Chapter 344 - 338: Collapse at First Contact

Over the years, Marcelo had acquired plenty of experience negotiating with Wally.

According to the usual procedure, they were supposed to line up their forces, exchange greetings, state their respective demands, and finally enter into a long, friendly negotiation.

But he never expected that this time, they wouldn’t even have a chance to speak. The Knight at the head of the opposing force swung a flaming Longsword and charged them.

Instantly, the sounds of battle erupted across the wilderness.

For Ronin, although Rapids Island wasn’t his yet, with Bruno’s promise, it would certainly belong to him in the future.

’It’s better to have more obedient people on my territory.’

’These troublemakers need to be taught a lesson.’

’Talks could wait until after we’d beaten them head-on.’

The Knights brandished their Longswords and charged the group of rebels.

Some of them were from the Royal Family’s Knight Order, some were from Sharp Horn City’s Knight Squad, and some were from the garrison permanently stationed on Rapids Island. Every squad was professionally trained, giving them a natural advantage against these rebels.

With two Silver Knights, Karda and Lu Qi, leading the charge, the battle became one-sided almost as soon as the two sides clashed.

SPURT!

Clifford slashed a Knight charging at him and kicked away two more who pounced. A trace of panic flashed in his eyes.

’This is bad. If I stay here, I’m dead for sure!’

He no longer hesitated and quickly fled toward the rear.

Just then, a sharp whistling sound cut through the air as a shadow dove down, a Griffin’s sharp talons aimed at his shoulder.

Clifford was a Golden Knight, after all, and had considerable combat experience. Although he didn’t turn his head, he reacted instinctively, throwing himself to the ground in a roll and narrowly dodging the attack.

’A Griffin!’

Clifford’s blood ran cold. Although some high-ranking nobles also owned Griffins, the appearance of such a creature was something most people associated with the Oduin Royal Family.

If Rapids Island were some kind of strategic, must-have territory, or a place that generated significant economic benefits, the great noble families would have quickly turned their attention here the moment trouble started.

But this was a place for imprisoning criminals. Although it had decent timber resources, the annual output was nothing special.

To the Kingdom, this income was a drop in the bucket, easily replaced by many other sources.

’I don’t get it. Why would the Royal Family send people—and extremely valuable Griffin Knights at that—the moment a little trouble stirred on Rapids Island?’

’This was like playing cards—you play a three, and your opponent immediately slams down a royal flush. How are you even supposed to play that?’

’Run. I have to run!’

But how could a human’s speed compare to that of a Griffin?

Moreover, just as Clifford was fleeing, a figure enchanted with speed-enhancing Magic flashed in, thrusting the Flame Stream Sword at him.

In his panic, Clifford raised his sword to meet the blow.

Under the impact of the immense Power, Clifford couldn’t withstand the force, and the Longsword was knocked from his hand.

Ronin’s figure appeared before him. "I haven’t heard of the White Flower Association gaining a Knight of your caliber. Tell me who you are!"

’Just now, he repelled the combined attack of Wally and several other Knights with a single blow. That means his strength surpasses the Bronze Level; he’s at least Silver Level.’

’But according to what Wally said on the way here, the White Flower Association’s strongest fighter is Marcelo, a Bronze Knight. It’s impossible for a Silver Knight to have appeared in such a short time.’

Repeatedly finding himself in a desperate situation, despair rose in Clifford’s heart. He unleashed all his Fighting Qi, forming a relentless, tsunami-like torrent that rushed toward Ronin with unstoppable power.

He wanted to use this one attack to push Ronin back, break through the blockade, and escape this troubled land.

’Even hiding in the mountain forests would be better than being captured.’

Nearby, Melonika, who was observing the battle, had a change in expression. ’That’s the Sixth-level Water Attribute Combat Skill, Tidal Frenzy. This guy is a Golden Knight. Ronin is in danger.’

Lurans had arranged for him to come and protect Ronin, and he wouldn’t interfere in the latter’s ordinary battles. However, if Ronin was in real danger, he had to protect him from harm immediately.

But just as he was about to act, the Flame Stream Sword in Ronin’s hand erupted with an extremely compressed Flame, piercing through the man’s raging torrent like a flash of light and striking his Armor.

Melonika’s eyes flickered, his heart filled with shock.

’Ronin actually used the Sixth-level Combat Skill, Fire Flash. Is he using a skill above his rank, like Karda, or is he already a Golden Knight?’

’It’s hard to imagine. The Marquis’s eldest grandson, whom no one thought much of back then, has actually grown this powerful.’

In an instant, Clifford was sent flying, crashing hard through several trees by the roadside before collapsing at the base of another. After spitting out a few mouthfuls of blood, he lost all Power to resist.

Ronin sheathed his Flame Stream Sword, his gaze shifting from the man to the battlefield.

The battle was now nearing its end.

In that last charge, more than half of the White Flower Association’s members had been killed or wounded, and the stench of blood filled the mountain road.

With both Clifford and Marcelo captured, the remaining men lost the courage to continue fighting. One by one, they dropped their Weapons and knelt on the ground, begging for mercy.

The Knights and Infantry placed their Longswords to the men’s necks, holding them in place.

Although it was a one-sided battle with a predictable victory, there were some casualties on their side. Most of them were Wally’s subordinates, with a few members of the Sharp Horn City Knight Squad as well. As for the dozen or so Professional Knights led by Missy, they suffered no casualties at all.

Wally had his men drag Marcelo before Ronin.

Looking at the troublemaker who had fought him for years now kneeling on the ground, he couldn’t help but feel a surge of satisfaction.

"Marcelo, the man standing before you is Ronin Wushan, the Count of Wubei, who has come to exterminate you under orders from His Majesty the King!"

"Heh, now you see just how fragile the mob you gathered is, don’t you?"

Marcelo raised his head, looked at Ronin with difficulty, and snorted in defiance. "If you’re going to kill me, then kill me! Stop making that disgusting face in front of me!"

Wally Knight wanted to curse him out and vent his anger, but Ronin raised a hand to stop him.

"You’ve got guts. But rest assured, we’re not going to kill you."

’My purpose in coming to Rapids Island this time was just to earn some merit, to give Bruno a reason to grant me a title.’

’Prisoners are the best proof of merit.’

’I’ll take Marcelo and the other key figures back to Golden Feather City to report to His Majesty the King.’

Ronin signaled for Tom and David to bring the unconscious Clifford over.

"Before we interrogate you, I’m very curious to know who this man is."

Only then did everyone turn their attention to the man Tom and David were carrying. Not everyone had noticed Clifford during the chaos of the battle.

Marcelo’s eyes darted away. After a brief silence, he said, "He’s like me, just a descendant of the criminals imprisoned on Rapids Island."

Ronin looked at Wally Knight. "In other words, your intelligence was wrong. Hidden among the natives of the Rapids Island White Flower Association is a Golden Knight."

"Impossible! The White Flower Association can’t have a Golden Knight!"

Wally was certain. "If they had a Golden Knight—no, if they even had a Silver Knight, they would have dared to kill me and seize the Rapids Island docks the last time I came to collect the timber shipment!"

He looked at the still-unconscious Clifford, his brow deeply furrowed. "This man’s skin doesn’t have the distinct sallow complexion of someone from Rapids Island. I’m telling you, he is definitely not from the island!"

Wally pressed his Longsword to Marcelo’s neck. "Speak! Who is he?"

Marcelo just snorted coldly and remained silent.

"In that case, let’s lock them up securely for now. We can interrogate them after he wakes up."

Ronin said, "Before that, we can conduct a thorough search of the White Flower Association’s territory and see if we find anything suspicious."