Knight: Becoming King of the World

Chapter 145: Chapter 124: Don’t Be Greedy If You’re Not Able

The Royal Knights withdrew from the dueling ground, and the duel officially began.

Count John’s seven Knights, holding spears and sharp swords, slowly entered the dueling ground. Faced with Henry’s imposing presence, like that of a black mountain, they could only bolster their courage internally.

Henry stood in the center of the dueling ground, his figure towering in the sunlight. The giant axe in his hands flashed with a cold light, and his black armor seemed to devour the very sunbeams.

His eyes held no extraneous emotion, only a craving for the coming battle.

"Who wants to die first?"

As Henry’s words fell, the atmosphere in the dueling ground grew tense. Although the seven Knights felt fear, the honor of nobility and the dignity of a Warrior drove them to face this life-or-death contest.

Of course, if they were to retreat, John would make them regret it.

"I’ll go!"

The first Knight’s face was pale, but his eyes were resolute. He wielded a Double-bladed Spear, attempting to overwhelm Henry with speed and power.

WHANG~

His previously unstoppable Double-bladed Spear ground to a halt against Henry’s Chest Armor, letting out a teeth-jarring screech.

The Knight’s jaw dropped as he stared in horror at Henry’s armor. ’It didn’t even scratch his armor? How am I supposed to fight this?’

Then, with a swing of his giant axe, Henry split the Knight’s Double-bladed Spear in two. The axe’s edge then sliced across the Knight’s chest. His Zha Armor, Chain Armor, and innermost Cotton Armor were ripped apart like paper as his body was cleaved in two, spilling blood and viscera across the ground.

"Mighty!"

Henry’s army on the city walls erupted in a thunderous cheer, while Count John’s soldiers fell into silence.

’Is that even human?’ John stared blankly at the bisected Knight, a cold sweat breaking out on his back.

’To cut a Knight in three layers of armor in half with a single swing?’

The remaining Knights, legs trembling, looked at each other in dismay. Finally, they pushed one person forward for the second battle.

The second Knight chose to engage in close combat with a Two-Handed Heavy Sword, trying to find a chink in Henry’s armor, such as by thrusting directly at his face or neck, or attacking his wrists.

Unfortunately, before the giant axe, the Knight’s Two-Handed Heavy Sword was as fragile as straw. It was sent flying in a single blow, and on the axe’s return swing, the Knight’s head was launched high into the air.

The third and fourth Knights, armed with a flail and a bladed polearm, fell in succession.

The dueling ground had become a hellscape of blood and fire.

With every Knight that fell, the fear in the hearts of the remaining ones grew. They began to wonder if there was truly any chance of victory in this duel.

Henry stood in the center of the dueling ground. His figure seemed even taller in the sunlight, his black armor spattered with the blood of his enemies.

"All of you, come at me together!"

The last three Knights exchanged glances. Going up alone was just suicide. ’Just look at the ground littered with remains... arms and heads scattered everywhere.’

With the tacit approval of the Royal Knights, whose minds had gone blank from shock, they decided to attack together.

The three Knights charged Henry simultaneously. A Drilling Two-Handed Axe, a Hand-Half Sword with an Iron Shield, and a Two-Handed Warhammer—three different weapons, three different attack styles, all desperately trying to survive Henry’s giant axe.

However, Henry’s strength far exceeded their imagination. The moment the three Knights faced him, they knew what certain death felt like.

Before Henry, their attacks were like child’s play. Under the impact of his giant axe, their armor was like paper.

Henry’s army erupted in cheers once more!

Count John’s army, however, sank into deep fear and despair. They began to wonder if their lord, Count John, could ever have truly defeated this nobleman, even if the emperor hadn’t intervened.

Finally, when the last Knight fell beneath Henry’s giant axe, the dueling ground fell completely silent.

Henry stood in the center of the field, his voice ringing out once more. This time, his words carried an undeniable authority: "Ximira Castle is mine!"

A Royal Knight stepped forward, his eyes filled with respect. Completely ignoring the ashen-faced Count John, he announced directly, "By the result of the duel, Ximira Castle and its lands belong to Baron Henry. Count John must, as agreed, pay compensation for trade losses."

Count John lowered his head, his face devoid of expression. In this struggle between the Second Prince and the First Prince, he had lost completely, becoming the one who suffered the greatest losses.

And Henry had carved his name into the hearts of all present.

Count John’s heart was bleeding. He’d lost the castle, and the three companies of Mercenaries he’d hired had all been gift-wrapped and delivered to Henry!

He had lost a swath of his most valiant Knights, and the nobles under his command had also suffered heavy casualties.

Worst of all, his army’s campaign had been like a picnic, a complete waste of food and the wages he’d paid out before they marched...

’My god, John Hoyland, what have you done?!’

Count John slowly walked over, stopping a good distance from Henry, not daring to get too close. Besides, the stench of blood here was making him want to retch.

The fate of Ximira Castle was now irreversible, unless he wanted to completely fall out with the great emperor.

