Knight: Becoming King of the World

Henry wondered if the emperor was "fishing."

This wasn’t some baseless guess; it was entirely possible the emperor would do something like this.

Anikovarest XIII was no old fogey. His acceptance of new things was higher than anyone’s.

It just went to show that a lack of advanced technology didn’t mean people were stupid. The emperor had pulled so many clever stunts that Henry sometimes suspected he was a transmigrator too.

It was entirely plausible that the emperor had deliberately left this as a hook to purge the empire of disloyal factions and rebels.

"Forget it. This is a bit complicated; it’s better to pretend I don’t know anything. Bain, besides you two, was anyone else outside the tent just now?"

"No one else."

Henry nodded. ’Good that there was no one else.’

"You two are the people I trust most. As for what just happened, act as if you didn’t know, as if you didn’t hear anything."

"Yes, my lord."

Vostrom’s climate was mild, a paradise compared to the scorching heat of the desert. The soldiers enjoyed the cool breeze, and at night, even sleeping in a tent felt like a luxury.

The Civil Servant was a shrewd man who knew how to maintain good relations with the nobility.

As dusk fell, he sent men to deliver five baskets of fresh apples and grapes, ten barrels of cool beer, and a cask of fine wine to Henry.

Henry expressed his gratitude for the gift and sent Claude into the city to purchase two roasted suckling pigs. The soldiers sat in a circle in the open area outside the tents, enjoying the delicious pork and drinking beer and wine. The atmosphere was lively and cheerful.

On this quiet night, the air was filled with the fragrance of apples and grapes, the aroma of beer and wine, and the tantalizing smell of roasted suckling pig.

The next morning, sunlight filtered through the thin autumn mist, gently blanketing the streets of Vostrom. The cold winds from the steppes would soon reach the city.

Henry woke up in his tent and stretched lazily. He decided to relax today, though it seemed that every day for him was either relaxing or on the way to relaxing.

Henry took his Attendants, along with Claude, Ailia, and Orianna, into Vostrom for a stroll.

As they ambled down the street, Henry’s gaze was drawn to a street artist.

The artist’s easel displayed several portraits, each one lifelike and exquisitely detailed.

Henry observed for a moment. The artist seemed very skilled at portraits, but his prices were not low, so his clientele did not typically include the city’s Free People.

’I’m the great founder of the Bro Clan, and I don’t even have a single portrait? Is that reasonable?’

Henry decided to have a portrait painted for each of them as a memento. He walked up to the artist and said with a smile, "Sir painter, your work is exceptional. I would like to commission a portrait for myself and each of my companions."

The artist looked up and saw the group of people behind Henry. A flicker of surprise crossed his eyes, but he quickly regained his composure. ’This is a huge commission. Looks like I’ll be busy and make a lot of money today.’

The artist looked at Henry’s imperial robe and replied politely, "My lord, it would be my honor to serve you. Please tell me, how many portraits do you require?"

Henry thought for a moment and finally decided. In addition to a solo portrait for everyone, he also wanted five two-person portraits: Henry and Claude, Henry and Bain, Henry and Ailia, Bain and Claude, and Bain and Orianna. He also requested one seven-person portrait of himself and his six Attendants.

The artist nodded and began to calculate the cost. Even with a discount, it would still come to eighty Dinars.

Without hesitation, Henry had Claude, who was in charge of the money pouch, hand the artist a sum sufficient to cover all the portraits.

The artist happily accepted the money and began to prepare his canvases and paints.

Henry and Claude sat down first. The artist carefully observed their faces as his brush danced across the canvas.

Ailia and Orianna watched from the side, admiring Henry’s generosity and appreciation for art.

Bain and the other Attendants wandered about nearby, admiring the other works of art and handicrafts on the street.

The artist’s skill was indeed extraordinary. He not only captured Henry and Claude’s physical features but also conveyed the friendship and trust between them in the painting.

’Is this the original, organic form of "photo editing"?’

As time passed, the artist completed one portrait after another.

With each finished piece, Henry would step forward to admire it, praising the artist’s skill profusely.

The solo portraits showcased each person’s individuality and style, while the group portraits further highlighted the friendships between them.

Henry was very satisfied with these portraits. He would treasure them and hang the oil paintings in the great hall of his Westwood Laine castle.

By the time the portraits were finished, it was already afternoon. Henry took the others to the city’s Opera House to watch a performance, where they could also enjoy a variety of desserts, snacks, and drinks.

Henry approached this sort of performance with the mindset of a casual observer. While he had once been able to scroll through videos on his phone, he could now only find amusement through this art form.

