Chapter 344: Wanting It All

The consultation between Ronin and Lord Melun persisted for a vast stretch of time.

Perhaps because their discourse had been so pleasant, the host extended a warm invitation for Ronin to remain for a grand banquet.

It was only when the mantle of night had grown deeply profound that Ronin departed within his carriage, making his way toward the inn where the nobility lodged.

Both objectives of this particular visitation had been triumphantly achieved.

The first was to secure a buyer for the timber harvested from Torrent Island.

Though a price of five gold coins per cubic meter yielded scant profit, it remained the finest expedient available while his current strength was yet lacking.

Had he not entered into cooperation with Melun, the moment those pirates assaulted his vessels—causing damage to the ships and the deaths of his crew—a single such calamity would have been more than Ronin could bear.

A period of biding one's time and nurturing one's strength upon the sea was an absolute necessity.

Once Ronin’s own might had ascended, that would be the hour to renegotiate anew with his counterpart.

Perhaps by then, he could dictate not merely the price, but also choose his partners in cooperation at will, rather than being confined solely to the earl's house of Screaming Island.

The second objective was the acquisition of two cargo vessels, each twenty meters in length, and a warship of identical proportions.

Upon the open market, such a warship commanded a price of five thousand gold coins; though the cargo ships were somewhat cheaper, each still demanded three thousand gold coins.

Following a bout of bargaining, Melun made concessions of his own—

The warship was priced at four thousand five hundred gold coins, while the two cargo vessels were surrendered for a mere five thousand gold coins, amounting to a total discount of one thousand five hundred gold coins.

It was a stroke of fortune that Ronin was now wealthy; had it been in the past, producing nearly ten thousand gold coins all at once would have broken him.

Beyond this, Ronin demanded that the other party deliver the vessels directly to his doorstep—safely moored within the harbor of Torrent Island.

He intended to first train a naval force at Torrent Island, while simultaneously constructing a rudimentary dock in the North Crow Territory, thereby establishing an initial line of communication between the island and his domain.

As for the naval force of Torrent Island, Ronin prepared to entrust its oversight to Calada.

Having been born in a port city and having served as a preceptor at the Transcendent Academy, Calada possessed a certain measure of theoretical knowledge in these matters.

As for Rhys, once Victorino consented to let the youth join the North Crow Territory for tempering, Ronin would station him at the domain's port to foster the naval force alongside Calada.

With the leadership thus determined, the remaining task was the recruitment of professional knights, soldiers, captains, and sailors.

Regarding captains and sailors, Vic could assume responsibility, and suitable personnel would also be found within Jagged City.

The crux of the matter lay with the professional knights and soldiers.

Once Ronin became the master of Torrent Island, Knight Vali, who was currently stationed there, would naturally depart.

At that time, aside from Calada, the island would retain only Rahn and his four professional knight subordinates, who had been taken into service not long ago.

Therefore, over the past two days, Ronin had directed Calada to employ his network of connections to summon his students and friends to join Torrent Island.

Within the manor of the Fleming family.

Before Ronin's arrival, Melun and Joss had agreed to have the pirates blockade Torrent Island and attack the young man's merchant vessels.

They had simply not anticipated that the two parties would now enter into a cooperative relationship.

"My Lord, since you are now in a cooperative alliance with Ronin, must the matters we previously discussed be suspended?"

"Naturally, they must be suspended."

A smile crept unbidden onto Melun’s face. "A transaction such as this is scarcely different from us controlling Torrent Island with our own hands, and it spares us the vexation of administration."

He pondered for a long moment, yet the direction of his words suddenly shifted:

"However, the scale of the pirates must still be expanded, and they must be made to linger frequently along that route between Torrent Island and the North Crow Territory; the moment they discover Ronin’s ships, they shall assault what ought to be assaulted, and harass what ought to be harassed."

Joss froze for an instant, then gave a sinister smile. "Your subordinate understands. You protect only the trade vessels journeying between Ronin and Screaming Island."

