Henwell picks up Daniel's fallen wine glass and hands it back to him. Seeing the murderous glint in Daniel's eyes, Henwell smirks, "Oh, co on, don't look at like that! It's not like you can just kill to keep your secrets."
Daniel narrows his eyes, "And why not?! This is the city of chaos. A few deaths here and there aren't exactly shocking. Sure, your status makes things a bit tricky, but considering the risks of you knowing, it might not be the worst outco. At most, we pay a price afterward and sacrifice a few scapegoats."
Henwell casually grabs a handful of nuts, peeling them leisurely, "Plenty have wanted dead, yet here I am. That says a lot. I'm not easy to kill, and I have a knack for revenge. Yinxin City might have its experts, but they're not at your beck and call, and they're certainly not enough to take down. As for your ragtag bunch, they're not even worth my ti or effort."
Daniel retorts, "You're overconfident! I know you have the strength of a Battle Knight, but that doesn't an you can underestimate us!"
Popping a nut into his mouth, Henwell chews gently, "Buddy, it's not confidence; it's the truth. Whether you believe it or not doesn't matter. What's important is whether you're willing to take a gamble."
"Look, we're back to your original plan! You want in the bloody arena, and my real opponents are you and Princess Catherine. If you win, you eliminate a pesky problem. But if you lose, you'll die here! And if I walk out alive, I'll lurk in the shadows. As long as the princess doesn't capture , she'll be stuck in the palace, fearing for her life. Much as I hate to admit it, I'm quite skilled at killing, in all sorts of ways."
Daniel responds coldly, "Have you considered the consequences? Killing a duke's son, killing a princess of the kingdom—do you know what kind of repercussions that would bring? Do you understand the disaster you'd unleash upon your family, your country?"
Henwell bursts into laughter, "Hahaha... You nobles always have this peculiar way of thinking, assuming everyone shares your sense of consequence."
"There's an old saying from my holand: A barefoot serf, when pushed to the brink, won't give a damn about how noble the boot-wearing lords are. I'm about to be fucking killed—why should I care?"
"Of course, I'd rather take you down first! As for what happens afterward, that's none of my damn business! I'm just a gladiator from a serf background. I don't care about family or country! If floods drown the continent after I'm gone, it won't matter to !"
Daniel freezes, suddenly rembering that Henwell is a lone wolf—no wife, no children, and no allegiance to any nation. Henwell tosses the unpeeled nuts into his mouth, chewing like a beast.
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"When I'm done eating, you better give a reason. Otherwise, this will be your last mont alive."
Sweat beads on Daniel's forehead as he feels Henwell's murderous intent. It's tangible, like icy tendrils wrapping around his throat. He realizes Henwell isn't joking or exaggerating. If he can't provide a convincing reason, Henwell won't hesitate to kill him.
Daniel never imagined he'd find himself in such a perilous situation. As Henwell's chewing slows, the pressure intensifies, as if Henwell is devouring not nuts, but Daniel's very flesh.
Finally, as Henwell swallows the last bite, Daniel crumbles under the pressure and speaks up. "The princess wants you to act, to emphasize your identity as a gladiator, and to stir trouble between you and Arius."
Henwell nods slightly, "So, she's trying to recruit ?"
Daniel responds sincerely, "Henwell, you're a talent. The Vorry Duchy is too small, and your territory doesn't match your abilities. Arius isn't worth your loyalty, and what you gain is too little! The nobility in Vorry offers you scant recognition, and building your network is tough."
"Here, it's different. The princess promises you a larger territory, more power, and better prospects. You'll be accepted quickly—not by everyone, but at least you won't be fighting alone."
Henwell pours Daniel a glass of wine, "You know, I'm a wild spirit, not really suited for this place. I appreciate the princess's recognition, but you know I've fought hard for my current status. I just want a few peaceful years. You should tell the princess to understand my plight."
Daniel sighs, "Ah, Henwell, you're a smart man. You must realize that when you have known so secrets, it's not easy to jump out of the mire."
Henwell understands that Daniel is referring to his knowledge of both him and Maxi being under the princess's command. If this information were to leak, it would be quite detrintal to Princess Catherine's faction.
But Henwell has a plan. "Do you know how two people who don't trust each other, or even harbor so animosity, can co together?"
Daniel looks puzzled, so Henwell continues, "Just like you and Maxi. You're not exactly best friends, right? The hatred between your families isn't sothing that changes easily, yet you chose to join forces. I bet it's not for family honor but for your own personal gain, right?"
"So, the answer is simple—interests! They can bring us to cooperate temporarily. Continuous benefits can help us build trust. How much trust and for how long? That depends on the scale and sustainability of the benefits."
Daniel asks, "And what benefits can you offer us?"
Henwell pulls out a kingdom's gold coin, flipping it deftly between his fingers. "Money! I can help you make money!"
Daniel chuckles, "Henwell, you're impressive, but you might not fully understand us. Money has never been an issue for us; it's not important."
Henwell rolls his eyes, "What nonsense is that?! Who doesn't need money? Ask your father, Duke Rayr, or King Ulysses—who dares say they don't need money? Money is never enough, and the more you have, the quicker it disappears! Whether you're recruiting allies or raising an army for big plans, which of those doesn't cost money?"
Raising his glass, Henwell continues, "So, don't say you're not interested in money! You should be asking how much money I can help you make!"
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