A Meteor Knight, a man who stood among the ranks of the powerful, met his end just like that in an unnamed, desolate forest.

Back when Lurans and Ossen dueled, Ramsay had single-handedly blocked everyone from interfering. He had cut such a dashing, spirited figure then.

’He could never have imagined dying at the hands of such a junior, could he?’

Ronin mused to himself as he picked up the longsword Ramsay had dropped. "This is an enchanted Extraordinary Weapon."

He activated it with his Wind Attribute, feeling a considerable amount of Wind Element flow across its surface. It would double the effectiveness of any Wind Attribute Combat Skill.

"It’s a shame you’re Fire Attribute. Otherwise, this sword would be perfect for you."

Ridder, who was checking Ramsay’s body for valuables, paused. "You don’t have to worry about me, my lord. My longsword is already an enchanted Extraordinary Weapon."

"Oh?"

A little surprised, Ronin took the other’s longsword. He hadn’t paid much attention to Ridder’s weapon before.

As he channeled Fire Attribute Fighting Qi into it, he could feel the sword’s power grow heavy as the surrounding temperature rose rapidly.

Ridder explained, "It’s called ’Earth Core Fire.’ When fully activated, it not only enhances the power of my Combat Skills, but its extreme temperature can even melt ordinary iron!"

Ronin studied the complex patterns on the blade.

Earth Core Fire was a Seventh-level Fire Attribute Magic, but the patterns on Ridder’s longsword were clearly not just for that one spell.

’These are composite Magic Patterns. I’ll have to take them back to study carefully.’

"I didn’t realize the weapon you brought with you was enchanted. I wonder if Macken’s sword and Elron’s Magic Staff are as well?"

"They are, but mine is a more Advanced Level."

After a thorough search, they found nothing else of value on Ramsay’s body.

Ronin activated Ridder’s longsword, and its extreme heat melted Ramsay’s corpse.

Afterward, they found Angus, who had fallen to his death from the sky, and disposed of his body in the same manner.

Jesus had now lost two Leaders in one fell swoop, one of whom was a Meteor Knight. This was a massive blow to Moonlight Valley, a perfect example of a botched plan backfiring spectacularly.

"My lord, according to my recent intelligence gathering, Moonlight Valley has four Knight Orders, and each one possesses formidable combat strength."

Ridder reported what he had learned. "Besides Ramsay, the Meteor Knight, the remaining Leaders and Vice Leaders are all said to be Golden Knights. Angus, whom you just killed, was reportedly a late-stage Golden Knight."

Jesus was truly of the Royal Family. To be able to support four Knight Orders in a single Count’s Domain spoke volumes of his extraordinary financial resources.

"Besides Ramsay, I wonder if Jesus has any other Meteor Knights under his command?"

Ridder shook his head. "Based on current intelligence, it seems not. But we can’t rule out the possibility that he’s hiding his true strength."

Ronin pondered for a moment. With his and Ridder’s strength, plus Carlos, it might be possible to assassinate Jesus.

But the man was in his own lair, after all. His castle’s defenses were bound to be exceptional, and he might even have high-level superweapons like Magic Energy Cannons.

Ronin was unwilling to follow Jesus’s example of underestimating an opponent and acting rashly, so he abandoned the idea of an assassination.

"From what we’ve seen, Moonlight Valley, the Villa Duchy, Screaming Island, and Ferrensburg all have issues with Bruno. I wonder if this will lead to a coup?"

’From my perspective, His Majesty the King seems like a decent person. I don’t understand why he’s drawn so much hostility.’

Moreover, Jesus of Moonlight Valley and the man now known as Ference Gry were both Bruno’s own brothers. Under the noble system, they should be the ones most supportive of the King’s rule.

If the Kingdom fell into turmoil, Wushan Territory’s geopolitical position would become extremely precarious.

"We must remain vigilant against Moonlight Valley."

Ronin warned, "Although it’s unlikely that Jesus would brazenly send a Knight Order to invade Shore City, we must be prepared for him to act out of desperation. If something unexpected happens, your top priority is to stay alive."

That being said, Ridder was now a Meteor Knight. Under normal circumstances, it would be very difficult for anyone to threaten his life.

The two of them discussed the establishment of a Knight Squad for Wubei Territory for a while longer in the woods.

Jesus had four Knight Orders, so Ronin needed to aim for that number as well.

Ridder, Macken, and Wubei Territory all needed to form more Knight Squads.

After discussing these matters, their gazes turned to the two griffins, which were trembling on the ground under Carlos’s control.

"Ramsay’s griffin looks stronger. This one is yours."

Ronin said, "Have Civil Servant Sangzhuo cordon off a mountain for you in Shore City. I’ll have Carlos help you tame this griffin in the next couple of days."

