Chapter 518: Garret's Scheming

Within the grand hall of Oduin, Bruno, having concluded his administrative duties for the day, received Gareth, who had just returned from the battlefields of the Glee Highlands.

"I heard from Ference that in the war that just ended, you led your valiant knights to capture the enemy commander, Earl Aarons?"

Gareth bowed slightly, "Yes, Father. In this battle, we captured a total of six professional knights of the Meteor rank and above from the enemy forces. I have escorted them all back to Golden Feather City to await your judgment!"

Bruno felt deeply gratified, his mood exceptionally bright.

"In these recent two wars, we have captured many of their key figures. They are now all confined within the dungeons, awaiting a letter of ransom from King Tyro of the Kingdom of Tricia."

"Yet, it seems this young king cares little for these losers; until now, not a single word has been transmitted."

Earl Ural of Mist City held great power and high status within the Kingdom of Tricia. Reason dictated that upon the capture of such a man, the opposing side would send envoys to negotiate.

Yet for reasons unknown, two months had slipped away, and the other party remained completely silent.

As the victors, the Kingdom of Oduin would naturally not lower its dignity to ask whether they intended to ransom them.

Given that Ural and his cohort could not be executed on a whim, they remained locked away in the cells.

Gareth smiled coldly, "I suspect that Tyro has deemed these people discarded pieces. If possible, I would like to persuade these prisoners to see if any are willing to abandon the object of their allegiance and serve me instead."

"That should prove difficult."

Bruno stood up, slowly descending from his throne, "Their roots are entirely planted in the Kingdom of Tricia. To expect them to give up everything to pledge fealty to us is highly improbable. Furthermore, though Tyro has only recently ascended and is still young, he is not so foolish as to completely disregard the capture of a frontier earl."

If Tyro truly abandoned Ural and the others to their fates, he as king would inevitably earn the scorn of his followers, alienating them from his rule.

That would be even more advantageous for the Kingdom of Oduin!

"I am still willing to try."

Gareth held firm to his notion, "The trend toward our unification of this continent has already formed. If they can read the tides, they will make the correct choice. Once we take Tricia, would they still fear that what belongs to them cannot be reclaimed?"

With that, he bowed slightly: "Father, I beg you to grant me permission to do this!"

A look of gratification flared in Bruno's eyes; compared to before, Gareth was now considerably more humble.

"I sense a change in you, Gareth. You seem much more composed than you were a while ago. It appears the tutors I arranged for you have been effective."

Gareth smiled, "The tutors were indeed excellent; I learned much from them. However, due to the harsh conditions of the battlefield camp lately and the exhausting journey back and forth, they wished to spend the annual festival in Ferenceburg. Thus, I permitted them to stay behind."

"Indeed, they are ordinary men, and returning only to rush back a couple of days later would truly be too much for them. It is rare and commendable that you can sympathize with their hardships!"

Bruno stepped up to him, raising a hand to pat his shoulder, "Go ahead with the negotiations with the prisoners. Your father supports you!"

It happened that during the battle of Mist City, Yug and several of Gareth's close confidants had perished. If a few among these captives were willing to switch allegiance to his banner, it would perfectly remedy his shortage of men.

"Thank you for your support, Father!"

Gareth bowed in gratitude, the corners of his mouth curving slightly upward into a faint, mocking smile.

Bruno could never have guessed that the tutors he had assigned to Gareth were not staying behind in Ferenceburg, but had fallen beneath the prince's blade, resting in eternal slumber upon the Glee Highlands.

To Gareth, he had long grown weary of those nagging old men who hovered around him daily; seeing them even once more was pure torment.

As for winning over the nobility of the Kingdom of Tricia.

Truth be told, Aarons and the others he had brought back to Golden Feather City had already become his followers. As for Earl Ural and his subordinates, he believed that once he revealed his true identity, they too would throw themselves under his command.

"Very well, it is nearly time for the banquet. Come with me."

Bruno spoke as he walked, "During these two days of the annual festival, relax well and do not keep your nerves so tightly strung. Oh, by the way, I heard that you broke through to become a Blazing Sun Knight not long ago?"

