Chapter 343: Discussing Cooperation

"Smash!"

A newly replaced, exquisite crystal cup was once again hurled to the ground by Myron, shattering into countless pieces.

"Making Ronin the Lord of Torrent Island, what on earth does our King mean by this?"

Myron had every reason to be furious.

As the undisputed overlords of the Screaming Sea, the Fleming family had long regarded these waters as their private domain; at times, they viewed even the royal fleet as mere guests.

Yet now, a second noble had suddenly materialized within the Screaming Sea.

Any outsider could see that His Majesty was attempting to counterbalance Screaming Island, and Myron, naturally, discerned this as well, even if his heart refused to openly acknowledge it.

"No, we cannot allow Ronin to grow and flourish."

After a long interval of suppressed rage, Myron finally arrived at a decision.

Jos inquired, "Is my Lord prepared to take action against Ronin then?"

Myron shook his head as before. "Ronin is currently the favorite in King Bruno's eyes; it would be unwise for us to strike directly."

He paused, pondering briefly. "Let the Blood Sails and the White Whales expand their strength a bit more. From now on, whenever Torrent Island seeks to transport timber out, or bring supplies in, plunder them all!"

What Myron truly desired was to ensure that Ronin could never successfully manage Torrent Island.

A desolate, ruined island would pose absolutely no threat to him.

"My Lord, this Ronin is also the Count of the Northern Crow Territory."

Jos offered a reminder, "Should the Northern Crow Territory establish a port in the future, he would no longer need to depart from Port Dennis; instead, he could navigate directly from the northern route into the Screaming Sea and reach Torrent Island."

Myron's brow furrowed deeply.

If Ronin were merely a Baron of Torrent Island, he possessed ways to ruin the man, but the critical issue lay in the fact that the other party also held the vast Northern Crow Territory as his domain.

"We cannot interfere with matters upon the land, so we shall solely command the sea. Have them keep a vigilant eye on the waters surrounding Torrent Island; any vessel bearing the banner of the House of Black Mountain is to be plundered without exception!"

"A mere island baron who possesses barely a few ships—even given time, it is impossible for him to contend with us upon the ocean."

Knock, knock, knock.

As the two conversed, a rapping sound echoed from the door outside.

"Master, a knight named Tom has delivered a visiting card from without, stating that his master, Baron Ronin of Torrent Island, desires an audience with you."

Within the chamber, Myron and Jos exchanged a knowing glance.

They were in the midst of plotting how to deal with Ronin, yet they had never anticipated that the opponent would take the initiative to pay a visit.

"Heheh, I should very much like to see what he intends to achieve."

Myron laughed, "Accept the card, and convey that I await his arrival right here!"

That very afternoon, Ronin sat within a carriage, journeying toward the Fleming family's estate located in Golden Feather City.

Though he had clashed with Screaming Island on several occasions, and the other party might have even orchestrated assassinations against him,

he had to concede that, in the short term, he possessed no means to settle scores with them upon the sea.

If Torrent Island was to develop, its primary source of revenue must stem from the sale of timber.

Ronin had learned from Knight Vali that the timber from Torrent Island was typically shipped back to Oxhorn Bay; among the purchasers, aside from a few merchants manufacturing furniture, the largest client was the Fleming family, who engaged in shipbuilding.

Should the other party refuse to purchase the timber from Torrent Island, Ronin would be forced to dip into his own funds to sustain the island's population of over twenty thousand souls, which would represent a staggering expenditure.

Yet that was not Ronin's gravest concern.

What he feared most was the Fleming family leveraging their status as overlords of the Screaming Sea to impose a blockade upon Torrent Island.

Particularly those pirates; if they specifically targeted the merchant vessels of Torrent Island and the Northern Crow Territory, it would prove a thoroughly troublesome affair.

While Ronin feared no pirates, he could hardly accompany every single voyage.

Just as during the recent assault by the White Whale Pirate Group, had he not been present at that moment, Rhys and the others would likely have found their graves within the sea.

Thus, his submission of a visiting card to Myron this time was principally aimed at ensuring the smooth transport of Torrent Island's timber through the channels of commerce.

Even if it yielded no profit, it must at least prevent him from suffering a loss.

"My Lord, we have arrived at the Fleming family estate."

"Very well."

Ronin descended from the carriage and, guided by the servant at the entrance, stepped inside the estate.

The Fleming family estate was immense, its interior landscaping and adornments complete with every luxury, sitting several echelons above Marsh Castle.

