Chapter 76: Chapter 75: Dialogue

Wushan Castle had been bustling with activity recently. Nobles of all ranks from across the Wushan Territory had arrived one after another, including even Count Ossen Hyde, who had just celebrated his seventieth birthday.

However, the arriving nobles were all in a somber mood, a far cry from the usual smiling faces seen at banquets and celebrations. Upon entering the castle, they either clamored to see Lord Lurans or demanded to visit Wiggin’s room to check on his injuries.

But Lurans had already announced that Wiggin had just woken up and was recovering, so it was not a good time for visitors. He promised to arrange a meeting in a couple of days.

At first, some people doubted the truth of this statement, worrying that the Marquis might be unwilling to announce Wiggin’s death for some reason.

Some of Lurans’ followers, such as Sir Kabil Pedersen, the Vice City Lord of Splendid City, even went so far as to demand a duel with Count Ossen to help Lord Lurans eliminate the murderer of his son.

Count Ossen, in turn, furiously denied any involvement, insisting he had no reason to do such a thing.

Soon, the nobles in Wushan Castle split into three factions: the pro-Ossen faction, the anti-Ossen faction, and the neutral mediators. Their arguments were endless.

Two days passed like this. With more and more nobles gathering in Wushan Castle, Lurans had no choice but to hold a banquet to express his gratitude to all the visitors.

At the banquet, Wiggin, who had not been seen, was wheeled out in a wheelchair. His face was ghastly pale, and his spirit seemed completely crushed.

Everyone saw that although Wiggin was not dead, his right leg was gone. He would have to spend the rest of his life in a wheelchair.

Wiggin’s emotional state was also unstable. He was already a laughingstock to many, and now he was a cripple. The physical and psychological blow was immense; it was a wonder he hadn’t gone completely mad.

While offering their regards and concern, the crowd also lamented Wiggin’s fate. They were amazed that he had managed to escape back to Wushan Castle and survive after suffering such a grievous injury in the wilderness. He was truly lucky to be alive.

After some inquiries, everyone learned that Wiggin had been carrying a Strong Healing Skill Magic Scroll, which allowed him to immediately stop the bleeding when his leg was severed, thus saving his life.

It was also entirely thanks to Knight Toru’s bloody breakout that they were able to rush back to Wushan Castle at top speed, where another Strong Healing Skill Magic Scroll was used to treat the wound on his chest.

Strong Healing Skill was a Magic that only a Sixth-level Mage of the Light Attribute could use. Mages of the Light Element were already extremely rare, which made this Magic Scroll even more precious.

A typical Sixth-level Magic Scroll usually cost between One Thousand and Over Two Thousand Gold Coins, but a Strong Healing Skill Magic Scroll sold for at least Five Thousand Gold Coins, and it was still difficult to acquire.

The fact that Wiggin could carry such a Magic Scroll showed the depth of Wushan Castle’s resources, as well as the importance Lurans placed on his unpromising son.

Since Wiggin hadn’t died, the restless nobles gradually dispersed after paying their respects. But the anger of the Wushan Clan and some of its loyalists did not fade.

The first heir having his leg severed was a provocation against the entire Wushan Territory.

Since the incident occurred near the border of the Hyde Clan’s domain, Lurans issued an order to the Hyde Clan at the banquet that day, demanding that Black Python City do everything in its power to give Wushan Castle an explanation!

At the same time, he also assigned Sir Kabil Pedersen, Leader of the Second Knight Order and Vice City Lord of Splendid City, to assist in the investigation.

Regardless of whether the Hyde Clan was involved, facing the many nobles of the Wushan Territory at the banquet, Count Ossen, as a Vassal, accepted Lurans’s command with solemn and firm resolve, and rained down fury and curses upon the assassins.

The Wushan Territory, which many had expected to erupt into war, fell into a brief period of peace. However, everyone knew that an undercurrent was still surging.

In a study in the rear courtyard of Wushan Castle, Lurans was talking with a man.

The man had short black hair and a straight, imposing posture. His eyes, which should have been stern and sharp, now showed absolute respect—for no other reason than that the person sitting opposite him was the man he had admired most in his youth.

Lurans’s expression was also much more relaxed than usual. “Coming to see me today… I suppose you’re preparing to set off on your return journey?”

“Yes, my lord. I came to Wushan Castle mainly to visit Wiggin and Toru, and to inspect the merchant caravan on the side. Now that things have settled, it’s time for me to head back.”

