Unfortunately, after a round of intense haggling, Ronin still didn't manage to get many Guards.
However, Lurans relented and had Wiggin arrange for thirty Guards for Ronin, while also providing him with additional resources:
1,000 pounds of barley, 1,000 pounds of wheat, 500 pounds of flour, 300 pounds of dried meat, 300 pounds of vegetables, 50 pounds of coarse salt, 20 pounds of fine salt, five carriages, one fine-quality warhorse, and 100 Gold Coins.
Although the number of Guards was unsatisfactory, the subsequent supply of resources was enough to shut Ronin up.
To be honest, he hadn't expected Wushan Castle to give him so many extra resources.
Besides the food, there were also five carriages and a fine steed!
After expressing his most sincere thanks to Lurans and Wiggin, Ronin happily left the room and followed Holwart to select his Guards.
"Father, why did you give Ronin so many resources?"
After Ronin left, Wiggin could no longer hold back. "We just lost a vast amount of resources and even territory because of him yesterday. Why are you still defending him?"
Lurans smiled. "As his father, haven't you noticed that Ronin has matured?"
Wiggin was taken aback for a moment. After thinking it over, although he was reluctant to admit it, he still nodded. "He has changed a little, I'll admit. At least he hasn't been off to any banquets at some estate for the past two days."
"Actually, he knew all along that the Guards' betrayal had nothing to do with you. I suspect the only reason he blamed you was to wrangle some benefits."
Wiggin was stunned for a moment, then, as understanding dawned, his eyes widened. "That bastard!"
Lurans, however, just chuckled. "This business with Selena had a huge impact on the boy. It forced him to mature a great deal. That's why I'm willing to give him some resources and see if he can make something of himself."
He sighed. "Our Wushan Clan is only three generations old, and the bloodline is thin. You're no longer... capable, so we can only rely on the two male heirs we have left."
"Even though Ronin changed his surname, the blood in his veins is still ours. If he succeeds, it will not be a bad thing for the Wushan Clan."
Wiggin's face flushed red, leaving him speechless, like a cat whose tail had just been stepped on.
But it was the truth. At fifty-two, he should have still been able to father more children, but he had been far too indulgent in his youth and had exhausted his potential.
Ever since Bretton was born, no matter how hard he and Dianey tried, nothing worked.
Privately, Wiggin had even tried with other women. It was useless, without exception.
"Very well, we'll do as you say, Father. I hope Ronin doesn't disappoint you!"
Wiggin stood, gave a bow, and quickly left the room.
Lurans glanced at his old steward. "When Holwart has gathered all the Guards, have someone drag away the five traitors Ronin brought back and execute them. Make those Guards understand that betraying the Wushan Clan leads only to death!"
"As you wish!" Mosite replied, respectfully withdrawing.
...
On the west side of Wushan Castle was a massive square where the Knights and Guards normally trained.
Now, in the afterglow of the setting sun, all the castle's Guards had assembled here at Holwart's summons.
In addition, several Cavalrymen were observing from the side.
Ronin looked over at them. Each of the Cavalrymen was tall and spirited; one could tell at a glance that they were no ordinary soldiers.
'They must be from the Knight Squad defending the castle today.'
Ronin's eyes lit up. 'If only I could get a Knight Squad like that to come with me to Mountain Forest Town.'
Unfortunately, according to Lurans, a place like Mountain Forest Town was considered well-off with just one Knight—Macken—and a squad of regularly trained Guards.
Wiggin had even said that in Mountain Forest Town, all one had to do was hide from the Magical Beasts in winter, stay away from the Wushan Mountain Range on a daily basis, and that the Wilderness Tribes in the Forest Land were no real threat...
What else could Ronin say?
"Young Master, all the Guards have assembled. Sixty men in total."
Holwart approached and said respectfully, "As per the Master's instructions, you may select thirty men from among them to accompany you to Mountain Forest Town."
Ronin glanced at the Guards standing below. They were merely clustered together, with no proper formation or posture to speak of.
