Chapter 145: Chapter 144: Viscount Marvin’s Plan

Rogner couldn’t quite understand why his father would suddenly suggest he follow Ronin.

“Father, do you think that highly of Ronin? But there’s nothing particularly special about him. It was his attendant who defeated Reisen.”

He stated his own opinion, “I’ll admit, it’s impressive that Ronin can make such a powerful attendant follow him. But we don’t know the history between master and servant. Maybe Ronin just gave that Ridder a bit of money when he had nowhere else to turn?”

It was common for a powerful Knight to follow an ordinary noble to repay a debt of gratitude.

For Rogner, the development of Mountain Forest Town was indeed a bit surprising. He hadn’t expected Ronin to accomplish so much.

But he had little desire to follow the man.

Marvin’s fingers tapped on the tabletop as he fell into deep thought.

He had two sons: his eldest, Mas, and his second, Rogner.

According to tradition, Mas would inherit the Ironhoof Clan’s noble title.

Rogner could either stay home and help his brother manage their holdings, or he could join a Knight Order or become an attendant to a major noble.

In the past two years, Marvin had already scouted several nobles, though he hadn’t formally mentioned it.

Now, Ronin had also entered his sights.

It wasn’t that he thought highly of Ronin’s personal strength or charisma. In fact, he valued Ronin’s identity more—the legitimate eldest grandson of the Wushan Territory.

Ever since Lurans handed over the affairs of Wushan Territory to Wiggin, the Ironhoof Clan had been targeted by the Hyde Clan. Their merchant caravans in that region had been repeatedly and senselessly attacked and harassed.

At first, Marvin wanted to use Wiggin as an intermediary to show goodwill, hoping to maintain his business operations there. But after being repeatedly rebuffed, he knew the other side had no intention of improving relations with him.

Now that Bretton had obtained the right of succession, the day would come when Lurans died and Wiggin inherited the title of Marquis. Frankly, Marvin couldn’t count on that man.

Therefore, the Ironhoof Clan’s situation would become even more difficult when that time came.

The other side could even manufacture some friction, push the Ironhoof Clan into the eye of the storm, and then encircle and suppress them.

Marvin needed to prepare in advance.

He truly hoped Ronin would become stronger. That way, if Wushan Territory were to fall into chaos, Ronin, as a direct blood relative of the Wushan Clan, could stand up and contend with the other side.

At that time, his Pasture City could rally support for Ronin under the pretext that ’the vile Hyde Clan betrayed their Lord and forced the rightful heir to abdicate through conspiracy’.

This would give him a reason to unite with other nobles against the Hyde Clan, thereby carving out a space for the Ironhoof Clan to survive.

So, when Marvin heard that Reisen had suffered a loss at Ronin’s hands near the Wilderness Tribe, he was very pleased.

However, the current situation was just as Rogner had said: other than having a strong subordinate and a personality different from the rumors, there was nothing else special about Ronin.

“You have a point. I’ll give it more thought.”

After a long moment, Marvin said, “But you must understand, the Ironhoof Clan will fall on your brother’s shoulders. If you’re unwilling to follow one of those nobles, the most I can do is have your brother give you a small piece of land. There won’t be much wealth left for you.”

“That’s enough, Father.”

Rogner said, “I enjoy traveling and seeing the world, and so does Krami. When the time comes, I will help my brother manage the family’s businesses.”

Marvin nodded.

Rogner was the stronger one; at only twenty-one, he was already an Advanced Level Knight. He would be well-suited to oversee the expansion and maintenance of the family’s trade routes in the future.

“Alright, come with me to see Ronin.”

Marvin stood up. “It’s impolite to keep a guest waiting for too long.”

Soon, Marvin Viscount strode into the reception hall like a meteor, spotting Ronin at a glance. He laughed heartily, opened his arms, and pulled him into a warm embrace.

“Haha, long time no see, Ronin! You’ve grown taller since I last saw you!”

