Chapter 190: Taking Over Swamp Castle

Chapter 190 Taking Over the Swamp Keep

Galir remembered the way-stations along the route with perfect clarity, always leading the company to find a manor not far from the main road to rest each day before nightfall.

These estates were modest in scale; some belonged to the anointed knights of the Black Mountain Keep Order, others were the domains of pioneer knights, while some were the properties of different nobles.

Yet regardless of their nature, a simple fee was all it took to secure a night's lodging.

This proved far more comfortable than Ronin's previous journeys between his fiefdom and Black Mountain Keep.

The journey passed without any peril, free from ambush or assassination, and on the morning of the fourth day, the party arrived smoothly at the crossroads connecting the Sean Domain and Mountain Wood Town.

When they had first set out for Black Mountain Keep, Ronin and his two companions had paused at this very junction.

Back then, he had wondered whether the Sean Domain would belong to him upon his return, and now, that ambition had been realized without a hitch.

"Tom."

"At your command, my Lord."

Ronin cast a glance toward the mountain woods, then turned to Galir and the other knights beside him, saying:

"Ride immediately to Mountain Wood Town and inform Rydal. Tell him to bring the Shadow Assassin and all the captured knights of the Sean Domain to Swamp Town."

"Oh, and have Chahar, Wilson, and the others come as well. We are taking over Swamp Town," he added.

Though Ronin had previously asked Viscount Marvin to help secure the entrances and exits of the Sean Domain, outside forces could only be borrowed for so long.

If he wished to truly assume control of the Sean Domain and maintain its law and defense, he ultimately had to rely on his own men to establish order quickly.

Fortunately, for the Mountain Wood Town of today, their sole enemy had already been eradicated.

Aside from the volatile factor of magical beasts, there were no other hidden dangers within the entire fiefdom.

"Understood, my Lord!"

Tom bowed in obedience and, wasting no time, spurred his horse into the mountain woods, galloping toward Mountain Wood Keep.

Galir watched Tom's departing figure; he had initially hoped to visit Mountain Wood Town to see it for himself, but it seemed there would be no opportunity this time.

He could not help but wonder just how much change this young lord before him had brought to Mountain Wood Town over the latter half of the past year.

"Galir, accompany me to Swamp Town."

Ronin said with a smile, "Leisen's family and some of his knights are there. I shall leave the rest to you."

Galir came out of his thoughts, "It is my duty, Lord Viscount."

The defining characteristic of the Sean Domain was its wetlands, varying in size and scattered everywhere.

Their presence kept the air thick with humidity while providing an excellent habitat for various creatures to thrive.

It was by virtue of these marshlands that Baron Leisen had successfully raised his family's black water buffalo.

Yet, in Ronin's understanding of wetlands, utilizing them merely as a breeding ground for buffalo was a terrible waste of the swamp's true worth.

If nothing else, the peat that abounded in the marshes was an exceptional organic fertilizer and soil conditioner.

However, as to how exactly he would exploit it, Ronin only held a preliminary concept in mind; he first needed to grasp the specific conditions of Swamp Town.

Crossing over two hills, a winding, twisting road led to a small town at its end.

The dwellings in the town did not appear much grander than those of Mountain Wood Town, but they were greater in number, indicating a larger population.

As Ronin and his company drew nearer, they could see that riders had already secured the entrance to the town, and soon, a knight came galloping out from within.

The knight spotted Ronin amidst the crowd at a single glance, primarily because the silver-and-black-eyed insignia of the Black Mountain family was exceptionally prominent.

"Falias Snow, Captain of the Ninth Knight Squad of Horse-Breeding City, greets the Viscount of the North Black Mountain Domain!"

Ronin nodded with a smile, "The Snow family? Is that the same Snow family as Miss Kelami's?"

"Yes, my Lord."

Falias replied respectfully, "Kelami is my younger sister, though she is not present today."

