Chapter 285: Asked for Too Little

The great dragon folded its wings and landed upon the rear hill of Wushan Castle.

The Thunderwind Steed, seemingly accustomed to this scene now, no longer trembled in fear—only peering out from its den with wide, blinking eyes, watching every movement outside.

“Is this the marquis’s castle?”

Elin surveyed the surroundings, her eyes filled with doubt.

It was clearly a forested hillside; apart from this modest house before them, there were no other structures.

“What are you thinking? This is merely the rear hill of the castle.”

Ronin pointed to the beast inside the house. “This is the marquis’s mount—a fifth-rank beast.”

Elin instinctively shrank closer into Ronin’s arms, silently marveling: no wonder this was the marquis’s castle—this mount was far superior to the Black Tiger.

Yet, thinking of the massive dragon beneath her, she suddenly felt it wasn’t so extraordinary after all.

But her slight recoil made Ronin awkwardly rub his nose.

Since this was Elin’s first time seeing and riding a dragon, she had been terrified throughout the journey, clinging to him almost the entire time.

At first, he hadn’t minded—he could point out the cities and landmarks below, explaining them with enthusiasm.

But when they stopped, his arms wrapped around a girl, her faint body scent lingering near his nose, and his gaze falling upon her beautiful profile—

Ronin was a normal man. He couldn’t help but let his thoughts wander.

Truly, maintaining composure in such a situation required extraordinary discipline.

Yet for Elin, it was the same.

When she first saw Karlos, she had been terrified.

Add to that her first flight high above the earth—her fear of heights—and she had naturally sought refuge in Ronin’s embrace for safety.

But as time passed and she grew accustomed to soaring through the skies, the warmth of his arms began to stir something else within her.

She was no stranger to matters of love and romance, and in the knightly romances she’d read, this was precisely when the protagonists would share a kiss.

The thought made her limbs grow soft, her breath warm and shallow.

“Come on, let’s go down.”

Ronin leapt from the dragon’s back, smoothing his clothes and opening his arms to signal she should jump—he’d catch her.

“I….”

Elin hesitated, her fingers gripping the dragon’s cold scales as she glanced downward, whispering weakly, “I’m afraid.”

She wasn’t truly afraid—she’d jumped from higher trees on the mountain before.

Now, it was simply that her body felt weak, uncooperative.

Ronin sighed helplessly and stepped forward to lift her down. “Come on. We’ll make it just in time for dinner.”

Now that Karlos had mastered the spell of Light-Bending Illusion, he no longer needed to sneak in under cover of night.

With Ronin’s support, the two descended slowly, soon arriving at Rulans’s residence.

“You! I thought you’d come right after the war ended—how long have you waited?”

Rulans had long wished to ask Ronin certain questions face-to-face, yet never found the chance.

“If you didn’t come soon, I was about to send someone to write and urge you.”

Ronin explained, “The autumn harvest in the northern district just concluded. I rushed back to inspect the yield, then had other urgent matters to attend to—I couldn’t come sooner.”

Rulans nodded slightly. Matters of the domain were indeed vital.

His gaze drifted to the girl beside Ronin. “Who is she?”

“She’s Elin. She’s the same age as Bretton, and her magical aptitude is exceptional—she recently ascended to the rank of Intermediate Mage.”

Ronin smiled, drawing Elin closer. “I have great hopes for her future. I’m bringing her out to broaden her horizons.”

Elin, raised under Jennie’s strict etiquette, immediately bowed to Rulans. Though nervous, she showed no sign of panic.

Rulans eyed the two skeptically—he hadn’t forgotten Ronin’s many exploits. Was he keeping a harem in the northern district?

“Such talent is indeed rare. Train hard, young girl.”

Rulans smiled warmly. “Moster, I recall there’s a finely crafted magical robe in the warehouse—take Elin to try it on. If it fits, consider it my gift to her.”

“There is indeed such a robe,” Moster replied with a bow. “Miss Elin, if you’d follow me?”

