Knight: Becoming King of the World

The nobles nearby, unaware of the situation, exchanged glances, secretly delighted.

This interaction between the First Prince and Henry meant the banquet was a sure thing. They would have a chance to build a connection with Henry at the upcoming feast.

For them, this was a rare opportunity. After all, Henry’s military achievements and prestige held potential benefits for expanding their own influence.

Some nobles began planning how to approach Henry at the banquet and how to establish a good relationship with him.

’They didn’t know what Henry liked, but surely, everyone liked money.’

The First Prince and Henry continued to talk, their conversation turning to the upcoming campaign and strategic deployments.

Although both men had their own agendas, to an outsider, they looked like close comrades, strategizing together for the empire’s future.

’Our empire truly is flourishing!’

Henry’s meteoric rise sent ripples through the empire.

It should have been a normal transition of power, with the royal family simply fighting amongst themselves for a bigger piece of the pie. But Henry’s appearance ignited some people’s ambitions.

Henry watched the First Prince—whose performance was impeccable, despite his insincerity—and nodded to himself.

’The apple, as they say, doesn’t fall far from the tree.’ Under the Emperor’s tutelage, the First Prince had become a remarkably well-rounded young man. His Wisdom, martial prowess, Charm, political acumen, command, and knowledge were enough to crush any of his peers.

’Henry, of course, didn’t count. He was cheating.’

He was like a gemstone being slowly carved and polished. As long as he avoided any fatal blunders, his future was undoubtedly bright.

Henry could see the desire for control revealed in the First Prince’s eyes.

He knew how to navigate among the nobility, how to exchange the smallest sacrifice for the greatest gain.

’The First Prince is someone to be reckoned with.’

’The Third Prince, in stark contrast to his older brother, was the bold and aggressive type, possessing a tenacious fighting spirit.’

His valor and decisiveness had allowed him to achieve one remarkable feat after another on the battlefield. He was the kind of commander who could inspire his men, and he too had a promising future.

As long as he could learn to keep his balance in the maelstrom of politics, his courage and decisiveness would be a precious asset to the empire.

’The Emperor wouldn’t allow the First Prince to deliver a killing blow, to devour his own flesh and blood.’

As for the Emperor, the man at the pinnacle of power... he was certainly a man of considerable skill.

The very fact that he was able to raise three sons with such different personalities into capable men spoke volumes about his wisdom and methods.

His vision was not merely limited to the current power struggle; he placed more importance on the long-term development and stability of the empire.

He knew how to use his sons to uphold the empire’s glory, and also knew how to maintain a balance between them to ensure his own position remained unthreatened.

As for the Second Prince’s capabilities, Henry wasn’t entirely sure. The man was now little more than a rat in the gutter, unable to cause any trouble. Still, Henry figured he couldn’t have been *that* bad to begin with.

In this family, every member had their own ambitions and plans, but they all shared a common goal—the glory and future of the empire.

Tsk. ’What a harmonious family, so full of brotherly love.’

A flash of displeasure crossed the First Prince’s eyes. He didn’t like Henry’s gaze. It reminded him of his childhood, when his father judged everything he did by the strictest standards. Every minor mistake had brought severe reprimands and punishment.

’You’re just a Baron. What gives you the right to look at me like that?’ The First Prince fumed internally. His pride and arrogance made it unbearable to be subjected to such a scrutinizing gaze.

’He was the First Prince of the empire, the future heir! And Henry was just a Baron. By all rights, *he* should be the one scrutinizing Henry, not the other way around.’

Moreover, he felt as if Henry had seen right through him.

The feeling was deeply unsettling, as if his entire facade had been pierced with a single glance, leaving none of his secrets hidden.

’How is this possible? He grew up in the imperial court, accustomed to the games of power. He had practiced masking his expressions countless times. He was confident that no one could easily see through his thoughts.’

But Henry’s gaze seemed to pierce through all his pretenses, straight to his very core, which made the First Prince deeply uneasy.

The First Prince struggled to maintain his impeccable cordiality and elegance, smiling slightly at Henry and saying, "Baron Henry, I believe you will be a leading figure among the empire’s nobility in the future."

Henry nodded slightly. The First Prince’s words were both a compliment and a test. Henry replied, "Your Highness is too kind. I am merely doing my best to serve the Emperor and the empire.

As for the upcoming campaign, I am confident that under your leadership, we will surely achieve victory."

The First Prince chuckled and nodded. He then announced that a banquet would be held that evening for all the nobles. Furthermore, he declared he would personally pay for a lavish feast for the soldiers, ensuring it wouldn’t come out of their standard supply rations. His announcement drew cheers from everyone, hailing the First Prince’s generosity.

The entire border camp erupted in celebration. Henry’s army set up camp in their designated area, while the other nobles flocked over to cozy up to him, trying to strike up a conversation.

These nobles, although their current titles were higher and their fiefs larger than Henry’s, were no fools.

Anyone could see that Henry’s latest military achievements would undoubtedly earn him another promotion, more land, and handsome monetary rewards.

The Emperor’s fondness for Henry was already common knowledge within noble circles.