Ramsay’s griffin had already been tamed and lacked its wild nature. Besides, griffins were not creatures that recognized only one master for their entire lives, so getting it to accept a new one shouldn’t be difficult.

"Thank you, my lord!"

Ridder’s eyes were filled with eager anticipation, but he also had a concern.

"My lord, if we use the griffin so openly, won’t Jesus use it as a pretext to send his army against Shore City, or even Wushan Territory?"

Ronin pondered briefly.

Although Ramsay had brought his death upon himself, he was still Jesus’s son-in-law. The latter might indeed dispatch troops for the sake of revenge.

"It’s true that sometimes all you need to start a war is a pretext, without even caring about the truth behind it. But you still need a pretext."

"The Kingdom’s authority is still intact for now, so any pretext Jesus uses will need to have a degree of credibility."

’On the grounds of avenging his son-in-law?’

Ramsay died during a failed assassination attempt. If Jesus used that as a reason, he would likely be the one at a disadvantage.

’On the grounds of reclaiming the griffin?’

The griffin couldn’t talk, and it bore no markings exclusive to Ramsay or Moonlight Valley. How could he prove he lost it, and how would he explain the circumstances? That was the problem.

’He can’t very well say he lost it during a failed assassination, can he?’

Of course, none of that was the key issue.

The most crucial point was that Moonlight Valley had lost a top-tier combatant, while Shore City was hiding a powerhouse capable of killing a Meteor Knight.

With the balance of power shifted, would Jesus dare to rashly deploy his troops?

If Ronin used the griffin openly, Jesus would probably just have to watch helplessly, worrying day and night whether an assassin would come for him next.

"As long as Jesus has any sense left, he won’t move against us openly."

As for his covert actions, he had never stopped targeting Wushan Territory.

Ronin thought for a moment and said, "I’ll give the other griffin to Macken. Once his strength has increased, the two of you can support each other in the south."

After they settled these matters, Carlos grabbed the two griffins and carried Ronin and Ridder back to Shore City.

Over the next few days, under Carlos’s threats and a mix of coercion and bribery, Ramsay’s griffin successfully submitted. Once its wings healed, Ridder would be able to ride it and train his flying skills.

Meanwhile, back at Moonlight Castle, Jesus was as frantic as an ant on a hot pan.

On the first day, when he didn’t see Ramsay and Angus return, he wasn’t worried. He just assumed they had been delayed by something.

But as time went on—three days, five days, then seven days passed in a flash—there was still no word from the two assassins sent to Shore City.

No matter how slow on the uptake Jesus was, a bad feeling had already begun to form in his heart.

The only reason he didn’t dare to accept this premonition was that Melonika and the others weren’t accompanying Ronin. There shouldn’t have been anyone in Shore City capable of threatening Ramsay.

"My lord!"

Idrisa, the Leader of the Second Knight Order, walked in. Ronin had met him once before at Shore Fort.

Jesus asked urgently, "What is it? Have you found out anything from Shore City?"

Idrisa’s expression was grim. "It’s said that Ronin’s subordinate, Ridder, is now riding a white griffin. Do you think... Ramsay and Angus have been killed?"

Jesus’s face changed drastically. His bad premonition had finally been confirmed!

"Impossible! Ramsay was a Meteor Knight! How could they possibly kill him?"

Jesus’s eyes were bloodshot, his gaze murderous—a sign of extreme rage.

"Go! Go and assemble all the Knight Orders in the domain! I’m going to attack Shore City and find Ramsay!"

Idrisa was shocked. "My lord, that would be a direct declaration of war on Wushan Castle! Are you sure?"

Jesus panted heavily and fell silent.

Idrisa continued to reason with him. "Melonika is rumored to be at the Meteor Level. If Ramsay was killed, it was likely his doing. That means Melonika is in Shore City right now!"

In their eyes, the only person from Wushan Territory who was suspected to be a Meteor Level expert and could make such a move was Melonika.

"We may have four Knight Orders, but even if we managed to surround and kill Melonika, our losses would be catastrophic. At that point, Wushan Castle would still have its four Knight Orders, and we would be at a disadvantage."

Jesus turned his head and glared at Idrisa. "Then what do you suggest we do? Let Ramsay’s death go unpunished?"

"I believe we should strengthen our defenses. At the very least, we cannot allow their people to assassinate you."

Those words were a sobering wake-up call, instantly pulling Jesus back from his rage.

’That’s right. Without Ramsay protecting me, my safety is greatly compromised.’

’What would I do if their Meteor Knight came to assassinate me?’

"Quick! Have all the Golden Knights gather at Moonlight Castle and reinforce the defenses! Deploy the Magic Energy Cannons and Magic Energy Arrows!"

Jesus cherished his own life.

He stood up and began pacing anxiously. "No, this isn’t enough. Go and summon those three for me. I need to speak with them!"