Chapter 187 - 186: The Possibility of a Cure

When Ronin emerged from Lurans’s residence, he was immediately surrounded by the nobles waiting outside.

"How is Grandfather?" McKinney asked with concern.

Ronin glanced around. Many nobles were present, such as Kabil, Marvin, Toru, the eldest son of the Rive Clan, and others.

They were all concerned for Lurans’s safety, but since they hadn’t been summoned, they could only wait here for news from Ronin.

"Please, rest assured, everyone. The Marquis is fine."

Ronin’s expression was relaxed, and he didn’t reveal the specifics of Lurans’s condition. "He just needs a few days of quiet rest to recover from the battle. If you don’t have any urgent business, please refrain from disturbing him."

Hearing Ronin’s explanation, the crowd felt a little more at ease.

"Sir Toru, there is something I must trouble you with."

Toru’s expression turned serious, and he subconsciously assumed this was an order from Lurans. "Please, go ahead."

"While the Marquis is recuperating, security within the castle is paramount."

Lurans hadn’t given this instruction. Perhaps he felt that with his Contracted Magical Beast in the castle’s rear courtyard, security wasn’t an issue. But Ronin believed it was better to be cautious.

"The Golden Level assassin hasn’t been caught yet, and we don’t know the specifics of their situation. So please pay extra attention to security in Wushan Castle, especially around the Marquis’s residence."

"I understand."

Toru nodded gravely. "I will personally stand guard here in the coming days."

As the Leader of the First Knight Order garrisoned at Wushan Castle, Toru was undoubtedly someone Lurans trusted completely.

Kabil, who was standing to the side, added, "McKinney and I will also stay in Wushan Castle a while longer. I’ll help take some responsibility for the Marquis’s safety."

As Wiggin’s son-in-law, it was normal for Kabil to stay longer.

Ronin exchanged a few more words with the other nobles, then started walking away, calling out to Marvin Viscount as he went.

"Did the Marquis have any orders for me?" Marvin asked, naturally curious.

Ronin smiled. "No, not him. It’s me who needs a favor from you, uncle."

"Oh? Tell me."

Ronin took out the letter of appointment. "The Marquis has enfeoffed me as the Viscount of Wubei Territory, and I will also be taking over Sain Territory. To prevent the Knights in Sain Territory from hearing the news and transferring assets ahead of time, I’d like to ask you to send a Knight Squad to guard the entrances and exits of Swamp Town."

Reisen surely had Knights and family in Sain Territory, and he might also have spies or Message Birds in Wushan Castle. Once the news reached Swamp Town, there was no guarantee those people wouldn’t flee with the assets.

The Message Bird route between Mountain Forest Town and Wushan Castle hadn’t been established yet, so Ronin couldn’t contact Ridder. He had no choice but to ask Marvin Viscount for help.

"That’s easily done."

Marvin guaranteed it. "I’ll have Rogner use a Message Bird right now to inform the Knight Squad in Pasture City."

Ronin said gratefully, "Thank you, Uncle Marvin. Please let me know the cost for this assistance. I will pay the full price."

When one noble requested military aid from another, there was always a cost involved.

Marvin was Lurans’s Vassal, not Ronin’s. Theoretically, he had no reason to obey Ronin’s Transfer Order and no obligation to help him.

"For a small matter like this, why even talk about payment?"

But Marvin quickly waved his hand dismissively. "My Knight Squads don’t have much to do anyway. A trip to Swamp Town will be a good chance for them to stretch their legs and get some practice. Besides, I haven’t even given you a gift to celebrate you becoming a Viscount. Just consider this my congratulatory gift."

Alright, the Ironhoof Clan was always so enthusiastic, and they always had reasons for giving gifts that were impossible to refuse.

The others also smiled and congratulated Ronin on his successful promotion, and they began discussing what gifts to send.

Ronin responded to each of them with a broad smile, politely declining their offers of gifts.

However, he did mention that both Mountain Forest Town and Sain Territory were in dire need of rebuilding. They were short on labor and all kinds of skilled people. If they could send some of those resources, Ronin would welcome it warmly.

After chatting with the nobles, Ronin arrived outside Miroslav’s small courtyard.

