Chapter 290: Chapter 289: Investiture

During a casual chat, Ronin asked Lurans if there were any more advanced Magic Books in the castle, but the answer was no.

Left with no choice, he could only try his luck at the Magic Energy Chamber of Commerce. He reluctantly spent Six Hundred Gold Coins to purchase the Magic Book for *Wall of Sighs*.

This was a Guardian Magic that, when cast, could summon a massive, translucent Wind Wall to block area-of-effect attacks.

For the next two days, he studied the Magic while taking Erin around, letting the child who had lived in the deep mountains for over a decade see the outside world.

While out with Erin on Wushan Lake, Ronin successfully mastered the Magic.

Gazing at the massive, translucent Wind Wall before him—ten meters long and five meters high—he could sense its strength. It could probably even block Ridder’s Blast Flame Slash.

’It’s a shame that Sixth-level Magic is difficult to expand in scope like Fifth-level Magic. Otherwise, this wall could render all of the enemy’s ordinary arrows useless.’

Besides its high consumption, the Magic Patterns of Sixth-level Magic were also incredibly complex. Even Mages of the Mage Level did not yet have the ability to enhance its range or effects.

…

September 7th was the day Wushan Castle had set for the victory banquet.

At the banquet that evening, all the nobles of Wushan Territory, great and small, gathered to celebrate the great victory in the war.

“Hey, Ronin! I heard about your deeds in Giant Stone Territory. I’m thoroughly impressed!”

Yusuf Rive came over, wine glass in hand, expressing his admiration but also a hint of regret. “It’s just a shame my mission was to escort supplies in the southeast. I missed the chance to witness your prowess!”

While his words were partly polite pleasantries, they were mostly true.

He had originally wanted to join the battle in the southwest, but his father, Viscount Sandro, was worried that Ronin’s inexperience in command would put the Warriors at risk. So, he had taken Yusuf to the southeast to serve as a Grain Transport Officer and earn some merits.

But as it turned out, Ronin’s performance exceeded everyone’s expectations.

“Yusuf, I’ve heard of your accomplishments as well,” Ronin said with a standard noble’s smile, clinking glasses with him.

“I heard you used the Wind of Inquiry Magic to help your convoy evade several ambushes. I didn’t realize you were already a Senior Mage!”

“Compared to you, what I did was nothing.”

Yusuf was modest with his words, but his eyes still held a hint of pride.

For someone like him to reach the mid-tier of a Senior Mage at twenty-eight was already a commendable achievement.

After the two exchanged some flattery, Ronin changed the subject. “Yusuf, when I was buying materials at the Magic Energy Chamber of Commerce, I learned that Sixth-level Magic Books are rarely sold. If you become a Mage in the future, where would you go to get one?”

Yusuf scratched his head. Though a bit proud, he knew becoming a Mage of that caliber wasn’t easy.

“Mages are rare, so there’s almost no market for Sixth-level Magic Books at the Magic Energy Chamber of Commerce. Naturally, they don’t stock them. Sixth-level is still manageable, though; there are a few circulating on the market. But as for a Seventh-level Magic Book, those are either in the hands of major nobles like the Kingdom or a Duke, or held by a Magic Family. For example, the esteemed Silva Mage certainly has quite a few Magic Books in his possession.”

Silva was one of the top experts on the continent, an object of reverence for all Mages. Yusuf’s eyes filled with adoration as he spoke of him.

Ronin nodded slightly. ’It seems I was quite lucky to have been able to buy *Wall of Sighs*,’ he thought.

“If you want to obtain a Sixth-level or even higher-level Magic Book, you either have to work for them or use your connections to buy one from the owner. Of course, if you have the money, you can also buy a Magic Scroll and try to reverse-engineer the Magic Patterns from the diagrams on the Scroll.”

Yusuf spoke with ease. “But that’s very difficult. It requires a Mage to have sufficient experience and a daring heart.”

Ronin’s eyes lit up. He had overlooked the method of reverse-engineering Magic Patterns from a Magic Scroll.

He had just begun to consider trying it when the thought of how expensive a Sixth-level Spell Scroll would be immediately made him give up the idea.

“What are you two chatting about over here?”

Yusuf’s father, the Viscount of Lingchuan City and Leader of Wushan Castle’s Fourth Knight Order, walked over and drank with Ronin with a smile.

“Ronin, congratulations on soon becoming the third Count in Wushan Territory!”

Hm?

Ronin was a little surprised. Lurans hadn’t explicitly mentioned this. How did he know?

Sandro seemed to notice Ronin’s confusion, and with a laugh, he explained, “Don’t look at me. I heard it from that big-mouth, Marvin.”

“I see.”

Ronin couldn’t help but smile. ’It seems Lurans told Marvin in advance. He probably used him to leak the news and gauge everyone’s reaction.’

Evidently, no one objected, not even the Hyde Clan.

Beside them, Yusuf couldn’t help but sigh in amazement. ’A Count at eighteen… It’s hard to imagine.’

Although Ronin’s status as a member of the Wushan Clan certainly gave him an advantage, there was no denying that he had indeed saved Wushan Castle and the many families of Wushan Territory from disaster this time.

