Chapter 292: Chapter 291: Planning and Admonition

Ronin returned to his room in a daze. It wasn’t because he had too much to drink, but because he was exhausted from making small talk with the endless stream of people who came to greet him.

At the service of the Wushan Castle servants, he took a bath and changed into clean clothes, finally feeling refreshed.

He summoned the System and checked the achievements interface.

[Famous Throughout the World]: A Noble Title is a symbol of status as well as a reflection of strength. Please strive to become a Marquis. Reward: Attribute Points +1500, Energy Essence +3000

’Becoming a Marquis won’t be easy.’

There were only two ways for Ronin to become a Marquis.

The first was to inherit the Marquis title of Wushan Castle.

Although Lurans was willing to restore his right of inheritance, having the right and actually becoming a Marquis were two different things.

In this world, a noble’s descendants could typically only inherit their title and territory after the noble had died.

In other words, if Ronin wanted to become a Marquis through inheritance, he would first have to wait for Lurans to die, and then for Wiggin to die.

Leaving aside how much longer Lurans might live, just take Wiggin for example. Even though he had lost a leg, with the physical constitution of an Advanced Level Knight, he could easily live for another twenty or thirty years, barring any accidents.

If Ronin wanted to outlive Wiggin and inherit the Marquis title, it would likely be a matter for forty or fifty years from now.

Besides, he didn’t want Lurans to die at all.

As long as the Soul-Devouring Surge within the Old Marquis’s body could be removed, with Lurans’s Meteor Level strength, living for several more decades would be no problem at all.

Therefore, this path wasn’t very feasible.

The second path, besides inheritance, was ennoblement.

Lurans was a Marquis; he didn’t have the authority to ennoble one of his Vassals as a Marquis.

If Ronin wanted to be granted the title of Marquis, his only option was to seek to perform meritorious service for the Royal Family, thereby having His Majesty the King ennoble him.

He was a Vassal of Wushan Castle, but Wushan Castle pledged allegiance to the Oduin Royal Family. In this situation, he could perfectly well serve as the Count of Wubei while also pledging allegiance to the King and receiving additional fiefs from the Royal Family.

The Count of Wubei Territory and a Marquis of the Kingdom—in theory, such a situation could exist.

’Looks like the marriage alliance with Blanche is even more crucial now.’

Marrying Her Highness Princess would be of immense help to Ronin.

If nothing else, it at least connected him to the Oduin Royal Family. Without Blanche, Ronin feared it would be difficult to even get an audience with His Majesty the King.

’But even so, becoming a Marquis will be extremely difficult.’

Ronin sighed.

From Baron to Viscount, and then to Count, although he had performed meritorious deeds, his promotions were also boosted by his status, and Lurans had fast-tracked the process for him. That’s why his rise in rank had been so quick.

But on the Kingdom’s level, there were no shortcuts to becoming a Marquis of the Kingdom.

He didn’t think Blanche had enough influence to make His Majesty Bruno bend the rules for him.

’Looks like I’ll be holding on to this Count title for a long time.’

Ronin’s gaze swept past the [King of Slaughter] and [Prosperous Fortune] achievements to the remaining two:

[Population Prosperity]: Registered territory population reaches 30,000. Reward: Attribute Points +300, Energy Essence +600

[Siege and Conquest]: Possess two cities simultaneously. Reward: Attribute Points +400, Energy Essence +800

The census for Chishan Town was probably already complete, but the total population was likely still short of thirty thousand.

However, if he included the people from Giant Stone Territory and those provided by Wiggin and Kabil, the population of his territory would surely surpass the fifty thousand mark.

Ronin felt a bit embarrassed for himself, thinking that as a Count who controlled such a vast territory, he had so few people.

’Chishan Town’s population exceeds ten thousand, which should satisfy the conditions for Siege and Conquest according to the System’s mechanics. I should be able to complete this achievement before setting off for Golden Feather City.’

As for the census in Giant Stone Territory, it probably couldn’t be completed in a short time.

It would take Civil Servant Sailin at least ten-odd days just to travel from Wubei Territory to Giant Stone Territory.

’Ridder needs to join and take over the Fifth Knight Order, so he’ll be stationed in Shore City from now on. I just took over Giant Stone Territory, so I need someone trustworthy to guard it and coordinate the defense of Chishan Town.’

