Lord: Stripped of My Inheritance from the Start - Chapter 403 - 377: Dianey’s Request
Ronin returned to Swamp Castle.
Normally, after Elron read the letter, he could have had someone deliver the Strong Healing Skill Magic Scroll to Wushan Town.
However, considering the high value of the Magic Scroll, he didn’t make the decision on his own.
In any case, sending it to Wushan Town, even by express horse, would take two or three days. It was better to wait for Ronin to return in a couple of days and take it himself; he would probably be even faster.
Ronin received the Magic Scroll and also got an update from Elron on the recent results of the territory’s Knights taking Magic Potions.
After Rogner’s successful advancement, his wife, Krami, also smoothly became an Advanced Level Knight.
In addition, David had become an Intermediate Knight on his own merit.
Reis had paid out of his own pocket for two bottles of Bronze Level Support Enhancement Potions, though the specific effects were still unknown.
However, judging from their encounter at the docks, Ronin estimated that Reis hadn’t advanced yet.
“My lord, the outside world now knows we have potions that can enhance one’s strength. Many people hope to purchase some.”
Word gets around, and since Ronin hadn’t ordered everyone to maintain absolute secrecy, it was perfectly normal for outsiders to learn about the Enhancement Potions and Awakening Potions.
“According to our previous discussion, we can sell a batch of Awakening Potions to the public. As for the Enhancement Potions, it depends. If the buyers have a good relationship with us, we can consider selling them some.”
The main issue was that production capacity was too low.
If the supply of magic materials was sufficient, and Wubei Territory had enough Mages, once production increased, any type of potion could be sold to the public.
As the two were talking, there was a knock on the door. It was Gallon, who had come to report, “Master, Lady Dianey heard you’ve returned and wishes to see you.”
Ronin was a little surprised. ’Is she here about the Wubei Territory’s porcelain, or about Black Python City?’
“Take her to the living room to wait for a moment. I’ll be over shortly.”
“Yes, Master.”
Next, Ronin informed Elron about the situation between the Wushan Territory and Black Python City.
Facing a potentially imminent war, Wubei Territory would not have to raise an army to participate this time. However, as a scion of the Wushan Clan, Ronin himself would still have to take part in the battle.
Therefore, during his absence, Elron would have to oversee the territory’s affairs.
Of course, routine matters would be handled by Wilson, Chahar, Rig, and the others. There wouldn’t be many issues requiring Elron’s personal attention.
After giving his instructions, Ronin finally went to the living room.
Dianey was sitting in a chair, looking through some drawings. Ever since she had agreed to help improve the paintings on Ronin’s porcelain, she had been busy with this task.
“Are you finding your stay in Swamp Town agreeable, my lady?” Ronin greeted her.
Dianey put down the drawings and smiled gently. “It’s quite nice. My life here is much more fulfilling than it was in Wushan Castle!”
She was currently leading a group of people in Swamp Town and had started a painting class, teaching techniques to the artisans who would soon be working in the porcelain workshop.
The artisans’ skills were only so-so, so she couldn’t ask for too much. She could only start by teaching them the simplest things, like flowers, plants, and animals.
Besides, painting on porcelain blanks was different from their artistic pursuits. These were commercial products, after all, meant for mass production. The key was to practice until it became second nature.
“Ronin, I’ve seen many novel things in your territory.”
She patted the drawings in her hand. “Take this paper, for instance. Although it’s not as exquisite as parchment, it feels very nice to use, and I hear it’s simpler to make. If you could sell this paper publicly, I imagine you could earn quite a few Gold Coins.”
She had done some simple research and found that although Wubei Territory had only recently begun development, it had far too many products with great potential.
Ironwood, porcelain, silk, paper—these were all new things. Compared to the Black Water Buffalo and various aquatic products of Swamp Castle, their value was countless times greater.
This place was destined to become a land of wealth.
“Production is low at the moment, but I believe we’ll be able to sell it publicly soon.”
