Lord: Stripped of My Inheritance from the Start

Black Python Castle.

“Barrington, why did things suddenly turn out like this?”

Viscount Taini Zilei, looking utterly heartbroken, questioned his son-in-law.

“Your sister is still Wiggin’s wife, and your nephew is still the heir to Wushan Castle. Even if we wanted to control more territory, or even become the secret rulers of Wushan Territory, there were much simpler ways than declaring war on Wushan Castle!”

Barrington’s expression was indifferent. “Viscount Taini, don’t you know that old fool Lurans has already recovered? Waiting for him to die, then for Wiggin to die, and then for my nephew to inherit the title of Marquis—how long would that take?”

“Even if you win, do you think Wushan Territory will just be handed to you?”

Taini shook his head bitterly. He knew that anything more he said would be useless.

From the moment they ambushed and tried to kill Miroslav, the Hyde Clan had passed the point of no return. The nobles of the Count’s Domain, both great and small, who had attached themselves to the clan were doomed as well.

“Taini, enough of this nonsense. As the founder of the Skull Society, you sent men to assassinate Lurans’s precious grandson, Ronin. After committing such a crime, you can’t possibly still be hoping Wushan Castle will pardon you and you alone, can you?”

Ossen let out a cold laugh, showing his in-law no respect at all. “The only thing you can do now is lead your troops and the other nobles to fight for me. That way, you might have a chance of survival.”

He clenched his fist. “To be honest with you, I am very strong right now!”

Taini took a deep breath, suppressing his displeasure. “Alright, Ossen. I will support you, and I pray that your course of action is the right one.”

This time, the Villa Duchy had not sent the Black Gold Brotherhood to support them, so there was no way to divide Wushan Castle’s forces. Without external aid, it was impossible for a single Count’s Domain to contend with Wushan Castle and the Silva Magic Energy Chamber of Commerce.

Ossen’s arrogance left Taini speechless. ’Where is our chance of victory?’

’Is it with that mob of militiamen outside the castle, dressed in their coarse linen clothes?’

In reality, Barrington had already sent a message to Duke Andrea. However, the Duke had considered that this incident was sparked by what happened to Miroslav, and he also knew that the Royal Family had dispatched Broel, the Vice Leader of the Griffin Knight Order, to assist.

Andrea did not want to be too conspicuous, nor did he wish to offend the Silva Magic Energy Chamber of Commerce and the Royal Family, so he did not order the Black Gold Brotherhood to march and invade.

However, he hadn’t done nothing at all. At the very least, he had reinforced his forces at Black Pine Mountain, making that position a nail driven firmly into the land of Wushan Territory.

“Of course my course of action is correct. Heh, chaos will spread across the lands of Wushan Territory! Since Lurans has been preparing for so many days without making a move, we’ll turn the tables and strike first!”

Ossen stood up. “Barrington, take your troops and Viscount Taini’s and launch a surprise attack on Splendid City right now!”

Taini was shocked. He hadn’t expected Ossen to divide their forces and take the offensive under these circumstances.

Before he could offer any advice, Barrington had already accepted the order with pleasure.

“As you wish. I believe we will soon be able to spread fear and death throughout Splendid City!”

“Go!”

A smile hung on the corner of Ossen’s lips, as if victory were already waving to him.

In truth, ever since they started following Mephisto, they had gradually lost their original ambitions.

Becoming the Lord of Wushan Territory, strengthening the Hyde Clan—these were their former goals. Now, all they had to do was carry out Mephisto’s plan: to bring the greatest possible trauma and chaos to the nobles of Wushan Territory.

…

Meanwhile, as Ronin was passing over Wushan Town, he had Carlos fly to Shore City to tell Ridder to come, leaving Macken in temporary charge there.

He himself used Wind’s Wings to fly to Melonika’s Baron’s Castle.

’A Griffin?’

Ronin landed on the ground and immediately spotted the Griffin in the distance. He knew the people from the Royal Family had finally arrived.

