Chapter 246 - 197: Emperor, What Are You Doing?
Henry rode on his horse, smiling and waving at the crowd.
His gaze swept through the crowd, seeing some familiar faces and some new ones.
These were all his subjects, his greatest treasure.
"My Lord, welcome home!"
After one person started, everyone began to cheer Henry’s name. The atmosphere reached a climax, and the people began to celebrate the victorious return of their lord and his soldiers.
The pervasive music of Minstrels filled the streets. Henry watched it all, his heart filled with emotion.
’I don’t know why, but every time I see a scene like this, I’m reminded of that country with four "suns." The people there also gave their lords the highest praise and respect.’
But unlike that orchestrated gratitude, the actions of Westwood Laine’s residents were completely spontaneous.
They weren’t trying to curry favor with him; they genuinely wanted to express their gratitude.
’At least I wouldn’t reward someone with a blade just for failing to sing my praises.’
Look at these people welcoming him so excitedly. How lovely. ’I must protect this land from foreign invasion and ensure my subjects can live happy and peaceful lives!’
’Subjects don’t just pay taxes, they provide emotional validation too. How nice!’
In the open area outside the castle barracks, Henry spotted Tommy at a glance. Tommy’s expression was a bit uneasy, his brow furrowed, revealing an inexpressible anxiety.
’I rarely see such an expression on him. Has some emergency occurred in my fief while I was away?’
’I wasn’t gone for as long as last time. Logically, there shouldn’t have been such a surge in work that the burden would fall on one person’s shoulders, right?’
As his capable assistant, Tommy had always been diligent and hardworking. Few things could make him this anxious—unless he was truly overwhelmed with work.
"Tommy, you look troubled."
Henry dismounted as he spoke and walked over to Tommy. "Is there a problem in the fief?"
Tommy hesitated, as if considering how to begin. His eyes darted between Henry and the other soldiers; clearly, there were things he didn’t want to say in front of everyone.
Henry noticed Tommy’s hesitation. He waved his hand, signaling an Attendant and an officer to lead the other soldiers back to the barracks. The officials accompanying the army were tasked with recording the armaments and other spoils of war into the storehouse.
Ailia led the maids to begin tidying up the castle, Orianna took the kitchen maids into the kitchen to get busy, and Henry himself led Tommy into the castle’s study.
"You can speak now, Tommy." Henry sat behind his desk, his gaze fixed on Tommy.
"Whatever has happened, it can be resolved."
Tommy took a deep breath and began to recount what had happened in the fief during Henry’s absence.
Apparently, some foreign merchants had been very active near Westwood Laine recently, and they seemed particularly interested in the castle’s fortifications.
Moreover, the prices of the goods they offered were abnormally low, which had already aroused the dissatisfaction and suspicion of local merchants.
"I’ve already sent men to investigate the backgrounds of these merchants, but I haven’t received any definite news yet." There was a hint of exhaustion in Tommy’s voice.
"I’m afraid these merchants have some ulterior motive that could pose a threat to the fief’s security."
Henry nodded. In this world full of unknowns and variables, any small disturbance could create massive waves.
’Managing a fief really does start with paying attention to the small things.’
"You’ve done well, Tommy."
Henry said reassuringly, "I will send trustworthy men to trail these merchants and simultaneously strengthen the castle’s defenses, just in case."
Tommy’s expression relaxed slightly. He knew that with Henry’s support, a solution would always be found.
Henry looked at the huge map hanging on the opposite wall. Whether it was the internal management of the fief or external threats, he needed to remain vigilant.
’Is there anyone who can threaten me right now? Very few.’
’Is there anyone who can take me out?’ Henry glanced at his own skills. ’Seems unlikely.’
’But it’s always good to be cautious.’
Henry’s brow furrowed slightly. His fingers tapped lightly on the desk—a habit of his when he was thinking.
Tommy’s words had already given rise to some suspicions. Thinking about it carefully, the merchants’ behavior was indeed questionable.
’Merchants are so greedy they’d sell the rope used to hang them. How could they possibly be cutting their prices?’
Henry stood up and walked to the map, his gaze drifting between Westwood Laine and the desert region.
His finger traced a path across the map, as if searching for some kind of connection.
’The Second Prince and John have always held a grudge against me. They might be using this method to probe my defenses.’
A cold sneer touched Henry’s lips. The Second Prince was just a buffoon, not worth worrying about. John was nothing more than bones in a grave, destined to die sooner or later.
’Those two are no cause for concern.’
’But, if this matter involves the Third Prince...’
Henry’s eyes narrowed. He didn’t notice that the huge, blank book he had been carrying with him recently was now emitting some kind of light, which was growing brighter and brighter.
Henry had never underestimated intelligence. As far as he knew, the desert region was currently a sensitive area for the empire. As the person in charge there, the Third Prince’s every move was being closely watched by the emperor.
If these merchants were truly connected to the Third Prince, then their purpose was likely not just business.
’If they are the Third Prince’s men, what should I do?’
Henry didn’t immediately come up with an answer. His gaze remained fixed on the map.
He knew that the Third Prince’s support for him was sincere; they shared a deep friendship and trust.
If the Third Prince was truly in trouble, he couldn’t just stand by and do nothing.
’The First Prince’s help is too superficial. If I didn’t have to give the emperor face, I wouldn’t even give him the time of day.’
’Look at the Third Prince, on the other hand. He comes right out with support in the form of real gold and silver! Now that’s the spirit of a true leader!’
’You could learn a thing or two!’
Until there was concrete evidence, Henry didn’t plan to act rashly. He would continue to have the merchants monitored to avoid tipping them off.
Henry actually wanted to write a letter to the Third Prince himself, but considering the current situation in the desert region, it was highly likely that the first person to see his letter would not be the Third Prince.
"Tommy, has Bogdan from the Imperial Office asked about me recently?"
Tommy thought for a moment, then answered immediately, "My Lord, Official Bogdan has come by a few times. He said he has some letters to give you."
"Where are the letters?"
"He still has them."
"Have him bring them over now."
Bogdan appeared before Henry almost instantly. It wasn’t that Bogdan could teleport; rather, after Henry’s army had entered the castle barracks, he had come to the castle with the accumulated letters and had been waiting.
"Lord Baron, the origins of the recent letters are quite complex. There are some from the western coastal region, the imperial capital Lukaron, Danustika, and the desert region."
Henry didn’t waste time with pleasantries. He directly had Tommy fetch a sum of money for Bogdan; he needed to read these letters now.
Bogdan wasn’t disappointed. Earning money was better than not earning money. He was now drawing an income from two sources: a salary from the emperor and a side payment from Henry.
Henry quickly went through the letters and learned just how much the empire had changed in just over a month.
Maritime trade in the western coastal region had ceased. A large-scale plague had broken out in the desert region.
’Those two are easy enough to understand.’
’These are eventful times. The lands overseas are too mysterious, so it’s understandable to reduce contact. It just means a drop in income, that’s all.’
’No amount of money is more important than a stable regime!’
’Too many people have died in the desert region, and it’s hot there. It’s normal for a plague to break out.’
’However, the number of bandits in the central region of the empire is growing, and it’s getting to a point where it’s almost uncontrollable.’
’What’s going on here?’
’Emperor, where is your Forbidden Army? Your Legions? What about your awesome Militia stationed everywhere? Have they all retired?’