Golden Feather City and Horn Bay were the two most important cities in the Oduin Kingdom. Not only was transportation well-developed here, but the skies were also thick with ssage Birds carrying information between various locations.
Especially when sothing significant happened, the ssage Birds would fly high in the sky in what were practically flocks.
No sooner had Ronin left Horn Bay Port than information about him was sent out. Missy, who had been tasked by Blanche to make inquiries, was just one of the recipients.
Of course, he was unaware of all this.
Under the arrangents of Business Officer Joli, he and his party stayed at the Dennis Clan’s manor in Horn Bay, preparing to set out for Golden Feather City early the next morning.
「Royal Palace」
This magnificent, exquisitely crafted, and glorious building was His Majesty the King’s Royal Palace.
Even now, at night, the palace was as bright as day.
The tall and imposing His Majesty Bruno sat upon the throne, listening to a Knight report on the nobles who had arrived at Horn Bay Port today.
"These people..."
Bruno was so exasperated he had to laugh.
Although most of the Kingdom’s nobles who lived closer to Golden Feather City had attended Blanche’s birthday party, the attendees were either a generation older than Blanche, n who were already engaged or married, or elders who brought their daughters along.
In any case, there wasn’t a single eligible bachelor among them, as if they were terrified His Majesty the King might, in a fit of high spirits, betroth Blanche to one of them.
"This Ronin, however, is a surprise."
Bruno picked up Ronin’s file. It recorded Ronin representing Wushan Castle to command the Noble Alliance Army in wiping out the Polante Thief Gang, as well as the latest intelligence from Horn Bay that had arrived today.
He had initially agreed to Lurans’s request, partly due to his private friendship with him.
Another reason was that the Wushan Clan, an old and established family, had never been joined with the Royal Family through marriage. He had also wanted to use the opportunity to install his own influence there.
Of course, a small part of his decision was also born from helplessness regarding Blanche’s current situation.
If the fact that his daughter was nearly twenty and still unmarried hadn’t been damaging his political image, he would have preferred Bretton and would never have agreed to Ronin, a man who had been stripped of his inheritance rights.
He had originally planned on helping Ronin accumulate so rits to improve his qualifications, but he never expected the young man to rely on his own strength to so quickly rise from a Baron of Mountain Forest Town to the Count of Wubei Territory.
Although Ronin’s status couldn’t compare to a Kingdom Count, it was at least far higher than that of a Little Baron.
"Arsenno, do you think our dear Marquis deliberately hid Ronin’s talent, intentionally letting the outside world believe Ronin was a good-for-nothing who couldn’t practice Cultivation?"
"It’s very likely!"
Below, the Minister of State Affairs, Arsenno, nodded in agreent.
"Back when Gres died in battle, quite a few people were involved. Most of them didn’t want to see two teor Knights of extraordinary talent appear in the Wushan Clan."
He speculated, "Lurans probably knew this was a factor, so after Ronin began to show his talent, he deliberately hid it."
Over thirty years ago, Lurans himself was exceptionally talented, and his son, Gres, was even more so—a case of the student surpassing the master. Naturally, this would attract the envy and jealousy of others.
Weakening the clan’s power was sothing everyone was happy to see, including the reigning Oduin IV—Bruno’s father, King Klinsmann.
No one expected, however, that the suppression would be too severe. Not only did Gres die, but Lurans himself was crippled, which is what threw Wushan Territory into a thirty-year period of turmoil.
Having learned his lesson the hard way, it was entirely possible that Lurans had hidden Ronin away.
"For him to let Ronin step into the spotlight now... Does he think the ti is ripe?"
Bruno tapped his fingers on the armrest.
’Ronin’s talent is undeniably strong, not the least bit inferior to even my own son, Garrett. From this perspective, he might actually be worthy of the Princess.’
’However, for , it would be even better if Ronin could regain the inheritance of Wushan Territory. That would give a greater political bargaining chip and make my own rule more secure.’
"Who do you think was behind the assassination attempt on Ronin and his party this ti?"
