Knight: Becoming King of the World

Chapter 137: Chapter 116: Can He Kill All of Us?

Knight Huno quickly devoured the grapes and bread in his hands, then tried to struggle toward the table to grab more food.

But he was hauled to his feet by two Senior Infantrymen, carried away, and taken back to the military camp.

Bain watched Henry’s departing figure, a puzzled look on his face. He couldn’t help but ask, "My lord, why didn’t you torture that Knight or try to tempt him with wealth and status? Will we be able to get the intelligence we want this way?"

Henry turned back to look at Bain and said slowly, "Bain, if we used torture or simple temptations, he might become even more resolute in his silence. But if we act as if we don’t care, it might have an unexpected, wonderful effect.

Just because he won’t talk, does that mean we won’t fight? Of course not. We’re still going to fight. His life is in my hands. Whether he lives or dies depends entirely on my mood. It’s perfectly normal for a noble to die on the battlefield."

Bain’s face lit up with understanding. He nodded. "I see."

The group walked to the main hall of the tower. The Attendants bowed and departed. As the sound of their footsteps faded into the distance, tranquility returned to the tower.

Henry sighed softly, turned, and went upstairs toward his study. He pushed the door open gently, and the faint scent of ink and leather wafted out to greet him.

A pile of battle reports compiled by Claude sat on the table, making the room look more like a study than the dining room of the Baron of Ximira Castle.

Ailia was already waiting in the study, a subtle hint of concern in her eyes.

"My lord, you’ve had a long day. The hot water is ready."

Henry nodded, and Ailia led him to the bathroom.

Military matters aside, the previous Baron of Ximira Castle had been a proper noble. Henry passed through a side door in the study and stepped into a private bathroom.

The bathroom walls were lined with smooth marble. Quarried from deep in the mountains, the stone had been carefully selected and polished, each slab radiating a natural luster.

Copper sconces were set into the walls, their light soft and gentle, creating a warm, serene atmosphere.

The faint scent of lavender filled the air, carried on warm currents that made one feel as if they were in a natural hot spring.

’It looks like a miniature version of the bathhouses in Baltahan.’

Henry took off his imperial robe, leaving on just a simple linen shirt. Ailia carefully undid his buttons, her fingers lightly brushing against his skin.

"Relax, my lord."

Henry stepped into the tub, and warm water immediately enveloped his body. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, savoring the gentle embrace of the water and the fragrance of the herbs.

He soaked in the warm water, feeling the ripples Ailia created lap gently against his body.

Ailia gently dipped a cotton cloth into the water, then squeezed on a few drops of essential oil—a blend of rose and orange blossom with a scent that could soothe the nerves and induce relaxation.

’Henry didn’t own anything like this. Thanks were due to the former Baron of Ximira Castle.’

Ailia began to massage Henry gently. Her touch was deft; each press relaxed his muscles without causing pain.

A satisfied smile spread across Henry’s face. He closed his eyes, enjoying Ailia’s massage as her fingers moved gently over his shoulders and back.

Henry felt his body growing more and more relaxed. He could even hear his own heartbeat and feel the blood flowing slowly through his veins.

"Do you feel better, my lord?"

"Definitely. I’ll be able to get a good night’s sleep tonight."

Henry slowly rose from the tub, and Ailia quickly draped a soft towel over him.

"Ailia, you’re always so thoughtful. A truly skilled head maid."

After Henry dried himself, Ailia brought him a set of clean clothes. They were still a little small on him.

Henry returned to the study to look over the soldier casualties and captured spoils that Claude had tallied. Meanwhile, Ailia slipped into bed to warm the cold sheets for him.

The next morning, after eating breakfast, Henry went to the military camp and saw Knight Huno again.

This time, he brought no Attendants and no food. He was alone.

"My Lord!"

"Mm. You two may leave."

"Yes, my Lord!"

After the two Senior Infantrymen left, Henry sat on the other cot, looking at Huno’s pale face.

Seeing Henry enter alone made Huno’s heart pound with fear. ’He didn’t know what methods Henry would use against him this time, but he was prepared for the worst.’

"Knight Huno, I know you are a loyal Knight and a nobleman, but I hope you can understand that your Lord, Count John—his ambition and greed have brought far too much suffering to this land.

I am not asking you to betray him. I am only asking that, for the sake of peace in this land, you tell me something about Count John’s army."

Huno’s mouth fell open. He raised a finger and pointed it at Henry. ’How could this man say something so shameless?’

’Count John’s ambition and greed? What an outrageous accusation!’

"Baron Henry, I understand your intentions, but my loyalty is my honor. There is nothing more to discuss. Count John’s main forces will arrive in a few days, bringing more men and weapons. I believe my Lord will lead us to victory!

