Knight: Becoming King of the World

Chapter 114: Chapter 96: Mere Mercenaries, Just Material for a Skull Pyramid

Expedited by Bogdan, Henry’s letter traversed the empire, reaching the city of Tiyaer in the Northern Lands.

While awaiting a reply, Henry began reinforcing his domain’s defenses and reaching out to neighboring lords, preparing them to contribute men and resources.

Of course, they could refuse to contribute. It just meant Henry’s army would be the first to arrive at their fiefs.

The open wooden window brought light into the study. Henry sat at one end of a long table, a lavish lunch spread before him, but he had no appetite.

His mind wasn’t on the food, but on the upcoming meeting with the powerful merchants.

Henry wore an imperial robe with a Golden Ring on his finger—a stark contrast to his usual image as a Warrior.

His gaze drifted to the window from time to time, as if he were waiting for something.

Henry’s expression was grim. His thoughts drifted, and his fingers tapped lightly on the tabletop, betraying a hint of anxiety.

Dealing with these powerful merchants would bring immense changes to his domain, but it also came with a few drawbacks.

Just then, a castle maid hurried into the study and whispered to Henry, "My lord, the Minister of Internal Affairs reports that several powerful merchants have arrived at the castle gates. They request an audience with you."

Henry nodded. "Show them in... And have the lunch cleared. I’ll eat after we’re done."

"Yes, my lord."

Soon, Claude led two powerful merchants into the study. They wore resplendent robes, each embroidered with a unique, eye-catching sigil of the steppes.

As they entered, their eyes immediately fixed on Henry, glinting with a mixture of anticipation and calculation.

"Honorable Baron, good day."

Henry gave a slight nod in acknowledgment, then said, "I’m pleased to see you. I know you’ve all come a long way, and I am grateful for your support.

But before we proceed, I hope we can be frank and discuss our mutual interests."

The two merchants exchanged a look. Then one of them, a man named Nasu, stepped forward. He wore a golden robe embroidered with intricate patterns, giving him an air of exceptional nobility.

"Lord Baron, we understand your position completely. We have come here not merely to invest, but to find a partner. We are willing to provide you with all the resources you require, but we also hope for a corresponding return."

"I understand. I will ensure our partnership is mutually beneficial."

With Henry’s permission, the two merchants sat, and the discussion of investment and cooperation began.

Their faces were shrewd, their eyes filled with greed for power and status.

Nasu remained silent, but the other merchant shifted the gem-studded cane in his hand, "unintentionally" tapping it against the corner of the table.

"Lord Baron, your conflict with Count John is no longer a secret. Three companies of Mercenaries are already stationed in Odoche. You might be in need of some help." Buer’s voice was strong, and his direct gaze at Henry didn’t seem as respectful as his words.

"You will tell me your name, merchant."

Hearing the word "merchant," Buer reined himself in a little and said respectfully, "My name is Buer, Honorable Baron."

"Then, Buer, I appreciate your generosity. Tell me, how do you intend to support me?"

"We can provide fine weapons and armor, as well as ample food and building materials. Of course, this all requires you to meet certain conditions."

"And what are the conditions?" He knew these merchants wouldn’t offer help for no reason.

Buer said in a low voice, "We hope to obtain certain privileges in your domain, such as trade priority, or a degree of influence within your fief."

Henry fell silent for a moment, then slowly rose and walked toward the weapon rack. "I understand your needs," he said, "but I’ll have to think it over."

He did need more grain, but it wasn’t a desperate shortage. His current stores were enough to support the fief until this year’s autumn harvest. After the harvest, food shortages would no longer be an issue.

The main crops to be planted by the end of the year were potatoes, pearl rice, and mealy tubers; only self-employed farmers and tenant farmers would choose to plant crops like wheat.

’Can I keep getting free meals?’ Henry pursed his lips.

"After this matter is resolved, I can grant you the status of honorary nobles. I can also sign more purchasing contracts with you.

I have only one demand: the weapons and grain must be transported quickly. I want to see them in my granary and armory within ten days."

Henry’s gaze swept back and forth between the two merchants. Nasu finally spoke up, "Lord Baron, we understand your concerns. The privileges we seek are not meant to infringe upon your sovereignty, but rather to secure a place for ourselves in this prosperous land, to share in its flourishing."

Pedro’s death had been a wake-up call for the powerful merchants of the Odoche region. They were not as strong as the merchant guilds of the western coast and had less nerve when dealing with nobility.

They desperately needed to back another noble to gain greater profits and a sense of security.

Henry nodded slightly. "I need to see the goods."

Buer and Nasu looked at each other, seemingly reaching a silent consensus.

