Knight: Becoming King of the World

’A total payment of forty thousand Dinars, plus combat bonuses? The Prince must be very wealthy.’

Carlos smiled and stroked his beard, his expression sincere. "This is all because Baron Henry’s soldiers are so well-trained. That’s why they’re winning victory after victory on the battlefield.

"If your army weren’t so formidable, the Prince wouldn’t have spent so much to hire mercenaries."

Henry smiled and subconsciously pulled up his panel. His brow furrowed as he asked, "What were our losses?"

"Uh, we lost a little over two hundred men. Rest assured, my Lord Baron, I definitely didn’t send your troops on any suicide missions."

Henry closed his eyes. Just a moment ago, his information panel had exploded with notifications.

[Campaign Summary

Campaign: Feikawen Bandit Suppression

Campaign Difficulty: Easy

Overall Evaluation: Decisive Victory

Campaign Reward: 7 Overlord Training Points]

[Campaign Summary

Campaign: Mizea...]

Henry gave it a quick glance. There were at least twenty recorded battles, which had earned him a total of thirty-six Overlord Training points.

’It seems that the weakness of the enemy affects the number of Overlord Training points I get.’

Henry tilted his head. ’Is this a bug? Why does the data only sync to my panel when I’m in contact with "Iron Fist" Carlos, or when the army I dispatched is nearby?’

’Is this thing running on a local area network?’

Henry nodded, looked at Carlos, and asked, "When do you plan to leave?"

Carlos straightened his dusty, grimy clothes and replied, "My Lord Baron, I plan to set out first thing tomorrow morning. We’ll rest here for the night.

"I don’t have the means or the money to quarter the army inside the city, so we’ll have to make camp and build fires to fend off the cold tonight."

Henry frowned and asked, "What’s the current state of my army? I’m talking about funds and supplies."

Carlos gave a wry smile and spread his hands. "Lord Henry, the money I have on me is all yours... Besides, you know that as a Mercenary Guild President from Vostrom, I have no influence in Tiyaer. The local Mercenary Guild won’t even give me the time of day."

Carlos sounded a bit aggrieved at this. Ever since arriving in the Mizea region, not a single local guild had recognized his status as a guild president.

’So rude! So disunited!’

Henry snorted. He could understand Carlos’s predicament. Aside from the nobility, only the merchant guilds operated with authority across the entire empire.

Their economic power and vast commercial networks made them the most powerful organizations in the empire, second only to the aristocracy.

They were far more unified than other guilds, which was why those organizations always remained a step below.

Henry considered this for a moment, then said to Carlos, "Alright, how about this: you and my troops will rest in this camp for the night. We’ll depart together tomorrow. For now, bring my army and fall back into my command formation."

"Thank you, my Lord Baron!"

Carlos let out a sigh of relief, and a hint of gratitude touched his eyes as he looked at Henry.

When he learned that Henry’s army had arrived in Tiyaer the day before, he realized Henry was here for the fighting on the border of the Northern Lands.

He had been deeply conflicted about whether he should come to see Henry.

’If I don’t go see him, will he find out and have me cut to pieces?’

’But if I do see him and he cancels our arrangement and kicks me to the curb, what will all my hard work have been for?’

’Thankfully, Lord Henry is a man of real character!’

Henry waved a hand dismissively. "We’re old friends, after all. Besides, I’m quite satisfied with your performance."

Carlos nodded and said solemnly, "Rest assured, Lord Henry. I will absolutely not disappoint you."

After he finished speaking, Carlos suddenly remembered something. "My Lord Baron," he said to Henry, "I’ve already prepared the death benefits for the fallen soldiers. Once your army’s contract is up, their comrades can deliver the funds to their families.

"Unfortunately, due to the constant fighting, we couldn’t preserve the bodies."

Henry nodded without saying much. ’After all, most of my soldiers are serfs. They don’t even have families.’

Henry looked at the somewhat emotional Carlos and patted his shoulder. He then turned to Claude and Bain, ordering them to arrange for the rest and resupply of his other troops.

Leon glanced at Carlos and whispered to Bain, "Bain, I’ve got a bad feeling about this guy."

Selas and Roland leaned in, nodding in agreement.

’This Carlos... why does he act so much like we did when we begged Henry to take us in?’

Claude frowned, stepped up to Henry’s side, and said in a low voice, "My lord, I believe we should consult with Countess Ratifa before bringing an army of nearly a thousand men into Tiyaer.

"After all, this is her core fief. Stationing another noble’s army here in such numbers is sensitive, both politically and in terms of protocol."

"Hmm... you’re right, I was being thoughtless. I’ll discuss it with Countess Ratifa."

Henry turned to Claude and ordered, "Claude, go and make the preparations. I’m going to see Countess Ratifa now. Once I have her approval, have the troops enter the city."

Claude took his leave to carry out the order. Henry shook his head. Countess Ratifa might be his "friend," but a sensitive issue like this still required careful handling.

「A short time later」

Henry and a few members of his Personal Guard arrived at Ratifa’s castle within the city.

"Henry, I didn’t expect you so early. It seems you’re quite eager to watch the tournament with me."