Chapter 360: Coward

Before this endeavor, Ramsay had never entertained the thought of failure.

Even in the worst-case scenario, had the assassination miscarried, he should never have fallen so low as to be captured.

His Meteor-rank prowess was the very source of his confidence to venture alone into Shore Keep, where the Fifth Knights congregated.

Yet, he could never have foreseen the string of unbelievable spectacles Ronin would present to him.

"We were all deceived by you!"

With the tip of a blade pressed against his throat, Ramsay turned his head askew, looking at Ronin standing not far off, his expression as desolate as if he had lost his parents.

A scene such as this felt entirely like a dream to him.

"I have never deceived you."

The duration of the Wings of Wind had expired; those light, ethereal pinions slowly dissolved into nothingness as Ronin approached him.

"It was you all who kept setting your designs upon the Black Mountain domain and myself."

"If my deductions are correct, the hand of Jesus lurks behind the Brand Bandits, the Dark Gold Brotherhood, and that guild of assassins known as the Skull Society, does it not?"

Ramsay remained silent.

"You may maintain your silence, and I, in turn, may choose to end your life right here," Ronin threatened.

Hearing these words, Ramsay jolted back to his senses.

"Ronin, I am a noble, the son-in-law of Count Jesus. According to the laws of the kingdom, nobility is entitled to clemency. I give you a friendly reminder that killing me is by no means a wise choice."

"Which is to say, only you may kill me, but I cannot kill you?"

Ronin drew his Flame Flow Sword and thrust it through the man's calf, eliciting a wretched scream from him.

"Wake up, Ramsay. Your life is now held fast in my hands. In this desolate wilderness, who could ever prove that it was I who slew you?"

Ramsay’s heart began to flutter with panic.

As the supreme martial power of Moonlight Valley, he enjoyed an exalted status, and in the future, it was highly probable he would attain even greater power and position; he had no desire to die in such a manner.

"What must I do for you to be willing to spare me?"

Ronin let out a soft chuckle. "I wish to know the particulars of the cooperation between Jesus, the Fleming family, the Principality of Vera, and Count Orsen."

"They do indeed have a cooperative alliance, but the specific details of that arrangement are known only to those few lords and patriarchs."

"You are unaware?"

"Yes. Although I am Jesus's son-in-law, they did not permit me to partake in their deliberations."

Ramsay looked at Ronin, his tone shifting. "However, I am privy to the terms of the cooperation with Orsen at the beginning of the year. Under the guise of a friendly sparring match, they intended to trigger the flare-up of Rulance's old injuries, even hoping he would die of severe wounds in battle. Then, once Wiggins inherited the title of Marquis, they would ensure Orsen's grandson—that half-brother of yours—sat securely in the seat of the heir."

"You need not tell me that; we had already guessed as much."

Ronin harbored no interest in this piece of intelligence. "Offer another piece of information of actual value."

"Sally, the daughter of Jesus, is to be wed to Facundo from the family of the Count of Screaming Island. The date..."

Ronin cut him off. "Do not test my patience. I require valuable intelligence; do not mock me with these matters that everyone already knows."

Ramsay’s mind raced furiously. He knew many secrets, but if he were to divulge certain things, his prospects and even the future of his family would be utterly ruined.

Therefore, he could only select some trivial, innocuous information to share.

"My apologies, Lord Ronin. If you are already aware of these matters, I have nothing else to offer you."

Ramsay spoke in a tone that suggested he had looked past life and death.

"However, I can promise you that if you spare me, I will have Jesus and my family provide you with ample wealth and resources."

His lips are sealed tightly indeed.

Regarding how to dispose of Ramsay, Ronin fell into deep contemplation.

As direct evidence of Jesus's attempt on his life, Ronin could entirely present Ramsay before His Majesty the King to demand justice, or even use this as a pretext for the Black Mountain domain to launch an assault on Moonlight Valley.

Yet Jesus was a member of the royal family after all, closely bound to grand nobles like those of Ferensburgh. In the end, the crown would likely do no more than grant Ronin some financial compensation; the probability of execution was exceedingly low.

Furthermore, when Ramsay gave his testimony, he would absolutely disclose Ronin's true strength and the matter of the dragon.

Ronin had no desire to step into the limelight so abruptly; the Northern Black Mountain domain did not yet possess that measure of strength.

The Black Mountain domain, after years of decline and consecutive years of warfare, required proper recuperation and rest even if Rulance were to recover; it was ill-suited for immediate military action against Moonlight Valley.

As for demanding a exorbitant ransom from Jesus and Ramsay's family, it carried the exact same risk of leaking intelligence regarding Ronin.

"Keeping him alive is both a threat and a bane."

