Chapter 424 - 397: Winning Over

What is top-tier talent?

Ronin felt that the five people before him were all exceptionally talented individuals.

Each of them was not only powerful but also possessed unique specializations. One could build ships, one could navigate, and another was skilled in intelligence gathering.

Even Sophia, who had barely introduced herself, must have some extraordinary qualities of her own, being the team’s leader and addressed as "Your Highness."

This group had come to the Orland Continent seeking support and cooperation. So, was it possible that their partner could become the Wubei Territory—could become Ronin?

To have such a formidable five-person team join the Wubei Territory would be an incredible boon for Ronin.

However, Sophia’s objective was crystal clear: they weren’t here to see the Count of the Wubei Territory, but the King of the Oduin Kingdom. They had waited for Ronin simply to have a familiar face make the introduction.

"You’ve come at just the right time!"

Ronin smiled. "In a little over ten days, it will be the Oduin Kingdom’s decennial founding celebration. I’ll be attending as well. If you wish to go to Golden Feather City, you can travel with me. And of course, I will introduce you to His Majesty Bruno."

He spread his hands, looking slightly sheepish. "To be perfectly honest, my future wife is His Majesty’s youngest daughter, Princess Blanche. This hasn’t been publicly announced yet, so I must ask you all to keep it confidential."

Sophia and her companions were taken aback. They never expected the Lord they’d chanced upon at this random port to have such powerful connections.

It seemed their long wait had been worthwhile.

"We are truly grateful, Ronning Count!"

"It’s no trouble at all, there’s no need to be so formal," Ronin said with a smile. "You just mentioned wanting to cooperate with the King. I was wondering, what kind of cooperation did you have in mind?"

At this question, the smile on Sophia’s face slowly faded, replaced by a look of contemplation.

She debated whether she should reveal the details of their proposed cooperation to Ronin.

After all, their ultimate goal was to find reinforcements from the Star Continent—the more, the better—so there was no need to hide that objective.

But now the situation was different. The Star Continent had no Legendary Level Mages.

In this situation, even if they found reinforcements from the Star Continent, they couldn’t return to the Crescent Continent.

If they couldn’t go back, then everything would be for nothing.

So, Sophia was now contemplating: what could they offer the Oduin Kingdom in terms of cooperation?

"As you’ve said, Mephisto is currently hiding within the Oduin Kingdom. We can assist the King in eliminating the minions of Salonas."

She paused before adding, "This isn’t limited to just Mephisto. We can also provide intelligence and combat support against the minions of the other two lords."

"In that case, instead of cooperating with the King, you’d be better off cooperating with me."

"You?"

Sophia’s brows furrowed. She looked Ronin up and down, a sense of vigilance rising within her.

Anilu, at her side, voiced the question Sophia was too reserved to ask: "Count, we naturally wish to cooperate with the strongest power available. Is your territory truly stronger than the entire Oduin Kingdom?"

Ronin smiled faintly. "The Royal Family has no Legendary Level Mages."

Sophia’s eyes lit up. "You mean, the Wubei Territory has one?"

Ronin shook his head. He glanced at Anilu and the others. "Sophia, if it’s convenient, I’d like to speak with you alone for a moment."

Sophia hesitated for a moment.

Anilu quickly tried to stop her. "Your Highness, that’s not appropriate."

The others seemed to have the same opinion. It was clear they didn’t trust Ronin enough yet.

Sophia only hesitated briefly, then smiled and said, "All of you, please step outside. I believe I am perfectly safe here."

Seeing this, Anilu and the other three didn’t say another word and promptly left the room.

From this, it was also clear that Sophia held a position of absolute leadership; once she made a decision, no one would question it.

"Elron, you may leave as well."

"Yes, my lord!"

Elron bowed and exited.

"That subordinate of yours seems to be a powerful Mage."

"Yes, he is a Light Attribute Magic Master. My grandfather recovered thanks to Elron’s ’Evil Purification’ magic."

Sophia was a little surprised.

The intelligence Harmon gathered from Pasture City stated that experts at the level of Meteor Knight, Great Mage, and above were rare. How could a mere Count’s Domain have an Eighth-level Mage, and one who was a follower of this young man at that?

"The Light Attribute does indeed counter Witch Soul Power."

Although Sophia was a little confused, she wasn’t too shocked, since she herself was also a Magic Master.

"If there were a Legendary Level Light Attribute Mage, we might be able to cross the Sea of Storms more easily and avoid the corrosion of the Nightmare Evil Qi."

"If there were a Sage Level Light Mage, perhaps they could completely solve the pollution of the Sea of Storms for us."

Oh?

Ronin quietly filed this information away and said with a smile, "Then Elron has his work cut out for him."

Sophia brought the topic back. "So, does the Wubei Territory have a Legendary Mage?"

"Of course not!" Ronin shook his head.

"Then I’m very curious. What did you want to talk to me about alone?"

"You just described the situation on the Crescent Continent. The Human Race and the Demon God’s servants have been at war for many years, and now you are clearly at a disadvantage. You don’t just need top-tier experts, but also more lower and mid-level personnel. To put it simply, the Human Race doesn’t have enough people."

Sophia nodded, motioning for Ronin to continue.

"Meanwhile, the Orland Continent—or the Star Continent, as you call it—is split between two kingdoms, with constant disputes. If our people were to go to the Crescent Continent, the Tricia Kingdom would certainly take the opportunity to attack."

He paused for a moment, then continued, "According to my recent intelligence, the Tricia Kingdom is in chaos because of an organization called ’Holy Storm.’ This mysterious group that suddenly appeared is very likely the minions of the other two lords you mentioned."

Sophia was starting to understand.

"So you want us to help you conquer the Tricia Kingdom? That way, you would eliminate the minions of the Storm Lord and the Flame Lord, while also helping yourself gain military merit and even expand your territory?"

She was well aware of how appealing her team was on a continent lacking powerful combatants.

It was perfectly reasonable that Ronin would want them to cooperate with him.

"However, it would still be better to cooperate with the Oduin Kingdom than with you. At least they are stronger."

Ronin shook his head. "But they can’t give you what you want. The Royal Family has no Legendary Mages."

"But you don’t have one either, do you?" Sophia was very curious about what this young Count was getting at.

Ronin no longer held back, fully releasing his Spiritual Power.

As a fellow Magic Master, Sophia instantly felt the immensity of Ronin’s Spiritual Power.

"You’re a Magic Master?"

She was extremely surprised. According to her intelligence, the young count before her had only just passed his nineteenth birthday.

Nineteen years old, and an Eighth-level Mage?

Such talent would be considered the absolute cream of the crop even in the City of Dawn.

"And that’s not all."

Ronin smiled and stood up. Stepping into the air, he manipulated his Fighting Qi to walk across the living room on nothing.

"Silver Moon Level!"

For the first time, a look of shock appeared on Sophia’s face. "You’re not just a Magic Master, you’re also a Silver Moon Knight!"

Magic and Martial Dual Cultivation, while not common, was not unheard of.

For instance, her Guard Officer, Anilu, was also a dual cultivator.

But even with Anilu’s outstanding talent, at thirty-one years old, she was still only a Meteor Knight and a Chief Mage.

At nineteen, Ronin had already far surpassed Anilu.

Ronin said with a smile, "While the Wubei Territory may not have a Legendary Mage yet, I am absolutely confident that I can become one within ten years at the most."

He looked directly at Sophia. "And if you help me, it will take even less time!"