Chapter 215 - 143: Transmission of Skills and Loyalty

Chapter 215: Chapter 143: Transmission of Skills and Loyalty

"First, tell me about the situation with the Eldest Prince and the Northern Territory."

Roy said slowly.

Tony nodded and immediately began to explain.

Roy listened patiently as Tony explained, getting a clear picture of the recent situation involving the Eldest Prince and the Northern Territory.

"The Eldest Prince, the other nobles of the Northern Territory—leave them all to me."

"Just keep doing what you’ve been doing. Manage the territory’s affairs and train the army."

Roy said calmly.

Tony had no objections to this arrangement and immediately replied, "Alright!"

After chatting for another ten minutes or so, Roy left the study as Tony watched him go, heading for the back courtyard of the City Lord’s Mansion.

The moment Roy left the study, Tony sat down in the high-backed chair behind the desk. He took out three sheets of miniature parchment used for Ravens and began to write swiftly.

After finishing the letters, he rolled the three miniature sheets into a single scroll, placed it inside a message tube, and picked up the Golden Summoning Bell from the desk, shaking it gently.

TING-A-LING-A-LING!

The crisp chime of the bell rang out at once.

A few seconds later, a Knight in black armor appeared before him and bowed in salute.

"The one on the left goes to Ice Wolf Castle, the middle one to Rock Lion Castle, and the one on the right to Snow Fox Castle."

Tony said, pointing to the message tube on the desk.

"Yes, Sir!"

The Knight in black armor quickly stepped up to the desk, took the message tube, turned, and left the study.

In a guest room in the City Lord’s Mansion’s rear courtyard.

Roy lay in the bathtub with his eyes closed, relaxing his body and mind.

After a comfortable half-hour soak in the hot bath, he got out of the tub and retrieved a clean set of black Hunter’s Clothing from Chaos Square to change into.

Once dressed, he left the guest room and followed a maid to the dining hall of the City Lord’s Mansion.

He arrived at the dining hall a few moments later.

Freshly cooked dishes were neatly arranged on the dining table, their tempting aroma filling the air.

Taking a seat at the table, Roy wasted no time and immediately began to enjoy the delicious food before him.

After eating and drinking his fill, he returned to his guest room in high spirits.

The moment he closed the door to his room, he entered Chaos Square without hesitation.

After spending half an hour reading Wizard Books in the Learning Area, he moved to the center of the square and began his Cultivation of the Undead Bird Breathing Method.

Although Tony made no public announcement, news of his private, hour-long meeting with Roy in the study quickly spread throughout Ice Wind City.

At the same time, people began to speculate about what the two had discussed.

’Are they going to make a move against the Eldest Prince?’

’Or are they preparing to formally establish a Duchy, elevating the Wesley Clan to a Duke Clan?’

’Or perhaps the Dark Night Knight, who hasn’t been seen in a long time, has a new plan?’

It wasn’t just the residents of Ice Wind City who were curious; Ward, Robert, and the others were equally intrigued.

Their curiosity did not last long.

Because at noon the next day, Tony, in his official capacity as the City Lord of Ice Wind City, formally announced that the Dark Night Knight had left the Laine Kingdom to travel the continent.

When this news emerged from the City Lord’s Mansion, the entire city was in an uproar.

Inside a meeting room in the City Guard barracks.

Ward, Robert, and five others were gathered, seated on opposite sides of the long table in the room.

No one spoke, each silently sizing up the others.

After several minutes passed in silence, Ward was the first to speak. "Since no one else is going to say anything, I’ll start."

"I don’t believe the Dark Night Knight would leave the Kingdom to travel the continent at a time like this."

"Besides, even if he really is gone, I will uphold my oath of loyalty to the Wesley Clan."

"I can’t control what the rest of you do, but I’m satisfied with my life as it is. I don’t want to take any risks, and I don’t want to break my oath."

As soon as Ward finished, Robert spoke up.

"I feel the same way as Ward. I have no intention of taking any risks, either."

"Tony may have announced it in his capacity as City Lord, but I still don’t believe the Dark Night Knight would leave at a time like this."

"We all know how fiercely protective the Dark Night Knight is of his own."

