The Lord Of Blood Hill-Chapter 192: You and Your Father Are Truly Remarkable
After praising Obiken for his accurate assessment, Henwell says, "Count, since you're not here to apologize, you must have something to discuss with me.”
”Let me guess, is it about the duchy's transformation? But that's already a done deal, no need to talk to me about it.”
”So, are you representing the royal family? Grand Duke Amir, perhaps? You have a good relationship with him, but the crown prince you supported, Hunter, died ten years ago. Years of effort went up in smoke, and you made quite a few enemies back then, especially among the other princes. You've deeply offended them!”
”No matter which prince ascends the throne, you're in for a tough time. So, are you here for Fabio's sake? Looking for a way out for him?"
Obiken doesn't refute; he simply looks at Henwell quietly.
Henwell opens a bottle of wine and pours a glass for Obiken, "I understand your intention! You want to bet on Arius, but due to past disruptions, Arius isn't too fond of you. So, you want to use me to ease relations with Arius."
Obiken smiles, "Henwell, you're clever, but this time you're mistaken! I do want to smooth things over with Arius, but I don't need to go through you; I have plenty of channels.”
”Besides, during the alliance battle, Fabio captured Yosui City, establishing a cooperative foundation with Arius. Their relationship is pretty good now. Even with me as a barrier, it won't significantly affect Arius's view of Fabio.”
”When the time comes for royal succession, we old folks will either be dead or retired. As long as Fabio holds military power, no one will dare to harm him. Whoever ascends the throne will need the Iron Wall Legion to guard the western borders of the nation!"
At this point, Obiken looks up at Henwell, "Henwell, I'm here to reach some sort of cooperation with you. What I want is for you to give me a promise—one concerning our family and Fabio."
Henwell is a bit surprised, "Oh?! I hold such weight in your eyes, Count?"
Obiken doesn't pay any mind to the sarcasm in Henwell's words. With a serious expression, he locks eyes with Henwell and says, "If that day ever comes, I hope you won't kill Fabio."
Henwell is taken aback, then bursts into exaggerated laughter, "Count, you must be joking! Fabio and I have a great relationship; how could I possibly..."
Under Obiken's piercing gaze, Henwell gradually stops speaking. He understands what Obiken means.
Sigh!
Out of everyone who knows Henwell, and everyone Henwell knows, only two people have foreseen Henwell's future path.
One is Princess Catherine, with whom he shares a deep collaboration and many secrets. The other is Count Obiken, who has been regard Henwell as a thorn in his side for over a decade, persistently opposing him even after Henwell changed identities.
These two know that wealth, status, fiefs, lordships, and titles aren't enough to satisfy Henwell's ambition. They understand that Henwell desires the entire duchy, and perhaps even more!
With his gaze lowered, Henwell feels a murderous intent brewing within him. "Count, since we're on this topic, I want to ask you: knowing my intentions, why do you still want to cooperate with me?"
Obiken's eyes are filled with complexity, "Because you've already gained much momentum! Now, no matter what I say or do, it's difficult to make the duchy take notice. You've hidden your intentions too well.”
”If it had been a few years ago, when you first started down the Path of Honor, or when you initially became the lord of Blood Hill, if I had known you were the same Henwell from back then, I would have done everything in my power to eliminate you! But now, it's all too late."
Henwell chuckles softly, "Heh... Count, you're quite formidable yourself! I haven't dared to use the name Henwell or set foot in Silver Peak City for a long time, all because I feared running into you and being recognized as the Henwell of the past. You've always been a major thorn in my side! You're the only one who could completely upend my foundation, and I couldn't afford to take that risk!"
The reason Henwell has avoided seeking out Fabio is his fear of Count Obiken.
Obiken taught him a hard lesson, forcing him to abandon any fantasies of becoming a strategist or a king's right-hand man.
Henwell's greatest vulnerability now is his true identity. He's certain that Count Obiken must have discovered his origins back then.
If the Path of Honor led him to ally with Fabio, it would ensure his survival.
However, everything he has would be under Obiken's control, even more so than being a knight lord under Grand Duke Amir.
After the Path of Honor concluded, Henwell revealed his true name. He knew he needed to immediately show his fangs.
Joining the Phoenix family was partly a message to Count Obiken. It was a way of signaling that if pushed too far, he had powerful allies backing him up.
Count Obiken is a shrewd man. Not only did he refrain from exposing Henwell's identity, but he also allowed Fabio to assist Henwell in the battle with Billie.
From that moment, Henwell knew that Count Obiken would eventually come to talk to him. This visit to Silver Peak City was an opportunity for Henwell to see what Obiken was planning.
However, Henwell didn't expect the old fox to see through him so clearly.
Henwell contemplates getting rid of him, despite Obiken being the Grand Duke's brother and having bodyguards and extraordinary protectors. Henwell still feels confident he could take him out.
Now that Obiken has laid everything on the table, but Henwell finds himself in a difficult position.
Sure enough, Obiken continues, "Your identity is your fatal weakness! If your family in Ika were just ordinary citizens, it wouldn't be much of an issue. But your father is a knight lord with a fief, formerly serving in the Night Falcon Knights."
Obiken pauses, raises his glass with a smile, and adds, "Oh, I forgot to congratulate you! Your father has been promoted. He's now been transferred to the newly formed Golden Guard Knights of the Ika Kingdom, serving as a commander of a thousand.”
”And the baronial grant has likely already reached him! Congratulations! You're truly the son of a noble now!"
Henwell glares coldly at Obiken, "Was this your doing?"
Obiken shrugs, "It's the Golden Guard Knights! I don't have the power to meddle in the appointment of senior officers!"
He then sighs, "Ah, I must say, you and your father are truly remarkable! One rises from a commoner, climbing through military achievements and sheer strength to become a baron lord. Serving as a senior officer in the Ika Kingdom's knight order, an elite strategic force, his future is bright!”
”And the other, even more impressive! From a life of wandering, from captive to gladiator, to finally becoming a high-ranking official of a duchy with lands of his own!"
Chapter 192: You and Your Father Are Truly Remarkable
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