Elin glanced hesitantly at Ronin. Seeing him nod encouragingly, she thanked Rulans and followed Moster away.

Once they were gone, Rulans murmured, “That girl seems quite attached to you. Is she your lover?”

The marquis asked rather bluntly.

Ronin quickly shook his head. “Grandfather, don’t say such things—Elin’s still too young.”

“Hmph~”

Rulans turned and settled back into his chair. “Fine. I won’t meddle in such matters. But I must warn you—if you’ve decided to marry Princess Branci, do not involve yourself with other women before then.”

He added, “Even if you do, keep it quiet. Don’t let it become common knowledge.”

From king to baron, from knight to noble, many kept lovers.

It wasn’t limited to men—female nobles did as well.

Especially those bound by political marriages, who despised each other yet remained wed—private affairs were commonplace.

But no matter how they played, nobles always preserved appearances. Everything was done in secret, never to shame one another.

“Thank you for the warning, Grandfather. I’ll remember.”

Ronin offered no further explanation. The more he denied, the more suspicion grew—there was no need to argue.

“Enough. Tell me about this war.”

Rulans changed the subject. “I heard Toru’s report—you rival Marwen and Philip in strength. I want to know how.”

An eighteen-year-old Silver Knight? Such talent was comparable only to Prince Garrett Audoin, the kingdom’s undisputed prodigy.

But Garrett had shown brilliance since childhood. Ronin, however, had risen from non-knight status to Silver Knight in barely over a year—utterly unbelievable.

“I can’t explain it.”

Ronin spread his hands, helpless. He couldn’t say he’d grown powerful through a system.

“If I must explain, then say my body holds a divine artifact—it accelerated my growth.”

Rulans’s eyebrow twitched. The claim sounded absurd, yet he believed it—perhaps five or six out of ten.

Because only this explanation made sense.

Ronin discovered new resources. He tamed a dragon. Why not a divine artifact?

But did such things even exist?

“Since you won’t say, I won’t press. But I must know—what is your true level now?”

Ronin raised both hands, holding up six fingers, lowering his voice:

“Gold Knight. Archmage.”

Rulance's hand, which had been reaching for his water cup, froze mid-air. "Truly?"

His voice pitched slightly higher.

Roning unleashed his battle qi, its surging intensity unmistakably that of a Golden Knight.

"Hahaha, excellent, excellent!"

Rulance threw his head back and laughed aloud, a rare lapse in his usual composure.

"The Seven Gods be praised. With a descendant like you in the Wushan family, I can rest in peace even if I die."

An eighteen-year-old Golden Knight and Magister—perhaps only the legendary first emperor of Orlant could have ever reached such heights.

"You need not speak such discouraging words. I am currently searching for a cure for you, and I believe it won't be long before we see results."

Rulance dismissed it merely as comforting words and paid it no mind.

His state of mind at this moment was exactly as he had said: even if he were to die, he could do so with a peaceful heart.

"This war was won under your command, and your timely discovery of Korien's betrayal saved the Wushan Territory from a disaster. Your merits are outstanding!"

He smiled and said, "Speak then, what reward do you desire?"

Listening to his tone, it seemed that as long as Roning named it, he would grant it.

Roning had already thought extensively over the past few days about what he wanted.

First was a title; with Rulance's status as a marquis, he could bestow upon him the rank of an earl within the Wushan Territory.

Though compared to a royal earldom, the status of such an earl was relatively lower.

But regardless, it was still an earl, and according to the rules of the sign-in panel, the daily rewards he could obtain would be triple the base value.

Second were territory and resources, and what he desired most was that iron mine in Chishan Town.

"Grandfather, if possible, I hope to be promoted in rank once more, and I also want Chishan Town as my new territory."

Rulance nodded slightly, but then seeing that Roning did not continue speaking, he couldn't help but frown. "That is all?"

Roning blinked, wondering if he had asked for too little.