Chapter 300 - 297: Two Brothers

In this world, nobles generally maintained a veneer of civility. Even with minor grudges, they kept up appearances unless the enmity ran too deep or they were backed into a corner.

This was especially true when dealing with nobles of unequal status.

But there were no absolutes. The way nobles interacted wasn’t just influenced by their rank; it also depended on their individual personalities and upbringing.

Some people were simply arrogant and haughty. It was difficult for them to suddenly start acting deferential toward someone.

Moreover, this was an Extraordinary World where aptitude and strength also influenced many things.

A Silver Moon Knight, even if he were a commoner, would be treated with courtesy by the King himself. He would have no need to be deferential to other nobles.

Reis was one such person.

He had shown exceptional talent for Cultivation from a young age and was thus highly valued by the Dennis Clan. To ensure his son received the best training, Vitorino had even sent him to the Knight Academy in Golden Feather City for several years.

However, despite his difficult personality, he wasn’t foolish enough to disrespect another noble for no reason—especially not one from the Wushan Family, to whom the Dennis Clan had sworn fealty.

Therefore, the conflict the gossiping onlookers had anticipated would not occur.

"Lord Count, I am Reis Dennis, son of Viscount Vitorino."

As he spoke, he gave Ronin a Knight’s salute. "My father has prepared a pleasant banquet at Sharp Horn Castle and sent me to await your arrival."

’So it was an invitation.’

’From his tone, you wouldn’t think he was extending an invitation. I thought he was some rich, spoiled brat looking for trouble.’

Ronin glanced around. Now that the crowd knew his identity, they had all gathered to get a glimpse of his legendary good looks.

’If I refuse his invitation in front of everyone, it’d be a slap in the face to the lord of Sharp Horn City.’

Just as he was considering his options, another rider galloped up from behind Reis.

Before the rider even arrived, a hearty laugh rang out.

"HAHAHA! Ronin, you’re finally here!"

A stout man shouted, pulling up beside Reis, out of breath.

Ronin recognized him. It was Jamie, whom he’d met a few times at Wushan Castle. Jamie was betrothed to Marina of the Green Family.

Additionally, when Ronin’s predecessor had attended Wushan Extraordinary Academy, he and Jamie had been classmates, though they weren’t particularly close.

"Bro, I told you to wait for me! Why’d you ride off so fast?" Jamie complained.

Reis shot his brother a look of disgust. "I’ve told you countless times you need to lose weight. If you get any fatter, you should trade your horse for a plow ox."

"A plow ox is too slow, my dear brother. I want that Magical Beast of yours!"

"Get lost!"

Reis snapped, "In that case, you might as well stay home, glued to your dinner plate, and never go out!"

The corners of Ronin’s mouth curled up as he listened to them argue.

’They seemed to be arguing, and Reis’s tone was cold, but their relationship must be pretty good. Otherwise, Jamie wouldn’t have dared to ask for his Magical Beast mount.’

After Reis’s retort, Jamie stopped joking around.

"My Lord Count, my father is already arranging the evening banquet. He’s also prepared a ship for your sea voyage. You can depart from Dennis Port whenever you’re ready."

He then added, "As old classmates, you have to do me this favor, right?"

’After all that, if I refused now, it would be rude and a great disrespect to Viscount Vitorino.’

"Thank you for the Dennis Clan’s hospitality!"

Ronin smiled and urged his horse forward. "It looks like I’ll have to enjoy a few drinks with everyone tonight."

"Haha! Let’s go, let’s go! If there’s one thing Sharp Horn Castle doesn’t lack, it’s wine!"

"Jamie, you accompany Count Ronin. I’ll ride ahead to Sharp Horn Castle and inform my father."

With that, Reis pulled on his reins and galloped away.

"Don’t mind him. That’s just my brother’s personality. Some people call him arrogant and haughty, but I think all that Cultivation has just made him a bit of a recluse."

Jamie tapped his own head. "Sometimes I wonder if he’s cultivated his brain into mush."

Ronin smiled. ’I wonder how Reis would react if he knew Jamie was saying this about him behind his back.’

"I hear your brother is quite talented. An Advanced Level Knight at just twenty-two."

"That’s an understatement!"

Pride filled Jamie’s face as he spoke of his brother.

He leaned in closer and whispered, "Actually, he’s already a Bronze Knight. The public just doesn’t know yet."

Ronin was inwardly startled. An Advanced Level Knight at twenty-two wasn’t that shocking.

But a Bronze Knight at that age? That was a different story entirely.

’Reis’s Cultivation talent is probably on par with Bretton’s. The Dennis Clan has a worthy successor.’

Then, a thought struck Ronin.

’Why would Jamie secretly tell me something that the public doesn’t know?’

’This chubby guy doesn’t seem like a fool.’

"Knight Reis’s talent for Cultivation is likely among the best in the entire Oduin Kingdom."

Ronin said with admiration, "The Dennis Clan will surely rise to greater heights in the future!"

’Talent like that is a key to reaching Meteor Level, and perhaps even higher. Once Reis fully develops his potential, the Dennis Clan can no longer be seen as a mere Viscount Clan.’

"He’s still a long way from you!"

Jamie waved his hand dismissively. "An eighteen-year-old Silver Knight... in the entire Oduin Kingdom, I’m afraid only the Crown Prince’s talent surpasses yours."

"You know a lot about the Crown Prince?"

Ronin asked, "I just remember that he reached the Silver Level a long time ago."

"Silver Level?"

Jamie looked shocked. "Ronin, you may be a Count now, but your information is terribly outdated. The Crown Prince became a Golden Knight years ago. He’s probably at the Meteor Level by now!"

"I thought he was only in his thirties?"

"Mhm, thirty-two to be exact."

Jamie leaned in again and lowered his voice. "When my brother was studying at the Royal Knight Academy, he saw Crown Prince Garrett in action. I heard that a Silver Level instructor couldn’t even last three moves against him!"

"That scene had a huge impact on my brother. It made him dedicate even more time to his Cultivation."

’Defeating a Silver Knight in three moves... Unless that Silver Knight was a complete pushover, I’m not confident I could do that right now.’

’The Crown Prince’s power is undeniable.’

’The Oduin Kingdom and the Tricia Kingdom are currently in a truce. I wonder if, once Garrett’s power reaches a certain point, he’ll start a major war?’

’Following the example of the first Great Emperor to establish an Empire on the Orland Continent is the dream of every member of both Royal Families.’

’So, the answer to that question is almost certainly yes.’

’Perhaps, during that war between kingdoms, I could also earn enough merit to become a Marquis in my own right, independent of Wushan Castle.’

’Other than a war like that, I don’t know any other way to earn the immense merits required to be made a Marquis.’

Ronin and Jamie chatted as they rode, only arriving at the foot of the hill below Sharp Horn Castle as night began to fall.

The castle was built on a hill fifty or sixty meters high. Even from the foot of the hill, its grandeur was apparent, looking like a colossal beast crouched atop the summit.

They wound their way up the smooth, bluestone-paved mountain road. It was flanked by lush evergreens, and the scenery and crisp air made it feel like a different world from the city below, with its ever-present stench.

The sky had grown dim, but the castle entrance was brightly lit by Magic Lamps. A crowd of people stood at the gate, craning their necks in anticipation.

As Jamie and Ronin appeared, Vitorino’s hearty laugh echoed from the gate.

"Welcome, Count Ronin!"

He strode forward, extending a fervent welcome. "Tonight, Sharp Horn Castle will shine all the brighter for your presence!"