Chapter 496: Chapter 469: A Mind in Turmoil

The Carmen Clan had two powerhouses.

The first was Placido, master of Watchtower Castle and a long-renowned Meteor Peak Knight.

The second was his sister, Melis. She was highly accomplished in magic and was now a Mage.

This was why Melis understood Mages so well. When she saw the piece of paper float over and hover before them, she knew they were facing a Magic Master.

Because only an Eighth-level Mage could use Spiritual Power to control physical objects.

Hearing this, Placido trembled and his face grew rigid.

’So, they don’t just have a Proud Sun Knight and a Giant Dragon, but also a mysterious Magic Master.’

’My God, for years Watchtower Castle has only been responsible for holding back a single Knight Order. Why are we suddenly facing this much pressure?’

’The Wushan Clan... with such a powerful force, why didn’t they go for Red Pine Castle instead of picking a small place like this?’

Placido carefully took the note. He could feel the power controlling it vanish.

He slowly unfolded it. It read:

Honorable Viscount Placido, I am Roning Wushan, Guardian Knight of the Oduin Kingdom, Marquis of Moonlight Valley, and Count of Wubei Territory. I come today with no ill intent, but simply wish to have a friendly discussion with you. If you are amenable, please come out of the castle to speak with me. As a gesture of my sincerity, I will have my knights fall back a good distance.

"This..."

Placido was stunned. He couldn’t help but look at the six people on the slope outside the castle walls. ’The young man in the lead must be Marquis Ronin.’

As if sensing his gaze, Ronin gave him a nod. The five people with him then wheeled their horses around and retreated, disappearing from sight in the blink of an eye.

’Should I go?’

Placido hesitated. Even though only one man remained, he was a Proud Sun Knight—a single warrior who could match an army of ten thousand.

"Go!"

Melis advised decisively, "A man of his stature has his pride. He wouldn’t stoop to something as despicable as luring you out of the city just to capture you."

Placido pondered for a long moment.

’Given the current balance of power, their side clearly has the advantage. Ronin really doesn’t need to use such a dishonorable tactic against me.’

"Alright, I’ll go!"

Placido was also a man of courage. He stuffed the letter into Melis’s hands. "Be ready. If Ronin really is shameless, don’t worry about me. Defend Watchtower Castle to the last!"

Melis nodded. "Don’t worry!"

The North Gate of Watchtower Castle slowly opened, and a warhorse galloped out, carrying the tall figure of Placido.

Ronin was a bit surprised. He hadn’t demanded that the other party come alone; Placido could have brought more people out with him.

’This just goes to show, the master of Watchtower Castle has considerable guts.’

The warhorse galloped up to Ronin, and Placido swung himself off the horse. "I never expected to meet you here, honorable Marquis Ronin. I’ve long heard of your glorious deeds. It’s a pleasure to meet you!"

Ronin also dismounted and walked forward to shake his hand.

"Your courage impresses me greatly. It’s a pleasure to meet you!"

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, the two got down to business.

"I wonder what Your Excellency sought me out to discuss?"

Placido asked, "Is it to ask me to open the gates of Watchtower Castle and surrender unconditionally?"

Though the atmosphere had been friendly, it grew tense as soon as they touched on the real issues.

After all, they were on opposing sides.

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"Since you already know why I’m here, I won’t beat around the bush."

Ronin said, "The Carmen Clan rose to prominence here; Watchtower Castle is undoubtedly your ancestral home. I don’t know if you have other territories and assets in the Tricia Kingdom, but at least you have this place."

"Once war breaks out, your foundation in Watchtower Castle will be completely destroyed. Even if you ultimately survive, your clan will suffer a devastating blow."

Placido sneered. "Although you are a Proud Sun Knight, and you have a Giant Dragon and a Magic Master in your party, Watchtower Castle is not completely defenseless. To be honest with you, the Kingdom has already sent me reinforcements. They can deal with you and your Dragon."

"Don’t delude yourself, Viscount."

Ronin laughed. "Your so-called reinforcements... are you referring to the Knight Order, Mage Squad, and several Magic Energy Cannons that arrived at Watchtower Castle not long ago?"

Placido, who had been trying to bluff his way through, finally paled when he realized Ronin knew his situation inside and out.

"How do you..."

Ronin chuckled. "I’ve known their movements since the day they arrived. To be honest, those reinforcements aren’t enough. At the very least, the Tricia Kingdom would need to send you a significant number of Dragon Eagle Knights."

Placido fell silent.

’I’d love a squad of Dragon Eagle Knights, too, but it’s not possible. The Kingdom’s Dragon Eagle Knight Order is probably still somewhere near the Molten Fire Duchy.’

"Surrender!"

