Knight: Becoming King of the World

Chapter 144: Chapter 123: Blatantly Taking Sides

Henry’s brow furrowed. He knew what this letter meant: the emperor was attempting to intervene in the conflict, and to resolve it by taking sides.

At the same time, Count John also opened his letter. Its contents were nearly identical to the one in Henry’s hands.

His army was already prepared to assault the castle, and a ceasefire now would mean losing Ximira Castle for good.

A hint of resignation crossed his face. He didn’t seem surprised by the emperor’s intervention.

The moment he had "yielded" to the Second Prince’s financial offensive, he knew this war was bound to attract the emperor’s attention.

’I just never thought the timing would be so uncanny!’

’If only those three Mercenary Legions were still defending Ximira Castle. If only my vanguard had waited outside the walls. If only my army had set out just one day earlier!’

’Damn that Baron of Ximira! I ordered him long ago to recruit soldiers, organize them, and train them!’

’Sigh...’

Henry and John both faced a difficult choice. They could accept the empire’s proposal—a temporary ceasefire and peace talks—but this might cause them to lose their respective advantages.

If a truce was forced now, John would be handing a fortified castle over to Henry, while Henry would lose the opportunity to cripple the most powerful noble on his border.

Alternatively, they could reject the emperor’s proposal and continue to fight, but that might incur the emperor’s displeasure and even provoke a larger-scale conflict.

In the emperor’s eyes, this war was no longer just a conflict between him and Count John, but part of the struggle over the entire empire’s succession.

His second son, while the empire was beset by enemies on all sides, was actually trying to challenge the system of primogeniture.

Henry slowly turned and returned to the tower. He donned his black helmet and armor, and took up his enormous battle-axe.

The black helmet concealed nearly his entire face, revealing only a pair of sharp eyes.

Henry strode out of the tower, each step heavy and powerful, his war boots ringing sharply against the ground. Upon seeing him, the soldiers became even more reverent.

Henry ordered the soldiers at the gate to clear an opening in the barricade just wide enough for one person to pass through.

Wearing this armor, he would only need to go out alone. ’Even if we don’t fight today, blood must be shed.’

When Henry emerged from Ximira Castle, his silhouette was like a black mountain. Count John’s army watched him from afar, a strange fear rising in their hearts. Some soldiers even began to tremble.

The imperial Knights who had come to mediate were also stunned by Henry’s presence. Their horses sensed their masters’ unease, snorting restlessly and instinctively backing away.

The Knights struggled to control their mounts, but their eyes betrayed their awe of Henry. ’This man, who shone on the battlefields against the Alien Race and traveled to the imperial capital for his promotion to Baron, is truly terrifying.’

Henry stood between the two armies, an insurmountable barrier.

His gaze swept over the enemy army. Every soldier his eyes touched, even from sixty or seventy meters away where it was impossible to see his expression, felt an invisible pressure, as if they were not facing a human being.

Henry raised the great axe in his hand and shouted, "Ximira Castle is my territory! Anyone who wants to take it must first step over my corpse!"

His words boomed like war drums, making Count John’s army tense.

’Can a guy who looks like a Minotaur even be killed?’

Under Henry’s oppressive aura, the lead imperial Knight, though his heart was pounding, still dismounted and stepped forward.

"Esteemed Lord of Westwood Laine, Baron Henry, his Great Imperial Majesty the Emperor requires both sides to cease fire and begin peace talks."

Henry lowered his head slightly to look at the imperial Knight, who was shorter than him, and said, "I will obey the great emperor’s command, but I will not give up the territory I have already won."

Just then, Count John also rode out from his siege camp on his warhorse.

"Knight, you have come to mediate on the great emperor’s orders, but Ximira Castle is the ancestral territory of the Hoyland Clan. I have poured countless effort and money into it."

The lead imperial Knight frowned and turned to persuade Count John. "Lord of Odoche, patriarch of the Hoyland Clan, Count John, His Great Imperial Majesty has already issued the order for a truce.

If you insist on fighting, then the laws of the empire will have an unfavorable impact on you."

A hint of mockery flashed in Count John’s eyes, and he sneered, "Laws? When the Second Prince was contacting local Counts, what were the imperial offices doing? What was the Imperial High Court doing?

And now, you come to talk to me about laws? If Baron Henry is to seize my territory, then he must pay a hefty war indemnity. Otherwise, I will fight to the end."

A flash of anger lit up in Henry’s eyes. Count John’s words were a provocation.

’You were the one who sent troops first. You were the one who initiated the trade sanctions. And now you have the nerve to blame me?’

’Is this battle-axe in my hand just for show?!’

"Count John, Ximira Castle must be mine. If you want it back, then let’s fight! The Bro Clan will not retreat, and the soldiers of Westwood Laine will not surrender!"

Henry’s voice was so loud that Bain, who was craning his neck to listen from the castle wall, heard his words and immediately led the soldiers on the ramparts in a great shout.

