Chapter 488: Not Yielding an Inch

As Carlos’s massive form slowly ascended into the sky, Ronin stood upon the dragon’s back, gazing down at the shrinking camp of Westwind Hill, a nameless fury welling within his chest.

He knew Ridal’s nature—given a choice, the man would never seek direct confrontation with someone like Garrett. If things had come to this, though Deni claimed it was due to Ridal violating some military order, in Ronin’s eyes, it was far more likely that Garrett had simply invented an excuse to provoke him, forcing Ridal into resistance.

Fortunately, Ridal was strong enough not to be bested.

Mid-flight, Ronin closed his eyes, lost in thought, strategies flickering swiftly through his mind.

He understood well that as a lord, defending the rights and dignity of one’s subordinates was also defending one’s own honor.

If he did not appear sufficiently resolute, others might think his men easy prey, and from then on, Ridal and the rest would face endless obstruction.

Yet Ronin also knew that engaging Garrett in open battle would be unwise.

He needed a solution—one that resolved the matter while making Garrett hesitate before acting so boldly again.

Soon, the silhouette of Redpine Keep emerged clearly ahead.

Carlos circled above the fortress, his deep draconic cry sending shockwaves below. Horses reared, livestock panicked, even seasoned soldiers trembled in dread.

They stared upward, throats tight, sweat beading on their brows, legs quivering.

“The Marquis has arrived!”

Ridal rose from within the hall and strode out quickly.

Gu Shan followed close behind, his eyes immediately drawn to the colossal beast in the sky.

“They say the Marquis’s dragon has a wingspan of one hundred twenty meters—but today, it seems even larger?”

His instinct was correct.

Over the past half year, Ronin had fed Carlos thirty thousand essence cores, fueling tremendous growth in both power and size.

Now, Carlos measured sixty-five meters in length, his wings stretching nearly one hundred sixty meters across.

As Ridal and Gu Shan gazed in awe, Garrett and his men stepped out from their chambers, faces tense beneath the shadow of the leviathan.

“It’s grown again,” Garrett muttered, discomfort etched on his face. He didn’t truly believe Ronin would attack him—but the feeling of losing control suffocated him.

“Yug, do we have any way to deal with this dragon?”

The Silver Moon Knight Yug hesitated. “With all due respect, Your Highness, our kingdom has two centuries of aerial combat experience—but against a creature of legend like a dragon? We have no records, no precedent.”

He looked up at the vast, sky-obscuring wings. “Generally, the wings of flying magical beasts are relatively vulnerable. Perhaps dragons are the same. If we could pierce its wings with sharp spears, grounding it, then we might stand a chance.”

Garrett shook his head. “Our spear-launching machines lack the force. Once the dragon climbs higher, the threat diminishes.”

“Then only the Silver Moon Knights can ascend and strike directly!”

As they spoke, Carlos suddenly threw back his head and roared.

“Oooooowwwl!”

A torrent of searing flame erupted from his gaping maw, blazing across the night sky.

For an instant, darkness turned to day. The heavens blazed crimson, like sunset clouds set aflame—magnificent, terrifying!

Garrett’s face paled. The elemental surge was overwhelming. Had that fire been aimed at Redpine Keep instead of the sky, the fortress would have become a charnel house, countless lives extinguished.

“Ronin… is this a threat?”

Garrett understood perfectly—yet he hadn’t expected such brazen intimidation.

Ronin stood atop Carlos’s back, surveying the keep below, his heart calm, his mind clear.

This *was* a warning—a message for Garrett to abandon his petty schemes.

“Land,” Ronin murmured, gently patting Carlos’s neck.

The dragon folded his wings and descended swiftly, touching down upon the castle’s vast courtyard in a storm of dust.

“My lord, you’ve come!” Ridal approached. “I’m sorry to have caused you trouble.”

“This isn’t your fault,” Ronin replied, inspecting Ridal and seeing no injury, relief settling within him. “Tell me what happened.”

Ridal recounted his arrival at Redpine Keep.

In truth, the entire incident was simple—his exchange with Garrett had lasted fewer than ten sentences.