To him, a performance at the Opera House was like a variety show, offering a sliver of comfort in a life without modern technology.

In Henry’s mind, the enjoyment of the Opera House was second only to the bathhouse.

Claude, Bain, and Ailia were very excited about the outing. For them, being able to enter an Opera House and watch a performance was a rare indulgence reserved for nobles and the wealthy.

Selas, Roland, Leon, and the other two former nobles among the Attendants were more composed about the play.

As former members of the aristocracy, they were no strangers to such occasions. They behaved with elegance, showing neither particular joy nor boredom.

To them, this was just an ordinary theatrical performance, a part of their former lives.

The group made their way through the streets of Vostrom and arrived at the Opera House.

The exterior of the Opera House was magnificent and stately, its golden decorations glittering in the sunlight.

Henry and his entourage disembarked from their carriage and stepped into the grand hall of the Opera House.

The hall was adorned with exquisite murals and sculptures. Chandeliers hung from the high ceiling, casting a soft glow.

Some people always said that the artisans of Caladia could no longer create such classically beautiful buildings.

But that wasn’t actually the case. Rather, very few people were willing to invest vast fortunes into constructing buildings with such a singular purpose.

Merchants preferred to build Workshops and establish trade caravans, while nobles favored recruiting soldiers or buying luxury goods to maintain their status and quality of life.

After paying for a private box, Henry and the others found their seats and sat down.

Ailia sat beside Henry, while Claude and Bain sat behind them.

As the lights gradually dimmed, the curtain on the stage slowly drew back. Actors dressed in imperial village attire used lively performances and beautiful music to tell an old, classic tale of a "village chief who lost his daughter."

Claude, Bain, and Ailia were completely immersed in the performance, their eyes glued to the stage, their emotions rising and falling with the plot.

Selas, Roland, Leon, and the others maintained their usual calm and elegance, occasionally exchanging a few words but spending most of their time watching in quiet appreciation.

However, just as Henry’s group was quietly watching the performance, a few waiters and a man who looked like a manager entered their box.

"My lord, someone has sent you a full selection of our Opera House’s desserts, cakes, and beverages."

Henry watched as the waiters placed tray after tray of exquisite desserts and drinks on the table before them, then withdrew.

He turned to the manager and asked, "Excuse me, who sent these delicacies?"

The manager bowed and replied, "My lord, it was the President of Vostrom’s Mercenary Guild. He saw you enter the Opera House and had these specially prepared for you. He hopes to make your acquaintance."

Henry frowned slightly. He didn’t know any Mercenary Guild President, nor did he understand why the man would try to curry favor with him.

However, he didn’t refuse outright. Instead, he said to the manager, "Please convey my thanks to this Mercenary Guild President for his kind gesture. If he is willing, we can meet. It would be more convenient to discuss matters face-to-face, should there be any."

The manager nodded, affirmed that he would pass on Henry’s message, and also withdrew.

Henry turned to look at Claude and Bain, a trace of curiosity in both their eyes.

Henry joked self-deprecatingly, "It seems my reputation in the empire has spread. Even the Mercenary Guild has taken notice of me."

The performance ended amidst a wave of applause. The actors took their bows and slowly exited the stage.

The audience reluctantly left their seats, discussing the performance as they slowly moved toward the Opera House exit.

’That vile outsider broke up a pair of lovers who eloped, all for money! How despicable.’

Claude led Ailia and Orianna out of the Opera House with the crowd. They needed to return to the camp now.

Henry, however, remained in the box with his Attendants, because the hospitable Mercenary Guild President would be arriving to meet him shortly.

Before long, a burly, middle-aged man in a long leather robe appeared at the door of the box.

His eyes were sharp and his stride was steady. He was clearly no ordinary mercenary. Two followers, who looked like his bodyguards, trailed behind him.

"Greetings, esteemed Baron. I am the President of the Vostrom Mercenary Guild. People call me ’Iron Fist’ Carlos."

Henry smiled, nodded, and gestured for Carlos to take a seat.

"President Carlos, it’s a pleasure to meet you. However, I’d like to know the specific reason you’ve sought me out. I don’t believe we’ve ever had any contact."

"Baron, your fame in the empire is thunderous. I hope to establish a good relationship with you. Perhaps there will be opportunities for us to cooperate."

Henry tilted his head back slightly, wondering what kind of cooperation Carlos was talking about.

"Iron Fist" Carlos let out a hearty laugh and explained, "My lord, the fact that you rent out your army on the eastern steppes is hardly a secret!"

It dawned on Henry. ’So this president thinks I’m in the same line of business as him!’