Chapter 518: Chapter 491: Pushing for Legendary

The victory celebration at Mist Castle was held as scheduled.

This was the King’s reward for the victors of the war. From Dukes and Marquises down to the most obscure Knights, anyone who had distinguished themselves in battle and earned a nomination would be decorated.

Ronin did a quick count. The number of Honorary Knights conferred in this battle alone already exceeded thirty.

The lesser nobles who had answered the call to war, while not receiving promotions to their Noble Titles, were given generous monetary and material rewards.

As for the main forces, such as Ibn Count of Double Peaks Ridge and the Black Jade Bay Viscount who died on the battlefield, they both received the former Tricia Kingdom encampments they had conquered as fiefs, just like Watchtower Castle.

Of course, the center of attention at the banquet was undoubtedly Ronin. The Marquis of Moonlight Valley was promoted, as everyone had expected, to become the Oduin Kingdom’s fourth Duke—the Duke of Conqueror.

Notably, the conferment was exceptionally formal and grand. In addition to an oath, Bruno had also prepared an accord and offered an interpretation of the title "Conqueror," letting all the nobles at the banquet know that Ronin would fight for the Oduin Kingdom and conquer vast new territories in its name.

In the early hours of the morning, the banquet ended.

Lurans and Ronin were conversing in the study, where the older man read the letter of appointment over and over.

"His Majesty is still quite worried you’ll harbor dissent."

He said with a smile, "Both the public announcement and this letter of appointment emphasize your need to swear fealty to the Oduin Clan."

"He can’t bind me with power, so naturally, he has to try binding me with morality."

Ronin took the two cups of a hot beverage that Blanche brought in, handing one to Lurans. "This is a drink Elron concocted called ’Awakening Dew.’ It doesn’t have any special properties, but its flavor profile—bitter at first, then sweet—is quite pleasant."

Lurans took the cup, had a sip, and nodded in approval. "Much better than the spiced beverages I usually drink. If you have extra, send some my way later."

Blanche said with a smile, "We have plenty in Moonlight City. I’ll have someone send some over to you after we return."

"In that case, thank you very much!"

After Blanche left, Lurans cleared his throat and lowered his voice. "There are some things I couldn’t say in front of Blanche. You two need to have a child soon. I’ve heard that the greater the power disparity, the smaller the chance of having children."

"Huh, is that really a thing?" Ronin was slightly taken aback; he had never heard that before.

Lurans straightened up and stroked his beard. "I only heard it from others, myself."

He changed the subject. "Now that you’re a Duke, what are your long-term plans?"

Ronin mulled it over for a moment.

After becoming a Duke, his daily sign-in reward was five times what it had been. He could now obtain 695 Attribute Points and 575 Energy Essences each month.

After completing the Duke-level achievement for "Famous Throughout the World," the next level required Ronin to become a "King."

"His Majesty has already promised me that after the Tricia Kingdom is destroyed, he will allow me to establish my own kingdom. That is my next objective."

Lurans’s eyes lit up.

Although he wasn’t particularly interested in advancing his own Noble Title, he would be overjoyed to see his grandson become the ruler of a kingdom one day.

"How can I help you?"

Lurans asked, "Although I didn’t want to participate in the battle for Mist City, I will fight in the subsequent campaign against Tricia. Since His Majesty has appointed you Grand General of Expedition and Frontline Commander, you can command both me and my troops."

"I’m planning to move Macken to the front lines, but that will leave Purple Thunder Territory without its top combatant. So, I’d like you to keep an eye on things over there for me."

"You still want to go after Andrea?"

A cold look flashed across Lurans’s face at the mention of that name. "It’s a pity there’s been no opportunity. He’s afraid of your power and has stopped his provocations."

"I may seem amicable, but I’m also the type to hold a grudge."

Ronin said, "I still remember what he, along with Screaming Island and even Ferrensburg, did to me, and what they did to you and the Wushan Clan."

"We may not have a reason or an opportunity right now, but I believe one will present itself in the future. And even if it doesn’t, we can create one."

’Bruno only emphasized my loyalty to Oduin; he never stipulated that I couldn’t have conflicts and disputes with other nobles.’

’Back when I was just a Baron, I was targeted for assassination by the Skull Society. Later, I faced perilous situations in the Beast Fighting Arena and at the Screaming Sea. And while Ossen Count was the one directly involved, his collaboration with the Villa Duchy was plain for all to see.’

’Just because I’m not pursuing the matter for now doesn’t mean I’ve forgotten about it or that our grudges are settled.’

"Alright, I’ll help you look after Purple Thunder Territory. Black Pine Mountain is quite close to it, and it’s about time that place, which the Black Gold Brotherhood occupied for so many years, was developed."

Lurans stood up. "I won’t disturb your rest any longer. If you need anything or have plans, just send someone to Wushan Castle to find me. You may be a Duke now, but Wushan Castle will always be your home. Whether you’re busy or not, come back and visit."

"I will, Grandpa!" Ronin rose to see him off.

After a moment, Blanche walked in and said with a smile, "My impression of Grandpa has always been just like his title, Thunderbolt Fury. I thought he was ill-tempered and violent, but he’s actually very kind and gentle."

"That’s how he is with people he’s close to. And he has changed a great deal."

Recalling their time together over the past few years, Ronin felt immensely grateful for how much the old man had helped him.

"Alright, Blanche, we’re going to be busy for a while. I need your help."

Ronin changed the subject.

Blanche smiled and curtsied to Ronin. "Pray tell, my esteemed Lord Duke of Conqueror, your command is the beacon that guides me, the path I must follow!"

Ronin stepped forward and pinched her cheek. ’She’s getting more and more mischievous,’ he thought.

"Next, I need to conduct a detailed census of Mist City and Watchtower Castle as quickly as possible."

He walked over to his desk. He was the lord of Mist Castle now, but from the documents recovered from Count Ural, it was clear that a lot of information was missing.

"No problem. I can take a team and get that done."

Ronin nodded, then added, "Just arrange for others to do it; you don’t need to overexert yourself. Once it’s complete, see how many people Watchtower Castle is short of a hundred thousand, and I’ll transfer that number over from Mist City."

Blanche blinked, a little curious. "Why does Watchtower Castle need to have a population of one hundred thousand?"

Ronin gave a mysterious smile and patted her on the head. "It’s a step on the ladder to power."

Blanche didn’t understand, but that didn’t stop her from feeling that it was something profound.

Besides these two tasks, Ronin also needed to redistribute the land in Watchtower Castle and Mist City.

The nobles, Knights, and Free People who had previously lived on this land had all been taken captive, with the sole exception of Placido.

The lands of these captives would naturally be confiscated and fall under Ronin’s ownership.

From the moment he became the lord of Mist City, the fields were no longer privately owned. All land had to be allocated by him, and then new cultivation techniques and a new tax plan would be implemented.

Of course, the first two tasks were the most important.

Ronin couldn’t help but glance at his Attribute Panel.

He already had 18,868 Attribute Points and was only 5,764 points away from breaking through to the Legendary tier.

Once he turned Watchtower Castle and Mist City into major cities with populations over one hundred thousand, his "Siege and Conquest" achievement would be complete.

At that point, not only would he break through to the Legendary tier, but even Ridder could advance along with him.

The Legendary tier was within his grasp!

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