Chapter 131 - 130: The Subversion Plan

Grey Soil Village.

After settling matters with Reisen, Ronin was in no hurry to return to Mountain Forest Town.

Besides discussing and finalizing a training regimen with Ridder, Macken, and the others, he also took the time to inspect the Kaolin Ore Vein.

Over the past month or so, Ridder had led a team to conduct a rough survey, basically confirming the vein was about twenty li long and six li wide.

As for its thickness, it was difficult to survey. He simply had some men dig a pit seven or eight meters deep, and they were still able to extract kaolin, which meant the vein was at least seven or eight meters thick.

These were enormous reserves—enough for a small workshop like the one in Grey Soil Village to mine for over a century and still not exhaust it.

Not far from the vein, the Masons and Carpenters of Grey Soil Village had already built several houses. A river flowed nearby as well. They were only waiting for Ronin to finalize the porcelain firing method before work could officially begin.

Before starting, some preparations were necessary, such as gathering dry firewood and making high-temperature charcoal. But the most important task was building the kiln.

However, the design of this kiln had not yet been finalized; it required experimentation.

Mountain Forest Town now had Potter Jim, who knew how to build kilns for firing pottery.

But that type of kiln was relatively open, completely different from the sealed kiln required for firing porcelain.

Following the guidance Ronin provided, Jim had already begun modifying the open-kiln design. With his experience and Ronin’s technical instructions, it shouldn’t be too difficult to build a small, experimental sealed kiln.

"My Lord, Knight Philton from the Sain Territory is here."

Tom rushed over to report, "He says he’s brought the ransom and medical fees and wants to take Finris and the others away today."

"It’s only been four days, and Baron Reisen has already sent the money. It seems he’s a man of his word after all."

Ronin said with a smile, "The money is here, so we’ll release the men we’re supposed to release. Have Elron go receive him; I won’t be going myself."

Over the past few days, Ronin had arranged for food and water to be sent to Finris and the others, but it was impossible to say their condition had recovered well.

If Baron Reisen had come a few days later, the group might not have recovered for a month or two after returning.

It wasn’t that Ronin was mistreating his prisoners. The main issue was that they were Advanced Level Knights. If they were well-fed and recovered their strength and condition, Ronin would have to assign powerful men to guard them.

"Also, have Macken finalize the recruitment of Guards with Ridder as soon as possible. We need to head back to Mountain Forest Town."

"Yes, my Lord!"

Tom rode away.

...

「Swamp Town, Baron Reisen’s castle.」

Ever since the Baron returned, the castle servants felt as if a dark cloud hung overhead, so oppressive it was hard to breathe.

CRASH!

A cup shattered on the floor, making the male and female servants waiting outside the door tremble in fear.

They had lost count of how many cups the Baron had smashed in the past few days.

Not only that, a few days ago, a servant who was sweeping the floor spilled a basin of water out of fear. Baron Reisen had the Guards drag the servant to the square and hang him.

Another maid, while helping him bathe, had splashed water on his wound. She was dragged out by the Guards and flogged. Though she wasn’t killed on the spot, her horrific wounds received no proper treatment. Coupled with the bitter cold of winter, she probably wasn’t going to make it.

So for the past two days, everyone in Swamp Castle lived in constant terror, afraid one wrong move would provoke the Baron’s anger and cost them their lives.

Reisen leaned back on a soft sofa made of some unknown leather. Every time he recalled the events of that day, the rage and humiliation in his heart threatened to overflow.

It was one thing for Ronin to have seized the initiative in occupying the Wilderness Tribe’s land. But for him to have personally led a team and still returned in defeat... Now, four days later, the wound on his right shoulder had still not fully healed.

The daily pain was a constant reminder of his failure, a constant reminder that he had lost face in front of his subordinates, and it only deepened his fury toward Ronin.

He then recalled the moment Ridder’s longsword was pressed against his neck. He hadn’t felt the touch of death in many years.

Every time he thought of it, his face turned ashen, and it felt as if a fire was blazing in his chest. He clenched his left fist, veins bulging.

"Ronin!"

He muttered through gritted teeth. If words could kill, he would have killed Ronin thousands upon thousands of times.

Just then, footsteps approached from outside.

"My Lord, I have returned." Philton appeared outside.

Reisen took a deep breath, reining in his anger slightly. "Come in."

Philton entered, carefully stepping around the cup shards on the floor.

He offered words of comfort. "My Lord, a single victory or defeat means nothing. Against Mountain Forest Town, we hold an absolute advantage. When the time is right, we will certainly capture and kill Ronin."

"Of course. Of that, I am certain."

In front of this retainer who had followed him for many years, Reisen did not show the same violent temper he did with his servants. "If we were to fight again, I am confident I could defeat that Ridder."

"I believe in your strength!"

Philton continued, "I have also followed your instructions and told Joffrey to approach Ridder whenever he has the chance and convey your goodwill."

Reisen nodded. "I hope this Ridder does not disappoint me. Following me is his only correct choice."

His hatred was reserved for Ronin alone. In contrast, his first thought after the rage subsided was to recruit Ridder for his own use.

That was why this time, when he sent Philton to deliver the ransom, he also had him carry an order for Joffrey—

The latter was to get close to Ridder and promise him warhorses, beautiful women, servants, a manor, money, and more, in an attempt to turn him.

"The terms you’ve offered are exceptionally generous, my Lord. Besides, that Ridder hasn’t followed Ronin for long. There’s no way they’ve established a deep bond of master and servant. The chances of him being swayed are high."

Philton analyzed, "At best, Ronin’s future is to be a second Wiggin. It would be one thing if he had inheritance rights, but now that he’s lost them, any wise man knows there’s no future in following a Lord like that."

"If Ridder is smart enough, he’ll know that only by following a Lord like you can he have a promising future."

Reisen’s mood improved somewhat after hearing his subordinate’s words.

He picked up a letter from the side and handed it to Philton. "Take a trip to the Purple Thunder Territory yourself and give this letter to Taini Viscount."

The Purple Thunder Territory was located within Haid’s County, and its master, Taini Viscount, was sworn to Ossen Count.

Not only that, but Taini’s daughter, Danica—a Senior Mage whose beauty was said to rival that of a young Dianey—was married to Barrington, Ossen Count’s son.

Philton respectfully accepted the letter. "My Lord, are you thinking...?"

"It will depend on what Taini Viscount chooses. I am merely making a proposal."

"I understand!"

Philton tucked the letter safely into his coat. "In that case, my Lord, I will set out this afternoon."

"Mm, go and return quickly."

Reisen waved his hand. "I hope you bring me good news."

Philton bowed and quickly withdrew.

"Ronin, oh Ronin, you have only your own greed to blame."

Reisen’s eyes narrowed. "Even if you wanted to hand over the rights to manage these three Wilderness Tribes now, I wouldn’t let you off so easily."