Lord: Stripped of My Inheritance from the Start

Chapter 174: Chapter 173: Unexpected Surprise

The banquet hall of Wushan Castle once again buzzed with a lively atmosphere.

However, unlike before, many of the nobles now had matters weighing on their minds. As they conversed in small groups, the names Ronin and Reisen would invariably come up.

Without a doubt, the Sain Clan of Swamp Town was finished this time. Even if Count Ossen wanted to plead on their behalf, he had no reason or excuse to do so.

If he pressed the issue, Lurans might even hold Black Python City accountable for their failure to effectively eliminate the Skull Society.

Although Ossen County was powerful, it was still a vassal of Wushan Castle. He was not yet in a position to defy a punishment handed down by his lord.

Moreover, after the events of this evening, many had changed their opinion of the old Ronin. The current Lord of Mountain Forest Town was now worthy of their serious consideration.

The key was that they had all seen Lurans’s attitude toward Ronin.

Regarding the matter with Reisen, no one would believe that the grandfather and grandson hadn’t coordinated beforehand.

And so, when Ronin re-entered the banquet hall, he naturally became the center of attention for the evening.

Out on the terrace, Ossen held a Crystal Cup, aimlessly swirling the half-full glass of red wine. His brow was furrowed, and his expression was grim under the night sky.

He wasn’t particularly familiar with Baron Reisen, but the man was close with his son, Barrington, and surely knew many things about the Skull Society.

If Reisen cracked under interrogation and confessed certain things, it would undoubtedly bring considerable trouble to Black Python City.

’This Reisen… is a problem.’

Footsteps sounded beside him. It was Jesus, who had walked over with a cup in his hand. “This banquet is so dull, don’t you think?”

The two men lightly clinked their cups and took a sip of wine.

“I don’t think so at all. This evening’s events have been quite spectacular.”

Ossen said with a smile, “If you allowed yourself to be immersed in the lively atmosphere of the banquet, you might feel differently.”

“Heh, I’d wager you’re not in the best of moods right now.”

Jesus lowered his voice. “I’m looking forward to your next move.”

“Move?”

Ossen downed the rest of his wine in one gulp. “What move could I possibly make?”

Jesus gave a noncommittal shrug. Seeing that no one else was around, he said in a low voice, “He was too incompetent. Now there’s no one to act as a check on that side.”

Ossen grunted softly. He knew what the other man was talking about.

Black Python City had indeed planned to support the Sain Territory, making that land larger and stronger in preparation for an eventual takeover of Pasture City.

Unfortunately, with Reisen gone, the previous plan had gone up in smoke.

Ossen’s gaze fell upon Viscount Marvin in the bustling hall. The man’s obvious delight greatly displeased him.

But he had to admit that no matter who took over the Sain Territory, the land would not fall into Black Python City’s hands. Pasture City would now face no threat from the north.

“Chaos is a ladder,” Ossen murmured softly.

Wushan Castle was in decline, but Wushan Territory remained too big to fail. This was all thanks to the presence of Marquis Lurans.

As long as Lurans lived, even if he remained in Wushan Castle and never left, no major unrest would break out in Wushan Territory.

This situation was frustrating for Ossen, because only with Lurans gone would he have the opportunity to do more.

The banquet continued until midnight before gradually winding down.

Ronin had lost count of how many glasses of wine he had drunk that night, and he was starting to feel a bit hazy.

“My Lord, this is the prize for winning the Knight competition, as well as the tips from Her Highness the Princess and the other nobles. Holwart asked me to give it to you.”

In the room, Macken held an exquisite basket filled with glittering Gold Coins and Silver Coins.

Ronin circulated his Fighting Qi, dispelling the effects of the alcohol in his system and clearing his head considerably.

“How much is there?”

Ronin took the basket and hefted it gently. It was quite heavy.

Just then, a line of text appeared in his vision:

[“Good Fortune” achievement unlocked. Attribute Points +250, Energy Essence +500]

“Huh!”

