The dining hall in Wushan Castle was exceptionally luxurious.
The towering ceiling was inlaid with intricate carvings. Gems of all colors sparkled brilliantly under the light of a massive Magic Crystal Lamp, exuding an air of unparalleled nobility.
Murals covered entire walls, depicting mountains and rivers, mighty Thunderbolt Wind Chasing Beasts, and gentle, adorable little animals. It was like an art gallery, adding another layer of magnificence.
A long, exquisite dining table stood in the center, set with silver cutlery and candelabras. When Ronin arrived, rows of servants on either side were already beginning to prepare the food. The wafting aroma was enough to make one’s mouth water.
Ever since they left the back mountain, Lurans had reined in his friendly deanor toward Ronin. He’d been silent the whole way, and upon entering the dining hall, he walked straight to the head of the table, a stark contrast to his chatty, jovial mood on the mountain.
It was clearly a deliberate act. Ronin played along, simply finding a seat for himself to the side and sitting down.
"Haha, long ti no see, my dear brother."
A cheerful, sowhat youthful laugh echoed as a young man with the sa silver hair and black eyes strode in from outside, his arms wide open.
Bretton’s features resembled Dianey’s, which gave him a more refined and delicate appearance.
His expression was relaxed and confident, and he wore a brilliant smile, as if seeing Ronin was the happiest thing in the world.
"Long ti no see, Bretton."
Ronin stood and returned the embrace, greeting him naturally.
Only then did Bretton bow to Lurans. His gesture was formal and a little reserved. "Good evening, Grandfather."
Lurans smiled and nodded, gesturing to the seat beside Ronin. "Sit. Where are Wiggin and Dianey?"
"We’re here, Father!"
Dianey appeared at the entrance to the dining hall, and Ronin turned to look.
She wore simple evening attire as she pushed a wheelchair into the room. Seated in it was a stubble-faced Wiggin, looking utterly listless.
"Father!"
Ronin stepped forward. "I was deeply saddened to hear what happened to you," he said in a solemn voice. "But you must pull yourself together. Wushan City and the Wushan Territory still need you."
Wiggin nodded, his voice raspy. "Thank you for the encouragent, Ronin. I thought you’d be back in December. I didn’t expect you so soon. It seems you do still have a place in your heart for your father after all."
As he spoke, he motioned for Dianey to push him to the table. She gave Ronin a nod before continuing, and once Wiggin was in place, she greeted Lurans.
Ronin caught the passive-aggressive jab in Wiggin’s words. ’So he’s upset I didn’t co to visit him imdiately.’
It was clear, though, that the blow had indeed changed Wiggin’s temperant. In the past, he would have jumped up and cursed a blue streak. Now, he was rely passive-aggressive.
"Since everyone has arrived, let us begin the al," Lurans said.
As he finished speaking, the servants waiting at the ready lifted the lids from the silver serving dishes. So began carving roast lamb, others sliced steak, while still others poured wine for the masters at the table.
"It is a rare occasion for our family to sit down together like this."
Lurans raised his cup. "For Wushan. Cheers."
"For Wushan..."
"For Wushan..."
"For Wushan!"
They all raised their cups together and drained them in one go.
The al continued with rounds of toasts, but they were mostly brief affairs—a raised cup, a nod of acknowledgnt, and then draining the glass without another word.
Unlike a boisterous feast of clinking glasses and lively conversation, this al was rather quiet.
Ronin found it a little unsettling and could only focus on eating his food in silence.
Before long, Lurans set down his cutlery, excused himself, and was the first to leave.
Ronin noticed the atmosphere at the table seed to lighten considerably. ’It seems everyone feels the pressure when the Old Marquis is around.’
Bretton stood and raised his Crystal Cup toward Ronin.
"Ronin, I heard you conquered three Wilderness Tribes. Your courage and accomplishnts are admirable. I hope I can contribute to the family like you soday!"
Ronin chuckled, rising to clink his cup with Bretton’s. "They were just so backward Wildn. To be honest, finding their hiding spots was harder than defeating them."
