Chapter 439 - 412: Cooperation

In the evening, a Knight from the Royal Palace brought Ronin and Sophia the results of Faslei’s examination—Jesus was completely normal.

"Ronin, what are you planning to do?"

Lurans had spent the last two days busy with purchasing a new manor in Golden Feather City to serve as an outpost for Wushan Territory. He came to see Ronin and ask about the situation as soon as he returned.

"Moonlight Valley is right next to Shore City. From now on, to prevent infiltration by the Witch Soul Race, we need to strengthen our defenses there."

Lurans nodded. "Shore City itself is manageable, but the main issue is that the villages and towns outside the city are scattered. If we disperse our Knight Squads among the small towns, we risk them being picked off one by one."

Ronin said, "Then let’s just establish a quarantine zone along the border, cut off all contact with Moonlight Valley, and push the defensive line outward."

’This isn’t the age of globalization, after all. The connections between regions aren’t that tight.’

Cutting off contact with Moonlight Valley might cause some trouble for Shore City, but it could be resupplied from other places.

Besides, according to Ridder’s reports, the number of merchant caravans from Moonlight Valley had been dwindling recently.

Lurans nodded and said with a smile, "Young people’s minds certainly work fast. Toru always said your decision-making was excellent, and today I’ve finally gotten to see it for myself."

’He said as much, but in truth, he’d also thought of this solution.’

However, establishing an external defensive line would be more troublesome, so he was more inclined to have the farmers from the outlying villages abandon their fields and move everyone into Shore City.

The difference between the two methods was that the former took the village farmers’ survival into account, while the latter did not.

Lurans was a nobleman by birth, while Ronin was a transmigrated soul from the modern era. It was only natural they would approach problems from different angles.

"The defensive line is just the first step. The existence of Moonlight Valley is a huge hidden danger for us."

"What’s more crucial is the King’s attitude. He forcibly suppressed this matter. If he now allows Jesus to return to Moonlight Valley, it’ll look like he’s using him to intimidate us."

Lurans sighed. He had just recovered, and it was already time for more political maneuvering. ’When will these days ever end?’

Ronin almost laughed.

’This King... On one hand, he marries his daughter to me to strengthen our alliance, but on the other, he’s wary of Wushan Territory and plants a time bomb right beside me.’

’Although these actions seem contradictory, they’re just one of his ways of balancing power and maintaining his rule.’

’But Ronin was a firm believer in the saying that bargaining with a tiger will only get you bitten. He just hoped the King’s cooperation with the Witch Soul Race wouldn’t end up destabilizing the whole Kingdom.’

"Grandfather, I can already hear the footsteps of chaos. I’m afraid this peace won’t last much longer. Wushan Territory must grow, and we need to stockpile enough food and supplies to face the turmoil ahead."

"Mm!"

Lurans nodded. "Wushan Territory’s three major granaries are in our hands, so grain isn’t an issue. As for strategic resources, we have several iron and copper mines—we must increase their output!"

Wushan Territory was large enough, and its resources were relatively abundant. Self-sufficiency wasn’t much of a problem.

’Ronin just hoped the peace would last a little longer, giving him more time to build up his strength.’

"If it’s possible, I’d like to go to the front lines—to what you call Shore City."

Sophia announced her decision. "We have fought the Demon God for many years and possess a great deal of practical experience. I can also create sensors that react to Witch Soul Power and issue a warning if it’s detected within a hundred meters. This will be a great help in preventing infiltration."

Ronin was stunned for a moment, then beamed. "It is our honor to have your help! With the sensors you described, I’m certain our defenses against Moonlight Valley will be even more solid."

Lurans stood to the side, watching his grandson and Sophia talk with a beaming smile.

’After seeing Bruno fail to make the right choice, she’s changed her mind and decided to help Ronin.’

’Now that Sophia has made her choice, the other four who follow her will naturally do the same.’

’In other words, Wushan Territory has gained a Magic Master, a Silver Moon Knight, and three Meteor Knights as powerful allies.’

"A while ago, I stationed two newly formed Knight Orders in Shore City, but I haven’t found a suitable Leader for them."

Lurans said, "Lady Sophia, if you are interested, I can let you or one of your followers serve as the Knight Order Leader. With your experience, you could train them into an army capable of fighting the Demon God’s minions!"

"It would be my honor, Lord Marquis!"

Sophia gave a charming smile. "That is also something we excel at."

Ronin stood and shook Sophia’s hand. "Welcome, Sophia. Rest assured, I will keep my promise. Once I have enough power, I will absolutely lead an expedition across the Sea of Storms to aid the Crescent Continent!"

Sophia’s slender hand clasped Ronin’s. "I look forward to that day arriving soon!"

...

After leaving the Golden Feather Palace, Jesus returned directly to his own luxurious Earl’s Mansion.

This was a property he had owned since he was a Prince.

"My dear brother, can you tell me what exactly is going on with you?"

Ference had paid a visit under the cover of moonlight, greeting Jesus with a warm embrace before asking this question.

Jesus deliberately feigned ignorance.

"What do you mean, ’what’s going on’?"

Ference chuckled. "That woman’s accusation in the great hall... it was true, wasn’t it? You’re not my brother anymore, are you?"

"Of course!"

Jesus said, "Of course I’m your brother!"

Ference’s smile vanished, and he reverted to his usual attitude of an older brother toward his younger one.

He plopped down on a nearby sofa and crossed his legs. "Stop trying to hide it from me, Jesus. I can see right through your and Bruno’s little games."

Ference had once been the most powerful Prince. When Bruno suffered a serious illness, there were subtle signs that he might be pushed onto the throne.

Although he ultimately didn’t take the throne, the matter had been rooted in his heart ever since.

Later, even though his father, Oduin IV, had named him a Duke and granted him a large territory, his ambition had not died.

Especially as his own power grew, he felt more and more that Bruno was inferior to him in every way.

That was why he had come today.

"Alright, my dear brother. What do you want me to do for you this time?"

Jesus also sat down. "You know, between you and Bruno, I’ve always preferred playing with you."

A cold glint flashed in Ference’s eyes. "Be it Wushan Territory or the other nobles around Moonlight Valley, I need you to create chaos. Even start a war."

He paused for a moment before continuing, "I will support you!"

"Chaos is a treasure, my favorite thing!"

Jesus bared his pearly white teeth. "Rest assured, I would have done so even if you hadn’t asked. Of course, the more you support me, the better the results will be!"

For a moment, Ference felt like he wasn’t talking to Jesus.

’He couldn’t tell if the person before him was really his brother, or if he’d been completely replaced by someone who just retained his brother’s memories.’

"Good!"

Ference stood up. "Then let’s see what you can do!"

He gave Jesus a long, hard look, then strode away. He still had to visit Andrea’s mansion.

"Marvelous!"

Jesus picked up the Crystal Cup beside him, swirled the sweet wine inside, and then downed it in one gulp.

’Garrett thought that Jesus could only survive with the support of the Royal Family, but that had one prerequisite—that Jesus *wanted* to live.’

’In reality, Mephisto had come to the Oduin Kingdom to create chaos. He had sacrificed his two subordinates, Black Wound and Madman, without batting an eye; he cared just as little for Jesus’s life.’

’So, for Garrett to still be using human thinking to speculate about the Witch Soul Race... he was simply taking things for granted.’