Strong and powerful—that was Ronin’s immediate impression from the hug. It was hard to believe that this slightly short, flat-topped, black-haired man was a Silver Level Knight.

“It’s been a long time, Sir Viscount. You are as warm and powerful as ever!” Ronin replied politely.

“Quickly, sit, sit.”

Marvin gestured warmly. “Calling me ’Sir Viscount’ is too formal. I was your grandfather’s disciple, and I got along well with your father. You can just call me Uncle.”

He said, “The Marquis’s birthday is coming up soon. You’ll be going this time, won’t you?”

The last time, when Wiggin broke his leg, Marvin had invited Ronin to travel with him, but Ronin had unexpectedly delayed for a month before going to Wushan Castle alone.

Delaying another month for the birthday this time would be simply outrageous.

“Yes, Uncle.”

Ronin didn’t stand on ceremony. “I was passing through Pasture City on my way out of the mountains, so I thought I’d come to buy a few things and also pay you a visit.”

“Haha, just come directly next time. No need to send any calling cards. Ironhoof Castle always welcomes you.”

Marvin said, “As it happens, my own party is about to set off as well. We can travel together to Wushan Castle this time.”

“It would be my honor!”

Ronin didn’t refuse this time. He had no urgent business in Wushan Castle so early anyway, and there was no harm in traveling with the Ironhoof Clan’s caravan.

The conversation between the two was very congenial.

Next, Marvin asked about Ridder defeating Reisen.

Ronin wasn’t surprised that the other man knew about the incident at Grey Soil Village.

After all, Reisen had brought an entire Knight Squad with him—over a hundred men. After being defeated and returning to Sain Territory, it would have been difficult to prevent any word from leaking out.

He didn’t hide anything and recounted the details of the battle.

“Uncle Marvin, Baron Reisen’s Knight Squad left a deep impression on me. So, I also want to form a Knight Squad, but I don’t have enough warhorses and riding horses in my territory.”

Ronin stated one of the purposes of his visit. “So I was hoping to purchase some horses from you.”

Buying horses was a very common affair. Many nobles and Knights came to Pasture City to purchase them, and Marvin was long used to it.

What surprised him, however, was that Ronin actually wanted to form a Knight Squad.

“A proper Baron does indeed need to equip a Knight Squad, but the core of a Knight Squad is its Professional Knights. Does Mountain Forest Town have that many Professional Knights?”

Rogner also looked surprised. ’Ronin has twelve Knight followers?’

Ronin smiled and nodded.

“To be honest, I already have twelve Professional Knights. As for the cavalry, infantry, and archers, they were selected from among my subjects and are still in training.”

In reality, he already had sixteen Transcendents under his command.

“Where did you get so many Knights?” Rogner couldn’t help but ask.

Ronin didn’t hide it. “Four of them were Guards I brought from Wushan Castle, who were fortunate enough to awaken their Fighting Qi Spirit Seeds in the last two months. The rest were recruited from the Wilderness Tribe.”

“They are all newly awakened Knights. Their strength is a bit higher than an ordinary person’s, but they are much weaker compared to the standard Knight Squads of other nobles.”

Rogner came to a realization.

Generally speaking, a Basic Level Knight could defeat three elite soldiers at once, while a well-trained Knight from a Knight Squad could handle two or three ordinary Basic Level Knights simultaneously.

Forming a Knight Squad with Knights who have just awakened their Fighting Qi Spirit Seeds might look intimidating, but their actual combat effectiveness would be a big question mark.

Marvin Viscount, however, smiled, expressing his confidence in the future combat strength of Ronin’s squad.

“With Ridder and this Macken Knight behind you leading the way, once your Knight Squad is formed, it won’t be weak.”

He then looked at Rogner and instructed, “Tomorrow, you will take Ronin to the horse farm to select warhorses. Given the relationship between Ironhoof and Wushan, give him a generous discount. Consider it a year-end gift from me as an elder.”

“Uncle Marvin, you are too generous!” Ronin quickly stood up and bowed in thanks.

’The Ironhoof Clan really is being polite to me.’

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