Lord: Stripped of My Inheritance from the Start - Chapter 396 - 370: Lurans’ Plan
Lurans’s words took Ronin completely by surprise.
’A Seventh-level Great Mage is a formidable combatant. Under normal circumstances, who could possibly threaten someone like that?’
“What happened? Was he attacked by a Magical Beast while gathering herbs in the mountains?”
He did not know that Miroslav and Lurans had discussed selling the Magic Potion that alleviates the Soul-Devouring Surge to Black Python City.
If he had this information, he would have guessed it was related to the Hyde Clan.
“A while ago, on the morning of the ninth, Ossen’s castle was hit by a fierce attack. Although there were no civilians around the castle, many people still heard the loud explosions.”
“Afterward, all of Black Python City’s Knight Orders were deployed in a city-wide manhunt. Although it’s unknown who they were searching for, word of the incident spread everywhere. And from that day on, Black Python City has been sealed—people can enter, but no one can leave.”
Lurans only had this information because he had spies in Black Python City.
However, his spies could only provide these basic details. The specifics of the situation were unknown.
“The old Headmaster went to Black Python Castle?”
Lurans nodded. “Yes, he went to sell Ossen the same Magic Potions he’d previously sold to me.”
“I had Melonika look into it. Miroslav did indeed set out from Wushan Town in early March, accompanied by his guard, Bulove, and others, heading toward Black Python City. Based on the travel time, he would have arrived around the ninth.”
Ronin sat down. Frankly, he still found it hard to believe this was true.
“Even if Ossen is completely deranged, he wouldn’t go so far as to attack the Headmaster, would he? Is this information reliable?”
Whether a noble or a commoner, one always has a motive for attacking someone.
’What could Ossen gain from attacking Miroslav? Land? Money? Miroslav had no land. As for money, he couldn’t have been carrying much on him. Besides, the Hyde Clan isn’t poor; they wouldn’t risk offending the Headmaster for a few tens of thousands of Gold Coins. And an act of pure revenge? That seemed even more unlikely.’
“I can’t understand it either.”
From Lurans’s perspective, Miroslav’s willingness to sell the Magic Potion that alleviates the Soul-Devouring Surge to Ossen should have been excellent news for him.
After all, while the potion couldn’t cure the affliction, it did alleviate some of the symptoms.
Even if it was a bit expensive, Ossen should have been overjoyed. Why would he turn around and attack Miroslav?
Moreover, such an action was clearly giving Wushan Castle a pretext to hold them accountable.
The move was too bizarre.
“Grandfather, what are your plans?”
’Lurans summoned me here for a reason. He clearly didn’t call me over just to share this information; otherwise, he could have just written it in a letter.’
“I had Melonika send a letter to Black Python City. Ostensibly, it’s to express concern about the situation in Black Python Castle, but in reality, it’s a demand for Barrington to come to Wushan Castle in Ossen’s place and provide an explanation.”
Ronin nodded slightly.
Traditionally, Vassals were required to come to Wushan Castle to perform a period of service each year. For example, some Counts would specifically serve their Lord as a Groom for a time.
This wasn’t an absolute rule. Some Vassals who lacked the time or inclination could substitute their service with Gold Coins or other valuable items.
However, when a Lord specifically summoned a Vassal by name, they were obligated to respond.
Barrington was not Lurans’s Vassal, but he would one day inherit the title of Count. And since Lurans had summoned him “in Ossen’s stead,” Barrington had no reason to refuse.
“Barrington hasn’t been to Wushan Castle in years. I wonder how he’ll respond?” Ronin asked, a little curious.
Lurans said, “I’ve already had Melonika assemble the Third Knight Order, and I’ve also had Kabil put the Second Knight Order on standby.”
Ronin was startled. ’Are they going to move against Black Python City?’
He looked at the map on the wall behind him. Wushan Town and Splendid City were adjacent, and heading east from either would lead to Black Python City.
’Lurans has positioned the Second and Third Knight Orders here, and he’s put his most trusted people in command. It looks like the old man saw long ago that Ossen was someone who needed to be taught a lesson.’
“Do you really intend to attack?”
