The Lord Of Blood Hill-Chapter 230: Iron Knight
That night, Henwell and Count Jansen lead their people into Silver Peak City.
Even though the city enforces a curfew and closes its gates at night, both Henwell and Jansen have enough clout to get the gate guards to open up without hassle.
The Phoenix family holds properties in the city, and Henwell just has some secret assets.
So naturally, Henwell stays at the Phoenix family mansion.
By midday the next day, Jansen returns to Henwell with news.
“No luck digging up anything. Arius doesn’t know what’s going on, and neither does Orak. I also asked Counts Reyes and Marcus—they’re clueless too, but promised to look into it.”
Henwell had also quietly reached out to Count Obiken through underground channels. As a major royal noble, Obiken is just as in the dark.
That afternoon, Henwell pulls fifty Lord Iron Guards into Silver Peak City.
He doesn’t really believe Duke Amir would try to kill him, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Later that night, they finally get the detailed seating and entry arrangements for tomorrow’s ceremony.
The invitations clearly state where Henwell and Jansen will sit, and how many people they can bring.
Each invitation allows three family members and two guards to enter.
Henwell, of course, brings five Lord Iron Guards.
What? That’s not allowed?
He thinks his guards are family members too!
The next day, Henwell doesn’t give a damn about the occasion—he shows up to the ceremony clad head to toe in armor.
Count Jansen, a bit more concerned with appearances, wears a chainmail layer under his formal attire.
Neither of them brings family; just like Henwell, Jansen brings five knights as their personal guards.
Their presence raises quite a few surprised glances as the uncle and nephew enter the royal palace.
Henwell and Jansen ignore the stares and head straight to their seats.
At the far end of the square, the steps leading to the main hall have been turned into a raised platform. At its center sits a throne.
On either side of the throne are two rows of chairs. Flanking the platform are lower stands that curve out into a large arc.
Henwell and Jansen’s seats are on this curved grandstand.
This section is reserved for the duchy’s counts—fourteen in total, seven on each side.
Of course, only the seven major counts actually hold real power, land, and armies.
Jansen holds one of those seats—second chair on the left arc.
Marcus sits on the right side, closest to the throne, while Count Descartes of the noble alliance takes the left.
Descartes and the Phoenix family used to be at each other’s throats, but things have changed.
Descartes’ territory lies north of the Phoenix lands, and during the recent battle, the Phoenix family lent Descartes some solid support.
They’ve built a foundation of mutual watchfulness, and their relationship is warming.
As for Marcus, his daughter is about to marry Jansen’s nephew, tightening their ties even more.
No conflicts of interest exist between them; in fact, the southwest and east regions help each other out, with growing trade between their territories.
The three counts chat and laugh together, making it clear to all watching that Peace Haven’s faction has forged a closer alliance with the noble coalition.
Henwell, the linchpin of this relationship, doesn’t join their conversation.
His seat isn’t up front but a row behind and to the left of Jansen.
At that moment, Henwell is making faces at Melissa not far away, teasing her until she bursts out giggling.
But Spencer spots the antics and moves his chair to block the view between Henwell and Melissa.
Catching his brother-in-law’s unfriendly glare, Henwell chuckles awkwardly and turns his attention to observing the crowd at the ceremony.
The ceremony takes place in the palace square, packed with over three thousand attendees.
Including servants and perimeter guards, nearly ten thousand people cram the plaza.
Servants from various kingdoms guide their princes to the raised throne platform.
The princes from the other five great nations take their seats flanking the throne, with their ministers and officials seated behind them.
Once all the national representatives settle, the Vorry royal family steps forward.
Four princes including Arius, two princesses, and close relatives of Amir take their places on either side of the throne.
Then Amir himself appears, resplendent in full regalia, holding the queen’s hand as they sit on the grand throne.
But the ceremony still hasn’t started.
Henwell notices five chairs slightly elevated behind the throne.
When he curious about who’s got such an ego, five figures in golden lion robes take those seats.
Their hair is mostly gray, and among them is a woman.
Though Henwell keeps a calm face, his muscles tense up.
He senses danger radiating from these five.
No doubt, these are the Vorry royal family’s top-tier warriors.
Henwell’s sharp instincts tell him these five are at least Iron Knight rank.
Now he’s genuinely worried about his situation.
Damn it!
He figures he probably can’t take any of them one-on-one, but at least he could run.
However, If these old bastards don’t play fair and gang up on him, he might not even get a chance to escape.
Henwell tightens his grip on his sword hilt, ready to spring into action at any time.
But the five Iron Knights don’t even glance below.
Once seated, they close their eyes and start meditating.
Count Jansen casually glances back and notices sweat pouring down Henwell’s forehead.
“Henwell, what’s wrong with you?”
Henwell thinks for a moment and whispers, “Uncle, those five powerhouses behind Duke Amir—they’re all Iron Knights. I’m worried…”
Jansen waves him off. “Don’t sweat it. They won’t lay a finger on you! Extraordinary beings have their own rules. Just like you—if your opponent’s a noble, you can’t just go off and kill them in the war.”
”Iron Knights are the nation’s top fighters; they exist to protect the Vorry royal family, not to act as assassins. Even if Amir wanted something, he can’t command those people.”
”See that lady? She’s Amir’s great-aunt! You really think Amir’s gonna order his own great-aunt to play assassin? Besides, with so many eyes watching—including envoys from other nations—if they made a move on you, it’d be a massive scandal!”
Henwell finally exhales, relieved.
It’s his first time seeing Iron Knights up close—the sheer overwhelming aura they emit rattles him.
Damn it!
Looks like backing Arius is the way to go.
Starting a rebellion right now? Not happening.
Just as Henwell’s nerves settle, he notices something else off.
All five Iron Knights are here, yet the ceremony hasn’t started. What the hell are they waiting for?
Suddenly, Henwell’s hand twitches, and he crushes the armrest of his chair.
Eyes wide, he stares at the empty space in the center.
A bright, shimmering object slowly materializes.
That... that looks like a spatial portal!
Chapter 230: Iron Knight
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