Chapter 5 - 4: A Fief Fraught with Danger

Ronin pondered for a long moment before picking up his pen and writing his new surname on the letter of appointment: Blazing Storm.

Blazing fire and a raging storm, symbolizing ferocity and immensity. The wind fuels the fire, and the fire borrows the wind’s might—an endless, destructive force that annihilates all in its path.

Ronin chose this as his surname to symbolize his rebirth, and to express his hope that his future journey would be as fierce and unstoppable as a Blazing Storm!

’After all, I’ve already become a Minor Lord in this Otherworld. Who wouldn’t want to become a Great Lord?’

"Steward, please tell my father that I have taken ’Blazing Storm’ as my surname. I hope the Wushan Territory and my own fiefdom will flourish like a wind-stoked flame."

Holwart nodded repeatedly. ’What an excellent name.’

"Rest assured, Young Master. I will convey your thoughts to His Lordship!"

He sensed that the Marquis’s infamous eldest legitimate grandson before him was different from his usual self. ’Perhaps he’s matured a great deal after the sudden changes of these past two days.’

’A mature, steady family member is crucial for the Wushan Territory right now. Even if he no longer bears the Wushan name, the bloodline remains.’

’No matter where he goes, the mark of the Wushan Clan—his black eyes and silver hair—will always remain.’

Ronin blew the ink dry on the letter of appointment and placed it back in its box.

He glanced at the map spread across the table. Realizing the steward might be more knowledgeable, he asked:

"I’m about to become the Baron of Mountain Forest Town, but I know nothing about the place. Holwart, do you know anything about it?"

As a steward, Holwart was far more knowledgeable than the average servant.

Plus, having served at Wiggin’s side for many years, he had access to a fair amount of information.

"Young Master Ronin, I do indeed know a little about Mountain Forest Town."

He began to explain, "Mountain Forest Town is located in the northern part of the Wushan Territory. To its west lies the tail end of the Wushan Demon Beast Mountain Range. To the east and north, it is surrounded by a vast expanse of forest land and hills. It is said that the sea lies beyond them. Only the south provides a path to the outside world, but even that is obstructed by rolling hills, making transportation difficult."

Ronin’s brow furrowed. The place was truly remote and, by the sounds of it, quite dangerous.

"The Magical Beasts from the Wushan Demon Beast Mountain Range don’t attack Mountain Forest Town, do they?" he asked, a little worried.

"It is possible, Young Master."

The steward said, "I recall that over the years, His Lordship has sent several Barons or Pioneer Knights to manage Mountain Forest Town. But I believe they died one winter while fighting off Magical Beasts."

Ronin’s face turned pale. ’Holy shit, this place is a death trap!’

’No wonder Wiggin said those who performed distinguished service had no major objections to me being made the Baron of Mountain Forest Town.’

’It’s dangerous, inaccessible, and probably has nothing to gain from it. Who would possibly want it as their fief?’

Holwart saw Ronin’s expression change and knew his description had frightened him, so he quickly tried to comfort him:

"You don’t have to worry, Young Master. The Magical Beasts usually only come down the mountain to forage when snow covers the ground and food is scarce. As long as you stay inside the castle and avoid going out, you’ll be fine."

Ronin forced a pained smile. "Thank you for the advice. I’m sure it will be very helpful."

"Thank you for your kind words."

Holwart continued his explanation: "Actually, it’s not just the Magical Beasts. In the mountains north of Mountain Forest Town, there are also some Wilderness Tribes that pose a certain threat."

"Over twenty years ago, the Marquis sent men to encircle and suppress these Wilderness Tribes. Although we lost a few Guards and Knights, we hit them hard enough that they haven’t been a significant force since."

"What!" Ronin was shocked. "There are Wilderness Tribes too??"

’Magical Beasts are one thing, but what in the world are these Wildmen? Hairy, humanoid creatures?’

After Holwart’s explanation, Ronin gained a certain understanding of the Wilderness Tribe in the forest land north of Mountain Forest Town.

The Wilderness Tribe wasn’t made up of Wildmen, but rather the remnants of a defeated army that had been pursued by the Marquis into the mountains over twenty years ago.

At first, the Purification Army made numerous forays into the forests, slaughtering the enemy until they were broken.

Later, due to issues like Mountain Forest Town’s remote location and a lack of supplies, the campaign was put on hold, and the enemy was never completely eradicated.

Over time, these remnants of a defeated army absorbed people who had fled into the deep mountains—thieves, bandits, refugees, and the like—and gradually formed the current Wilderness Tribe.

It sounded scary, but their actual combat strength wasn’t very high. Otherwise, the lordless Mountain Forest Town would have long since been swallowed up by the Wilderness Tribe.