Ronin gave a cold smile. “Lord Deni, kindly summon the Crown Prince. If he intends to waste my time as he did today, I won’t wait hours as Ridal did.”

Deni offered an awkward chuckle before hurrying off.

Gu Shan stepped forward, smiling warmly. “Marquis Ronin, welcome to Redpine Keep! To see it with my own eyes—I realize now you are even more valiant and formidable than legend suggests!”

Ronin responded with proper courtesy. After all, during the earlier conflict, Gu Shan had not blindly sided with the Crown Prince.

Few dared defy Garrett so openly. This deputy commander, clearly, feared no fallout.

Exchanging polite words, they entered the fortress hall together.

This time, Garrett arrived swiftly—no sooner had the three seated themselves than he appeared.

“Ronin, quite the grand entrance you made,” Garrett sneered, voice laced with sarcasm. “Was that dragon’s roar meant to panic Redpine Keep—or merely to intimidate me?”

Ronin remained seated, a faint smile on his lips. “Compared to you, Your Highness, my little display is nothing. After all, I wouldn’t dare make a Silver Moon Knight wait half a day.”

Garrett fell silent. He hadn’t expected Ronin to dispense with even the pretense of respect—to not rise when he entered.

He grunted, then took a seat across from him.

“Your knight not only defied my orders—he injured me and my men. How do you intend to resolve this?”

“You call waiting in a hall a military command?” Ronin shook his head. “Ridal is one of the kingdom’s rare Silver Moon Knights. Even under my banner, I treat him with honor. I neither know nor care why you target him—but asking me to yield even half a step?”

He paused, lips curling slightly as he enunciated three deliberate words:

“Im-pos-si-ble.”

Ridal had agreed with Gu Shan’s suggestion—to apologize quietly, smooth things over.

He hadn’t expected Ronin to arrive with such unyielding defiance.

Under these circumstances, to still offer an apology would seem weak.

A knight must stand aligned with his lord.

Garrett narrowed his eyes, voice low with suppressed rage. “What kind of attitude is this, Ronin? Do you seek to betray the kingdom?”

“If I recall correctly, this is the second time you’ve said that.” Ronin’s smile faded. “You may be Crown Prince—but only Crown Prince. For now, the will of the Kingdom of Auduin rests solely with your father, King Bruno.”

“And let me remind you—every noble has the right to protest injustice. That is the law of our kingdom.”

Garrett’s face darkened, as if shadows could drip from his brow. He hadn’t expected such defiance—let alone that Ronin would invoke the kingdom’s very laws to strike back.

"Roanin, do you truly believe that possessing a dragon makes you my equal?" Garret's voice was low, dangerous, and laced with authority. His eyes burned with unquestionable power and fury.

Roanin smiled faintly—a smile brimming with both confidence and quiet mockery. "The dragon is merely one of my companions, not my only strength."

He met Garret’s fierce gaze without flinching. "I, Roanin, live by one principle: I harm none who harm me not."

"As for what has happened today—if you see it as provocation, then let me be clear: I never seek pointless conflict, but neither will I allow anyone to trample upon me!"

The air in the hall grew thick and still.

Seeing the conversation at an impasse, Gu Shan let out a hearty laugh. "Now now, gentlemen, let’s not let tempers run too high over this matter."

"In truth, it was all just a misunderstanding. The manner may have been unpleasant, but one thing is certain—we’ve gained a proud Solar Knight among us."

He stepped forward, smoothing tensions with practiced ease. "I suggest the prince petition His Majesty for military action. With Ruidar on our side, I am certain we can soon erase the shame of over thirty years ago and finally seize Mistveil City!"

Garret remained silent, head bowed, his expression hidden from all.

Roanin, however, granted Gu Shan the courtesy of a response. "In matters of war, so long as no one acts with ill intent, I will ensure Ruidar answers the call fully. It is my duty as a vassal of the crown."

Gu Shan nodded with a pleasant smile. "Your Highness, as commander of the frontlines, the final decision rests with you." (End of Chapter)