Ronin got straight to the point. "I value your courage and strength, and I also value the elites within Watchtower Castle. Pledge your allegiance to me, and you and your Carmen Clan will achieve even greater glory."

"Impossible!"

Placido refused outright. "You’re asking me to betray my country. I will never agree!"

"Country?"

Ronin shook his head. "As far as I know, the Tricia Kingdom is already cooperating with the Molten Fire Duchy, which is occupied by the Holy Storm Organization. Are you familiar with this organization?"

Placido hesitated for a moment. "You are?"

"Of course I am!"

Ronin said with a smile, "If you’re willing to listen, I’m willing to share this classified intelligence with you."

"Please, speak!"

In fact, Placido was also very curious about this organization that had suddenly risen to prominence. Before the fall of the Molten Fire Duke, he had never even heard its name.

Ronin didn’t hide anything and told him everything about the Holy Storm Organization and Mephisto.

"Your King is collaborating with an Alien Race; he has already taken a stand against humanity. If you continue to serve such a nation, you will eventually become one of them, just like Earl Jesus on our side."

"Just imagine it: your parents, your wife and children, all your relatives and friends losing themselves, becoming the minions and puppets of a Demon God. How would that feel?"

Placido couldn’t help but take a few steps back, shocked by Ronin’s words.

"No, impossible! This is all just your speculation!"

This subversive information made Placido’s head spin. ’How could the Royal Family be involved with an Alien Race?’

Ronin didn’t argue. This information had all come from Harmon, and its authenticity was beyond doubt.

’Placido probably already knew the Royal Family was cooperating with the Holy Storm Organization in the Molten Fire Duchy. He just didn’t know the inside story—that the organization was an Alien Race of Demon Gods from another continent.’

He swung himself onto his horse. "The war hasn’t started yet. You still have time to investigate and confirm things, time to think."

"But war is coming, and the time you have to think is short. Think it over carefully, Placido. Whether you choose to fight me or submit to me, these are two completely different paths."

Placido watched Ronin’s departing figure, his heart feeling as if it were being crushed by a giant stone, making it hard to breathe.

Honor, loyalty—these were extremely important to a Border Viscount.

But the future of his clan and the safety of his loved ones were also burdens he could not ignore.

’What if... what if it’s true, just as Ronin said? What if the Royal Family has become the minions of a Demon God? In that case, is my loyalty to the Tricia Clan, or to the Demon God?’

The shocking secrets about the Holy Storm Organization’s cooperation with the Tricia Kingdom echoed endlessly in Placido’s mind.

’I have to find out the truth as soon as possible.’

He turned his horse around and returned to Watchtower Castle.

On the castle wall, Melis breathed a sigh of relief when she saw Ronin leave. As expected, the man had his pride and wouldn’t resort to such despicable tactics.

She hurried down from the wall, eager to learn what they had discussed.

「Red Pine Castle.」

Matt, who had just rushed back from Golden Feather Palace, handed the King’s letter to Garrett.

Garrett, who was already in a foul mood, found his expression twisting with rage after reading the letter.

He clenched his jaw and balled his fists, desperately trying to suppress the fury in his heart.

’Why? Father, why are you doing this to me?’

Garrett stared intently at the words on the paper. Although Bruno’s phrasing was very tactful, in his eyes, it reeked of distrust.

He questioned silently, ’Is it just because Ronin is a Proud Sun Knight who can help you build an Empire that you show him favoritism at every turn?’

’Is it because of his power that you’re not only stripping me of my title as commander-in-chief, but also directly transferring me from the front lines back to Golden Feather City?’

Although Bruno had given him the authority to appoint Gushan and Ronin, which gave him some face...

But Garrett didn’t see it that way. To him, being sent back to Golden Feather City on the eve of a great war was a complete disgrace.

’I absolutely cannot accept this!’

"Your Highness, what’s wrong?"

Matt asked with some concern. The tyrannical aura coming from Garrett made him very uneasy.

"It’s nothing!"

Garrett took a deep breath and calmed his emotions. "His Majesty has agreed to let us go to war. I’m just excited, that’s all."

"Really?"

Matt’s eyes lit up. "That’s wonderful! After so many years of stalemate on the border, we can finally make our move!"

"Heh, yes!"

He waved his hand. "You’re tired too. Go and rest. Remember to keep this information confidential for now. Also, come see me again tomorrow morning. I have something for you to do."

Matt bowed respectfully and left the room.

The door closed softly, leaving Garrett alone in the room. He looked at the letter again, a complex look flashing in his eyes.

’Father, even though you no longer trust my abilities, I will prove you wrong with the great victory to come!’

’You’ve grown old, and your judgment is no longer as wise as it once was!’

He murmured, "Don’t blame me..."

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