Knight: Becoming King of the World

Chapter 151: Chapter 130: He Must Be Going to Attack Me

"It’s true. According to our informant’s letter, over a thousand men entered Baron Henry’s castle garrison and have never come out. The sound of their training is deafening every day."

John couldn’t sit still after hearing his butler’s words. He stood up and began pacing back and forth in the room.

"Is it possible they’re troops Henry already had?"

The butler shook his head and replied, "Our merchant caravan, under the pretext of making purchases, scouted around Westwood Laine. There are elite soldiers stationed and patrolling everywhere..."

John sighed. He knew what this meant. ’Henry really has expanded his army...’

Count John’s heart filled with panic and regret. He had originally thought that even if Henry was the emperor’s student, with his fief destroyed and a small army, he was nothing to worry about.

’It should have taken him at least three or four years to develop, right? With that much time, I would have long since made him my dog.’

However, the recent battle had made him fully understand the high quality of Henry’s army, as well as Henry’s own formidable strength.

A Knight, granted three new knight’s fiefs and promoted to Baron within a single year, commanding over two thousand armored, professional soldiers—this was unbelievable in John’s eyes.

Henry’s ambition and strength had clearly exceeded his expectations.

With over two thousand soldiers, Henry had already dared to occupy one of his castles. If he was allowed to continue expanding his army, wouldn’t he dare to directly attack his Odoche?

Count John’s heart was filled with unease. If he had known Henry had this kind of potential, he should have just killed Pedro back then and cut off all dealings with Henry.

Now, not only had he failed to gain the favor of the Knight Academy Faction, but he also couldn’t defeat Henry. His previous actions had been, in essence, funding the enemy.

Count John paced back and forth in the room, his brow furrowed, his eyes revealing deep worry.

He had to come up with a countermeasure to deal with Henry’s threat as soon as possible. He began to consider whether he should ask other nobles for help or look for an opportunity to reconcile with Henry.

But he had personally witnessed that man Henry’s greed. This was not an easy opponent to deal with; any rash action could lead to disastrous consequences.

Henry’s army was well-trained, well-equipped, and battle-hardened, making John feel an unprecedented threat.

John recalled his previous decisions. He once had the chance to crush Henry in the cradle when he was still weak.

He once had the opportunity to gain the support of the Knight Academy Faction through his dealings with Henry. Now, not only had he lost their favor, but he also faced a powerful threat from Henry.

As a noble from an old, established family, Count John began to reflect on his own actions. He realized his shortsightedness and greed had led to his current predicament.

’This is all the Second Prince’s fault! The Second Prince’s foolish advice led to all of this.’

"Muster the army and intensify their training!"

John was truly afraid that Henry would drop all pretense, disregard the emperor’s dignity, and attack him again.

Losing Ximira Castle had already been a complete humiliation. If Henry attacked again, he would become a fat piece of meat in the eyes of the surrounding nobles, and everyone would come to take a bite.

The butler’s eyes shifted, and he lowered his head, saying, "My lord, this will require a lot of money. The consumption of grain will increase drastically."

"It doesn’t matter. Just take the money directly from the financial ledgers."

Meanwhile, Henry’s new recruit training in Westwood Laine was in full swing. Under Henry’s "guidance," the new soldiers were developing rapidly.

They were learning how to use various weapons, how to maintain formation on the battlefield, and how to fight in groups of three to five to support one another.

Just as Henry was teaching the new recruits how to break an enemy’s shield to slit their throat, Bogdan found him.

Henry put down his Imperial Heavy Sword and led Bogdan to the castle’s great hall.

"Official Bogdan, it’s good to see you. What have you come to discuss with me this time?"

Bogdan smiled. He liked Henry’s directness. Other nobles always insisted on various formalities and ceremonies upon meeting.

"Count John’s troops have been moving frequently. According to my intelligence, Count John is drilling his army, which is highly unusual. Previously, Count John’s army only conducted a major training exercise once every half a month."

Henry leaned on the table, looking somewhat puzzled. "You think this is aimed at me?"

Bogdan nodded, a serious look in his eyes. "Yes, Lord Baron. According to my colleagues, Count John has not only strengthened his defenses in the Odoche region but is also contacting other nobles. It seems he’s planning something."

Henry rubbed the bridge of his nose. Count John’s actions meant he hadn’t given up on war despite the emperor’s mediation, which Henry found difficult to understand.

According to the Imperial Noble Mediation Act, after the emperor’s intervention, both sides were required to observe a truce of at least one year. ’Is Count John planning to follow the example of the rebellious counts on the western coast?’

’No way. Is Count John really that audacious?’

"Thank you. I’ll remember your help. If you have any other intelligence, feel free to inform me at any time."