'Only sixty men?'
Ronin wasn't familiar with Wushan Castle's defenses, so he was quite surprised to hear that number.
'This is Wushan Castle, the Marquis's main stronghold, and it only has sixty Guards?'
"Sixty Guards is more than enough."
Holwart explained, "The true core of our fighting strength is the twelve Professional Knights. The main duties of the Followers and Guards are to stand watch and serve the Professional Knights."
Ronin slowly nodded.
'It's true,' he thought. 'A single Basic Level Knight like Macken could make short work of nine traitors. In the face of a Transcendent, the fighting strength of an ordinary person is insignificant.'
'Looked at that way, the defenses of the Marquis's Mansion are actually quite decent.'
'An ordinary person would have no way of causing any trouble here.'
"What are the salaries for these Guards?"
Ronin turned to ask about the Guards' remuneration.
Although Holwart wasn't responsible for the Guards' salaries, as the steward, he was still privy to such information.
"One Copper Coin per day, including room and board."
Ronin sighed to himself. 'Just one Copper Coin a day. That's really low.'
'At least room and board are included. Otherwise, these Guards would have trouble even surviving.'
"Announce the Count's arrangements to them."
"Very well."
Holwart turned to the Guards. "All Guards! Standing before you is he of noble Wushan blood, grandson of the Marquis of Wushan, son of the Count of Wushan City, Baron Ronin of Mountain Forest Town!"
Although the Guards already knew who Ronin was, they still cheered loudly upon hearing the steward's formal introduction, offering him their sincere greetings.
Holwart chuckled and continued, "His Lordship the Baron is about to depart to build a new city for the Wushan Clan! He needs to select thirty of you to travel to Mountain Forest Town and serve as his Guards. In the future, when Mountain Forest Town grows into a new city, you will be its first heroes!"
"This... is a great undertaking! Now, those who are willing to follow Lord Ronin, please step forward!"
When his voice fell, there were no cheers. Instead, the Guards began to whisper amongst themselves.
Word that Ronin had been stripped of his inheritance rights had already spread. As castle Guards, they were naturally aware of it, so they knew exactly what kind of place Mountain Forest Town was.
Aside from being remote and dangerous, the main issue was its distance from Wushan City. The Guards' homes and families were here, so they were naturally reluctant to volunteer to go to Mountain Forest Town.
For a moment, no one stepped forward.
Holwart frowned slightly. "Are you all cowards? You don't dare seize such an honor? Hmph! If no one volunteers, then I will choose for you!"
All the Guards stopped talking, their expressions nervous, like students afraid of being called on by a teacher.
Ronin took a step forward, signaling for Holwart to let him handle it.
He looked at the Guards below and held up one finger.
"Anyone willing to go with me to Mountain Forest Town will immediately receive a reward of one Silver Coin!"
Discussions broke out among the men below again.
Ronin held up a second finger. "Anyone willing to go with me to Mountain Forest Town will, in addition to room and board, be paid a salary of Two Copper Coins per day!"
The volume of the discussion immediately grew several times louder, and three or four men even stepped forward excitedly.
A smile appeared on Ronin's face as he held up a third finger. "For any Guard who goes with me to Mountain Forest Town and dies in battle, I will grant their family a death benefit of 1 Gold Coin!"
"I'll go! I'll go!"
Finally, more than half of the sixty Guards stepped forward.
At that moment, Ronin held up a fourth finger.
"I can promise that by the end of next year, if you wish to return to live in Wushan City, I will not stand in your way!"
"Of course, if you wish to bring your families from Wushan City to live in Mountain Forest Town, I will also petition my father on your behalf and guarantee their safe arrival!"
After he said this, the dozen or so who had been holding back could resist no longer.
Higher pay, more reliable benefits, the chance to be part of the founding group, and the future possibility of bringing their families to Mountain Forest Town.
With such good terms on offer, the Guards had no reason not to be swayed.
"I'll go too!"
"Me too!"
They all surged forward.