Dianey nodded. She knew Ronin wouldn’t let this business opportunity slip by, which was perfectly reasonable.
“I heard from your Civil Affairs Chief, Wilson, that you are improving the quality of this paper. I’m very optimistic!”
“I believe it can catch up to parchment.”
Ronin responded with a smile, then steered the conversation back on topic. “I was wondering, what brings you here to see me?”
Dianey hesitated for a moment but steeled her resolve and spoke. “I know about the Wushan Castle Knight Order’s recent movements. They’re heading for Black Python City. It seems a war is unavoidable.”
As the Countess of Wushan City, it was no surprise to Ronin that she knew about this.
“I’m sorry, my lady. If you’re asking me to mediate this conflict, I cannot do it.”
He shook his head. “What your father, Ossen Count, has done this time is too outrageous. Assassinating Dean Miloslav… a crime like that is not something we can easily mediate.”
Dianey’s mouth fell open, her lovely lips accentuating her surprise.
She had guessed something major had happened, but she never imagined it was this serious.
She couldn’t understand her father and brother. It was as if they had lost their minds, capable of doing anything.
A bitter look crossed Dianey’s face. “I’m not asking you to mediate for me. They should pay the price for their recklessness and their crimes.”
She paused, then slowly stated her request. “If it really comes to that, I hope you can spare the lives of Kalima and Tomris. I know you don’t have a good relationship with the Hyde Clan, but this has nothing to do with them.”
Kalima and Tomris are Ossen’s granddaughter and grandson. The latter, in particular, is still young.
Come to think of it, the crimes of Ossen and Barrington did not involve those two.
“I heard you wanted Kalima and Bretton to marry?”
Ronin asked, then shook his head. “I would advise against it. Marrying close relatives is not good for the offspring.”
Dianey was taken aback. She understood Ronin’s meaning—in short, he was against such a marriage alliance.
“That was my thinking before. I won’t interfere too much with Bretton’s marriage now. I just want to leave a little of the Hyde Clan’s bloodline intact.”
“That would be for the best. Bretton will be happy, too. But as for how to deal with the people of the Hyde Clan, that decision is not mine to make.”
Ronin thought for a moment. Since Lurans had arrived in Wushan Town, it meant he had already revealed the news of his recovery to the outside world. There was no need for him to hide it from Dianey.
“You may not know this, but my grandfather has recovered. He is the one who calls the shots in the Wushan Territory now.”
Dianey’s eyes widened. At that moment, she understood why the Wushan Castle Knight Order had been mobilized on such a large scale. Lurans was well!
“This is… truly wonderful news!”
While Dianey was relieved that the Marquis had recovered, she also felt a little lost.
With Lurans’s return, Wushan Castle’s prestige would be re-established.
’But now, what will become of Black Python City?’
’It will probably go down the path I least want to see.’
Her feelings were in turmoil. Even though Barrington had exiled her, she had grown up there, and she felt a certain nostalgia for it.
“That may be so, but I believe your words can still make a difference.”
She looked at Ronin with pleading eyes. “Can you help me?”
Ronin looked into her eyes. As a go-between, Dianey was certainly in a difficult position. But at least for now, it seemed she was considering things from the Wushan Castle’s perspective and wasn’t making any excuses for Black Python City.
’And that pitiful look in her eyes truly makes it hard to refuse.’
“I’ll put in a word for you.”
Ronin comforted her, “But I believe that given my grandfather’s character, he won’t annihilate the Hyde Clan. Kalima and Tomris should be fine.”
Dianey stood up, a smile blooming on her face, and bowed to Ronin. “Thank you so very much.”
“We’re all family. There’s no need to be so formal.”
Ronin couldn’t help but feel a surge of emotion.
’I originally thought Dianey and I would end up in a fierce conflict. I never expected that after Ossen was crippled by Lurans, her personality would do a complete one-eighty.’
’Such a change undoubtedly required great determination. If this woman had talent on par with her brother Barrington, she could probably stir up quite a storm.’
