Chapter 76: Chapter 67: The Academy’s Terrifying Network
"A few hundred Half-Beastmen? Boss, that’s incredible! And you weren’t just commanding soldiers—you killed them yourself!"
"Yeah, I read in a book that Half-Beastmen are hideous. Just looking at them is disgusting. They must be even more disgusting when they’re howling like beasts in a fight!"
"Boss, do Minotaurs really look like bulls?"
"Boss, some desert scholars have been saying the southern Lizardmen should be the ones called Kobolds. Now that you’ve fought Half-Beastmen, what do you think? Is it more fitting to call the Lizardmen Kobolds, or the ones with actual dog heads?"
The moment Henry finished speaking, the private room erupted. The barrage of questions made Henry’s ears ring.
"Quiet down."
The instant Henry spoke, the room fell silent.
Henry gazed toward the ceiling and began to recount the fierce combat of the two battles.
The men listened intently to Henry’s tale, letting out gasps from time to time. Yiduo and the others, who already looked up to Henry as their big bro, were now filled with even greater admiration.
Henry was already the only student in their class to be ennobled, and now he was being summoned by the King for his meritorious service. A bright future lay ahead of him!
Yiduo and the others repeatedly raised their glasses to him. ’He’s not just a big bro, he’s our godfather!’ The Royal Capital and the court were too safe; they had no opportunities to earn merits.
If they stood guard for the King for a few more years, their drive might be worn away. But they were in the prime of their youth, hot-blooded and eager. Who wouldn’t want to gain their own territory, march onto the battlefield, build a legacy of valor, and earn the respect of all?
They couldn’t help it—they were just too desperate to get ahead!
As they took turns toasting him, Henry felt a little helpless.
’Sucking up to me is useless,’ Henry thought. ’It’s not like I can just poach people from the academy’s dean, can I?’
Besides, he trained the officers in his army himself. Their skills might not be top-tier yet, but they were loyal enough. He wasn’t short on men at all.
’Still, I could give them some money in exchange for regular intelligence from the Royal Capital.’
The more they drank, the more cheerful they became, and soon they proudly began to sing the ballad of Lukaron.
"In the heart of Caladia, Lukaron city stands tall. Stone walls encircle it, towers pierce the clouds, guarding peace and glory.
The blacksmith’s hammer, the merchant’s call, weave into a symphony. The streets teem with crowds, children’s laughter rings, clear and sweet as a spring.
Upon the throne, the ruler’s wisdom shines like the sun, just and selfless. His sword is the embodiment of justice, protecting every inch of the land.
Beneath the walls, Warriors swear to protect, fearing no hardship. Their shields are an unbreakable fortress, repelling all invasions.
Oh, Lukaron! The Royal Capital’s name resounds in all directions. It is a beacon of civilization, a harbor of hope.
The people of the Empire sing the ancient songs, telling the deeds of heroes. In the firelight, their stories are passed down for eternity.
Let us raise our cups to the glory of Lukaron! May peace and prosperity forever accompany this city."
After Yiduo began, Henry and the others joined in the chorus. It was a ballad every child in the Royal Capital knew how to sing.
Henry set down his cup and said, "Alright, I’ll see you in a few days. You should be able to see me at the Royal Capital’s celebration."
Yiduo and the others all rose to escort Henry out. They weren’t sure if they would ever have the chance to see Henry again, so they tried their best to leave a lasting impression.
’For the academy’s sake, give a brother a hand!’
The winter sky always darkened early. By now, the oil lamps mounted on frames along the flagstone road had been lit, and the shops lining the street had kindled their torches, making the street even brighter.
Once Henry’s figure disappeared at the end of the street, Yiduo and the others hurried back to pack up the leftover food and wine. They didn’t have Henry’s means; this was more than enough for them to take back and boast to their colleagues tonight.
"Just look! We dined with the star of the Battle of Zhiluo, the hero of the Tianyin campaign, the King’s student, the lord of Westwood Laine—Knight Henry Bro! Eat your heart out!"
Yiduo and the others excitedly returned to their barracks and shared the story of their dinner with Henry. They showed off the food and fine wine, making the other soldiers incredibly envious.
Meanwhile, the cold night wind had sobered Henry up. When he returned to his quarters in the barracks, he found Orianna and Ailia with a meal already prepared.
"Where’s Bain? Have him go find someone—the Sheriff of the Royal Capital’s North City, Daimon Horner. Bain has met him before. Just say I’ve invited him for a meal."
Daimon Horner was two years Henry’s senior at the academy. A native of the Royal Capital, his family had been court nobles to the royal family for generations.
Orianna left to pass on the message, while Henry waited, having Ailia give him a massage.
About an hour later, Daimon arrived, looking travel-worn. The chill on his body immediately frosted over in the warmth of the room.
"Henry! My god, did you know? All our classmates still in the Royal Capital have been talking about you lately!"
Daimon took off his armor and gave Henry a big hug.
Years ago, Henry had taught him plenty of dirty tricks and various methods of law enforcement, which had been a great help in his bid for the position of Sheriff.
The two of them had even masked up, thrown a sack over a rival’s head, and dragged him to an alley for an "educational" session.
Henry clapped Daimon on the back, looked at his face, and said, "Looks like being an official isn’t easy. Look at you—so young, yet you already have gray hairs and wrinkles."
Daimon pulled out a chair, sat down, and started complaining, "Yeah, it looks glamorous, having more than a thousand city Militia under my command, but there are just too many things to manage."
Daimon took a sip of the wine, which had been chilled outside, and continued, "The Royal Capital doesn’t need any real defense work. All I do every day is lead men to inspect caravans or go after gangs smuggling weapons and other goods. Sigh, you’ve got it good, having your own fief."
"Haha, we all have our own troubles. Eat up... Have you heard any rumors lately?"
Daimon had just taken a bite at Henry’s urging when he heard the question. He chuckled and replied, "Can’t you be a little more subtle? At least let me have a few more bites first."
"What’s the point of pretending with us? I’m asking you, what exactly happened in the western coastal region?"
Henry’s expression was grave. This question had been bothering him for a long time.
First, there was a major inspection of the western region, followed by a purge of the merchants and guilds in the western coastal area.
Now, the Ogres in the Northern Region have dared to launch an offensive, and they even captured a descendant of a Kyivan Rus’ prince... This isn’t normal. It’s all too coincidental.
Daimon’s mouth moved, and he said with some difficulty, "Henry, I’m just a Sheriff. Even though I come across a lot of information every day... I can’t talk about it."
Henry’s eyes narrowed slightly as he asked again, "I’m asking you because I consider us friends."
[Social Charm Passive Skill Triggered: ③ Same-Sex Affinity]
[Cunning Scoundrel Passive Skill Triggered: ⑤ Social Expert (Charm +1)]