"It’s impossible that he would just abandon everything to go travel the continent."

"If he truly has left the Kingdom, there can be only one explanation: Roy Wesley’s own power has grown to the point that he no longer needs protection."

"Judging by his age, Roy Wesley is a Black Iron Great Knight at best."

"But don’t forget, when he was still just a Peak Knight, he fought five men at once in Rock Lion Castle and managed to kill both Mason and Elton."

"And I don’t need to tell any of you how strong Mason and his men were."

"I’ve said my piece. If you feel there’s more to discuss, you can do it without me. I have to inspect the city defenses, so I’ll be taking my leave."

With that, Robert rose to his feet without any hesitation and walked toward the meeting room door.

Seeing Robert leave, Ward, having already stated his opinion, also stood and followed him out of the room.

Sam and the other four men exchanged glances, then they too rose and left.

Although they were all Bronze Great Knights, Ward and Robert were far stronger than the other five.

That was precisely why the Ironblood Duke had appointed them as the vice-captain of his Personal Guard and the vice-commander of the Castle Guard, respectively.

Since both of them had decided to remain loyal to the Wesley Clan, Sam and the others had no choice but to follow their lead.

Otherwise, Ward and Robert would hunt them down and eliminate them, just as they had done to the Ironblood Duke’s staunchest loyalists.

In the dining hall in the rear courtyard of the City Lord’s Mansion.

Roy and Tony chatted casually as they ate lunch.

"Yesterday, just as you instructed, I arranged for Ravens to be sent to Catherine and Miria, telling them you’ve come out of seclusion."

"They should arrive in Ice Wind City within three or four days, a week at the most."

Tony said to Roy, taking a sip of red wine.

"Good."

"After they arrive, I’ll live with them at Iron Blood Castle."

"As for the City Lord’s Mansion, I’ll leave it to you and Erin."

Roy replied.

"I don’t mind where I live. I wouldn’t even object if you told me to go back to Ice Wolf Castle."

Tony said with a smile.

"You’re the future Ice Wolf Duke. Having you live in Ice Wolf Castle would be a bit of a slight, don’t you think?"

Roy said slowly.

Just as Tony was about to say something more, a blond Knight hurried into the dining hall and bowed before them.

Then, addressing Tony, he said, "Sir, the Blood Bat Marquis has arrived. He’s in the reception room."

"Alright, I understand. You’re dismissed."

Tony replied immediately.

"Yes, Sir!"

the blond Knight replied swiftly.

After the Knight left, Tony turned to Roy. "Do you want to come see him with me?"

"I’ve got nothing better to do. Let’s go together."

Roy said casually.

After finishing their lunch, he and Tony left the dining hall and walked toward the reception room together.

On the way, Tony briefly explained why he had invited the Blood Bat Marquis to the City Lord’s Mansion.

As one of only two Marquises in Noson Province—and one who had been personally ennobled by the Ironblood Duke—the Blood Bat Marquis had been having a difficult time lately.

To be precise, his life had become increasingly difficult ever since the Ironblood Duke was killed.

Under the relentless attacks of the Royal Army, his territory, which had once comprised half of Noson Province, had shrunk by two-thirds.

If he hadn’t resorted to his old trade—assassinating several of the Eldest Prince’s Bronze Great Knights—the Royal Army would have conquered the Blood Bat Domain long ago.

The deaths of these high-ranking commanders did indeed slow the Royal Army’s offensive.

But this was merely a stopgap measure, not a permanent solution.

As the situation grew more dire, the Blood Bat Marquis, who had until now remained uncommitted, finally accepted Tony’s invitation.

A few moments later, Roy and Tony reached the reception room and saw the Blood Bat Marquis.

The Blood Bat Marquis sat on a sofa in the reception room, clad in crimson armor, his expression grim.

As they entered, the Blood Bat Marquis stood and said immediately, "My presence in Ice Wind City does not mean I will swear fealty to the Wesley Clan. I will only pledge my loyalty to a Lord who is stronger than I am."

"If you can accept that, then we can sit down and discuss how to deal with the Eldest Prince."

"If not, then there’s no need to waste each other’s time."

...