After seeing Bogdan off, Henry returned to the barracks to continue training the new recruits.

And so, both John and Henry diligently prepared for war, each to prevent the other from attacking them.

Day by day, time passed. Westwood Laine received a special group of guests.

Count John’s envoy, an elderly Baron, stood outside the town walls of Westwood Laine with a grim expression.

Behind him was a long train of carriages laden with Gold Coins and silk—the reparations and ransom delivered as stipulated by the treaty.

However, he was met not with a welcome from Baron Henry, but with a cold and dismissive reception. Only a squad of soldiers stopped them, demanding to inspect them.

A few days prior, his convoy had arrived at Ximira Castle, only for the garrison to keep the gates shut. They told him that no nobles, officials, or Knight’s Squires were stationed there, and if he wanted to retrieve the prisoners, he would have to find Henry in Westwood Laine.

Initially, Henry had planned to leave Bain at Ximira Castle to release the prisoners as soon as Count John’s reparations and ransom arrived.

But after just two days, Henry changed his mind and sent someone to recall Bain to the returning party.

’If the money and goods are left at Ximira Castle, I’d have to send my own men to transport them back. It’s too much of a hassle. It’s better to have Count John do it all in one go and deliver everything directly to Westwood Laine.’

The old Baron’s heart was filled with humiliation, but now was not the time to vent. He had to remain calm and complete John’s mission.

He took a deep breath, trying to make his voice sound calm and dignified.

"I am Count John’s envoy, here to deliver the reparations and ransom to Baron Henry. Where is the official in charge of the handover?"

The soldiers glanced at each other. One stepped forward and said, "Our lord has not assigned anyone to this matter, nor have we been ordered to grant passage."

The Baron’s expression turned even uglier. He suppressed his anger and continued, "Then how am I supposed to deliver this reparation and ransom to Baron Henry?"

The soldier shrugged and replied nonchalantly, "That’s your problem, not ours. You can leave them here or take them back. We don’t care."

The old Baron narrowed his eyes. ’Henry has absolutely no respect for John.’

The old Baron signaled for his attendants to leave the carriages outside the town. After enduring a humiliating body search, he entered the town with a few guards to find Henry.

The old Baron headed straight for the stone-walled structure, arriving outside the military barracks. He presented his noble family’s crest and banner and had the guards announce his arrival.

Inside the barracks, Henry was discussing tactical drills for the new recruits with Bain. A soldier hurried in to report the old Baron’s arrival.

Henry frowned. He had no intention of meeting this envoy personally, so he had Bain handle the matter of receiving the money.

Bain nodded and followed the soldier out. The old Baron waited outside the barracks for a long time before Bain finally appeared.

His attitude was neither warm nor cold. He simply accepted the convoy outside the town in a business-like manner and then wrote a simple letter.

"This is the Lord Baron’s proof of receipt. It bears his seal," Bain said, handing the letter to the old Baron.

"You can take this letter to Ximira Castle to pick up the men."

The old Baron took the letter, feeling an unprecedented sense of humiliation. He, a noble, was being treated in such a manner.

He clenched the letter tightly in his hand and looked at Bain. He said nothing, merely nodding before turning to leave.

Watching the carriages being brought into the barracks one by one, Henry summoned Tommy, who was supervising work at the blacksmith’s forge.

"Tommy, these are the reparations and ransom from Count John."

Henry pointed to the carriages that Bain had just received. "You’re in charge of taking inventory and recording it in the ledgers."

Tommy nodded. These assets would make Westwood Laine’s finances much more plentiful.

"I will personally supervise the inventory to ensure every last Dinar and every bolt of silk is properly recorded and stored."

"Good. I know you won’t disappoint me."

With that, Henry turned and left the warehouse area, returning to the barracks. He had no time to waste on such trivial matters.

He was no longer the man he was last year. Over a hundred thousand Dinars was pocket change to him now. He could get that much just by fighting the surrounding nobles, so he didn’t give it a second thought.

On the training grounds of the barracks, new recruits were practicing basic Swordsmanship and shield defense. Henry walked onto the field, easily spotting every small mistake in the recruits’ movements.

"Watch your footwork! A single unsteady step could mean death!"

The new recruits immediately adjusted their stances. Ever since they entered this barracks and began their training, they all shared a strange, unspoken feeling.

’Whatever Henry says, we must obey!’

Henry walked up to a new recruit and corrected his grip on his sword.

"An Imperial Heavy Sword isn’t a decoration; it’s your second life. Only by mastering it can you survive on the battlefield."

Henry patrolled the training grounds. These new recruits would become the garrisons for Westwood Laine and Ximira Castle.