Chapter 214: Chapter 213: Mobilization

Although Elron’s abilities could effectively counter the strange energy, Ronin decided to play it safe. He waited for Ridder’s injuries to heal while also anticipating the arrival of the twenty-first of the month.

Defensive forces had been deployed to the areas north of Black Earth Town and Grey Soil Village. However, the people in the valley showed no signs of advancing, and the territory remained peaceful.

While he waited, Ronin inspected the housing construction and land reclamation in Black Earth Town, and also dedicated more of his time to practicing Swordsmanship and sparring.

He was now a Bronze Level Peak Knight. Although Macken had reached the Silver Level, his strength was increasing very slowly, with his cultivation progress at a mere 18/1500.

That said, although Macken didn’t have much of an advantage over Ronin in power or physique, his defensive Swordsmanship was nearly impenetrable in close combat.

Even with Ridder’s guidance, Ronin could only manage to hold his own for twenty to thirty rounds. If he rushed to find an opening, he would be the one to lose his composure first.

This result, however, was without the use of Combat Skills. Once Macken used one, Ronin would be put on the defensive.

Macken was an Earth Attribute Knight, and the two Combat Skills he had mastered—Earth Shaking Skill and Rock Snake—had a significant impact on Ronin.

Rock Snake was particularly troublesome. This giant python, formed by manipulating the earth, possessed immense impact force and was incredibly fast. A glancing blow would scrape you and send you flying; a direct hit from its head could shatter your bones to pieces.

Ronin could only manage to dodge by casting Swift Magic on himself, but his Flame Burst Skill wasn’t powerful enough to destroy the Rock Snake in one hit.

If sparring with Macken was a struggle, then facing a fully recovered Ridder left Ronin feeling utterly outmatched.

First, Ridder was stronger than Macken, and his combat style and techniques were several cuts above. Once Ronin was caught in Ridder’s aggressive tempo, he would be quickly defeated.

Although Ronin had never won a spar against either Macken or Ridder, his performance was nonetheless commendable.

After all, considering his age and the fact that he had only been training seriously for a little over half a year, his current level of skill was quite impressive.

Time passed slowly, and before he knew it, April twenty-first arrived.

As familiar text appeared, Ronin’s Attribute Points and Energy Essence instantly increased to 184 and 753, respectively.

Ronin spent all these Attribute Points without a second thought.

In an instant, silver markings lit up on his body—the sign of his advancement. He had successfully become a Silver Knight, a Fifth-level Transcendent!

[Level]: 5 – Silver Knight (12/1500); 5 – Chief Mage (0/2000)

A Silver Knight was already considered a mid-to-high-tier combatant.

Someone with this level of strength, even if they were of common birth, could secure a place for themselves simply by pledging their loyalty. It was highly possible for them to attain the rank of Sir after several years, or perhaps a decade or so.

As for a Fifth-level Chief Mage, they were even rarer. No matter where such an individual went, they would receive preferential treatment from the nobility, even if they weren’t a noble themselves.

After all, compared to Knights, Mages possessed many special abilities, like crafting Magic Scrolls and brewing Magic Potions.

These abilities represented profit, wealth, and even the power of deterrence.

After becoming a Silver Knight, Ronin had new Combat Skills and Magic to learn. The most powerful among them were the Fire Attribute Combat Skill, Blast Flame Slash, and the Crimson Flame Fire Snake Magic.

Blast Flame Slash was Ridder’s signature Skill; difficult to master, but incredibly powerful.

Crimson Flame Fire Snake was a Fifth-level Fire Attribute Magic. Although significantly weaker than the Sixth-level Fire Dragon Devouring Heaven, its power was not to be underestimated.

Unfortunately, there wasn’t much time.

According to the plan, Ronin was to lead a team to the Mysterious Valley at first light.

With limited time, he could only learn on the go, focusing first on mastering the less difficult Combat Skills and Magic that Lurans had given him.

Skills like Instant Flame, Tornado Cross Slash, and Wind Roar.

「Early the next morning, in front of the simple fortress of Black Earth Town.」

Aside from the Professional Knights and Mages participating in the expedition, Wilson and his assistant, Chahar, Gallon, and the others stood off to one side. Behind them were rows of Guards and townspeople who couldn’t help but stop and sneak a peek.

Standing on the steps, Ronin looked down at his subordinates clad in armor and leather armor, and his heart swelled with emotion.

’Before I knew it, my followers have already become a formidable force!’

The first echelon was, of course, his three summoned followers: Ridder, Macken, and Elron.

The second echelon consisted of five mid-to-Advanced Level Transcendents: Joffrey, Krami, Horn, Jenny, and Babulin. If Rogner hadn’t been away, there would have been six.

The third echelon was made up of four promising prospects with great potential: David, Tom, Tomasz, and Grado.

“To the north of our lands, there lives a group of strange and dangerous monsters! They could march south at any moment, a constant threat to the safety of everyone in Wubei Territory!”

Ronin declared in a loud voice, rallying his troops before the battle.

“To restore peace to this land we call home, to allow us to live our lives in safety, and to ensure that our families, friends, and future generations will no longer be threatened by these monsters! As the Lord of Wubei Territory, I am destined to fight them!”

His gaze swept over the crowd below. “You are the greatest fighting force in Wubei Territory! In this operation, though our enemy is mysterious and dangerous, even if they are like a torrential flood or savage beasts, we must bravely raise our longswords and crush them!”

“For our home!”

At the perfect moment, Elron raised a clenched fist and shouted, “For Wubei Territory!”

Following his cry, the others couldn’t help but join in.

“For Wubei Territory!”

“For Wubei Territory!”

The shouts instantly merged into a single roar, igniting the atmosphere before their departure.

The less experienced men, like David and Tom, were immediately swept up in the excitement, their faces flushing red as they yelled at the top of their lungs.

Ronin’s words were not just for Ridder and his warriors, but also for the Guards, officials, stewards, servants, and townspeople remaining behind.

He needed them to know that their Lord wasn’t fighting for his own sake, but for them—for their home.

This would help strengthen the territory’s unity and loyalty.

’Even though our numbers are small and our quality varies, it’s best to lay the foundation for these things as early as possible.’

After the excitement died down, Ronin began the roll call. He led a round of applause for each name he called, building the atmosphere to make them feel honored to follow their Lord into battle.

After the expedition members were chosen, Ronin offered a few words of encouragement.

He then instructed Wilson and the others to keep a close eye on all of the territory’s affairs in his absence.

The expedition, just for the round-trip travel at a forced march, would likely take ten days. Factoring in pre-battle rest, scouting, and handling the situation, the total time spent would be considerable.

The reclamation of farmland, the maintenance of order, and the settlement of the people Rogner had brought back—all these matters had to be handled by the remaining Professional Knights, Wilson, Chahar, and the others.

As the sun crested the mountains and bathed the fortress in light, Ronin looked up, feeling a surge of vitality.

“Move out!”

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