Chapter 38: Following the Rules

“Oh my God, Eric has really struck it lucky!” Charles exclaimed, his face twisted with jealousy as he learned about the morning’s events.

He had contracted a Fantasy Beast and had become a Fantasy Beast Knight.

For a knight, this was like having dragon droppings fall on their head, not just a simple gaze from a dragon.

“Master Charles, if you can become a Great Knight, there might still be a chance for you to contract a Fantasy Beast,” Russell said cheerfully.

Eric was now his follower, and with him, Russell would have a Fantasy Beast Knight as a subordinate. The safety of his territory was secured, and Russell no longer needed to fear assassins sneaking in at night.

“I… sigh, I’ll pass. I don’t have the talent for martial arts energy cultivation… I actually put in a lot of effort when I was younger, but it just didn’t work out,” Charles muttered, still frustrated. “Oh my God, when I see Eric again, I’ll have to address him as ‘Sir’!”

For a knight, contracting a fantasy beast was a chasm between them and those who hadn’t.

In the entire Dusklight River Valley, with a population of over sixty thousand, including the newly advanced Eric, there were only eight Fantasy Beast Knights.

Those eight knights were the peak of the Dusklight River Valley’s military strength-not counting Lord Ross, of course.

“You better get your mind right, Master Charles,” Russell said, clearly in a good mood.

“Ugh, but… Master, can you tell me how Eric got so lucky and became a Fantasy Beast Knight? I just can’t wrap my head around it. How did a half ghost beast evolve into a Fantasy Beast, and why did it bond with Eric?” Charles asked, shaking his head in confusion.

“Maybe the dragon noticed this place and healed Kevin,” Russell answered casually with a slight smile. “Haven’t you often said that the Dragon watches over me? It’s as simple as that.”

“…Ah…” Charles fell silent.

He realized that his master had quite the sense of humor.

As he thought more about it, however, the joke seemed to have a hint of truth to it. Since Russell arrived at Black Waist Snake Manor, first he found a pearl in a river clam, then he settled the wormgrass to get white birch grub, and now a half ghost beast had evolved into a fantasy beast!

Thinking this over, Charles couldn’t help but glance nervously at the sky outside, muttering to himself, “The Shadowflame Dragon from the Great Family can’t really be watching over us… I should stop sneaking wine from the wine cellar.”

If the Shadowflame dragon found out, and it breathed down dragon fire…

Eric and Kevin didn’t return until noon, both of them panting heavily but looking invigorated.

“My lord!” Eric, usually with a stoic face, was now smiling like a blooming chrysanthemum.

“Woof.” Kevin walked up to Russell, affectionately nuzzling his pants. Although it had become Eric’s contracted partner, it still knew who its savior was.

“Let’s welcome our newly appointed Fantasy Beast Knight, Sir Eric!” Russell led the applause.

Butler Morris, the servants, and Charles, who reluctantly led the four armored knights, all joined in clapping for Eric.

Being a Fantasy Beast Knight deserved such respect.

Eric accepted the greetings gracefully before his smile faded and he spoke seriously: “My lord, the news of my advancement to Fantasy Beast Knight should be kept confidential for now.”

“Why?”

“Once we deal with the lone wolf Lisbon, we can announce it,” Eric replied, his voice tinged with the memory of the Snow Ghosts’ invasion. Lisbon’s challenge to Black Waist Snake Manor was a direct provocation to Russell.

And a challenge to Russell was a challenge to all of his followers.

“Understood. Morris, have the servants keep the secret,” Russell ordered, then turned to Charles and the others. “All of you too, do not divulge this information when you’re outside. Anyone who does will be severely punished.”

“Yes, my lord.”

“Very well then. Although we need to keep the secret, it won’t stop us from holding a celebratory feast. We can drink, but no one must get drunk.”

“My lord, you are always so wise and generous!” Charles laughed heartily.

“Just don’t get drunk, Master Charles, you still have to supervise the construction of the windmill this afternoon,” Russell couldn’t help but remind him again.

“Don’t worry, my lord.”

After lunch, with Russell’s instructions in place, no one dared to indulge in drinking and getting drunk. So by the afternoon, everyone was clear-headed and ready to work.

Charles went to Alfalfa Village to supervise the construction of the windmill.

Russell took Eric and Kevin the wolfhound on a tour of the area. Although Kevin had been promoted to a Fantasy Beast, aside from its golden and silver eyes, there were no other significant changes, so there was no need to worry about others noticing that it was a Fantasy Beast.

“What does Origin Energy feel like compared to Martial Arts Energy?” Russell asked.

He was quite curious about Fantasy Beast Knights. Although his father, Baron Roman, was a high-level Fantasy Beast Knight, he rarely spoke about it, merely encouraging Russell’s predecessor to focus on cultivating Martial Arts Energy and avoid being overly ambitious or restless.

As a result, Russell still had only a vague understanding of Fantasy Beast Knights.

Eric paused for a moment before replying, “Martial arts energy is like a horse, it needs to be ridden and controlled; the energy of the origin is like a part of your body, you use it naturally… I’m not skilled enough yet, and the bond with Kevin is just beginning.”

“I see,” Russell nodded, now having a general understanding.

He didn’t push any further. After all, he was already a legitimate Dragon Rider – how impressive could a mere Fantasy Beast Knight be?

At least not if the Little Dream Dragon was really a dragon.

With a Fantasy Beast Knight by his side, Russell felt an overwhelming sense of security as he toured the land, no longer worried about unexpected threats like another batch of Snow Ghosts endangering his life.

“The agricultural development of the territory is still lagging behind,” he remarked, casually pointing at a field. “The soil is poor, there’s a lack of livestock and farming tools, and the serfs can only grow small amounts of wheat, barley, and lentils by hand. The yield is far too low.”

Eric remained silent as his responsibility was the security of the territory, not its production.

Russell didn’t expect an answer, lost in thought as he began to sketch his vision for how the manor would be built and developed in the future.

As Russell’s enthusiasm waned, Eric spoke up, “My Lord, shall we inform the Wildcat Sisters?”

Kevin had been saved and even promoted to Fantasy Beast.

Russell had already gone above and beyond Katie’s request.

However, he shook his head. “No need to go after the Wildcat Sisters. Let them come to us when they’re ready. After all, they are the ones who need something from us.”

Although it was his first time as a lord, Russell’s predecessor had been influenced by the Baron and was familiar with the subtleties of nobility. When dealing with humans, beasts, or dragons, it was always a mistake to be overly eager or enthusiastic. One had to be patient and wait for the right moment to take control.

“Understood, my lord,” Eric nodded.

“By the way, why are Katie and Catherine called the Wildcat Sisters when they have a dog with them? Why not the Wilddog Sisters?” Russell asked suddenly, noticing a strange inconsistency.

Eric couldn’t answer. “I don’t know.”

“It doesn’t matter,” Russell shrugged. “Wildcats or wild dogs, once they’re in the territory, they have to follow the rules.”

Russell was someone who cared deeply about rules. Perhaps that was why he had adapted so quickly to his new role and integrated into this world.

What he liked even more, of course, was for others to follow the rules he set.