Chapter 464: Defection

The ransom system occupies an important position in the culture of noble warfare, which is one of the reasons why Kalada treated Partridge with special favor after capturing him.

Luoning smiled slightly, sat down on a nearby stool, and calmly examined this former high-and-mighty Viscount of Crescent Island.

Although Partridge was currently disheveled and filled with resentment, his bones were still steeped in the ways of the nobility, and he retained a trace of his former majesty and arrogance.

"Ransom?"

Luoning's voice carried a hint of playfulness, "My dear Viscount, do you know that in my eyes, you are nothing more than a pirate who attempted to attack Jiliu Island, and you are merely my prisoner."

Partridge stiffened, then suddenly grew alert, "What, you want to kill me directly?"

Luoning said the most threatening words with a smiling expression: "Quite a few nobles have died at my hands over these years. From the Baron of Swamp Town in the distance to the Count of Moonlight Valley nearby, one more of you doesn't seem to matter."

Partridge widened his eyes: "You killed Hesusu? Are you all mad, daring to kill even His Majesty the King's brother??"

"If a crime is unforgivable, I can certainly kill."

Luoning withdrew his expression, "Just like you, Partridge, bringing so many Knights and Magic Cannons, attempting to destroy my Jiliu Island; this is also an unforgivable sin."

"No, no, no..."

Partridge began to panic; he started to feel that the young man before him was an impulsive fellow who might really ignore noble constraints and kill him outright.

"You misunderstood, Baron, I only wanted to discuss business with Jiliu Island, I had no intention of attacking you."

"Discuss business? Is that how you discuss business with me, using sturdy ships and sharp cannons?"

Luoning couldn't help but find it somewhat amusing, "Enough, Partridge, I'm afraid you don't know your own situation yet, do you?"

"You disguised yourself as a pirate to attack my territory; even if I truly killed you, the Fleming Family would not stand up for you to demand an explanation from me, as they would not want to publicly admit their intention to attack me."

He spread his hands: "So, I will not pay any price for your death."

Partridge suddenly calmed down; he knew Luoning was right.

Casting aside that trace of arrogance in his heart, he had to re-evaluate the young noble before him.

The other party possessed a dragon that left him with no power to resist and could gallop across the sea; at the same time, it was said that the other party's own strength was not weak either.

"Since you said you wanted to kill me, yet you haven't laid a hand on me. So, what do you want to get from me? Or rather, what do you hope I will do for you?"

The fact that the other party stopped making threats and instead had such a change of heart made Luoning quite satisfied.

"It's very simple, I need you to defect to me."

Kalada and Lisi, who were nearby, felt somewhat surprised upon hearing this.

Partridge was a retainer to the Earl of Screaming Island; was it really okay for Luoning to poach the other party's wall like this?

Moreover, even if the other party agreed, was he truly trustworthy?

Partridge looked straight into Luoning's eyes: "You want to defeat the Fleming Family and replace them as the overlord of the sea?"

Overlord of the sea?

Luoning did not state his position, but it had to be said that the other party's perspective was too small, thinking of him too simply.

The Fleming Family was indeed an enemy on his path forward, but not the final enemy.

Today, Luoning already stood at the top tier of the Transcendental on the Orland Continent, and the enemies he would face in the future were the Holy Storm Organization, and even the Demon Gods of the New Moon Continent.

Facing these people, individual strength was indeed critical, but the strength of one's forces was equally important.

Luoning needed a group of powerful subordinates.

Partridge's strength was decent, and he was only in his fifties, still having room for improvement; he was a good talent.

Seeing that Luoning did not answer, Partridge asked again: "Even if I were truly willing to pledge loyalty to you, do you really believe I wouldn't rebel?"

Regarding this, Luoning was very confident.

"You can rebel, but you should have learned the power of my dragon. As soon as you rebel, let alone you, your family, and your castle will all be reduced to ashes under the dragon's flames."

"Your dragon is indeed very strong, but I was only captured because I slipped up. If there were a next time, as long as I stayed vigilant, I could dodge its claws! Moreover, as long as we are prepared, relying on Magic Cannons, Magic Arrows, and Spell Scrolls, we could fully achieve the feat of dragon-slaying!"

Luoning spread his hands: "Perhaps, but I don't think Crescent Island possesses such strength."

Partridge's firm expression suddenly softened.

Fine, Luoning was right; the Fleming Family had the ability to slay a dragon, but Crescent Island certainly did not.

"Pledging loyalty to you, what can I get?" he asked.

"It's very simple, you get to live."

Luoning did not intend to give the other party anything, "You must know, you currently have no bargaining chips to negotiate with me. On the contrary, even if you submit to me, you must still have your family pay thirty thousand gold coins, plus five warships!"

Partridge was stunned; he hadn't expected that even if he chose to compromise, he would still have to pay a ransom.

But he dared not refute, because he truly had no bargaining chips to support a negotiation.

"Paying the ransom is to allow you to continue as a vassal of the Fleming Family."

Partridge knew that Luoning was making him act as a spy.

The spirit of a Knight and a noble made him not want to do such a thing, but between life and death, after a series of struggles in his heart, he ultimately chose to compromise.

"Fine, Lord Luoning, I am willing to defect to you!"

Luoning laughed and nodded with satisfaction, "Very good, Partridge, one day in the future, you will feel fortunate for today's decision."

He stood up and instructed: "Kalada, write a letter of defection in Partridge's tone, and then press his handprint on it."

Although this thing was of little use, it could at least make Screaming Island lose trust in Crescent Island, and it would still have a bit of a deterrent effect on Partridge's psychology.

"Also, write another letter, have someone send it to Crescent Island, and tell them to bring the ransom over. Those thirty thousand gold coins will be considered support for the construction of Jiliu Island."

Kalada laughed; he hadn't expected that the thirty thousand gold coins just promised would actually come from Crescent Island.

"I understand, my Lord, I will go do it right away!"

He immediately turned and left the room.

Luoning took out a Potent Healing Scroll from his Space Ring.

"This is a Potent Healing Spell from the hand of a Great Archmage; it will be of great help to your injuries. Consider it a reward for you."

As Luoning's Magic Power was injected into the scroll, a soft light shot out and enveloped Partridge's entire body.

Bathed in the radiance of the Potent Healing Scroll, Partridge suddenly felt an indescribable sense of comfort throughout his body. The pain that had been tormenting him for these past few days faded away rapidly.

He closed his eyes and could feel his bones knitting together and his injuries recovering.

"As expected of a rare Potent Healing Scroll!"

When the healing concluded, he propped himself up against the headboard, "How do you want me to help you deal with the Fleming Family?"

"Now is not the time yet."

Luoning signaled for Lisi to take out paper and pen to record: "However, you can tell me the specific situation of Screaming Island in advance."

"In addition, I haven't seen Aifangsuo appear much these years; I want to know if he has broken through?"

Partridge still hesitated for a moment; after all, this was information that betrayed his lord.

But soon, he changed his mindset.

"Count Aifangsuo is indeed living in seclusion and practicing hard, but it is a pity that he is still a Great Archmage and has not broken through."

"He isn't even a Magus?" Luoning asked in surprise.

Partridge shook his head, "He has already begun to enter a period of decline; I am afraid there is no hope of him advancing in this lifetime."

At this moment, the combat power of Screaming Island in Luoning's mind plummeted.

Perhaps dealing with Screaming Island in the future would not be as troublesome as he had imagined. (End of chapter)