"The Bro Clan will not retreat, and the soldiers of Westwood Laine will not surrender!"

"The Bro Clan will not retreat, and the soldiers of Westwood Laine will not surrender!"

A flicker of surprise crossed Count John’s eyes as he sat on his horse. He looked at Henry, who seemed to have grown taller and stronger and was wearing a style of armor he had never seen before. He looked like a stranger.

If he continued to fight, even if he could win back Ximira Castle, it would be at a great cost. His gaze swept back and forth between Henry and the imperial Knight, as if he were weighing his options.

"Peace talks are an option, but Henry must compensate me for my soldiers’ wages and pay reparations for Ximira Castle."

The lead imperial Knight breathed a sigh of relief, knowing that there was finally a hope of resolving this conflict.

"Then, my two lords, let us begin the peace talks. His Imperial Majesty will dispatch a special envoy to ensure the talks are both fair and effective."

Henry waved a hand, rejecting the offer. "I’ll say it one last time: Ximira Castle is my territory. Can you understand me? I am speaking the imperial tongue, right?

I will not pay any reparations. Furthermore, Count John must compensate me for my trade losses!"

Count John’s eyes widened, and he sucked in a sharp breath. ’Seriously, man? You have absolutely no shame!’

Henry’s resolute attitude made Count John’s face turn ashen. The hand he used to grip his reins trembled with anger.

’If this stalemate continues, my prestige will be greatly damaged.’

"Henry, you are challenging my authority!"

Seeing this, the lead imperial Knight immediately interjected, "My lords, I understand your positions, but please do not forget that His Imperial Majesty’s command cannot be questioned.

If your armies continue to fight, I will have no choice but to report the matter to the emperor exactly as it happened. At that time, it will not just be you, but the entire eastern region that will be affected."

Neither man spoke, simply staring at one another. Count John discovered that even though he was on horseback, he felt a head shorter than Henry. Not in terms of height, but in terms of presence.

Henry sighed. ’My dear Headmaster, there was no need to take sides. I could have won this...’

Seeing that the two had stopped talking, the lead imperial Knight continued, "I have a suggestion. Since neither of you nobles is willing to give up your position, why not resolve the matter in the way of the nobility?

Through a duel to the death. Let the nobles from both sides compete against each other. The number of bouts doesn’t matter; whichever side wins the most will be declared the victor."

Henry and Count John looked at each other for a moment, then Henry spoke first. "I agree to this proposal. If I win, Count John must pay me one hundred fifty thousand Dinars in trade compensation, and the Hoyland Clan will lose its legal right to rule the Ximira Castle region."

Count John snorted coldly. "If I win, not only will you give up Ximira Castle, but you will also pay two hundred twenty thousand Dinars in war reparations."

The lead imperial Knight nodded. "Then, let us witness this duel in the name of the empire and in the name of His Great Imperial Majesty. May the victor be granted glory, and the vanquished honor their pledge."

As the imperial Knight’s words faded, John’s army began to prepare the dueling grounds.

The imperial Knight waited for a long time, but he didn’t see Henry commanding the soldiers of Ximira Castle to come out and prepare the dueling ground. He asked, "Baron Henry, do you not need your army to come out to support you?"

"Support? There’s no need. Does this field need any preparation? Let’s just hurry up and start the duel."

The imperial Knight pursed his lips and said nothing, merely raising his eyebrows and mouthing a few words.

Henry looked closely. ’Well, I’ll be. The imperial Knight mouthed the words "Knight Academy." Another one of us? Which class is this old alumnus from?’

The imperial Knight gave him a reassuring look before resuming his serious expression.

He had never seen Henry’s armor, but after dismounting and observing it up close, he was sure it was a magnificent treasure. ’Winning the duel will be a piece of cake.’

Soon, Count John walked over with seven well-equipped Knights.

The imperial Knight frowned as he watched Henry standing alone on the dueling grounds.

He turned to look at Count John and asked, "Count John, you have dispatched seven Knights, while Baron Henry appears to be alone. Does this conform to the rules of duels between nobles?"

Count John sneered and replied, "Baron Henry himself refused any help. He insists on facing them alone. This is his own decision; we are merely respecting his courage."

John was somewhat annoyed. This imperial Knight was clearly looking out for Henry.

The imperial Knight blinked, turned back to Henry, and confirmed one last time, "Baron Henry, are you sure you want to face seven Knights alone? This is a duel over territory and Dinars. Is there no need to reconsider?"

Henry smiled faintly, ignoring the imperial Knight’s signal. "I need no help. My battle-axe is sufficient to meet this challenge. And besides..."

Henry scanned the seven Knights before him and said, "These little guys aren’t even enough to get stuck in my teeth."

The imperial Knight nodded. He knew of Henry’s fearsome reputation on the battlefield, and he knew that the strength of his junior from the academy was not to be underestimated.

He turned to Count John and said, "Since Baron Henry has made his decision, the duel will proceed according to the terms you have both agreed upon.

May the honor of the imperial nobility be with you all."