??Chapter 42: Chapter 42 Yuanguang Town
Chapter 42: Chapter 42 Yuanguang Town
“The fish soup lacks a lot of flavor, too bland, far too bland,” Charles expressed his differing opinion at the dinner party.
“It seems that the manor’s annex does not suit your taste, Mr. Charles, but I hope you find a cook who satisfies you soon,” Russell said indifferently to Charles’ opinion, as he just wanted to taste the flavors of ho.
As for Charles, he was about to move out of the manor’s annex soon.
“My goodness, I really wish that day would co later, you know, Sir, I’m too fond of those wines you have cellared.”
“I will give you a bottle of Black Pearl wine when you move,” Russell promised.
“Living in the small market, I’m going to miss the Lord,” Charles muttered, the housing in the small market had already been refurbished, and he had no reason to continue overstaying in the manor’s annex, after all, it was Lord Russell’s private residence.
As for Eric, he was also going to settle down in the small market.
However, Eric’s contracted fantasy beast, the Gold and Silver Wolfhound, would remain at the manor’s annex to guard the night and ensure Russell’s safety.
The Gold and Silver Wolfhound was the wolfhound Kevin, its fantasy beast na given by Russell because one of its eyes was golden and the other silver.
On that day, Russell was due to dine at Fluorescent Castle as usual, making a trip once every week.
“Are you saying that Eric has been promoted to Phantom Beast Knight?” Before lunch, the Baron was chatting with Russell in the study, and was surprised to learn the news, “Did your territory discover a fantasy beast, or did he find one on the Snowfield?”
Fantasy beasts are a scarce strategic resource.
There are many Great Knights in the Glowing Valley Territory, but few have the opportunity to make a contract with a fantasy beast. Sotis a fantasy beast doesn’t match well with a knight, and no matter how much they try to coalesce, they can’t complete the contract, causing many a Great Knight to waste half a lifeti without advancing.
“The Wildcat sisters sent over a half-Ghost Beast, I only intended to earn a favor, but to my surprise, the wolfhound Kevin ca through on his own,” Russell shared.
“This is truly… all praise to the Great Dragon, it must be the power of the Shadowfla Dragon that enabled this wolfhound to be reborn,” Baron Roman couldn’t figure it out, attributing all such miraculous occurrences to the Grand Duchy’s Shadowfla Dragon.
In everyone’s eyes, the Great Dragon, is omnipotent.
“Yes, all praise to the Great Dragon,” Russell agreed, though in his heart, he praised his own dragon—the Little Dream Dragon.
“Next, do you plan to integrate the Echo Water River Cavern?” the Baron cald his emotions and imdiately guessed Russell’s next move.
“Yes.” Russell had nothing to hide from his father, “I plan to lure Lisbon first, then integrate the Echo Water River Cavern, expand the area of Wuyao Snake Manor to encompass the entire cavern, and monitor the Snowfield situation at all tis.”
“It’s good to have ideas, and trying more things is not bad, but you need to be cautious about integrating the cavern; it’s a dirty place. Make sure you don’t swallow up the cavern and turn your own territory into a noxious environnt.”
“I will manage it well, Father.”
“Also, don’t rest on your laurels just because Eric has been promoted to Phantom Beast Knight; rember, your own strength is the most reliable support.”
“I understand.”
“Let’s go, it’s ti to dine.”
The father and son set down their red wine glasses and left the spacious study. When it ca ti to dine, mother ryl brought up another matter.
“In a few days, on June 4th, it’s your grandmother’s birthday; your father and I plan to hold a banquet at Fluorescent Castle. Rember to co back a day early to stay… Sigh, I don’t even know if your sister’s family will co back; June 13th is Rolin’s birthday.”
Baron Roman said, “We’ll know soon enough if they will co. Every June, a caravan cos for trade, and we should receive letters from Rolin and her husband Cooper with the caravan.”
Russell’s sister, Rolin, married the heir of the Baron of Blackgarden, Lord Cooper Thistlegrass.
Basically, the two Earls and five Barons of the Shadowfla Duchy intermarry with one another, and the eldest sons would marry daughters from other noble families. As for a second son like Russell, it didn’t matter; alliance through marriage was fine, and so was falling in love freely.
“I’ll co back on June 3rd,” Russell said.
“Have you thought about what gift to prepare for Grandmother? Now that you’re the lord of the land, you can’t just make do with a pot of fresh flowers like you did in the past,” ryl chided.
“I really haven’t thought of anything yet.”
“If you can’t think of a good gift, just pick sothing from the castle: a magic power bracelet, a gemstone necklace, anything,” ryl suggested nonchalantly, “We can’t be gossiped about for not knowing the proper etiquette.”
Baron Roman glanced at his wife but said nothing.
Russell pretended not to catch the implication and laughingly said, “If possible, I’ll prepare a special gift for Grandmother. Of course, if the gift isn’t ready in ti, I’ll still have to rely on Mother to lend
a gemstone necklace in an ergency.”
“I’ll have ggin fetch one for you now.” ryl stated, referring to her personal maid.
“Is there any need to be so hasty?” Baron Roman comnted, exasperated.
Fluorescent Castle’s limited wealth wasn’t easy to accumulate, and it seed like his younger son was going to fleece it all away, taking a bit more with each visit.
Russell smiled, “Thank you, Mother.”
Seeing that Russell took it without any reservation, Baron Roman grimaced and chided, “You’re managing your fiefdom quite well now; you should slowly learn to be self-sufficient. Self-sufficiency is a noble virtue. Your uncle does it well; ask him for advice when you have the chance.”
“I will, Father.”
“Brother, when will you take
to Wuyao Snake Manor?” Lola joined in. She was no longer covering her mouth.
The reason being, she had grown used to her missing tooth appearance, and her new tooth was already peeking through slightly.
“Next ti for sure,” Russell promised openly.
Leaving Fluorescent Castle with ti to spare, Russell felt a sudden urge to stroll through the town. The town was called Glowing Valley Town, but this na was seldom ntioned by locals who simply referred to it as “the town.” It was the center of the entire Glowing Valley Territory.
A long street along the Glowing River bank and three short streets crossing the Glowing River ford the main frawork of Glowing Valley Town.
The town was surrounded by tall city walls and could be considered a city, albeit with a smaller population of less than ten thousand.
The entire population of Glowing Valley Territory was just over sixty thousand individuals.
Riding on his black horse and accompanied by his Knight Attendant, Russell moved through the crowd. As he did not reveal his identity, no one paid him any homage.
Even though his father was the lord of this territory and the town, not many recognized him.
“This stench is unbearable. No wonder nobility never dwell in town, just like at Wuyao Snake Manor; the manor house is a bit away from the small market,” Russell silently endured the mix of human and animal feces and urine as he passed through the town.
Though there were toilets in the town, not every household had one, and the sight of chamber pots being emptied haphazardly was common.
The one thing worth comnding was that no one dumped chamber pots into the Glowing River.
Anyone caught doing so would be fined heavily and even whipped.
After all, the river’s catch was a delicacy, extensively supplying Fluorescent Castle, and no one dared to contaminate the Baron’s food supply.
Of course.
As Russell approached the bridge on the main street, he saw soone urinating by the riverside and, farther away, it seed soone was squatting in the bushes for a bowel movent.
“Damn it!”
Russell imdiately ordered his Knight Attendant Jas, “Go, arrest that man defecating by the river and hand him over to the town’s sheriff!”
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