Chapter 464: A Mind Full of Bad Thoughts

Mid-September, still more than three months away from the end of December, yet the preparations within and around Wushan Fortress were nearly complete.

Roning’s marriage to Princess Blanchette was the most significant and grandest event at Wushan Fortress in nearly thirty years.

Even amidst the recent war, preparations had continued without pause.

Even Wiggins, who preferred leisure and amusement, was deeply invested in this matter, frequently inquiring about the progress from stewards and others.

When Roning arrived at Wushan Fortress, his intention was merely to discuss his journey to the royal capital with Rouland, but he was instead dragged by stewards to linger in tailor shops for most of the day—measuring height and waist, selecting gold accessories, choosing boots, and so on.

By evening, he was finally done.

Sitting at the dining table, Roning ate while lamenting, thankful that Wushan Fortress took on the burden; had he been left to handle it himself, he might have been exhausted to death.

“After this trip to the royal capital, don’t run around everywhere anymore. Settle down properly, focus your heart, and prepare to be a good bridegroom.”

Roning was speechless.

Anyone hearing this without understanding the context might think he spent his days indulging in revelry.

In truth, Rouland meant he should spend less time traveling between territories and more effort on the wedding.

“I understand, Grandfather.”

Roning smiled and asked, “I heard that during this trip to the royal capital, His Majesty will also confer a title upon me. Why such grandeur?”

Roland chuckled, sipping his wine, and said with a smile, “This is His Majesty seeking to maintain relations with us!”

Although the previous leniency toward Hercules wasn’t explicitly directed at Roning, everyone knew that allowing the soul-tribe to settle in Moonlight Valley posed the foremost threat to Wushan Territory.

Now, not only was Moonlight Valley gone and Hercules dead, but the outside world had learned of Wushan Territory’s combat strength, particularly Roning’s formidable power, necessitating a change in attitude.

“Carolina told me that Goldfeather City now spreads rumors that you are a Solar Knight, the kingdom’s youngest genius in history, surpassing even His Highness the Crown Prince.”

Roning frowned slightly. “Such statements carry a flavor of wanting to set me up for downfall. Besides, I never revealed to Garret and his men that I am a Solar Knight.”

Roland shook his head with a smile. “You used just one move not only to defeat Garret, a Silver Moon-level, but also to defeat several Meteor Knights under him. Given such prowess, that is Solar-level.”

“Alright…”

If such talk had arisen when Roning was still a Meteor-level, he would have felt peril, recalling the old adage that a tree standing tall in the forest will be broken by the wind.

But now, the danger was insufficient.

Even with poison, few toxins could kill a Solar Knight with immensely robust vitality; moreover, his spatial ring contained potent antidotes concocted by Erlorn.

Roland pondered slightly and assessed, “These words sound like setting you up for downfall, but in my view, they are also building momentum for you. As Brunor’s son-in-law and a Solar Knight, this brings him immense glory. So for this conferral, I estimate your rank should be quite high.”

Wiggins, who had been quietly devouring his meal beside them, couldn’t help but raise his head. “Father, might they directly confer Roning as a duke?”

Roning smiled gently. How had Wiggins spoken the same words as Bretten?

“A duke probably not, but a marquis perhaps possible.”

Roning was somewhat surprised. “A marquis? Unlikely. After all, the Wushan family is already a marquisate; another…”

“Currently, you are still a count separated and independent from Wushan Fortress. The marquis inheritance rights of Wushan Fortress lie with your younger brother Bretten. Conferring you as a marquis isn’t impossible; it mainly depends on how large a territory they grant you.”

Roland laughed. “Moreover, you still underestimate the weight of a Solar Knight—an absolute top-tier combat strength. Brunor, wanting to conquer the Trelithia Kingdom, will rely on your efforts!”

“Father makes sense.”

Wiggins sighed. “Roning, work hard. I see you have the potential to become a duke in the future!”

Thinking of having a duke son made him somewhat lightheaded.

“Alright, thank you for your blessings!”

Roning toasted with Wiggins.

Regarding understanding Brunor, Roning obviously lacked Rouland’s depth. If the latter said a marquis conferral was possible, there was some certainty.

If indeed conferred as a marquis, it held great value.

At that time, not only could the [Famed Throughout the Land] achievement be completed, but the monthly sign-in rewards would increase to fourfold the initial amount, a considerable sustained gain.

Over the next few days, under Holwort’s guidance, Roning confirmed wedding procedures, stage arrangements, and guest invitation lists.

Holwort, experienced in arranging many grand scenes, didn’t need Roning’s reminders.

However, for the guest list, Roning added an extra entry: Belora Silva from the Amethyst Count Territory.

This great sorcerer was also a target of his courting, and Roning believed she would be quite interested in the New Moon Continent.

On the twenty-fourth, Roning summoned Karlos, preparing to take him and Rouland to the royal capital.

Choosing this day mainly aimed for Blanchette’s birthday tomorrow.

Although no birthday banquet was held this year due to Hercules’ funeral, private companionship was still possible.

Not seeing Karlos was fine, but upon seeing the dragon, even Rouland was startled.

With Karlos’ arrival, hills in the rear collapsed. Before him, Rouland’s recently trained griffins seemed like infants.

“Roning, if the outside world knew your dragon had grown so large, what would they think?”

Roning laughed heartily. “Perhaps soon, they should know.”

After Patrich returned to Crescent Island, Mellen would surely inquire, and the matter of the dragon would naturally emerge into public view.

“I now feel even conferring you as a marquis by His Majesty is insufficient; truly, as your father said, they should confer you as a duke.”

“What I want is not merely a duke.”

Roning stated, “If an opportunity arises someday, I will establish myself as king.”

Rouland froze, then laughed; this was the first time he heard such words from Roning, previously only hinted.

Indeed, with strength rising, ambition and confidence grew.

“When that day truly arrives, let me take the lead.”

Roland said, “Let me bear the stigma of betrayal.”

Roning felt moved inwardly but said outwardly, “Grandfather, see how full your mind is with wicked thoughts; I never intended to betray the Auduin Kingdom to establish myself as king. The Trelithia Kingdom’s territory is also vast; establishing a new kingdom there isn’t impossible.”

“Uh… hahaha!”

Roland couldn’t help but laugh loudly. “Seems my thoughts indeed strayed.”

This indeed was Roning’s initial plan.

Although nobles and kings aren’t inherently ordained, true monarchs still care greatly for their reputation.

Not merely vanity, but if superiors betray due to great strength, subordinates will emulate.

This poses a hidden peril for established kingdoms, like the historical Jin Kingdom.

Moreover, Brunor was Roning’s father-in-law; without solid reason, Roning betraying merely due to great strength seemed inappropriate.

But establishing himself as king was a path Roning must take, hence he turned his gaze toward the Trelithia Kingdom.

Of course, if someday the Auduin Kingdom committed outrageously resentful deeds, or Garret ascended and targeted Wushan Territory, that would be another matter altogether.