Chapter 361: Analyzing the Situation

In an unnamed wilderness, the Meteor Knight, surrounded by the forest of the strong, met his end.

When Rulans and Auson had once dueled, Ramsay had stood alone before all, barring anyone from interfering—how grand and spirited that scene had been.

Could he ever have imagined dying at the hands of such a mere upstart?

As Ronin sighed, he picked up the longsword Ramsay had discarded beside him. “This is an enchanted legendary weapon.”

He activated its wind affinity, and potent elemental winds surged along its blade—using wind-based combat techniques would double its effectiveness.

“A pity you’re fire-aligned; otherwise, this sword would suit you perfectly.”

Riedal, who had been searching Ramsay’s body for valuables, paused. “My lord, no need to consider me—I already wield an enchanted legendary sword.”

“Oh?”

Ronin took the sword with surprise; he had paid little attention to Riedal’s weapon before.

As fire-imbued aura surged through it, the blade grew heavier, the surrounding air scorching rapidly.

Riedal explained: “This is ‘Heartfire of the Earth.’ When fully unleashed, it doesn’t merely amplify my combat techniques—its extreme heat can melt ordinary iron!”

Ronin studied the intricate patterns etched along the blade.

Heartfire of the Earth was a seventh-tier fire magic, yet the markings on Riedal’s sword clearly contained more than just that spell.

They were a composite magical rune—he intended to take it back for careful study.

“I never knew your personal weapon was enchanted. I wonder if Macken’s sword and Elron’s staff are too?”

“All of them are. Mine is just more advanced.”

After a thorough inventory, Ramsay’s body held nothing of value.

Ronin activated Riedal’s sword—the searing heat instantly melted Ramsay’s corpse.

They then found Angus, fallen from the sky and dead, and disposed of him in the same manner.

Hesus had lost two battalion commanders at once—among them, a Meteor Knight. The blow to Moonlight Valley was devastating, a perfect illustration of trying to steal a chicken and losing your entire cow.

“My lord, based on my latest intelligence, Moonlight Valley commands four knightly battalions, each of formidable strength.”

Riedal reported: “Besides Ramsay, the remaining commanders and deputies are said to be Gold Knights. The one you just killed, Angus, was rumored to be near the peak of Gold Rank.”

Hesus, born of royal blood, could sustain four knightly battalions in a single earldom—his wealth was clearly immense.

“Beyond Ramsay, does Hesus have any other Meteor Knights?”

Riedal shook his head. “Current intelligence suggests none—but we cannot rule out hidden strength.”

Ronin fell into thought. With his own power, Riedal’s, and Karlos’s, they might well assassinate Hesus.

But Hesus remained in his stronghold—his castle defenses would be extraordinary, possibly even armed with high-tier mana-cannons.

Ronin refused to underestimate his enemy as Hesus had done. He abandoned the idea of assassination.

“At present, Moonlight Valley, Vera Principality, Screaming Isle, and Fhernsborg all harbor ill will toward Bruno. I wonder if it might spark a coup?”

From his perspective, the king was still a reasonable ruler—why then did so many turn against him?

And Hesus of Moonlight Valley, and Fherns Gris—both were Bruno’s own brothers. In noble tradition, they should have been staunchest supporters of the throne.

If the kingdom descended into chaos, lands like Wushan would be perilously exposed.

“Maintain vigilance over Moonlight Valley,” Ronin warned. “Though Hesus likely won’t openly send his knights to invade Shore City, we must guard against desperation. If anything happens, your survival comes first.”

Though he spoke thus, Riedal, now a Meteor Knight, was unlikely to face mortal threats under normal circumstances.

The two further discussed forming a knightly squad for Wubei Province.

Hesus had four battalions—Ronin aimed for the same number.

Riedal, Macken, and Wubei Province all needed to expand their knightly units.

After their deliberations, their gazes turned to the two griffins trembling on the ground under Karlos’s control.

“Ramsay’s griffin looks stronger. This one is yours.”

Ronin said: “Have Magistrate Sandro designate a hilltop for you in Shore City. In the next few days, I’ll have Karlos help you tame it.”

Ramsay’s griffin had already been broken of its wildness; they were not creatures bound to one master for life. Reclaiming allegiance should not be difficult.

