Chapter 399: Operation Plan

A brilliant radiance illuminated the entire room, bathing Miroslav in a golden glow that washed a deep sense of comfort through him; the weariness of recent days dissolved like winter snow meeting the midday sun.

“I have heard tales of the efficacy of Great Healing, capable of closing wounds even where limbs have been severed, but I never imagined it would possess such an extraordinary effect upon internal injuries!”

Miroslav sat up with a laugh. “Ronin, my deepest thanks to you this time!”

“You have taken great care of my grandfather over the years; for such a trifle, there is no need for courtesy.”

A standard Great Healing spell would have limited efficacy against internal trauma, but Elrond was now a Magister; the magic he invoked carried augmented power, and the spell scrolls he crafted were likewise enhanced, which was why it proved so effective for the old guildmaster.

Miroslav stood up and stretched his limbs; aside from a lingering weakness born of excessive blood loss, the pain had vanished entirely.

“Rulance, sometimes I truly envy you for having such an exceptional grandson.”

The old patriarch at his side stroked his beard with a faint smile. “In that case, why not tell your son to sire another?”

Instantly, a burst of cheerful laughter echoed through the chamber.

After the laughter subsided, a brief silence settled over them.

Rulance spoke, “Yesterday, I had Orson’s grandson, Tomris, return to Black Python Castle to deliver a letter to Orson. To this hour, Black Python City remains entirely silent; it appears Orson has braced himself for war and possesses not the slightest intention to negotiate.”

Tomris had been studying at the Wushan Transcendent Academy; Rulance had not imprisoned him, choosing instead to release him outright.

It was not a matter of Rulance's benevolence, but rather that a mere child held no weight in his eyes, and he disdained the use of a boy as a hostage.

“You need not grant him any further chances.”

Now, whenever Black Python City was mentioned, Miroslav’s countenance turned exceedingly grim. “You and I both know Orson's nature; he is the sort of man who, in his madness, dares to commit any atrocity. Now that I have narrowly survived, he knows full well that what awaits him is the stripping of his title and lands; rather than surrender tamely, he would prefer to take a desperate gamble, betting that you cannot bring him to heel.”

Rulance nodded slightly; Orson was indeed a man of that stripe.

Yet Miroslav was mistaken on one count: Rulance had never intended to give Orson a chance, and in truth, had the man suddenly fallen to his knees to confess his sins, it would have been quite a disappointment after such grand preparations.

“Toru’s First Knight Order is expected to reach Wushan Town in about ten days. Sandro’s Fourth Knight Order has a longer journey, and given that I directed him through the Radiant City, it will likely be more than half a month before they are in position.”

Rulance inquired, “What of the forces on your side? How many men does the chamber intend to deploy this time?”

“The greater part of the Silva Magic Chamber within the Wushan Territory will participate in this war. By initial estimates, there will be one Magister, six Grand Mages and Chief Mages, and in addition, over two hundred knights and cavalry.”

Miroslav added, “I have no infantry under my command, so our march will be swifter; I expect the entire force to be assembled in about ten days.”

His retinue was small in number but comprised elite combatants, particularly a high concentration of high-tier mages.

With such a gathering of mages, no matter how fortified Black Python Castle might be or how thick its walls, they could blast a breach through the stone with a barrage of magic.

“Then by that calculation, we expect to enter the territory of Count Hyde around the twentieth of April.”

As Rulance spoke, he turned his gaze toward Ronin. “Ronin, when the companies of Marvin, Vittorino, and the others arrive, you shall lead them to the Radiant City to rendezvous with Kabir’s forces. Though that sector is not the primary line of attack, it currently lacks top-tier masters.”

Miroslav cast a suspicious glance at Ronin, thinking to himself: Could this boy’s strength truly surpass Kabir’s now?

He remained unaware of Ronin’s exact circumstances.

“Grandfather, did we not agree earlier to withhold the conscription order for the time being?”

