Lord: Stripped of My Inheritance from the Start

In Wushan Town, Melonika’s brow furrowed as he listened to his subordinate’s report.

Although Barrington hadn’t refused Lurans’s summons, he had set the meeting for a month from now. He was clearly stalling.

“What’s the extent of the damage to the buildings in Black Python Castle?” Melonika asked.

“I couldn’t get close, but from a distance, I’d estimate at least four or five large buildings were destroyed, including the central-most one.”

The messenger Knight reported his observations, adding his own speculation. “A massive battle definitely took place at Black Python Castle!”

Melonika nodded. A battle between Golden Knights could hardly cause such immense destruction. This meant the participants were either Meteor Knights or, at the very least, Mages.

’Dean Miloslav’s chances don’t look good.’

Just then, one of the Guards appeared outside the hall. “Sir, Steward Dark of the Silva Magic Energy Chamber of Commerce wishes to see you.”

Melonika was taken aback for a moment, then hurriedly said, “Show him in at once!”

Steward Dark had already expressed his concern to him earlier. This visit was most likely to convey the official stance of the Silva Magic Energy Chamber of Commerce.

The Chamber of Commerce’s power was indispensable for applying pressure to Black Python City.

“Baron!”

Dark strode in, forgoing any pleasantries and getting straight to the point. “The Dean has returned! He sent me to ask you to come at once!”

“Hm?”

Melonika’s eyes widened. “The Dean is back?”

He had subconsciously assumed Miloslav had been killed. The news Dark brought was both a pleasant surprise and a shock.

“How is the Dean?”

They spoke as they walked briskly outside.

“The wound on his chest is quite severe, and his condition isn’t good. We used a few Healing Skill Scrolls on him, and his injuries have now stabilized.”

“It’s a miracle he made it back at all. By the way, was it just the Dean? What about Knight Bulove?”

Dark shook his head, his voice low. “The Dean said Bulove was likely killed by Barrington and his men.”

Melonika stopped in his tracks. Though he had his suspicions, hearing it confirmed was still hard to believe.

’What in the world is the Hyde Clan thinking? How could they dare?’

He keenly sensed that the conflict between Wushan Castle and Black Python City was about to erupt into the open.

A war was coming to Wushan Territory, one on a scale far greater than the conflicts with the Polante Thief Gang or the Black Gold Brotherhood.

“Let’s go!”

Led by Dark, the two soon arrived at Miloslav’s room.

The old man, who despite his age had always been vigorous and spirited, now looked haggard. His hair was as dry and brittle as straw, and his lips were cracked.

To escape, he hadn’t dared to stop or seek shelter at any of the Knight Manors along his route. He had braved the elements for days while injured, barely making it back with his life.

“How are you feeling?” Melonika asked with concern.

Miloslav opened his eyes, raised a hand, and gripped Melonika’s arm. “Quick, tell Lurans! Ossen has recovered from his injuries! There’s another Meteor Knight in his castle! They tried to kill me!”

Melonika gasped.

’The Marquis has been tormented by that strange Energy for thirty years, yet Ossen has fully recovered?’

’Could it be that the second-hand Energy isn’t as potent?’

’But that’s not the important part. What matters is that not only has he regained his strength, but he now has another Meteor Knight on his side.’

’Is that why Ossen dared to make a move against Miloslav?’

’They probably never expected the old Dean would escape with his life.’

“Alright, rest assured. I’ll relay this to the Marquis immediately!”

Melonika added reassuringly, “Before your return, the Knight Orders of Wushan Castle had already begun to mobilize. The Marquis was already preparing to apply pressure to Black Python City.”

Miloslav nodded. As a Great Mage, he was respected wherever he went. When had he ever been subjected to such a humiliating ordeal?

If he hadn’t been carrying a Magic Scroll of the Earth Bear and known the Earth Travel Skill, he would have been a dead man.

“They openly tried to assassinate me and murdered Bulove. I will not let this grudge go easily!”

He looked at Dark. “Get a pen and paper. In my name, send messages to the Chamber of Commerce headquarters and the Royal Family. The Hyde Clan has flagrantly violated the laws of the Kingdom and the code of nobles. I demand they be put on trial!”

