Lord: Stripped of My Inheritance from the Start

Chapter 437 - 410: Joint Investigation

Ronin had no doubt about Sophia’s origins and what she had witnessed, as he truly had some understanding of the matter.

For one, he had indeed used his Spiritual Power to sense a bizarre Dark Energy on the members of the Witch Soul Race, an energy distinct from the Dark Element.

For another, he had learned from Ridder, Elron, and Macken about another continent, as well as information about the Demon God and Lords.

That was why Ronin believed Sophia. As for Lurans, he simply trusted her by association.

But to Bruno, Ference, and the others, Sophia and her story were completely foreign. Furthermore, the one she was accusing, Jesus, was behaving with perfect normalcy. It was only natural that they harbored doubt and distrust.

What’s more, given the conflict between Lurans and Moonlight Valley, it led them to suspect that Sophia might be a pawn brought in by Lurans for political manipulation.

Ronin could accept this situation, but Sophia felt a growing frustration.

On the Crescent Continent, they saw the Star Continent as a land of hope.

She had come full of hope, seeking a turning point for her homeland, which had been threatened by the Demon God for over a thousand years. She never expected that the people here had not only long forgotten the Demon God, but would accuse her of making false claims without even investigating her public denunciation of a Demon.

’It’s this difficult just to catch a single Demon. How can I possibly expect these people to risk their lives crossing the Sea of Storms to aid the Crescent Continent?’

Sophia suddenly felt her plea for aid was rather unrealistic.

Still, at least the ruler here had yet to speak.

"Alright, let’s have some quiet."

Bruno finally spoke from his throne, and all eyes turned to him.

"I’ve spent a fair amount of time speaking privately with Jesus these last few days. His personality, tone of voice, and general demeanor are no different than usual. I find it rather hard to believe he is one of the Witch Soul Race."

He paused, then his tone shifted. "However, I have always respected Mages, particularly a Magic Master as powerful as Sophia. I will hear you out."

Bruno mused for a moment. "Let’s do this. I will arrange for Dean Faslei of the Royal Magic Academy to come and examine Jesus today."

Unlike Jesus, he didn’t try to accuse Sophia of a crime. She was a Magic Master, after all.

Though at his command, there were more than enough people in the hall to seize her, there was no need for that.

Arresting Sophia outright would also make things difficult with Lurans and Ronin.

Therefore, he chose a method of handling the problem that wouldn’t offend either side.

As for the question of whether Jesus was truly one of the Witch Soul Race...

When Broel returned, he had described the Witch Soul Race on the battlefield as utterly bloodthirsty and terrifying. Yet now, if Jesus was one of them, Bruno felt neither bloodlust nor terror.

"Garrett, take your uncle to your study and wait there."

His Majesty the King ordered, "Philimon, go and ask Dean Faslei to come to the Golden Feather Palace."

"Yes, Father!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

The two departed on their separate tasks. Jesus didn’t argue or struggle, simply leaving Oduin Hall with Garrett.

Bruno let out a heavy breath. "Alright, until Dean Faslei has conducted his examination, let’s continue our discussion on sending troops to the Tricia Kingdom."

Following that, Bruno laid out his grand war plan.

He planned to give the nobles one or two years to prepare. Before then, however, they could consider dispatching Knight Squads, or even an entire Knight Order, to garrison the border. Once the time was right, they could launch an immediate offensive.

As for the division of the border, Ferrensburg and Gistana would be responsible for the western front. Wushan Territory, along with the Royal Family and the Ibn and Willis families, would handle the central front. The Villa Duchy would be responsible for the east, with Screaming Island providing support by sea to attack Tricia’s eastern archipelago.

When the time was right, all three fronts would launch their attacks simultaneously.

It was a beautiful plan, but few in attendance were listening intently, let alone preparing to carry it out.

Lurans and Ronin were focused on how to deal with Moonlight Valley. They knew how dangerous Jesus was; letting him be would only increase the threat.

Ference, on the other hand, was contemplating how to use Jesus to incite a civil war. He had always believed the throne should be his, not occupied by someone as powerless as Bruno.

Screaming Island and the Villa Duchy were considering how to exploit the conflict between Jesus and Wushan Territory to expand their own domains.

Of everyone present, Sophia was the most disappointed.

The King of the Oduin Kingdom had offered no pleasant surprises. He had taken Jesus away to be examined, but even if something was actually found, she had no way of knowing what the result would be.

Furthermore, Sophia could sense that even if Bruno discovered Jesus was one of the Witch Soul Race, he would likely protect him. He wouldn’t place justice above kinship unless forced to an extreme.

After all, history was filled with countless instances of people cooperating with the minions of a Demon God.

She couldn’t help but glance at Ronin, who stood beside her.

Sophia knew Ronin’s fiancée was Blanche, which in her eyes made him practically a member of the Royal Family.

Yet despite this connection, he had still chosen to inform her about Jesus. This proved that Ronin’s position was different from that of the King, the Dukes, and the others in Oduin Hall.

’Perhaps helping Ronin is a good choice,’ she thought. ’At least he will actually move against the Witch Soul Race. Besides, he has the talent and potential to become Legendary, perhaps even a Sage.’

For the Crescent Continent, one more Sage could change the entire situation.

Therefore, even if she were to cooperate with the Royal Family, she would still need to maintain a good relationship with Ronin.

And if that was the case, why not just side with Ronin directly?

Meanwhile, Garrett led Jesus from Oduin Hall, and the two began strolling through a deserted rear garden.

"Uncle, is what that Sophia woman said true?"

Garrett looked directly into Jesus’s eyes and asked earnestly, "Are you really one of this Witch Soul Race she spoke of?"

Jesus smiled faintly. "What do you think?"

Garrett shook his head. He couldn’t tell.

"The Witch Soul Race isn’t as terrifying as the rumors claim."

Jesus said as he walked, "In the end, the conflict between Sophia and the Witch Soul Race is merely a dispute between different factions of power."

A jolt went through Garrett, and his aura flared. "So you’re admitting you’re one of the Witch Soul Race?"

"No. I have merely mastered the power of this race. I am still myself: His Majesty the King’s brother, your uncle, Jesus Oduin."

As Jesus spoke, his own aura emanated from him.

Garrett said in astonishment, "You’re a Golden Knight? I remember you were at the Silver Level before."

"This is the benefit of mastering Witch Soul Power. It strengthened my abilities, allowing me to break through from the Silver Level all the way to a Golden Knight!"

Jesus said, "You know as well as I do that if I had relied solely on my own Cultivation, I likely would have never reached the Golden Level in this lifetime. It was the Witch Soul Power that gave me this opportunity to become powerful!"

A sharp glint flashed in Garrett’s eyes. "What is the price for gaining this power?"

Jesus spread his hands. "After mastering the Witch Soul Power, my strength is essentially fixed at the Golden Level, with no further potential for advancement. But for me, that’s not a high price to pay. You, however, are different. Your potential is enormous; you are not suited to wield this kind of power."

He looked at Garrett, his smile turning seductive. "However... I do know of a power that would be more suitable for you."