Chapter 321: Chapter 318: The King’s Disposition

Ronin’s argument relied on a certain degree of sophistry, but he had no choice.

After all, in the vast Golden Feather Palace, he was isolated and weak. His opponents, on the other hand, were scions of the Kingdom’s most powerful noble families. If he didn’t use the King’s authority to his advantage, he would likely come out on the losing end.

Fortunately, he knew His Majesty the King wanted to arrange a marriage between him and Blanche. Under these circumstances, the King would be at least slightly biased in his favor.

However, King Bruno’s words plunged Oduin Hall into a solemn silence.

The Minister of Justice, Texas, was even more taken aback. His mind raced as he desperately tried to figure out His Majesty the King’s intentions.

At the same time, he rapidly searched his memory for relevant legal statutes, finally stammering, “Your Majesty, well… if it truly led to consequences as severe as Ronin described and endangered the Kingdom’s security, the maximum penalty could be… execution by hanging.”

Hanging?

Kneeling on the floor, Facundo’s eyes shot wide open. He then collapsed like a deflated ball. Of everyone in their group, he was the only one with no Oduin Clan blood. ’Don’t tell me I’m going to be the one to take all the blame?’

“Did you misspeak, Lord Texas?”

Cross’s face paled, but he managed to remain composed. “Over a single sentence, coupled with Ronin’s wild analysis, you’re going to sentence us to be hanged?”

“That’s right! You’re the Minister of Justice; you can’t just speak so recklessly!”

Gregor and his sister from Ferrensburg, as well as Sally from Moonlight Valley, also voiced their protests.

Although the charges wouldn’t be finalized before a trial, that was only under normal circumstances.

But right now, they were facing the King and the Kingdom’s Minister of Justice. If these two men passed a preliminary judgment of guilt, it would heavily influence the process and outcome of any subsequent trial.

“No, no, no!”

Texas quickly waved his hands, cutting off the group’s protests.

“You’ve all misunderstood. I never said I wanted to sentence you to hanging. I was merely stating that *if* your words had indeed endangered the security of the Kingdom and resulted in severe consequences, the maximum penalty *could be* execution by hanging.”

Facundo finally came to his senses. Grasping at straws, he immediately said, “But no harmful consequences have actually occurred, have they?”

“That’s right.”

Texas nodded and then looked toward the King. ’In my opinion, this is just an ordinary brawl. Why is His Majesty escalating things so much?’

Bruno laughed, considerably easing the tense atmosphere in the great hall.

“Relax, children. I just wanted to make you aware that careless words can sometimes have extremely grave consequences. But it hasn’t reached the point where I would have you killed over this.”

’If I really did that, wouldn’t my aunts, sisters, and brothers come storming into the Golden Feather Palace to cause trouble for me?’

’I don’t want to spend my future without a single day of peace.’

However, the smile on his face receded.

“Facundo, do you recognize your mistake?”

Facundo had just been terrified, and now that he knew his life was safe, he was overcome with relief. Faced with such a question, how could he possibly dare to argue?

“Your Majesty, I was wrong!”

He quickly placed a hand on his chest and bowed his head. “By the Seven Gods, I swear I will never say such things again.”

“And you?” Bruno looked at Cross and the others.

Since Facundo had already admitted his fault, the others couldn’t remain defiant. One by one, they bowed their heads and offered similar apologies.

Bruno smiled to himself. ’These twenty-somethings are so easy to handle. All it takes is a little scare.’

’If their fathers or any of their elders were here, we’d probably still be locked in a heated argument.’

“Although I will not sentence you harshly, you have spread rumors about the fairness of the titles bestowed by my father, Oduin IV, disparaged the Wushan Clan’s generations of service to Oduin, and deliberately slandered and spread lies about Ronin. I must still punish you for these improper words and actions.”

Ronin’s heart stirred.

Without showing any emotion, Bruno had already characterized everything Cross and the others had said about him as deliberate slander and rumor-mongering.

He looked at the expressions on the faces of Facundo, Cross, and the others. They all seemed focused on what punishment they would receive, paying no mind to how their statements about Ronin were being defined.

’Indeed, compared to slandering me, spreading rumors about Oduin IV is a far more serious offense.’

“A fine or imprisonment. Choose one,” Bruno said.

Facundo let out a sigh of relief. He stood up and conferred with Cross and the others in low voices.

They would certainly not choose imprisonment. Their discussion was to make sure each of their families would chip in for the fine.

“Your Majesty, we are willing to pay the fine. However, we hope Your Majesty will consider that this is our first offense and refrain from setting too high an amount.”

“Don’t worry, I’m not like your business-minded MacLaren.”

Bruno chuckled softly and revealed his plan.

“In four days, on Blanche’s birthday, I plan to hold a tournament. All Professional Knights and Mages aged twenty-five and under who are attending the banquet may participate. The first-place champion of this tournament will be awarded Fifty Thousand Gold Coins, second place will receive Twenty Thousand Gold Coins, and third place will get Ten Thousand Gold Coins.”

A glint flashed in Ronin’s eyes.

’A Transcendent who is only twenty-five, even a highly talented one, would at best have just reached the Silver rank or become a Great Mage. Against that level of competition, as long as I perform as usual, the championship is as good as mine.’

’By setting these conditions and prizes, Bruno is clearly giving me a covert subsidy.’

Then, His Majesty the King added, “Out of consideration for your reputations, your three families will be responsible for providing the Eighty Thousand Gold Coins for the prize money. I won’t announce it as a fine, but rather as a generous sponsorship from Ferrensburg, Moonlight Valley, and Screaming Island. How does that sound?”

Eighty Thousand Gold Coins.

Facundo, Cross, and the others glanced at each other.

They had expected a fine in the hundreds of thousands of Gold Coins, but it was only eighty thousand. Split between them, it averaged out to less than Thirty Thousand Gold Coins per family.

This was a fine they could easily accept.

“As you wish, Your Majesty!”

All five of them agreed.

Bruno turned to Ronin again. “Do you have any objections to this resolution?”

Everyone turned to look at him in unison. Cross and the others remembered clearly that Ronin had previously demanded a total of seventy thousand Gold Coins from them for recuperation fees and damages for emotional distress.

They could accept Bruno’s punishment, but they were still very resistant to Ronin’s demands.

Looking at His Majesty the King’s beaming expression, Ronin wasn’t foolish enough to continue demanding compensation.

“On behalf of myself and the Wushan Clan, I wish to express our sincerest thanks to Your Majesty!”

Ronin said with a salute, “Your resolution is most just. I have no objections.”

He didn’t even bother asking for a verbal apology.

Sally muttered under her breath, “At least you know your place.”

The others snorted coldly, clearly still resentful of Ronin.

Bruno nodded slightly. ’I’ve already gone this far for him. If Ronin were to keep demanding his so-called “recuperation fees” and “compensation for reputational damage,” it would be quite unwise of him.’

“Alright, since the dispute is resolved, let’s put this matter to rest.”

Bruno rose from the throne. “It is getting late. I have already instructed the kitchens to prepare a banquet. You will all attend, to celebrate your newfound harmony!”

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