Chapter 235: Chapter 234: Attitude Change

Ronin and Galier chatted as they walked, not parting ways until they were inside the city.

After completing his patrol for the day, Galier still had to lead his team to the training grounds to hand off his duties. Otherwise, he would have gladly invited Ronin to his home.

Caravan traffic in and out of Wushan City was quite frequent, so there were many inns near the city entrance, offering safe and comfortable accommodations for travelers and merchants.

The innkeepers were a varied bunch. Some were wealthier Free People from the city, some had noble backgrounds, and there were also “chain” inns established in various cities by large merchant guilds.

Ronin found an inn that looked rather nice and checked in.

He received an enthusiastic welcome from the innkeeper, who not only waived the entire lodging fee but also prepared fine wine and delicacies. He even inquired if Ronin desired services such as singing or dancing girls.

For a personage as great as the grandson of Lord Lurans and the Viscount of Wubei Territory to stay at his inn was a matter of considerable honor.

The owner could easily use this event as a selling point in his advertisements to boost the inn’s reputation and attract more guests.

Ronin, however, didn’t take advantage of the owner’s generosity. He paid what he owed and politely but firmly refused the extra services. He was just looking for a convenient place to sleep and didn’t want to cause any trouble.

The night passed uneventfully.

Early the next morning, he had a quick bite of breakfast and then took a carriage from the inn back to Wushan Castle.

Compared to his last visit, Wushan Castle wasn’t nearly as lively.

Ronin’s birthday wasn’t a particularly important event for the other nobles; they certainly wouldn’t travel from far and wide to congratulate him as they had for Lurans.

Following procedure for receiving guests, the Guards led Ronin to a reception room while sending someone to notify the person currently managing the castle—Dianey.

Ronin could have gone directly to the private quarters to see Lurans, and likely no one would have stopped him. But since he had moved out of Wushan Castle, he decided it was best to act as a proper guest and follow the host’s lead.

Before long, the sound of light, quick footsteps approached. Dianey strode in, bringing a fragrant scent with her.

At forty, she was still stunningly beautiful. Even in a simple, solid-colored long dress, she lost none of her noble air.

Ronin stood to greet her, but to his surprise, she was far more enthusiastic than usual.

Dianey walked up, spread her arms wide, and gave Ronin a great big hug.

“Welcome home, Ronin. I’m so happy you could come to Wushan Castle to spend your eighteenth birthday!”

Ronin was taken aback.

In his memory, Dianey had treated his predecessor decently enough. She wasn’t the typical, wicked stepmother who made things difficult for him and targeted him at every turn.

On the contrary, she gave him his due allowance and provided for all his needs.

Aside from their infrequent communication, there was nothing amiss.

However, Ronin believed she was surely aware of many of the Hyde Clan’s schemes.

Now that Ronin had been stripped of his inheritance rights, Dianey would absolutely want her son, Bretton, to remain the heir.

’So she should be hostile toward my rise. Why is she being so warm today?’

’This must be the first time Dianey has hugged me in all the years since she married into Wushan Castle, right?’

Dianey released Ronin and took a step back to get a better look at him, her expression remaining pleasant and kind.

“You seem to have gotten a little taller since last time.”

Ronin chuckled. “Well, I’m not twenty yet. Still have a chance to grow.”

When he first arrived in this world, Ronin had been just over 1.7 meters tall. Now, he was likely over 1.8 meters—he had certainly grown a lot.

Faced with such an enthusiastic Dianey, Ronin felt that something was amiss. He decided it was best to change the subject quickly.

“Where are Father and Bretton? I’ll go look for them.”

“They aren’t in the castle right now.”

Dianey said, “Bretton is studying at the Wushan Extraordinary Academy. I’ve already sent word to him. He should be able to make it back this afternoon or tomorrow morning to attend your birthday ball tomorrow night.”

“That’s a little extravagant, isn’t it?”

Ronin rubbed his nose. “Bretton’s studies are more important. It’s a waste of his time to have him make a special trip back for this.”

“He can do his Cultivation in the castle, too. Besides, it’s a chance for him to spar with you and get some advice.”

Dianey said with a smile, “Ever since you gave him pointers on his practice last time, he’s been endlessly praising your superb Swordsmanship! I think that aside from the Marquis, you’re the person he admires most.”

Dianey took after her father, Ossen, in some ways; she would never normally admit that her son was inferior to Ronin, yet now she was changing her tune.

’Strange. Really, really strange.’

“And Father?” Ronin asked, changing the subject.

She sighed, her expression turning sorrowful as she sat in a nearby chair.

“You might not have heard, but the Polante Thief Gang has resurfaced and is threatening Chishan Town again. The peace at the border is about to be shattered. Leader Coren sent a request for aid to Wushan Castle, and your father is busy gathering provisions, weapons, and armor for them.”

Ronin’s expression turned strange. ’Wiggin is this concerned about the matter, even with his crippled leg?’

“I heard a shipment of provisions was already sent. Why are they still gathering more?”

’Besides, Chishan Town has its own iron mine. How could they be short on weapons and armor?’

A flicker of emotion crossed Dianey’s eyes. ’So, it’s true,’ she thought. ’Even though Ronin is far away in Wubei Territory, he’s still informed about the affairs of Wushan Castle.’

’It seems that either someone in Wushan Castle has already sided with Wubei Territory, or Lurans has been feeding him information.’

’If it’s the former, it means Ronin still wants to inherit Wushan Territory.`

’If it’s the latter, it means Ronin is becoming more and more important in Lurans’s eyes.’

’Either way, Ronin and his Wubei Territory are on the rise.’

In truth, this was all just Dianey overthinking things.

Ronin had only heard a few tidbits from Galier by chance; Galier certainly hadn’t sided with him.

And as for him and Lurans, they had only exchanged a single letter.

“Perhaps your father is trying to be better prepared for the major battle that might be coming,” Dianey offered. “After all, your father is particularly concerned about Chishan Town.”

Ronin pondered this for a moment.

’Years ago, it was Wiggin who led the troops to the front line, holding the enemy at bay in Casier Town and thus saving Chishan Town.’

’So, the Count of Wushan City treasures his only military victory and is fiercely protective of it. Is that why, after receiving their plea for help, he’s insisting on gathering supplies for them, crippled leg and all?’

Ronin shook his head inwardly. ’Perhaps it’s a case of “an army marches on its stomach.”’

He glanced at Dianey, and on a sudden impulse, asked, “By the way, how has Count Ossen been lately?”

At the mention of her father, Dianey’s gaze faltered. The smile slowly vanished from her face, replaced by a sorrowful expression.

“After he returned from Wushan Castle, he was bedridden for over a month, barely able to move. It was only recently that he became able to walk with a cane, but he can no longer easily use the Fighting Qi within his body.”

She sighed and shook her head in frustration. “I tried to talk him out of challenging your grandfather, but he just wouldn’t listen.”

’Is that so?’

Ronin was surprised. Not only was she revealing Ossen’s condition, but she was also claiming she had tried to stop him from challenging Lurans.

’Is she trying to tell me she had nothing to do with Ossen challenging Grandfather that day?’

Connecting this to her enthusiastic behavior today, Ronin couldn’t help but frown. ’What is this woman up to?’

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