Night fell, and everyone rested on White Whale Island.
The island had been brought completely under control. The captives’ fate was to be escorted back to Horn Bay to face judgnt.
However, under interrogation by David and Tom, six of the captives stood out.
They were all commoners.
Two of them were craftsn who had helped build the docks. Another had so experience with preliminary ship inspections and basic maintenance. The remaining three were Sailors who were excellent swimrs.
After discussing it with Missy Knight, Ronin removed the six n from the list of prisoners. Like Captain Vic, they would be taken back to Wubei Territory to serve him.
A Magic Lamp lit the room brightly.
Ronin took out the map Blanche had given him and spread it across the table. He then marked the approximate location of White Whale Island on it.
The island had no mineral resources to speak of. The only thing that could be considered a local specialty was probably the few coconut trees scattered about.
But White Whale Island still had its value.
Its southwestern coast had waters suitable for anchoring large ships, which was likely the main reason the White Whale Pirate Gang had chosen it as their base.
’This island has little comrcial value, but it could serve as a naval base.’
Ronin’s gaze fell to the bottom right of the map, where the Screaming Isles were located.
And farther to the upper left was the location of Rapids Island.
’If I could obtain the rights to White Whale Island, I could use it as a staging point for rapid deploynts to the south in the future.’
’I wonder if His Majesty the King would be willing to grant this island, along with Rapids Island, as part of my territory if I were to propose it?’
Ronin decided he would give it a try. If that failed, he could attempt to lease the island by paying for its operational rights.
’An undeveloped island like this shouldn’t cost much.’
Besides, it wouldn’t matter even if both thods failed.
White Whale Island currently belonged to the Kingdom. Aside from pirates, no ordinary noble would think of developing it. Ronin believed it would remain without a new master for a long ti to co.
And as long as it had no new master, Ronin had an opportunity.
BOOM!
A trendous roar shook the wooden building, causing it to tremble. Ronin looked up. Through the eastern window, he saw a brilliant, violet-red light flare up in the distance.
The light lasted for two or three seconds, like a bolt of lightning streaking across the sky in a thunderstorm, illuminating the entire landscape.
’That must be lonika, practicing his Secret Technique.’
Ronin folded his map and walked toward the area where lonika was practicing.
On the empty stretch of beach, lonika was practicing the Fire Dance Thunder Strike Slash with intense focus.
He had been studying the Secret Technique for nearly ten days since receiving it from Lurans, but he was still struggling to master it.
Fusing the two different attributes of Fighting Qi still required more practice, but the amount of Fighting Qi in his body and the toll it took on his Spirit limited how many tis he could attempt it.
’One more ti!’
lonika raised his Longsword high. Thunderbolt in one hand, Fla in the other. He channeled the two attributes of Fighting Qi into the blade, barely containing them. As they intertwined, they gave off the feeling of trying to devour one another.
Violet and red light illuminated the beach, and Ronin could feel the imnse Energy surging behind it.
Suddenly...
BOOM!
The two energies contained on the Longsword seed to break free of his control. They shot straight into the sky, erupting in a violent blast of light that illuminated the surroundings as if it were day.
GASP... PANT...
lonika panted heavily. ’That’s as far as I can go tonight.’
"Baron, I felt an unshakable power from that beam of light."
lonika sheathed his Longsword. "It’s an unfinished technique, not worth ntioning. Besides, you can just call by my na."
"Very well, lonika."
Ronin smiled. "I hear from my grandfather that you’re not very interested in noble titles."
lonika turned to look out at the pitch-black sea. "Compared to becoming a nobleman and managing a territory, I much prefer the pursuit of greater Power and the thrill of charging into battle."
"Wushan Territory has no shortage of enemies. It’s certainly a suitable place for you."
A reminiscent look appeared in lonika’s eyes.
"When I was young, war and chaos were everywhere. Bandits and rebels burned, killed, and pillaged. My parents died in the turmoil. It was Lord Lurans who saved , and I subsequently joined the Wushan Clan’s Knight Squad."
He paused, then glanced back at Ronin. "So, more than my preference for pursuing Power and fighting on the battlefield, the main reason I remain in Wushan Territory is to repay the Marquis for saving my life and raising ."
With his level of combat prowess, he had secretly received nurous invitations from other nobles, including so who offered terms several tis more favorable than those at Wushan Castle.
His willingness to remain a re Honorary Knight all these years stemd from his profound gratitude.
Ronin said with admiration, "People say you’re reclusive and cold, but I see you as soone with a wealth of emotion."
That being said, Ronin also sensed an unspoken aning in his words. He couldn’t help but ask, "My grandfather’s health isn’t good. Miroslav said he might only have seven or eight years left. What are your plans for after he passes away?"
lonika’s brow furrowed, his mood souring at the news of Lurans’s limited ti.
"I will hand my fief over to my son, Talan. The Taylor Clan will continue to pledge fealty to Wushan Castle, or to whover Lord Lurans designates. As for ..."
A cold light glinted in lonika’s eyes. "I will leave Wushan Territory, beco an assassin, and make the one who plotted against the Marquis pay with his life!"
The answer took Ronin by surprise.
"You want to assassinate the Villa Duke?"
Ronin revealed, "Blanche told that Andrea may no longer be a teor Knight."
"He broke through?" lonika asked, surprised.
Ronin nodded. "It’s rumored he broke through to beco a Silver Moon Knight two years ago. But since he’s never publicly admitted it or displayed that level of strength, it’s not certain."
lonika, however, found it very likely.
"Andrea’s aptitude was only a sliver less than the Marquis’s. It’s possible for him to beco a Silver Moon Knight in his seventies."
There was a hint of bitterness in his tone.
Compared to teor Knights, Silver Moon Knights were a step above in terms of stamina, endurance, speed, and explosive power. They could even briefly hover in the air.
’If I want to assassinate Andrea, my current strength is completely insufficient.’
"I think we’ll have a chance to cooperate in the future," Ronin said. "The Villa Duchy will one day have to pay for what they did to the Wushan Clan."
lonika understood Ronin’s attempt to recruit him. He said coolly, "I follow Lord Lurans and am loyal to the Wushan Clan. I have no wish to see the Marquis’s descendants turn on each other with hatred, or even kill one another, after he is gone."
"No, no, no, you’ve misunderstood ."
Ronin smiled and shook his head. "Bretton has never been my enemy, and I don’t believe he bears any ill will. Besides, I am fairly confident I can free my grandfather from his affliction."
lonika whipped his head around. "Really?"
"I’m already fifty percent certain!" Ronin declared confidently.
lonika studied Ronin intently, as if trying to gauge the credibility of his words.
After a long mont, he said gravely, "If you can cure the Marquis, I will seriously consider working with you."
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