Lord: Stripped of My Inheritance from the Start

Chapter 502: Chapter 475: Victory on All Fronts

Only by personally experiencing great power and despair can one truly remember the feeling and strive to never fall into despair again.

Placido was the Viscount of Watchtower Castle. Given Ronin’s power and the vast disparity between their forces, his choice to surrender was understandable.

But from Ronin’s perspective, if Placido were to lead troops into battle in the future, would he just surrender again when faced with a powerful enemy?

Ronin valued his status and strength as a Meteor Knight, as well as Melis’s identity as a Mage.

But as a Lord, he had no desire to see his subordinates betray him.

He hated fence-sitters.

So, he needed to make Placido witness his power and personally feel the insurmountable gap between them. This would make him think twice before ever entertaining thoughts of betrayal in the future.

On the city wall, Placido’s expression grew even more grim when he saw his Sixth-level Magic Cannon’s blast dissipated by a single slash of Ridder’s sword.

Clearly, this Knight was incredibly powerful—at least at the same Level as him!

He could either jump off the wall and surrender immediately, or he could hold on a little longer and give up the fight once things had played out a bit.

He glanced at the battlefield. None of the Knights, Mages, or soldiers showed any sign of cowering in a corner. As their Lord, it seemed inappropriate for him to be the first one to do so.

His noble pride prevented him from immediately losing face. He could only wave his Great Sword and shout for them to fire again.

But this time, the Giant Dragon’s Flame Breath and the assault from the Magic Energy Cannons on the field came simultaneously, leaving Placido completely unable to deal with both.

Amidst the soaring flames and the deafening roar right beside him, he felt as if his eardrums were about to burst. The immense impact sent him flying!

If his Fighting Qi Armor and Black Jade Armor hadn’t absorbed the impact, he would have also been burned by the Flame Breath.

His condition was still manageable, but the other Knights operating the Magic Energy Cannons were in a miserable state.

Several were blown right off the wall, their fates unknown. The rest were all knocked over, sprawled on the ground. Forget operating the Magic Energy Cannons—it was questionable if they could even get back on their feet.

"This is unwinnable!"

Placido felt despair and helplessness.

He knew that if Melis hadn’t contacted Ronin to express their intentions, Ronin’s attack would have been far more ferocious. He wouldn’t have given them this chance to catch their breath.

The long-range assault had come to an end. Ridder raised his longsword high. "Charge!"

With a leap, he flew through the air, arriving before Watchtower Castle in the blink of an eye.

Ridder threw a punch—the very same "Heavy Strike Burst" he had used to slay the Proud Sun Level undead skeleton. Its immense piercing and destructive power shattered Watchtower Castle’s heavy steel gate.

Placido felt the force of that blow, and his pupils contracted violently.

’That Knight just flew through the air, didn’t he?’

He couldn’t believe that West Wind Hill had another Silver Moon Knight besides Ronin.

And on his side? Forget a Silver Moon Knight, he was the only Meteor Knight they had.

WHOOSH—

The air trembled as Ridder’s figure appeared before Placido.

A flicker of panic crossed Placido’s eyes. He didn’t know Ridder, but in his presence, he felt an unconscious sense of powerlessness.

"Knight, pick up your longsword," Ridder said in a clear voice as he lunged toward him.

Gritting his teeth, Placido met the charge with all his strength.

He was, after all, a long-renowned Meteor Knight, but with a single blow, he felt an immovable, mountain-like force!

At the same time, a tremendous shockwave coursed through his body, causing his internal organs to bleed from the impact!

Like a kite with its string cut, he shot off the city wall and crashed heavily onto the ground, leaving a deep crater.

’He’s too strong! We’re not even in the same league!’

Just then, a volley of arrows rained down from outside the castle, beginning a new wave of attacks.

After the arrow volley, the Knights charged into the city, with the cavalry and infantry close behind.

Although Placido had arranged for a Knight Order to defend the area behind the gate, Ridder’s earlier punch had not only shattered the gate but also wiped out a huge swathe of them.

Such a broken formation was no match for Oduro and his men.

The slaughter lasted only a short time before Oduro’s squad completely suppressed the enemy, causing the defenders of Watchtower City to collapse. Their defeat was as swift as a landslide.

Finally, someone remembered the contents of yesterday’s letter. They began to drop their weapons and run toward the southwest corner.

Once someone took the lead, more and more people started running in that direction. Soon, a huge crowd was squatting there.

Carlos descended slowly. His massive claws landed on the city wall, its sheer weight causing a large section to collapse.

Those who hadn’t managed to flee yet were so terrified they dropped to the ground.

Ronin leaped down, landing beside Placido, who was struggling on the ground where Ridder had knocked him down.

"I respect your courage, but in the face of absolute power, such resistance only leads to pointless sacrifice. I’ll give you two choices now: either lay down your weapon and become my prisoner, or die by my sword."

After this show of dominance, Ronin followed through on their agreement and gave Placido a way to save face, ensuring his family in Giant Dragon City would have a chance to survive.

