Chapter 391: Rulance's Plan

Rulans' words left Ronin utterly astonished.

A seventh-rank archmage, even Elron possessed formidable combat prowess. Who, under normal circumstances, could pose a threat to such a one?

"What happened? Did he go into the mountains to gather herbs and get attacked by beasts?"

He was unaware that Miloslav and Rulans had discussed selling the potion to alleviate the Soul-Eating Surge to Black Serpent City.

Had he known this, he would have suspected the Haid family's involvement.

"Recently, on the ninth morning, Auson's castle was violently attacked. Though no civilians lived near the fortress, many heard the thunderous roar."

"Following this, Black Serpent City's knightly orders mobilized for a city-wide manhunt. Though unknown what they sought, the news spread far and wide. From that day forward, entry was permitted but exits forbidden."

Rulans knew this because he had informants in Black Serpent City.

Yet his informants could only provide these details; further information remained unknown.

"Did the old dean go to Black Serpent Castle?"

Rulans nodded. "Yes, he went to resell the potions he once sold me to Auson."

"I had Meronicca investigate. Miloslav indeed departed Wushan Town in early March, accompanied by his guard Bulev and others, heading toward Black Serpent City. Timing suggests he arrived around the ninth."

Ronin sat down, truthfully still finding it hard to believe.

"Even if Auson were utterly mad, he wouldn't dare harm the old dean, would he? Is this information true?"

Whether noble or commoner, action against another always had motive.

What could Auson gain from attacking Miloslav?

Land? Gold?

Miloslav owned no land. As for gold, he carried little, and the Haid family was not poor. They wouldn't risk angering the old dean over mere tens of thousands of gold coins.

Pure revenge seemed even less likely.

"I cannot comprehend it either."

To Rulans, Miloslav selling the Soul-Eating Surge potion to Auson was highly advantageous.

Though it couldn't cure the ailment, it did alleviate symptoms.

Even at a high price, Auson should have been delighted. Why turn against Miloslav?

Such an act was clearly a pretext for Wushan Castle to demand accountability.

This move was utterly bizarre.

"Grandfather, what are your plans?"

Rulans summoned him not merely to relay intelligence; otherwise, he could have simply written it in a letter.

"Meronicca sent a letter to Black Serpent City, ostensibly to inquire about the castle's situation, but actually demanding Barrington replace Auson to come to Wushan Castle for an explanation."

Ronin nodded slightly.

By custom, vassals served at Wushan Castle annually—some earls even acted as stable hands for their liege.

This wasn't absolute; some vassals paid in gold or other valuables instead of service.

But when a liege summoned a vassal by name, refusal was impossible.

Barrington wasn't Rulans' vassal, yet he'd inherit the earldom. With Rulans demanding he come in Auson's stead, he had no choice but to comply.

"Barrington hasn't come to Wushan Castle in years. I wonder how he'll respond?" Ronin wondered.

Rulans said, "I've had Meronicca gather the Third Knightly Order and prepared Kabir's Second Knightly Order."

Ronin gasped. Was this an attack on Black Serpent City?

He glanced at the map on the wall. Wushan Town and Shimmering City bordered each other; eastward routes led to Black Serpent City.

Rulans had stationed the Second and Third Knightly Orders there, with trusted commanders. Clearly, the old man had long seen Auson as a target for correction.

"Do you truly mean to act?"

Ronin asked, "Two knightly orders might not be enough?"

"Merely applying pressure for now, no immediate action intended."

Rulans explained, "If Barrington refuses to come to Wushan Castle, and I find evidence of Miloslav's attack in Black Serpent City, that's when I'll strike."

Lightning flashed in his gaze. He seemed ready to use this battle to declare the former Thunder Marquis had returned.

"Black Serpent City has two knightly orders. With Auson's vassals, they might muster another. Total of three."

Rulans chuckled, "Wushan Castle has five existing, plus three newly formed. Though the new ones lack combat strength, they're sufficient for defense."

Ronin grasped his meaning.

"So if war comes, you'll deploy all five veteran knightly orders?"

"No. Your Fifth Knightly Order stays put. I'll station the Eighth Knightly Order at Shore City—it needs defense."

Ronin nodded. This was preparation for the new Polant Thieves Guild uprising.

"Three against three, even victory would bring heavy casualties."

Ronin said, "No levy?"

In his view, battles required surplus troops; stalemates were unwise. Besides, the old dean's plight wasn't Wushan Castle's alone.

Rulans had considered this too.

He smiled. "Don't forget, this campaign is to avenge Miloslav. He's not only Wushan Academy's dean and my Honorary Earl, but also the Kingdom's Honorary Viscount and the Silva Magic Consortium's representative in Wushan Domain."

"If he's harmed, the kingdom may or may not send troops, but the Silva Magic Consortium won't stand idle."

A regional administrator attacked—if the Consortium didn't act, its prestige would crumble, and such incidents might become commonplace.

For such a vast organization, this was a severe blow.

Rulans continued, "They have over a dozen branches in our domain, each led by Grand Mages or Chief Mages, plus dedicated knight squads. Their combat power rivals knightly orders."

Ronin understood this well.

The Silva Magic Consortium in Horse Pasture City traded with Northern Wushan Domain, sending magical materials to Elron with knight squads escorting.

Initially, with small-value goods, High Knights led the escorts. Later, as transactions grew, Bronze Knight Robinson took charge.

Such a force existed in Horse Pasture City's branch; others likely mirrored it.

Mobilizing them, as Rulans said, would form a formidable force.

"That mobilization would take time," Ronin said.

"We're in no hurry."

Rulans stroked his white beard, calm and assured.

"I want Black Serpent City to submit to Wushan Castle's command. If Auson and his kin wish to avoid war and save the Haid family, they can offer their lives or freedom to secure its survival."

Should war erupt, victory or defeat would bring losses.

If Auson and Barrington confessed and accepted punishment, the marital alliance between Wushan and Haid families might spare their descendants.

Regardless, the Haid family would no longer rule Black Serpent City.

Roning endorsed Rulans' approach.

To subdue the enemy without fighting, using peaceful means to reclaim Black Serpent City and strip the Hyde family of their earldom—considering Wushan Domain's position among the surrounding magnates, it was a suitable choice.

Yet who could say what choice Black Serpent City would make when Wushan Castle mobilized?

Would Barrington come to Wushan Castle? (End of Chapter)