But Ronin was still very worried. He had to make some preparations to ensure his own safety.

"Steward, did the Earl arrange for any guards or Elite Soldiers from the family for me?"

’Theoretically, a son striking out on his own should get some support from his family.’

’But with a man like Wiggin, you could never be sure.’

"Er..."

Holwart hesitated for a moment, then shook his head. "I’m sorry, Young Master. His Lordship did not arrange for any guards or Elite Soldiers."

’Just as I thought. My predecessor’s father didn’t give me any pleasant surprises.’

"What about money? Food? Horses?"

Holwart shook his head again. Evidently, Wiggin had provided no resources whatsoever.

"Alright, I understand!"

Ronin looked utterly dejected and plopped down into a chair.

’To make any preparations, I’ll need supplies or money from someone. Especially money. With money, I can at least buy what I need.’

’I have to find a way to get some money.’

’Looks like my only choice is to be shameless and ask for it.’

Having made this decision, Ronin prepared to put on a show.

He knew from his memories that Wiggin and his predecessor’s mother, Fatima, had been deeply in love. If not for her accidental death, he wouldn’t have a stepmother named Dianey Hyde.

"It seems the Earl doesn’t see me as his son in the slightest. Has he forgotten the promise he once made to my mother?"

Ronin looked grief-stricken. "He promised my mother that he would protect me and my sister with his own life. But now? I’m about to be sent to a dangerous place like Mountain Forest Town, and he won’t even give me a single Guard, a single Gold Coin!"

"He clearly wants me to die in Mountain Forest Town!"

Ronin stared directly into Holwart’s eyes until the latter’s gaze faltered and he dared not meet his. Only then did Ronin speak, his voice trembling with a mixture of sorrow, grievance, and fury:

"If something happens to me on the road or in my territory, I will be sure to tell my mother in heaven that the man she loved so dearly was a heartless, promise-breaking man!"

"My mother deserved so much better!"

"Young Master, you... you must calm down."

Holwart was flustered. He had only come to deliver a letter of appointment and never expected such a scene to unfold.

The Earl’s son, the Baron of Mountain Forest Town, was actually crying his grievances out to him.

A nobleman, weeping to him, a mere steward. This was a first.

He quickly came up with an excuse to placate him: "Perhaps... perhaps His Lordship was simply too busy and forgot. I will go and remind him when I return."

Ronin touched the corner of his eye, feigning wiping away a tear. In reality, his eyes were dry.

"Then I’m truly grateful, Steward. Please also relay my words to the Earl, and ask him if he still remembers a woman named Fatima Sari."

"Yes, of course, of course!"

Holwart hastily agreed, then politely and hurriedly excused himself from the room.

After the steward left, Ronin let out a long breath.

’I’ve put on two shows in a row in just half a day. It’s pretty exhausting for someone who isn’t a natural actor.’

Returning to his Attribute Panel, Ronin used the 1 Attribute Point he had gained from today’s check-in and added it to his Level.

[Level]: Mortal (0/10) → (1/10)

In an instant, Ronin felt the fatigue vanish from his body. At the same time, he felt his Physical Ability and Spirit had been strengthened to some extent.

’Adding points during the Mortal stage must be the process of overcoming my predecessor’s weak constitution.’

He glanced at the other four interfaces with great satisfaction.

The check-in was automatic; he didn’t need to do anything.

The seven-day login and achievement tasks were also completed automatically, but he had to claim the rewards manually.

He could now claim the first day’s reward, which would grant him a subordinate with the potential to become a Level 6 Golden Knight.

However, now was not the time to claim the reward.

If a stranger suddenly appeared in the Marquis’s Mansion, it would inevitably arouse suspicion.

’I can’t let this be exposed.’

’No rush. I’ll claim it when I leave. The most important thing right now is getting money!’

’But where do I get money from?’

Ronin’s fingers tapped on the desktop.

In the entire castle, only a few people controlled the wealth—his grandfather, Marquis Lurans; his father, Earl Wiggin; his stepmother, Dianey; and his younger brother, Bretton.

He had already sent the steward Holwart to speak with Wiggin, and Dianey might be there as well.

’So I don’t need to worry about those two.’

His younger brother Bretton was currently at the Extraordinary Academy in Wushan City and not at home, which only left Lurans.

’But I was just stripped of my inheritance and then graciously granted a barony. Is it really appropriate for me to go ask Lurans for resources now?’

’A thin-skinned person might not go, but I don’t care. My skin is a bit thicker than that.’

Following his memories, Ronin ran to the Old Marquis’s private villa.

He could hear Lurans coughing inside, and see the bustling figures of several servants.

"Grandfather~"

Ronin called out before walking into the room.