Chapter 461: Torrent Island Becoming Instantly Wealthy

The massive shadow blanketed the Torrent Island pier once more, drawing the gazes of the bustling crowd.

Though the islanders had grown accustomed to the dragon's presence over these past few days, a look of awe still flickered in their eyes whenever they beheld it.

"Is it just me, or does Mister Dragon seem to have grown larger again?"

Busy with the warship repairs, Karadar spoke with a trace of doubt; having interacted with the dragon Carlos multiple times, he had come to understand the beast to some extent.

It was glaringly obvious that the dragon's physique today was grander than ever before.

"Indeed, it truly has grown larger!"

Rhys, who had recently joined the defense of Torrent Island, nodded in agreement, harboring the exact same impression.

Just then, Ronin conjured his Wings of Wind, leaping down from the dragon's back and landing steadily upon the warship.

"It is the Lord!"

Stunned for a brief moment by Ronin's arrival, Karadar and Rhys quickly offered their warm greetings, while the other busy knights and sailors bowed in respect.

If their sentiment toward the dragon was one of awe, their feelings toward the beast's master were nothing short of fanatical adoration.

After exchanging brief pleasantries with everyone, Ronin gestured for them to resume their tasks.

"Carlos mentioned that this battle yielded three intact warships in total. What of this one?" He gestured toward the deck beneath his feet.

Karadar explained, "This vessel was quite severely damaged. We only dragged it back within the last two days to see if it could be salvaged."

"Furthermore, My Lord, aside from these warships, we also captured ten magic cannons—including one of the sixth rank and three of the fifth rank—along with nearly a thousand arrows and several hundred suits of decent-quality armor and defensive gear."

Ronin's eyes lit up, a look of delight washing over his face.

Ten magic cannons and three intact warships; such a devastating loss would surely sting even the Fleming family, the tyrants of the sea.

"Congratulations, Karadar. Torrent Island has truly struck a fortune this time!"

Speaking of which, across the four fronts of this war, Ronin had effectively won a sweeping triumph.

Karadar remained deeply humble, stating that the credit belonged almost entirely to Carlos, while they had merely offered minor assistance.

Yet, seizing upon this victory, he also presented his counsel to Ronin:

"My Lord, our harbor can barely accommodate so many vessels now, and I wish to expand it. However, we lack the initial capital on one hand, and on the other, professional talent is exceedingly scarce here."

In the past, when there were only one or two ships, Captain Vic could manage everything with just a few crew members and repairmen.

But now that the fleet had grown, the port required professional harbor pilots, lest things go disastrously awry.

"What is your thought?"

"I intend to head over to Horn Bay to recruit more men. But to draw them to an island that remains quite barren at present, we must certainly offer high wages, or perhaps even grant them portions of land here."

Ronin understood; Karadar was simply short of coin.

He smiled and said, "You are the Governor of Torrent Island. How you wish to construct this place is entirely for you to decide."

Arming Torrent Island and even constructing a shipyard here had always been part of Ronin's blueprint. It was merely that the construction of North Crow Harbor was not yet finished, so tasks had not yet been delegated to this location.

If Karadar could gather the men and initiate the work himself, Ronin was more than willing to provide monetary backing.

"I shall grant you thirty thousand gold coins to start with. Go and recruit your men without worry."

A look of joy swept over Karadar's face. "Thank you for your generosity, My Lord. I believe that the future Torrent Island will absolutely become the most prosperous region within your domain."

Ronin could not help but laugh. The destitute, somewhat melancholic man of the past now lived with increasing cheer and ever-growing drive.

"Last time you mentioned that Munroe Flowers were discovered on the island. How fares that situation now?"

The Munroe Flower was one of the auxiliary herbs used to enhance potions, deeply concerning Elrond's crafting of magical elixirs.

"Lord Elrond has already visited to inspect the site and taught us the methods of cultivation. With the abundance found across several hillsides on the island, it can be sustained for many years if cultivated properly."

Ronin nodded. "In the future, when you transport Munroe Flowers, timber, or anything else to the North Crow Territory, it shall all be settled normally with the territory based on sales. As for the specific prices and methods of settlement, find some time to visit North Crow Territory and iron them out with Chahar."

He knew well that the funds required to build up Torrent Island far exceeded thirty thousand gold coins, so he decided to utilize the island's resources to sustain an economic cycle within the domain.

