In the vast training grounds of the Golden Feather Palace, Garrett trained alone, pouring sweat.

Thunderbolt energy surged around him, radiating a violent aura that mirrored the recent turmoil in his heart.

Although they had been at a disadvantage in yesterday’s brief clash, their reactions were quite different.

Ference and Andrea were more accepting of the outcome, as they knew that even the Proud Sun Level was not invincible.

But for Garrett, the two consecutive defeats were a blow to his pride.

BOOM!

He threw a punch, and the lightning formed a roaring tiger that pounced forward, as if it were his own roar of frustration.

Garrett stopped. After half an hour of venting his frustrations, his breathing was ragged and his body was drenched in sweat.

’The Enhancement Potion Ronin brought really works. Just one small vial was enough to break the stagnation in my Level, and I even made some progress!’

A sharp glint flashed in his eyes. ’No wonder Ronin has progressed so quickly!’

Garrett pulled a small porcelain vial from his pocket. He clenched his fist, crushing it, then slowly opened his hand, letting the shards fall to the ground.

’Ronin wouldn’t be naive enough to sell his best potions. He must have even more effective ones on hand.’

His reasoning made a certain amount of sense. After all, it was common knowledge to keep the best for yourself.

In reality, however, Ronin wasn’t hoarding his treasures. There was no need to.

The Support Enhancement Potion was effective for Knights at the Silver Moon Level and below, with prices varying for each level.

The potion for Silver Moon Knights sold for Thirty Thousand Gold Coins per vial, and he had no reason to turn down that kind of money.

Unfortunately, such a high-quality potion couldn’t be mass-produced, so the number of vials was extremely limited. Aside from the two he had given to Macken, Ronin had only brought three to the Golden Feather Palace.

All three of those vials were now in Garrett’s possession.

’I’ve mostly refined the potion’s power. For the best effect, I should wait a few days before taking the second vial.’

’After these three vials, I should reach the late-stage Silver Moon Level. Ronin will send more at the end of the year, so I might even have a chance to reach Silver Moon Peak.’

He was now desperate to break through to the Proud Sun Level.

As he was lost in thought, the sound of soft footsteps approached. Garrett turned to see his uncle, Ference, who had entered the training grounds at some point. Following behind him was a Guard Officer with a helpless expression.

Clearly, Geman had failed to stop Ference from entering.

"What are you doing here?" Garrett asked, displeased. He waved a hand, dismissing Geman.

A smile played on Ference’s lips. "Heh, my dear nephew, what’s this? You don’t want to catch up with your uncle? You know, opportunities for us to meet so often, like we have this year, are rare."

’Catch up?’

Garrett found this laughable. Aside from their blood relation, he and Ference had very little to do with one another.

Besides, the man had changed his surname to Gregor, effectively separating himself from the Oduin Clan.

"Just say it. What do you want?"

Ference feigned a look of helpless regret. After a long sigh, his expression turned serious. "I know you’re furious with Ronin right now. I can also tell that you oppose His Majesty’s decision to name him Kingdom Guardian Knight and Marquis of Moonlight Valley."

He paused, his gaze fixed on Garrett’s face. He clearly noticed a flicker of agreement in the prince’s expression.

"Unfortunately, your father—my brother—the venerable Oduin V, has always been an autocrat. No one can change his decisions, not even I, his own brother, nor you, the Crown Prince."

Garrett frowned. "What are you getting at?"

Ference smiled faintly and looked up at the sky, a nostalgic look on his face. "You might be aware that years ago, the Royal Family was involved in the affair concerning Lurans and his son, Gremes. A man with Lurans’s temperament would never tolerate something like that—you can see it in his attitude toward Andrea. The only reason he hasn’t made a move against His Majesty is because the time isn’t right."

Garrett was noncommittal; he was indeed aware of the incident. "That was my grandfather’s doing. It has nothing to do with my father."

"A family is a single entity. That’s a weak defense."

Ference continued, "For all these years, Lurans has been plagued by illness, and the Wushan Territory has been without a top-tier Power. Therefore, I suspect he discovered Ronin’s rare and exceptional talent long ago. To avoid outside scrutiny and suppression, he deliberately allowed Ronin to be seen as a good-for-nothing heir to a marquis, even going so far as to revoke his inheritance rights."

Garrett’s expression turned grim. He had considered this possibility himself.

After all, even with a Support Enhancement Potion, it shouldn’t be possible for someone not yet twenty to reach the Proud Sun Level.

"In the midst of this, Lurans also convinced your father to marry Blanche to Ronin. Think about it: why would he invest so much in a good-for-nothing grandson? What’s more, it was only after the marriage alliance was settled that Ronin truly appeared on everyone’s radar."

"He dealt with Baron Reisen at Swamp Castle, wiped out the Polante Thief Gang, conquered Rapids Island, killed Ossen Count, and now he has destroyed the Alien Race..."

Garrett scrutinized Ference and lowered his voice. "What is your point?"

Ference shrugged and spread his hands. "It’s simple. Lurans has never forgotten that grudge, and he’s been executing a meticulous plan for revenge."

"If something were to happen to you and your father in the future, the Oduin Kingdom would be left without a direct heir. Ronin would then use his and Blanche’s child as a pretext to claim the throne. That is the real reason Lurans pushed for their marriage!"

A chill went through Garrett. He said nothing, but inwardly, he was starting to believe Ference’s explanation.

"Hah. What ’accident’ could possibly befall my father and me? Don’t tell me Ronin is planning to assassinate us?"

"And why not?" Ference said, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "He may not have the power to do it now, but what about in ten or twenty years?"

"He reached the Proud Sun Level at twenty. Who’s to say he won’t become Legendary by thirty? Once he reaches the heights of Emperor Orland, do you really think anything will be beyond his reach?"

Garrett fell silent. He was beginning to believe that this was indeed the true motive behind the Wushan Clan’s actions.

He couldn’t help but feel a sense of dread. ’For a family to lie dormant for thirty years... what incredible patience.’

’And Ronin... to be such a good actor at his age... That’s terrifying in its own right!’

’Such a family, such an enemy... They’re truly terrifying!’

"So, you want to move against the Wushan Territory and eliminate Ronin?"

"Yes!"

Ference admitted without hesitation. "You saw the spar yesterday. We lost, but we still have a chance to deal with him. If we wait until he breaks through again, then even with our superior numbers, we’ll be helpless!"

He said resolutely, "If we’re going to defeat him, it has to be now, before he grows any stronger. The Wushan Territory and Moonlight Valley together cover a large area, but they are surrounded by our lands. If we work together, we can crush them in a pincer attack!"

Garrett considered the possibility, but after a long moment, he shook his head.

"My father has already made his decision. He intends to bind Ronin to the Oduin Clan with honor, power, and status. Getting him to change his mind and attack the Wushan Territory and Moonlight Valley is impossible!"

"Hah!"

Ference sneered. "My dear brother is meticulous at times, and at others, as naive as a child. Imagine: would a warrior without equal in the world be tempted by the title of Marquis or Duke? Would he be constrained by honor? You must know that history always sides with the strong."

"Then do you have a better idea?"

For Garrett, eliminating Ronin was not only in the Oduin Clan’s best interest, but it would also be an opportunity to seize the more effective Enhancement Potions and become stronger himself.

It was a very worthwhile endeavor.

"It’s simple. I want you to act in your father’s stead, command all the nobles, and while the Tricia Kingdom is still in turmoil, eliminate the great threat that is Ronin!"

Ference’s gaze sharpened, and his aura surged violently. The might of a Silver Moon Knight radiated from him uncontrollably, churning the surrounding air into a turbulent mess.