CRACK!

An exquisite Crystal Cup was thrown to the ground with immense force, shattering into a thousand pieces.

MacLaren Fleming’s face was grim. "That Ronin... He’s ruined my plans again!"

These days, he had little interest in Cultivation; his favorite pastime was expanding the Fleming Clan’s territory.

Even if the land didn’t nominally belong to Scream Island, he still enjoyed supporting or managing a faction loyal to him, one that would bring him profit.

Rapids Island—a place with developmental potential but rarely noticed by His Majesty the King—was the place MacLaren had recently set his sights on.

To wash away any suspicion, he had arranged for the Blood Sail Pirate Gang to infiltrate Rapids Island. The results over the past two years had been quite good.

Just last month, the leader of the Blood Sail Pirate Gang had even reported to him that their third-in-command had essentially taken control of the White Flower Association, the largest faction on Rapids Island.

But in the blink of an eye, the third-in-command, the White Flower Association—all of them were completely wiped out.

Now, it would be difficult for him to establish a presence on Rapids Island again.

"Jesus from Moonlight Valley told me before that Ronin was an unstable element. Back then, I thought that for an eighteen-year-old kid to ruin my plans, I’d have at least another decade or so. I never thought it would happen so fast!"

First, Ronin set up his son, Facundo. Then he destroyed their base on White Whale Island, and now he had uprooted his power on Rapids Island.

The more MacLaren thought about it, the angrier he became. He snorted coldly. "This Ronin has successfully provoked my wrath."

"My lord, in that case, should we... do something about him?" 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

Beside him, Joss Knight made a throat-slitting gesture.

MacLaren pondered for a long moment before finally shaking his head. "Doesn’t Jesus love fighting with Wushan Territory? Let’s just leave this sort of thing to him. Scream Island doesn’t have any major disputes with Wushan Castle or Ronin’s Wubei Territory. It’s not worth it to go after Ronin."

The White Whale Pirate Gang’s failed assassination had caused him losses, but he could recoup all of them from Jesus.

As for White Whale Island being unusable, there were plenty of similar islands in the Screaming Sea. He could just find another one.

The losses on Rapids Island stung a bit, but it still wasn’t enough to justify sending assassins after him.

Besides, he was accompanied by the Knight Squad from Sharp Horn City and that woman, Melonika, whose Power had reached the Golden Level Peak.

Assassination was not such a simple matter.

The tales of Ronin’s deeds fermented in Golden Feather City and Horn Bay for a few days, gradually spreading to the domains of other nobles.

Two days later, Ronin arrived outside the Golden Fish Palace.

As soon as he stepped out of the carriage, he saw Blanche waiting ahead with her Guards.

"Welcome back, victorious and valiant Flame Knight!"

Ronin walked forward, bowed respectfully, and then followed Blanche’s lead toward Oduin Hall.

"I didn’t expect a Princess like you to come out and welcome me."

The two chatted as they walked.

"You not only eliminated the White Whale Pirate Gang, but you also quelled the turmoil on Rapids Island for the Kingdom. Isn’t it perfectly reasonable for me to welcome you?"

Ronin pursed his lips. "You, of all people, know how difficult this operation was. Why are you exaggerating like everyone else?"

Blanche laughed. She no longer had that melancholic air from before and had become a bit more cheerful and bright.

"If enough people say something, it becomes the truth."

Before long, the two arrived at Oduin Hall.

Inside the hall, besides King Bruno, were the Griffin Knight Order’s Vice Leader, Broel; the Royal Knight Order’s Leader, Philimon; several Ministers of the Kingdom; and Missy Knight, who had represented the Royal Family on this mission.

"Ronin greets His Majesty the King!"

Ronin first greeted Bruno, then nodded to the others present.

"I have already heard the main details of the operation from Missy."

Bruno smiled and praised him, "Ronin, your performance this time was excellent!"

Ronin bowed slightly. "Your Majesty is too kind. I was only able to complete this mission so smoothly thanks to the assistance of Missy and the other knights, as well as your consideration."

A flash of satisfaction appeared in Bruno’s eyes. ’This kid really knows how to talk.’

"There’s no need to be so modest."

