Knight: Becoming King of the World

Henry stood up and said to the official, "Wait a moment. I need to write a reply."

"Of course, of course, Lord Baron Henry."

Henry returned to his seat, prepared a quill and paper, and thought about how he should reply.

Although the Emperor’s words contained some dissatisfaction, his tone wasn’t harsh. It was clear he was acting out of consideration for the entire empire.

The tip of Henry’s quill hovered over the paper for a moment. His brow was furrowed, and a series of questions suddenly flooded his mind.

He recalled the Emperor’s letter. Every word revealed a desire for the empire’s stability, but at the same time, it seemed to be glossing over certain things.

’Why hasn’t the Emperor mentioned the skull mounds or the Black Shadow?’ Henry muttered to himself. His fingers tapped lightly on the desk, as if drumming out the doubts in his heart.

Henry’s brow was furrowed, his mind filled with questions.

The spectacular sight of the three skull mounds, and the giant Black Shadow that everyone saw in the sky—these should have been major events that couldn’t be ignored.

How could a ruler not be interested in such matters? For an Emperor who loved to show off his achievements to not mention a single word about them in his letter was far too abnormal.

’That was a mysterious, distinct, giant Black Shadow! You’re not curious? You didn’t even ask?’

’Headmaster, oh Headmaster, this isn’t like you at all.’

’Aren’t you the type who wants to know what your son said today, what he ate, who he met, and even how many times he crapped?’

’Is it possible he doesn’t know? No, that’s impossible.’

Henry mused to himself. The Emperor’s intelligence network spanned the entire empire; how could he be ignorant of such a major event?

’Is he deliberately avoiding the topic?’ The thought sparked in Henry’s mind. The Emperor’s silence gave him the same thrill as solving a puzzle.

It was no different from smashing an enemy’s skull—both were ways for Henry to amuse himself and break up his otherwise dull life.

’Does the Headmaster think it was just a coincidence? Is he dismissing it with contempt? Just as he casually slaughters those churches as if they were nothing more than vermin.’

’Or... does the Emperor know something?! Is that why he doesn’t dare discuss it freely!’

Henry recalled that mysterious Forbidden Army. Their power and their ability to swiftly pacify the western coastal regions were truly impressive.

’What kind of weapons and armor do they use? What kind of training do they receive?’

The rebel forces in the coastal regions also had the finest weapons and armor of Legion infantry, Imperial crossbowmen, and Armored Cavalry.

’Could it be that the Forbidden Army’s equipment is that far advanced?’

And then there was the Mysterious Merchant he’d learned about from Danustika. He was also in Lukaron. Was this with the Emperor’s tacit approval, or was there some deeper connection?

’Did he provide the weapons and armor for the Forbidden Army?’

’Or could it be that the so-called Mysterious Merchant is actually the Emperor himself, setting a trap?’

The Ogres of the Northern Lands’ snowfields, though weak, were not completely wiped out by the Emperor. What was the reason behind that?

’Was it for strategic reasons, or are there other, unknown secrets at play?’

Furthermore, this most recent deployment to the southern desert, moving all of his students away—was it to hide something, or was it a form of help?

The threat of the Lizardmen was still imminent, yet the Emperor sent a Legion to support that front while simultaneously transferring away their noble Private Armies.

’Does that even make sense?’ These movements must be part of the Emperor’s grand strategy, but Henry couldn’t see the full picture.

’Oh, mysterious overseas lands, how many secrets do you hold that the Emperor knows and others do not?’

’You don’t actually know about the Four Gods, do you? You couldn’t possibly understand Subspace, could you?’

If the Emperor truly knew everything, then his decision to launch a great purge against the churches within the empire would make sense. He was afraid of a Divine Spirit’s arrival.

A Divine Spirit not existing isn’t scary. What’s scary is a Divine Spirit that *does* exist but isn’t under the control of the Emperor, the ruler. That would be terrifying.

Heh heh. Well now, Henry found himself becoming more and more interested in these things that festered in the shadows and gutters.

’What’s happening to me? I’m supposed to be the type who enjoys making people submit through force.’

Henry’s thoughts churned, bringing forth countless questions. His brain, which had been unwilling to think and felt as if it had rusted over, had suddenly become so adept at making connections?

’I’m grateful to the God of Wisdom. Praise be to you.’

After that brief moment of inner sarcasm, Henry picked up his quill and began to write his reply:

Your Esteemed Majesty, my Headmaster,

I have read your letter carefully and understand both your concerns and your expectations.

I will follow your instructions and temporarily restrain my actions, focusing on developing my domain.

I am deeply honored by your support and trust, and I am grateful for the resources and opportunities you have provided.

Please rest assured, I will build Ximira Castle to be even more prosperous and make the lands of the Bro Clan a pearl of the eastern empire.

However, I must mention some recent events, such as the giant Black Shadow that appeared in the sky during my battle with the enemy.

These events may have caused considerable tremors within the empire, and I worry they might affect its stability.

I hope to receive your guidance and assistance in order to better handle these unforeseen incidents.

I look forward to your reply, and I also look forward to seeing the empire prosper and remain stable.

Your loyal Vassal and student, Henry.

Henry put down his quill, his heart filled with anticipation.

How would the Emperor respond to him proactively mentioning the giant Black Shadow?

’Will he lay his cards on the table, or will he pretend he didn’t see it?’

The official watched Henry, who had finished writing the reply but was still lost in thought, and sweat poured down his face.

’What on earth did the Emperor say to Henry? Why isn’t Lord Henry giving me the letter yet? I’m not going to be killed, am I?’

Henry didn’t keep the official waiting long. He quickly came to his senses and handed the reply to him.

"Phew... Lord Baron Henry, the letter has been delivered, and my mission is complete. I hope we have the opportunity to meet again."

Henry raised a hand. Looking at the official whose face was still beading with sweat, he said, "Don’t go. I have some questions for you."

GULP.

The official, who had just turned to leave, immediately froze in place. He forced an unnatural smile, having no idea what Henry was about to ask.

Perhaps Henry himself didn’t realize just how terrifying the aura of authority radiating from him was.

It was more than enough to stop a child from crying at night; it could make a grown man tremble before him.

He didn’t need to make a move or say a word. Just sitting or standing there was enough.

"My lord, what did you want to ask?"

"Did Count Akakarat send any letters to the Imperial Capital?"

The official’s pupils contracted. He didn’t speak, only gave a slight nod.

Henry snorted. ’As I thought.’ He had been wondering how the Emperor had the spare time to deal with him.

’A great impact? What impact? At the normal speed news travels, it should have taken at least three or four days to brew, right?’

’But the battle just ended, and your letter arrived right away. By that calculation, Count Akakarat must have been sending quite a few letters to the Emperor, hasn’t he?’

’You’re that scared of me, pal?’

Hearing Henry’s cold snort, the official’s face went pale. He was just an official managing an imperial office, handling intelligence and dispatching letters day in and day out. Why did it have to be him interacting with this butcher?

’What have I done to deserve this?!’

Henry stared at the official’s face, his own expressionless, and said, "When you get back, help me pass a message to Count Akakarat. I don’t like tattletales. I originally had no impression of him."

"But now, I’ll remember him."

"Just like I remember the lord of Odoche, Count John."

Henry didn’t say something like, "I’ll have your head before sunset and hang it on the city gates." He wanted to rest for a bit, too.

But, well, he had to start this feud now. Otherwise, once he was done with John, he wouldn’t have a new target.

The official nodded hurriedly and, with Henry’s permission, fled as if his life depended on it.

He never wanted to have anything to do with Henry ever again. Not for the rest of his life.