Chapter 462: Instigating Rebellion

The institution of ransom held an illustrious position within the martial culture of the nobility, which was precisely why Kalada had extended such exceptional hospitality to Patridge upon his capture.

Ronin offered a faint smile and took a seat on a nearby stool, his calm gaze sizing up this man who had once been the haughty, high-and-mighty Viscount of Crescent Island.

Though Patridge cut a wretched and resentful figure at this moment, the aristocratic breeding ran deep in his bones, and he still clung to a lingering shred of his former grandeur and arrogance.

"Ransom?"

Ronin’s voice carried a hint of playful mockery. "My dear Viscount, surely you realize that in my eyes, you are currently nothing more than a common pirate who dared to raid Torrent Island—a mere prisoner at my mercy."

Patridge stiffened, a sudden wave of alarm washing over him. "What? Do you intend to execute me outright?"

Wearing a mild, smiling expression, Ronin uttered the most menacing of words: "No small number of nobles have perished by my hand over the years. From the Baron of Swamp Town in days past to the Earl of Moonlight Valley of late, adding one more to the tally seems of little consequence."

Patridge’s eyes widened in sheer disbelief. "You killed Jesus? You people are insane—you actually dared to murder His Majesty's own brother?!"

"When a crime is unforgivable, I naturally have the right to execute,"

Ronin’s smile vanished, his expression turning cold. "Just like you, Patridge. Bringing an armada of knights and magi-cannons to destroy my Torrent Island is an equally unpardonable sin."

"No, no, no..."

Panic began to take hold of Patridge; he started to fear that the young man before him was a volatile, impetuous soul who might genuinely flout aristocratic conventions and put him to death on a whim.

"You misunderstand, Your Lordship. I merely wished to negotiate business with Torrent Island. I had absolutely no intention of attacking you."

"Business? Is it standard practice to negotiate business with dreadnoughts and heavy cannons?"

Ronin could not help but find it somewhat amusing. "Enough, Patridge. I fear you still fail to comprehend the gravity of your situation."

"You disguised yourself as a pirate to raid my domain. Even if I were to execute you right now, the Fleming family would never step forward to demand justice on your behalf—they have no desire to publicly acknowledge their hostility toward me."

He shrugged his shoulders. "Therefore, your death would cost me nothing at all."

Patridge suddenly grew calm, recognizing the undeniable truth in Ronin’s words.

Casting aside the lingering trace of arrogance in his heart, he was forced to re-evaluate the young noble standing before him.

The youth possessed a colossal dragon capable of soaring across the seas, a beast that left Patridge entirely defenseless; moreover, rumors suggested the young man’s personal strength was formidable in its own right.

"Since you speak of execution yet have not laid a hand on me, what is it you truly want from me? Or rather, what service do you expect me to perform for you?"

The prisoner had ceased his empty threats and shown a willingness to adapt, a shift that left Ronin reasonably satisfied.

"It is quite simple. I require you to shift your allegiance to me."

Standing nearby, Kalada and Rhys were somewhat taken aback by these words.

Patridge was a vassal of the Earl of Screaming Island; was it truly wise for Ronin to poach another lord’s retainer so brazenly?

Furthermore, even if the man agreed, could he truly be trusted?

Patridge looked directly into Ronin’s eyes. "Do you intend to overthrow the Fleming family and take their place as the sovereign of the seas?"

Sovereign of the seas?

Ronin remained silent, though he could not help but think the man’s vision was far too narrow, underestimating him entirely.

The Fleming family was indeed an adversary on his path forward, but they were by no means his ultimate foe.

Ronin now stood at the absolute zenith of the extraordinary beings on the continent of Orlant; the enemies he would face in the future were the Holy Storm organization, and even the demon gods of the Crescent Continent.

In the face of such adversaries, while individual might was critical, the strength of one’s faction was equally paramount.

Ronin needed a vanguard of powerful subordinates.

Patridge possessed decent strength, and at just over fifty years old, he still had room for growth; he was a fine piece of talent.

Seeing that Ronin offered no answer, Patridge pressed further: "Even if I were willing to pledge my fealty to you, do you truly believe I would not betray you?"

