Chapter 319: Chapter 316: Analysis of Powers

Beneath the Oduin Kingdom are three duchies: Ferrensburg, Gistana, and Villa.

The Duke of Ferrensburg was His Majesty the King’s younger brother. Perhaps to emphasize his independence, Ference changed his original surname from Oduin to his current one, Gregor. The new surname was said to originate from the Gregor Highlands, an important region within the Ferrensburg Duchy.

Although the duchies of Gistana and Villa were led by Dukes from other families, both of their wives were from the Oduin Clan—they were His Majesty King Bruno’s aunts.

In a way, all three duchies were family.

But now, Ferrensburg and the Villa Duchy were joined by marriage. The Duke of Gistana’s daughter had married Jesus, and now his granddaughter was set to marry into the Earl of Scream Island Clan…

The relationships were a bit complicated, but to put it simply, a new generation of marital alliances had formed between these three duchies and the Earl of Sharp Sea, excluding King Bruno.

In ancient China, an Emperor in Bruno’s position would have been extremely wary of these factions. He might have even started taking measures to weaken their power.

’I wonder what King Bruno thinks about this, given the context of this world? Perhaps Dukes and Counts under this system aren’t so quick to betray their king?’

However, His Majesty the King also had three daughters.

According to Blanche, her eldest sister, Princess Sharon, was married to Ibn Toransi. He was the Leader of the Griffin Knight Order, a Border Count of the Kingdom, and a powerful Silver Moon Knight.

Her second-eldest sister, Julia, was married to the eldest son of the Black Jade Bay Viscount. Although they were only a Viscount Clan, they controlled a special ore: Black Jade.

It was said that this material was required to forge weapons for Meteor Level Knights and above, and only members of the Black Jade Clan who had mastered their Bloodline Secret Technique could process and forge it.

Even though neither of Blanche’s sisters had married into a Duke Clan, it couldn’t be said that the King’s arrangements were a mistake.

After all, their husbands were a powerful Silver Moon Knight and the heir to a family with unique abilities.

Furthermore, according to Bruno’s plan, he was going to marry his third daughter into the Gistana Clan, which would have strengthened his ties with the other duchies. It was just that two unexpected incidents had occurred, causing the marriage alliance to fall through.

Compared to the Toransi and Black Jade families, the Wushan Clan—the family Blanche was now marrying into—was not only weaker in overall strength but also in a precarious situation.

Wushan Territory already had conflicts with Moonlight Valley and the Villa Duchy. Its subordinate Viscount’s Domain was in a dispute with the Earl of Scream Island. To the north was the sea. The territory was effectively boxed in.

If a war were to break out, they could be facing enemies on three sides.

In all these years, Lurans had remained inside Wushan Castle and rarely ventured out. Their neighbors had likely come to see Wushan Territory as a piece of cake for the taking. In fact, Moonlight Valley and the Villa Duchy had already made their moves.

’As for Screaming Island, perhaps the Fleming Clan was behind the recent ambush on Ronin at sea.’

Ronin was acting more ostentatiously this time simply to divert attention from the disgraceful deeds of his past self.

What he hadn’t expected was that the people he was up against represented nearly all of Wushan Territory’s major adversaries.

「…」

In the great hall, Wally Knight reported the incident to His Majesty the King.

Bruno listened, then rubbed his temples with a wry smile.

He hadn’t expected such a conflict to break out in the palace, especially when both parties involved were from some of the most prominent noble families in the kingdom.

“Are you certain they ganged up on Ronin alone?”

Wally Knight replied respectfully, “Yes, Your Majesty. His two follower knights—one Intermediate Knight and one Basic Level Knight—were injured at the very beginning and couldn’t get up from the ground. By the time I arrived, Young Master Cross had already been injured, and Ronning Count had sustained minor injuries while under the combined attack of the rest.”

Bruno frowned. “Ronin didn’t use Blast Flame Slash?”

Wally shook his head. “He used a Wind Attribute, Fifth-level Combat Skill: Tornado Cross Slash.”

Broel, who was standing to the side, added, “Tornado Cross Slash is a decent Fifth-level Combat Skill, but it’s definitely not as powerful as Ronin’s Blast Flame Slash. It seems he wasn’t using his full strength.”

“The boy was probably afraid of seriously injuring someone. He still has some restraint.”

Bruno then asked, “Have you learned the cause of the conflict?”

“From what my men have gathered, it seems Young Master Cross and his friends first said some disparaging things about the Wushan Family and Ronning Count. Then his two follower knights went to argue and were beaten up, which was when Ronning Count happened upon the scene.”

Wally scratched his head as he spoke. “But Young Master Cross claims that Ronning Count’s two follower knights were disrespectful first.”

The Minister of State Affairs, Arsenno, added at the opportune moment, “Lately, some rather unflattering rumors about Ronin have indeed been circulating outside the Kilometer Palace.”

Hearing this, Bruno’s brow furrowed.

He was, of course, somewhat aware of Ronin’s past. His willingness to approve the marriage was born from a lack of better options. But if someone were to bring Ronin’s history to light in the Golden Feather Palace to stop this marriage, it would not be a good thing for him or for Blanche.

’So, this is a deliberate conspiracy?’

Bruno contemplated for a moment before waving his hand. “Go and inform both parties. Have them come to me now. I’ll handle this dispute before dinner. As for those nobles who love a spectacle, tell them to go ride horses or practice archery. The Golden Feather Palace is vast; they don’t need to get involved in the youngsters’ squabbles.”

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

Bruno turned to Arsenno. “What kind of unflattering rumors are they?”

The Minister of State Affairs bowed slightly. “They speak of Ronning Count’s romantic escapades in his younger years, how he was stripped of his inheritance, and how he was responsible for the death of the Ossen Count’s granddaughter. Your Majesty, this matter could affect the marriage between Her Highness Princess and Wushan Castle.”

Bruno nodded slightly, but he didn’t seem particularly worried.

“If Ronin were still the good-for-nothing he used to be, these rumors might affect the marriage between Oduin and Wushan Castle. But the Ronin of today is no good-for-nothing. In the recent series of events, he has demonstrated sufficient strength and wisdom.”

Arsenno reminded him, “Your Majesty, when one’s strength is not yet enough to command respect, some rumors cannot be ignored.”

If Ronin were a Meteor Knight, the impact of these negative rumors would be minor. If he were Silver Moon Level, they could be ignored entirely. But he was only a Silver Knight. Although he was young and had great potential, he had not yet fully developed.

“Mm, you have a point.”

Bruno thought for a moment and said, “Then let’s have them get to know Ronin anew. Slander and gossip are useless in the face of facts they witness with their own eyes.”

“But Ronin’s command in battle and his killing of a Golden Knight at sea are also just rumors; not many people witnessed them firsthand,” Arsenno said. “If we want them to reacquaint themselves with Ronin, it would be best to stage a spectacular battle that the majority can witness.”

“As expected of my right-hand man. Your thoughts are the same as mine!”

Bruno laughed. “I’m going to hold a tournament at Blanche’s upcoming birthday banquet!”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep