The Lord Of Blood Hill-Chapter 69: Want to Get Rich and Promoted?
Half an hour later, Henwell emerges from the forest, hands covered in blood.
"Pour some water for me to wash up! Fresh innards are always tricky—those membranes feel awful on the hands." Knight Mark dismounts, taking off his water pouch to help Henwell clean up.
As he washes, Henwell instructs, "There are a few still breathing inside. Bring them out!"
Moments later, soldiers drag out seven bandits, their faces pale and stained with fear. Judging by the soldiers' grim expressions, the scene in the forest must have been quite intense. Many of these soldiers are veterans of the War of the Six Kings, accustomed to bloodshed. Even so, they look at Henwell with a mix of curiosity and a hint of fear.
Monroe approaches, "Arius, did you find out anything? The mastermind behind this?"
Henwell gives the anxious officer a surprised look, "Why would I ask about that? I don't care who's out to get me. I just want to know where they stash their loot. We didn't come all this way to leave empty-handed!"
Monroe is taken aback, "But... but... this is enemy territory! Even if we know where their treasure is, what can we do about it?"
Henwell points to the kingdom's cavalry approaching in the distance, "Isn't the solution arriving right now?"
At this moment, over six hundred border cavalry from the Ika Kingdom have arrived nearby, ready to confront Henwell's forces from a mile away. Henwell orders his men to hold their position and rides out alone to meet the opposing forces, stopping midway between the two groups.
A short time later, an officer from the other side approaches to question Henwell about their border crossing. Henwell responds, "I am the overseer of Peace Haven and heir of the Phoenix family. I request your commanding officer to speak with me."
After scrutinizing Henwell, the officer returns to his camp. Soon, the commanding officer from the Ika Kingdom's cavalry camp arrives to speak with Henwell.
"So, you're the youngest of the Phoenix family, Arius?"
Henwell nods affirmatively, "And how should I address you? Are you the leader of the 11th Border Legion's cavalry camp? Should I call you Knight Roderick or General Roderick?"
Roderick gives Henwell a surprised look, starting to believe that this young man indeed belongs to the Phoenix family. Roderick replies calmly, "I didn't expect your side to know us so well, even my name. But let me correct you, I'm not a general, just the commander of the cavalry camp. Don't get that wrong."
Henwell smiles, "Would you like to be a general?"
Roderick doesn't answer directly, instead asking, "I must formally question you: why did you cross the border? And why are you wearing our military's standard weapons and equipment? You know that's espionage, not covered by noble prisoner-of-war treatment!"
Henwell doesn't answer either, instead asking again, "Do you want to get rich?"
"Answer my question! Otherwise, my troops will attack you!"
The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, the violation.
Henwell continues, "Do you want to earn merit and get promoted?"
"... Please lay down your weapons, and I personally guarantee your safety!"
Henwell spreads his hands and says, "Let me give you an explanation! You've been patrolling the border, hunting down bandits. By chance, you received information that a group of bandits planned to assassinate the heir of the Phoenix family. In the spirit of maintaining friendship between our nations and upholding noble honor, you reached out to the Phoenix family heir."
"Together, you devised a plan, and with the heir's permission, you deployed elite soldiers to Peace Haven. Collaborating with the Phoenix family heir, you managed to eliminate most of the bandits within Peace Haven's borders. However, due to the bandits' cunning, some managed to escape your pre-arranged ambush."
"Thus, Knight Roderick, driven by the need to completely eradicate the bandits and restore peace to border residents and caravans, you made an exception, allowing the Phoenix family's private soldiers to pursue the bandits into the kingdom's territory."
"You also took precautions, ensuring that your elite soldiers accompanied them to prevent any actions that might harm the kingdom's interests. Ultimately, you captured all the bandits, beheading three hundred, and returned victorious, while overseeing the Phoenix family's soldiers' exit from your territory."
Henwell then points behind him, "The corpses of the bandits are there, along with a few survivors, all implicated in major crimes!"
Roderick frowns, "You're twisting the facts. Do you really think anyone will believe that?"
Henwell shrugs, "Of course people won't believe it! But does it matter? Rest assured, I'm very reliable, and afterward, merchants and citizens will present you with banners of gratitude!"
Roderick falls silent, knowing that it's not important. With both nations currently at peace, licking their wounds, neither side wants to reignite conflict. If this incident were to be escalated, it could lead to widespread disapproval, which is far from desirable.
Seeing Roderick remain silent, Henwell knows he's halfway to sealing the deal.
"We've got the merit sorted! Now, let's talk about getting rich. You know these bandits have been running rampant for years, amassing quite a stash. I've already found out where it is. Given our positions, haggling like merchants is pointless—let's split it fifty-fifty. How does that sound?"
Roderick narrows his eyes, "Kid, you're sharp. But as you said, these bandits have been around for years, and they've had protectors. If those protectors find out about this, what do you think they'll do? Will they spare you? Or let me off the hook?"
Henwell counters, "Are you their daddy?"
As Roderick is taken aback, Henwell continues, "Since you're not their daddy, why worry about what they think?"
After a moment, Roderick suddenly becomes serious and addresses Henwell, "Soldier! You've done well. Return to your unit."
Henwell snaps to attention and gives an Ika Kingdom salute, "Yes, sir! ing for duty, General!"
……
A few days later, Knight Mark approaches Henwell. "Sir, we've tallied everything. After selling the goods, we have about 130,000 gold coins."
Henwell nods, "It's a bit less than expected, but it'll do for now." Considering this was the accumulation of several dozen bandit groups over the years, just over 130,000 gold coins in total isn't much.
Henwell then inquires, "How's the formation of the Defense Force and the Patrol Cavalry going?"
Upon returning, Henwell immediately, under the Phoenix family's authority, removed Monroe from his position and had him imprisoned. Within days, Monroe took his own life. Also reassigned was the tax officer, Herbert. These two had been stalling and delaying support to the small hill.
Neither Monroe nor Herbert resisted Henwell's decisions. Once they learned Henwell was still alive, they knew their fate was sealed.
Now, Henwell oversees the Defense Force, promoting several guards to captain positions. The Patrol Cavalry is newly formed to ensure the safety of trade routes, with Knight Mark appointed as its commander.
With this, Henwell gains control over all military operations in Peace Haven and manages half of the administrative affairs. This was Henwell's true aim in using himself as bait. He intends to build his own military strength, eliminate the bandits, and clear the way.
This strategic move ensures that if circumstances change drastically in the future, he can swiftly switch sides and become a bandit that means a force to reckon with.
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Chapter 69: Want to Get Rich and Promoted?
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