Chapter 34: Katie

After going through the accounts, Russell found that the gold coins and resources were enough to sustain the manor for half a year. By then, the potions and crops should be harvested, which would keep the finances stable.

Moreover, Russell could always visit Fluorescent Castle from time to time to “borrow” some resources, so there was no real need to worry about his lordship’s carefree lifestyle.

“Cheers, Morris.”

“Cheers, my lord.”

After finishing his glass of red wine, Morris tactfully left with the bottle. Russell went to wash up and then to bed, though he found himself tossing and turning, restless. Perhaps it was the stories Ertras had shared earlier about dragons, bipedal dragons, snow giants, snow demons, and snow ghosts that lingered in his mind.

“The weakest snow demon is stronger than a fantasy beast knight… I’m still far behind… I’ll set a small goal for myself – open the meridians in my hands as soon as possible!”

He rolled over in bed.

Then, another thought crossed his mind: “I heard that contracting a dragon would immediately elevate someone to the rank of Dragon Knight. Why doesn’t Snowcone help me, cover my martial arts energy with Dragon Flame, and help me reach the top in one leap?”

The conclusion was inevitable: “It seems that Snowcone is too weak. This little Dream Dragon isn’t trying hard enough!”

To help Little Dream Dragon grow, Russell decided he would hunt Snow Ghosts whenever possible and collect Ice Hail Pearls to feed Snowcone.

Just as he was drifting off to sleep, there was a knock at the door. “My lord, are you asleep? There’s a young lady downstairs named Katie, says she has an appointment with you.”

“Katie?” Russell frowned and thought for a moment before realizing. “Yes, Morris, please let her in.”

When Russell came downstairs and dressed, he saw a woman sitting in a chair, flipping through a knight’s novel he had brought from Fluorescent Castle entitled The Story of the Death of the Smoke Dragon. She looked a lot like the assassin Catherine.

“Katie, do you like to read knight novels?” Russell studied the woman with great interest.

Katie seemed younger than her sister Catherine, her face lacking deep laugh lines. Her facial features were also softer, giving her a harmless, neighborly appearance.

Russell, however, wasn’t naïve enough to think she was harmless. After all, the Wildcat sisters had earned their reputation in the underground world. It wasn’t easy to get that title, and it was likely they’d shed their share of blood in unseen places.

Katie stood up as soon as Russell spoke.

She closed the knight novel and bowed slightly. “I was just flipping through it, curious to see what kind of novel the Lord likes.”

“It’s about the death of a smoke dragon and how it attaches itself to a knight named Lister, helping him fly and save the world,” Russell explained casually. “Just a boring read, nothing to think about.”

“Men, especially knights like the Lord, must have had dreams of saving the world, right?”

“Not necessarily,” Russell replied with a small grin. “For example, I just want to protect my territory.”

He gestured to her. “Please, have a seat. No need to stand.”

Once Katie sat down, she spoke softly. “First, I would like to apologize on behalf of my sister, Catherine, for the rudeness of that day. I regret that you had to hear our names in such a manner.”

“Indeed, it was quite rude,” Russell raised an eyebrow. “It made me wonder if my manor doesn’t have a door.”

Katie hesitated, caught off guard by Russell’s sharp words, but after a moment she regained her composure. Russell then switched to a more serious tone. “Katie, if you have something to say, feel free to be direct. I’m a straightforward person and I expect the same from my friends.”

Katie narrowed her eyes. “Would you be willing to befriend the lowly people of the underground?”

“Why not?” Russell replied nonchalantly. “As long as they’re virtuous and share my interests, I wouldn’t mind, unless they’re a Snow Ghost, of course.”

“You really are an open-minded and excellent Lord,” Katie complimented.

“Your sister seems to have said the same thing,” Russell replied, accepting the praise without hesitation. In his own estimation, there was no one better than himself.

Katie delivered the compliment at just the right moment. “It’s clear to everyone, especially after you hunted down the Snow Ghosts summoned by the Lone Wolf leader.”

Russell smiled, but didn’t let the flattery get to him. He immediately asked, “So what is the real reason you came?”

“The main reason has already been stated – I am here to apologize for my sister’s rudeness,” Katie replied. “But there’s another request as well. There is a half ghost beast in the Resounding Water River Cave, and I would like to ask for your help in saving it.”

“A half ghost beast? What is that?” Russell asked.

Before Katie could answer, Charles, who had just finished dressing and come downstairs, interjected, “It is a failed evolution of a fantasy beast, my lord.”

As Charles sat down, Russell noticed that Great Knight Eric had quietly positioned himself in a corner of the room, holding his steel longsword and keeping a watchful eye on Katie.

Charles continued, “Beasts that evolve through the power of the earth can become Fantasy Beasts. But some Fantasy Beasts, when they evolve in the Snowfield, are affected by the power of the Snow Demon, leading them to devolve into Half-Ghost Beasts.”

Katie chimed in, “Yes, half ghost beasts are the result of conflicting powers, and the outcome is usually tragic… That’s why we were hoping you could help us.

The fate of a half ghost beast was usually clear: it would inevitably fall into becoming a full ghost beast.

Charles rolled his eyes. “Just kill it. What’s the big deal?”

Russell shared his confusion. If it were a regular fantasy beast, there might be a chance of saving it, but a failed evolution like a half ghost beast held no value in keeping alive.

Katie’s eyes flickered with a brief flash of anger, but she quickly regained her composure. “This Half-Ghost Beast is a companion that Catherine and I have raised since childhood. It’s more than just a beast to us – it’s like family. That’s why neither Catherine nor I want to give up on it.”

“Perhaps my words are harsh, but the fate of the half ghost beast is almost sealed… If you sisters can’t bear to part with it, you can bring it to me and I’ll help,” Charles said, trying to appear like he was being gentlemanly by offering his assistance.

Hearing this, Katie’s expression darkened and she looked at Russell. “My lord, if you are not willing to help, there is no need to say such things.”

Charles feigned innocence. “I only speak the truth.”

Russell intervened quickly, his tone calming. “Charles means well, Katie. Please don’t be upset.”

Katie paused before answering, “Perhaps I came here as a last resort, out of desperation.”

“Well, since you’re here, why not give it a try?” Russell replied, unimpressed.

“What do you mean?” Katie asked, confused.

“You can bring the half ghost beast to me,” Russell said with conviction. “Regardless of whether it’s successful or not, I’ll make sure to do my best for you.”

Katie thought for a moment before standing up and looking at Russell with a deep stare. She nodded slowly. “I believe you, my lord. I’ll bring the half ghost beast to the entrance of the underground river at Dusklight River tonight. You can send someone to receive it.”

Russell smiled. “No problem.”

Katie inclined her head in a polite bow. “If you manage to rescue the half ghost beast, then… my sister and I will be at your service, my lord.”

With that, she turned and left the manor, disappearing into the darkness of the night.

Russell watched as her figure fade away, then turned back to the living room. He gave Eric a command. “Eric, have the knights wait at the entrance to the underground river later tonight.”

“Understood,” Eric replied in a quiet voice.