Chapter 153 - 152: Wubei Territory

Ever since Ronin’s last departure from Wushan Castle, Lurans had noticed a change in his eldest grandson, which was what sparked the idea of a marriage alliance.

Back when Ronin was still an indolent good-for-nothing, Lurans would never have considered such a thing.

’Since my grandson has changed,’ he’d thought, ’I should do what I can as his grandfather to create some opportunities for him.’

Ultimately, Lurans still worried for Ronin. He feared that after he died, his grandson would be the first to perish.

Ronin understood that his grandfather was acting in his best interest. Although he resented having his path decided by others, he had no reason to blame him.

"Alright, I’ve said my piece."

Lurans said with a smile, "Now, let’s talk about you."

Ronin snapped back to reality. He had been so preoccupied with the marriage alliance that he’d forgotten why he had come to see Lurans in the first place.

He thought for a moment, then looked his grandfather directly in the eye, his expression perfectly serious. "Grandfather, I want the land in Sain Territory."

Just as the sudden mention of a marriage alliance had stunned Ronin, Ronin’s request left Lurans completely aghast. Clearly, he hadn’t expected this at all.

"Where did this idea come from all of a sudden?"

Lurans’s brow furrowed. "Did Marvin put you up to this?"

He knew Ronin had arrived at Wushan Castle with Viscount Marvin’s convoy. He also figured Ronin wouldn’t yet have the ambition or ideas to annex another noble’s territory, which was why he assumed it was Marvin’s suggestion. After all, the latter had a motive.

To the northwest of Pasture City lies Sain Territory. To its southeast, a small portion of its land borders Ossen’s domain, and Reisen himself is close with Barrington.

If Ossen or Barrington were to move against Pasture City in the future, they could easily form a pincer attack.

"Viscount Marvin has indeed been very good to me. I bought over forty horses from him for half the price."

Ronin shook his head. "But he didn’t put me up to this. Grandfather, this is my own idea."

A flicker of surprise crossed Lurans’s eyes. ’Since when did my grandson have the nerve to propose annexing someone else’s territory?’

"That’s a very dangerous idea!"

He sat up straight and said sternly, "Even if you and Reisen had a conflict over at the Wilderness Tribe, it wasn’t serious enough to warrant seizing his territory. Furthermore, the laws of the Kingdom state that unless a noble commits a capital crime, his title and lands cannot be stripped. Therefore, I cannot help you with this."

He could help Ronin with many things, but he absolutely could not strip a noble of his title and lands without just cause. That would be setting himself against the entire nobility.

"Grandfather, what you just said means that as long as a noble of Wushan Territory commits a capital crime, you *can* strip him of his title and lands."

Ronin asked with a smile, "Am I wrong?"

"You mean to say...?"

A possibility occurred to Lurans, but he found it hard to believe.

Reisen of Sain Territory was a veteran noble. How could he possibly leave behind any damning evidence for a seventeen-year-old upstart?

Lurans’s tone remained as grave as before, as if he were instructing Ronin.

"To accuse a noble of a capital crime without evidence is, itself, a capital crime. The lightest sentence is a fine; the most severe is imprisonment, or even having your own noble title and lands stripped."

Ronin nodded. "I know. I wouldn’t have brought this up if I didn’t have sufficient evidence."

"What evidence? Let me verify it first."

Ronin gave a mysterious smile. "Forgive me, but I must keep it a secret. I want to reveal the evidence in front of all the assembled nobles."

Lurans was slightly startled. ’Ronin is playing for high stakes!’

’If the evidence is insufficient, this will be dangerous.’

"If you don’t want any ’accidents,’ you’d best let me see it."

Lurans insisted. The Wushan Clan had finally produced a promising heir, and he didn’t want anything to happen to him.

But Ronin was completely confident in his evidence. After all, he had physical proof and witnesses. He even had the assassin locked up in Mountain Forest Castle. What ’accident’ could there possibly be?

