Chapter 315 - 312: Unexpected Conflict

Generally, only by becoming a Silver Moon Knight could one briefly hover in the air and gain a limited ability to fly.

However, Wind Mages could fly freely through the sky using Wind’s Wings magic once they became Seventh-level Great Mages.

Although Ronin had Carlos and could soar freely through the sky, he was still relying on an external power.

This came with certain limitations and was far from the absolute freedom of being able to fly on his own.

Furthermore, although Wind’s Wings was a support spell, it could provide a crucial aerial advantage in battle. The benefits of choosing it were significant.

And so, after some searching, Ronin left the Library with the magic books for *Scorching Beam* and *Wind’s Wings*.

Hearing the Knight’s report that Ronin had chosen a Secret Skill and a Magic Book, Bruno couldn’t help but shake his head and chuckle.

"That kid’s only a Silver Knight, and he went and picked a Secret Skill that only someone at the Meteor Level can learn."

Broel laughed as well. "Secret Skills are priceless on the open market. If it were me, I probably would’ve made the same choice."

"I can understand not picking what’s practical for now, and just picking the most valuable thing."

Bruno was puzzled. "But why do you think he chose a Seventh-level Magic spell?"

In their eyes, for Ronin to become a Silver Knight at eighteen, he must have dedicated the vast majority of his time to his Cultivation as a Professional Knight.

A person’s time is limited; the more he invested in his Knight Cultivation, the less he would have for his Mage training.

Even if Ronin was a Mage, his Level couldn’t be very high.

According to statistics, the typical age for a Seventh-level Great Mage was between sixty and ninety. Ronin was only eighteen. He’d likely have to wait decades before he could use Wind’s Wings.

In Bruno’s view, Ronin’s choice of this Magic Book was a complete waste of an opportunity. He would have been better off picking a Sixth-level Combat Skill.

"He’s still so young, his ambition clearly outstrips his grasp. An item you can’t use has no value. Besides, when he actually becomes a Great Mage, does he think he’ll have trouble finding a Magic Book?"

Bruno shook his head. He was merely lamenting the boy’s choice and had no intention of making Ronin pick again.

"How is the interrogation of the White Whale Pirate Gang members over at Horn Bay going?" he asked, changing the subject.

The Minister of State Affairs, Arsenno, replied, "The pirates have already told us everything they know. As for the rest—like who the mastermind behind the assassination was—you could beat them to death and they still wouldn’t be able to give us a straight answer."

At this, he added, "Oh, by the way, Your Majesty, there’s a captain in the Pirate Gang named Vic who was apparently recruited by Ronin. I was wondering if you would approve?"

"Those pirates are Ronin’s captives, so they should rightfully become his slaves. He has the authority to decide their fate."

"I understand."

Arsenno nodded. "That’s convenient. This captain named Vic can guide our forces for the upcoming operation against the White Whale Pirate Gang."

"Yes. Arrange the men. After Princess Blanche’s birthday banquet, have Ronin lead the party to destroy the White Whale Pirate Gang’s base."

「Sharp Horn Castle.」

Viscount Vitorino read the letter Joli sent from Horn Bay, his expression growing darker.

"Fleming!"

He spat the name out viciously, clearly convinced that the Earl of Scream Island was the one pulling the strings behind the incident at sea.

Although the main target of this assassination was Ronin, he had no doubt that his eldest son, Reis, was also on their kill list.

The destruction of the Denis Three was a small matter, but for his son, in whom he had placed such high hopes, to be buried at sea was something Vitorino could never accept.

"Lu Qi, immediately take the first and third Knight Squads on the Denis One and Denis Two to Horn Bay. After Princess Blanche’s birthday is over, bring Reis and Ronin back."

He didn’t want them to encounter any risks on the way back.

"Also, give Reis a message for me. Tell him he can decide for himself whether to go to Wubei Territory to serve Ronin. Whatever he chooses, I will support him. The Ronin of today is definitely worth getting on good terms with."

He then added, "But you must also tell Reis that the Dennis Clan’s allegiance is to the master of Wushan Territory, and him alone. As the eldest son of the Dennis Clan, he can serve under Ronin for a time, but he cannot swear fealty to him."

For a family’s heir to switch their sworn Lord would damage the Dennis Clan’s reputation if word got out, and Vitorino would not allow that.

"Yes, my lord!"

Sharp Horn City’s Knight Captain, Lu Qi, bowed and accepted the order.

Viscount Vitorino’s brows were tightly knitted.

The assassination attempt at sea had only strengthened his conviction that building a port in Wubei Territory was absolutely necessary.

Earl Jesus had just mediated a peace treaty between the Fleming Clan and Sharp Horn City, and yet in the blink of an eye, they had made a move on his son. It was obvious the conflict between the Dennis and Fleming families was irreconcilable.

To them, the peace treaty was apparently just a piece of paper that could be ignored and torn up at will.

Once the port in Wubei Territory was complete, if future conflicts arose with the Fleming Clan, having two ports would prevent the Dennis Clan from being cornered. In fact, it would give them the opportunity to encircle their rival.

Meanwhile, having selected his books, Ronin was in no hurry to read them. After all, he wasn’t yet strong enough to be qualified to learn the skills within.

So, with Blanche as his guide, the two spent their time exploring Golden Feather Palace.

They spent the entire afternoon together, and it wasn’t until dusk that Ronin escorted Blanche back to Moon Shadow Palace. After a lingering, reluctant farewell, Ronin headed straight for his own quarters.

Just as he was about to reach his courtyard, his attention was caught by a crowd gathered on the path ahead.

Faintly, he could hear the crowd’s jeers, and mixed in with the noise, he thought he could make out the voices of Tom and David.

’What’s going on?’

Ronin frowned and quickened his pace.

He didn’t recognize any of these nobles, so there was no reason for Tom and David, who came from commoner families, to know them either.

But before he had taken more than a few steps, he heard a shout from ahead.

"Scram!"

Two dull thuds followed, and Tom and David were sent flying seven or eight meters by a vicious kick.

"Mos! Haman! Go teach these two rude commoners a lesson. Show them how they’re supposed to act in front of a nobleman!"

"Yes, sir!"

Two loud voices rang out as two tall Knights separated from the crowd and charged toward Tom and David, who were still struggling to get up from the ground.

Ronin’s expression darkened.

Knowing his two followers, they would never have provoked other nobles, especially after he had given them a specific warning that very morning.

"Who dares!"

He let out a cold snort, his body blurring into an afterimage as he appeared in front of Tom and David.

The two Knights faltered for a moment upon seeing someone block their path, but they didn’t stop their assault, lunging at Ronin instead.

"You’re courting death!"

With a single motion, the Flame Stream Sword was unsheathed in a wide sweep.

His Fighting Qi erupted into a gale, carrying over a dozen Wind Blades with it as it surged toward the two men. This was the Bronze Level Wind Attribute Combat Skill: Storm Blade.

The two charging Knights scrambled to defend themselves, but they were still slashed by the Wind Blades. They collapsed to the ground, howling in agony as blood sprayed into the air.

"Sir!"

Tom and David cried out with joy and relief.

Ronin glanced back at them before turning his gaze to the crowd ahead.

"Trying to murder a noble’s Follower Knights in the middle of the Golden Feather Palace... Have you thought about the consequences?"