A look of gratitude appeared in Placido’s eyes. He had just been worried that Ronin would force him to publicly submit. Fortunately, Ronin was sticking to the plan on this matter.

He threw his weapon to the ground and lowered his head. "I am defeated!"

Ronin gave Oduro a look, and Oduro immediately understood. He took out two large iron chains and bound Placido tightly, leaving no sign that it was all an act.

’Is this what they call the carrot and the stick?’

"Ridder, I’m leaving this place to you."

Ronin said, "I’m going to check on things in Gray Valley."

"Go on, my lord. Don’t worry," said Ridder.

Ronin nodded, mounted the Dragon’s back, and left Watchtower Castle.

Following Ronin’s instructions, Melonika had deliberately slowed the pace of her attack.

Flame Fortress seemed to have noticed this, as their Lord actually led a Knight Order out of the fortress to launch a proactive attack.

Following an exchange of fire between both sides’ Magic Energy Cannons, the Knights charged, and the infantry engaged in close combat.

The ferocity of the slaughter was far greater than at Watchtower Castle.

Fortunately, Melonika possessed a Secret Skill and was quite powerful, so there were no unexpected mishaps.

By the time Ronin arrived on his Giant Dragon, even though they couldn’t use Flame Breath, his and the dragon’s mere presence was an intangible pressure that swayed the battle, greatly boosting the morale of the Wushan Territory’s forces.

Ronin casually struck out twice, taking down several Golden Knights and bringing the battle to a close.

Meanwhile, the other fronts also won unexpectedly decisive victories.

Count Ural had established a forward operating base on the plains between Red Pine Castle and Mist City. Normally, two Knight Orders were stationed there; today, that number had been increased to three.

But even so, the camp was still broken by the forces led by Garrett and Gushan.

"Hehehe!"

Garrett laughed heartily, sweeping away his recent frustrations.

"They didn’t even send reinforcements to their own forward base. It looks like things have truly changed in the Tricia Kingdom."

Gushan frowned beside him. "Something’s strange. If it were me, I would have pulled all the outlying forces back to Mist City to fortify it, not leave them outside without support to be defeated one by one."

"There’s nothing strange about it."

Garrett’s tone was full of confidence. "We completed this operation within two days, seizing the initiative. They simply didn’t have enough time to react and redeploy their forces accordingly."

"On top of that, as a high noble of the Tricia Kingdom, Ural must have been affected by the recent change of King. It’s even possible he isn’t in Mist City at all, which would explain such a brainless deployment."

Gushan shook his head. With the border so tense, would Border Count Ural really leave?

Gushan found it highly unlikely, anyway.

"We haven’t received any news from Mist City. Our people there have likely been contained."

"That doesn’t prove anything."

Once the fighting here began, news would quickly travel back to the Golden Feather Palace. At that point, Bruno would find out that Garrett had altered his orders and acted without authorization.

Considering his father, the King, would likely send someone to drag him back by force, Garrett had to go all-in and take Mist City as quickly as possible.

Once he had washed away the shame of the defeat to the Audoin Clan from over thirty years ago, his father would have nothing more to say.

"Gushan, send the Griffin Knights to check on the other battlefronts."

Garrett smiled. "If my guess is correct, they should all be major victories. Have the Knights tell them that we will arrive before Mist City tomorrow morning and attack in the afternoon!"

Gushan was startled. "Your Highness, we should first regroup for a day or two, then convene the nobles to discuss an attack plan. Besides, since Ronin is the military advisor for this operation, we should also ask for his opinion and respect his thoughts."

Garrett felt a pang of displeasure at the mention of Ronin’s name but didn’t say it aloud.

"Gushan, if we do as you say and wait a day or two, what if the Tricia Kingdom’s reinforcements arrive?"

He said coldly, "Besides, I am the commander-in-chief of this operation. My father, the King, appointed you and Ronin as deputy commander and advisor merely to provide opinions. The final decision rests with me. I hope you understand that!"

"I’m not questioning your authority as commander, Your Highness. I just think this is too hasty."

"Delaying will only put us in a more passive position!"

Garrett cut him off. "We’re victorious on all fronts, we have two Proud Sun Knights and a Dragon. We should strike directly at their main base! I am the commander-in-chief, and I am also the Crown Prince. If there are any negative consequences, I will bear them!"

"But..."

Gushan wanted to say more, but seeing the unquestionable look in Garrett’s eyes, he thought better of it and held his tongue.

’He has a point,’ he thought. ’If something really does go wrong, the blame won’t fall on us.’

Besides, the Oduin Kingdom would one day belong to Garrett.

If Gushan were too forceful and offended him, he couldn’t act as fearlessly as Ronin.

"Alright, you’re right. In terms of strength, we do have the advantage."

Garrett’s expression finally softened. He didn’t want to be on bad terms with too many people either.

"It’s good that you understand. Once we take Mist City, your merits will be even greater than mine. A piece of this vast border will be yours!"

"I look forward to that day!"

Gushan cracked a grin that barely passed for a smile, then turned to carry out Garrett’s orders.