Lord: Stripped of My Inheritance from the Start

Chapter 431 - 404: The Dark Aura on Jesus

「Sophia’s room in the Golden Rose Inn, Golden Feather City.」

Since their arrival in Golden Feather City, Ronin had arranged for them to stay in this most luxurious inn for nobles.

"Harmon, how has the intelligence gathering gone these past few days?" Sophia asked.

Harmon took out the small notebook he had bought from Wilson and reported, "Your Highness, I’ve spent the past few days frequenting the Mercenary Guild, visiting a couple of academies, and getting to know some fairly powerful young nobles. From what I can tell, it seems Ronin was right. There are no Legendary Level individuals on the Orland Continent."

He paused for a moment before continuing, "Some people only know of the Proud Sun and Great Mage ranks, and are unaware that Legendary exists above them."

Petro chimed in from the side, "The shipbuilding technology here is mediocre at best. I’m certain that not a single one of the ships moored at Horn Bay could cross the Sea of Storms!"

Simon, who specialized in shipbuilding, raised his hand. "I strongly agree with that. If we want to make the return journey, it would be best to build a new ship. I’m afraid our current one will still have flaws even after repairs."

Anilu sighed. "If there are no Legendary Level individuals, how will we ever get back?"

Sophia gazed out the window, a hint of worry on her face. She hadn’t told Anilu and the others what Ronin had revealed to her.

It wasn’t that she didn’t trust Anilu and the others. On the contrary, the four of them had been carefully selected by the Alliance; it was impossible for them to commit an act of betrayal.

She kept it to herself simply to honor her promise.

"We can’t rush our return. The Alliance has held on for all these years; another ten shouldn’t be a problem."

Sophia said, "Ronin mentioned that the Purple Crystal Earl, Bellora Silva, is a Great Mage. Perhaps in ten years, she’ll become a Legendary Mage. When that time comes, Ronin should be able to ask her for help."

Although there was hope, their hearts were heavy.

When they first arrived, they thought they would be able to return in a year or two at most. They never expected they might have to wait here for ten years.

"Your Highness, what do we do now?"

Petro asked, "We’re not just going to find a place to hide for ten years, are we? I think I’d die of boredom!"

"No, we won’t."

Sophia shook her head. "The Shadow Lord’s people are already here. Our future goal is to utterly crush these minions of the Demon God and turn the Orland Continent back into the land of hope we remember!"

As they were speaking, deafening cheers and the pleasant sound of musical instruments erupted from outside.

Anilu ran to the window and looked out. On the wide Golden Feather Avenue, countless people had taken to the streets, thronging around a procession of nobles and cheering with immense joy.

"Your Highness, come look! Their founding celebration has begun!"

Curious, Sophia also walked over to look outside.

One of the celebration’s main events was an unprecedentedly large parade organized by the King, featuring his wife, nobles, Knights, and soldiers marching through the streets.

Along the parade route, there were large-scale acrobatic performances and competitive events. The nobles would stop to watch whichever events they fancied, the main idea being to celebrate with the common people.

In addition, the Knight competitions were another main attraction.

Unlike the last tournament, this Knight competition was open to the public. It included various events such as equestrianism, archery, jousting, and close-quarters combat, attracting a huge number of spectators.

Beyond that, musical concerts, theatrical performances, and even art exhibitions showcasing the culture were also part of the festivities.

As a noble, and with the news of his Silver Moon Level strength having spread, it was naturally unsuitable for Ronin to participate in the Knight competitions.

So, he could only accompany Lurans, walking around and taking in the sights.

"That one over there is Duke Andrea."

Lurans pointed to a red-haired old man. "It’s said he became a Silver Moon Knight several years ago. It certainly appears to be true."

Ronin nodded. The man looked old, but his spirit and vitality were excellent.

"The shrewd-looking man over there is MacLaren Fleming. His father, Count Alfonso, didn’t come this time."

Ronin chuckled. "I bought a few ships from him. The man certainly has a merchant’s Attribute."

Lurans pointed out a few more nobles to Ronin; some Ronin recognized, while others he was seeing for the first time.

Suddenly, Ronin’s gaze froze, landing on a familiar figure.

"Jesus..."

Lurans didn’t notice anything amiss and just grunted in acknowledgment. "You’ve met Jesus. He’s been very busy lately, going around and making contacts. I’m afraid he might be targeting us."

Ronin’s brow furrowed. He sensed an ominous aura from Jesus.

And when he closed his eyes and probed with his Spiritual Power, a shocking realization came to him.

Strange Dark Energy was surging within the man’s body. This type of Energy could only be sensed by those with Spiritual Power at the Master Level, which was why Lurans hadn’t noticed it.

’How is this possible? How did Jesus become one of the Witch Soul Race?’

Ronin was shaken to his core. ’When did this happen?’

’Before Ossen?’

For a moment, a chill ran down Ronin’s spine.

’If that’s true, then has all of Moonlight Valley fallen as well?’

His Spiritual Power swept like a whirlwind over the few Guards by Jesus’s side. The result made his heart sink. As he’d suspected, they were all of the Witch Soul Race.

Although Ronin had no great liking for Jesus, upon learning he had been forced to become one of the Witch Soul Race, he felt not a shred of schadenfreude. Instead, he felt a measure of pity, along with a heightened vigilance toward Mephisto.

"Grandfather!" Ronin called out in a low voice.

Lurans had been about to go chat with Duke Valgis, but he turned back at the sound of Ronin’s voice. "What is it?"

Ronin leaned in and whispered, "Jesus... like Ossen, he’s become one of the Witch Soul Race."

Lurans’s body shuddered. He stared at Jesus with wide eyes, then turned back to Ronin. "Are you sure?"

Ronin nodded. "A Magic Master can sense this Energy."

He mused, "Should we go up and expose him?"

He had to be exposed, of course, but to suddenly reveal such a thing in this festive atmosphere, amidst a lively crowd—and about His Majesty the King’s own brother, no less—would undoubtedly be a huge embarrassment to the Royal Family.

Lurans’s brow was tightly furrowed. After a long moment, he shook his head.

"He must be exposed, but you can’t be the one to do it."

He pulled Ronin aside and explained, "If you expose him, people will definitely ask how you know. Will you admit to being a Magic Master then?"

Ronin shook his head. The point Lurans brought up was his second major concern.

"After the celebration, there will be a banquet for high-ranking nobles tomorrow. You should take Sophia with you."

Lurans said, "Let her be the one to expose him."

"That’s an excellent idea!"

Ronin nodded in agreement. "I was already planning to introduce Sophia to His Majesty today. The banquet tomorrow will be the perfect opportunity for them to meet."

He had never considered trying to prevent Sophia from meeting Bruno in order to force her to join the Wubei Territory.

’Such tactics are dishonorable.’

Meanwhile, Jesus, completely unaware that his identity had been discovered, was happily watching the song and dance performances.

That Mephisto was certainly audacious, daring to let Jesus appear so openly in a place with so many people. He really wasn’t afraid of being found out at all.

’On second thought, he probably thinks no one knows how to identify a member of the Witch Soul Race, which is why he’s not afraid of being discovered.’

But what he couldn’t have imagined was that Ridder had already revealed the traits of the Witch Soul Race to Ronin.

And what Mephisto could have imagined even less was that people from the Crescent Continent had already arrived in Orland!