"I heard you’ve beco a Basic Level Knight as well."
Dianey raised her cup as well. "To your progress. Cheers."
"Thank you," Ronin replied.
"Speaking of the Wilderness Tribes, it reminds of the days when I led the Noble Alliance Army to purge them."
Wiggin, sitting in his wheelchair, seed to be reminiscing about days gone by.
He had been young and ambitious then, far more driven than before his leg was crippled. It was a sha he hadn’t pressed his advantage back then to completely wipe out the routed nobles. That failure still gave him a sense of defeat.
"You conquered three Wilderness Tribes, and with Reisen of Sain Territory conquering another, those criminals in the north have finally been purged. It puts a long-held concern of mine to rest."
Wiggin raised his glass. "You’ve done well!"
Ronin raised his cup once more.
’This was the first ti he’d ever heard a word of praise from Wiggin. As far as he could rember, his predecessor never had.’
"Brother, my maternal grandfather has already finished his investigation. The assassination attempt on Father was the work of the Skull Society, and the Skull Society is a branch of the Black Gold Brotherhood. For revenge, and to restore the honor of the Wushan Clan, Father and I both believe we must dispatch troops against the Black Gold Brotherhood next spring!"
Bretton had steered the conversation to Wiggin’s assassination.
"Father has always led our military campaigns, but he is unable to now. Mother says I am too young, not yet old enough for the battlefield. So, for next year’s expedition... how about you represent the Wushan Clan?"
Bretton’s expression was very serious. "The army needs a Commander who can represent the Wushan Clan."
Ronin’s heart skipped a beat. ’That’s quite a leap in topic,’ he thought.
But upon careful analysis, his words did hold a certain logic.
’Right now, there are only three mbers of the Wushan Clan suitable to represent the family in battle: Lurans, Ronin, and Bretton.’
’Lurans would not be mobilized lightly, so he’s the first one out.’
’Bretton is only thirteen and doesn’t et the conditions for going to war, so he’s the second one out.’
’It’s obvious who the most suitable candidate is in the end.’
"An expedition next spring?"
Ronin feigned surprise. "Has it already been decided?"
Wiggin nodded. "More or less."
Ronin remained noncommittal. ’Lurans hasn’t even made a decision yet,’ he thought. ’It’s a bit early for them to be so certain.’
However, faced with such a question, and considering his predecessor’s personality along with his own current circumstances, he let out a chuckle and said:
"The battlefield is a perilous place. Bretton, as the clan’s heir and still so young, you are indeed not suited for an expedition. Father’s wounds have yet to heal and his mobility is limited, making him even less suitable."
He drained the wine in his cup. "It is my honor to be of service to the clan. If it is confird next year that we are to march, and if Wushan Castle still needs to take command, I will absolutely not refuse!"
At his words, Wiggin and the others smiled in satisfaction, though what they were each thinking inwardly was anyone’s guess.
Bretton would feel that his older brother was showing him due respect.
Dianey would still see Ronin as simple-minded and not much of a threat.
Wiggin would feel that this son of his had finally grown up and beco useful—soone who could step up when needed.
As for Ronin, he had rely been paying lip service.
’Never mind that Lurans hadn’t even decided whether they would fight next spring—even if he did, Ronin would be in Mountain Forest Town. He could co up with plenty of reasons to delay his arrival. At worst, he would just have to pay a fine and accept a reprimand.’
’Making him the Commander was far too reckless.’
’He was a man stripped of his inheritance. Even though he had purged the Wilderness Tribes, that was hardly a remarkable achievent in the eyes of certain nobles.’
’After all, even Wiggin had trouble commanding respect from the other nobles, let alone soone like him with such a checkered past.’
’Even if they forced him into the position, would the other nobles actually listen to his commands?’
’They weren’t Macken or Ridder. A Ronin with no prestige would be unable to command effectively.’
’On the battlefield, an army that doesn’t obey its commander is dangerously vulnerable.’
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