“Yes, my lord!”

Melonika stood by without intervening. To be precise, he had no reason to, nor could he.

After offering a few more words of comfort, he quickly left the residence.

He first arranged for a Knight Squad to patrol and guard Miloslav’s manor, then returned to his study, took out a pen and paper, and began writing a letter to Wushan Castle.

’Black Python City has two Meteor Knights, plus a number of Golden and Silver Knights. On our side, Miloslav is too grievously wounded to fight, which leaves me as the only Meteor Knight. If war breaks out, even if Wushan Territory wins, our losses will be immense.’

Melonika didn’t know the situation with Lurans and Ronin. From his perspective, Wushan Territory was at a clear disadvantage in terms of top-tier combat power.

A gap in top-tier power could only be filled with Magic Weapons and sheer numbers, and the resulting losses would be anything but small.

’However, since Miloslav has reported this to the Royal Family and the Magic Energy Chamber of Commerce, they should send reinforcements.’

「Wushan Castle.」

In the main hall, Wiggin sat in his wheelchair, receiving Viscount Marvin of Pasture City and Viscount Vitorino of Sharp Horn City.

“I’m telling you, Wiggin, just give us a straight answer!”

Marvin’s voice was filled with impatience. He wanted to see the Marquis but had been turned away at the door.

In all these years, it was the first time Lurans had ever refused to see him, his own disciple.

This led Marvin to a grim thought—’Could it be that the Marquis is on his deathbed?’

“That’s right, Wiggin. All of Wushan Castle’s major Knight Orders are mobilizing. It’s making all of us nobles, great and small, feel uneasy.”

Vitorino didn’t understand what was happening either. “Either you tell us the truth—what’s really wrong with the Marquis! Or you let us in. If he gets angry, Marvin and I will take full responsibility.”

Wiggin looked helpless. If he knew why Lurans was suddenly refusing all visitors, he would have told them long ago.

The problem was, he didn’t know either. He didn’t even know why the Knight Orders were being mobilized.

Everyone in Wushan Castle seemed to be busy now. Even Dianey had traveled all the way to the remote backwater of Wubei Territory to help.

’When I think about it, it seems like I’m the only one with nothing to do.’

’Can’t be helped. After all, with a broken leg, it’s hard to get around.’

Otherwise, he would have marched right up to Lurans and demanded to know what he was planning.

“You’re asking me, but I don’t know either!”

He threw up his hands. “Look, the old man is refusing all visitors. Even if you get past me, Toru is guarding the back courtyard. You won’t be able to force your way in.”

Marvin and Vitorino looked exasperated.

They knew Toru was on guard, which was precisely why they’d asked Wiggin to try and reason with him.

But it was clear that approach wasn’t going to work.

VMMMM—

Just as the three of them were talking, a powerful aura swept through the entirety of Wushan Castle.

They could feel the surrounding Elemental Power churning, being drawn toward the back courtyard.

“What is…?”

Marvin and Vitorino shot to their feet, seeing the same look of disbelief in each other’s eyes. Without another word to Wiggin, they charged toward the back courtyard.

“Hey, wait for me!”

Wiggin frantically spun the wheels of his chair. “Holwart, what are you waiting for? Push me over there, quickly!”

At the foot of the rear mountain, Toru stared in shock toward the peak. Being so close, he could feel an immense, oppressive pressure.

Unfortunately, the dense forest blocked his view, so he couldn’t see what was happening on the summit.

“Toru, what’s going on?”

Marvin and Vitorino rushed over, asking anxiously.

“I don’t know!”

Toru shook his head. “But the Marquis is up on the mountain.”

’Could it be…?’

A wild theory took root in all three of their minds.

Just then, a hearty laugh drifted down from the mountain, seemingly sweeping away all the gloom.

Following the laughter, Lurans, clad in a black robe, descended as if walking on air and landed before them.

“My Lord!”

Toru and the others’ eyes went wide. Walking on air—that was the mark of a Silver Moon Knight!

For a moment, their minds went completely blank, unable to process what they were seeing.