The Polante Thief Gang appeared soti after the Black Gold Brotherhood.
Although one was located on the southwest side of Wushan Ridge and the other on the southeast, the two organizations were very similar in nature and actions—
They attacked the castles of nobles, occupied their territories, and carved out their own domains.
Did Wushan Castle lack the ability to annihilate them?
The answer was no.
In the early days, the Knight Orders of the Wushan Territory, combined with the forces of other nobles, were capable of defeating them. Yet, after only a year or two, they would spring up again like mushrooms after a rain.
After this happened ti and again, perhaps Wushan Castle grew weary. Or perhaps it was because Wiggin’s repeated failures in command had bred resentnt among his subordinates. Over ti, the punitive expeditions weakened.
Now, the border had beco a ga of push-and-pull: you attack one day, I push back the next.
This stalemate not only caused the deaths of many soldiers but also led to a frequent turnover of Lords in those regions, keeping the borders of the Wushan Territory in a constant state of turmoil.
The major nobles, including the King, were naturally aware of these events occurring in a Marquis’ Domain.
Legally, the Kingdom was responsible for protecting its lesser nobles, but only when their very position was endangered—for instance, if the Polante Thief Gang were to threaten Wushan Castle itself.
For minor skirmishes on the border, the Oduin Royal Family would offer little more than expressions of concern; they certainly wouldn’t send troops. From their perspective, it wasn’t necessarily a bad thing for the nobles below them to clash and weaken each other’s Power.
Furthermore, since Wushan Castle had never requested aid from the Royal Family or other nobles regarding this matter, they had even less reason to concern themselves with it.
Ronin pondered for a mont. ’Is this latest move by the Polante Thief Gang just routine, or is soone pulling the strings from behind the scenes?’
’In any case, the Polante Thief Gang can’t threaten Wushan Castle. After all, the castle’s own Fifth Knight Order is stationed there.’
’They probably don’t have the strength to break through the Fifth Knight Order’s defensive line and push deep into the Wushan Territory.’
"Rogner, did you learn anything about Count Ossen on your latest trip?" Ronin asked.
Ossen had been crippled by Lurans at the start of the year and retreated to his domain, Black Python City. Since returning to the Wubei Territory, Ronin hadn’t paid him much mind.
"I did hear a few things."
Rogner, who perhaps disliked Ossen as much as Marvin did, couldn’t help but smile when he ntioned the Count.
"Word is that after returning to Black Python City, Ossen has been searching far and wide for physicians while also seeking the aid of powerful Mages. He hopes to obtain a Magic Potion or so other redy to alleviate his internal injuries. He even extended an invitation to Lord Miroslav of Wushan Town, but unfortunately, he was refused."
Miroslav was the Seventh-level Great Mage who had crafted the Magic Potion for Lurans. He was also an Honorary Viscount of the Kingdom, an Honorary Count of the Wushan Territory, and the administrator for the Silva Magic Energy Chamber of Comrce within the territory.
A man of his stature, though not a landed noble, possessed uncommon influence. He was certainly in a position to refuse Count Ossen’s invitation without fear of repercussions.
Ronin chuckled. "Ossen is getting his hopes up. If that kind of injury were so easily healed, my grandfather wouldn’t have been plagued by it for so many years."
’Lurans’s strength, connections, and fa far surpassed Ossen’s. If he couldn’t find a solution, where could Ossen possibly hope to find help?’
’And now Miroslav, the very Mage who helps ease my grandfather’s condition, has already refused Ossen’s invitation out of respect for the Marquis. Ossen probably doesn’t even have a chance to alleviate his symptoms now.’
"And Barrington? How did he react?"
Barrington was Ossen’s son, Dianey’s brother, and a Golden Knight of the Count’s Domain.
"He was furious, apparently. Even threatened to demand an explanation from the Marquis. But Ossen stepped in and declared it was a fair loss in a spar, and had nothing to do with the Marquis."
’Barrington’s threats to demand an explanation from Lurans were probably just empty words. I doubt he’d actually dare to set foot in Wushan Castle.’
’As a forty-four-year-old Golden Knight, Barrington is exceptionally talented. He wouldn’t want to end up crippled like his father.’
"The affairs of Black Python City have likely been completely handed over to Barrington by now. I imagine Ossen will be taking a long rest, just like the Marquis."
Rogner sighed wistfully. ’He must have planned to make a grand showing after reaching teor Level. Who would have thought it would end like this?’
"Any news from the Black Gold Brotherhood?" Ronin inquired.
"We didn’t defeat the Black Gold Brotherhood last year, but we did retake several territories and inflicted heavy losses on them. Even if they want to reclaim that land, they’ll need to prepare enough grain and train enough soldiers."
At this, he shook his head. ’The Black Gold Brotherhood will likely stay quiet for a year or two.’
"If you wish to know more, my lord, I will keep an eye out for information about them on my next trip."
Ronin nodded. "I’ll be counting on you, then."
He was, for all intents and purposes, treating Rogner as an intelligence officer.
’No matter how strong the Black Gold Brotherhood is, it can’t possibly outlast the Wushan Territory on its own. The organization must have backers behind the scenes.’
’And with backers, a swift resurgence is entirely possible.’
’If the Black Gold Brotherhood were to make a move at the sa ti, Wushan Castle would be facing a war on two fronts.’
Being situated at the northernmost edge of the Wushan Territory, Ronin wasn’t worried about the flas of war spreading to his Wubei Territory. Still, necessary preparations had to be made, such as having Ridder and Macken train more soldiers.
’A standard Viscount typically commands four Knight Squads; I’m still two short.’
"What’s the state of the five hundred-plus people you brought back this ti?" he asked.
"They’re holding up, I suppose. It was a long journey, so they’re all quite exhausted right now."
Rogner changed the subject. "However, among the group that arrived this ti, there’s an Interdiate Wandering Knight nad Kudore. I heard he originally planned to follow Baron Kona, but the Baron’s finances and domain ran into trouble, so it fell through."
"Just then, Anthony was in the area recruiting Free People, so Kudore followed them to Mountain Forest Town."
Although the population of the Wubei Territory now exceeded sixteen thousand, there were no Transcendents among the purchased slaves or the two waves of Free People who had arrived from outside.
’Attracting a Wandering Knight to join us now... that’s not bad at all. Maybe I should tell Anthony to start extending invitations to Transcendents, not just to common folk.’
As the two were talking, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed from outside, followed by a sharp knock on the door.
"Co in."
Chahar burst through the door. "My lord, Juliet sent a man to report that Sim has been beaten!"
Hm?
Ronin frowned. "What happened?"
"Apparently, so of the newcors were causing a disturbance. Juliet and Sim went to stop them, but the troublemakers were hot-tempered and stronger than both of them."
Ronin glanced at Rogner, who looked a little awkward.
They didn’t even have to ask to guess the identity of the assailant.
Juliet and Sim, while not very strong, were part of the original crew. Normally, only Ridder and Macken would ever lay a hand on them, and even then, only for training or instruction.
No one had ever deliberately attacked them and injured one of them before.
"Let’s go and take a look."
With nothing else pressing, it was a good opportunity for Ronin to et the newcors.
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