Chapter 171: Chapter 170: Judgment

Ronin’s statement was so abrupt that all the nobles and Knights present were stunned and confused.

They didn’t understand what this Knight tournament had to do with Baron Reisen of the Sain Territory.

Even Bretton, the host of the tournament, couldn’t help but walk over to Ronin and whisper a reminder. “Brother, Baron Reisen must be about fifty years old. According to the rules of the tournament, he isn’t eligible to compete.”

At this, Reisen, who had been watching the tournament with great interest from the terrace, stepped forward. He assumed Ronin wanted to challenge him in front of all the assembled nobles.

“Ronin, I admit your strength is great, far beyond my expectations. This is a fortunate thing for Wushan Castle.”

Leaning on the railing at the edge of the terrace, Reisen said, “However, today is a joyous occasion. A fight between us would inevitably lead to injury, so please forgive me for not accepting your challenge.”

Though he refused with a smile, inwardly he was filled with contempt for Ronin’s actions.

In Reisen’s eyes, Ronin was clearly using a public stage to settle a private grudge.

True, Mountain Forest Town and the Sain Territory were not on good terms. Reisen had even lost to one of Ronin’s Follower Knights before. But business was business. For Ronin to bring up old scores on an occasion like this was simply too petty.

“No, no, no. You’ve misunderstood my meaning, Reisen.”

Ronin repeated “no” three times. He raised the Flowing Flame Sword in his hand and pointed it directly at the other man. As he channeled his Fighting Qi into it, the blade began to glow with a fiery light. Ronin’s calm expression turned deadly serious, even tinged with killing intent.

“I am not challenging you. I am putting you on trial!”

Trial?

After Ronin uttered this word, the nobles present became even more astonished. Many began to whisper among themselves.

The word “trial” was far too discourteous to use against a fellow noble.

The moment Ronin said it, it signified that his relationship with Reisen had reached an irreconcilable point.

Many of the nobles who were on bad terms with Reisen watched with the glee of spectators enjoying a good show. Viscount Marvin, for example, who loved to stir the pot, chuckled and said:

“Reisen, whatever kind of trial Ronin has in mind for you, since he’s called you out publicly, I suggest you stop standing on the terrace and get down here.”

Other nobles, who didn’t know the full story, began to counsel Ronin based on the principle that harmony is best for business. They urged him to set aside the disputes between Mountain Forest Town and the Sain Territory for now and enjoy the festival.

“Interesting. How very interesting.”

Earl Jesus’s voice rang out at the inopportune moment. “I never would have thought Wushan Castle would arrange such a performance just to keep Her Highness Princess from getting bored. How wonderful, truly wonderful! It’s been a real eye-opener!”

“Earl Jesus, Wushan Castle has already prepared a comfortable bedroom for you. If you’re feeling tired, please feel free to retire early.”

Wiggin, sitting in his wheelchair, had long been annoyed with Jesus.

As the younger brother of His Majesty Bruno, being a mere Count of Moonlight Valley showed that Jesus held very little real status within the Oduin Royal Family.

As the second master of Wushan Castle, Wiggin could afford to be a bit discourteous; the other man couldn’t do anything to him.

However, Wiggin also found Ronin’s behavior baffling and was quite displeased himself.

Jesus gave a cold laugh. “Heh heh. I just wanted to remind you all that to publicly call for the trial of a noble is a serious crime under the laws of the Kingdom, if it turns out to be slander!”

Ignoring the discussions and whispers, Reisen, now the center of everyone’s attention thanks to Ronin, began to feel a little panicked.

’Could Ronin have evidence against me?’

’That’s impossible. He never showed any sign of it before.’

Though his heart was pounding with anxiety, Reisen kept his expression composed. “Ronin, you want to put me on trial? By what authority do you claim to try me?”

He leaped down, landing in the center of the plaza.

Fighting Qi surged around his body, representing his fury. “For slandering a noble, even if you are the Marquis’s grandson, I will challenge you to a duel to the death!”

A duel to the death was an extreme, yet very common, way for nobles to resolve disputes. It was considered a symbol of honor and courage.

“I admire your courage, Baron Reisen.”

Ronin said with a smile, “If I had lost to an Advanced Level Knight, I certainly wouldn’t be challenging anyone else to a duel. At least not for another three to five years.”

Ronin’s words immediately drew a roar of laughter from many in the crowd.

“You!”

Reisen’s face turned crimson with rage. With a furious roar, he was the first to attack.

But Macken, who had been standing by, stepped in front of Ronin and blocked the ferocious punch.

Reisen was horrified to discover that this guard of Ronin’s seemed no weaker than Ridder.

’Since when did Mountain Forest Town, since when did this Ronin, have so many top-tier powerhouses?’

“Reisen, don’t be so hasty.”

Ronin took two steps back and announced in a loud voice, “I am sure you are all very concerned about the assassination attempt on Her Highness Princess yesterday. I will now publicly declare that Baron Reisen Sain of Swamp Town was involved in this matter!”

An uproar instantly swept through the crowd.

On the terrace, every noble was stunned by Ronin’s words.

Even Earl Jesus, who had just been taunting and speaking sarcastically, now wore a grave expression.

Even Viscount Marvin, who loved watching drama unfold, was no longer smiling.

Even the thick-skinned Wiggin grew anxious. “Ronin, what are you saying!”

Accusing a noble of assassinating another noble was a major affair. Accusing a noble of assassinating a princess was a major affair of the highest order.

’What is Ronin doing?’

Ossen’s expression was grim and cold. He couldn’t help but glance at Lurans, who was seated in front of him. The man remained perfectly composed even now.

’Did Lurans know about this beforehand?’

’He must have known!’

’In that case,’ Ossen thought, ’is he planning to use Ronin to get rid of Reisen? But there’s no way Reisen could be connected to the assassination attempt on Her Highness Princess, is there?’

Reisen was just a Baron, and Swamp Town was hardly a rich territory. He didn’t have the resources to hire a Golden Level assassin, nor would he dare to assassinate a princess.

Faced with this accusation, the heart that had been caught in Reisen’s throat actually settled back down.

“Absurd!”

He seemed to laugh out of sheer anger. “If you were to frame me for assassinating some other noble, that might be somewhat believable. But to say I tried to assassinate Her Highness Princess? Do I even have the ability to do that?”

“As everyone knows, my father was the target of an assassination attempt by the ’Skull Society’ a few months ago.”

Ronin glanced around, his eyes finally landing on Wiggin.

“During that assassination, although my father’s life was spared, he lost a leg. For the rest of his life, he will be confined to a wheelchair, with no hope of ever charging into battle again.”

’A trial is a trial,’ Wiggin thought with displeasure. ’Why drag me into it as an example and rub salt in my wounds?’

Just then, Ronin declared loudly, “And on the seventh of this month, I, Ronin, was also the target of an assassination attempt, right inside my own castle in my territory of Mountain Forest Town!”

His words were like a giant boulder crashing into a calm lake, sending massive waves rippling outwards.

The color drained from Reisen’s face.

He had always thought the Skull Society hadn’t made a move on Ronin yet. He had even assumed for a time that the assassination attempt on Princess Blanche was actually meant for Ronin.

He never imagined that the Skull Society had already struck, and that they had done so in Mountain Forest Town of all places.

’Does that mean… the assassination failed?’

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