Chapter 254 - 253: Sandro Rive

With the arrival of June 12th, nobles and knights great and small from across the Marquis’ Domain gathered for the Wushan Territory’s noble assembly.

Compared to the lively atmosphere of the banquet at the start of the year, the nobles arriving this time wore expressions tinged with melancholy.

They weren’t worried that the Polante Thief Gang or the Black Gold Brotherhood would manage to push into the Wushan Territory and encroach upon their own domains.

However, these two conflicts still showed that Wushan Castle’s influence and authority were in steady decline, and its position was becoming more and more precarious.

They were all vassals of Wushan Castle; if their Lord were to fall, they too would suffer enormous consequences.

Even if they were to switch their allegiance to a new lord, they would inevitably face a long period of turmoil.

During such a time, their family’s prestige and wealth would inevitably suffer a massive blow. A single misstep could even mean their entire clan would be wiped from the pages of history.

Wushan Castle might have been the weaker of the surrounding domains, but it could not be allowed to fall, no matter what.

Therefore, nearly everyone had responded to the conscription order, leading to an exceptionally large number of nobles and knights arriving at Wushan Castle.

"Brother, why do you think the Polante Thief Gang and the Black Gold Brotherhood keep attacking our Wushan Territory?"

Bretton was baffled. There were other nobles bordering these two powers, like those in Moonlight Valley and the Villa Duchy. There were also vast, untamed wilds they could occupy. Why did they always target the Wushan Territory?

"Earl Jesus of Moonlight Valley is His Majesty Bruno’s younger brother, and Duke Villa’s wife is His Majesty’s elder sister. Of course they wouldn’t dare offend them."

Ronin explained casually, "Our Wushan Territory has no powerful backing. Grandfather Lurans can no longer use his martial prowess after building this foundation on his past achievements, and Father’s strength is lacking. This makes outsiders believe the Wushan Clan will decline within three or four generations. They’re just trying to carve off a piece for themselves before that happens."

He had spent the past while diligently studying the last few centuries of history, learning from both Lurans and the books he could find.

Although the two kingdoms of the Orland Continent might seem peaceful now, that had only been the case for the last thirty-some years. For most of history, war had been the norm.

Today, the two kingdoms remained in a standoff, and the nobles great and small within their borders were hardly good neighbors. Friction and conflict were ever-present.

The Wushan Territory was a massive prize, and with Wushan Castle showing signs that it could no longer defend it, its neighbors were naturally eager to carve it up and feast on the pieces.

However, with the Kingdom’s authority still intact, they had to maintain a facade of peaceful coexistence, even if conflicts simmered beneath the surface. Thus, they couldn’t get involved directly... for now.

So, propping up other forces to continue weakening Wushan Castle’s rule, seizing territory, and plundering resources in the process became their favored tactic.

Bretton, however, hadn’t realized any of this. His political acumen was on par with that of Ronin’s previous self.

After listening to Ronin, Bretton clenched his fists.

"At the end of the day, it’s because our family lacks a powerful Transcendent! If Grandfather hadn’t had his health problems and had remained at the peak of his strength, the Wushan Territory probably wouldn’t be facing so many issues."

That much was true.

Had Lurans not suffered such a great misfortune, with his aptitude, he might even have been promoted to a Silver Moon Knight.

Even if those people harbored ambitions, they would have been far more restrained.

At this, Bretton couldn’t help but glance at Ronin’s profile. ’Thankfully, the Wushan Clan has hope now,’ he thought. ’Besides me, there’s also Ronin and his incredible rise.’

In their most recent sparring sessions, Ronin’s true strength had become an enigma to Bretton.

"Haha, Ronin, long time no see. Did you just arrive?"

At the foot of the steps to Wushan Fortress, Viscount Marvin of Pasture City, a man with a short crew cut, walked up with a smile and greeted Ronin enthusiastically.

Beside him stood a tall man whom Ronin didn’t recognize; it seemed he hadn’t been at the new year’s banquet, either.

"Long time no see, Uncle Marvin!" Ronin stepped forward and gave the man a hug.