"Perhaps at some point, I too shall need to establish a Northern Crow Territory office within Golden Feather City or Oxhorn Bay."

"Once the silk and porcelain enterprises have expanded, then it shall be time."

Within the drawing room, Ronin waited for a brief spell before a brisk, light figure stepped inside.

The man was attired in magnificent garments and possessed a thick mane of curly brown hair; his gaze was deep and luminous, betraying a shrewd and perceptive brilliance, as though capable of piercing through the intrinsic value of all things under heaven.

Furthermore, Ronin could sense the faint fluctuations of magical energy emanating from the man's form.

It was rumored that this eldest son of the Fleming family was a Grand Mage.

Myron wore a smile, "Haha, to receive a personal visit from the esteemed Flame Knight and Baron of Torrent Island is truly my profound honor!"

Ronin likewise responded, "To have the privilege of meeting Lord Myron today is equally an honor of my own!"

The two men resembled old companions who had not met for years, clasping hands with warmth and exchanging several rounds of pleasantries before taking their respective seats, leaving not the slightest trace of friction visible.

Following this, Ronin offered a succession of praises regarding the might of the Fleming family, while simultaneously expressing his reverence for a distinguished magical lineage.

Myron replied with smiles upon the surface, occasionally reminiscing about past associations with the House of Black Mountain, yet his mind was actively dissecting the true purpose behind Ronin's journey.

After a bout of pleasantries, he grew disinclined to continue exchanging hollow compliments, and thus could not help but inquire, "I wonder, Baron, what sudden business brings you to visit today?"

Ronin composed his expression slightly, adopting a more formal demeanor.

"As your Lordship is well aware, the sole commodity Torrent Island can present is its timber. To my knowledge, the Fleming family has historically been one of the largest customers among the buyers of our wood. Now that I have become the Master of Torrent Island, one of my objectives in coming here is to solidify our cooperation."

Myron smiled inwardly, noting that the man had indeed come to negotiate business.

However, even if the timber from Torrent Island ranked among the absolute finest in quality, how could he possibly continue purchasing from Ronin when his goal was to stifle the youth's ascent?

"Did Screaming Island purchase much timber from Torrent Island in previous years?"

Myron spoke with a skin-deep smile, "My apologies, Baron, but purchasing affairs are generally managed by my retainers, and I have paid little heed to them. Yet to my knowledge, Screaming Island draws its timber from several distinct sources."

His meaning was direct: Torrent Island's contribution was neither essential nor missed, and his inclination to maintain commerce was exceedingly faint.

"Lord Myron contends with a multitude of affairs daily, so it is only natural that you would not invest excessive energy into such trivial matters."

Ronin chose not to expose the facade, playing along with the other's

I have some understanding of the price of timber. As far as I know?”

“It’s not high, my Lord!”

Ronin explained, “The oak from Gushui Island is top-grade. Offering such a low price is purely to foster friendship between the Wu family and the Fleming family.”

“Friendship is friendship, but business is business.”

At the mention of business, Mallen grew more engaged.

If he could procure timber from Gushui Island at such a low cost, there seemed little need to establish influence on the island himself.

He raised his right hand, fingers spread wide: “Five gold coins. If the baron is willing to sell at five gold coins, I will take every last log—however much you have!”

Ronin cursed inwardly, his expression strained. “Five gold coins? That’s difficult!”

If the price dropped to four gold coins, he would make no profit. But at five gold coins, with three shipments per month, he’d still net around three hundred gold coins.

The fact that the man named such a precise figure revealed deep familiarity with Gushui Island’s timber trade.

“Five gold coins is already very reasonable!”

Mallen smiled. “You may have crushed the White Whale Pirates, but the Howling Sea remains dangerous. Yet if you fly the banner of the Fleming family, the Might of the Howling Sea, you gain an invisible shield—those pirates dare not touch you.”

The words sounded ordinary, yet carried an unmistakable threat.

In other words, if Ronin refused to cooperate, the pirates of the Howling Sea would target Gushui Island’s ships.

“What I value is the Fleming family’s influence over the Howling Sea!”

Ronin said without concealment. “Very well—I’ll consider five gold coins. But I wish to purchase two cargo ships and one warship from you at a discounted rate.”

“Hah! The ships from Sharppeak Island are the finest along the coast—and the fairest in price!”

Mallen grew increasingly fond of Ronin. “Buying from me is your wisest choice!” (End of chapter)