Chapter 75 - 74: Life or Death Uncertain

For Mountain Forest Town, the visit from the son of the Ironhoof Clan was quite a surprise, and the news he brought was even more shocking.

"I’m not clear on the specifics of the Count’s injuries."

Rogner shook his head. "This information came from our family’s merchant guild. Lord Wiggin was on the verge of death when he returned to Wushan Castle. As for what happened after he entered, all we know is that all the Knights of the First Knight Order have cordoned off the area. No news has gotten out from inside."

"However, after receiving this news, many nobles in Wushan Territory, my father included, will be setting off for Wushan Castle in the near future to inquire about Lord Wiggin’s condition."

’Some nobles might be going simply to pay a sick call or just to watch the drama unfold, but others probably want to confirm whether Wiggin is alive or dead to make their own preparations.’

Ronin’s brow furrowed. "To be able to deploy two Silver Knights and one Bronze Knight at once... what’s the origin of these assassins?"

The higher the professional Level of a Transcendent, the more likely they are to have some power backing them, be it a noble, a merchant guild, a wealthy tycoon, or what have you.

To be able to deploy Professional Knights of this caliber and in such numbers to assassinate Wiggin meant their backer was anything but simple.

Rogner shook his head. How could he possibly know about something like that?

Even if he had his own suspicions, he wouldn’t dare voice them recklessly in front of Ronin without any proof.

If Ronin were to relay his suspicions to Wushan Castle, provoking Lord Lurans’s wrath and inciting a war, then both he and the Ironhoof Clan would be thrust into the eye of the storm.

Although Rogner said no more, Ronin had his own suspicions.

’In assassinations like this, you just have to see who stands to gain the most from the victim’s death. That person is the most likely culprit.’

’In the Wushan Clan, Marquis Lurans is gravely ill and has gone into "seclusion." It’s said he only has a few years left. Once he dies, his son, Wiggin—the current Count of Wushan City—will inherit the title of Marquis.’

’Then, years from now, when Wiggin dies, who would inherit the title of Marquis of Wushan?’

’It certainly wouldn’t be me, Ronin, who was stripped of my inheritance rights. It would be my younger brother, Bretton—the biological grandson of Count Ossen Hyde.’

’If Wiggin dies now, then after Lurans passes away in a few years, Bretton will ascend directly to the Marquis’s seat. That would save him at least ten or twenty years compared to waiting for Wiggin to die of natural causes.’

’So, after thinking it through, it’s painfully obvious who benefits from Wiggin’s assassination.’

’Is the Hyde Clan trying to seize the Marquisate early by propping up their own grandson? Are they even willing to get rid of their seemingly useless son-in-law to do it?’

Ronin couldn’t help but think, ’If they weren’t so wary of Lurans’s Meteor Level strength, their first target probably would have been Lurans, not Wiggin.’

’However, are things really as I imagine?’

Ronin couldn’t be sure.

After all, if he could come to this conclusion, so could the other nobles. And Marquis Lurans at Wushan Castle would be even more certain to realize it.

’In that case, for Ossen Hyde to still try to assassinate his son-in-law could only mean he no longer has any regard for Wushan Castle. Would they really dare to lay their cards on the table like this before Lurans is dead?’

Ronin felt there was still a question mark hanging over the whole affair.

"Ronin, when are you planning to return to Wushan City?"

Rogner changed the subject. "If you leave now, we can escort you out of this southern forest. Once we reach Pasture City, you can travel with my father. The journey would be much safer that way."

Ronin snapped out of his thoughts, surprised. "What? You aren’t staying the night? You’re planning to head back?"

It was almost noon. Even if they set off immediately, they wouldn’t make it back to Pasture City today. Ronin had assumed they would stay the night in Mountain Forest Town.

"My apologies. It’s not that we don’t want to rest here for the night, but my father is still waiting for my report in Pasture City."

Rogner explained, "If you’re willing to come with us, then we can all set out from Pasture City together. If you have other plans, I still need to return and relay that to him."

It seemed Marvin Ironhoof wanted to set off for Wushan Castle as soon as possible.

Ronin thought for a moment but didn’t give an immediate answer. "Please allow me some time to consider."

Rogner and Krami exchanged a look, both seeing the surprise in the other’s eyes. They had thought Ronin would decide to leave immediately, but he remained completely unhurried.

’Could Ronin still be so angry about having his inheritance rights stripped that he’s unwilling to return to Wushan Castle to see his father, even when the man is on his deathbed?’

’That would be far too petty. After all, he’s of the Wushan Clan’s bloodline.’

Though this was what Rogner and Krami thought, they didn’t say anything out loud.

They were only following Marvin Viscount’s instructions: to deliver the Cloud Stepper, build a relationship with Mountain Forest Town, and relay the news about Wiggin to Ronin. That was the extent of their mission.

After the noon banquet, Ronin saw the party from Pasture City off. In the end, he decided not to go to Wushan Castle for the time being, using the excuse that "the autumn harvest in Mountain Forest Town is imminent, and without a Civil Servant, I cannot leave."

’The news and gift from Marvin Viscount might have been a simple gesture of goodwill, but Wushan Castle is undoubtedly a treacherous place right now.’

’In the coming days, nobles of all ranks from Wushan Territory will converge there. If I go now, I’d be willingly stepping into that vortex.’

’If someone with ulterior motives were to manipulate the situation, I might even be pushed to the forefront.’

’I’ve worked so hard to establish myself in this remote forest and fade from public view. This has finally given me time to develop in peace. I have no desire to be put on someone’s radar so soon.’

’Besides, I believe Wiggin was most likely saved by the people at Wushan Castle; he isn’t dead.’

’After all, if he were truly dead, Rogner would have likely brought a letter from Wushan Castle. And if Marquis Lurans himself had summoned me back, I would have set off at once.’

’For now, I should stay far away from that vortex. I’ll wait for things to settle down and for the nobles to disperse from Wushan City. It won’t be too late to visit Wushan Castle then.’

In any case, the situation in Wushan Territory was growing increasingly grim.

Only when a ruler’s power has weakened to a certain point would outsiders dare to make such a blatant move against their Lord.

This was the case while Marquis Lurans was still alive. Once he passed away, the factions beneath him would likely grow even more audacious.

’I can only hope Marquis Lurans holds on a while longer. At least as long as that old man is still around, open warfare won’t break out.’

’There isn’t much time left for me. I have to increase my own strength and influence as much as possible before the chaos begins.’

’My original attitude was simply "live and let live," hoping to get myself and Mountain Forest Town through this initial period peacefully. But now, it seems some plans need to be moved up on the agenda.’

"Macken, make sure the Guards conserve their stamina during training. Once Ridder returns with his report, we’ll prepare to deal with the Wilderness Tribe in the forest."

"Also, Gallon, go inform Wilson. Have him notify every village that they must work overtime to shorten the duration of the autumn harvest. Furthermore, in a few days, I will be conscripting twenty militiamen around the age of thirty from each village for training!"

"Have Wilson arrange for those eighty men to come and observe in advance, so they can familiarize themselves with the Guards’ training regimen."

War meant casualties, and Ronin needed to consider how to replenish his forces.

But the autumn harvest was equally important. Without food, he couldn’t even feed his people, let alone wage a war.