"Hello, Ronin. We haven’t seen each other in a long time, either!"

The man beside Marvin extended a hand, and Ronin shook it. Awkwardly, Ronin couldn’t recall who the man was; his memory was a blur.

Fortunately, the man didn’t let the awkward silence linger. He continued, "After Yusuf returned to Lingchuan City, he told me all about how you heroically saved Princess Blanche and defeated Baron Reisen. I must say, I was both surprised and full of admiration!"

Ronin finally realized who the man was.

Sandro Rive, Leader of the Fourth Knight Order and Viscount of Lingchuan City.

His previous self had met the man many times, but Ronin had no memory of him.

At the start-of-year banquet, he had only met the man’s son, Yusuf Rive, a very refined Senior Mage.

Viscount Sandro’s domain, Lingchuan City, was located north of Wushan Castle, not too far away.

Lingchuan City was situated on a fertile plain. In the early days, Lurans had focused on cultivating the land there, intending to turn it into the breadbasket for the Wushan Territory.

However, its location in the heart of the Wushan Demon Beast Mountain Range meant it suffered from Magical Beast incursions far more frequently than Mountain Forest Town.

To protect the vital farmland, Lurans had tasked the Rive Clan—who were only Barons at the time—with leading a Knight Squad to garrison the foot of the Demon Beast Mountain Range.

In the decades that followed, Sandro distinguished himself. Through his meritorious deeds and personal strength, he became the Leader of the Fourth Knight Order and was granted the title of Viscount of Lingchuan City.

"It’s a pleasure to meet you, Viscount Sandro!"

Ronin asked with a smile, "Yusuf didn’t come this time?"

"Haha, he’s busy back in our domain, gathering provisions and troops."

Sandro asked with a laugh, "So, Ronin, how many men are you planning to bring to this battle?"

Ronin hadn’t expected Sandro to be the first to ask this question.

He replied with a smile, "The Wubei Territory was only recently established, so I’m still very short on men. I can only spare a single Knight Squad."

Sandro found the first part of the answer perfectly reasonable, but the last part gave him pause.

"A full-strength Knight Squad?" he asked, astonished.

He had discussed with other nobles how many men Ronin might bring to the battle.

The consensus was that he would bring seven or eight Knights and a few dozen soldiers at most.

He had agreed that seemed more realistic. He never expected Ronin to give such a number.

"Yes, a full-strength Knight Squad."

Sandro was taken aback. "It’s been less than a year since you became a Baron, and you already have a full Knight Squad?"

Ronin let out a laugh and glanced at Viscount Marvin.

"That’s thanks in no small part to Uncle Marvin’s help. He let me buy several dozen warhorses at a favorable price."

Viscount Marvin chuckled. "I wasn’t selling them at a loss. The fact that you could afford them is a testament to your own capabilities, Ronin."

Sandro glanced at Marvin. ’This fellow seems to have high hopes for Ronin,’ he thought. ’I heard even his second son has sworn allegiance to him.’

’Still, warhorses are a secondary concern when forming a Knight Squad. The core component is the Professional Knights.’

’Does Ronin really have that many Professional Knights under his command?’

’Aside from Macken, Ridder, and Rogner, whom you hear about often, I bet the rest are just a randomly cobbled-together bunch, aren’t they?’

’Yes, that must be it.’

’I haven’t heard anything about Lurans allowing Knights loyal to Wushan Castle to transfer their allegiance to the Wubei Territory.’

’A Knight Squad that was just thrown together can’t compare to one that’s been properly trained and seasoned through years of experience. Their combat effectiveness would be worlds apart.’

Sandro couldn’t help but put himself in Ronin’s shoes.

’If I were in his position, I wouldn’t bring such a green Knight Squad on this campaign.’

’If that Knight Squad were wiped out in battle, it would take years to rebuild.’

’Besides, with Wushan Castle’s own Knight Orders on the field, he shouldn’t need to bring so many men just to deal with the Polante Thief Gang.’

’Yusuf overestimated Ronin.’

Although his son Yusuf had described Ronin as level-headed, in Sandro’s eyes, the young viscount was still far too impulsive.