Lord: Stripped of My Inheritance from the Start

Chapter 497: Chapter 470: Turmoil

Late at night, Watchtower Castle was ablaze with candlelight.

Placido sat in his study, eyes closed in deep thought. The information Ronin had revealed to him echoed in his mind as he pondered what choice he would make if that situation truly came to pass.

Should he stand by his convictions and risk his family’s entire fortune on a battle he was almost certain to lose? Or should he bear the infamy of joining the enemy’s camp?

His fingers tapped against the tabletop, a rhythm as restless and anxious as his heart.

He had sent a message to his family members in the Royal Capital, Giant Dragon City, a few days ago. By all rights, a reply should be arriving soon.

CLIP-CLOP, CLIP-CLOP, CLIP-CLOP!

The sudden, urgent sound of hooves shattered his train of thought.

It was already ten o’clock at night. Such a frantic galloping at this hour was unusual.

Placido moved to the window and saw two Knights dismounting. They spoke to the Guards at the gate, and then one of the Guards rushed toward the tower where he was.

’They’re messengers from Mist City.’

Placido’s brow furrowed. ’Is it something urgent?’

He wasted no more time and quickly left the room, just in time to meet the approaching Guard.

"Have them meet me in the main hall."

Soon, they met in the main hall on the first floor.

"Lord Viscount, I am Landon, an Order Knight serving under Count Ural, the Commander-in-Chief of the Mist City defense line. I have come to deliver the Count’s orders!"

As he spoke, he drew a letter from within his tunic and presented it respectfully.

Placido hadn’t expected the battle to come so suddenly. A sense of urgency gripped him as he quickly took the letter.

Just then, his sister, Melis, also entered the hall and sat quietly to one side.

It seemed the time had come for the Carmen Clan to make its choice.

But as Placido finished reading the letter, his face turned deathly pale, and he slowly sank into a chair.

"What is it?" Melis asked, puzzled.

Even if Count Ural had ordered them to attack, her brother wouldn’t have worn such a complicated expression.

Placido said, his voice strained, "His Majesty Tamriel... has passed away!"

Melis raised a hand to cover her mouth. "How can that be?"

Placido handed the letter to his sister, then turned his gaze to the messenger.

"Knight Landon, what exactly happened? His Majesty’s strength may not have been formidable, but he was still a Golden Knight. He only just turned sixty this year. At that age, how could he die of illness?"

For a Golden Knight, sixty was still the prime of life, especially for the ruler of a Kingdom with access to the finest resources.

Logically, living to be a hundred shouldn’t have been a problem at all.

But now, this robust monarch was dead—and of an illness, no less. This forced Placido to suspect the truth behind it.

He immediately recalled what Ronin had said: the Kingdom had established a partnership with the Alien Race Holy Storm Organization from the Molten Fire Duchy.

’So, the one they’re cooperating with isn’t His Majesty Tamriel, but the Crown Prince who now inherits the throne, Tyrone?’

"This... I’m not too clear on the details."

Landon was merely an Order Knight under the Count’s command. All he knew was that the King had died of an illness. As for what illness, or if there were any hidden circumstances, he was completely in the dark.

"Lord Viscount, I have delivered the order. The Count instructed me to remind you that the Oduin Kingdom will most likely take advantage of this news to attack Mist City. You must prepare for a fight to the death."

"Furthermore, His Majesty Tyrone has already dispatched new reinforcements to the front. He hopes you can hold out until they arrive!"

A bitter look crossed Placido’s face. "Didn’t the Count receive my letter? The one stationed opposite us at West Wind Hill is Marquis Ronin! Not only is he a Proud Sun Knight, but he also has a Magic Master in his ranks, not to mention that terrifying Giant Dragon in the sky. With such a massive disparity in strength, how do you expect me to hold out until reinforcements arrive?"

He paused. "At the very least... you should have sent me a Silver Moon Knight, right?"

Landon looked troubled. He knew the gap in strength was huge, but the orders were the orders.

"The Count did receive your letter, but every part of the defense line is under pressure. He has no more support to give you. The Knight Order and Mage Squad he sent you a while ago were already the largest reinforcements he could spare."

Landon continued, "The Count said that, like you, he has defended the front for many years. Both he and his family have been favored by the Kingdom. Now is the time to repay that debt."

"If you are defeated and captured, the Kingdom will ransom you back at any cost. If you should unfortunately die in battle, His Majesty Tyrone will ennoble our children. He will not let his heroes shed blood and tears in vain!"

Placido’s expression remained unchanged, but his heart skipped a beat.

’What’s the meaning of that last sentence? Was he specifically reminding me that my children are in Giant Dragon City?’

He took a deep breath. "I understand. Please return and tell Count Ural that I will defend Watchtower Castle to the last. I also hope he can arrange for reinforcements as soon as possible!"

Landon smiled. "Then I wish you the best of luck!"

He and his companion bowed to Placido, then exited the hall. Under the cover of night, they departed from Watchtower Castle, heading back to Mist City to report.

"Brother, what do we do now?"

Melis set the letter aside. "His Majesty Tamriel has always been in good health. It’s impossible for him to suddenly fall ill and die. There must be a conspiracy!"

Placido nodded grimly. "The one in contact with the Molten Fire Duchy has always been Prince Tyrone. He’s likely the one cooperating with them. His Majesty... perhaps..."

He didn’t dare to imagine the rest.

"So, Marquis Ronin’s information was true and reliable?"

"Perhaps. I was originally waiting for a message from the family, but now it seems our people in Giant Dragon City might not be able to get out."

A desolate look crossed Melis’s beautiful face. "Then Laobu and the others..."

Placido fell silent. His son and daughter were studying in Giant Dragon City. He had always thought it was the safest place, but he never imagined there would be danger there too.

However, this was all just speculation based on Ronin’s information. He had no direct proof.

Placido picked up the letter and read it one more time.

"As far as I know, there are three Silver Moon Knights and several Meteor Knights in Mist City. Yet Count Ural won’t send me a single one as reinforcement. He’s even using my children and family members to threaten me. He clearly intends to sacrifice us to preserve his own forces and buy himself a little more time."

After a long moment, Placido made his decision.

"For Laobu and everyone else, we must fight Ronin!"

Fighting Qi erupted from him, and the letter in his hand was instantly torn to shreds.

In all of Watchtower Castle, the strongest Knight was him, a Meteor Level, and the strongest Mage was his sister, Melis.

’Fight with what?’

Even if Watchtower Castle was sturdy and reliable, such fortifications were of little use against such powerful Transcendents.

"We must also prepare for the worst," he added.

Melis stood up. She already understood his choice.

"No matter what happens, I will support you with all my strength. For now, let’s think about how to set up our defenses. Tomorrow, we’ll summon the head of the Knight Order and the captain of the Mage Squad for a mobilization meeting."

Placido nodded and took a deep breath. "There is one more important matter. We need to find a way to inform Ronin."

"Leave that to me."

Melis was very confident about this.