Besides, once Wiggin found out that Reisen was connected to the Skull Society, knowing his personality, he would flay Reisen alive. He wouldn’t even need to find the Shadow Assassin to declare Reisen guilty.

To keep Lurans from pressing the issue, he changed the subject. "I plan to reveal it during the second half of your birthday banquet, Grandfather. You won’t blame me for disrupting the happy festivities, will you?"

Lurans knew that Ronin was dead set on not telling him. He sighed and leaned back against the sofa. "That doesn’t matter. I’ve had many birthday banquets. A little something different could be fun."

He then added with a hint of complaint, "To think that you’re now keeping secrets from me."

Then again, Wushan Castle hadn’t managed Mountain Forest Town for years. The place was practically cut off from the rest of the world, so no news ever got out.

Otherwise, he might have been able to guess a thing or two.

"Don’t worry, Grandfather. I never do things unprepared."

Ronin continued, "If I really do take down Reisen, can Sain Territory be given to me?"

Lurans stopped pressing about the evidence. "If your evidence is enough to bring down Reisen, that would count as a great service to Wushan Castle. Not only will I give you Sain Territory, but I’ll also grant you the entire northern region and enfeoff you as the Viscount of Wubei Territory!"

A Baron marrying a Princess was, after all, a bit of a status mismatch.

According to Lurans’s own plans, he had already intended to raise Ronin’s noble title and expand his territory; he just hadn’t found a suitable reason yet.

Bestowing rewards without cause—especially since Ronin wasn’t the legal heir—would certainly draw criticism.

Hearing this, Ronin’s eyes lit up.

He had only wanted a piece of land, but he hadn’t expected such a pleasant surprise.

’A Viscount’s title! Now that’s a good thing to have!’

The higher title was secondary. The key was that with an upgraded noble title, his monthly check-in reward would double. That was the most important part.

"The northern region is huge, and when you add the area of Sain Territory, I feel like I’d have enough land to be a Count."

Ronin said shamelessly, "How about you just make me a Count directly, Grandfather? The title carries more weight."

Currently, there were only two Counts in Wushan Territory, and Wiggin’s title was temporary.

"Get out of here!"

Lurans shot him a glare and chided with a laugh, "Your father is still just a Count. If you became a Count, what would that do to his pride?"

"Father is thick-skinned. I doubt he’d care," Ronin retorted.

Not knowing whether to laugh or cry, Lurans waved his hand dismissively. "If there’s nothing else, be on your way. You can become a Viscount without military achievements, but you’ll need at least some to become a Count."

Ronin sighed in resignation. It looked like he wouldn’t be able to talk his way into a Countship.

But that was only to be expected.

If he could get Sain Territory, be promoted to Viscount, and bring the entire north under his domain all at once, Ronin would be more than satisfied.

As for becoming a Count... where was he supposed to get the military achievements for that? ’Don’t tell me I have to go wipe out the Black Gold Brotherhood?’

’So is that the whole point of that organization’s existence? Just for nobles to farm achievements?’

Ronin stood up. "Thank you for your consideration, Grandfather. I’ll take my leave now."

"Go on, go on!"

After Ronin had gone, Lurans sighed. "Mosite, tell me, why do you think Ronin has changed so much in the past six months?"

"I’ve heard it said that great fortune follows great calamity. Perhaps it’s a similar principle. Young Master Ronin has experienced such great upheavals in his life that he has matured."

"Perhaps."

Lurans couldn’t help but think of his eldest son. "When Gremes was seventeen or eighteen, his mind was also remarkably sharp. Ronin now is quite like his uncle. It’s just a shame their strength is worlds apart."

Gremes... the eternal ache in his heart.

Mosite offered some comfort, "My lord, sometimes an enlightened ruler doesn’t need great personal strength to win the loyalty of the powerful. Young Master Ronin is the same. He already has a subordinate who can defeat a Bronze Knight!"

"Ha, you certainly know how to put one’s mind at ease."