Lord: Stripped of My Inheritance from the Start - Chapter 140 - 139: Battle Plan

Chapter 140: Chapter 139: Battle Plan

“Reisen has nearly killed me on two occasions.”

In the study, Ronin recounted his dispute with Sain Territory.

“The first time was outside Mountain Forest Town. He tried to use Princest to kill me. I managed to kill him instead, but when Philton arrived afterward, I felt the threat of death for the very first time.”

At that time, the strongest person under Ronin’s command was Macken, who was only an Intermediate Knight.

“The second time was this recent assassination. If it weren’t for Black Tiger, and if I hadn’t used the Wind of Inquiry to check things out just in time, I would have been severely wounded, if not killed.”

“Since he has repeatedly tried to kill me, I see no reason to hesitate. Now is the perfect time to go on the offensive.”

The three Knights—Ridder, Macken, and Tom—all instinctively gripped the hilts of their swords. The final showdown was coming. Many of them knew this day would arrive eventually, they just hadn’t expected it so soon.

“My Lord, when do you plan to make your move?” Ridder asked.

Ronin gave them a date immediately. “Let the Knights and Guards enjoy the year-end and New Year festivities. On January first of next year, Ridder, you will lead the attack on the Black-collar Tribe.”

He chose the date of the New Year festivities because, for one, Reisen himself would not be in his territory. For another, by that time, Ronin would have successfully broken through to become a Bronze Knight and a Great Mage.

At that point, Ridder would no longer be restricted and would naturally have his own breakthrough. He could already defeat Reisen as an Advanced Level Knight, to say nothing of what he could do after breaking through himself.

As he spoke, Ronin looked toward Macken and Tom.

“The two of you will need to accompany me to Wushan Castle, so you won’t be able to participate in the attack on the Black-collar Tribe.”

Macken was fine with it, as he had already expected this. But Tom was dumbfounded. “My Lord, my strength may not be great, but I’m willing to do my part in the attack on the Black-collar Tribe. Please, give me this chance!”

His eyes were filled with a craving for battle. For a Knight, glory can only be earned on the battlefield.

“You are coming with me to Wushan Castle to testify to the crimes Baron Reisen has committed against me.”

Ronin smiled. “If all goes according to plan, you won’t have to wear that mask anymore after we get back. You can also go back to your old name: Malt.”

Though Tom was born in Mountain Forest Town, he had once been one of Princest’s men and had taken part in the ambush against Ronin.

Ronin had kept Tom alive precisely so he could one day serve as a witness.

Tom had been wondering why he had been summoned back along with the Commander. Now he understood; the Lord had this planned all along.

“My Lord, you still remember my name.”

He was emotional. Everyone had been calling him Tom lately, and he had almost forgotten the name Malt himself.

“But whether I wear a mask or not, I will use the name you gave me from now on. ’Tom’ will be my name for the rest of my life!”

Ronin raised an eyebrow. ’This kid really knows what to say.’

“That’s your choice, Tom.”

Ronin brought the conversation back to the year-end arrangements.

“The New Year festivities in Grey Soil Village will proceed as usual. Also, the tournament between the Knights and Guards can be held early to leave them ample time to recover. Make sure all the promised rewards are distributed.”

At this, Ronin glanced at Tom. If Tom weren’t going with him to Wushan Castle, he probably could have placed in the top three among the Basic Level Knights.

This new arrangement meant Tom would miss out on a reward of several Gold Coins.

Next, he discussed the battle plan further with Ridder and Macken.

The plan for attacking the Black-collar Tribe hinged on the element of surprise—striking when their guard was down, while they were immersed in the festive atmosphere of the New Year.

Therefore, until the moment they moved out, news of the attack had to be kept strictly confidential.

“My Lord, speaking of the Black-collar Tribe, there is something I wish to report.”

Ridder said, “Baron Reisen had Joffrey promise me manors, money, beautiful women, and more, in the hopes that I would swear fealty to him.”

Joffrey, the leader of the Black-collar Tribe. Ronin had some recollection of the man. He just never expected that Reisen would try to poach Ridder.

Indeed, an Advanced Level Knight capable of defeating someone at the Bronze Level would be a prime target for recruitment anywhere.

If Reisen had actually managed to persuade Ridder to betray Ronin, he would have both strengthened Sain Territory and weakened Ronin, killing two birds with one stone.

What he never could have imagined, however, was that Ronin, Ridder, and the others were bound by a Soul Contract, making them completely different from ordinary followers.

To put it another way, Ronin’s very existence was the primary condition for Ridder, Macken, and Elron to remain in this world.

Anyone else might betray him, but not those three.

“If Reisen hadn’t hired an assassin, giving me this opportunity, I might have had you go over to his side as a mole.”

That would have been a good option, in fact.

Ronin teased, “What a shame. You missed your chance to follow such a powerful master.”

The three Knights in the study burst out laughing.

Ridder said, “A Knight who only reached the Bronze Level when he’s over fifty? Compared to you, My Lord, he’s not even in the same league.”

Reisen’s talent is merely average. He only became a Baron by relying on his family’s resources.

If he’d had a more common background, becoming a Knight would have probably been the peak of his achievements.

“My Lord, while I would never follow Reisen, Joffrey, the leader of the Black-collar Tribe, might be willing to follow you.”

“Oh?”

Ronin was surprised. “How so?”

“I had a brief interaction with Joffrey. He doesn’t seem to be like that gentle couple, Horn and Jenny. He seems more ambitious.”

“I deliberately tried to stir things up with Joffrey that day. I’m just not sure if it had any effect.”

Ridder then recounted in detail what had happened at the border that day.

Ronin nodded to himself.

Regardless, the Black-collar Tribe was the strongest of the Wilderness Tribes. Besides the help from Reisen, Joffrey himself must have played a significant role in their success.

Although Joffrey currently served Reisen, his background was simple. He had no complex political ties, making him a relatively straightforward person to recruit.

As for ambition, with the exception of Ridder and the other two, everyone who followed Ronin was ambitious to some degree. That wasn’t a bad thing.

Ronin didn’t have many Advanced Level Knights under his command at the moment. If he could win Joffrey over, it would be a great help.

“If you get the chance, reach out to Joffrey again. It would be best if he chose to defect on his own. If he’s unwilling, then we’ll conquer the Black-collar Tribe first and then force his surrender.”

“Good!”

Ridder considered crossing the border before the New Year to meet with Joffrey a few times.

’If he could win Joffrey over before the attack, things would be much simpler.’

What they didn’t expect, however, was that Joffrey was no longer at the Black-collar Tribe. The Knights garrisoning the tribe had been replaced by Philton, Finris, and the members of their Knight Squads.

Joffrey himself had been reassigned to Baron Reisen’s side, accompanying him to Wushan Castle as a personal guard.

This transfer had happened precisely because Ridder’s words that day had been overheard by an Uunei Knight following Joffrey, who then reported them back to Swamp Town.

Joffrey, for his part, was completely blameless. His meeting with Ridder had been arranged by Reisen, but unexpectedly, he was the one who ended up falling under suspicion.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by novlove.com