“Ladies and gentlemen…”

In the bustling banquet hall, the host’s resonant voice rang out. Everyone looked over and saw Marquis Lurans entering the hall, leaning on a cane.

Everyone erupted into thunderous cheers and applause, welcoming the arrival of the Marquis.

They knew the highlight of the banquet was about to begin.

Lurans stood on the high platform with a smile. He had dressed up for the occasion and looked much more dignified and spirited.

He raised his hand, and the crowd fell silent.

“I apologize for interrupting your pleasant banquet, but I believe we have more important matters to attend to.”

“The Polante Thief Gang has been completely annihilated, and the Black Gold Brotherhood has been driven back to Black Pine Mountain. Wushan Territory has achieved a great victory!”

His words were concise and clear, without long-winded buildups or sentimentality.

“In these two campaigns, every brave Knight has earned outstanding merit! While I applaud them here, I will also grant promotions to the most valiant nobles and Knights!”

At this, the guests below all shouted in excitement.

For commoners, this was the step that took them from civilian to Knight, and from Knight to noble.

Lurans scanned the crowd and called out, “Toru! Philip! Solstein! Melonika!”

The four Knights strode forward and knelt on one knee.

Ronin knew the first three, but it was his first time seeing Melonika.

The burly man’s face was relatively calm, unlike the excited expressions of the other three.

Lurans drew the Longsword from Galier’s hand beside him and placed it on Toru’s shoulder. “Baron of Wolf Fang Territory.”

Wolf Fang Territory was a small town west of Wushan Castle, named for its terrain, which resembled a wolf’s fang.

Toru had previously been the town’s administrator; now, he was its owner.

Next, Lurans raised the Longsword and placed it on the shoulders of Philip, Solstein, and Melonika in turn.

Their respective territories were: Casier Town, Sari Town, and Wushan Town.

Finally, Lurans withdrew the Longsword and declared solemnly, “On this sacred day, I, as the Lord of Wushan Territory, in the name of the King and the honor of the nobility, bestow upon you the title and status of Baron. May you guard the peace of Wushan Territory with your courage and loyalty!”

“I, Toru, solemnly swear here that I will be worthy of this honor! With my Longsword and my Power, I will defend the peace of Wushan Territory and fight for the glory of Wushan Castle!”

The other three said similar words, and the atmosphere in the hall immediately became frenzied as everyone cheered for them.

Some Knights were so moved they shed tears. Perhaps in these men, they saw the goal they were striving for.

Ronin was enveloped by the jubilant atmosphere. ’Being ennobled… it’s probably just as joyous as being named a top scholar in the imperial exams,’ he mused.

It was just that today’s ceremony was quite formal. When he had become a Baron and then a Viscount, Lurans hadn’t placed a Longsword on his shoulder.

After finishing his speech, Lurans had Knights present the four newly appointed Barons with caskets containing their baronial medals and Letters of Enfeoffment.

He then picked up another box. “Marvin, in recognition of your support, courage, and Power, I grant you stewardship over Quicksand Town. I hope you will bring new life to this ravaged land.”

“Thank you for your recognition! I will strive for the prosperity of Quicksand Town!”

Marvin Ironhoof was already a Viscount. Although he had performed meritoriously in the war against the Polante Thief Gang, it was not enough to elevate him from Viscount to Count.

At that moment, a Knight entered the hall holding a gleaming gold medal and stood by Lurans’s side.

Another Knight entered, holding a casket with a Letter of Enfeoffment, and stood on the other side.

The atmosphere in the hall reached its true climax.

Lurans’s gaze swept over the crowd and landed on Ronin, a faint smile playing on his lips.

“Roning Wushan! My follower, the Viscount of Wubei Territory, my grandson!”

Hearing this call, Ronin felt an unexpected surge of emotion.

He took a deep breath, walked forward with his head held high, and, following the example of the others, knelt on one knee before Lurans.

The heavy Longsword was placed upon his shoulder.

“Your composure saved Wushan Territory from disaster! Your wisdom spared hundreds of Warriors from slaughter! And your valor made the enemies of Wushan Castle pay a heavy price!”

Lurans’s solemn voice, filled with hope, made everyone in the hall hold their breath. The younger attendees, especially those around Ronin’s age, watched with eyes full of aspiration and envy.

Bretton’s eyes were filled with adoration. The Wushan Clan was growing stronger.

Erin, whom Ronin had brought to the banquet, was also deeply struck by the scene. She found the ceremony incredibly solemn, and her admiration for Ronin deepened more than ever before.

Lurans’s voice continued.

“Today, as the master of Wushan Territory and in the name of the Kingdom’s Thunderbolt Marquis, I bestow upon you the title of Count of Wubei Territory, and add Giant Stone Territory and Chishan Town to your fiefdom. May you use your wisdom and Power to bring prosperity and peace to this land, and defend the glory of our family!”

Ronin declared in a deep voice, “I, Roning Wushan, solemnly swear that as the Count of Wubei Territory, I will guard the peace of my lands and defend the glory of our family with my wisdom and my Power!”

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