Chapter 254: Goodbye Negan
While Ronin was conversing with the two viscounts outside, nobles and knights gradually gathered toward Wushan Fortress. Many of them were familiar to him.
Ronin noticed that this time, Melonica had sent her son, Tailan, in her stead; she did not attend the meeting herself.
Among the five captains of the knightly orders in Wushan Castle, Tailan was the only one Ronin had never met. He was quite an elusive figure.
"See, I told you—the lion is coming."
Marvin pointed toward a formidable-looking knight walking along the fortress avenue. The man carried himself with an air of dominance, his posture upright and his gaze cold and fierce, enough to intimidate anyone who met his eyes.
Negan the Golden Lion, the famed Golden Knight under Count Orson.
Ronin knew of him. When he first arrived in this world, he had been struck by the sheer intensity of Negan's presence.
It seemed that Count Orson would not be attending the noble council this time, nor would his son, Barrington. Instead, Negan had been sent as their representative once again.
"No, someone from the Hyde family must be present for a meeting like this. Look at the man beside him," Sandro noted. "If I recall correctly, that is Alan Hyde, Count Orson's younger brother. He is said to be a Silver Knight."
Roning raised an eyebrow and turned his gaze to the older knight walking alongside Negan.
The Hyde family is truly formidable. Not counting their vassals, their own high-ranking warriors included a Meteor-level knight, a Golden Knight, and a Silver Knight—an impressive show of power.
"Breton, what about your grandfather's cousins? How strong are they?" Ronin asked.
Breton thought for a moment before answering, "My cousin Slant was a senior knight, but he died in battle last year. My cousin Kalima is nineteen and a mid-level magician. As for my cousin Selina..."
He hesitated, then stopped speaking.
There was no need to continue—Selina had taken her own life because of Ronin.
"There's also my cousin Tomris, who is my age but only a junior knight."
"It's said that Sir Alan's son, Omer, is a Silver Knight, and his grandson, Vasily, is a sixteen-year-old junior magician currently studying at Wushan Supernatural Academy," Breton added.
This family is truly thriving.
It seemed that, aside from Diane, most members of the Hyde family had impressive talent in cultivation.
Would Diane feel embarrassed returning home and finding herself surrounded by so many exceptional individuals?
Ronin couldn't help but wonder. Lately, his stepmother's attitude toward him had changed—could she have suffered losses at the hands of the Hyde family? Was she finally starting to consider the well-being of the Wushan family?
Lost in thought, Ronin suddenly realized that Negan had arrived before him.
Negan acknowledged Breton with a nod before narrowing his eyes and fixing his cold gaze on Ronin.
"Thinking of Miss Selina's tragic suicide and seeing how prosperous your life is now, Ronin, I should have insisted on sending you to prison!"
His voice was filled with disdain and hostility.
Negan was as arrogant and overbearing as ever.
Marvin instinctively wanted to step in, but considering his status, he held back. He decided to let Ronin handle the situation for now—he could intervene if necessary.
At this moment, as people passed by, Negan's outburst had attracted the attention of many nobles and knights, who stopped to observe.
Had this happened last year, the old Ronin would have shrunk back, intimidated by the presence of a Golden Knight.
But things were different now. The gap between a high-ranking knight and a Golden Knight was not insurmountable. If they were to truly fight, Ronin was confident he wouldn't necessarily lose.
"Negan, you made another mistake," Ronin responded coolly. "What you should regret is not killing me on the spot to avenge Selina—not merely failing to send me to prison."
His voice was laced with provocation and sarcasm. Looking Negan straight in the eye, he continued, "I just wonder—do you even dare to attack me now, even if I let you?"
Nobles were expected to be refined and courteous, but that depended on the occasion. There were also times when harsh words and open hostility were unavoidable.
Negan's insult did not warrant politeness, and Ronin had no intention of showing him any.
"Oh? Have you grown bolder since becoming Viscount of Wubei Territory?"
Negan sneered, his cold aura intensifying.
This aura spread, causing unease among the surrounding knights. The weaker ones even shivered under the oppressive force.
Negan's signature ability—Horror Aura.
Marvin tensed, preparing to intervene. This ability could induce dizziness and disorientation in high-ranking knights, leaving them vulnerable in battle. While it didn't cause direct harm, even a moment's hesitation could prove fatal in a real fight.
However, Marvin hesitated when he saw Ronin's calm, unshaken demeanor.
Even Sandro glanced at Ronin in surprise. This young viscount was truly different.
Ronin's lips curled slightly. His tone remained steady.
"Knight Negan, put away your theatrics."
As a chief magician, his mental fortitude far exceeded that of a Golden Knight. He felt no pressure from Negan's aura—not even slightly.
"If you have that much energy, you should be using it against the Black Gold Brotherhood."
He continued, "The Hyde family seems powerful enough—why not handle them yourselves this year?"
"Haha! Viscount Ronin is absolutely right!" Marvin chimed in at just the right moment. "The Black Gold Brotherhood only has the strength of a knightly order. With the Hyde family's power, dealing with them should be a simple matter. No need for anyone else to step in."
Several nobles chuckled, clearly enjoying the moment. Negan's arrogance had backfired.
At this point, Sir Alan finally spoke. His calm and polite demeanor instantly eased the tension.
"Negan, you are being a bit rude," Alan said with a slight smile. "Though past events were unpleasant, they are behind us now. Don't let your temper harm the relationship between the Wushan and Hyde families."
Negan scoffed but withdrew his aura. His gaze, however, remained sharp and watchful toward Ronin.
He had changed.
Compared to their previous encounter, the young man standing before him was nothing like the failure he once knew. His demeanor, his words, even his very presence—everything was different.
It was no wonder the Earl believed Lu Lans would restore Ronin's inheritance. This Ronin was going to be a problem.
"Following the Marquis's orders, the Hyde family has been engaged in battles against the Skull and Bones Society and the Black Gold Brotherhood," Alan explained smoothly. "We have suffered great losses. Now, with the Black Gold Brotherhood once again invading Wushan Territory, our family will, of course, respond to the call."
He smiled and added, "However, it is not just the Hyde family's responsibility to deal with these bandits. Come, my lords, let us hear the Marquis's orders together."
With that, he bowed slightly and led Negan into Wushan Fortress.
The other nobles exchanged pleasantries before following them inside.
As they walked, Marvin turned to Ronin with a smirk.
"So? What do you think of Negan's strength?"
Ronin considered the question before answering seriously, "I am no match for him."
Marvin and Sandro laughed.
After all, how could a high-ranking knight defeat a Golden Knight?
They assumed Ronin was joking.
But Ronin wasn't joking. He was just stating a temporary truth—one that wouldn't remain true for long.
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