He said, "I heard from Missy that you dealt with Clifford, the third-in-command of the Blood Sail Pirate Gang, all by yourself. Heh, to be able to defeat a Golden Knight alone... it seems you weren’t using your full strength in the Knight tournament."

"Your Majesty has a discerning eye. It is true that I did not use my full strength in the tournament."

"Hahaha..."

Bruno hadn’t expected Ronin to admit it so directly and couldn’t help but laugh.

He stood up, drew the Longsword held by a knight at his side, and strode down the steps. "Come, Ronin. Kneel."

Everyone had varied expressions on their faces.

Those who knew what was coming, like Broel and Philimon, looked natural; those who didn’t, like Minister of Finance Luther, were clearly surprised.

’His Majesty the King’s posture... he’s clearly about to bestow a title.’

’What will he bestow upon Ronin?’

’An Honorary Knight?’

’Or a Noble Title?’

Ronin respectfully dropped to one knee, his head bowed.

Bruno placed the Longsword on Ronin’s shoulder. "Pirates run rampant in the Screaming Sea. First, the White Whale Pirate Gang assassinated a noble, and now the Blood Sail Pirate Gang has seized the Kingdom’s property. In light of your valorous performance in the Screaming Sea, Flame Knight Roning Wushan..."

He paused, his tone growing more solemn. "I, Oduin V, Bruno Oduin, do formally ennoble you, Flame Knight Roning Wushan, as the Baron of Rapids Island!"

"I hope that you will use your great Power and heroic courage to forge a peaceful Screaming Sea for the Oduin Kingdom!"

Ronin firmly struck his own chest with his hand.

"I, Roning Wushan, do solemnly swear that as the Baron of Rapids Island, I will defend the peace of the Screaming Sea and uphold the interests of the Oduin Kingdom with all my Power and courage!"

The few uninformed Ministers of the Kingdom felt their hearts skip a beat. They never expected His Majesty the King to directly make Ronin the Baron of Rapids Island.

Although it was just a modestly-sized island, from this day forward, there was a second noble in the Screaming Sea besides the Earl of Scream Island.

Everyone couldn’t help but speculate about His Majesty the King’s intentions.

’Is he using Ronin to counterbalance the Fleming Clan?’

In recent years, the Fleming Clan’s enterprises had indeed grown considerably, and they had become close with several major nobles, like the one from Moonlight Valley. They certainly needed to be kept in check.

’But will bringing in this young upstart actually work?’

Although he was backed by the Thunderbolt Marquis of Wushan Territory, how could a declining Marquis’ Domain possibly stand against a flourishing Count?

Beneath her mask, Missy Knight couldn’t help but sigh with emotion.

’Ronin was already a Count within a Marquis’ Domain, and now, after such a short time, he’s been made a Kingdom Baron.’

’It really is so easy for someone with connections and a background to become a noble.’

’Not at all like Karda. He’s such an outstanding person, yet forget becoming one of the Nobles of the Feudal Territory, he’s faced countless setbacks and hardships just trying to become an Honorary Knight—and he still hasn’t succeeded.’

Blanche also felt a surge of emotion.

’Back when she first heard that her potential marriage partner was a Baron from some remote mountain forest, she had felt some resistance to the idea.’

’But after meeting Ronin and going through some things with him, that resistance had vanished.’

’And now, he had not only shed the status of a Baron from a remote mountain forest, but had also become a Count in a Marquis’ Domain and a Baron of the Kingdom.’

’In terms of status alone, although Ronin was still a little lacking, if they were to marry, no one would be able to object based on his station anymore.’

’But in truth, Blanche felt she was somewhat unworthy of him. After all, her reputation had never been cleared.’

"Rise, Ronning Baron."

Bruno handed the Longsword back to the knight beside him and clapped Ronin heavily on the shoulder.

An attendant to the side held up an exquisite box, inside which was the golden insignia of a Kingdom Baron and a beautifully sealed letter of appointment.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Ronin stood up and took the box in his hands.

From this moment on, he had a dual status.

He was both the Count of Wubei, loyal to Wushan Castle, and the Baron of Rapids Island, loyal to Bruno.

As long as Wushan Castle did not become an enemy of the Royal Family, his two statuses would not conflict.