Arsenno glanced at the King, then shook his head. "That’s hard to say."
He added, "It could have been anyone."
Although he was a trusted Minister, Arsenno didn’t dare to speak lightly about matters without evidence. It was too easy to offend people that way.
Bruno rubbed the bridge of his nose. "These people are such a headache."
Those great nobles, with the exception of Duke Gistana, were, every last one of them, ambitious characters unwilling to settle for their station.
To be honest, Bruno’s performance in governing the country and in terms of personal strength was diocre. He had inherited the throne of the Kingdom smoothly mainly due to his status as the eldest son, so there were always those who were not convinced of his right to rule.
Although the system of primogeniture prevented these nobles from doing sothing like rebelling to usurp the throne, competing and clashing with the Kingdom over economic interests and in many other areas was still a frequent occurrence.
The assassination of Ronin could have been for the purpose of destabilizing Wushan Territory, or it could have been an attempt to weaken his authority as King and ensure Blanche remained a running joke at his expense.
"Your Majesty, Her Highness Princess wishes to see you!" a mber of the Guards ca in to report.
Bruno raised an eyebrow. His daughter rarely ever made public appearances; what brought her to the Royal Palace today?
"Let her in."
Soon, Blanche entered and offered a polite and respectful greeting.
"Blanche, my daughter, what brings you to see ?"
Blanche seed a little embarrassed, but she braced herself and said, "Father, I heard that Ronin was attacked at sea by the White Whale Pirate Gang."
Bruno smiled faintly. He knew what his daughter was worried about.
"Don’t worry, he wasn’t injured. He’s resting in Horn Bay right now and will probably arrive in Golden Feather City tomorrow evening. After I summon him for an audience, I will arrange for you two to et."
Blanche didn’t comnt further on the matter. After all, in front of an outsider, she couldn’t appear too eager.
"The last ti in Wushan Castle, it was Ronin who saved . For him to be attacked by pirates while coming to attend my birthday banquet... this must have been a preditated assassination attempt!"
She said, "I ask that you deliver justice for Ronin and dispatch troops to eliminate the White Whale Pirate Gang!"
"I understand your anger over what happened to your friend. But my daughter, you must understand that pirates are like stink bugs. It’s unsettling to leave them be, but if you try to crush them, you risk getting sprayed."
This was also why Bruno was reluctant to eliminate the pirates. In the past, when the pirates beca too much of a nuisance, he would have the Earl of Scream Island Clan send troops to deal with them; the Royal Family’s fleet rarely mobilized.
As he said this, an idea struck him, and his tone shifted.
"However, it seems Ronin has captured the Pirate Gang’s Vice Leader and a captain this ti. Perhaps we can use them to find the White Whale Pirate Gang’s base and eliminate them."
Arsenno chid in, "We should indeed strike a blow against this band of pirates. Otherwise, not only will it fuel their arrogance, but it will also lead them to mistakenly believe the Royal Family is incapable of dealing with them."
The "them" he referred to was, of course, not just the pirates, but also the group of people who collaborated with and even supported the pirates.
"Blanche, you may leave for now. I will take your friend’s matter into consideration."
"Yes, Father!" Blanche curtsied slightly and left the great hall.
"This matter of eliminating the White Whale Pirate Gang... I plan to have Ronin do it," Bruno said.
As an aide who had followed the King for over a decade, Arsenno imdiately guessed his master’s intention and couldn’t help but smile.
"To receive Your Majesty’s favor and proactive support, I can only say that kid Ronin is truly lucky."
He was right. Bruno did indeed want to support Ronin and help him grow stronger.
This was because only then would Wushan Territory erge from its decline and have a chance to contend with the major powers in the eastern part of the Kingdom, instead of being rely a delicious dish on the nu as it was now.
If Ronin beca strong, letting him fight against them would be advantageous for Bruno.
"The current Ronin is now qualified to receive my support."
Bruno thought for a mont, then said, "The White Whale Pirate Gang alone isn’t enough. Help look and see what other tasks we can give him."
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