Since Torrent Island possessed resources, it would sell them, achieving a circulation of wealth within the territory and avoiding the issue of begging Ronin for funds whenever money ran short.

It was fine while he visited Torrent Island frequently, but if he failed to come for half a year, the development here would instantly grind to a halt.

Therefore, matters of construction and finance were best left to his subordinates to manage.

After all, now that the territory had expanded, proper governance required the formation of a cohesive system, and Ronin only needed to be its creator and protector.

Rhys listened to the conversation between the two without interrupting, waiting until the affairs of Torrent Island were mostly settled before voicing the doubt in his heart.

"My Lord, since you have come to Torrent Island, does it mean the battle at Moonlight Valley has ended? What of my father's side..."

"The battle at Moonlight Valley is over, and we have secured a monumental victory. As for Sharp Horn City... rest assured, no so-called pirates ever raided Dennis Port."

To prevent Screaming Island from striking Dennis Port, Rulance and Ronin had consulted and decided not only to forbid Victorino from sending reinforcements, but also to have Toru lead the First Knight Order of Mountain Castle to garrison Sharp Horn City.

This was the first time in thirty years that Sharp Horn City had enjoyed the protection of Mountain Castle.

Regrettably, however, the enemy never came.

Ronin briefly recounted the wartime situation of the Mountain Territory, leaving both men with blood boiling in excitement.

Beset by enemies on four fronts, yet victorious on all four—this was a grand triumph belonging to the Mountain Territory!

"By the way, My Lord, we are also holding a rather special captive."

Rhys said with a smile, "His identity is quite unique."

"Oh?"

Ronin's interest was instantly piqued. "Who might it be?"

Rhys glanced at Karadar, who smiled and said, "It is the Lord of Crescent Island, Viscount Patridge."

"That day, before their warships could even draw near, Mister Dragon snatched Patridge with his talons. Though he spared the man's life, he shattered nearly every bone in his body. He is now bedridden and unable to care for himself, so I found a woman in Blue Sky Town to look after him."

Karadar held a fair amount of regard for captives of high status; moreover, by conventional noble standards, captured aristocrats were entitled to a degree of preferential treatment.

Ronin had looked into Screaming Island and knew that Patridge, the Viscount of Crescent Island, was a Meteor Knight.

He could not help but flash a mocking smile. "This Myron went so far as to deploy a Meteor Knight. It seems he was utterly determined to seize Torrent Island by force."

Karadar also laughed, "It is a pity he never expected your dragon to be so formidable, nor that we had long since established our defenses here."

"Come, take me to see him."

Inside a reasonably clean little room, a female servant was dozing off against the corner of the wall, while Patridge let out low, agonized groans from the bed.

As a Meteor Knight, his physique was exceptionally powerful.

Even with nearly every bone in his body crushed, he had stubbornly survived.

Yet, if he wished to regain his mobility, it would still require a very long time.

"Hey, Auntie Coconut, what are you doing?"

Karadar's call dragged the woman violently from her dreams. Wiping the drool from the corner of her mouth, she stood up in a panic.

"Forgive me, My Lord, forgive me, My Lord! I accidentally drifted off just now..."

Feeling somewhat awkward, Karadar chose not to scold her too harshly, waving her aside before ushering Ronin into the room.

The odor inside the chamber was none too pleasant; the attentive Knight Rhys opened the window, letting in the fresh sea breeze.

"I am truly sorry for causing the esteemed Viscount Crescent Island to endure such hardship in this small room."

The sudden voice of an unfamiliar stranger made Patrick open his eyes.

He had never met Ronin, but from the attitudes of Kala and Reese, he could discern the identity of the newcomer.

"Lord Baron Ronin of Torrent Island, your treatment of a noble is disgraceful, lacking proper aristocratic etiquette, and damaging the honor of the Wushan family!"

Ronin smirked slightly, "It appears your mental state is still quite intact, which clearly shows that my governor provides you food and drink daily, attends to you well, and allows you to rest on this rather clean bed."

Hearing this, Patrick felt somewhat frantic.

Yes, he had food and drink, but what kind of things were they?

Moreover, the rough hands of the women could scrape his skin and leave marks.

Consider that he, as a noble accustomed to privileged living, had never suffered such indignity before.

"Ransom, I will pay the ransom!"

Patrick shouted loudly: "Crescent Island is willing to pay the ransom!" (End of chapter.)