Chapter 144: Chapter 143: The Ironhoof Clan’s Motto

This was Tom’s second time in Pasture City.

He didn’t know the exact location of the Ironhoof Clan’s castle, but that wasn’t a problem.

The residents and merchants on the street were more than happy to provide information when they saw Tom, dressed as a Knight and riding a tall, impressive horse.

The Ironhoof Clan’s castle was situated on a hillside in the northwest part of the city.

The castle was tall and imposing, sprawling across the entire mountaintop like a colossal beast.

As Tom drew closer, he saw that the outer walls were covered in deep marks. The bluestone walls revealed the scars of time, exuding a profound sense of history.

“Halt!”

On the main road leading to the castle, Guards who spotted the stranger approaching immediately stepped forward to stop him.

Tom dismounted and politely presented a letter requesting a visit.

“Sir, I am under the command of Baron Ronin of Mountain Forest Town. My lord Baron wishes to pay a visit to the Viscount. This is his letter.”

’The Baron of Mountain Forest Town?’

The guard had no idea who this Baron was, but as a member of the Viscount’s household guard, he possessed basic courtesy. “Sir Knight, please wait a moment. I will go and report this immediately.”

Deep inside the castle, Viscount Marvin was inspecting a list of goods. It detailed many expensive items, such as jade, Crystal Carvings, and gemstones.

These were the birthday gifts he was preparing for Lurans.

In truth, many nobles in Wushan Territory would be bringing all sorts of gifts to Wushan Castle today. It was partly to pay their respects for Lurans’s birthday, and partly a form of tribute or tax.

“My Lord.”

The butler called softly from outside the door.

Marvin looked up. “Alphonse, what is it?”

Alphonse entered and handed him a sheepskin parchment. “My Lord, a masked knight has arrived at the castle. He claims to be a retainer of Baron Ronin of Mountain Forest Town and has delivered his master’s letter requesting a visit.”

“Oh?”

Marvin paused for a moment, then took the parchment and opened it. The contents were simple, merely stating a desire to visit. The signature read: Roning Wushan.

Marvin mulled it over for a moment, then asked, “Where is Rogner?”

“Young Master Rogner is likely at the stables, selecting the horses for the escort team,” Alphonse replied.

“Have Rogner go with the knight who delivered the letter to escort Ronin here. Also, prepare a banquet… hmm, prepare it to the standard of receiving a Viscount.”

Alphonse was somewhat surprised. This level of reception was rarely extended.

“As you wish, My Lord!” he replied, bowing respectfully before leaving.

…

Meanwhile, Ronin had just concluded his business at the Poisonous Snake Exchange.

For the thousand slaves in this transaction, Anthony proposed the same price as last time: 160 Gold Coins per hundred, totaling 1,600 Gold Coins.

Citing the prospect of a long-term partnership, Ronin began friendly negotiations.

Unfortunately, since he had already haggled the price down last time, he couldn’t lower it by much more, even after a long discussion. After all, the other party had to bear the cost of escorting the people to Mountain Forest Town.

In the end, both parties settled on a price of 1,499 Gold Coins.

This deal made Ronin realize just how generous Lurans had been by giving him 3,000 Gold Coins in one lump sum.

After leaving the Poisonous Snake Exchange, Ronin made another stop at the Silva Magic Energy Chamber of Commerce to sell the Magic Scrolls that Elron had created.

Last time, he had purchased enough materials from Hook to create 55 Healing Spell Scrolls.

Over the past two months, Elron had successfully created a total of 50 scrolls.

Ronin kept half of them in reserve at Mountain Forest Town and Grey Soil Village, and sold the other half for 425 Gold Coins.

At the same time, he purchased the same quantity of materials as before, spending 495 Gold Coins.

In effect, his visit to the Silva Magic Energy Chamber of Commerce only cost him a net total of 70 Gold Coins.

If he had sold all the completed Healing Skill Scrolls, he could have turned a profit.

However, keeping so many in reserve was also in preparation for upcoming battles. If there were too many casualties, Elron’s Magic Power wouldn’t be enough for him to cast the Healing Skill multiple times.

Ronin also considered buying materials for Third-level Spell Scrolls.

But he abandoned the idea after considering that his territory’s Mage advancing in power so quickly might attract unwanted speculation from outsiders.