Perhaps due to his advanced age, this Earth Element Great Mage rarely attended the banquets at Wushan Castle. On normal days, he would chat with Lurans, but otherwise spent his time in his own small courtyard.

"Viscount, please come in." The attendant who had announced him invited Ronin into the courtyard.

Wushan Castle had many such small courtyards for receiving guests, and each had a very similar layout.

Led by the attendant, Ronin came to Miroslav’s study. The man appeared to be reading a book.

"Greetings, Great Mage."

Ronin bowed respectfully. The opportunity to have a private audience with a personage of this Level was not one that came easily.

"Have a seat, Ronin."

Miroslav pointed to a nearby chair. "Is there something you need from me?"

The man spoke very directly, with no intention of exchanging pleasantries.

Ronin didn’t beat around the bush either. "Sir, I came to ask if you know of any way to treat my grandfather’s injuries."

Soul-Devouring Surge was Magic, and Ronin’s understanding of Magic was certainly no match for the Great Mage before him.

But Miroslav shook his head. He set down the book in his hands and said slowly,

"Lurans asked me about this a long time ago. I’ve consulted all sorts of Magic Books and even asked Bellora, but we found no truly effective solution."

Bellora Silva was the founder of the Silva Magic Energy Chamber of Commerce and was rumored to be an Eighth-level Magic Master, a Level higher than Miroslav.

Someone like that definitely possessed the continent’s most advanced magical knowledge. If even they had no solution, then it seemed the situation was truly difficult.

Ronin pressed on, "I heard from my grandfather that he was injured by the Dark Attribute Magic ’Soul-Devouring Surge.’ Is there a Light Attribute Magic that can specifically dispel its effects?"

"Bellora and I came up with the name ’Soul-Devouring Surge.’ No one knows what the Magic is actually called."

Miroslav sighed. "The one who injured Lurans wasn’t a Dark Attribute Mage, either. It was a Mage from the Tricia Kingdom, using a Magic Scroll of unknown origin."

"That Mage..."

"Was killed by your grandfather."

Miroslav continued, "I know you have a Light Attribute Mage under your command. And it’s true, Light Attribute and Dark Attribute Magic often have counteracting effects. But Bellora and I estimate that this ’Soul-Devouring Surge’ is an Eighth-level Magic. Can your subordinate become an Eighth-level Magic Master?"

It’s nearly impossible for Low Level Magic to dispel the effects of an Advanced Level magic. That’s why Miroslav said that dispelling Soul-Devouring Surge would require an Eighth-level Light Attribute Magic Master at minimum.

He sighed. "Even if he has the potential, that would be decades from now. Child, your grandfather can’t wait that long."

Even in perfect health, Lurans only had another seven or eight years left. How could he possibly wait for so long?

But after hearing this, a light of hope ignited in Ronin’s eyes. "So, if there were an Eighth-level Light Attribute Magic Master, could my grandfather be saved?"

"Perhaps."

Miroslav nodded, then shook his head. "That Magic Master would also need to know the specific Magic to dispel Soul-Devouring Surge, and I’m not certain such a Light Attribute Magic even exists.

"Furthermore, I don’t mean to discourage you, but as far as I know, there don’t seem to be any Eighth-level Light Attribute Magic Masters in either the Oduin Kingdom or the Tricia Kingdom."

This didn’t concern Ronin. ’If a Mage like that doesn’t exist, I’ll just have to make one.’

He stood up and bowed deeply to Miroslav. "I ask that you please keep an eye out for any Magic that can dispel Soul-Devouring Surge, Great Mage. No matter the cost, I, Ronin, will purchase it in the future!"

Miroslav stared intently at Ronin, then gave a faint smile. "I never expected that just as Lurans is about to die, he’d suddenly have such a promising grandson. Even if he dies, he can rest in peace."

"I don’t want him to die, Sir."

Miroslav nodded. "Alright, I’ll keep an eye out for this Magic for you. You’d better get your money ready. If we do find it one day, I expect it to be a clean transaction—cash for goods."

He wasn’t like Marvin Ironhoof; he had no need to curry favor with Ronin. Even with Lurans, it was business first. This was naturally even more true with Ronin.

"Thank you, Sir!"

To Ronin, there was nothing wrong with this. No one owed him anything; on the contrary, he was the one asking for a favor.