Chapter 396: Rulance's Breakthrough

Wushan Town. Melonika listened to her subordinate’s report, her brow subtly furrowing.

Barrington had not refused Rulance’s summons—but he had set the meeting a full month away. Clearly, it was a ploy to buy time.

“How bad is the damage to Black Serpent Fortress?” Melonika asked.

“I couldn’t get close, but from a distance, I’d estimate at least four or five buildings destroyed—including the central tower.”

The messenger knight relayed what he’d seen, adding his own conclusion: “A great battle must have taken place at Black Serpent Fortress!”

Melonika nodded. The destruction was far beyond what a Gold Knight could cause. Whoever fought there must have included either a Meteor Knight—or at minimum, a Magister.

Dean Miloslav was likely in grave danger.

Just then, a guard appeared outside the hall. “My lady, Darc, steward of the Silvah Mana Trading Guild, requests an audience.”

Melonika blinked in surprise. “Quickly, bring him in!”

Earlier, Steward Darc had already expressed concern. His visit now likely carried the guild’s official stance. If they were to pressure Black Serpent City, the guild’s support would be indispensable.

“My lord!” Darc strode into the chamber without even pausing for formalities. “The master has returned—he sent me to summon you at once!”

“What?” Melonika’s eyes widened. “The dean is back?”

She had assumed Miloslav was dead. This news struck her like lightning—both joyous and shocking.

“How is he?”

They walked swiftly toward the door as they spoke.

“His chest wound is severe. We used several healing scrolls. His condition is stable now, but not good.”

“As long as he made it back… And—is he alone? What of Sir Bluff?”

Darc shook his head, voice low. “The master said Sir Bluff may have been killed by Barrington’s men.”

Melonika froze mid-step. Though she’d suspected it, hearing it aloud still felt unreal.

What were the Heide family thinking? How dare they?

She realized instantly—the conflict between Wushan Keep and Black Serpent City would no longer stay hidden. War was coming to Wushan Territory, far greater in scale than the battles against the Bolander Thieves or the Blackgold Brotherhood.

“Let’s go.”

Led by Darc, they soon reached Miloslav’s room.

The old man, once vibrant despite his age, now looked worn and hollow. His hair was brittle as dry straw, his lips cracked and parched. To escape alive, he hadn’t dared stop at any knightly estates along the way—wounded, sleeping under open skies for days, clinging to life.

“How are you feeling?” Melonika asked gently.

Miloslav opened his eyes, reaching out to grip her arm. “Quick—tell Rulance—Olsen has recovered! There’s another Meteor Knight in his castle—they tried to kill me!”

Melonika gasped.

The marquis had suffered that strange energy affliction for thirty years—and now Olsen was healed?

Was the secondary effect of the energy simply not lasting?

But that didn’t matter now. What mattered was that Olsen had not only regained his strength—but gained a Meteor Knight ally.

Was that why he dared strike against Miloslav?

They probably never expected the old dean to survive.

“I’ll tell the marquis at once,” Melonika assured him. “Before you returned, Wushan Keep’s knights were already mobilizing. Lord Rulance is preparing to pressure Black Serpent City.”

Miloslav nodded. A Grand Magister all his life, respected wherever he went—when had he ever endured such humiliation?

This time, if not for the Earth Bear spell scroll and his earth-walking technique, he would have died there.

“They openly assassinated me and murdered Bluff. I will not forgive this lightly.”

He turned to Darc. “Bring paper and pen. In my name, send messages to the guild headquarters and the royal court. The Heide family has blatantly violated kingdom law and noble covenants—I demand their trial!”

“Yes, my lord!”

Melonika did not intervene. Truthfully, she had no reason to—and no power to stop him. After a few words of comfort, she left the estate swiftly.

First, she dispatched knight squads to patrol and guard Miloslav’s manor. Then, returning to her study, she took up pen and paper to write to Wushan Keep.

“Black Serpent City has two Meteor Knights, plus several Gold and Silver Knights. Here in Wushan, Dean Miloslav is gravely wounded and unfit for battle. That leaves only me as a Meteor Knight. If war breaks out, even if we win, the cost will be enormous.”

Melonika knew nothing of Rulance or Ronin’s situation. In her eyes, the top-tier combat power clearly favored the enemy.

Such a gap could only be bridged with magical weapons and sheer numbers—losses would be inevitable.

“Still, since Miloslav has reported this to the crown and the mana guild, they should send reinforcements.”

At Wushan Keep, Vinkins sat in his wheelchair, receiving Marwen Viscount of Horse Pasture City and Vitorino Viscount of Horned Peak City in the grand hall.

“Come on, Vinkins—just give us a straight answer!” Marwen’s voice brimmed with impatience. He wanted to see the marquis, yet was blocked at the gate.

It was the first time in years Rulance had refused to see his disciple.

Unease crept into Marwen’s mind—was the marquis dying?

“Yes, Vinkins,” Vitorino added, equally puzzled. “All of Wushan Keep’s knightly orders are mobilizing. It’s making every noble here uneasy. Either tell us the truth—what’s wrong with Lord Rulance? Or let us in. If the lord blames anyone, Marwen and I will take responsibility.”

Vinkins sighed helplessly. If he knew why Rulance suddenly refused visitors, he’d have spoken already.

But he didn’t know. He didn’t even know why the knightly orders had been called to arms.

Everyone in Wushan Keep seemed busy lately—even Diana had traveled far to assist in the remote northern reaches.

Counting them all, he seemed to be the only one with idle hands.

Not surprising—he’d lost a leg. Mobility was hard.

Otherwise, he’d have stormed straight to Rulance and demanded answers.

“You’re asking me? I don’t know either!” He spread his hands. “The old man has refused everyone. Even if you bypass me, Toru guards the inner courtyard. You won’t get through.”

Marwen and Vitorino exchanged helpless glances.

They knew Toru was guarding. That’s precisely why they’d come to Vinkins.

But now, this path too had failed.

Hum~

As the three were conversing, a tremendous surge of energy swept across the entire Wushan Fortress.

They could feel the elemental forces around them stirring wildly, drawn irresistibly toward the back courtyard.

“What is this?”

Marvin and Vitorino sprang to their feet in unison, eyes wide with disbelief as they exchanged glances. Without another word to Wiggins, they dashed toward the rear courtyard.

“Hey, wait for me!”

Wiggins frantically spun the wheels of his wheelchair. “Holwart, what are you waiting for? Push me over there—now!”

Below the mountain’s peak, Toru stared upward in shock. Close as he was, he could sense an overwhelming pressure pressing down upon him.

Alas, the dense foliage blocked his view—he couldn’t see what was unfolding atop the summit.

“Toru, what’s happening?”

Marvin and Vitorino arrived breathlessly, voices tight with urgency.

“I don’t know!”

Toru shook his head. “But… the Marquis is up there.”

Could it be?

A bold suspicion flared in each of their hearts.

Then, from above, a clear, joyous laughter rang out, sweeping away every trace of gloom like a cleansing wind.

Moments later, a figure clad in black robes descended through the air, landing gracefully before them.

“My lord!”

Toru and the others stared, mouths agape. Walking on air—this was the unmistakable mark of a Silver Moon Knight!

For a heartbeat, their minds went utterly blank, frozen in awe.

(End of Chapter)