Chapter 539: Driven Mad

After trading a few jests, Ronin and Rulance seated themselves to earnestly deliberate upon the impending crisis.

Though this world lacked the precise maxim that "a domain cannot pass a single day without a sovereign," such a consensus nonetheless prevailed.

While the Kingdom of Auduin now found itself devoid of both a king and a male heir, the election of a new monarch would undoubtedly be the paramount matter of the days to come.

Ordinarily, the affair would have been straightforward enough, given that Bruno had left behind daughters; the crown would simply devolve upon the eldest.

Yet now there stood Ronin, a legendary powerhouse the likes of whom had not been seen in centuries, who moreover happened to be the husband of Bruno’s youngest daughter and the pivotal figure in capturing the crown prince.

This compelled many, in making their choice, to weigh a pressing concern: if they chose the Eldest Princess, Sharon, would they not risk offending Ronin?

The curiosity of the multitude centered upon a single question: what was Ronin’s own stance?

Rulance was well aware that Ronin harbored a desire for the throne, yet he also understood that raising him up at this particular juncture was unseemly.

Though Garret’s patricide and treason were facts cast in iron, should the path ultimately lead to Ronin ascending as king and emerging as the greatest beneficiary, it would inevitably invite dark suspicions behind his back.

Conversely, if the Kingdom of Auduin were meekly surrendered to Sharon, any future expansion of the kingdom Ronin had built would inevitably spark conflict, and he would still bear the risk of being branded an ambitious rogue and a traitor.

Fortuitously, it would be better to seize this very opportunity to dissolve this hidden peril once and for all.

After a lengthy exchange between the two men, Rulance smiled and said, "The necessary maneuvers must still be made; even if we do not thrust you onto the throne, we must at least prevent them from directly elevating the Eldest Princess, Sharon."

"Then I must trouble you with this matter, Grandfather."

Ronin voiced his agreement, inquiring in the same breath, "How fare things along the border? Relying on Melonica alone may well be insufficient; perhaps I ought to recall Maken after all."

The Principality of Vera possessed not only Andrea but also the Silver Moon Knights, while Melonica was merely of the Meteor rank; though he had mastered the secret technique of the *Fire Dance Thunder Strike* created by Rulance—rendering him a threat to a Silver Moon Knight—that held true only in a solitary duel.

"The border sees naught but a few raiding parties causing mischief; they pose no grand threat."

At these words, the corners of Rulance’s mouth could not help but curve upward.

That Andrea had been slain by his grandson was a matter that brought him immense, profound satisfaction.

The enmity and resentment suppressed within his breast for decades had finally been repaid in full.

"With Andrea dead, the Principality of Vera will surely plunge into internal strife; at such a time, it is unlikely anyone can marshal the men to march against us."

Rulance offered his analysis, continuing, "I reckon their most urgent concern now is how to withstand the reckoning that awaits them."

Hearing this, a certain matter crossed Ronin’s mind.

"It is an undeniable truth that Ference and Andrea colluded with foreign races to betray the King. However, the Fleming family of Screaming Island merely followed the crown prince; there is no evidence to prove their involvement in the assassination of His Majesty. By law, their punishment should not suffice to strip them of their lands and noble titles."

A cold gleam flashed through Ronin’s eyes; this family had once sent assassins against him, and even after he became the Baron of Torrent Island, they had repeatedly made clandestine moves. Now that an opportunity had presented itself, he naturally had no intention of letting them escape.

"I believe the Screaming Sea should not suffer a single tyrant, but should rather allow the vessels of all nobility to pass in perfect freedom."

Rulance broke into a laugh. "I understand. This should be a trifling matter, after all, for the nobles great and small along both shores of the Screaming Sea harbor more or less resentment toward the Fleming family."

Myron was a nobleman, yet he was also a pure merchant.

Ever since his father, Count Alfonso, had entrusted the management of the Fleming family to his hands, he had been willing and daring enough to employ any means whatsoever to expand their commerce and amass greater wealth.

This much could be discerned from the methods he had deployed against Ronin.

Now that he had handed the nobility so great a weapon against him, no one would let the chance slip by.

As the two conversed, Carolina knocked and entered the room.

"Marquis, Duke, Count Eben of Twin Peaks has arrived to pay a visit, accompanied by his lady, the Eldest Princess Sharon."