Surrender, Baron Henry! Your army is not strong enough to hold this castle!"

Huno hadn’t revealed specific numbers or dates, but he had confirmed that Count John’s army was on its way.

’He’s just a Baron. What good is a reputation, no matter how great? Is he going to kill us all by himself?’

’Absolutely not!’

Henry stood up. In the dim light of the room, his figure seemed especially tall. Huno felt an unprecedented pressure, as if even breathing had become difficult.

"Knight Huno, you will regret today’s foolishness."

Henry walked slowly toward Huno, each footstep landing like a hammer blow on Huno’s heart.

"You can choose to continue threatening me, but I must tell you, the outcome of this war is already decided. Count John’s army, no matter how powerful, cannot escape its fate of failure."

Huno clenched his jaw. A flicker of confusion passed through his eyes, but it was quickly replaced by resolve.

"Baron Henry, you cannot defeat Count John."

Henry sighed. He turned and walked to the door, but just as he was about to leave, he stopped and looked back at Huno. "Knight Huno, you are a respectable opponent. It was a pleasure meeting you."

With that, Henry strode out of the room, leaving Huno alone to face the cold walls.

After Henry left, the two Senior Infantrymen re-entered the room.

Their eyes held no sympathy, only the resolve to carry out orders. One of them unhooked a One-Handed Staff from his belt and walked slowly toward Huno, while the other stood guard at the door.

Knight Huno watched the approaching One-Handed Staff, a wave of unease washing over him.

’Is he going to kill me? Impossible! My life is worth far more Dinars! No, no, I must be overthinking this...’

The infantryman stopped, tapping the One-Handed Staff lightly against his palm with a dull THUD.

"My Lord gave you a chance, but you don’t seem to appreciate it."

"I will not betray my Lord!"

The infantryman didn’t respond. He simply raised the One-Handed Staff high...

After leaving the military camp, Henry went to an arrow tower on the castle wall and looked down at the enemy camp in the distance. Although the enemy’s banners still flew, the soldiers’ movements seemed sluggish, and their morale was low.

They weren’t preparing new siege engines, nor were there any signs of troops massing for an assault. It seemed they had no intention of attacking today.

Henry had not allowed Vasco and the others to burn the enemy’s two Shield Carriers; they would be very useful.

The atmosphere in the enemy camp was oppressive. Three Barons and a Knight sat around a campfire, their expressions grim as they discussed the current situation.

"This is the second day we’ve laid siege to this castle, and Baron Henry’s army is still holding out. Are we really just supposed to wait for the Count’s army?" one of the Barons said, frowning.

"Yes, their resistance is tougher than we expected. Should we try another assault? Perhaps we’ll succeed this time."

"I agree, but we must be careful. Henry’s army has a very strong will to fight."

The Knight, however, remained silent, his eyes filled with worry. Every attack meant more casualties, and with his small force, he would likely be used as cannon fodder.

Just as they were talking, a soldier ran up, his face a mask of shock and anger.

"My lords, terrible news!" he said, panting.

The four nobles immediately stood up and looked at the soldier with displeasure.

"What happened?"

The soldier’s voice trembled. "It’s Knight Huno’s family banner... They’ve hung it on the castle wall! There’s a huge hole in it, and the flagpole has been snapped."

The news struck the four nobles like a bolt from the blue, filling them with a profound sense of insult and rage.

For a noble, a family banner was more than just a sigil; it was a symbol of honor and dignity. To have it desecrated meant the family’s honor had been trampled underfoot.

Combined with the fact that Huno had been captured, it probably meant he was already dead!

This was an insult to them as well, and it would severely damage their standing in Count John’s eyes.

They couldn’t even try to slander a powerful noble like Henry, since none of them had seen whether Huno was still alive when he was captured.

’Maybe he died during the battle?’

"This is a blatant provocation! We cannot tolerate such an insult!"

"We must act immediately! Gather our armies and prepare to storm the castle!"

As news of the desecration of Knight Huno’s family banner spread through the camp, the atmosphere grew tense.

The three Barons and the Knight quickly made a decision: they would use the Knight’s leaderless Private Army as the vanguard for the assault.

"We cannot let this insult stand! Have our soldiers prepare. We will attack after the midday meal!"

The soldiers in the camp began to bustle about. They checked their weapons, sharpened their blades, and tightened their bowstrings. Thankfully, Henry hadn’t destroyed the two Shield Carriers, which meant they still had a chance to assault the walls.

Cooks bustled around the fires, preparing food for the coming battle to ensure the soldiers would have enough energy.

The entire camp was filled with a tense air of preparation. This battle would be even more brutal than the last.

Henry stood on the arrow tower, watching the commotion in the enemy camp. A cold smile touched the corners of his lips.