Chapter 342: The Baron of Torrent Island

“Crack!”

The delicate crystal goblet was hurled to the ground with immense force, shattering into a thousand glittering shards.

Malen Fleming’s face darkened. “That Ronin—again, he ruined my plans!”

Now, he had lost all interest in cultivation; his greatest pleasure lay in expanding the Fleming family’s territory.

Even if the land bore no official claim to Screaming Isle, he still delighted in cultivating, supporting, or managing factions loyal to him—factions that brought him profit.

The Rapid Stream Island, a place ripe for development yet rarely noticed by the King, had recently become his prime target.

To cleanse himself of suspicion, he had dispatched the Blood Sail Pirates to infiltrate the island. Over the past two years, the results had been promising.

Last month, the Blood Sail’s leader had reported to him that their Third Chief had nearly seized control of the White Flower Society—the largest power on Rapid Stream Island.

And then, in an instant—Third Chief, White Flower Society—all wiped out in one fell swoop.

He would find it far more difficult now to establish a foothold on Rapid Stream Island.

“Hesus of Moonlight Valley once told me Ronin was an unpredictable element,” Malen muttered. “Back then, I thought a boy of eighteen trying to thwart me would need at least another decade. I never imagined it would happen so soon!”

Ronin had first swindled his son, Faquendo; then destroyed the White Whale Island base; now he had uprooted Malen’s entire network on Rapid Stream Island.

The more Malen thought about it, the angrier he grew. He let out a cold snort. “This Ronin has succeeded in making me truly furious.”

“Lord, should we—?”

Beside him, Knight Jos made a slashing motion across his throat.

Malen fell silent for a long while, then finally shook his head. “Hesus loves to feud with the Wushan Lord. Let him handle this. My Screaming Isle has no serious quarrel with Wushan Castle or Ronin’s Wubei territory—there’s no need to target Ronin directly.”

The failed assassination by the White Whale Pirates had cost him, but those losses could be recouped from Hesus.

As for the loss of White Whale Island—there were plenty of similar isles scattered across Screaming Sea. He could find another.

The losses on Rapid Stream Island pained him, yes—but not enough to justify sending assassins.

Especially not when Ronin was guarded by a squad of knights from Horn City and that woman, Melonicca, whose power had reached the pinnacle of Gold Rank.

Assassination was never easy.

Ronin’s exploits had simmered for days in Gold Feather City and Oxhorn Bay, then slowly spread to the domains of other nobles.

Two days later, Ronin arrived before the Goldfish Palace.

He stepped from his carriage to find Blanch standing ahead, flanked by her guards.

“Welcome home, valiant Knight of Flame!”

Ronin stepped forward and bowed deeply. Then, under Blanch’s guidance, he made his way toward the Auduin Hall.

“I didn’t expect a princess to come greet me.”

They walked as they spoke.

“You didn’t just eradicate the White Whale Pirates—you quelled the unrest on Rapid Stream Island for the Kingdom. Isn’t it only fitting that I come to welcome you?”

Ronin smirked. “You know better than anyone how difficult this operation was. Why are you speaking as if it were some grand legend?”

Blanch laughed. For the first time, her earlier melancholy had lifted; she now radiated brightness and warmth.

“The more people say something, the more it becomes true.”

Soon, they reached the Auduin Hall.

Inside, besides King Bruno, stood Deputy Commander Broal of the Gryphon Knights, Commander Filimon of the Royal Knights, several royal ministers, and Knight Misi—the royal emissary of this mission.

“Ronin bows before His Majesty!”

Ronin first greeted Bruno, then nodded respectfully to the others.

“I’ve heard the full account of this operation from Misi,” Bruno said with a smile. “Ronin, your performance was exceptional!”

Ronin bowed slightly. “Your Majesty overpraises me. I completed this mission smoothly only thanks to the aid of Knight Misi and the others—and your gracious support.”

Bruno’s eyes gleamed with approval. The boy knew how to speak well.

“Don’t be modest.”

He continued: “Misi told me you faced the Blood Sail’s Third Chief alone. Hah! To defeat a Gold-Rank Knight single-handedly… it seems you held back in the Knight Tournament, didn’t you?”

“Your Majesty’s insight is unparalleled. Indeed, I did not unleash my full strength during the Tournament.”

“Hahahaha!”

Bruno hadn’t expected such direct honesty—he burst into laughter.

He rose, drew the longsword held by a nearby knight, and strode down the steps. “Come, Ronin. Kneel.”

The room fell into varied silence.

Those in the know—Broal, Filimon—remained composed.

Those unaware—like Minister Lud, the Finance Minister—looked startled.

The King’s posture clearly signaled a bestowal.

What title would he grant Ronin?

Knight of Honor?

A noble title?

Ronin knelt on one knee, head bowed.

Bruno placed the sword upon Ronin’s shoulder.

“On Screaming Sea, pirates run rampant. First, the White Whale Pirates assassinated nobles. Now, the Blood Sail Pirates plunder the Kingdom’s assets. In recognition of your valor, Knight of Flame Ronin Wushan, on Screaming Sea…”

He paused, his voice deepening with solemnity:

“I, Auduin V, Bruno Auduin, hereby formally grant you, Knight of Flame Ronin Wushan, the title of Baron of Rapid Stream Island!”

“May your strength and courage forge a tranquil Screaming Sea for the Kingdom of Auduin!”

Ronin pressed his palm firmly against his chest.

“I, Ronin Wushan, solemnly swear: as Baron of Rapid Stream Island, I shall wield my strength and courage to defend the peace of Screaming Sea and uphold the interests of the Kingdom of Auduin!”

The ministers who had been unaware gasped inwardly. The King had directly granted Ronin the title of Baron of Rapid Stream Island.

Though it was but a modest isle, from this moment forward, Screaming Sea now held not one noble house—but two.

All eyes turned inward, speculating on the King’s intent.

Was this a move to counterbalance the Fleming family?

Indeed, over the years, the Flemings had grown immensely powerful—and drawn close to powerful houses like Moonlight Valley. A counterweight was needed.

But was this green boy truly enough?

Even if he stood behind the Thunder Marquis of Wushan, what could a crumbling marquisate do against a rising earldom?

Beneath his mask, Knight Misi sighed.

Ronin had already been a count within the Marquisate. And now, mere days later, he was granted the title of Baron by the Kingdom itself.

How effortlessly, he thought, those with connections and backing rise to nobility.

How unlike Karada—so gifted, so capable—yet denied even the honor of knighthood, let alone a fiefdom, after endless trials and setbacks… and still, still, he had not succeeded.

Blanche felt a pang of reflection.

When she first heard the suitor was a baron from deep within the mountain forests, she had been resistant.

But after meeting Ronin and experiencing a few things, those reservations vanished.

Now, he had not only shed the identity of the forest baron—he had become a count of the marquisate, a baron of the kingdom.

In terms of status alone, Ronin still fell slightly short, yet no one would dare oppose the marriage on grounds of rank.

Yet in truth, Blanche felt she was unworthy of him—after all, her reputation had never been cleansed.

“Rise, Baron Ronin.”

Bruno returned his sword to the knight beside him and clapped Ronin’s shoulder with heavy force.

A servant nearby held a delicate box, inside which rested the golden medal of a royal baron, along with a meticulously sealed letter of appointment.

“Thank Your Majesty!”

Ronin rose and took the box into his hands.

From this moment on, he held two identities.

Count of the Wu Bei Domain, loyal to Wushan Castle—and Baron of Jiuli Island, loyal to Bruno.

As long as Wushan Castle did not stand against the royal house, these two titles would never conflict. (End of chapter)