As he spoke, he ushered Ronin inside, and before long, Mars Ironhoof, who was in charge of controlling the Sean Domain, and Baron Talon Snow emerged from the town.

Mars Ironhoof, the heir to the Ironhoof family, bore a strong resemblance to Marvin in countenance, though he was considerably taller.

Baron Talon Snow was someone Ronin knew little about, only that the man likely possessed Silver-tier strength. If Horse-Breeding City were ever to form a knightly order, this baron would probably be its commander.

"Greetings, Viscount Ronin!" The two dismounted in unison to welcome him.

Ronin likewise swung down from his horse, exchanging courtesies, and introduced Galir to them.

In this setting, Galir seemed not only to have come to escort prisoners, but more so to assist Ronin in taking possession of the Sean Domain.

After all, men always harbored their own interests; Viscount Marvin favored Ronin greatly, but that did not guarantee his subordinates would execute his commands flawlessly.

Should any dispute arise, Galir's presence would serve as an impartial witness.

Fortunately, Ronin's anxieties proved groundless, for the men of Horse-Breeding City were strictly disciplined.

According to Mars's account, when they first arrived at the Sean Domain, Fenris, who was garrisoned there, had led a faction in resistance.

Unfortunately, Leisen had deployed most of the domain's military strength to the Black Ridge Tribe. Fenris had nearly no men under his command, making it easy for Mars and his forces to breach the defenses and seize Swamp Keep.

Over the past few days, the men of Horse-Breeding City had done nothing more than guard the vital thoroughfares and forbid anyone from entering or leaving; they had abstained entirely from confiscating property, looting wealth, or seizing provisions.

According to Mars, they were only responsible for controlling access, leaving all other matters for Ronin to handle.

"Has all of Leisen's family been placed under guard?" Ronin inquired as they walked.

Mars shook his head. "We only captured Leisen's wife and daughter here. His son, Moravi, did not return to Swamp Town for the New Year festival."

"Then one fish has slipped through the net."

Ronin knitted his brows slightly. "Galir, where do you suppose this Moravi might be right now?"

Galir pondered for a moment. "Moravi is a student at the Black Mountain Transcendent Academy. Perhaps he is still in Black Mountain Town?"

Black Mountain Town was situated in the neutral ground between Black Mountain City and Black Python City.

This town was under the direct jurisdiction of Black Mountain Keep, guarded by Commander Melonica Taylor of the Third Knight Order.

Ronin shook his head. "More than likely, Moravi has already fled."

The events at Black Mountain Keep had long since spread, and Moravi would surely have caught wind of them.

Were Ronin in Moravi's shoes, he would likely flee southwest into the domain of Earl Hyde, perhaps finding refuge to escape disaster.

Moravi's talent for cultivation fell far short of Breton's; even if given time to grow, the probability of him becoming a worthy adversary in the future was minuscule, posing no true threat.

If he had escaped, so be it; Ronin cared little.

He only wondered whether Orson had contacted Leisen in secret.

If the other party offered protection for Moravi in exchange for Leisen's silence on certain crimes or intelligence, would Leisen comply just to preserve his family line?

Of course, this was mere speculation on his part.

"Lord Viscount, Swamp Keep lies just ahead," Mars said, pointing toward the fortress before them.

Ronin directed his gaze forward.

Swamp Keep was ingeniously rooted upon this wetland, its main structure fashioned from dark, hardened stone that remained unyielding and remarkably well-maintained despite enduring the relentless humidity of the marshlands for years.

The site of Swamp Keep was equally masterfully chosen, situated dead center in a vast stretch of marshland, leaving only a single main road leading to the fortress gates while water encircled it on all other sides.

If sufficient troops held the castle, it would indeed be difficult to take.

“Reisen is truly flush with wealth—the gold spent constructing this fortress must be unimaginable!”

Roning stepped into the Marshland Castle, his heart brimming with anticipation.

(This chapter ends)