Knight: Becoming King of the World

Henry couldn’t help but wonder if Countess Ratifa’s frequent approaches and questions meant she had special intentions toward him.

He reviewed his achievements, abilities, family wealth, and bright future—all of which were undoubtedly attractive assets.

Catching the eye of a countess, in his opinion, didn’t seem impossible.

He began to ponder Countess Ratifa’s "desire" for him. Her gaze, her words, her every move—they all seemed to hint at some deeply hidden objective.

The more Henry thought about it, the more plausible it seemed. This wasn’t narcissism on his part; he felt he had ample reason and evidence.

However, Countess Ratifa was unaware of the ripples in Henry’s mind.

She just found the look in Henry’s eyes a bit strange, and it made her uncomfortable.

She frowned, wondering, ’Is my face dirty or something?’

She subconsciously touched her cheek. Henry noticed the gesture and realized his stare was likely making her uncomfortable.

Henry quickly adjusted his expression, smiled at Ratifa, and said, "Countess Ratifa, you needn’t worry. Your appearance is impeccable."

Ratifa’s confusion only deepened upon hearing Henry’s words.

She didn’t understand why Henry had suddenly mentioned her appearance, but she still nodded politely and replied, "Thank you for the compliment, Baron Henry."

The atmosphere between them had become somewhat delicate, but they both maintained an outward display of politeness and respect.

Although Henry had his own suspicions, he didn’t voice them. Instead, he chose to continue observing and waiting to see if Countess Ratifa truly had special intentions toward him.

As for Countess Ratifa, she was more focused on the coming war, hoping to learn more from Henry.

Although the nobles they met along the way had been rejected, they hadn’t given up. They still hoped to fight alongside Henry on the battlefield.

They knew that by following Henry, they would have a chance to win glory and fortune.

As Henry’s army pushed northward from the southern grasslands, they finally entered the snowfields of the Northern Lands.

The climate here was completely different from the southern grasslands. A fresh, cool scent permeated the air.

Henry could feel the chill. To his astonishment, he could even see patches of snow lingering in the shadows, despite it being summer.

He had never imagined that in the same season, one place could be so hot while another still bore the marks of winter.

’The distance between Westwood Laine and Tiyaer can’t be as great as the distance from the tropics to the arctic in my past life, can it?’

Feeling the cool wind on her face, Ratifa visibly perked up, her eyes filled with love and familiarity for this land.

She began telling Henry about the snowfields’ scenery, climate, and culture. This was her homeland; she knew everything about it like the back of her hand.

Her words were filled with pride and deep affection for this land as she described the magnificent scenery of the snowfields and the unique way of life here.

"Baron Henry, look at those mountains. In the winter, they’re covered in thick snow, like the slumbering dragons of legend."

Ratifa pointed to the distant mountain range, her eyes sparkling. "But in the summer, the snowline recedes, revealing their hard rock and patches of green."

Henry followed her gaze. Under the sunlight, the interplay of rock and snow on the mountains created a truly indescribable and magnificent sight.

He nodded in agreement. "It is beautiful. The scenery of the Northern Lands is completely different from the south. It has a kind of rugged beauty."

Ratifa smiled and continued, "Yes. The climate is harsh, but it has also bred powerful Warriors. They are accustomed to battling nature and finding ways to survive in the cold."

They began to encounter more landscapes characteristic of the Northern Lands. In some places, the rivers were frozen solid, while in others, they flowed freely, warmed by underground hot springs.

Ratifa explained these phenomena to Henry. "The lives of the people here are completely different from the farmers and herdsmen of the south."

"They are mostly Hunters, relying on the forest animals for their livelihood."

Ratifa continued, "Their houses are mostly built of wood and stone to withstand the harsh winters."

As Henry listened to Ratifa’s descriptions, he gained a deeper understanding of the people and culture of this land.

As the army continued its advance, they began to feel the true might of the Northern Lands’ snowfields.

The temperature dropped steadily. Even though it was summer, the nights were cold enough to be bone-chilling.

The soldiers began to don heavier clothing to ward off the encroaching cold.

Fortunately, Claude and the others had been here before, so they were well-prepared. Henry’s wealth also ensured the soldiers had ample logistical support.

Otherwise, some soldiers might have frozen to death.

Watching Henry’s army gradually adapt to the land, Ratifa’s admiration for him grew.

An army that could quickly adapt to a new environment would often be able to seize the initiative in war. And Henry’s army was, without a doubt, one such army.

With Ratifa, a native to these lands, as their guide, Henry’s army advanced steadily through the snowfields of the Northern Lands.

The city of Tiyaer was not just an important city in the Northern Lands; it was also the core of her sphere of influence.