Chapter 298: Sharp Horn City and Screaming Island

Chapter 298: Horncastle and Howling Isle

Time rewound one hour earlier.

Ris met Vittorino upon returning to Horncastle.

“Father, Ronin has entered the city. Jamie is now bringing him toward the castle.”

“Good that he’s come.”

To be honest, Vittorino had worried Ronin might not come at all.

After all, during the war against the Polant thieves, he had originally planned to lead the troops himself—but had changed his mind at the last moment.

Though he’d offered a plausible excuse, others had surely harbored resentment.

He did not know Ronin’s nature; it was entirely possible the man might refuse an invitation, as Vings had done.

“How did you find Ronin?” Vittorino asked with a smile.

Ris paused, then shook his head. “I felt no pressure from him. He gives off none of the aura Prince Garrett exudes.”

“The prince is like a drawn blade—sharp, gleaming. Ronin is ordinary. If not for others saying so, I’d never guess he’s a Silver Knight.”

“Hamet doesn’t lie.”

Vittorino chuckled. “Ronin has never shown his strength in all these years—he’s clearly mastered the art of concealment. His ordinariness? That’s likely his usual facade.”

Ronin silently protested: he truly was ordinary.

“Send word to the estate. Notify Luci and the other nobles and knights—they’re to attend tonight’s welcome banquet at Horncastle.”

“Yes, Father.” Ris bowed and withdrew.

“You seem to place great value on this Ronin. Hasn’t he yet regained his inheritance?”

Inside the room, Lady Parida watched her son’s retreating back. Her husband sending Ris to fetch someone—this was rare indeed.

“Ronin rose too swiftly. After this war, Marven, Kabir, Toru—all will back him.”

Vittorino patted his bloated belly, eyes clouded with uncertainty. “I don’t know what the Marquis thinks—but I suspect he’ll find a way to restore Ronin’s standing. After all, the Haid family’s ties to Wushan Castle have soured beyond repair. Bretton carries half Haid blood—he’s in an awkward position.”

“What of our cooperation with Moon Valley?”

“We made a transaction with Jesus, not a partnership.”

Vittorino cut her off. “Once I stayed off the battlefield and reached an agreement with the Earl of Howling Sea, that transaction ended.”

He rose to his feet.

“Come, Parida. We must prepare too—let Ronin feel the warmth of the Denis family!”

The Denis family was indeed warm.

At the banquet, dazzling lights, a splendid orchestra, melodious singers, and beautiful dancers—all rivaled the splendor of Wushan Castle. The air buzzed with revelry.

After the feast, Vittorino invited Ronin to his study.

“How was it, Ronin?”

“Exquisite!”

Ronin smiled in praise. “The seafood and wine of Horncastle are unparalleled. The Denis family’s hospitality made me feel as if I’d returned home!”

“I’m delighted to earn such high praise.”

Vittorino reclined in his chair, hand resting on his round, distended belly.

“I know you’re eager to reach Goldfeather City. So I’ve already instructed port officials to ready two Denis sailing ships—ready to depart at your command.”

“You’re too kind, Viscount.”

As the saying goes: no favor without a hidden motive.

Since the banquet began, Ronin had been wondering: why such warmth?

Pure hospitality seemed excessive.

Alliance? Flattery? Neither seemed necessary.

“These are trivial matters to me. No thanks needed.”

Vittorino continued, “Also, I’ve asked my son Ris to escort you to Goldfeather City. He’s only ever drawn to strength, to genius. Should he wish to spar or test himself against you, I hope you’ll agree.”

Ronin’s pulse quickened. All this effort—for Ris?

“Actually, there’s another matter I’d ask you to mention to Lord Vings or Lord Rulans.”

Here it came—at last.

Ronin straightened slightly. “Go on.”

“You know the Earl of Howling Isle?”

Ronin nodded.

Howling Sea resembled an inverted triangle; Horncastle sat at its rightmost apex, hence its name.

Dozens of islands dotted this vast strait, the largest being Howling Isle, ruled by the Fleming family.

Thirty years ago, Alfonso Fleming earned his earldom through merit. His domain included not only these islands, but also a distant enclave west of the Wushan Beast Mountains.

Remove the mountains, and Wubei might well border the other side.

“Geographically, should the Flemings blockade the northern waters, Denis Port’s ships would be confined to the narrow curve near Horncastle.”

Vittorino’s expression darkened. “For years, the Flemings have clashed with me over this! At first, thanks to the Marquis, they quieted down for a long while.”

“But when the Marquis’s health declined and handed governance to Vings, the Flemings began stirring trouble again—and Vings does nothing.”

In truth, Vings had tried to intervene at first—but the Flemings ignored him outright, so he gave up.

“So you want me to mediate with the Flemings?”

Ronin shook his head slightly. “They likely won’t grant me any respect either.”

Though he was a count, a kingdom-count versus a newly appointed Wushan-count—status differed vastly.

And Ronin’s strength might not impress them at all.

“No, no—I merely wish you to speak well of me to the Marquis, and perhaps ask Vings if he might help resolve this.”

This time, Vittorino stayed off the battlefield because Jesus had stepped in to mediate, ultimately securing a three-year free-navigational agreement between Denis Port and Howling Isle.

But three years was far too short.

Had he known Wushan Castle would win decisively at Chishan Town, he would never have agreed to Jesus’s terms.

Every thought of it filled him with regret.

Had he gone himself, he might have claimed an estate or village near Shoreside City.

Agreements expire. Land, however, rarely does.

But regret came too late.

Now Vittorino could only reveal the threat facing Denis, hoping Wushan Castle would re-engage—even if they couldn’t secure permanence, perhaps a decade or more?

“Very well. I’ll relay your plea to the Marquis and Lord Vings.”

He only then realized that there existed such tensions between Screaming Isle and Horned City.

A brief analysis confirmed it, geographically speaking.

Should Screaming Isle be blockaded, every ship from Dennys Port would be trapped.

Ronin couldn’t help but wonder—if the port in the Ubei Domain were successfully built, could one sail counterclockwise along the coastline into the Screaming Sea, trapping the Earl of Screaming Isle between two fronts?

(End of Chapter)