Knight: Becoming King of the World

The three of them sat around the fireplace in the study, the firelight illuminating their faces.

"I want to ensure all the Free People in the city can participate in the celebration. We must invite every resident. Prepare plenty of food and drink so that everyone can feel the joy of the festival."

"Yes, my lord. I’ll arrange for a team of chefs at the tavern to prepare whole roasted lambs, suckling pigs, an assortment of desserts, and fine wine.

We’ll also build a temporary stage and invite bands and dance troupes to perform."

Henry nodded. He was confident in Claude’s abilities. He then looked at Tommy and said, "Tommy, you’re in charge of organizing some competitive events. I want the nobles to see the vitality and unity of our people."

Tommy thought for a moment and said, "No problem, my lord. We can organize wrestling, archery, and equestrian competitions, and also arrange some team-based games, like tug-of-war.

This way, we can showcase our people’s physical strength and their morale."

Henry considered this, then continued, "As for the self-employed farmers and tenant farmers in the villages, they must also get to enjoy the festival.

Claude, have the Agricultural Officials from the Civil Affairs Department send grain and clothing to the villagers."

"Yes, my lord."

Henry paused in thought before continuing his orders, "For the nobles who will be arriving, we need to arrange some special entertainment. Tommy, speak with Bain and Selas. Have them prepare to organize a tournament for the knights.

For example, jousting with riding spears, Swordsmanship duels on foot, and equestrian competitions."

"Yes, my lord. I’ll go and arrange it right away."

In the days that followed, preparations at Westwood Laine entered the final sprint.

The streets were swept spotless, with not a trace of snow in sight. Buildings were decorated with colorful banners, and plenty of torches were readied, which would contribute... a negligible amount of warmth to the outdoor performances.

Henry personally took part in the preparations for the celebration. In his experience, large-scale events were always fertile ground for corruption.

’A shame.’ This time, to his surprise, Henry found not a single corrupt official or Civil Servant. It seemed that executing a batch of them every now and then really did serve as a deterrent.

None of the old officials or new Civil Servants knew that the kind and benevolent lord in their eyes was actually eyeing their necks.

Three days before the New Year’s Festival, the first group of nobles arrived at Westwood Laine.

They were dressed in magnificent furs and imperial robes, and they brought precious gifts.

Baron Edmund, Baron Calvin, and Baron Boras—the three barons whose lands were closest to Westwood Laine—arrived as the first guests. They brought their personal Knights and Attendants, along with a dozen or so more knights and their own attendants.

They had attended the Wolf Hunting Festival Henry organized before and had been left with a strong impression of his "temperament," so they had no intention of arriving right on time.

Henry had prepared fine food and wine for them at the reception hall to the right of the tavern, allowing them to settle in for the time being.

The celebration’s climax had to be saved for the day of the festival itself. This was to ensure all the nobles and subjects could participate together and experience the full grandeur of the event.

The nobles who arrived early were given a standard reception. The main purpose was to let them relax—and spend money—before the official celebration. Henry’s tavern was already well-stocked with expensive ingredients for a life of debauchery.

’They come to my territory and think such a small gift will suffice? They’d better be ready to do some spending.’

After Edmund, Calvin, and Boras settled into the reception hall, they came to the castle to pay Henry a visit.

Their main purpose was to "catch up" with Henry; after all, they hadn’t seen each other in a year.

In Henry’s study, a warm fire drove away the outside chill. Maidservants served wine and a selection of delicate pastries.

"Baron Henry, my old friend, I was delighted to receive your invitation. I was occupied with my domain’s affairs for the first half of the year. After the autumn harvest, I had intended to invite you to organize an autumn hunt, but then I heard you had gone on campaign again."

Calvin watched as Edmund beat him to the punch, saying everything Calvin himself had been planning to say on the journey over. He seethed with frustration. ’Those were the exact words I worked so hard to come up with!’

"Haha, yes, the timing was unfortunate. The great emperor’s command came right around the time my conflict with Count John was being mediated."

Calvin quickly cut in, "Indeed, Baron Henry. Your military prowess is admired by all. I only wonder when we might have the chance to fight side-by-side."

Henry detected the probing nature of their words. He addressed all three of them, "My friends, you have always been my respected friends and neighbors. The very reason I organized this celebration was to strengthen our ties and preserve our friendship."

The taciturn Boras nodded in agreement. "I greatly cherish our friendship, Baron Henry. Your invitation is an honor, and I look forward to discussing future cooperation with you."

Henry took no issue with their formal address; it was a sign of their respect.

Henry raised his glass. "Then, let us toast to friendship and to the upcoming New Year’s Festival!"

The three barons raised their glasses as well, drinking with Henry.

Over these three days, Henry made time each day to speak with the early-arriving barons and the few viscounts who had also appeared.

Henry was a man of deep thought; every action he took had a hidden purpose. The reason he personally received these early-arriving nobles and spoke with them was to judge who could become his friends, and who would become his enemies.