Chapter 33: 33 Tense Nerves

Chapter 33: Nerves Tightened

Ronin had contemplated many scenarios along the road to Forest Town, yet even the wise may overlook one detail.

Without sufficient intelligence, certain matters remained beyond Ronin’s foresight.

Reflecting now, Baron Ressin, having resolved to take the perilous step of eliminating Ronin, would ensure nothing went awry.

Perhaps in Ressin’s eyes, Prinster and his men were enough to handle Ronin and his guards.

But to prevent any mishap, Baron Ressin dispatched Knight Feridon with troops to flank them from behind, ensuring Ronin had no escape.

Imagine if Ronin fled from Prinster, he would inevitably face encirclement—no path to heaven, no door to earth.

This was Baron Ressin’s complete plan to bring Ronin to his end.

Ronin’s mind was unsettled. Forest Town lay just ahead, yet he hesitated whether to advance or retreat.

Advance? He knew nothing of the town’s situation and could not muster forces to oppose Baron Ressin.

Retreat? The path behind was blocked, with no safe route to withdraw.

“What to do?”

He must devise a response swiftly, lest delay allow the enemy to encircle him from behind, worsening his peril.

Ronin gazed at the forest stretching along both sides of the road. Perhaps fleeing into the woods with Macken and others might preserve their lives.

But choosing this path meant he could not escape with all twenty-nine guards.

Though ordinary men, Ronin had invested much in them, hoping more youths like David might awaken to martial seed potential among them.

To abandon them now was intolerable.

Moreover, even if he survived the forest, he would only return to Castle Ursen. Could he then compel Castle Ursen to mobilize troops, citing Ressin’s intent to kill him?

Likely difficult.

Not that Castle Ursen would disregard his life, but even if he accused, it would require prolonged processes, unlikely to overthrow Baron Ressin.

After all, he remained a dispossessed, titular Baron of Forest Town with nothing, while Ressin commanded a knight squadron, decades of influence, and connections.

What did Ronin have?

Could mere Ursen lineage accuse a noble, prompting Castle Ursen to slay him?

Clearly improbable.

Ultimately, Ressin might only be ordered to compensate for years of misappropriated Forest Town taxes.

Yet if Ronin still came to Forest Town as its lord, his circumstances would mirror the present.

Ressin would never relinquish this territory he viewed as his own.

“I must establish myself swiftly in Forest Town!”

Ronin’s expression tightened, brows furrowed, sinking into deep contemplation.

He needed a plan neither fleeing into the forest nor delaying conflict with Ressin’s domain.

But then, Elron approached Ronin, whispering, “My lord, I hear hoofbeats afar.”

As he spoke, Elron pointed back along their route.

Ronin’s heart clenched, his face darkening further. “So soon?”

“Ha! From Ressin’s domain to Forest Town, a full-speed charge takes but four hours!”

Prinster’s voice brimmed with malice. “From our meeting, you’ve shown calm, but now I finally see fear on your face—ha!”

He grew insolent, as if freed from captive status.

“Now, you can only surrender us to Knight Feridon, perhaps bargaining for your life.”

“Is that so?”

Ronin’s voice chilled, glancing at Macken. “Batter his mouth, break his teeth—I want no coherent words from him again!”

“Understood, my lord!”

Macken stepped forward, kicking then striking Prinster’s mouth twice, teeth scattering, blood and saliva streaming down.

Ronin looked back along the road—now even he heard the hoofbeats.

“What to do!”

Yet as tension peaked, Ronin’s calm intensified.

Against Feridon, he must maintain composure, ideally enough to deter rash action.

“Fear is universal—I fear, so Baron Ressin fears too!”

Ronin’s mind raced—what would Ressin fear?

Two things.

First, fear that Castle Ursen learns of misappropriated Forest Town taxes;

Second, fear that Castle Ursen learns of Ronin’s murder.

Resource theft might be excused, compensated;

But as Ursen’s vassal killing Ursen’s lineage? Not mere fines.

Though Castle Ursen’s sway waned, it persisted—the old Duke ill, not dead.

To uphold Ursen’s dignity, Rulens or Vigens would march on Ressin’s domain, avenging Ronin to deter unrest.

Surely the Heid family would not obstruct.

Thus, Ressin feared the second more.

So, slightest chance Ronin might evade capture would curb Ressin’s murderous intent.

Ronin must intimidate him, misjudge strengths, make Ressin think even an assault could not annihilate all Ronin’s men.

Any risk of information escaping would make Ressin hesitate.

To achieve “intimidation,” Ronin must perform, misrepresent his strength.

The crucial act: silencing Prinster and others, denying them knowledge of true power.

“All heed!”

Ronin commanded loudly. “Slay all captives!”

The guards paused—they thought those surviving footmen might be spared, yet death awaited.

A momentary hesitation, then swords rose, ending captive lives.

Ronin looked at Prinster, whose eyes widened, unexpecting this choice.

“I see fear on your face.”

Ronin echoed Prinster’s earlier words, then signaled Macken.

Macken gave Prinster no time, swiftly severing his head!

“You… you all!”

Beside him, Dison was stunned. His companion Kate had just awakened, and upon seeing this scene, she fainted once more.

In the moment of their astonishment, Maken and David ended the lives of the two.

From that point on, nearly all of the forces brought out by Princet had been wiped out, leaving only one remaining.

Ronen turned his gaze towards Malt.

Malt met Ronen's icy, seemingly emotionless eyes and immediately sweat poured down like rain, so terrified that he knelt on the ground.

"Sir, please believe in my loyalty! Even if you ordered me to challenge Feredun, I would not hesitate!"

Malt was truly frightened; he hadn't expected such a young Baron to kill captives so decisively.

Ronen narrowed his eyes and ultimately refrained from striking the fatal blow. "You should be grateful that you possess the value to live."

"Malt thanks the master for sparing my life!!"

The sound of horse hooves grew clearer and clearer. Ronen took a deep breath.

In truth, when Elron notified him, he already had no time to flee.

From that moment onwards, Ronen had no choice; he could only risk everything and fight.

"Now, lie on the ground and pretend to be a corpse."

Ronen commanded: "Remember to make it convincing. If it's not convincing, then I'll make you convincing."

"Yes, yes..."

Malt hurriedly lay on the ground. Possibly considering that this way of feigning death wasn't convincing enough, he quickly got up, smeared the blood on the ground onto his neck and body, then lay back down.

Perhaps still thinking it wasn't convincing enough, Malt steeled his heart, picked up his sword, and made two cuts on his left arm. Immediately, his clothing split open, and blood flowed out.

After doing this, he lay face down on the ground and ceased all movement.

Ronen couldn't help but raise an eyebrow; this fellow pretended quite convincingly. Fortunately, the wounds on his arm weren't deep, otherwise he might bleed to death.

However, caution ensures a long voyage. "David, later you'll stand beside Malt. If he makes any movement, you know what to do."

"David understands!"

Ronen raised his long sword, shouting aloud: "Everyone, summon your spirit and energy, line up, and face the enemy!"

(End of Chapter)