Lord: Stripped of My Inheritance from the Start

Chapter 428 - 401: Garrett’s Challenge

As the fourteenth of June drew near, Golden Feather City grew exceptionally lively.

Nobles of all ranks gathered here to participate in the grand event held once every ten years.

Led by Blanche, Lurans and his party arrived at the Golden Feather Palace and had an audience with His Majesty the King.

"Thunderbolt Marquis, it has been nearly thirty years since we last met, hasn’t it?"

Bruno was exceptionally warm toward Lurans upon his arrival. He even stepped down from the throne, took the Marquis by the hand, and led him to a nearby chair to sit.

"Indeed, Your Majesty. I never thought I would have the chance to set foot in Golden Feather City and enter Oduin Hall again."

"Haha, your recovery is a blessing for the entire Kingdom. You have no idea how delighted I was when I heard the news of your recovery!"

The two chatted for a bit before Bruno turned his gaze to Ronin, who was standing to the side.

"I heard about your performance from Broel."

He looked Ronin up and down. The young man’s appearance hadn’t changed much, though he seemed to have grown a little taller. The greatest change, however, was in his power.

Bruno patted Ronin on the shoulder. "You’ve done well. I am glad that Blanche has a partner like you!"

He didn’t ask how Ronin had managed his Cultivation, as it might involve secrets that couldn’t be shared. Even if he asked, he likely wouldn’t get a truthful answer.

"Thank you for your praise, Your Majesty!"

Ronin bowed slightly, his demeanor exceptionally humble.

"Alright, have Blanche take you for a walk. Your grandfather and I are going to have a long talk about old times!"

Bruno had long been planning to have an in-depth discussion with Lurans about the geopolitics surrounding the Wushan Territory, and this was the perfect opportunity.

Not wanting to disturb them, Ronin politely excused himself from Oduin Hall.

"Ronin, you’re amazing!"

All the while, representing the Royal Family in Lurans’ presence, Blanche had been somewhat reserved and hadn’t shown much affection toward Ronin. Only now did she intimately link her arm with his.

"I’m only a Senior Mage right now, but I heard you’re already a Silver Moon Knight!"

Her thoughts were incomparably simpler than those of Bruno and Garrett.

All Blanche knew was that her future husband would be a powerful Knight. She had no idea what Ronin’s age and power meant in the eyes of the Royal Family.

Ronin felt the softness pressed against his arm and couldn’t help but turn to look at the face so close to his, only to find her tilting her head up to look at him.

’If they weren’t right outside Oduin Hall, surrounded by so many Knights and Guards, I really wouldn’t mind giving her a breathtaking kiss.’

Ronin looked ahead and said with a smile, "Becoming a Senior Mage before the age of twenty is already very impressive."

Blanche giggled. "I recently let my old Skeleton Knight go and captured a more powerful one."

As she spoke, as if showing off a treasure, she cast her Undead Summoning Magic and summoned a tall, imposing Skeleton Knight.

Ronin couldn’t help but want to laugh.

’When other people meet up, they admire the scenery, look at treasures, or do other interesting things. But Blanche couldn’t wait to have me admire a skeleton.’

In truth, ever since Ronin had told her he didn’t mind her special Undead Magic, a great deal of her psychological pressure had vanished. She had become passionate about strengthening her magical abilities and no longer saw it as an ominous Curse.

"Here, have it strike me with its sword," Ronin said.

Blanche was a little worried. "Will you be okay?"

"Don’t worry, it’s no problem."

Ronin was now at Silver Moon Peak. His body had been strengthened to an unprecedented degree; ordinary arrows and weapons couldn’t harm him, to say nothing of the fact that he could also defend himself with Fighting Qi.

"Be careful, then!"

With a thought from Blanche, the Skeleton Knight violently raised its longsword, leaped into the air, and brought it down in a furious slash.

