Shadowflame Grand Duchy’s population and governance as their convoy crossed the Boundary Mountains and reached Bluebird Castle. There, Baron Roman’s family reunited with their Monochoria relatives and was welcomed by Earl Fuqiang Merlin Monochoria.

• Roland told Russell that Red Castle controlled population growth because the land and its development affected the Shadowflame Dragon.
• Roland said he and Baron Roman planned to learn Grandfather’s intentions about easing restrictions on the Serf Trade.
• The convoy crossed the Boundary Mountains and reached the river-mouth plains, where Russell saw Bluebird Castle and its two Wyverns, Mercedes and Medicarren.
• Mel Monochoria rode out to greet Baron Roman, Madam Meryl, Roland, Russell, and Laura before escorting them to the castle.
• Earl Fuqiang Merlin Monochoria welcomed Baron Roman and Madam Meryl at Bluebird Castle’s gates.

Roman, Meryl, and Russell arrived at Bluebird Castle and reunited with Earl Merlin and the Monochoria family. Over dinner, Earl Merlin praised Russell’s Battle Aura progress, while Russell sensed that Kuna Shadowflame was not pleased by the family’s visit.

• Earl Merlin welcomed Roman and Meryl home, and Viscount Meijie and Kuna Shadowflame greeted them as well.
• Earl Merlin warmly greeted Russell and Laura, then invited Russell to treat Bluebird Castle as his home.
• Mel led Russell into the castle, teased him about his strength, and urged him to cultivate Battle Aura.
• Russell served as his family’s personal manservant during dinner and focused on the dishes containing magic power.
• Earl Merlin asked about Russell’s cultivation, and Russell explained that he had opened the main meridians in both arms and was working on his legs.

At a family dinner, Russell drew attention for acquiring Rosie the Fluorite Mushroom Bird and the Red-eyed Rat King, then met Vivi, the Great Elf of Monochoria, in the castle corridors. Vivi set off to visit Lord Mercedes but headed the wrong way, convinced she could circle around and return.

• Count Merlin brushed aside Baron Roman’s questions about serf policy and turned the family’s attention to Russell’s new sprite and Phantom Beast.
• Mel praised Russell’s gains, and Count Merlin toasted the Grand Duchy’s outstanding young people as the family celebrated.
• After dinner, Russell settled the Red-eyed Rat King in a temporary resting room and warned him to stay out of danger.
• Russell met Vivi, who said she knew Roman but liked Russell’s looks, while a maid identified Vivi as the Great Elf of Monochoria.
• Vivi announced she was going to visit Lord Mercedes, then ignored the maids’ directions and flew toward the castle’s exit.

Russell discovered that Little Dream Dragon could use Hail Beads to give him a brief view of the real world through the Dark Dreamscape. He named the new ability Dark Dreamscape Gaze and decided its short duration made it costly to use often.

• Russell thought about Vivi, the Monochoria Family’s great elf, and wished he could see her magical glow in the Dark Dreamscape.
• Russell’s M-shaped Mark burned, and a Hail Bead melted into it, bringing the Dark Dreamscape’s vision over his surroundings.
• Russell explored his room and the gallery, seeing magical glows and Manganese Steel Dragon Mercedes burning crimson atop an arrow tower near Bluebird Castle.
• The vision faded after about a minute, and Russell realized the ability consumed Hail Beads, with stronger beads extending its duration.
• Russell named the ability Dark Dreamscape Gaze, and the M-shaped Mark flashed as Little Dream Dragon responded while digesting the Ice Soul Bead.

Russell reflected on Little Dream Dragon’s unusual abilities and wondered whether his own thoughts had influenced her growth, but she did not appear in his dream that night. At breakfast at Bluebird Castle, Cousin Mel criticized Grand Duke Kunstan and praised Russell’s potential, prompting Russell to say he felt offended.

• Russell considered Little Dream Dragon’s abilities, her origins, and whether his subconscious could influence her growth.
• Little Dream Dragon did not appear, and Russell did not dream that night.
• Russell met his elder brother Roland and ate Magic Food at Bluebird Castle, explaining that he wanted every chance to strengthen his Battle Aura.
• Cousin Mel joined them for breakfast and said he would rather remain at Sancha River Mouth than help Grand Duke Kunstan, whom he disliked.
• Mel claimed Russell could develop Battle Aura earlier than Kunstan if he had the Grand Duke’s resources, and Russell said he felt offended.

Russell spent the day at Bluebird Castle with Mel, visited Rosie and the Spirit Worms, and met Lord Fishel, the Grand Duke’s envoy. As Count Merlin and Fishel reminisced, Russell decided his heart was still that of a twenty-year-old after noticing a maid.

• Russell toured Bluebird Castle with Mel, who offered to let him ride Lord Medicarren someday and suggested they fight side by side.
• Russell visited the spirit room, reunited with Rosie, and joked with Vivi Your Excellency before leaving at the housekeeper’s request.
• Louis summoned Russell to the hall, where Madam Meryl introduced him to Lord Fishel, the Grand Duke’s envoy.
• Count Merlin greeted Fishel warmly, and the two old knights reminisced about their shared past.
• Russell watched the guests and decided he felt young again after noticing a maid.

Russell met his aunt Madam Melinda and her family when they arrived at Bluebird Castle for Count Merlin's birthday banquet. After greeting his relatives and getting to know Saisel's wife and children, Russell left them to rest, while Saisel noticed the difference in how their families were treated.

• Russell continued helping his parents welcome guests and endured the long round of introductions.
• Viscount Meijie led the family to greet Madam Melinda and Lord Saislo at the castle gates.
• Madam Melinda reunited emotionally with her sisters and greeted Mel, Roland, Russell, and Laura.
• Russell introduced himself to Saisel, Nella, and their children, Saiken and Saihan.
• Russell stayed to speak with Saisel and Nella before heading upstairs, while Saisel envied Russell's family's more privileged accommodation.

At Count Merlin’s birthday celebration, Russell struggled through a day of noble socializing before reuniting with his sister Rowena and learning she was pregnant. Cousin Mel then prepared him for the evening ball, where he planned to make a splash despite Russell’s wish to stay low-key.

• Saisel and Nella discussed Roland and Russell, and Saisel complained that he disliked Bluebird Castle and did not want to celebrate Count Merlin’s birthday.
• Guests arrived in droves for Count Merlin’s birthday, and Russell was exhausted after greeting nobles whose names he could barely remember.
• Rowena and Cooper arrived to celebrate, and Rowena told Russell she was three months pregnant and asked him not to tell their parents yet.
• Meigan summoned Russell to join Count Merlin and his old comrades for tea, and Russell went with Rowena to the side hall.
• Cousin Mel told Russell to wear the custom tailcoats he had made for him and join the family at the ball after dinner.

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.