Chapter 164: 164 Investigation Plunges into Dilemma

Chapter 164

Investigation Hit a Dead End

The tense atmosphere within the Wushan Fortress dissolved with the arrival of Princess Blanchette.

As both an eyewitness and the central figure defending Broal and Jesus, her words would determine the course of the entire affair.

All it would take was her willingness to hold Wushan Castle accountable—and immense trouble would descend upon Rulans and his men;

or, conversely, a single word of support from her, and the matter could be settled with effortless simplicity.

In fact, her stance had been revealed the moment she stepped into the fortress and spoke her first sentence: this incident had no direct connection to Wushan Castle.

Moreover, she praised the fortress’s swift response and lavished high commendation upon Ronin’s composure in the face of peril.

Though the princess declined to pursue accountability, Rulans still apologized for his poor planning of the itinerary and expressed heartfelt gratitude for Her Highness’s mercy.

Thus, the dispute ended amid such amiable exchange.

Of course, investigations must still proceed—this matter could not simply vanish into thin air. Now, all eyes turned to the results from Knight Captain Toru.

Nightfall.

As darkness settled, Wushan Castle welcomed its moment of celebration.

In the opulent hall, golden murals shimmered beneath the glow of lanterns, casting an aura of lavish solemnity.

A faint incense drifted through the air, interweaving with the melodies played by professional musicians into a magnificent symphony.

Nobles, clad in exquisitely tailored gowns, moved gracefully among the crowd, attended by meticulously groomed servants who ensured the banquet’s vibrant energy never waned.

The banquet arranged for Her Highness had neither been canceled nor postponed.

No one—not even Princess Blanchette, the hostess—showed the slightest sign of disturbance, as though the assassination attempt earlier that day had never occurred.

Ronin did not attend.

Following Rulans’s orders, he lay in bed, recovering his strength while listening to Macken’s report.

After the Wushan Castle Knights took over the arena in the afternoon, Toru had interrogated and screened every staff member and spectator present that day.

Yet no valuable leads emerged.

First, every assassin involved in the incident—save the one golden knight who escaped—was dead.

Even the Skeleton Order’s assassins bore their sigils, yet Toru found no trace of such markings on the corpses or their garments.

As for their identities, records existed—but the arena admitted anyone who could pay; expecting a rigorous real-name system was absurd.

“The most critical figure is Mondo, the gladiator who transformed,” Ronin said.

“Have you investigated him?”

Macken nodded, then shook his head.

“According to the arena’s records, this gladiator Mondo appeared in Wushan City over a year ago. He has won countless bouts—many spectators remember him well.”

Ronin raised an eyebrow. Over a year ago?

At that time, his predecessor had still been alive. Rulans hadn’t even entertained the idea of marriage alliances.

How could Mondo have foreseen Princess Blanchette’s sudden arrival at the arena?

Ronin considered another possibility.

Perhaps Mondo had always been an assassin embedded in Wushan City under the guise of a gladiator—his true target had never been Blanchette.

But her unexpected visit had forced him to alter his objective.

“How did he join the arena?” Ronin asked.

If they could trace his sponsor or connection, there might still be a thread to pull.

“According to the arena’s administrators,” Macken replied, “Mondo was a destitute knight who heard that performing in the arena yielded substantial rewards. He signed up.”

“To gain entry, he bribed the screening officers, offering them ten percent of his earnings as a gift—thus he became a gladiator.”

It was like chasing a rootless weed: no matter how deeply you probed the surface, beneath it lay nothing but void.

“Have you investigated the green-skinned ogres?”

Ronin paused, then asked, “Princess Blanchette mentioned these ogres are rare in the Wushan Beast Mountains but common in the Mist Mountains. Has Toru traced where those ogres were transported from?”

Though Wushan Castle lay closer to the Mist Mountains than to Timber Town, transporting a Level Three beast such as that would cost a fortune.

The Wushan Arena was, after all, a commercial enterprise—profit was its only law.

Why, then, would they incur such exorbitant expenses to bring the green-skinned ogre here? Was there another motive?

Macken blinked, then shook his head. “That… hasn’t been checked.”

Ronin urged quickly, “Then go inform Toru—have him investigate from that angle. See if anything turns up.”

“Yes, my lord!”

Macken bowed and departed at once.

Ronin rubbed his temples. If this assassination ended with nothing uncovered, it would be humiliating.

No matter how much Blanchette favored them, Wushan Castle owed the world an explanation.

“Are we really going to make the arena’s screening officer take the blame?”

As he brooded, an unexpected figure appeared in the room.

Ronin looked up—and saw Rulans standing beside his bed.

“Hmm?”

He glanced toward the door, puzzled that Tom had not announced him.

Tom merely spread his hands, helpless—Rulans had signaled him not to speak.

“I thought you’d already retired,” Rulans said, pulling a chair close to the bedside. “Excessive mental strain gives you terrible headaches. How do you feel now?”

Ronin hadn’t expected the old man to come personally inquire after him.

“Thank you, Grandfather, for your concern. I slept two hours this afternoon—I feel much recovered.”

Ronin smiled. “How was the banquet?”

“Grand and lively. Princess Blanchette received the reception befitting her station.”

Rulans tightened the scarf around his neck and sighed softly. “Yet, alas, the banquet lacked its true protagonist.”

Ronin’s heart skipped. “Oh? Who?”

Rulans smiled faintly. “Of course—the knight who saved Her Highness, single-handedly slaying two high-ranking knight-assassins.”

He fixed Ronin with a steady gaze.

“My grandson. Ronin Wushan.”

Ronin offered a polite, slightly awkward smile. “Grandfather, the rumors are exaggerated—I didn’t dispatch them so easily.”

“That wasn’t my claim,” Rulans insisted. “It was the princess’s own testimony—the sole eyewitness.”

Ronin groaned inwardly. He’d been so focused on keeping his magic a secret, he’d forgotten to mention the details of the fight.

“Come now, boy—what is your true strength?”

“High-level peak?”

Rulans shook his head. “Unlikely.”

(End of Chapter)