Chapter 547 - 520: Shelved
Chapter 547: Chapter 520: Shelved
As Sharon’s voice faded, the banquet hall once again erupted with heated discussion.
Some argued that Sharon should become the new King and lead the Oduin Kingdom forward, as was her right according to the law.
However, others raised objections.
Facing powerful enemies like the Tricia Kingdom and the Alien Races, they needed a strong figure to ascend the throne—only then could they forge a great Empire.
Although Count Ibn was formidable, he was far inferior compared to Ronin.
Therefore, this faction suggested that Blanche should take the throne, with Ronin acting as Regent King to lead the nobles in conquest.
As the parties in question, neither Sharon nor Blanche stated their positions. Neither was particularly interested in the throne, but both supported the idea of their respective husbands becoming Regent King.
They left the decision to Ibn and Ronin, but those two remained silent as well.
Ibn listened to the discussions swirling around him. In recent days, he had visited many nobles to lobby for Sharon’s—and his own—interests.
The Tolansky Clan had given up much to gain supporters.
Ronin, in contrast, had not made any moves himself. Even when Lurans acted on his behalf, it was said that no price had been paid.
Ibn wasn’t doing this because he truly wanted to contend for the throne.
His stance remained unchanged: if Ronin wanted to compete for it, he would yield, using the opportunity to secure as many benefits as possible for the Tolansky Clan.
Since they were competing according to the Kingdom’s laws, Ronin would have no reason to hold a grudge against them.
The arguments continued for a long time, but gradually, a third voice emerged:
At this moment, with His Majesty having passed away not long ago and enemies watching them like tigers, the nobles of the Oduin Kingdom’s most urgent task was to deal with external threats and internal turmoil—not to sit here debating endlessly over who should be the next King.
Ronin knew as soon as he heard it that this was the narrative Lurans had spread, having supporters of the Wushan Clan introduce it at the assembly of nobles.
But this sentiment was quickly met with skepticism—without a King, who would unify differing opinions? Without a supreme decision-maker, who would settle their disputes?
After some time, the elderly Duke Valgis rubbed the bridge of his nose. He slapped the table—BANG! BANG! BANG!—and the chaotic din fell silent.
"Arguing like this will get us nowhere. We’re either supporting Sharon or Blanche, so why don’t we have the two of them state their positions?"
He said, then, as if recalling that the two women relied on Ibn and Ronin, added, "Or perhaps Ibn and Ronin could say a few words on behalf of your wives?"
Valgis wanted to support Ronin, but Lurans hadn’t yet declared his stance.
Besides, after Ronin’s unusual position during Garrett’s recent trial, he decided to hear what the two men had to say first.
Sharon nodded at Ibn, who stood up and bowed.
"Thank you all for your support of Sharon. As His Majesty’s eldest daughter, she is, by law, the first in line to inherit the throne."
Ibn first acknowledged this point, but then his tone shifted. "However, for the future of the Kingdom, I believe there is great merit to what some have said. The Legendary Level Duke Ronin can lead us much further."
He said, looking at Ronin, "So, why don’t we hear Ronin’s opinion first?"
Ibn was treating Ronin with extreme caution. He could not afford to completely offend Ronin the way Garrett had.
Though he was now passing the buck to Ronin, it was a move born of desperation from his own difficult position.
Ronin smiled faintly.
Ibn had brought up the law, acknowledging the legitimacy of Sharon’s claim, while also giving Ronin an easy way out. No matter what Ronin said, he would have an honorable exit.
But Ronin had no intention of playing along.
"I thank everyone for their support of Blanche, and for their faith in me. However, neither Blanche nor I have any interest in the throne of the Oduin Kingdom."
As soon as these words were spoken, many were immediately astonished.
Even Ibn was stunned for a moment. ’What does he mean? To say this in public... could it be that Ronin truly wants Sharon to take the throne?’
His heart couldn’t help but pound in his chest as he thought, ’Don’t tell me I’m actually going to become the Regent King?’
Ronin then took out a sheet of paper and said slowly:
"When His Majesty Bruno enfeoffed me as the Duke of Conqueror in Mist City, he made a private request of me: to lead the nobles of the Oduin Kingdom to crush Tricia and establish a great Empire for Oduin."
"In return, he permitted me to choose a fief and establish my own kingdom after conquering Giant Dragon City. This is the contract I signed with His Majesty."
With that, he handed the paper to Duke Valgis, who was beside him.
The Duke was surprised, as this matter between Ronin and Bruno had been private; no outsiders knew of it.
Valgis took it and began to read, nodding in spite of himself. "This is indeed His Majesty’s handwriting. And it’s signed by both, with their handprints and seals!"
Saying this, he passed the contract to Gushan beside him, and it was then passed down the line.
At this, the expressions on many faces became quite colorful.
’So, Ronin is planning to strike out on his own?’
Ibn took the contract. Staring at the familiar handwriting, he felt as if the paper itself was stinging his hand.
It wasn’t hard to see from this contract that Ronin wanted to become a King in his own right.
In other words, he *was* interested in a throne.
When Bruno was alive, Ronin had been willing to follow Bruno’s arrangements due to various factors.
But if Bruno were replaced with Sharon, would he still obey orders?
And once he became a King, what would be the relationship between his kingdom and Oduin?
In Ibn’s view, Ronin would never be content with just being a King. He certainly wouldn’t hand over all the conquered enemy territory to Sharon.
A conflict between them was entirely foreseeable.
When that time came, with Ronin’s prestige from leading the nobles in war, plus his personal power, he and Sharon would be completely unable to stand against him.
These thoughts flashed through his mind like lightning, and he said with great solemnity:
"His Majesty’s last wish was to destroy the Tricia Kingdom and establish a new Empire on the Orland Continent."
"I believe some of the nobles were right just now. It is inappropriate for us to be here discussing who should ascend the throne before we have fulfilled His Majesty’s final wish."
Ronin was a little surprised. He and Lurans had been planning to steer the conversation in this direction, but he hadn’t expected Ibn to beat them to it.
After saying this, Ibn passed the contract to the next person.
"I say we should inherit the late King’s will and elect Ronin as the Noble Commander-in-Chief. Let him first lead us to crush the Tricia Kingdom and eliminate all our enemies. When that is done, we can select the most suitable person to take the throne based on factors such as military achievements, prestige, and ability."
He paused, then added, "Perhaps by then, the title should be ’Great Emperor’?"
Everyone couldn’t help but be surprised by Ibn’s declaration.
Military achievements, prestige, ability—which of these three criteria wasn’t tailor-made for Ronin?
Who could possibly compare to the Commander-in-Chief of the Noble Alliance Army and the number one powerhouse in these respects?
A declaration like this from Ibn was tantamount to withdrawing from the struggle for the throne, and doing so in a very dignified manner.
Even Ronin couldn’t help but see him in a new, higher light.
For Ibn to resist the lure of power and make such a swift decision in such a short time... this man was truly someone of note.
If the disparity in their power hadn’t been so vast, there likely would have been a fierce clash between the two of them.