Knight: Becoming King of the World

Some of the soldiers in the barracks were resting, some were training, and a section of the area was empty—perhaps they had gone out for some recreation.

Henry stood with his back ramrod straight, his sharp gaze sweeping over his army.

The soldiers, clad in uniform armor and armed with spears and shields, were conducting drill training.

Their movements were synchronized, their steps powerful.

Ratifa stood to the side, her eyes filled with admiration. She saw the soldiers’ rigorous training attitude and outstanding combat skills—all things she hoped to see in her own army.

Even the soldiers who were resting weren’t lazing about in disarray.

’It seems Henry’s army is powerful not just because of its fine equipment, but more so because of the soldiers’ discipline and training.’

’I really have no idea how this man trains his army!’

"Henry, your soldiers are truly well-trained. It seems I must have you help me train a batch of elite troops."

Henry turned his head and smiled at Ratifa. "Your trust is my honor. As long as the payment is in order, I guarantee your soldiers will receive the most rigorous training. They will become the mightiest force in the Northern Lands."

’As long as the payment is in order?’ Ratifa raised an eyebrow and pouted slightly, her thoughts unreadable.

Just as Henry and Ratifa were standing in the barracks discussing training plans, Claude, followed by Bain and several other Attendants, walked over.

"Good morning, my lord, Countess Ratifa," Claude greeted them, taking the lead.

"Ahem, good morning, Claude."

They had cheeky grins on their faces, which struck Henry as a bit strange. Ratifa also sensed the subtle shift in the atmosphere, but she still responded to their greeting politely.

As a Countess, Ratifa naturally maintained a certain pride when dealing with other people’s ministers and attendants.

If such people were to greet her, she usually wouldn’t pay them much mind. But with Claude and Bain, she maintained basic courtesy.

’Was this a case of having to respect the dog for its master’s sake?’

"Hello to you too, but it’s already afternoon," Ratifa replied with a smile.

Claude and the others didn’t dare to actually tease her. Pushing it any further would be suicidal; they had their fun, and that was enough.

Claude clearly had something to discuss privately with Henry, his gaze darting between Henry and Ratifa.

Ratifa was a smart woman and quickly realized this, so she decided to take her leave.

"Henry, I’ve been away from my fief for a long time, and I have some matters to attend to. Let’s meet again this evening."

Ratifa turned to Henry and said gracefully, "If I remember correctly, there should be an exciting match at the arena tonight. Would you be willing to accompany me?"

Henry nodded in agreement. "Of course. I would be honored to accompany you, my lady."

A smile played on Ratifa’s lips as she left the barracks.

Claude watched Ratifa’s retreating back, then turned around. The smile on his face had vanished, replaced by a serious expression.

"My lord, I have something to report to you." Claude’s voice was low, and his eyes betrayed a sense of urgency.

Henry knew Claude wouldn’t act this way without reason and gestured for him to continue.

"My lord, yesterday, through direct conversations and investigations by the other Record Keepers, I’ve indirectly learned a great deal about the border war from the state of Tiyaer’s markets, its residents, and so on." Claude’s voice was low, and his eyes showed a hint of worry.

"The situation isn’t optimistic?"

"The situation is not optimistic."

Claude continued, "Large quantities of supplies are being sent to the border, and batch after batch of troops are being transferred there. However, no other troops are returning to rest and recuperate, and no soldiers’ bodies are being sent back."

Henry was silent for a moment, rapidly analyzing this information in his mind.

’It seems the war on the border is obviously far more serious than I expected, and worse than what Ratifa told me.’

Moreover, this one-way deployment of troops with none returning to rest typically meant the situation on the front lines was extremely dire.

"My lord, do you think this is reasonable?" Claude asked.

Henry shook his head. "It’s not reasonable. Unless the fighting on the front lines has reached a point where no one can be spared, or..."

"Or what?" Bain pressed.

"Or it’s being done intentionally to hide something," Henry said in a low voice, a flicker of vigilance in his eyes.

The hearts of Claude, Bain, and the others sank. They knew what Henry was implying.

"Not even the bodies of fallen soldiers are being sent back. It’s either a manpower shortage, or... their deaths were too gruesome, their bodies couldn’t be pieced back together, or simply too many have died to transport."

Henry gestured for a map, and Leon immediately took one out and unrolled it.

Bain and the others watched Leon’s action, their eyes widening. ’Well now, you little punk, so you’re pulling this kind of stunt?’

Leon stood up straight, his gaze fixed forward.

Henry looked at the constantly shifting front lines and said, "First, let’s rule out excessively high casualties, because the front line has been continuously extending, meaning there are more positions to defend.

Second, a manpower shortage is also unlikely. With the continuous deployment of troops, there should be enough men no matter how long the front line gets.

In that case, there’s only one possibility left. The manner of death is too gruesome.

Tell me, do you think those humanoid monsters with strange things growing on their bodies would attack people with their mouths and teeth?"

Claude and the others thought for a moment and nodded one after another.

Just then, a commotion interrupted his thoughts. He, along with Claude, Bain, and the others, looked over to see several soldiers restraining a burly man. The two sides seemed to be in a heated argument.

Henry stared for a moment, thinking the burly man looked somewhat familiar. He turned to ask Claude and Bain, "Doesn’t that man look a little familiar to you?"

Claude and Bain nodded in agreement. The men exchanged glances and decided to walk over to see what was going on.

As they drew closer, the soldiers’ curses and the burly man’s explanations became clearer.

"I’m telling you, Henry and I are old friends! I’m not an enemy!" the burly man’s voice was tinged with anxiety and helplessness.

’Damn it, why are Henry’s soldiers so strong? Did they grow up eating cow dung?’

"An old friend of the Lord? You were skulking around here! You’re either here to steal something or to cause trouble!" a soldier sneered.

Hearing this, Henry quickened his pace and approached the crowd.

When the soldiers saw Henry arrive, they immediately saluted and cleared a path. The burly man’s eyes lit up as if he had seen his savior.

"Lord Henry, you’re finally here! These men don’t believe me, you have to explain it to them," the burly man said with a sense of urgency.

Henry studied the burly man carefully, his memory a bit fuzzy.

"Hold on... I have a question for you. What is your name?"

The soldiers released the burly man, who quickly got up and stretched his arms.

"Lord Henry, it’s me! Carlos! ’Iron Fist’ Carlos!"

Henry looked at the somewhat disheveled, shabbily dressed man before him and found it hard to connect him with the Mercenary Guild President he had met in Vostrom.

"Are you really ’Iron Fist’ Carlos?"

"Of course, it’s me!"

Henry circled Carlos once and asked, "How did you get here? And why do you look like this?"

"Sigh, it’s a long story."

"Make it short."

"Er, well, your army’s combat strength is too formidable. You’ve completed too many contracts and your reputation has grown so great that you’ve attracted the attention of the Prince.

So, the Prince hired us for a hefty sum. We force-marched all the way here, which is why we look a bit rough."

Henry blinked. ’What kind of situation is this?’

’Did the Prince issue an order to have Henry’s "two teams" fight for him?’

"How much did he pay?"

"A deposit of ten thousand Dinar, plus food and logistics. If we kill many enemies and perform well in the subsequent battles, there will be more bonuses. And after the fighting is over, there’s a final payment of thirty thousand Dinar."