noveldrama
Chapter 60 - 60 60 The Second Duel
Chapter 60 - 60 60 The Second Duel
?Chapter 60: Chapter 60 The Second Duel Chapter 60: Chapter 60 The Second Duel Compared to the welcome ceremony at Fluorescent Castle, the reception at the manor’s detached courtyard was truly modest.
In the sequence of nobility, standing on the left side of the main gate was just Russell alone. Along with an impoverished Charles, fortunately, there was the Phantom Beast Knight Eric to lend some presence—even though outsiders did not yet know he was a Phantom Beast Knight.
In the sequence of servants, Butler Morris stood tall and proud on the right side of the gate, with three male and four female servants who were also full of energy.
It was just that, in terms of appearance, they left much to be desired.
“Welcome, my sister, welcome, Sir Cooper, welcome, Lola,” Russell greeted each one with a smile.
“There’s been no change here since before, I visited the Wuyao Snake Manor a few years ago with Roland. He said there were traces of the King of Ebony-waisted Snakes here, but unfortunately, we didn’t find the King,” Miss Rolin sighed.
“Not just the King of Ebony-waisted Snakes, it’s rare to even see a Blackwaist Serpent anymore. After the farmland was reclaimed, it has become difficult for them to survive here,” Russell laughed.
“Liar, Russell!” Lola said, huffing.
“Why?”
“You always said you’d bring me to Wuyao Snake Manor, but you never did. It was my sister who brought me here!”
“I really was planning to take you out to play when I went to Fluorescent Castle,” Russell rubbed his nose.
Perhaps it was because Lola had always been so quiet in the castle, that he’d forgotten about her every time he went.
“Hmph,” Lola huffed resentfully.
Since the time of arrival was approaching noon, after a short conversation, the group, led by Russell, headed straight to the dining room on the second floor.
The banquet certainly couldn’t compare to the luxury at Fluorescent Castle, and Russell wasn’t particularly skilled at playing the host, but with Charles enthusiastically helping him entertain, the overall atmosphere of the banquet was quite pleasant.
Moreover, Mrs. Moore’s culinary skills were indeed good; the guests ate happily, fitting well with the dietary habits of the age.
That was until the new fish soup was served.
“Russell, what kind of fish soup is this? It tastes so strange,” Lola said after tasting the soup, unable to comprehend its flavor.
“Is it not good?”
“I don’t know, it’s unfamiliar.”
“Sister, Cooper, what do you think?” Russell asked Sir Cooper and his wife.
Cooper replied with a smile, “I think it’s quite good. Although it’s a bit strange at first, you quickly come to appreciate that the soup, while light, really allows you to taste the flavor of the fish itself. I quite like it.”
“Really, that’s great because it means our tastes are quite similar,” Russell felt the joy of finding a kindred spirit.
This fish soup was the taste he sought from Earth.
That’s when Miss Rolin looked up, her eyes complex as she spoke to Russell, “Have you become so poor that you can’t afford spices?”
“Ah?”
“I can only taste salt in this fish soup. None of the many spices are present. Clearly, you’re running low on seasonings at home.”
“That’s not really the case, I just prefer this plain and simple flavor,” Russell said.
“Stop pretending, my poor Russell,” Miss Rolin said, looking at him not so much in jest but seemingly seeing him as pitiable, “Life here certainly can’t compare to the castle after you’ve been split off. When you have time, come back to the castle for meals more often. Mother and Father certainly won’t mind an extra place setting for you.”
“Haha, really, there’s no need,” Russell laughed, “I’m living well here, and this fish soup is something I asked the kitchen to innovate.”
Seeing the disbelief in Miss Rolin’s eyes, Russell had to elaborate, “Sister, you know that I’m very interested in inventions now. The reading glasses for Grandma and this new flavor of fish soup are both my inventions.”
“Really?”
“Absolutely, I’m sure I’ll earn the title of Scholar.”
“Alright then,” Miss Rolin said, but Russell knew from her expression that she didn’t believe him at all.
Russell felt quite helpless; he really wasn’t poor at all.
There was no need for such self-pity.
After the luncheon, Russell made a special request to Butler Morris, “Don’t tell Mrs. Moore about my sister’s comments at the party.”
“I understand, Master. Given Mrs. Moore’s capacity to bear, hearing Miss Rolin’s comments would shatter her heart.”
“Yes, I still need Mrs. Moore to continue improving the recipes.”
“Should Sir Cooper’s comments be conveyed to Mrs. Moore?”
“Hmm.”
“In doing so, Mrs. Moore will have boundless motivation to continue refining the recipes according to your tastes, Master.”
“That’s right,” Russell smiled.
Morris smiled along, knowing the young master enjoyed trying new foods, a harmless indulgence he was more than happy to satisfy.
After finishing afternoon tea.
The Cooper couple followed Russell for a stroll around the manor, admiring the murky waters of Glowing River for a while and viewing the green wheat sprouts.
The scenery was indeed beautiful, but one could get tired of it after a while.
“Russell, let’s duel,” Rolin drew her red saber that she always carried with her, “These past days, I’ve thoroughly reviewed the gains and losses of our last battle. This time, I won’t make mistakes again, giving you the chance to turn the tables from a position of weakness.”
This sort of make-believe battle didn’t interest Russell much.
But since Rolin had given him a mushroom worm as a gift for his coming of age, he had no choice but to accompany her wholeheartedly.
“Sister, is there a possibility that I was not winning from a position of weakness?” Russell grasped the Green Ceramic Sword, casually twirling a sword flower.
“Ambitious!” Rolin’s eyebrows rose, “Come on, let’s talk after we fight!”
By the Glowing River, on the lush grass, the siblings dueled once again, with Rolin’s swordsmanship much more stable than last time.
However, the final result still saw Russell as the victor, using his ‘turtle’ strategy.
The Green Ceramic Sword precisely flicked Rolin’s red longsword away and then pierced through the fabric of her clothing at the chest, imparting a strong force on her chainmail which sent Rolin tumbling down for a second time.
“Sister, it’s not only you who has improved,” Russell reached out his hand, pulling Rolin up.
With the first defeat as a stepping stone, Rolin’s mentality upon her second defeat was much better, at least no longer fraught with agitation.
But furrowing her brow, she said, “How is this possible, I clearly reviewed my mistakes! My Battle Qi is stronger than yours, I shouldn’t be losing to you!”
“That’s because of my superior tactics,” Russell took a breath calmly and explained, “I may be weaker than you in Battle Qi and martial skills, but physically, I’ve leveraged the endurance typical of the male body, played to my strengths, and avoided weaknesses, depleting your stamina. Therefore, the final victor is still me.”
In fact, Russell’s second victory was a bit harder won than the first.
But a win is a win.
With this victory, Russell spoke with confidence: “Sister, if you don’t break through to Great Knight soon, to make up for your stamina deficiency with Battle Qi… You might never win against me again.”
“Arrogant, ignorant!” Rolin fiercely shook off Russell’s hand, “I won’t be discouraged. Don’t rush, Russell, wait until I adjust my mindset, then we’ll fight again!”
“I’ll be ready anytime.” After two battles, Russell already had Rolin’s measure and was not the least bit afraid, his response nonchalant.
Rolin glared at Russell fiercely.
After a long while, she burst into laughter, “Well done, you’ve truly grown up! Your sister can’t treat you like a little kid anymore.”
Russell spread his hands: “It’s a fact.”
Yet Rolin gave a mysterious smile before turning her head, “Cooper, your wife is being bullied, aren’t you going to step in and reclaim some pride, and give Russell a taste of what it’s like to fight against an adult?”