Ronin couldn’t help but nod at the sequence of movements. ’I didn’t expect a skeleton’s actions to be so fluid.’

CLANG! With a loud crash, the longsword struck Ronin’s blocking arm but failed to break through the Armor formed by his Fighting Qi.

He nodded in praise. "This skeleton should have power comparable to an Advanced Peak Knight. Very impressive!"

Upon receiving his praise, Blanche felt a joy she had never known before, her smile as sweet as honey.

"When I become a Great Mage, I’ll capture a Bronze Level skeleton!"

Ronin couldn’t help but give her a thumbs-up. "In the future, the Wubei Territory could even form a Skeleton Knight Squad!"

And just like that, Blanche truly began to dream of such a scene.

"Yo, Blanche, long time no see!"

The pair’s cheerful laughter was shattered by this hearty voice.

Ronin looked over and saw a tall, imposing man walking toward them. Judging by his purple eyes and golden-brown hair, he had to be a member of the Oduin Royal Family.

He immediately thought of Crown Prince Garrett.

Like a startled bird, Blanche instinctively shrank closer to Ronin, but she seemed to feel that was inappropriate and forced herself to stand forward.

Garrett smiled. "What, we haven’t seen each other in years, and my dear sister has nothing to say to me?"

Blanche forced a smile. "Bro... Brother, long time no see!"

Ronin felt a powerful force on his arm and sensed Blanche’s anxiety and nervousness in Garrett’s presence. It seemed the siblings’ relationship wasn’t very good.

He gently removed his arm from Blanche’s grip and bowed respectfully. "Ronin Wushan, Baron of Rapids Island and Count of Wubei Territory. It is a pleasure to meet you, Crown Prince Garrett!"

Garrett shifted his attention from Blanche. When he looked at Ronin, a fighting spirit flickered in his eyes.

"I’ve heard of your deeds from my father, the King. You’re quite impressive!"

He said, sizing him up, "So, are you interested in a match with me?"

Ronin was a bit surprised. He hadn’t expected his future brother-in-law’s second sentence to him to be a challenge to a duel.

’Based on the information I’ve heard, this Crown Prince is exceptionally talented. He was already a Meteor Knight many years ago, so I estimate he’s most likely at the Silver Moon Level now.’

’Otherwise, he wouldn’t still be eager to spar after hearing that I might be a Silver Moon Knight myself.’

While Ronin was still considering whether to agree, Blanche instinctively tried to stop it. "No, don’t!"

Garrett looked at her.

Blanche flinched but grabbed Ronin’s arm again. Though she was a little scared, she steeled herself and said what was on her mind.

"Ronin has been traveling for days and only just arrived in Golden Feather City today. He should get some rest first."

Garrett chuckled lightly. "In the past, you didn’t even have the courage to speak to me, yet today you’re speaking up for someone else. It seems my future brother-in-law has given you quite a bit of courage."

As he spoke, he looked at Ronin, his expression clearly saying, ’Blanche’s words don’t count. It’s your choice.’

Ronin patted her hand, signaling for her not to worry, then glanced around. "Where do you think would be a suitable place?"

He was also quite curious to see just how strong the legendary Crown Prince truly was.

Garrett burst out laughing. "Excellent! I approve of your spirit!"

"Come, to the training grounds out back!"

He strode off, leading the way.

"Ronin, Garrett is... he’s very aggressive!"

Blanche was extremely worried. "He used to spar with people at the Royal Palace all the time, and many of them were crippled or even killed by him..."

Ronin’s brow furrowed slightly. He hadn’t expected the Crown Prince to have such a side to him; he had thought the man simply had a frank and hearty personality.

"I’ll be careful."

As he followed, something else occurred to him, and he asked, "Your relationship with your brother doesn’t seem very good, does it?"

Blanche hummed in agreement. She hesitated for a moment, but after some thought, she decided to tell him. "He’s always felt that I’ve brought shame upon him and our father, so he’s never been fond of me."