He entered the living room to find Broel congratulating Lurans on his recovery. Besides the two of them, Miroslav, Melonika, and a white-haired old man were also present.

“Haha, Ronin is back.”

Seeing Ronin walk in, Lurans quickly made an introduction with a smile.

“You know Broel. This is Lord Daun Box. Like Miroslav, he is not only one of the vice presidents of the Silva Magic Energy Chamber of Commerce and the head of the Golden Feather City branch, but also a powerful Great Mage!”

Ronin greeted them one by one.

Daun said pleasantly, “Mr. Bellora sent me to help, not only out of anger over Miroslav’s assassination attempt but also based on his friendship with you, Ronin.”

Even as he said it, Daun himself was quite surprised.

’What kind of friendship could Ronin and Bellora possibly have?’

’One isn’t even twenty, while the other is over a hundred. How could the two of them possibly know each other?’

Lurans was also a little surprised. It seemed his grandson had once again gone through some experiences he didn’t know about.

Ronin shook Daun’s hand. “After this is over, please convey my regards to Mr. Bellora for me!”

Broel then spoke up as well. “Ronin, His Majesty the King also has a message for you and the Marquis. Regardless of how things progress with Black Python City, you must be in Golden Feather City before the fourteenth of June.”

He looked at Lurans. “Of course, if you could accompany him, that would be for the best.”

Lurans stroked his white beard. He knew His Majesty the King was worried that postponing the marriage alliance would affect the Royal Family’s reputation.

“Rest assured. When the time comes, even if I cannot go, Ronin will go to Golden Feather City with you.”

“That would be best!”

The group chatted for a few more moments before Ronin finally interjected.

“Everyone, I took some time to observe Black Python City and discovered something very important. The difficulty of this war is about to increase!”

Hm?

His last sentence immediately captured everyone’s attention.

In their view, with three Meteor Knights—Lurans, Melonika, and Broel—plus two Great Mages—Miroslav and Daun—Black Python City should be completely powerless to resist such a lineup.

“What is it that could possibly increase the difficulty of the war?”

Daun asked in confusion, “Could it be that Ossen has new experts helping him?”

Next, Ronin recounted what he had seen and heard in Black Python City, including the hard-to-kill nature of the Witch Soul Race.

After listening, everyone fell into a collective silence.

Whether it was the unkillable nature of the Witch Soul Race or the fact that they could transform ordinary people into “Puppets,” everything he described overturned their understanding of the world.

Even the well-traveled and knowledgeable Great Mages, Daun and Miroslav, frowned. They had never heard of this race.

“If it’s truly as you say, then this Witch Soul Race must be servants of a Demon!”

Daun’s brow was tightly furrowed. Looking past the surface to the essence of the matter, if this business with the servants were to expand to other places, the devastating consequences would be unprecedented.

Broel nodded. “I’ll have my Griffin Knights go and confirm this shortly.”

He looked at Lurans. “If this is true, Marquis, we need to act as soon as possible!”

“The Witch Soul Race…”

Lurans murmured the name, the resentment and fury in his heart steadily climbing.

He had been tormented by Witch Soul Power for all these years. Now, not only had he discovered the existence of this so-called Witch Soul Race, but they had also targeted tens of thousands of innocent civilians. Such an act filled him with rage.

He had complete trust in Ronin’s intelligence. Regardless of whether Broel investigated or not, this war had to begin as soon as possible.

“We don’t need to wait for the noble houses from farther away. Melonika, go now and inform the Leader and the Knights. Tell them to prepare to march tomorrow!”

Melonika said in a solemn voice, “Yes, my lord!”

The Griffin Knights were extremely efficient, returning with their scouting report before sunset.

The people Ronin had described were not outside Black Python Castle, but the Knights had discovered a large contingent of troops to the southeast, heading toward Wushan Town. At the same time, another detachment of soldiers to the north was crossing the plain.

“Ossen actually took the offensive. That northern detachment…”

Lurans looked at the map behind him and narrowed his eyes. “He’s planning a surprise attack on Splendid City.”