Ronin was somewhat surprised, though understanding dawned upon him quickly.

"Garret and Ference are both confined here; they must have come on account of this affair."

Rulance nodded. "Then you shall receive them; it is high time I attended to my own duties as well."

Before long, the Count and his wife were ushered into the grand hall.

"Ronin, what in heaven's name is happening here?" Eben demanded without prelude.

Sharon likewise fixed her gaze intently upon Ronin, her eyes crimson and swollen much like Blanche’s, bearing clear testimony to the tears she had wept over the past two days.

When she set out, she knew only that Bruno was dead, a grief that had already left her utterly desolate; yet upon her arrival in the City of Golden Feathers, she was told that her own brother was the true assassin.

This colossal blow had caused Sharon to swoon on the spot.

"Ronin, I wish to see Garret this instant. May I?"

"Of course you may."

Ronin had no cause to deny a meeting between siblings. "Though Garret is confined here, he is guarded jointly by my men, Broll, Vargis, and the sentries of the kingdom's ministers."

He paused for a brief moment before continuing, "Only, his present state... is none too well. You must steel your heart."

"What has befallen him?" Eben inquired.

Ronin shook his head. "You will understand once you see him."

The trio walked together toward the rear courtyard.

By now, Garret had been bound with specialized chains and, to forestall any mishap, was further locked within a cage forged of dark iron.

Beyond the outermost perimeter, in addition to Carlos, stood the guards of Vargis and the other lords.

Ronin had made such arrangements principally to prevent any wagging tongues from accusing him of mistreating a captive and foe.

Before the three had even arrived, the sounds of Garret’s frenzied howling reached them from afar.

As they drew near and the reality came into view, even Eben was struck with horror, while Sharon bit her lip so hard it paled, her fists clenched as her body trembled uncontrollably.

Garret now stood with disheveled hair, his garments torn into mere rags, his face caked with mire and saliva, his groin soaked through, while an endless, mad laughter spilled from his lips.

He had lost his mind.

At that spectacle, Sharon collapsed utterly; she had rehearsed in her mind a thousand times how she would interrogate her brother, how she would berate him for being so cold-blooded, so insane.

Yet confronted with this scene, she knew not where to begin.

Eben turned his gaze toward Ronin, silently entreating the latter for an explanation.

"He is mad."

Ronin explained, "I had Elrond administer treatment; though magic can grant him a fleeting tranquility, the moment its efficacy wanes, he plunges right back into this state of frenzy. I suppose... perhaps the weight of this defeat was a blow too great for him to bear."

To slay Ronin, Garret had not hesitated to murder his own father and ally with foreign races.

Yet even so, it had culminated in absolute failure.

He could not endure such a defeat, much less the total ruin of his name and reputation.

After a single night of captivity, he had parted entirely with his reason, sinking into a state of hopeless madness.

Sharon’s body swayed, and unable to withstand the shock any longer, she sank senseless into Eben’s embrace.

Ronin hastily summoned servants to escort the pair to a chamber where they might rest.

Blanche, who was recuperating within the manor, came to visit upon hearing of her sister’s arrival.

The two sisters met but rarely, and this gathering amidst shared sorrow allowed them to weep together, offering some small solace to the grief in their hearts.

"Ronin."

Eben tilted his head slightly, gesturing for Ronin to follow him outside.

"What is it?"

“There’s something I’d like to discuss with you,” said Ibn, stepping out first.

Luo Ning glanced at the sisters in the room, then followed him outside.

Side by side they walked, one behind the other, until they reached the courtyard corridor, where they sat facing each other.

“What do you intend to do about Garrett?” he asked. “Given his current state and the crimes he’s committed—can he still inherit the throne?”

Luo Ning was slightly taken aback. He hadn’t expected Ibn to be the first outsider to broach the subject of the crown. Uncertain of the man’s stance, he replied cautiously, “What do you think?”

Ibn studied him deeply. He had meant to gauge Luo Ning’s position first, only to find the question deftly returned to him—an identical hesitation mirrored between them. The throne, after all, still held its quiet allure.

“The Kingdom of Auduin has stood for over two centuries,” Ibn said after a long silence, “and never once has there been a son who slew his father for power. Much less one who allied himself with foreign tribes, betraying humanity itself.” He paused. “Such a man is unfit to lead Auduin into the future.” (End of Chapter)