Ronin asked, “If we do attack, two Knight Orders hardly seem like enough, do they?”
“For now, it’s just to put pressure on them. I don’t intend to strike immediately.”
Lurans explained, “If Barrington doesn’t come to Wushan Castle, and I find evidence that Miroslav was attacked in Black Python City, then that will be the time for me to act.”
His eyes seemed to flash with lightning. It was as if he wanted to use this battle to announce to the world that the Thunderbolt Marquis of old had returned.
“Black Python City has two Knight Orders. Add in Ossen’s vassals, and they can probably scrape together another one, for a total of three.”
Lurans smiled. “Besides the existing five, Wushan Castle has formed three new ones. Although the new ones aren’t very combat-effective yet, they are sufficient to defend the territory.”
Ronin understood the implication.
“So if we really go to war, you’re planning to deploy all five of the veteran Knight Orders?”
“No. Not only will your Fifth Knight Order stay put, but I will also station the newly formed Eighth Knight Order at Shore City. That area needs to be defended.”
Ronin nodded. ’So this is to prepare for the new generation of the Polante Thief Gang making a move.’
“Three against three. Even if we win, there will be heavy casualties.”
Ronin said, “Aren’t you going to issue a call to arms?”
’In my opinion, if we’re going to fight, it should be a war where we have a clear advantage in numbers. Fighting an evenly matched battle is a bad idea. Besides, what happened to the Headmaster isn’t just Wushan Castle’s problem.’
Lurans had naturally thought of this as well.
He laughed and said, “Don’t forget, the main reason for deploying troops this time is to stand up for Miroslav. He is not only the Headmaster of the Wushan Extraordinary Academy and my Honorary Count, but also an Honorary Viscount of the Kingdom and the representative of the Silva Magic Energy Chamber of Commerce in Wushan Territory.”
“If something really happened to him, whether the Kingdom sends troops or not is another matter, but the Silva Magic Energy Chamber of Commerce will absolutely not stand idly by.”
One of their regional managers had been attacked. If the Silva Magic Energy Chamber of Commerce didn’t step up, its prestige would be severely damaged, and there’d be no guarantee that this kind of thing wouldn’t happen more often in the future.
That would be a severe blow to a Chamber of Commerce of this size.
Lurans continued, “They have over a dozen branches in our Wushan Territory. Each branch is managed by a Great Mage, some even by a Chief Mage, and on top of that, they are equipped with their own specialized Knight Squad. If these people join the fight, their power is in no way inferior to a Knight Order.”
Ronin knew a little about this.
The Silva Magic Energy Chamber of Commerce in Pasture City had been doing business with Wubei Territory for a long time. Every time they delivered magic materials to Elron, they were escorted by a Knight Squad.
At first, the material purchases were small and low-value, so an Advanced Level Knight led the escort. Later, as the transactions became larger, the Bronze Knight Robinson began leading them.
If the Pasture City branch of the Silva Magic Energy Chamber of Commerce had a force like that, their other branches probably did too.
If they were mobilized, they would indeed be, as Lurans said, a formidable force.
“Mobilizing them will take quite some time, then,” Ronin said.
“We’re in no hurry.”
Lurans stroked his white beard, the very picture of calm confidence.
“What I want is for the land of Black Python City to once again heed Wushan Castle’s commands. If Ossen and Barrington don’t want to go to war and see the Hyde Clan destroyed, they can exchange their lives or their freedom for the continuation of the Hyde Clan.”
If it truly comes to war, there will be losses on both sides, regardless of the victor.
If Ossen and Barrington willingly plead guilty and accept their punishment, then given the marriage ties between the Wushan and Hyde Clans, a path for their descendants to survive could still be left open.
Of course, regardless of the outcome, the Hyde Clan would no longer be the rulers of Black Python City.
Ronin approved of Lurans’s approach.
’Subjugating the enemy without a fight… To reclaim Black Python City and revoke the Hyde Clan’s title of Count through relatively peaceful means was the most appropriate choice, considering the Wushan Territory’s position amidst other powerful neighbors.’
’The only question now is, what choice will Black Python City make as Wushan Castle mobilizes? Will Barrington come to Wushan Castle?’