Ronin was somewhat surprised. “How is it that Marvin and Vittorino are also participating?”

To this, Rulance could only offer a helpless sigh. “They learned of my recovery and insisted on joining; I could not deter them.”

A realization dawned upon Ronin.

To the other nobles, once Rulance had recovered, the victory of this war would inevitably belong to Wushan Castle.

To pass up a claim to unearned military merit would be an utter waste of an opportunity.

With that, the general arrangements were settled, and all that remained was to await the gathering of the armies to begin the assault.

Within the Golden Feather Palace.

Alduin V, His Majesty Bruno, read the letter in his hands, his brow deeply furrowed.

He had not anticipated that the Wushan Territory would suddenly erupt into such a farce; Orson had actually dared to openly attack an estate as vital as Miroslav's—was there some conspiracy underlying this?

“Mel, if my memory serves me well, this Border Count Orson of the Wushan Territory seems to possess rather intimate ties with the Principality of Vera, does he not?”

Bruno questioned his intelligence officer, Mel.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Mel bowed in response. “Years ago, had Orson not failed in his duel against Rulance and lost their wager, he would likely have become a follower of Andrea.”

“Then tell me, do you believe Andrea’s shadow looms behind Orson's actions this time?”

Mel fell into deep contemplation, and after a long pause, shook his head slightly. “The probability is scarce. For Orson to assassinate Miroslav is a capital crime; even if Andrea wished to sow discord, he would not cause the Hyde family to pay such a ruinous price.”

Bruno massaged his temples; with the decennial Founding Festival drawing near, he was constantly vexed by the anxiety that some faction might stir up trouble, which was why he had linked Orson to Andrea.

“Your words possess merit. Yet regardless of the specifics, Miroslav is an honorary viscount of the kingdom; that he was assassinated and brought to the precipice of death is a matter I, as king, must oversee.”

He pondered for a moment before declaring, “Bror, you are well-acquainted with the Wushan Territory. This matter requires you to make a journey; take a few gryphon knights with you.”

“As you command, Your Majesty!”

Bruno paused, then instructed, “Remember to convey my words to Rulance and Ronin: no matter when the strife in the Wushan Territory concludes, Ronin must arrive in Golden Feather City before the fourteenth of June.”

If Ronin were absent on that day, the announcement of the marital alliance could not be proclaimed.

That would be an ill omen for the royal family, likely birthing rumors that the princess's betrothal had once more come to nothing.

Bruno had no desire to encounter such avoidable vexations during the festival days.

Meanwhile, within the Crystal City of Belora.

During his period of rest after completing a batch of magical elixirs, his grandson, Randall, brought forth Miroslav’s correspondence.

Ordinarily, he had no desire to meddle in such affairs, but upon hearing it concerned the Wushan Territory and thinking it might relate to Ronin, he deigned to ask a few questions.

“You have acted correctly, Randall. When a vice-chairman of the chamber is assassinated, we must make our stance clear and demonstrate our might!”

Randall felt a surge of delight within his heart; it had been a long time since he had received his grandfather’s validation.

Belora reflected for a moment, then added, “Go and pen a letter for me to Dawn in Golden Feather City. Tell him to journey to Wushan Town on my behalf to assist Miroslav in exacting his vengeance.”

Dawn Box was the director of the Silva Magic Chamber in Golden Feather City; like Miroslav, he was a Grand Magister and one of the chamber’s vice-chairmen.

Randall was startled. “Grandfather, is that truly necessary? We have no shortage of men in the Wushan Territory, and furthermore, with the several knight orders of Wushan Castle and Miroslav himself, they should be more than a match for a mere count.”

“We must make our stance absolutely clear!”

Belora’s expression grew solemn. “We must show the world that attempting to assassinate a vice-chairman of our Magic Chamber carries a price!”

In his heart, he thought: with the goodwill earned from this reinforcement, perhaps the number of dragon scales obtained from Ronin next time might be a fraction greater.