Buer spoke again. "Lord Baron, we are willing to provide a portion of the weapons and grain upfront as a show of our good faith. After you’ve received the goods, you can then decide whether to grant us the honor of nobility."

Henry could sense the merchants’ desperation; that was his bargaining chip. His fingers tapped lightly on the tabletop. After a moment of thought, he said, "I accept your proposal. But I must warn you, any breach of the agreement will result in the immediate termination of our partnership."

The two merchants nodded in understanding, satisfied smiles appearing on their faces. Henry then ordered Claude to prepare the documents and began to discuss the specific terms of the cooperation in detail.

As the sun gradually set, the light in the study grew dim. Henry and the merchants discussed matters at the long table for a long time, finally reaching a preliminary agreement as night fell.

The merchants promised to provide the required weapons and grain within ten days, while Henry promised to consider granting them certain privileges after the matter was resolved.

The shipment of grain totaled four hundred cartloads, enough to feed an army of five hundred for a month and a half.

Iron helmets, Chain Armor, Zha Armor, Infantry Boot Arm Armor, shoulder guards, and so on—enough to equip an elite force of two hundred men. In addition, there were five hundred pieces of other armor, such as Armored Clothing, leather armor, Cotton Armor, and Cloth Armor.

In other words, the "good faith" of Buer and Nasu was enough to equip an armored force of six to seven hundred men for Henry!

What an extravagant gesture. The Viscounts would probably go mad with jealousy. ’How can a mere Baron have such a large army?’

When the merchants had left the study, Henry stood up, walked to the window, and gazed at the distant, starry sky.

’This is only the beginning. There’s still a long road ahead.’

Henry returned to the table and looked at the lavish meal. He finally felt a pang of hunger. No matter what tomorrow brought, he was going to eat his fill tonight!

Deep into the night, the lights in Henry’s study remained bright as he continued to study maps and strategies, preparing for the new day.

Meanwhile, in his domain, soldiers intensified their patrols to prevent new gangs from taking root in the chaos. The town district was now home to more than six hundred people; without night patrols, all sorts of trouble was bound to happen.

In the smithy, the Weapon Smiths and armorers, which Henry had separated into specialized roles, worked overtime every day, forging weapons and armor. The kind-hearted Lord Henry paid them by the piece and didn’t try to lowball the price, which kept them highly motivated.

Much of the iron ore came from outlaws in the Odoche region. They would often stake out villages that produced iron ore and clay, then plunder the merchant caravans that came to transport the materials.

Though many people died each time, the profits were just as tempting.

Henry also hadn’t stopped that prospecting team from exploring. The profits from the silver mine were just average. If fully liquidated, it would be enough for Henry to support a few hundred more Light Cavalry—making him comfortably well-off, but not rich.

In the days that followed, Henry’s intelligence network began to show its worth.

The band of Minstrels led by Jesmin infiltrated the Odoche region silently, gathering detailed intelligence on the three companies of Mercenaries hired by Count John.

Henry had dangled a huge carrot for Jesmin: "Do you want to sing in the imperial court in the capital?" That one sentence was enough to make Jesmin’s blood boil with excitement and commit completely. And so, the code name for Henry’s intelligence organization became "the Minstrels."

According to the coded letters, the three mercenary companies each had their own specialty: one excelled with Cavalry, one was skilled in infantry warfare, and the last was a veteran group of mixed-force mercenaries.

Henry sat in his study, the desk before him piled high with reports sent back by the Minstrels.

He studied each report, analyzing the Mercenaries’ numbers, equipment, combat styles, and their commanders’ tactical preferences.

He noticed two things.

First, these three mercenary companies had never worked together before.

If he could exploit the lack of coordination between these mercenary companies, he might be able to gain an advantage in the coming conflict.

Second, the past combat records of these Mercenaries were rather intriguing.

They often achieved astonishing results when suppressing bandits. Yet on the battlefields of the nobility, they had a "terrifying record" of fighting for three days and three nights with zero casualties. Now *that* was interesting.

’Were the noble armies they fought composed of babies?’

’All show and no substance,’ Henry thought with a sneer. ’Just for appearances.’

A restless feeling stirred in Henry again. He hadn’t personally swung a sword in half a year and felt his hands getting itchy.

He decided not to wait for Count John’s Mercenaries to attack. He would strike first.

Henry planned to have the Imperial Office send messengers to the three mercenary companies stationed in Odoche, delivering letters that would insult the Mercenaries in the most venomous language possible.

Then, he would have the Minstrels spread word through the streets and alleys, mocking these gutless Mercenaries. A thousand men combined, yet they didn’t dare fight a weak, newly-appointed Baron. He would force them to come out and fight.

’Refuse to fight? That’s not an option! Who’s going to supply the bodies for the skull pyramid I need?’