Knight: Becoming King of the World

These simple yet heartfelt gifts warmed Henry’s heart, making him feel as if he had returned to his carefree childhood.

These gifts were more precious than any gold or silver. Henry sighed to himself, knowing they were a testament to his family’s love and support.

’A pity. Things can never be the same as when I was a child.’

Some might say, ’Henry, with your status now, can’t you help your father and older brother?’ The answer is no.

’Have you ever considered what Father would think? How my brother would see it? Have you... ever thought to treat others as people with their own pride?’

As he passed through these cities, Henry made sure to speak with local officials and merchants, gathering information and getting a feel for the situation in each area.

As a Count, he needed more than just military might; he also required political and economic support.

Yes, as long as Henry’s banner flew on the battlefield, victory was sure to be his. However, with his elevation to Count, his perspective and way of thinking had changed.

He was no longer just a Knight or a Baron who only knew how to charge into the fray. Now, he was the ruler of a vast territory and a large population, and he had to think like one.

He no longer needed just victories in war. He needed to know how to consolidate and expand his power, how to ensure his people could live and work in peace, and how to increase his own potential for war.

’What if... what if the panel really breaks one day?’

Henry sat on his horse, his gaze distant as he calculated his future moves.

After becoming a Count, his potential enemies would only multiply. They might come from the jealousy and hostility of other nobles, or from the power struggles within the empire.

’Am I supposed to personally fight in every battle? Am I supposed to conquer every castle with my army?’

’This is too much trouble.’

Henry shook his head internally. ’The effort and the reward are not proportional.’

War could bring victory and glory, but it also brought destruction and loss in equal measure.

Sometimes, a goal could be achieved through connections and words. There was no need to resort to blades and soldiers.

Diplomacy and political maneuvering were not useless. A wise ruler should know how to use various means to protect and expand their power.

War was just one of those means, and often, it was the last resort.

It was just that Henry had always built his fortune through plunder, so he had always prioritized military action.

Victory in war was certainly important, but wisdom and strategy during peacetime were just as indispensable.

As Henry’s army drew closer to Lukaron, a sense of anticipation seemed to fill the air.

The Lukaron garrison, the Emperor’s patrols, and his spies had all been closely monitoring Henry’s movements.

The arrival of this newly appointed Count was bound to bring new changes to the city. The heart of the empire influenced the provinces, and the provinces, in turn, would influence the heart of the empire.

When Henry’s army finally reached the gates of Lukaron, they were met with a rapturous welcome.

The streets were lined with the empire’s common folk, who held flowers and cheered for Henry.

Although this was not an official celebration, the people’s enthusiasm was undiminished. It was their way of showing respect for a hero and their longing for peace.

The Emperor had not levied additional taxes on them under the pretext of supplying military funds and materials. However, with massive resources flowing to the Northern Lands’ border, the lives of the common people had inevitably been affected.

Anyone with a functioning brain understood that the war had to stop.

If it dragged on any longer, heaven knew what would happen.

Riding his horse, Henry smiled and waved to the crowd.

He could feel their passion and anticipation. Flowers rained down upon him and his army, and the air was filled with the scent of blossoms and earth.

’That godforsaken place, the Northern Lands... it snows there in the middle of a freezing summer. Look at this warm breeze and these flowers, look at the blazing sun! This is a place fit for humans.’

Children ran about excitedly, scrambling to offer their small flowers to the soldiers. The riders and Warriors returned their gestures with warm smiles and grateful nods.

The riders’ smiles were quite respectable, planting the dream of becoming a Cavalryman in the hearts of the young boys.

The Grassland Warriors, however, for some reason, always had a thuggish look on their faces.

Some of the more timid children were taken aback by their smiles and backed away, which hurt the Warriors’ feelings immensely.

’Are you serious with that flinching?’

"Lord Count, welcome!" The Governor of Lukaron and several important nobles stood at the city gate. They were dressed in their finest attire and bowed deeply to Henry.

Henry dismounted and shook hands with each of them, offering his polite thanks.

The support of these nobles and officials was crucial to him. They were not only key to his rule in Lukaron but also important partners for his future plans.

’Lukaron’s defenses are frighteningly strong. If I ever truly have a falling out with the Emperor, having some people on the inside could greatly reduce my casualties.’

"I am very happy to be here again."

The Governor and the nobles also expressed that it was an honor to meet him. Everyone knew how much weight Henry carried in the Emperor’s heart. No one would be foolish enough to provoke such a young man who had both power and backing.

As Henry’s army slowly entered the city, the celebratory atmosphere reached its peak.

Bands began to play cheerful music, dancers twirled in the streets, and the entire city was immersed in joy and peace.

On such a day, filled with celebration, the streets of Lukaron should have been an ocean of joy and tranquility.

However, a sudden riot shattered it all.

Hordes of gang members began to smash, loot, and burn the shops along the street. Their actions were swift and organized, growing ever more brazen as the scope of affected shops and civilians widened.

Henry stood in the street, watching the sudden chaos, momentarily unable to process what was happening.

He turned to look at the equally stunned Governor and nobles, his eyes filled with disbelief.

’What is this place? This is Lukaron, the heart of the empire, the Emperor’s own residence, and something like this is happening in broad daylight on the streets?’

’The Patrol Camp, the Security Teams of the East, West, South, and North Cities, the Emperor’s garrison... what are they all doing? Are they completely useless?’

’Can you even be an emperor? If you can’t do the job, let me do it!’

Seeing the look on Henry’s face, a flash of embarrassment crossed the Governor’s.

This was no time for explanations. His gaze fell upon the hundred or so Cavalrymen behind Henry, and he immediately requested Henry’s help, hoping Henry would allow his troops to disperse the gang members—and, if possible, kill them on the spot.

Without a moment’s hesitation, Henry waved his hand, and the Cavalry unit immediately charged down the street.

"Maintain formation! Kill them!"

Henry’s command was simple and direct. ’Disperse them? No, no, no. When it comes to gangs, you kill them! Slaughter them all until their heads roll.’

The Cavalry responded instantly. They split into two groups, one to the left and one to the right, cutting into the chaotic crowd like two sharp blades.

The street was instantly filled with the thunder of hooves and shouts of command. The gang members had clearly not anticipated such a counterattack; they panicked and scattered in all directions.

’Gang thugs fighting regular soldiers? And Cavalry, at that? What kind of nightmare is this?’

But the Cavalry was too fast; they had no hope of escape.

Some gang members tried to resist, but their efforts were pathetic in the face of the Cavalry’s lances and sharp swords.

Henry frowned as he watched the scene unfold. The reaction of these gang thugs was too strange. Committing such large-scale violence on the streets of the imperial capital in broad daylight...

’Did they not consider they could be cut down by the army on the spot? Or was this a premeditated riot?’

’Something’s wrong. Something is very, very wrong.’

Thugs armed with daggers or machetes were continuously cut down or shot to the ground, while those fleeing for their lives screamed frantically for mercy.

Cries like, "Spare me, sir!", "I’m a citizen of the empire!", and "Sir, I’m just a civilian!" could be heard.

Henry looked at the Governor, his eyes cold.