Knight: Becoming King of the World

Ratifa Villarreal was busy. Everyone was busy. And being busy was a good thing.

If Tommy was a solitary man, Claude was like a spirited young man in his prime, enjoying a new lease on life.

Claude rode on horseback, expertly directing the logistics and supply train.

The supply train had grown from a dozen or so carriages at the start to a seemingly endless column now, and the transformation was staggering to Claude.

’The Lord’s rise has been so fast, it’s like a dream spanning just a few months. A local Count who was once an untouchable figure now converses warmly with my Lord.’

’For years, there had been one battle after another. The army almost never stopped; they were either training or on the march.’

’Is this really the same boy I knew? How did he grow up so much in the blink of an eye?’

The army advanced slowly along the road toward the Northern Lands. Bain and Leon were like two excited little birds, chirping away beside Henry’s carriage as if they had an endless supply of things to talk about.

Bain, in particular, was dying to tell Henry everything he had seen and heard on his journey, eager to prove his newfound experience and maturity.

Henry merely gave a slight nod. When Bain saw Henry’s lack of reaction, he tried even harder to find topics of conversation, hoping to capture his attention.

Although Leon wasn’t as bold as Bain, he was not to be outdone, chiming in with a few words whenever he saw an opening, hoping to leave a stronger impression on Henry.

Henry finally spoke. "You’ve both been through a lot, and that’s all valuable experience. But remember, the war in the Northern Lands will be far more brutal. It will require more than just courage; you’ll need wisdom and patience."

Hearing this, Bain and Leon understood that Henry’s words held both his expectations and his trust in them.

They were like people deeply in love, desperate for daily affirmations from their partner. The slightest lack of response would make them feel dejected and insecure.

Bain and Leon’s conversation gradually shifted from personal anecdotes to a discussion of the upcoming battle.

The officers accompanying them joined the discussion, analyzing the combat strength of the enemy they had yet to face and even beginning to predict the overall course of the war.

Ratifa watched their animated discussion and was tempted to go over and listen, but she restrained herself from such an impolite act.

"Countess, is something wrong?"

"It’s nothing... Baron Henry’s officers are quite warlike. That’s a good thing."

"Then why are you frowning?"

Ratifa sighed. "They are heading to the Northern Lands. I’m afraid..."

Meanwhile, Henry would occasionally join the discussion, offering his own insights and suggestions, which made Bain and the others feel incredibly honored.

’What an incredible honor it is to be able to converse with our leader!’

Henry’s army snaked along the ancient roads of the imperial grasslands like a long, winding dragon—or a giant python on the hunt, a truly chilling sight.

As they passed Akakarat City, Count Akakarat watched in terror from the city walls as the powerful army slowly marched by.

Count Akakarat remembered all too well Henry’s performance in the war among the grassland nobles—a campaign that had nearly upended the balance of power in the east.

Not only had Henry’s army achieved victory, but they had also left behind a terrifying monument of skulls—a horrific mound made from the heads of the defeated, a warning to all who dared to oppose him.

When Henry’s army appeared within the Akakarat Region, panic surged through Count Akakarat.

He worried that the Baron, so famous for battle and conquest, might suddenly change course and turn his sights on his city.

’After all, my previous ’tattling’ was hardly honorable. Who knows if that butcher will decide to take his anger out on me?’

The Count’s palms grew sweaty with tension. He could just imagine it: if Henry really decided to attack, could his walls and soldiers possibly withstand those ferocious warriors?

’This army is full of monsters! They’ve fought Half-Beastmen, Lizardmen, and even the Alliance Army of the imperial nobility! This is a battle-hardened, elite force.’

Fortunately, Henry’s army didn’t halt. They were strictly disciplined, marching past the outskirts of Akakarat City with their eyes fixed forward, showing no sign of stopping.

Count Akakarat breathed a sigh of relief, his heart rate gradually returning to normal. Yet his mind was still filled with doubt and anxiety.

Henry’s army hadn’t stopped, not because they hadn’t noticed Akakarat City, but because they had a more important objective.

The Count suspected Henry’s destination was the Northern Lands. After all, Countess Ratifa had made no secret of her recent movements, openly displaying them for any noble with a capable intelligence network to see.

But even so, Count Akakarat couldn’t completely relax. Henry’s ambition and power were enough to make any noble feel threatened.

Count Akakarat’s gaze fell upon the skull monument just outside the city. He had recently considered destroying it, but ultimately abandoned the thought.

’Who knew what would happen if he actually did it? Would it provoke Henry? Or trigger some other unforeseeable consequence?’

Count Akakarat shook his head, deciding not to dwell on matters beyond his control. He turned, descended from the wall, and returned to his castle.

Though Henry’s army was gone, the shadow they cast lingered long in Count Akakarat’s heart.