Chapter 564 - 536: The Name of the Country
Chapter 564: Chapter 536: The Name of the Country
Ronin had heard about the Sea of Storms from Sophia. He knew it was a unique region that encircled the Crescent Continent.
A thousand years ago, after the Storm Demon King Ferren fell at the hands of the Great Sage Aryan, the immense Evil Energy carried by his remains corrupted the surrounding seas.
At the time, the great powers were in the midst of a decisive battle with the King of Nightmares, so they had no energy to spare for cleansing this corruption. They could only wait until after the final battle was over.
Unfortunately, most of the Sages fell in that war. The few who remained were largely focused on recuperating, so the task of cleansing the Sea of Storms was delayed again and again.
Now, with the Human Race and the Demon Race clashing once more, a similar situation has arisen where neither side has the energy or the means to resolve the problem of the Sea of Storms.
After all, completing this task would consume considerable energy. If the Demon Race were to exploit such an opening, the delicate balance would likely be shattered, and the losses would be immense.
The main forces had to remain on the front lines, and they had to maintain their peak condition.
This was also why they didn’t arrange for someone of the Proud Sun or Legendary Level to cross the Sea of Storms, instead having an Eighth-level Mage like Sophia lead the team.
After becoming a Sage, Ronin’s speed had soared to its absolute peak. Even Carlos would likely not be able to catch a glimpse of his receding figure.
Before long, he arrived at the area of intense Energy fluctuations.
’The sea ahead looks completely normal, but a black, nameless flame is burning on the seabed, and it seems there are Evil Creatures roaming below.’
Ronin’s Spiritual Power perceived everything clearly.
He raised his hand and quickly cast the Clone Shadow Transformation Skill, sending the clone flying forward.
Soon, a faint, almost imperceptible power began to erode his clone. Ronin could feel this power trying to destabilize the Spiritual Power he had left on it.
The "storm" of the Sea of Storms was not a storm in the conventional sense, but a spiritual one.
It affected the soul, a person’s very consciousness.
After a short while, the Spiritual Power on the clone gradually dispersed. The clone itself twisted and then vanished above the surface of the sea.
’The Sea of Storms has a huge impact on Sophia and the others, but its effect on me is limited.’
After experimenting a few more times, Ronin entered the sea region in his true body. The strange power immediately tried to erode his soul and influence his consciousness.
However, Ronin’s soul had been tempered by the wills of two different worlds, making it several times stronger than that of an ordinary Sage. It could not be shaken in the slightest.
Ronin looked to the east, where he could faintly make out a continent, likely much smaller than the Orland Continent.
He could cross the Sea of Storms and reach the Crescent Continent right now if he so wished, but he chose not to.
For one, matters on the Orland Continent were not yet settled, and he could not leave.
For another, his power was still insufficient. Even a Great Sage had died in the battle a thousand years ago. He would need to at least reach the level of Great Sage himself before he dared to set foot there.
He would rather be cautious than go blindly and disrupt the delicate balance currently maintained on the Crescent Continent.
After observing for a while, Ronin left the Sea of Storms and began the journey back to his territory.
「Imperial Calendar Year 975, Annual Celebration.」
All the members of the Wushan Clan gathered at Wubei Castle to enjoy the lively festivities.
"Ronin, once Giant Dragon City is taken, you’ll be able to establish your own kingdom. Have you thought of a name yet?"
At the banquet table, Wiggin was drinking with Ronin. His question was one that many others had been wanting to ask.
Ronin drained his cup in one go and said with a smile, "I have. It will be called the Star Kingdom!"
"Oh? I thought you would call it the Wushan Kingdom."
Wiggin laughed. "But that’s for you to decide. No matter what you call it, I’m proud of you!"
His own son was becoming a king—that was something he could boast about wherever he went.
The name "Wushan Kingdom" would have been acceptable, but it carried strong familial overtones, whereas Ronin wanted to build a new order.
