Chapter 180: 180 Unexpected

Chapter 180: The Unexpected

Just how powerful was Rulance?

It was common knowledge that thirty years ago, at the age of forty-five, he had already achieved the rank of a Meteor-tier knight.

Back then, Rulance had ridden across the battlefields with unparalleled vigor and absolute glory, leaving every knight and noble who followed him utterly awed by his might.

Yet the Battle of the City of Mists three decades ago had altered everything.

Rulance had been grievously wounded in that clash, and though he appeared to have recovered afterward, whenever he channeled his battle qi, his entire body would plunge into a state of excruciating torment, trading a fraction of harm to his enemy for double the damage to himself.

Consequently, for the past thirty years, no one had witnessed the true extent of Rulance's power.

The crowd wore a tapestry of conflicting expressions upon hearing Jesus's remarks.

While many yearned to see if Rulance still possessed the splendor of his youth, the vast majority discerned the underlying scheme behind this proposal.

Jesus's words seemed like mere provocation, but in reality, he had likely conspired with Orson beforehand.

After all, the outside world remained entirely ignorant of Orson's advancement in strength, so how else could Jesus have known?

Just as everyone eagerly awaited Rulance's response, Ronin, who had remained silent in his chair, suddenly stood up.

"Earl Orson is correct."

Ronin spoke up, "It is more than enough for the Marquis to bestow upon me the title of Viscount and grant me the territories of Mountain Forest Town, the four barbarian tribes, and Swamp Town."

This statement immediately sparked astonishment among the other nobles, who had never expected such words to come from Ronin's mouth.

In truth, Ronin was not speaking recklessly; he had given it careful consideration.

For him at this current moment, the title of Viscount, Swamp Town, and the territory of the four barbarian tribes north of Mountain Forest Town were exactly what he required.

With these in hand, he would possess a far more solid foundation for his future development.

On the other hand, from the very moment he became the lord of Mountain Forest Town, Ronin had resolved to adopt a strategy of building high walls, storing ample grain, and delaying any claim to true kingship.

To pursue such a path, he required a relatively stable external environment.

And for that external environment to remain stable, the safety and well-being of Rulance was of paramount importance.

As long as the old man remained alive and well, the current balance within the Black Mountain Domain could be precariously maintained, barring any massive cataclysm.

Such stability was absolutely vital for his growth.

Now, Jesus was instigating a duel between Rulance and Orson, and should Rulance agree, what would the outcome be?

Although Ronin did not know the exact nature of Rulance's affliction, he knew the old man could not unleash his strength lightly, as doing so would only worsen his condition.

Thus, even if Rulance emerged victorious over Orson, the price would undoubtedly be severe.

Furthermore, if he were to lose, or perhaps even suffer fatal wounds during the match, the Black Mountain Domain would plunge into an era of even greater upheaval.

Ronin had no desire to see the Black Mountain Domain fall into chaos, nor did he wish to see Rulance's health deteriorate over his own affairs.

Therefore, he seized upon the point of Orson's disagreement, temporarily relinquishing the newly designated "North Black Domain" to steer clear of this conflict.

In any case, apart from Mountain Forest Town, the barbarian tribes, and Swamp Town, the rest of the North Black Domain consisted of nothing but desolate, uninhabited mountains and forests.

Once Ronin had properly developed his existing territories, there would be plenty of opportunities in the future to swallow the entire North Black Domain.

"Heheh, why is it that the moment a duel is mentioned, the Black Mountain Family begins to show weakness?"

Jesus spoke in a bizarrely sarcastic tone, "Could it be that Marquis Rulance truly can no longer wield his martial might, just as the rumors claim?"

Ronin felt a deep aversion to this tone, yet owing to the gap in seniority and status, it was not his place to voice his displeasure.

Wiggins, however, was different; as Rulance's son, he was equally infuriated by Jesus.

"Earl Jesus, I ask that you mind your mouth. If not for the sake of the royal family and Blanche, I would have had you thrown out of Castle Black Mountain long ago!"

"Haha, the Crippled Earl speaks with the same arrogance as always," Jesus laughed loudly.

Wiggins exploded with rage, instantly snapping off an armrest from his wheelchair and hurling the piece of wood violently forward, shouting, "Get out!"

Jesus snorted coldly, waving a single hand to unleash a surge of battle qi that batted the wood far away.

"Wiggins!"

Rulance slammed his cane heavily against the floor, barking a command to halt his son, "Mind your manners."

Wiggins breathed heavily to express his resentment, but he reined in his fury nonetheless.

"Uncle Jesus, please do not do this," Blanche said in a frail voice.

Jesus ignored her and continued, "I am merely stating a fact."

"If Earl Orson truly wishes to spar, I, Toru, am more than willing to keep him company."

"Kabir can as well!"

"It is only a pity that my father, Melonica, could not attend, otherwise he would surely be pleased to accompany you."

Toru, Kabir, and Melonica were the commanders of Castle Black Mountain's first, second, and third knight orders; with the exception of Kabir, the other two possessed genuine Gold-tier strength.

Even Kabir boasted a combat prowess comparable to that of a Gold Knight.

Orson smiled faintly and shook his head, his demeanor carrying an implicit disdain for the three commanders.

"Though only a single rank separates the Gold-tier from the Meteor-tier, the difference in combat power is a qualitative leap. You do not understand."

He turned his gaze toward Rulance, "The Marquis need not pay it any mind. Earl Jesus was merely speaking out of boredom, I did not..."

"Come then, Orson."

Rulance cut Orson short, his mind flashing back to the words Ronin had spoken the previous night when challenged by the knight from the Pine Forest Domain.

He smiled faintly and added, "The Black Mountain Family has never feared any challenge."

"Father!" Wiggins cried out in disbelief.

Ronin was equally stunned; he had actively supported Orson's proposal, never anticipating that Rulance would step forward to accept the challenge himself.

Marvin, Kabir, Toru, and the others all knit their brows tightly; matters had taken a difficult turn, for once the Marquis gave his word personally, there was no way they could intervene to help.

Jesus, however, laughed heartily, "As expected of Marquis Rulance, your courage commands my deepest admiration!"

Rulance glanced sideways at him, "Jesus, do you know why you became merely the Earl of Moonlight Valley?"

Jesus's smile froze visibly, his expression turning sullen and dark, as though Rulance had struck a deeply painful nerve.

Orson was astonished at first, followed by a fleeting flash of joy, which finally dissolved into an incredulous doubt, "Marquis, are you truly willing?"

"I haven't had a proper exercise in thirty years. Before these old bones crumble completely, it is time for a good stretch."

He slowly raised the cane in his hand, his right hand gripping it suddenly; a bolt of lightning flashed across the wood, and with a crisp cracking sound, the outer wooden shell shed away to reveal a longsword.

Zzzt~

Arcs of electricity flickered along the blade, radiating a faint, oppressive pressure.

Beholding this sight, Ronin immediately thought of his own Flowing Flame Sword; it appeared that Rulance's weapon was likewise an enchanted, extraordinary blade.

"If you win this battle, we shall proceed according to Ronin's suggestion just now."

Rulance pointed his sword directly at Orson, "But if I win, we shall proceed according to mine."

Orson fell into a momentary daze; after more than thirty years, to be pointed at with a sword by Rulance once again filled him with an immense sense of oppression and discomfort.

“No, Ausen, you are different now!”

He roared inside his mind: “You are no longer the same—you are now a Meteor Knight, just like Rulans, and your body is even sturdier than his. You cannot fail again!”

He drew a deep breath, calming his emotions, his gaze no longer filled with fear. “Very well, I agree to your proposal.”

(End of Chapter)