Chapter 13: Old Lady Ingrid

Russell spent an entire hour on his morning training, repeatedly practicing just one move from the Radiant Sword Technique.

By the end, his arms were numb from the effort.

“Eric, have you noticed? Russell is much more diligent than before,” Charles whispered to Eric, “In the past he would take breaks two or three times during the morning training, but now he doesn’t rest at all and his movements are never slack.”

“The Lord has matured,” Eric said succinctly.

The blossoming of the martial energy seed, the coming-of-age ceremony, the title of lord, and the responsibilities of a lord had all transformed the boy into a man, at least in Eric’s eyes. Russell’s maturity came from shouldering the burden of being a lord.

A lord was not just a ruler or an exploiter; he was also a protector of his people, fighting snow demons and defending everything on his land with sweat and blood.

“Phew,” Russell put down the steel longsword and took the towel handed to him by the male servant Lam to quickly wipe off the sweat.

He walked over and said, “Teachers, it’s getting late. I have to take a bath and go to Fluorescent Castle. The inspection of the area will be left to you two. I hope you can decide on the area for planting medicinal herbs by the time I return.”

Eric replied, “Yes, my lord!”

Charles added, “Don’t worry, Russell. I’ve already discussed it with Old Hans and the others. We have a good idea of the manor’s farmland and will soon determine the best plots for planting medicinal herbs.”

“Good,” Russell returned to the manor’s guest room.

The maids had prepared hot water for him. After bathing, Lam helped him change into a riding coat.

Without a hair dryer, he had to dry his hair quickly with a towel.

As he descended the stairs, he regained his image as a handsome, noble young elite, exuding an aura of elegance with every move.

“You are a born noble, my lord,” Morris praised.

“Thank you,” Russell smiled.

He strode out of the manor’s guest hall, with the male servant Lam following nervously, glancing at Morris.

Morris immediately whispered, “Hurry and follow the master. Be vigilant and serve the master well at Fluorescent Castle. Don’t tarnish the lord’s reputation!”

Lam replied, “I will try my best, no, I promise.”

Outside the gate, Russell had already mounted his black steed, with four armored knights ready to depart.

Seeing Lam, the armored knight Tom asked with a mischievous smile, “Young lad, do you know how to ride a horse?”

“Yes, I do.”

“Boring,” Tom lost interest and said no more, “Keep up, don’t fall behind!”

The black horse under Russell whinnied and galloped out like an arrow, the four armored knights following in a line, and Lam bringing up the rear, gripping the reins nervously.

Considering Lam’s poor horsemanship, Russell didn’t push the pace too much, instead practicing martial arts energy along the way.

The morning’s practice was aimed at breaking through barriers and opening new meridians.

Now he repeatedly guided the Martial Arts Energy to circulate in the small circuit, refining new energy and continuously strengthening it.

Two hours later, Fluorescent Castle came into view.

Passing through the stone arch, they arrived at the castle gate, where the butler Carter was already waiting.

“Welcome home, young Master Russell. Did you sleep well last night?”

“Very well, but I miss the castle rooms,” said Russell, though he didn’t miss them at all; the manor’s guest hall was much more comfortable.

“Your room is always ready for you.”

“Of course, I won’t be a stranger.”

The four armored knights dismounted and Lam followed suit, his legs trembling slightly as he landed.

Though riding was a mandatory part of servant training, he hadn’t ridden in a long time and had only had a brief practice session the previous night.

Seeing Tom about to leave, Lam asked the question that had been on his mind, “Sir Tom, if I couldn’t ride a horse, would I be able to serve the Lord?”

“Hehe,” Tom grinned, “if you couldn’t ride, I would carry you… but you would have to endure my teasing along the way.”

Lam shuddered and ran into the castle.

Tom snorted contemptuously, “I wouldn’t do that, and besides, you’re a scrawny little thing…”

“Don’t make trouble, Tom,” said James, another armored knight.

“Just teasing the servant.”

“Watch your attitude, Tom. Don’t mess with the Lord’s servant. If the lord finds out, we won’t speak for you.”

Tom chuckled, “The lord wouldn’t care about a servant.”

John, another armored knight, said, “Whether the lord cares or not, it’s not your place to tease the servant. The lord is a born noble. If you want to get ahead, be loyal to the lord and act like a proper squire.”

Tom raised his hands in surrender, “Alright, alright, I get it!”

…

“Father, Mother, Rora, ah, Grandmother, when did you arrive?” Russell soon met his family.

Not only the Baron, the Baroness and his sister Rora were present, but also his grandmother, Old Lady Ingrid.

“I’ve been counting the days, knowing you’d be going to your fief. Can’t your grandmother come to see you? I didn’t expect you to leave so soon,” Lady Ingrid embraced her grandson warmly.

“I was planning to visit you at Uncle’s estate,” Russell said with a smile.

He had an uncle, Lawson Fluorescent Mushroom, whose situation was very similar to his own, with his fief located upstream of the Dusklight River at Windy Manor. They were both vassals of Baron Roman.

“Your uncle wanted to come as well, but the situation in the north is unstable. Those damn snow demons keep showing up, and he couldn’t get away,” Lady Ingrid said.

The old lady didn’t live with her eldest son at Fluorescent Castle, but with her younger son at a hot spring villa in Windy Manor.

The villa had a hot spring that was always warm, and soaking in it was said to prolong life.

Russell sat with Lady Ingrid and asked casually, “Didn’t Aunt come with you?”

“If she came, the two children would follow, and then they’d be scolded by your father for being noisy.”

“Father wouldn’t mind the noise of my cousins.”

“True, but others might not be so forgiving.” As she spoke, Old Lady Ingrid seemed to glance accidentally at the Baroness, who was instructing the servants to serve the food. “After all, it is the Baron’s castle and the rules are strict.”

Baroness Meryl turned back with a smile, as if she hadn’t caught the implication in Lady Ingrid’s words.

Baron Roman said, “If they didn’t come, they didn’t. Russell can visit Lawson’s family next time.”

“It’s the thought that counts,” Lady Ingrid patted Russell’s hand, “Now that you’re running your own fiefdom, you must be diligent. Don’t let the serfs fool you. Be decisive when it comes to punishment and execution”.

Russell casually replied, “Understood.”