To this, Ronin possessed absolute confidence.

"You may certainly try, but you have already witnessed the catastrophic power of my dragon. The moment you turn renegade, not only you, but your family and your castle will be reduced to ash beneath the dragon’s breath."

"Your dragon is indeed remarkably powerful, but I was merely caught off guard. If given another chance, so long as I remain vigilant, I could evade its talons! Furthermore, if we are properly prepared, with magi-cannons, enchanted arrows, and spell scrolls, achieving the feat of slaying a dragon is entirely within our grasp!"

Ronin shrugged. "Perhaps. But I highly doubt Crescent Island possesses such strength."

The fierce determination on Patridge’s face suddenly softened.

Very well, Ronin was correct; the Fleming family might have the power to slay a dragon, but Crescent Island certainly did not.

"If I swear fealty to you, what do I gain?" he inquired.

"Quite simple: you gain your life."

Ronin had no intention of offering any bounties or rewards. "You must understand that you currently possess no leverage with which to negotiate. On the contrary, even if you submit to me, your house must still yield thirty thousand gold coins and five warships!"

Patridge was stunned; he had not expected that even after choosing compliance, he would still be subjected to the ransom.

Yet he dared not voice any objection, for he truly possessed no chips to back up a negotiation.

"The payment of the ransom ensures you may continue to serve outwardly as a vassal to the Fleming family."

Patridge understood immediately: Ronin intended to use him as a spy.

The code of chivalry and his noble pride rebelled against such deceit, but poised between life and death, his heart underwent a bitter struggle before finally yielding to compromise.

"Very well, Lord Ronin. I am willing to pledge my allegiance to you."

Ronin smiled and nodded with satisfaction. "Excellent, Patridge. One day in the future, you will look back on today's decision with profound gratitude."

He rose to his feet and commanded, "Kalada, draft a letter of submission in Patridge’s tone, and have him affix his thumbprint."

Though this document held little legal weight, it would at least shatter the trust between Screaming Island and Crescent Island, while serving as a subtle psychological deterrent against Patridge himself.

"Furthermore, draft another letter and dispatch it to Crescent Island. Tell them to bring the ransom. Those thirty thousand gold coins shall serve as a fine contribution to the development of Torrent Island."

Kalada broke into a grin, delighted to realize that the thirty thousand gold coins just promised would actually be extracted from Crescent Island.

"I understand, My Lord. I shall see to it at once!"

He turned on his heel and promptly departed the chamber.

Ronin drew a powerful scroll of greater healing from his spatial ring.

"This is a Greater Healing Scroll penned by the hand of a Grand Archmage, capable of rendering immense aid to your injuries. Consider it your first reward."

As Ronin channeled his mana into the parchment, a soft, radiant light erupted, enveloping Patridge’s entire form.

Bathed in the glow of the potent restorative magic, Patridge instantly felt an indescribable sensation of comfort wash over him, the agonizing pain that had tortured him for days receding at an astonishing speed.

He closed his eyes, feeling his broken bones knitting back together and his deep wounds mending.

"Truly worthy of being a rare scroll of greater healing!"

Once the treatment concluded, he propped himself up against the headboard. "How do you wish for me to assist you against the Fleming family?"

"The time is not yet ripe."

Ronin gestured for Rhys to produce parchment and quill. "However, you may begin by detailing the exact situation on Screaming Island."

"Furthermore, Alfonso has rarely shown his face in recent years. I wish to know if he has achieved a breakthrough."

Patridge hesitated for a fleeting moment, for this was a direct betrayal of his liege lord’s secrets.

Yet he swiftly adjusted his mentality to his new reality.

"Earl Alfonso has indeed been in seclusion, dedicating himself to bitter cultivation. But unfortunately, he remains a Grand Archmage and has failed to break through."

"You're not even a magister?" Roan inquired in surprise.

Patrick shook his head. "He has already entered the decline phase. It seems he will never advance further in this lifetime."

At that moment, Roan's perception of the military strength of Screaming Island plummeted drastically.

Perhaps dealing with Screaming Island in the future wouldn't be as troublesome as he had imagined. (End of Chapter)