Besides, if he were to buy them, he wouldn’t do it here; after all, most larger cities had similar merchant guilds.

After an enthusiastic send-off from Hook, Ronin left the Silva Magic Energy Chamber of Commerce and went to the tavern where he had eaten before to wait for Tom.

He waited for an hour, and when Tom finally arrived, Ronin was surprised to see he wasn’t alone.

“Ronin, long time no see!”

“Long time no see, Rogner.”

Ronin smiled and shook his hand. “What brings you here with Tom?”

“My father sent me to welcome you.”

Rogner extended a warm invitation, “Come, come! They’re already preparing a banquet at Ironhoof Castle. Let’s have a few good drinks tonight!”

“Alright!”

Ronin laughed as well.

Lurans himself had introduced Marvin Ironhoof to Ronin, saying that Marvin could help him sell the armor and weapons produced by the Ironwood Workshop.

So, besides purchasing the horses needed to form a Knight Squad, Ronin had also come hoping to discuss a potential partnership.

After all, in the future, it wouldn’t just be products from the Ironwood Workshop; he would also need to find a market for silk and porcelain.

Ronin’s territory had no trade caravans, whereas the Ironhoof Clan’s horse-selling business spanned across Wushan Territory and many cities within the Kingdom, giving them an established trade network.

He could easily leverage the Ironhoof Clan’s channels for his own sales.

He just hadn’t expected Viscount Marvin to be even more enthusiastic than he’d imagined, to the point of sending Rogner to greet him personally.

Rogner was the one who delivered the Cloud Stepper to Mountain Forest Town last time, and now Rogner was here to welcome him again. ’Viscount Marvin keeps sending Rogner… Could it be because our names sound a little similar?’

Under Rogner’s guidance, Ronin took a tour of Pasture City.

Compared to the impoverished Mountain Forest Town, this place had far more entertainment to offer: gambling dens, brothels, circuses, dance halls, racetracks, Beast Fighting Arenas, Gladiatorial Arenas—you name it, they had it.

In response to Rogner’s enthusiastic invitations to these places, Ronin only gave verbal agreements.

’To be honest, none of this held much appeal for him. Though, if he ever got truly bored, the last few places on that list might be worth a look.’

Before long, the party entered Ironhoof Castle.

Compared to Wushan Castle, this one felt older to Ronin. He was certain the Ironhoof Clan had sufficient funds to renovate it; the fact they hadn’t was likely a testament to their family’s history.

Once inside the Inner Castle, however, the surroundings became far more luxurious.

“Ronin, if you would wait here a moment, I’ll go and inform my father.”

After leading Ronin to the reception hall, Rogner went to the rear courtyard to find Viscount Marvin.

Ronin glanced around. In contrast to the ancient exterior, this parlor was not at all worn. In fact, much like at Wushan Castle, there were numerous Magic Crystal lamps.

In the rear courtyard, inside Viscount Marvin’s study.

“Father, I’ve settled Ronin in the reception hall.”

Marvin put down a stack of documents. “What’s your impression of him this time?”

“It’s similar to last time. He isn’t like the rumors say. I made a point of taking him past a brothel and highlighting a few of the beauties, but he didn’t seem very interested.”

Rogner replied, “But there are some differences. Compared to last time, I feel like Ronin is… sturdier?”

“Haha, he’s a growing lad, after all.”

Marvin chuckled. “Intelligence from Sain Territory says that Reisen was defeated by another of Ronin’s knights, a man named Ridder, in the lands of the Wilderness Tribe. Is that knight here today?”

“No, he still has that guard named Macken with him. I’ve met the masked knight as well; his name is Tom.”

“What a shame. I was hoping to witness Ridder’s strength for myself and see just how powerful this Advanced Level Knight who defeated a Bronze Knight truly is.”

Marvin looked disappointed, then turned his gaze to his second son. “Rogner, what is our family motto?”

Rogner was taken aback, unsure why his father was suddenly asking this, but he answered seriously, “Choice is sometimes more important than strength.”

Marvin nodded. “Our clan has weathered many storms. We once even faced the threat of annihilation, yet we still stand today. Many times, it was by relying on that motto that we were able to make the right choices.”

He looked at his son. “What would you say to following Ronin?”

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