Chapter 1: The Black Waist Snake Estate

Creak, creak!

The hooves of the horses trod the road paved with crushed charcoal, making a fine, crunching sound. Three knights rode at a leisurely pace, admiring the sunlit estate in the distance.

A crooked sign at the side of the road read “Black Waist Snake Estate.” Below, in smaller letters, it read: “Black Waist Snakes are common in the area, they are venomous, beware of bites.”

Seemingly concerned that some might not be able to read, a crude charcoal sketch of a black coiled snake was drawn next to the small text, with a large “X” next to it.

“Among the 19 estates in the Dusklight River Valley, the Black Waist Snake Estate is considered a large one. It spans nearly 20,000 hectares of land with 580 serf households, totaling about 3,500 people,” said the middle-aged knight on the left, his beard unkempt and his teeth brownish.

Swinging his whip, the middle-aged knight, Charles, said contentedly, “The fact that the Baron has bestowed this estate upon you as your fief indicates his high regard for you, Russell.”

“The responsibility is heavy,” replied the young, handsome knight in the center, with arched eyebrows and bright eyes, red lips and white teeth. He was not wearing a knight’s helmet, and his light golden hair was particularly smooth. He smiled warmly, “Teacher Charles.”

The bearded middle-aged Knight Charles laughed, “Downstream of the Dusklight River Valley, beyond the Black Waist Snake Estate, there are huge underground river caves. The commoners there serve as the best moat, so you need not worry.”

Hearing this, the knight on the right grumbled, “The free citizens of Resounding Water River Cave cannot be relied upon.”

Charles said casually, ” Isn’t there still you, Eric, to protect the Black Waist Snake Estate as Russell’s head guard knight? It is your duty to ensure its safety”.

Eric, who was in his thirties with a standard square face, replied, “I will do my best.”

“All right, both of you teachers, the Black Waist Snake Estate hasn’t been officially handed over yet. We can make detailed arrangements after the handover,” the handsome young knight said, gently kicking his horse’s belly. The gorgeous black horse immediately galloped along the charcoal road, heading straight for Black Waist Snake Estate.

The wind whistled in his ears. The weather was still quite cold, and tiny ice crystals in the air hit his face. However, the continuous surge of martial arts energy within his body effectively countered the cold, keeping him warm despite his thin clothing.

“Martial arts energy!”

Even after a full week of experiencing it, Russell still found this miraculous power incomprehensible.

The hooves moved quickly. As he was about to reach his fief, a smile involuntarily crept onto his lips.

He silently marveled, “Romano Roland once said: ‘There is only one true heroism in the world, and that is to see the truth of life and still choose to love it… ‘ As a transmigrator, I am satisfied with my current life. “

Born into a noble family!

His father was named Romano, his elder brother Roland… he also had a sister named Rowena and a younger sister named Rora.

But their family name was not “Ro”.

Their family name was “Fluorescent Mushroom”, a noble surname derived from a type of mushroom, originating from his great-grandfather, the first Dusklight Baron.

His grandfather inherited the title and became the second Dusklight Baron.

His father inherited the title and became the third Dusklight Baron.

By the time it came to his generation, his elder brother Roland Fluorescent Mushroom was ambitious and had already prepared to inherit the title of Dusklight Baron and the fief of the Dusklight River Valley.

Of course.

Father Roman Fluorescent Mushroom was in the prime of his life and had no immediate plans to pass away.

Thus his somewhat lackluster second son, Baron Russell, was able to rely on his parents’ love. After his coming of age ceremony at sixteen, he was ennobled as a knight and granted a small fief of his own – nearly 20,000 hectares of Black Waist Snake Estate.

Though called a estate, its size was comparable to a town back on Earth.

The population, however, was quite sparse – 580 households, about 3,500 people. A village on Earth might have just as many. Fortunately, these were all serfs on his fief, now entirely under Russell’s control.

“Whoa!”

Riding up to the entrance of Black Waist Snake Manor, one could see vast fields stretching along both banks of the Fluorescent River, where many serfs were bent over, working the land.

In the middle of these fields stood a cluster of low, flat-roofed houses, the tallest of which was no more than two stories.

Faint sounds of roosters and dogs could be heard.

Clippity-clop, clippity-clop.

Horses’ hooves moved from the main road to the pebbles by the river.

“Russell, aren’t you going to take a look inside?” Charles asked as he followed Russell.

“No need. I’m just here for a quick visit today. There will be plenty of time to look around after the handover,” Russell replied.

He had just passed his coming-of-age ceremony, and Black Waist Snake Estate had not yet been officially transferred. For now, it only had some serfs and a bailiff in charge.

He still needed his parents to recruit vassals and servants and provide him with sufficient wealth before he could safely take up residence in Black Waist Snake Manor.

“This will be your home,” Charles flattered, pointing to a two-story stone house across the Fluorescent river. “This is the Baron’s retreat. It can serve as your castle. Want to give it a name?”

Russell shook his head. “No need.”

It was just a two-story house, slightly larger than a rural villa back on Earth, but it was far from being a castle.

He didn’t feel it was appropriate to give it a name.

Seemingly anticipating Russell’s thoughts, Charles laughed. “Do not underestimate this place. Every nobleman begins as a knight. Russell, your start is already more stable than anyone else’s. Work hard for ten years, earn some military honors, and you might even be promoted to baron.”

The somewhat somber Eric nodded in agreement. “Indeed.”

Russell replied with a faint smile.

Charles suddenly changed the subject, speaking with a mysterious air. “Of course, the surest path to advancement is to win the favor of Lord Ross. Really, Russell, if you can make a deal with Lord Ross, maybe even a barony could be yours!”

“Stop, Charles. Don’t say things like that again,” Russell’s smile faded and he gave Charles a calm look.

Charles laughed awkwardly. “Ah, this year’s ice season is ending later than usual. At this time of year, the Fluorescent River is usually turbulent and muddy, but this year it’s still just a thin layer.”

The subject was dropped. The three of them rode their horses slowly along the river, glancing at the Black Waist Snake Estate.

As the sun began to set, Russell reined in his horse. “Let’s go back.”

His black horse shot forward like an arrow, galloping back along the road they had come.

Charles followed, watching Russell’s rapid retreat. He whispered to Eric, “I suggested a good shortcut, didn’t I? Gaining Lord Ross’s approval is more useful than any military honor.”

Eric grunted in response. “That’s the Baron’s family business, Charles.”

With that, he spurred his horse to catch up with Russell.

“Really… We’ve already branded Russell with our mark. His rise is our rise… Why are they so indifferent to a shortcut when it’s right in front of them!” Charles muttered to himself before catching up quickly with Russell and Eric.

At that moment.

Russell, galloping ahead, was not as calm as he appeared.

This was a bizarre world, a world of extraordinary power: “Snow demons freezing the earth… Volcanoes nourishing oases… Knights, martial auras… Elves, mushrooms, illusions… Most of all, dragons!”

Dragons decided everything!

And Lord Ross was a dragon, a dragon of the Fluorescent Mushroom family!