And besides... he was no longer sure he could defeat Henry anyway.

’Henry’s display was just too shocking. With a man like that standing on the walls, could we really have won? His armor isn’t even damaged!’

"Baron Henry, you’ve won... I am willing to pay a high price to ransom my nobles and soldiers."

Henry shook his head. "Count John, these prisoners of war will clear land, build houses, and pave roads for me. Their value far exceeds any ransom you could possibly pay."

Count John’s breath hitched. He knew Henry was telling the truth. Prisoners of war were a valuable resource; they could be put to the hardest labor without any pay.

With enough patience and confidence in one’s own ability, they could even be integrated into one’s army. Trained prisoners like these could be quickly converted into fighting strength.

But Henry was putting those captured soldiers to work building roads and houses. The thought made Count John’s heart bleed.

’Those are all able-bodied men from my fief! Damn it all! I’m going to kick Gabriel and the others’ asses with my boots for this!’

"Then what about the nobles you captured? I am willing to pay their ransom."

Henry smiled. He could hear a hint of pleading in Count John’s voice.

John’s eyes were fixed on Henry, hoping to find some room for negotiation.

He had already lost too much; he couldn’t afford to lose these nobles. A mature noble, capable of managing a region and training an army, was not so easily cultivated.

He couldn’t accept any more losses. It would cause him to completely lose his prestige in the southeastern grasslands and attract the covetous eyes of the Viscounts.

"Very well. Five thousand Dinars for a Baron, one thousand Dinars for a Knight. There are three Barons and three Knights in my dungeon. As soon as your ransom arrives, I’ll release them."

Henry’s words were concise and clear, leaving Count John no room to bargain. He also didn’t mention that Knight Huno was no longer fit for combat.

Count John felt a wave of dizziness; he could hardly believe his ears.

This price was far beyond his expectations. It was practically robbery, showing no mercy at all. His heart filled with rage, but he had no other choice.

"I... I agree."

Count John’s eyes were filled with despair. He had utterly lost this war. His territory, his army, his nobles—all were now Henry’s spoils of war.

Henry nodded, his eyes devoid of any sympathy.

’Since he chose to be the Second Prince’s pawn and covet my land, he should have been prepared for the consequences of failure.’

’If you don’t have the strength, don’t be greedy!’

"Well then, Count John, I expect to see the ransom within five days."

Count John slowly turned away. His retreating figure looked exceptionally lonely and desolate, his steps heavy and slow, as if each one was treading on his own heart.

Henry watched Count John’s back, a flicker of pity in his eyes.

He turned to the Royal Knights and said with a smile, "Stay for a feast. The war is over. We can get roaring drunk tonight."

The Royal Knights nodded repeatedly, not daring to refuse.

As Count John’s orders were given, John’s soldiers began to prepare to leave. In the camp that had not yet been fully set up, the atmosphere became much more relaxed.

The soldiers were relieved to have avoided a bloody conflict. In their hearts, they knew a battle against Henry was one they had almost no chance of winning.

Now, they could safely return to Odoche, back to their own homes. It was a blissful thought.

A few soldiers quickly ran out from the crack in the main gate. They were there to recover the armor and weapons of the Knights defeated in the duel.

Although this equipment had seemed fragile under Henry’s giant axe, it was still a valuable resource. The soldiers carefully inspected and collected each piece.

"Hey, look at this chain hammer. The handle’s broken, but the head is still good. It can be melted down and reforged."

"Yeah, and this armor might be split open, but the material is top-grade. It can be reforged," another soldier replied, stacking the two halves of a sundered Chest Armor together.

The blacksmiths of Westwood Laine Castle could reforge these damaged weapons and armor into new equipment.

Currently, the raw materials for weapon forging at Westwood Laine Castle mostly came from recycling weapons Henry had recovered from various battlefields.

Henry watched as Count John’s army began to dismantle their camp and prepare to withdraw. He then led the Royal Knights back into the castle.

The dirt and stones blocking the castle gate were removed once more. This time, there would be no need to seal it again.

When Henry’s towering figure appeared inside the castle, the soldiers who had witnessed his heroic performance let out a thunderous cheer.

They beat their swords against their shields, some even tossing their helmets into the air to express their reverence and adoration for Henry.

The cheers from the armed villagers and serfs were even more fervent than those of the soldiers.

The unarmed villagers, mostly older or not strong enough to fight, had faces beaming with sincere smiles, their eyes shimmering with tears of excitement.

The elderly villagers embraced each other excitedly, overjoyed to be under the rule of such a powerful and benevolent lord.

Henry’s victory meant they could return to their villages and fields to continue their peaceful lives without fear of being ravaged by war.

Amidst the jubilant atmosphere, Henry raised his giant axe. "Today, I have defeated Count John! From now on, Ximira Castle is my territory, and your lives will be under my protection!"

Henry’s words sparked another round of cheers. The people shouted his name, their voices filled with hope for the future and trust in him.