Gareth followed closely behind, keeping pace, "Yes, Father. Although my relations with Ronin are not particularly good, it must be said that the enhancement potions produced by the Northern Wu Territory were of no small use to me. With their aid, I successfully shattered the bottleneck and advanced to the Blazing Sun rank!"

"Haha, this is a joyous occasion for our Oduin family!"

Bruno was utterly delighted. Although he had been pleased when he previously met Ronin, who was of the Blazing Sun rank, in his heart he had always hoped that a Blazing Sun would emerge from his own bloodline.

Now, that wish was fulfilled.

"Our cooperation with Ronin is growing closer now. Many mages have recently joined his territory, so the production of potions will certainly have increased significantly. When the opportunity arises, I will contact him again to purchase more potions for us."

To this, Gareth shook his head, "That kind of potion is already of no use to those at the Blazing Sun rank."

"Even if it is useless to you, it can still be used to reward others."

Bruno said with a smile, "Who would ever complain that their followers' strength is too high?"

"That is true."

Gareth pondered for a moment, a flash of hesitation crossing his eyes, before he finally spoke, "Father, if in the future we possess the capability to deal with Ronin and his followers, should we still maintain our relationship with the Wushan family?"

Bruno did not answer immediately; instead, he cast a glance at Gareth before turning his gaze ahead.

Did Ronin pose a threat to the royal authority?

In all fairness, the answer was affirmative.

It was impossible for a young Blazing Sun Knight to be devoid of ambition; Bruno knew this well.

He too wished to restrict Ronin, but unfortunately, it was currently beyond his power.

Therefore, through their exchanges at Mist Castle, he had stabilized their relationship, ensuring that for a long time to come, Ronin would fight for him and for the kingdom.

As for how the relationship between the two families would fare in the future, they would cross that bridge when they came to it.

Now his son had also become a Blazing Sun Knight. As time progressed, a second and third Blazing Sun would surely appear upon the vast expanse of the kingdom's territory.

A mere duchy could never compare to the deep heritage and foundations of a kingdom.

However, Bruno did not voice his true thoughts aloud; he understood his son's temperament too well.

If Gareth knew that his father was also wary of Ronin in his heart, he might very well bring his antagonism out into the open, which would be detrimental to the current situation.

"During this time at Mist Castle, I spoke with Ronin for a long while. I can see that he is a man who places great weight on gratitude and honor. Therefore, as long as we show him kindness, he will not betray the kingdom as you imagine."

Bruno paused for a moment and walked forward, "Gareth, put away those thoughts. Our next objective is to eliminate Tricia and become the rulers of this continent. Before that is achieved, lingering on suspicion and internal strife is utterly meaningless."

Gareth stared at his father's retreating figure, a flash of reluctance and resolve darting through his eyes, "I understand!"

He took a deep breath and stepped forward, adding only in his mind: "I have already given you your chance, Father. You have only yourself to blame for not seizing it!"

Following a sumptuous banquet, Gareth departed from the Golden Feather Palace.

Mounting his golden gryphon, he flew through the snowy night to Oxhorn Bay, entering the prison where the captives of Mist City were held.

As vital prisoners, they were guarded by skilled and powerful knights, and the captives were fitted with specially crafted shackles; even a Silver Moon Knight would be restricted, unable to escape.

"Earl Ural, it has been a long time."

Magical lamps illuminated the dark cell with bright light. A faint smile played upon Gareth's face as he looked at the Silver Moon Knight before him, who was so heavily weighed down by irons that even moving proved arduous.

"Heh, to think the noble Crown Prince would personally visit such a filthy dungeon?"

Ural sneered, sitting upon the ground opposite him.

The distinguished nobleman was now disheveled and in a wretched state.

"Under normal circumstances, the mere scent of this place would make me want to retch."

Gareth walked forward and crouched down before Earl Ural, "But today, I come with the greatest goodwill, wishing to speak with you." (End of Chapter)