Chapter 552 - 524: The End of the Road for Screaming Island
Chapter 552: Chapter 524: The End of the Road for Screaming Island
Screaming Island. This was the place where the Fleming Clan had risen to power.
As the grandson of Count Alfonso, Facundo had naturally taken over the clan’s affairs after his grandfather went missing and his father died at the Golden Feather Palace.
"What do I do?"
He paced back and forth in the castle hall, as frantic as an ant on a hot griddle.
Although he hadn’t gone to Golden Feather City, he was aware of much that had happened.
The recent assembly of nobles hadn’t just put Crown Prince Garrett on trial; Ference, the Villa Clan, and the Fleming Clan had all been judged as well.
Unsurprisingly, the Fleming Clan had been stripped of its noble title and fiefdom. Before long, war would inevitably descend upon Screaming Island.
"Ronin!"
His mind couldn’t help but flash back to a few years ago, when he, Sally, Cross, and Harrington had bullied Ronin at the Golden Feather Palace.
Back then, they had only thought Ronin was a little strong, but not so strong that they couldn’t handle him.
But only a few years had passed, and now the man had become a monster they couldn’t hope to reach, let alone match.
Now, forget raising a sword to attack Ronin; he no longer even had the courage to stand in the man’s presence.
A Legendary. The very thought of such a being made him, and his entire clan, tremble.
’Sally is already dead in Moonlight Valley. Cross and Harrington will soon follow her to the grave. Are the fates of the four of us really so similar?’
Not long ago, their fathers and grandfathers—the rulers of Screaming Island, Moonlight Valley, the Ferrensburg Duchy, and the Villa Duchy—had been plotting to unite and weaken Bruno’s authority.
Who would have thought that now, one by one, they would all be marching to Hell?
’What should I do?’
Ferrensburg and the Villa Duchy had been in contact with the Tricia Kingdom, so they could seek refuge with an enemy nation.
But his Screaming Island was deep in the heartland of the Oduin Kingdom. Aside from the sea route east, around the Screaming Sea, and then south, every other direction was surrounded by the Kingdom’s nobility.
The Tricia Kingdom wouldn’t cross a vast sea to come to the aid of the Fleming Clan.
WHOOSH!
A powerful gust of wind, carrying the thick scent of the sea, blew into the hall. Just as Facundo was at a loss for what to do, a white-haired old man appeared before him.
Though ancient, the man was full of spirit. As he landed, enormous wings folded onto his back. From their appearance, he was clearly one of the remnants left behind by Serdil.
Unlike Witch Soul Knights, Wind Mages didn’t perish with Serdil’s death.
Alfonso had spent years traveling, seeking an opportunity for a breakthrough, but had found no success.
He had thought he had reached the limits of his aptitude, destined never to advance another step, but then, over a year ago, he had unexpectedly met Serdil.
The power of the Heart of the Storm not only granted him the ability to fly freely but also raised his potential for a breakthrough.
And so, not long ago, he had the good fortune to become a Magic Master. He had planned to return and celebrate, but instead, he came back to the tragedy of a father outliving his son.
"Grandfather!"
Facundo was stunned for a moment, then overjoyed. "You’ve finally returned!"
He couldn’t stop himself from rushing to his grandfather’s side, frantically explaining everything the family was facing, and he made sure to emphasize that his father, MacLaren, had been killed by Ronin.
Unfortunately, even after becoming a Magic Master, his grandfather, Alfonso, was no match for Ronin.
"I already know what happened to your father. There is only one path before us now. My boy, pack your things. We are leaving."
"Leaving?"
Facundo staggered back two steps, his face deathly pale.
’I can’t accept this outcome.’
But as he carefully considered what his grandfather Alfonso had just said, he had to admit it was their only way out.
Screaming Island was deep within the Kingdom. Now that they were condemned, nobles from all sides would likely descend to annihilate them. Even with the Fleming Clan’s reputation as the "Screaming Sea Tyrant," they wouldn’t be able to hold them off.
"Where will we go?"
he asked, his voice trembling. "If we leave, our clan will have nothing left!"
A flash of anger sparked in Alfonso’s eyes, but when he looked at Facundo, it was tempered with pity.
"As long as we’re alive, there’s hope!"
He said with conviction, "King Tyrone of Tricia has already promised me land comparable to Screaming Island as my new territory! As long as we’re alive, we can rebuild sooner or later!"
Facundo nodded. Though his heart was filled with reluctance, he understood that this was for his own survival and that of his clan.
He began to order the servants to pack their belongings, preparing to abandon Screaming Island, the site of their former glory.
As night fell, Facundo and Count Alfonso led the clan’s elite onto several fast ships.
Under the cover of darkness, they quietly departed from Screaming Island, disappearing over the vast, open sea.
But they had left in such a hurry that they hadn’t had time to properly cover their tracks.
At the port of Screaming Island, a man dressed as a Sailor tugged on his black cap. ’I have to report this to the Viscount immediately.’
「Rapids Island.」
Escorted by Carlos, Elron had arrived here to deliver Ronin’s orders to the young Governor.
Upon hearing Ronin’s orders, Karda couldn’t help but laugh with excitement.
Finally, Rapids Island would have a war of its own.
Ever since he had started following Ronin, he’d heard that Macken, Ridder, and the others were constantly in battle, while Rapids Island had only been focused on development.
Over the past two years, he had leveraged Rapids Island’s industries and Ronin’s reputation to attract a great number of Professional Knights from Horn Bay—men of common birth but considerable strength.
The Navy on Rapids Island now not only comprised two full Knight Orders but had also expanded its fleet to ten warships!
The soldiers had long grown tired of daily training. Whenever news of the Duke’s victories arrived, they would clamor, wondering when it would be their turn to fight.
Now, their chance had come!
"Lusen, go and summon all the captains to the port hall! Tell them I have combat orders to announce!"
"Yes, Governor!"
Karda gazed out at the sea, filled with anticipation, his eyes seeming to pierce the distance all the way to Screaming Island.
The upheaval in the Royal Capital had far-reaching consequences, but as one of Ronin’s followers, Karda recognized this as an unprecedented opportunity. If he seized it, he could surely change his own destiny.
"Lord Elron, I will attend to my duties now."
Karda said respectfully, "It’s time for Patridge to prove his worth!"
The Viscount of Crescent Island had been captured and turned during the last war. Karda had decided that in this upcoming war against Screaming Island, he would have the Viscount betray his allies at the most opportune moment for maximum effect.
Elron nodded in response. "Go on. I’ll be at the Dream Flower estate for the next couple of days. Just have someone come get me when it’s time to depart."
Karda would be the Commander in the war against Screaming Island, but Elron and Carlos would accompany him to deal with the island’s Magic Energy Cannons and the elusive Count Alfonso, who had yet to reveal his true strength.
"Since you and the Giant Dragon have both arrived, it’s time for me to leave,"
said Bellora. He had been entrusted by Ronin to stay here and help with the defense, but unfortunately, no enemies had appeared, so he had been waiting all this time for nothing.
"As you wish, Count."
Elron gave a slight bow. "Thank you for your trouble these past few days."
Bellora laughed. "It was no trouble at all. A shame Ronin gave me these few Dragon Scales for nothing."
He was eager to return to his cave in the Wubei Territory to continue his Magic research. However, after hearing about the upheaval in the Royal Capital, he knew that as the Lord of Amethyst County, he needed to return to his domain and guide his great-grandson Randall on their next course of action.
In truth, it was quite simple. It all came down to a single piece of advice: "Follow Ronin, and you’ll eat well."