“Thank you, my lord!”

Riedal’s eyes gleamed with eagerness, yet he hesitated.

“My lord, if we openly ride griffins, won’t Hesus use that as pretext to attack Shore City—or even Wushan?”

Ronin fell silent.

Ramsay’s death was his own doing—but he was Hesus’s son-in-law. The latter might indeed wage war for vengeance.

“War often needs only an excuse—even if the excuse is hollow. But even then, it must carry some semblance of legitimacy.”

“The kingdom’s authority still stands. Hesus’s excuse must at least appear credible.”

Avenging his son-in-law?

Ramsay died attempting assassination. Using that as justification would leave Hesus in the weaker position.

Demanding the return of the griffins?

The griffins bore no markings unique to Ramsay or Moonlight Valley. How could one prove they were lost, or how they were lost?

Could one claim they were lost during a failed assassination?

Of course, none of that mattered most.

The truest point: Moonlight Valley had lost a top-tier combatant, while Shore City now harbored a warrior capable of slaying a Meteor Knight.

The balance had shifted.

Would Hesus dare launch a military strike?

Ronin openly riding the griffin would force Hesus to glare helplessly—and perhaps spend sleepless nights fearing assassins at his own door.

“As long as Hesus retains his reason, he will not openly act against us.”

As for covert actions—he had never ceased targeting Wushan.

Ronin considered, then said: “I’ll give the remaining griffin to Macken. Once his strength grows, the two of you can watch each other’s backs in the south.”

With these arrangements settled, Karlos seized the two griffins and carried Ronin and Riedal back to Shore City.

Over the following days, under Karlos’s threats and inducements, Ramsay’s griffin submitted. Once its wings healed, Riedal would begin flight training.

Meanwhile, in Moonlight Castle, Hesus paced like a man on a hot stove.

On the first day, he saw no sign of Ramsay or Angus returning. He did not panic—merely assumed they had been delayed.

But as days passed—three, five, seven—still no word came from Shore City.

Even the slowest mind could now sense dread.

The only thing preventing him from accepting it was this: Melonika or others had not accompanied Ronin. Shore City should have had no one capable of threatening Ramsay.

“My lord!”

Captain Idrisa of the Second Knightly Battalion entered. He had once met Ronin at Shore Fortress.

Jesús hurriedly asked, “What’s the news from Shore City? Have they found anything?”

Idrisa’s face was grim. “Rumors say Rodin’s subordinate, Redar, rode a white griffin. Do you think Ramsay and Angus have already been killed?”

Jesús’s countenance turned ashen—his worst fears had been confirmed!

“Impossible! Ramsay was a Meteor Knight! How could they possibly kill him?”

His eyes burned crimson, bloodthirsty—the unmistakable sign of seething rage.

“Go! Summon every knightly order within our territory! I’m launching an assault on Shore City—I’ll find Ramsay!”

Idrisa gasped. “My lord, this is a direct declaration of war against Mount Wu. Are you certain?”

Jesús panted heavily, falling silent.

Idrisa pressed on. “They say Melonika is suspected of being a Meteor Knight. If Ramsay was slain, Melonika is surely involved. Which means Melonika is now in Shore City!”

To them, Melonika was the only suspected Meteor Knight in Mount Wu’s domain.

“We have four knightly orders, but even if we ultimately surround and kill Melonika, we’ll suffer devastating losses. Meanwhile, Mount Wu still has four other knightly orders—we’d be at a grave disadvantage.”

Jesús turned his head, fixing Idrisa with a piercing glare. “Then what do you suggest? Let Ramsay die like this?”

“I think we should strengthen our defenses—at the very least, prevent their agents from assassinating you.”

The words struck like lightning, jolting Jesús out of his fury.

Of course—he no longer had Ramsay’s protection. His safety had plummeted.

What if their Meteor Knight came to assassinate him? What then?

“Quick! Gather all the Golden Knights at Moonlight Castle! Bolster the defenses! Deploy all arcane cannons and arcane arrows!”

Jesús cherished his life above all else.

He rose, pacing anxiously back and forth. “No—go fetch those three people for me. I must speak with them!” (End of chapter)