After some thought, Ronin decided that among his three subordinates, he could only have Elron stay in Wubei Territory to lead and develop his Magic Potion experiments. Macken would take some men to Giant Stone Territory to help defend Chishan Town.

As for the training of the Guards in Wubei Territory, he would probably have to leave it to Juliet, Sim, and the others who had been with Macken and Ridder for a long time.

Although they weren’t as skilled as Ridder and Macken, they were at least Professional Knights and had received training in military discipline. They should have no problem with the initial training of the Wubei Territory Guards.

As for practical combat, Ridder and Macken would still need to come back every so often to check on their progress and offer guidance.

The key issue was still the lack of manpower under him.

’I need to have those two bring more men out for me.’

The figures of the two Advanced Level Knights, Joffrey and Rogner, flashed through Ronin’s mind, but in the end, he decided against reassigning them.

Future wars would surely take place in the south. It was better to let them learn from Ridder and Macken so they could lead troops and guide training between Wubei Territory and Giant Stone Territory in the future.

’Good thing there are no hostile forces around Wubei Territory. I only need to maintain public order for now. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have enough people to assign.’

KNOCK KNOCK.

A knock sounded at the door.

Ronin frowned. ’Who could be looking for me this late?’

But this time he hadn’t brought David and Tom, so he had to open the door himself.

The door opened to reveal McKinney, who had changed into a rather casual long dress.

“I hope I’m not disturbing you this late, my dear brother.”

Ronin spread his hands. “You obviously are. I was just about to go to sleep.”

“Aren’t you going to invite me in to sit down?”

Ronin stepped aside and smiled. “Welcome.”

He knew McKinney must have something to say, coming over this late, and he was quite curious.

“Alright, sister, what’s so important that you had to find me this late?”

McKinney glanced into the bedroom, then sat down in a chair in the room. “You’re much more composed than before. I thought you’d be sleeping with your Mage.”

“Please, Erin is just a fourteen-year-old girl.”

“Fourteen is old enough to get married.”

McKinney emphasized, then said, “Everyone outside is guessing that she’s your lover.”

Ronin shook his head helplessly. “I just brought her out to experience the world and broaden her horizons. But I can’t control what outsiders think.”

There’s a saying: once gossip starts, it’s hard to tell fact from fiction. Such things are impossible to explain, and trying only makes it worse.

“Our mother died early and didn’t have much time to teach you, and you never really studied these things before. I have to be the one to remind you now. When your status rises, you can’t be so careless about how you handle certain matters.”

McKinney said seriously, “You’re about to have a marriage alliance with Princess Blanche. Before things are finalized, if word gets out that you’re keeping a young lover, it will damage the Royal Family’s reputation, even if it’s not true.”

Her tone became solemn. “You have brought hope to the Wushan Clan. If this sort of thing affects your reputation, or even makes the marriage alliance fall through, it would be a huge loss for you and for the Wushan Clan!”

Ronin frowned. Although he didn’t like being lectured, he had to admit that McKinney had a point.

“Erin left the banquet very early. Did you say something to her?”

McKinney nodded. “She’s very smart. I just mentioned you and Blanche, and she left the banquet hall soon after. You might blame me, but I was genuinely worried you would invite her to dance and then do something like kiss her.”

Ronin sighed. “Your worries were unnecessary.”

“That’s for the best!”

McKinney smiled. “Many nobles have lovers—even your brother-in-law Kabil might have one—but don’t let these things affect your future, Ronin.”

“Thank you for the advice. I’ll remember it.”

Ronin didn’t blame her for lecturing him, because he knew she was just looking out for him.

“It’s just a shame. I had intended to bring Erin out to see the world, but I didn’t expect these rumors to ruin her mood.”

McKinney shook her head. “That little girl has feelings for you. I can see it. She’s just a bit naive and probably hasn’t even realized it herself, has she?”

She stood up. “Alright, I’ve said my piece. I hear you’re about to set off for Golden Feather City. I wish you a pleasant journey.”

“Oh, right. During this time, I’ve already gathered the people Kabil promised you. There are ten thousand in total. You should arrange for someone to go to Splendid City and pick them up as soon as possible.”

Hearing this, Ronin smiled. “Thank you, sister, and my brother-in-law Kabil!”

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