Chapter 414: Surrender

The next day, Rulans summoned the nobles and members of the knightly order, gathering them in the fortress hall of Black Boa Keep to announce the distribution of spoils from the war.

Kabir, the only one granted a noble title, was naturally overjoyed.

Born a commoner, despite marrying McKinney through his looks and strength, he had lacked sufficient military achievements over the years to rise beyond the rank of honorary knight. Now, finally ennobled and granted his own domain, his dreams had come true.

Though the other nobles received only money and supplies, they were generally satisfied.

After all, this campaign had been their initiative—Ushan Keep had issued no formal call to arms.

From now on, Black Boa City returned under Ushan’s administration. Rulans would send officials to manage civil affairs and station a full knightly regiment here for garrison duty.

Purple Thunder Territory was publicly awarded to Ronin. In times of crisis, Rulans even granted him authority to mobilize the knights of Black Boa City.

The nobles voiced no objections to Rulans’ arrangements.

Ronin’s performance had left them not merely astonished, but increasingly filled with awe, admiration, and deep respect.

Not yet twenty, already either a shooting star or a Silver Moon Knight—how could such a man not command reverence?

In their eyes, the future of Ushan Land undoubtedly belonged to Ronin.

So whether Rulans gave him Purple Thunder or even handed over Black Boa City itself, none would have batted an eye.

It was merely passing something from one hand to another.

And when they heard of the authority granted to summon knights, the nobles instantly sensed another layer behind the marquis’ decision.

They were men who remembered the past, aware of the rift between Rulans and Andrei.

Before, the marquis had been ill, confined within his castle, unable to confront such matters.

Now, everything had changed—he had fully recovered, even ascended to Silver Moon Knight. Who knew what tensions might arise with Vela Duchy in the future?

At that thought, the nobles began wondering if they should hasten to strengthen themselves.

Thus, after the banquet ended, they blocked Ronin’s path, insisting on purchasing enhancement elixirs from him.

Out of courtesy, Ronin promised a small amount—about one-tenth of his stock.

Viscount Marvin and others hoped for more, but Ronin could only cite shortages of medicinal herbs as excuse.

He offered a condition: if they could gather enough magical ingredients, increasing production, then additional quantities would be made available.

And so, one by one, they threw themselves into collecting magical herbs.

Of course, Ronin only listed numerous rare plants as he had done with Mylorslav—never revealing the actual formula of the elixir.

Once freed from the nobles, Ronin did not linger for two more days as Rulans had suggested.

Instead, he sent Karlos back to Shore City with Radar to inform Joffrey to lead troops and take control of Boulder City and Red Hill Town. Meanwhile, he ordered Macken to bring his knight squad immediately to Purple Thunder Territory.

As for himself, he set off with Elron, Rig, and the Ubei knight squad toward Purple Thunder.

Until Macken’s forces arrived, Rig and his men would secure law, order, and defense of the territory.

…

News of Orsen’s defeat and Tani’s death reached Purple Thunder the moment Radar and others entered the city and seized the castle.

Gernot, Tani’s son, though entitled to inheritance, would pay the price for following a traitor. Having lost their liege lord at Black Boa Keep, they would also lose their noble titles and lands.

Thus, upon hearing the news, Gernot immediately carried out his father Tani’s final order—

Should Black Boa fall and Tani perish, Gernot was to flee at once with the family’s core members and wealth to seek refuge in Vela Duchy.

That very night, under cover of darkness and escorted by guards, Gernot swiftly escaped Purple Thunder and crossed into Vela Duchy.

Those with resources and connections could flee abroad, but others had nowhere to go—or lacked the means to find sanctuary. The Reed family was one such case.

As the sole baron under Tani, Lord Nig had followed him unquestioningly into battle—and died there just as inevitably.

His son, Simon, now head of the household, stood bewildered, unsure what to do.

To stay risked enslavement.

To flee to Vela might yield the same fate—they had no powerful allies there.

After long deliberation, he chose to pledge loyalty to the new lord of Purple Thunder.

But how to win acceptance from this newcomer—that required careful thought.

Hush~

As the sun sank low, a vast shadow cut across the sky, descending above Purple Thunder Territory.

From above, Ronin beheld the city, the Black Pine Mountains, and beyond, stretching eastward—the lands of Vela Duchy.

“Karlos, you’ll need to patrol these mountains regularly. Let the wild beasts know the might of Purple Thunder, so they dare not approach.”

“Rest assured, Master—I swear no monster shall ever threaten your land!”

Ronin once again infused an essence crystal into the dragon. Its level advanced to (9648/12500)—nearly breaking into the seventh tier of magical beasts.

Experiencing a surge in power, Karlos felt a thousandfold devotion to Ronin.

Now, whether sent to hunt in the wilds or carry cargo like a porter, he would obey without hesitation.

“Let’s go. We’ll inspect Tani’s castle.”

Riding Karlos, Ronin circled the territory from the air.

As night fell, he saw farmers returning from fields—life seemed unchanged, no chaos, no disorder.

“Down to the castle.”

Something felt amiss, yet with Elron beside him and Karlos at his back, fear never touched him.

The castle was easy to spot—vast grounds, well-maintained, its architecture grand and imposing.

Karlos folded his mighty wings and plunged downward, man and dragon diving together. The rush of speed tore through the air with a thunderous roar, startling those inside the castle into rushing out.

“What is this?”

Simon, standing guard, froze in shock.

For a heartbeat, he believed a colossal beast from Black Pine Mountain was attacking Purple Thunder City. But then—he saw a figure atop the flying creature.

“Silver hair… a member of the Ushan family!”

Mind racing, he suppressed his terror and stepped forward. The moment of gamble had come.

“Might I ask… are you Baron Ronin?”

Ronin leapt from the dragon’s back, glanced at the castle—few guards, barely any servants in sight.

Then he turned to Simon. “Are you Gernot?”

Simon bowed deeply before the dragon. “My lord, I am Simon of the Reed family. The man you speak of—Gernot—has already fled Purple Thunder with his kin and fortune, seeking refuge in Vela Duchy.”

Ronin frowned involuntarily. He had come swiftly—yet still arrived half a step too late.

Had he known Purple Thunder was his, he would have come the very night.

“The Reed family…”

Ronin murmured the name, searching his memory—but found no recollection. He asked, “He ran. Why didn’t you?”

At that, Simon dropped to one knee.

“Rather than flee, I choose to kneel before you—great scion of House Ushan, Baron of Ubei, Ronin Ushan—and swear my fealty!”

He lifted his head, eyes burning with sincerity.

“My lord… accept my oath!”

(End of Chapter)