Melun nodded his head in agreement.

He was counting on this cheap yet high-quality timber to bring him even greater fortunes, so he would naturally safeguard the security of the vessels Ronin dispatched to Screaming Island.

Yet the transport Ronin conducted between the North Crow Territory and Torrent Island still fell within the scope of what he intended to strike and suppress.

Cooperation was cooperation, and containment was containment; they were two entirely separate matters.

For the Screaming Sea, it was quite enough to have his Fleming family reign supreme alone.

"Do not tamper with the quality of the ships Ronin has purchased; proceed in accordance with a normal transaction."

Melun enjoined him strictly; he would not use the commercial reputation of the Fleming family to practice deceit.

"However, every two years, we must periodically destroy his vessels, forcing him to disgorge the wealth he has earned once more."

Joss could not help but sigh with admiration in his heart; this master he followed truly knew how to conduct business.

Any notions this young baron, Ronin, possessed of earning money from the Fleming family to fund his own development were dreadfully doomed to shatter.

Early the following morning, Calada sought out Ronin.

"My Lord, in accordance with your commands, I have recruited a total of fifteen individuals this time. This is the roster of their names."

Ronin took the parchment, upon which the names and strengths of these men were clearly enumerated.

Among them was one Bronze Knight, two Advanced Knights, three Intermediate Knights, and nine Beginner Knights.

He could not restrain his praise: "Splendidly done! I had no inkling your network of acquaintances was so vast!"

"The vicissitudes I have endured over these years have been rather numerous, and the people I have come to know are quite diverse."

Calada smiled faintly. "Among these men are partners with whom I have collaborated, such as Lucen and Edan; some are students I have instructed, and others are my former classmates from my days at the Transcendent Academy. All hail from ordinary households."

Ronin noted that Lucen was the solitary Bronze Knight, while Edan was the Advanced Knight.

Calada paused for a brief moment before continuing, "They have all heard of your renown and are captivated by your might; all are willing to become your followers. However, their numbers are somewhat large; please see which ones are suitable."

"Keep them all. I want every single one!"

Ronin spoke without the slightest hesitation.

"The populace of Torrent Island consists of either criminals or the descendants of criminals; its composition is exceedingly complex. Compounded by the threat of pirates without, I shall feel more at ease with a few more blades at my disposal."

With this cohort of Calada's, added to Rahn and his men, Torrent Island would command twenty-one professional knights.

Judging solely by the number of professional knights, it could already rival Ronin's own personal retinue.

The solitary disadvantage was that their apex combat power consisted solely of Calada, who was comparable to a Gold Knight.

"Calada."

Ronin looked upon this gifted knight who had only recently sworn fealty to him; though the man sprang from humble origins, his character was beyond reproach. Through their association during this period, Ronin had come to place considerable trust in him.

Now, having brought so many thoroughly vetted individuals to become his followers, his merit was by no means small.

"My Lord, please command me."

Ronin smiled, and then spoke with a measured solemnity, "I intend to appoint you as the Governor of Torrent Island, to be responsible for the island's public security, defense, and transport."

Calada was stunned, and immediately after, a look of pleasant surprise washed over his features.

From a mere follower to a Governor was a monumental leap forward, bringing him one step closer to his ideals.

He dropped to one knee. "I shall exert my abilities to their utmost, and I will not fail your expectations!"

Ronin raised the man up.

Following this, he imparted a further series of injunctions regarding the political affairs of Torrent Island.

Potatoes must be sown on a large scale, but crop rotation must be observed to prevent late blight.

Beyond potatoes, the island’s specialties—coconuts and cherries—also require expanded cultivation.

Of course, these administrative duties would only be temporarily entrusted to Karada; when the opportunity arose, Ronin would send Wilson’s trained administrative assistants to oversee governance on the Rapid Current Island.

Karada’s primary focus must remain on military affairs.

Ronin himself would also make regular inspections and provide guidance on the island, for with Karlos at his side, such distances posed no problem. (End of Chapter)