The Lord Of Blood Hill-Chapter 61: Embracing the Identity
Upon entering the Duchy of Vorry, Baron Jansen doesn't head straight to his estate. Instead, he stops at a small manor not far from the border. Henwell is to stay here for ten days, during which he must memorize everything about Arius—noble etiquette, family history, the duchy's history, and cultural customs.
During these ten days, Henwell immerses himself in the materials, sacrificing sleep and food to learn every detail. He even takes the initiative to inquire about Arius's little habits. Throughout this period, Henwell dedicates all his time to study, neglecting his appearance to the point of looking like a disheveled vagabond.
On the tenth day, Henwell bathes, changes clothes, and dyes his hair from gold back to black. When he emerges in full noble attire, everyone is momentarily stunned. It's hard to believe that the bloodthirsty gladiator from ten days ago has transformed into a refined young nobleman.
Henwell approaches Jansen, curls his right hand into a sword gesture, places it over his heart, and bows slightly. "Father, Arius greets you!"
Jansen stares at Henwell, his bright eyes, familiar tone, and gentle smile. Henwell's presence overlaps with the image in Jansen's memory from over a decade. Instinctively, Jansen reaches out to touch Henwell's head, then catches himself and pats Henwell's shoulder instead. "Very good!... A—ri—us!"
Henwell's face has been subtly altered by a makeup artist, softening his features to resemble Arius more closely, aligning his appearance with that of the real Arius.
On the way back to the estate, Jansen asks Henwell, "Do you know swordsmanship?"
Henwell nods, "Of course, I know some basic knight swordsmanship. It's enough to get by. As long as I'm not up against a professional, I should manage."
Jansen inquires further, "Do you have any specific requests regarding weapons?"
"A standard longsword will do, preferably a hand-and-a-half style. For long weapons, I'm skilled with a war lance, and I'll draw up some designs for you later. As for armor, wearing heavy armor might be impractical for my current role, so a chainmail undercoat will suffice."
"Additionally, if possible, please prepare a military-grade heavy bow for me, and it would be great to have a compact hand crossbow as well."
Jansen notes down each request and assures Henwell that once they reach the estate, all these items will be prepared for him.
Half a month later, they finally arrive at Baron Jansen's estate. To celebrate the return of his youngest son, who had been away for three years of study, the baron hosts a grand banquet at the castle.
Few guests have ever met Arius, and even the neighboring nobles have only seen him a handful of times. With children changing so much year by year, no one doubts Henwell's portrayal.
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However, this trust only extends to outsiders.
Within the castle, there were many who knew Arius well. Those individuals have either been dismissed or mysteriously disappeared. Some people, though, cannot simply vanish—at least not without notice.
Take, for instance, Jansen's wife, Grace. As a mother who raised the child, she immediately recognizes that Henwell is not her son.
Yet, she remains silent, behaving as if everything is normal. Being of noble descent herself, she understands there must be a reason her husband acted without informing her. She refrains from questioning Jansen, knowing that if he hasn't told her, it's not yet time for her to know.
The family's old steward is another who realizes Henwell is a stand-in.
However, this middle-aged man seems to be in on the secret and treats Henwell as if he were Arius.
Besides them, others are in a state of suspicion. The baron's eldest son, Orak, is serving in the royal capital's army, while the second son, Kaku, is now eighteen and preparing for marriage. Kaku harbors some doubts about his brother but, having had little interaction with him growing up and being preoccupied with his own affairs, doesn't pay much attention.
The baron's youngest daughter, only eight years old, is also skeptical. She curiously observes Henwell, feeling that this tall young man differs from the brother in her memory.
Her recollections paint her third brother as someone who was kind and often played games with her. This new brother, however, feels distant, and she even finds herself a little afraid of him.
In the days that follow, Henwell gradually settles into the identity of Arius. The life of a young noble is, without a doubt, incredibly comfortable.
However, Henwell lives on edge, constantly wary of everyone who comes into contact with him. He knows he's not here to enjoy a life of luxury but to serve as a decoy.
Perhaps, the smiling maid who tends to him could, in the next moment, pull a dagger from her skirt and strike. Similarly, the obsequious servant who flatters him might suddenly decide to drag him off the castle walls. Henwell remains vigilant, understanding the precariousness of his situation.
That evening, Jansen summons Henwell to the study, where the weapons and gear Henwell had requested are laid out. As Henwell tests the weight of the weapons, the door swings open, and Lady Grace enters. A guard follows, looking rather embarrassed. Upon seeing Jansen, the guard explains, "My lord, I couldn't stop the lady..."
Jansen waves him off, "It's not your fault. Leave us and secure the area."
Only Henwell understands that Jansen's last instruction is directed at the hidden professionals in the vicinity. Henwell senses several powerful presences around, all on par with Bloodhorn. He also knows that Jansen himself is a formidable professional. Otherwise, Henwell would have fled long ago.
Grace fixes her gaze on her husband, "I don’t care what you’re up to or why you’re doing it. I just have one question: Is my Arius still alive?"
Jansen sighs, "Of course! Our son is very much alive, Grace. You should understand our current situation. This is merely a temporary measure."
Grace waves her hand, "I said I don't need an explanation. I just want to know our son's safety."
She then turns to Henwell, "Child, what is your name?"
Henwell hesitates for a moment, "The Flash, madam. You can call me The Flash."
Grace nods gently, "Very well, The Flash. From now on, you are my son. Take good care of yourself."
With that, Grace attempts to bow, but Henwell swiftly sidesteps it. She continues, "I apologize for putting you in my son's danger. If our family survives this ordeal, I will give you what you desire—be it freedom or wealth."
Henwell responds calmly, "Madam, this is my profession. The baron has already paid me, so you need not worry."
After Grace leaves, Jansen gestures for Henwell to sit. "Do you know why we need you as a stand-in?"
Henwell shakes his head, "If it’s not for me to know, I won’t pry or ponder."
Chapter 61: Embracing the Identity
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