As for Star Kingdom, the name came from the "Star Continent," which was the name of the Orland Continent a thousand years ago.
Now that Ronin had settled on this name for his kingdom, he had also instructed the Ministry of Rites to begin compiling its related history.
Later, after he went to the Crescent Continent, he would flesh out this history with details about the nations, heroes, and other aspects of the former Star Continent.
This way, the people living on this land would have a "common origin" culture, which would increase their sense of shared identity and bring cohesion to his kingdom.
Although such a thing might sound ethereal and intangible—something that could not be seen or touched—its impact was very real and well worth the effort from Ronin and his people.
After the banquet, Ronin and Lurans went for a walk in the castle.
"When you establish your kingdom, do you plan on incorporating the Oduin Kingdom into your territory?" Lurans asked.
Ronin’s brow furrowed slightly, and he shook his head. "I haven’t decided on that yet."
"The original agreement was that whoever had the most influence, military achievements, and power would inherit the throne. But I don’t want to hold the title of King of Oduin."
Lurans said with a smile, "You can be my Count of Wubei and the kingdom’s Duke of Conqueror at the same time. So, what’s the problem with being the King of both the Star Kingdom and the Oduin Kingdom?"
"Uh, that’s an option?"
Ronin was taken aback for a moment. He had to admit, it was actually possible.
But after another moment of thought, he shook his head again. "While that approach does sound feasible, it would plant the seeds for future trouble."
’If I were to abdicate and have Roland succeed me, would he be able to inherit both thrones at once?’
’What if, down the line, I’ve gone to the Crescent Continent or am otherwise unable to preside over the kingdom? Wouldn’t that lead to conflict?’
In the end, he made his decision.
He would either refuse the Oduin throne and its lands, leaving the position vacant until a more suitable opportunity arose to claim it;
or, if he were to take it, he would merge it into the Star Kingdom, consigning the Oduin Kingdom to history rather than letting the two kingdoms coexist.
"I understand what you mean."
Lurans nodded slowly. "I’ll go talk to them and convey your intentions."
Ronin laughed. "Once the kingdom is established, Grandfather, you should just be my Hand of the King."
Lurans had both the ability and the gravitas for the role.
But he just shook his head.
"Forget it. Once all this is over, I should be getting some proper rest. Teasing Roland in my spare time sounds much more comfortable than worrying about your affairs."
To be honest, many of Ronin’s policies were far ahead of their time; there were even some concepts he couldn’t quite grasp.
However, based on their relationship, Lurans supported all of Ronin’s reforms, whether it was limiting the rights of the nobility, defining the size of their fiefs, or selecting talented individuals from among the commoners.
After the annual celebration, the cold of winter gradually receded, and the days of spring planting were at hand.
The Wubei Territory now boasted thousands of miles of fertile land, and its production of rice, potatoes, and wheat was enough to support both the front lines and the home front. It had truly become the granary for the war effort.
Before the spring planting began, Ronin gathered his forces at Bacchus City, preparing to launch an all-out offensive against Giant Dragon City.
Ridder now commanded eighteen large Knight Orders. In addition, there were ten Knight Orders dispatched by Lurans and Macken, as well as forces from various other nobles, bringing the number of soldiers for the assault on Giant Dragon City to nearly eighty thousand, and that wasn’t even including logistics personnel.
As for their assets, to say nothing of anything else, the mere presence of Ronin, a Sage, was enough to make their enemies pale in comparison.
And besides him, they also had Ridder, a Legendary; the Great Mages Sophia and Elron; the Proud Sun Knight Macken; and the Ninth Level Giant Dragon, Carlos.
If not for Flame Wings, Ronin might not have even needed to get involved.
The vast army advanced along Giant Dragon Avenue, and after a few days’ march, they arrived outside Giant Dragon City.
Seated on horseback, Ronin gazed at the ancient Royal Capital City before him, with its long history and towering walls, a sense of anticipation surging within him.
’Let’s begin. Starting today, a new Chapter for the Orland Continent will officially open!’