Chapter 74: 74 Life or Death Uncertain

Chapter 74: Fate Unknown

For the town of Shanlin, the visit from the son of the Ironhoof family was entirely unexpected, but the news he bore was an even greater shock.

"I am not entirely clear on the exact nature of the Count's injuries,"

Rognar said, shaking his head. "This information came from our family's merchant guild. Lord Wiggins was already on the verge of death when he returned to Wushan Castle. As for what happened after he entered, we only know that all the knights of the First Knight Order have put the surrounding area under tight security. No news from within has slipped out."

"However, upon receiving this news, many nobles of the Wushan territory, including my father, will be setting out shortly to visit Wushan Castle and check on Lord Wiggins' condition."

Some nobles might go out of pure concern for his health, or simply to spectate, but others likely wished to confirm whether Wiggins was alive or dead, so they could make other preparations.

Roning's brow furrowed deep. "To be able to deploy two Silver Knights and one Bronze Knight all at once—what on earth is the background of these assassins?"

The higher an extraordinary person's professional rank, the more likely they were backed by some force or another, whether it was a particular noble, a merchant guild, or a wealthy magnate.

To be able to deploy professional knights of such caliber and number all at once to assassinate Wiggins meant the enemy's origins were anything but simple.

Rognar shook his head. How could he possibly know about such matters?

Even if he had his own suspicions, he would not dare speak recklessly in front of Roning without proof.

If Roning were to relay his suspicions to Wushan Castle and thereby provoke the wrath of Lord Rulance, igniting a war, then he and the Ironhoof family would be pushed into the eye of the storm.

Though Rognar remained silent, Roning had his own conjectures.

In an assassination like this, one only had to look at who stood to benefit most from the victim's death, and that person would likely be the culprit.

In the Wushan family, Marquis Rulance was gravely ill and had "retired," reportedly with only a few years left to live. Once he died, his son—the current Count of Wushan City, Wiggins—would inherit the title of Marquis.

Years later, when Wiggins died, who would inherit the title of Marquis of the Wushan territory?

It certainly would not be Roning, who had been stripped of his inheritance rights, but rather his younger brother, Braden—the biological grandson of Count Orson Hyde.

Now, if Wiggins died, and Rulance passed away a few years later, Braden would directly ascend to the position of Marquis, saving at least ten or twenty years compared to waiting for Wiggins to die of old age.

Thus, after this line of analysis, it was blindingly obvious who benefited from Wiggins' assassination.

Could the Hyde family, eager to secure the Marquisate early by backing their own grandson, even want to kill off that seemingly useless son-in-law ahead of time?

Roning could not help but think that if they had not been wary of Rulance's Meteor-level strength, the first target would likely have been Rulance rather than Wiggins.

Yet, were things truly as he imagined?

Roning did not dare guarantee it.

After all, if he could think of this scenario, other nobles could think of it too, and Rulance at Wushan Castle could think of it even more.

Under such circumstances, if Orson Hyde still chose to assassinate his son-in-law, it could only mean he no longer cared about Wushan Castle at all. Did the other party truly dare to lay his cards on the table like this before Rulance was dead?

Roning felt that a question mark still had to be placed over this matter.

"Roning, when do you plan to return to Wushan City?"

Rognar shifted the topic. "If you leave right now, we can escort you out through this southern forest. Once we reach Muma City, you can join my father, which will make the journey there much safer."

Roning pulled his thoughts back, somewhat surprised. "What, you aren't staying the night at my place today, but planning to head back?"

It was nearly noon, and even if they set out immediately, they would not make it back to Muma City today. Roning had originally assumed they would spend the night in Shanlin Town.

"My apologies, it is not that we do not wish to rest here for the night, but my father is still waiting for my news in Muma City,"

Rognar explained. "If you are willing to come with us, then we shall set out together from Muma City. If you have other plans, I must return to give him your reply."

It appeared Marvin Ironhoof wished to set out for Wushan Castle as soon as possible.

Roning reflected for a moment, not giving an immediate answer. "Please allow me to consider it."

The two knights, Rognar and Clamy, exchanged a glance, both seeing the surprise in each other's eyes. They had assumed Roning would set out immediately, but they had not expected him to remain so unhurried.

Could it be that Roning was still angry over being stripped of his inheritance rights, such that even when his father was dying, he was unwilling to return to Wushan Castle to visit?

This seemed a bit too willful. No matter what was said, he, Roning, carried the bloodline of the Wushan family.

Though Rognar and Clamy thought this in their hearts, they said nothing aloud.

They were merely following Viscount Marvin's instructions to deliver the Cloud-Treading Steed, foster relations with Shanlin Town, and convey the matter of Wiggins to Roning.

After the luncheon, Roning saw off the group from Muma City. In the end, using the excuse that "the autumn harvest in Shanlin Town is imminent, and without an administrative officer, I cannot leave," he decided not to go to Wushan Castle for the time being.

The news and gifts brought by Viscount Marvin might have been pure goodwill, but Wushan Castle right now was definitely a place of complex intrigue.

Over the next few days, nobles large and small from across the Wushan territory would gather there. For Roning to go at this time would undoubtedly mean actively throwing himself into that vortex.

If he were manipulated by someone with hidden intentions, he might even be pushed to the forefront.

Roning had managed with great difficulty to establish himself in this remote forest, and had finally faded from the vision of many, gaining the time to develop in peace. He did not want to be targeted again so soon.

Moreover, Roning believed there was a high probability that Wiggins had been saved by Wushan Castle and was not dead.

After all, if he were truly dead, what Rognar brought would likely have been a letter from Wushan Castle. If Rulance had ordered Roning to return, he would have set out immediately.

For now, he should stay away from that vortex. Once things settled down after a period of time and the nobles of Wushan City dispersed, it would not be too late for him to visit Wushan Castle.

In any case, the situation in the Wushan territory was looking increasingly grim.

For only when ruling authority had degenerated to a certain point would outsiders dare to lay hands on their liege lord so flagrantly.

This was how it was while Rulance was still alive; once he passed away, the people below would likely grow even more unscrupulous.

He could only hope now that Rulance would hold on a little longer. At least while the old man was there, open warfare would not break out.

"Time is running out for me. Before the chaos arrives, I must try my best to increase my own strength and influence."

Originally, Roning had merely maintained an attitude of not provoking others if they did not provoke him, trying to let Shanlin Town and himself pass through the initial stage peacefully. But now it seemed certain actions had to be brought forward on the agenda.

"Macken, during the guards' training recently, make sure they conserve their physical strength. Once Ridal brings back news, we will prepare to deal with the wildling tribes in the forest."

"In addition, Galen, go and inform Wilson to notify every village. Everyone must work overtime to shorten the time for the autumn harvest. Furthermore, in a few days, I want to conscript twenty militia members around thirty years old from each village to join the training!"

"Have Wilson arrange for these eighty people to come in advance to observe and familiarize themselves with the guards' training content."

War meant casualties, and Roning needed to consider the issue of replenishing manpower.

However, the autumn harvest was equally important. Without food, one could not even keep people alive, so how could they fight a war?

Thank you to all the lords for the monthly tickets. There are quite a few people voting, I am overwhelmed by the favor~

(End of this chapter)