A murderous intent flashed within Ronin's eyes.

Thud, thud!

Just then, two griffins were cast down by Carlos. They were drenched in blood from head to toe, and having crashed to the earth, they could no longer flap their wings.

Ronin’s heart tightened. Surely this dragon had not carelessly killed the two griffins?

"Carlos, what have you done to them?"

The dragon’s colossal form descended, crushing the surrounding trees into several splintered fragments with a loud crackle.

"Rest assured, Master. I merely gripped and injured their wings so they cannot fly for the time being. They are capable of recovery."

Only now did Ramsay clearly discern the appearance of this monolithic beast.

"This is... a dragon?"

A tumultuous wave surged within his heart. "Ronin actually possesses a dragon as a magical beast mount!"

Recalling his recent experience in the sky brought a cold sweat to his brow even now.

Likely only those high-grade griffins possessed the capability to resist; ordinary griffins were naught but lambs to the slaughter.

Ramsay thought to himself that once he departed, he must spread this news far and wide. By then, countless people across the continent would surely seek out Ronin just to lay eyes upon this creature of legend.

"Had we known you were this powerful, and that you possessed a dragon beast, we would never have made a move against you."

A tinge of regret colored Ramsay's thoughts. "Ronin, let me leave. Perhaps we can still cooperate in many aspects."

"For instance?"

"I can assist you in dealing with Count Orsen, the Principality of Vera, and even my father-in-law, Count Jesus."

Ronin assumed an expression of interest. "You are willing to betray Jesus for my sake?"

"Possessing a dragon, combined with your peerless talent, you might very well unify this continent in the future just as Emperor Orland once did. Following you offers a far broader horizon and greater possibilities."

These words carried a savor of flattery, though such a possibility did indeed exist.

Yet Ronin had not even given concrete thought to the matter of unifying the continent. If Ramsay were to propagate this notion, it would bound to arouse the suspicion of various great factions; it might even cause Bruno to guard against him.

After all, it was precisely because many wished to prevent the Black Mountain family from possessing two geniuses that Gryms had met his demise.

Ronin was now far stronger than Gryms had ever been.

"Speaking in such a manner, I am indeed somewhat swayed."

Ronin smiled faintly, though his smile grew somewhat chilling. "However, for the sake of certainty, I still deem it more secure to slay you here."

Ronin raised his sword and thrust it toward the man's heart.

"Wait!"

Ramsey completely panicked, shouting at the top of his lungs, "We have a partnership with Cape Town!"

Roning paused. "Viscount Victorino?"

He was currently collaborating with Cape Town himself, and Victorino had shown no signs of betraying the Black Mountain Fief.

"Yes, Viscount Victorino!"

Ramsey's voice grew frantic. "Back when you led the raid to wipe out the Portland Bandits, we promised Victorino that we would negotiate a free navigation treaty with Screaming Island on his behalf. That is the only reason he didn't lead his men to assist you."

A sudden realization washed over Roning.

On that occasion, Victorino's excuse had been that a magical beast threatening ships had appeared in Port Dennis, and that his men had been wounded while slaying it.

He had never imagined that Jesus's shadow lurked behind that incident as well.

Yet, if it was merely this, it could only be considered an exchange of interests, not an outright betrayal.

At least in the events that followed, Victorino had shown a relatively friendly disposition, and his son, Reece, was currently serving under Roning.

"I am aware of this matter."

Roning raised his longsword, thrusting it forward once more.

"Wait, wait, wait!"

Ramsey cried out the word repeatedly in his desperation. "Screaming Island intends to annex Cape Town, and they want a piece of the Black Mountain Fief's land too!"

"You had better tell me more."

The tip of the Flame Flow Sword brushed against the man's skin.

Ramsey's face turned white as sheet. "The Grand Duchy of Vera and Castle Ference are highly dissatisfied with His Majesty the King. They have been interacting closely in secret."

"Grand Duke Vera has already become a Silver Moon Knight!"

The tip of Roning's sword pierced the skin, and his battle qi surged inward.

"Also, Jesus is in contact with the Kingdom of Tricia."

"The Kingdom of Tricia hasn't been peaceful lately; it is said that several riots have broken out over there."

...

After Ramsey blurted out an unknown amount of information, a sharp squelch echoed as Roning's longsword pierced through his heart.

"Ah!"

The Meteor Knight let out a wretched wail of agony, having never truly believed that his opponent would actually deliver a fatal blow.

"Roning, Jesus will never let you get away with this!"

"And I will not let him get away either."

Roning spoke with cold indifference as a torrential wave of battle qi flooded into his foe's body, destroying the heart and utterly extinguishing the last remnants of life.

"A Meteor Knight, and yet such a coward."