The man with short black hair was none other than Marvin Ironhoof, Viscount of Pasture City. Back when the Marquis’s eldest son, Gremes, was still alive, the two of them had been very close friends.

A young Marvin followed Lurans and Gremes until his own father died on the battlefield alongside Gremes, at which point he inherited his Noble Title.

Over the years, even as Wushan Castle’s situation grew increasingly awkward, Marvin’s attitude toward it never changed.

“Before I leave, I’d still like to better understand your thoughts.”

Marvin said, “This incident with Wiggin is definitely a conspiracy. No matter how Ossen tries to defend himself, I feel he’s connected to it in some way.”

His gaze was sincere. “My lord, although it is not a good time for you to use military force, with your support, I believe most of the nobles in the Wushan Territory will heed your call—whether we face the Black Gold Brotherhood, the Polante Thief Gang, or Ossen of Black Python City.”

Lurans smiled and shook his head. “Your aptitude is better than your father’s, but you don’t see the whole picture as he did.”

“They might listen to my demands, but they’ll be hesitant and look over their shoulders when carrying them out. After all, no one knows what state the Wushan Territory will be in after I die.”

“Then what about revenge for Wiggin?” Marvin’s brow furrowed.

Lurans said, “The assassins who attacked Wiggin are from a killer organization called the ’Skull Society.’ I’m not sure if this organization is connected to Ossen, but even if it were, Ossen probably wouldn’t have allowed them to make a move on Wiggin within his own Count’s Domain.”

As Wushan Castle’s authority has declined, all sorts of strange organizations have been popping up in the Wushan Territory.

For example, the Black Gold Brotherhood and the Polante Thief Gang are troublesome groups that have emerged and gradually grown in power over the years, occupying large areas in the southeast.

Now, before those two have even been dealt with, a Skull Society of assassins has appeared.

Lurans sighed. “Speaking of this Skull Society, I heard that Marina and Malik from the Green Family were also attacked by Skull Society assassins on their way home from Wushan Academy. Sir Noel of Lake Castle even lost his life because of it.”

Marvin nodded. “I’ve heard about that as well. It seems many families in the Wushan Territory know of the Skull Society’s existence and are using them to achieve their own ulterior motives.”

At this, Marvin suddenly remembered something. “Speaking of which, German’s son and daughter were lucky to survive thanks to Ronin’s help. If he hadn’t happened to be passing by, Baron German would have had to suffer the pain of losing his children all over again.”

Marvin looked at Lurans. “My lord, what are your thoughts on Ronin?”

“That boy…”

Lurans leaned back, sinking into the soft sofa. “I had already given up on him, but then he brought me a few surprises. I heard from German that Ronin has become a Basic Level Knight, is that right?”

“Indeed.” Marvin nodded. “It’s truly surprising. When you wanted him to focus on his Cultivation, he spent his days in debauchery, learning nothing. After you stripped him of his inheritance, he successfully awakened his Fighting Qi Spirit Seed and grasped Extraordinary Power. He’s just like a young Wiggin—so rebellious it gives you a headache.”

“Hahaha~”

It was unclear which part of that sentence had tickled Lurans, but the room filled with his long-absent laughter.

“Awakening just before his eighteenth birthday… with his temperament, I’m afraid the most he can become is an Advanced Level Knight, just like his father. His achievements will ultimately be limited.”

Lurans’s smile faded, and he didn’t continue, his inner thoughts a mystery.

Marvin, however, brought up what had happened when he left Pasture City.

“I had Rogner take the news of Wiggin’s injury to Ronin. It’s been eight or nine days, and that kid still hasn’t come to Wushan Castle.”

Marvin shook his head helplessly. “That guy isn’t as stubborn as his father, is he? Unwilling to come back?”

Lurans thought about the two times Ronin had left Wushan Castle. The boy’s temperament seemed to have changed quite a bit; he didn’t seem as stubborn as before.

’But how could he explain a son who, upon hearing his brother’s life hung in the balance, didn’t rush back?’

“He wouldn’t be much help even if he did come back. If he doesn’t, so be it. It saves me the trouble of arranging protection for him.”

Lurans sighed. “If he runs into any danger or urgent matters and needs your help, then please look after him for me.”

Marvin’s eyes lit up, and he said with a smile, “I will, my lord!”

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