Ronin was stunned for a moment.

If he remembered correctly, this “Good Fortune” achievement required him to obtain Five Thousand Gold Coins at once.

This was a huge amount. According to Ronin’s previous calculations, he would have needed to secure a massive order to complete it. He never expected the Knight competition to bring him such a pleasant surprise.

’How could there be this much?’

The prize for winning the Knight competition was only One Thousand Gold Coins. Even with Princess Blanche’s tip of Five Hundred Gold Coins, it was still a far cry from Five Thousand Gold Coins.

At that moment, Macken handed him a slip of paper, which clearly listed the names of those who had given tips.

“Princess Blanche: 500 gold. Miroslav: 480 gold. Jesus: 400 gold. Ossen: 300 gold. Marvin: 300 gold. Kabil: 300 gold. Dennis: 200 gold. German: 200 gold…”

Ronin was taken aback. He hadn’t expected so many nobles to give him tips. Even those who had tried to stir up trouble hadn’t been stingy with their contributions.

Jesus and Ossen, for example, had given quite high amounts, making sure to keep up appearances.

’They’re all such good people,’ he thought.

’Miroslav.’

Ronin thought of the Seventh-level Earth Element Great Mage who had been sitting beside Lurans. He hadn’t expected the man to join in the fun.

For a figure of his stature, four or five hundred Gold Coins was nothing.

If not for his reluctance to upstage Blanche, the Great Mage could have probably tossed out over a thousand Gold Coins without a second thought.

After a quick calculation, between the champion’s prize and the tips from dozens of nobles and sirs, Ronin’s income for the event came to 5,250 Gold Coins!

’I never thought making money could be this easy!’

Ronin then tossed thirty Gold Coins to Macken and gave Ten Gold Coins to Tom, telling them to go buy themselves something they wanted in Wushan City when they had time. He then stored all the remaining Gold Coins in his Space Ring.

Lying on his bed, he opened the Attribute Panel.

[Attribute Points]: 251

[Energy Essence]: 951

The achievement had given him another considerable boost.

He looked at the achievement interface, and “Good Fortune” had updated:

[Good Fortune]: Obtain Ten Thousand Gold Coins at once. Reward: Attribute Points +500, Energy Essence +1000

The difficulty had increased significantly.

To get Ten Thousand Gold Coins at once, he would either need another event like this one with even more generous tips from nobles, or he would have to rely on a major business deal.

He glanced at his other quests. If things went smoothly, he could become a Viscount and take control of the Sain Territory.

At that time, he would be able to complete the “Famous Throughout the World” and “Population Prosperity” quests, which would net him several hundred more Attribute Points and Energy Essence.

His power would take another huge leap then, and he might even be able to raise Macken to the Golden Level in one go!

With a Golden Level guard, Ronin would no longer have to worry, even if that assassin from the Beast Fighting Arena came to Mountain Forest Town.

Pushing these thoughts aside, Ronin allocated all his Attribute Points to his Knight Level.

After the exhilarating sensation from the intense wave of enhancement subsided, Ronin’s Knight Level progress jumped from 93/800 to 344/800.

’After strengthening my internal organs, my stamina has increased. Even if I only sleep four or five hours a day, I don’t feel the slightest bit of fatigue the next day.’

Ronin threw a few punches in his room, feeling the increase in his Power.

Even his breathing had now become much deeper and longer than before.

If he could only hold his breath underwater for three minutes before, he could now last at least five times as long.

At this stage, a Knight’s lifespan also began to increase slightly.

Normally, it was no problem for a Knight who had reached the Bronze Level to live to be eighty.

One had to understand what it meant to be eighty years old in a world where fifty was already considered old age.

“Extraordinary Power… it’s truly captivating!”

For him, as long as he had enough time, he was certain he would one day witness the glory of a peak Transcendent.

As long as Wushan Castle could maintain its current state, he would not lack the time he needed to develop.